The world hates Christians... and we deserve it.

Christians have a problem. The world sees Christians in a very negative light. I know, scripture says that they will hate us because of Jesus but this is not because of Him. This is because of us. I have a couple of examples that will help to clarify what I am saying.

The movie Easy A has a group of Christians in it and they are portrayed as pompous, exclusive, not exactly all that smart, complaining, completely closed-minded, extremely fallible and weak but very hypocritical about it, bent on imposing beliefs on everyone around them and if everyone doesn't subscribe to those beliefs within an acceptable amount of time then they must be sent away because they aren't worthy to be around. Many Christians would be very offended by the way Christians are portrayed in the movie and would, very possibly, call them out for it and

maybe boycott the film and all the actors in it... which, by the way, would perpetuate the exact reasons they were seen that way in the movie to start with. See where I am going here?

Another example is GrinchAlert.com... a site put out there by a church in Dallas. This site is a place Christians can go to complain and call-out business and such who refuse to act Christian enough about Christmas. There was one posting there where the bank this particular person used did not have any Christmas decorations and were not planning to have any and the posting person was offended enough to say they were going to change banks because of it. Really?

Here is a shocking statement... not everyone is redeemed. There are more who aren't than are. I know that because scripture says that's how it is.

¹³ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. ¹⁴ Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

Matthew 7: 13, 14 (New King James Version)

How can we expect the unredeemed to act redeemed or have the heart of the redeemed? We can't. We can't expect all businesses to be excited about Jesus or see Christmas as a holy day because they don't have it in them because they aren't redeemed. So is calling them out and refusing to do business with them going to save them? Um... no. It just makes Christians look exactly like the people they already think we are.

¹⁴ Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Phillipians 2:14-16 (New King James Version)

Instead of trying to save everyone with the imposition of our (God's) will on them... we should love them. Paul tells us that by our character, by our love, by our actions as Christians will we affect people for Christ. We can make people want to be like us and want to love Christ by bearing good fruit and showing true, Christ-like character. They will be drawn to it.

¹ Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. ³For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, ⁵ not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
⁸ This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

⁹ But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

Titus 3:1-9 (New King James Version)

What I believe Paul is saying in the passage above is that our neighborhood, our workplace, the grocery store, the highway, etc. should all be better places because we are there. That people will be drawn to God BY THE GRACE OF GOD through your character and service, and not because of it. "Be ready for every good work," Paul says. "These things are good and profitable to men." That's what will bring people around and make them want to be a part of the body of Christ. Then in verse nine, Paul tells us that this sort of arguing and contentiousness and "strivings about the law" are "unprofitable and useless." We are not going to win souls by complaining about the phrase Happy Holidays or whether the business' Christmas tree is "Christian" enough for Jesus. We are starting to sound more like the ACLU than the beloved of Jesus Christ. Serve in love and "speak evil of no one." That's how we honor Christ this Christmas, with an attitude change to service in love.

I fail at this every day. I am a complainer. Not about Christmas decorations or phrases, but many other things in my daily routine. I judge people outside my idea of goodness and righteousness without even really being conscious of it. I forget to love the hard to love. I hate how people drive so selfishly here in the Dallas area and I totally forget to love many of them every commute. God forgive me. I guess this is my personal, spiritual project for the month...

to improve myself in this area and hopefully teach my kids the same so they can grow with me.

The Case for Siblings

A funny and true to life post over at Faith and Family:

http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/features/the_case_for_siblings

Toy Story 3 Outing

I have three kids with birthdays within a month of each other in June and July. I wanted to take them to see Toy Story 3 as sort of a day with Dad thing. I took half a day off from work to take them. I decided to include Henry, my four year old son, too, since I thought he could sit without making it too difficult and he would enjoy the movie. I considered taking Sophia, my two year old daughter, who absolutely loves Toy Story 2... but really had some fears about her ability to sit still through the movie or maybe having one of those two year old freak-out fits that she has sometimes and that I would have to change a diaper away from home (which I really hate) and we were seeing it in 3D and I had doubts about her ability to deal with the glasses for the whole movie and how she could generally really make the whole experience a drag if things went badly.

Now, I really thought all those things and I talked myself into not taking her. My wife said she didn't want to be the one to tell her because she would be heart-broken. I just thought we wouldn't tell her and it would be all good. But Becca, my wife, brought up the fact that the other kids would be talking about it when they got home and Sophia is no stooge, she's gonna know she missed it. So I thought just turn on Toy Story 2 for her here at home while we are at the movies and she'll be happy as can be. Becca would not even consider that because she said if she was at home with Sophia and most of us were gone she would not sit Sophia in front of the TV. She just couldn't do it. That's my wife... always thinking of the kids.

In the end... If you go back and re-read the last two paragraphs with the perspective of how selfish they really are (i.e. how selfish I am), you will see why I ended up thinking about it and realizing that it's not about me. Yes, I took her with us. She did great. She sat still and quiet and watched the movie all the way through. She did not like the 3D glasses much, but who can blame her? They were HUGE on her. I did have to change a diaper, but look... I am still alive and didn't suffer any permanent damage. Apparently the cutoff age for having to pay for a movie ticket is ONE so her ticket cost the same $8 matinée price as all the rest of us. Ouch. Yes, a matinée with me and five kids was $48 and I didn't buy a single kernel of popcorn or a bottle of water. No wonder movies make millions.

So, we had a good time... all of us. We made memories and it was actually my initiative to put the outing together which is something I am historically bad at. I worried it from my selfish perspective thinking how miserable I could be if the little ones acted badly and almost made a decision that would have come back on me later like bad tacos. I would've regretted it and would not have been able to take it back. I thank God that He softened my heart for my daughter and allowed me to give up the worry and enjoy the time. Consider that if you start to worry yourself into something like that.

Pink

My daughter, Sophia (2), loves pink. Pink clothes, pink shoes, pink balloons, pink anything.

One evening at dinner everyone was talking about hair and Sophia said something about wanting pink hair. So I decided to pink her up using my mad Photoshop skills and this was the result. She was pretty excited to see pink hair and eyes.

She is now the pink princess. She's beautiful in any color and one of my blessings and I am thankful for her.

Proverbs 3 (New King James Version)

Guidance for the Young (and maybe the not so young)

¹ My son, do not forget my law,

But let your heart keep my commands;
² For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
³ Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
⁴ And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
⁸ It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.
⁹ Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
¹¹ My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
¹² For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
¹³ Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
¹⁴ For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.
¹⁹ The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
²⁰ By His knowledge the depths were broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.
²¹ My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
²² So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
²³ Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
²⁶ For the LORD will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.
²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor,

“ Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
²⁹ Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
³⁰ Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
³¹ Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
³² For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD,
But His secret counsel is with the upright.
³³ The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.
³⁴ Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

Henry's Birthday

My son, Henry, turned four years old today. Last night it started to snow, again. This is a pretty strange thing for this part of Texas this time of year. We've had quite a bit of snow this year... again, for this part of Texas. I took the kids in the truck and we went on a "snow ride" so they could see it falling while we drove. Henry said, "It's like God gave me a birthday present." Amen, Henry... Amen.

Families Worshiping Together

This is a really good post over at Generation Cedar about children and children's church/sunday school

FAMILIES WORSHIPING TOGETHER - WHY NOT CHILDREN'S CHURCH