What it Means to Be a Christian.

The sinner's prayer, we hear it all the time at the end of Church services and often are encouraged to say it with those who are praying it for real. But, what happen's after the prayer? There is nothing magical about that prayer. You aren't a Christian just for repeating it. So what need's to happen in order to really be transformed by God and actually be a Christian (Christ follower). Although it is preached more often than anything else, being a Christian is not just about love, grace, forgiveness, and prosperity. Yes, God does offer that to us, but not because we said a simple sinner's prayer. That prayer is only saying to God "I want you to come into my life, change my heart, and make me a new person in you. I want to love you, worship you, and know you." In order to do that it take much sacrifice, hard work, determination, and sometimes hardship! I will not stand here and tell you that being a Christian is easy, it is very hard! But it is the most rewarding and worth the time and effort things you will ever come to know.

1. You must turn from sin (darkness) and run to God (light). Your sins cannot be forgiven until you do so, but once you do, your sins will be forgotten forever. (Acts 26:18 "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." and 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" ) You cannot be transformed into a new being through Christ if you hold onto your old self. How can an alcoholic ever overcome his disease if he never put's the bottle down?( Proverbs 3:7-8 "Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones."
2. In order to truely become a Christian you must give the reigns over to God. Forget about your plans, because more than likely he will change them. You must come to know that God know's best. He knows the desires of our heart and it is his wish to grant us those desires (Psalm 37:4 "Take delight in the Lord,and he will give you your heart’s desires.") What I mean by this is don't have your life all planned out to the point where you get bend out of shape when something runs off schedual or God forbid if something doesn't happen all together. You should still have an idea of where you are headed, but acknowledge God and he will help you (Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him And He will make your paths straight.") This really is the hardest thing to do, because this requires you putting God first in your life, but there is absolutely nothing more rewarding and fulfilling.
3. Obey God and abstain from sin. ( Exodus 20:1-17  ¹ Then God gave the people all these instructions ² “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. ³ “You must not have any other god but me.⁴ “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. ⁵ You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. ⁶ But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.⁷ “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.⁸ “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. ⁹ You have six days each week for your ordinary work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.¹² “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.¹³ “You must not murder.¹⁴ “You must not commit adultery.¹⁵ “You must not steal.¹⁶ “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.¹⁷ “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”) The 10 Commandments, also found in Deuteronomy 5, are the Laws of God and it is written on our hearts wether we learn that these thing are wrong or not. Everyone feels guilty when they do something wrong, that is why. Another thing that I would call the 11th Commandment would be giving all your first's to God. The first part of any earnings (10%) to the Church (not so they can use it an abbuse it, it is God's design that it goes to the Church because from there he will multiply it and it will come back to serve you and other in need, just be sure you are really going to a capital C Church (see previous post to know what a capital C Church is like)), the first part of your day, your first child, your first anything. Why? Think of it as a savings account. Your money starts to build and once you reach a certain amount you can go blow it on something that you really wanted, a nice vacation, etc. God takes that 10%, multiplies it, uses it in ways that you cannot even imagen, and then rewards you for it. But, do not give for the reward. Give out of the goodness of your heart and the knowlege of what is right. (Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.¹⁰ Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.")

Now, a little side note on talking to God for new believers and old ones who have never really gotten it. I was raised in Church, but was never a real Christian untill 13 years of age. It was then that I developed a real relationship with God (see a previous blog) but I won't go into that. I just wanted to encourage who ever is reading this that you are not the only one who think's talking to God is a little awkward, because it is. Haha! It takes awhile gettting use to it, but you will feel so close to God. What I had to do was literally talk to God. It is easy to talk to him in your head and listen for him in that way too, but in my junior year of high school I decided to step out of my comfort zone, and get closer to God. I made the time I spent driving to school (20minutes) my time with God. I started literally talking out loud to him. I, like a lot of people I'm sure, didn't know what to say sometimes, so I would just look around and the surroundings and thank him for the flowers and comment on how cool things were. Haha! I just became my self with God, I was real with him. Don't get me wrong, there were times where I even said to him "people going by probibly thing I'm crazy talking with no one in my car and laughing." That was the closest I ever felt to God, and the most meaningful 20 minutes of my life that I could ever spend doing anything. I laughed so much with God those mornings, sometimes at myself, and I broke a communication barrier. Everyone knows, or should know, that all relationships will struggle, if not fail, if there is lack of communication. It is the leading cause to arguments and misunderstandings, and it is just as vital to your relationship with God as it is to your family, friends, and significant other.

This blog is not a crash course on how to be a Christian. I wrote this for new believers and ones who have been on the ride for awhile because this is what a Christian should look like. Real Christians do not live in prideful sin (being proud or ok with your sin), because they are so consirned with how God thinks of them, living in heaven, and setting an example for fellow believers. It's not about who's the best or worst Christian, it's about living a life that put's God first, a life worth living, a life so full, and a life worth talking about and being remembered once you pass. I don't think that I'm the only one who has ever wondered, "What if we are all fooled, what if I die and there is just nothing." Well, honestly, God has proven himself to me way too many times for me to ever not believe in him. And even if he hadn't, I wouldn't change a thing. I am a better person, people look up to me because I am on the right track, and I have never felt so much joy, love, fulfillment, and purpose as I do being a Christian. I have fallen off track before and I didn't like who I was, at all.

