Link Love Tuesday!

This weeks love goes to Bryan Stupar.  He's a pastor, he loves Jesus, he's honest, he's in your face, and has an authentic love that really isn't hard to pick up on.  Check it out!

let your light shine...

"Preach the gospel. And if necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi

So, what if that verse in Matthew chapter 5, went a little different?

"In the same way, let your words speak before all men, that they may hear your condemnation and then glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Wouldn't really have the same impact would it? In fact it would be a disaster. Sometimes, I think that is how we as followers of Jesus (the Church) try to shine our lights. With our words. Let me just say this right now, that does not and will not work. Yes, we are called to preach the gospel, but that doesn't necessarily mean we have to talk. Sure there is a time for talking, but those times in my opinion are few and far between. Our light needs to be real love, real humility, real grace, real truth, real forgiveness, real family unity, and not just lip service and judgement.

When I think about it, it really doesn't surprise me any more that the church has become a joke. We condemn homosexuals, and then get found out to be one. We condemn abortion, but we kill in order to put an end to it. We cry foul when the government wants to take the ten commandments out of schools and courts, yet we lie, cheat, steal, commit adultery in our hearts, and never even blink an eye. Our inconsistency is wearisome to those on the outside looking in, and for my part, I have grown weary of this inconsistency in myself as well.

It makes no sense to me to talk about the gospel of Jesus Christ unless I am living it, and if I am truly living it, I have no time to talk. This is the greatest form of preaching we can do. May this be increasingly true of me.

"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 The Message

Two hookers, a few fisherman, and a tax collector...

What do the above have in comon?  Well, they are the ones that Jesus entrusted the gospel message to.  The foundation of the early church.  And now, the ball bounces with us.

Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor?

THURSDAY TOP TEN!

The title is pretty self explanatory.  Here are the top ten played songs on my ipod right now.  

1. Greatly To Be Praised - Brian and Jenn Johnson
   
2. God Of This City - Chris Tomlin
3. The Maker - Willie Nelson
4. Hot N Cold - Katy Perry (Don't knock if you haven't tried it)
5. Always On My Mind - Willie Nelson
6. Love Or Gain - Lakes
7. Resonate - Imago Dei
8. Forgive and Forget - Street Choir
9. Heartless  - Kris Allen's version of the Kanye song
10. Goodbye, Apathy - OneRepublic

What are your top 10 songs this week.....PLEASE tell me, I really wanna know.

Now, go get your music on!

Unity and Diversity...Can we have both?

So, I am sure most readers know by now that I am a Christian.  Actually, I am trying to refer to myself now as a follower of Jesus rather than Christian, though, as a broad term to classify my beliefs, the word Christian works.  I was having an online discussion with a man whom I respect, though we don't often share the same viewpoint.  What we do have in common is our love for Jesus. 

The conversation eventually cam around to this idea of diversity versus unity.  His opinion is that although we are Christians, diversity in thought and action are necessary and important as a part of our community together.  My viewpoint was that of unity over diversity.  One God, one faith, one truth, etc.  In the new testament, Paul exhorts the church to be of like mind, and intent on one purpose.  I think Paul knew the danger of the enemy seeking to divide the church by convincing them that their can be a gray rather than just black and white.  I know I am gonna catch some disagreement here, but here it is, I just don't see any gray in scripture or in the life of Jesus, and I see a call for unity and for advancement of the Kingdom of God on earth, never a call for diversity and varied opinion.  Yes, I understand we are all different, but if the goal is the same, the path can't be that far apart.  IF there is no gray in scripture, no luke warm, the unity can not be that far behind.

This post is actually several weeks in the making and over that time I have given some thought to this idea of unity and diversity, by applying it directly to God himself.  God is both unity and diversity.  He is God the Father and creator, He is God the son, and He is God the Holy Spirit.  Each person of the trinity has a function different and separate from the other, yet they remain perfectly united and intent on the propose of God the Father.  Perfectly diverse and perfectly united.  I think the church is called to be the same.

My friend voted for President Obama, and I did not.  We are diverse.  The unity comes in our acknowledgement that we are not called to criticize, but to pray for "kings" and all those in authority.  This is our unity.  This unity will never happen as long as I spend valuable time bashing the President and slandering him over things I disagree with, and I refuse to do that, and I expect the same thing from fellow followers of Christ.  Should we speak up and have a voice when we think things are wrong or immoral?  Yes, but that must never take the place of prayer and unity of purpose.  Is it OK to dislike Rush Limbaugh?  Sure.  He's not my favorite person.  What happens though when we take our dislike and disagreement a step further by aligning our selves with groups titled "Tell Rush Limbaugh to Shut The Hell Up?"  Really all this does is put us on the same level as the one we despise for justifiable reasons, and mutes our cause.  Joining the madness will never bring solutions or peace or the Kingdom of God.

Followers of Jesus (read: The Church) need to find unity in our diversity and understand that God is very much single minded, very black and white, and extremely intent on one purpose and that makes it our intent as well.