The Importance of Church

I was once one of those who said "I dont need Church to be a christian." That statement is somewhat true, but Church is such a huge part of being a christian. I don't think I'm the only person who has ever gotten fed up with "Church." The show, gossip, hurt, politics, and manipulation that goes on in many Churches is horrible and wrong. I called these places churches with a lower case C because they are not what a church should be. A Church is a place where you can come as you are. A place that welcomes all people, no matter if they come in drunk, high, sick, or plain crazy. It is a place where Christians can come and encourage one another, reach out to other together, and worship God. A Church goes beyond for walls, a stage, big lights, good sermons, great worship leaders, programs, and Sunday mornings. Church last through every day out of every week. A real Church is a family, always in contact, always encouraging, always hanging out, always challenging one another, and always reaching out to the lost. It is a place that should feel fulfilling, exciting, challenging, and bring immense joy. Not stress, grief, regret, and anger. And when you find a real Church, all the other things fall into place. Like tithing, serving, and reaching out to the lost. It just comes naturally and it's no longer a struggle to do. I am so proud to say that I am finally apart of a Church. A Church that began out of the faith from one man that started in a garage to having multiple campus' across America and an online site that ministers to every nation (with internet access). A Church that is not a mega church, or that has ever done one fund raiser to accomplish all it has. It is a Church of rock solid leadership and commitment to one goal - to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. They truly do that even to the extent of allowing free sermons, bibles, and all ministry resources to be downloaded, watches, and shared. This, is a real Church and it only gets better and better. This Church, is Life Church (www.lifechurch.tv) and it is incredible and what I believe is 100% what God intended Church to be.

What's the Big Deal About Jesus?

Have you ever noticed how much Jesus is talked about by Christians? Yet very few know how revolutionary Jesus really was. It goes beyond being the son of God conceived through the Holy Spirit to a virgin. Or being the first leader to befriend the sinners and low lives of the time. Jesus was born in approx. 3 B.C ( http://www.pointsoftruth.com/articles/jesusbirth.html) and during that time, the schooling was very different than how it is now. Back then, everything was religious. Children were required to memorize the entire Pentateuch which is the first 5 books of the Bible. School was conducted by the priest and if a child memorized well and pleased the priest they could move forward in their education, but most were turned back over to their families to learn whatever their family trade was. The exceptions tho, could move on to the second level, and if they still pleased the priest, onto the third. The point of this is to achieve the job of being the priest's disciple, and when a priest saw the potential and knew a child could do what he does he would ask them to follow him (http://nooma.com/nooma-dust-008-rob-bell.php). Two words, but the two most wanted and unheard words of that time. To be a disciple of a priest, I would imagine, to be the equivalent to being a celebrity's best friend. That is probably one of the reasons why the priests did not like Jesus, and why he was so revolutionary. Because he assumed the stature of a priest, without going to school and become a disciple. That would be like someone who is a CEO being demoted so that average joe on the street with no college degree, and even possibly no high school degree, take your spot.
That is also why the men that he called to be his disciples dropped what they were doing, and followed him. He used the words of the priests, and they knew what they meant (an example of this- Mark 2:14). Powerful words. Enough to make young men stop right in their tracts, leave what they were doing that very moment, and follow someone they did not even know. Do you know how hard it is to get anyone to do that? Most of us are constantly multi tasking, and we finish what we are doing before we really listen to what someone is saying to us or before moving right along to the next thing. At the moment, the only thing I can think of that causes people to stop in their tracts is disaster. We see it all the time, you'll be driving on the highway and then all of a sudden traffic is backed up and you think you might be stuck for hours until you get a little closer and realize that there was an accident, and then almost immediately after that accident it's basically open road. But everyone has to stop and look for a few seconds before moving along. Another point I would like to add is that these men obviously weren't the best of the best in school! They were working in their family trade! It's not like Jesus didn't know who the best of the best was, but he didn't want the best kids who knew scripture. He wanted ordinary men, who were all different, and completed a purpose. I think that part of his choice of men is to show us how he see's us, with so much potential for greatness. One of his disciples, Levi (Matthew), was a tax collector. Tax collectors were considered thieves, and very well hated by the society in which they lived. Another was his very own betrayer! He choose Judas even though he knew that he would betray them. Some were just fishermen, but non the less Jesus choose them all one by one. Each with their sin, lack of faith, values, and belief. But he didn't look at that, he saw who he knew they could become and who they would be later on. He continuously forgave and did what no other man did before him, that is why he changed so many lives and people flocked by the thousands to see him. I will end this blog with a quote from my pastor.


"To reach people no one is reaching, we'll have to do things no one is doing." - Craig Groeschel

Love

While reminiscing on past relationships, I stumbled upon what I think is a really great philosophy as to why we (mostly talking about girls) fall in and out of love so quickly. It's average, but end's up being embarrassing when we declare we love this guy and he is just amazing, maybe even confessing potential marriage ideas. This tends to happen over and over. And usually, after awhile, you can't even remember why you dated a person or "loved" them. I believe this is because that person is fulfilling some sort of need and when your needs change or that person stops meeting those needs, you move on to someone who does. It feels like love because you feel fulfillment, and that tends to be the main characteristic of the "love feeling." I believe this is true of even married couples, and maybe why so many end up in divorce, because needs aren't being met.

The difference in all your boyfriends and the man you are to marry, is that, that man never stops meeting your needs. He adjusts and pays close attention to how full your love tank is and any sort of change. He is truly connected to you not only physically, but emotionally. That, I believe is the difference and what could save marriages if it were applied.

Guys, if you apply this to your wife, fiance, or girlfriend, she will (should) do the same thing in return. Human's are creatures of example, and she will follow your lead and want to become as good of a spouse as you are.

This what my philosophical moment for today =) lol

Shut your mouth.

In addition to my blog, I, like most, also have a facebook. As all facebook users know, you can make status', and are free to say whatever you wish. So, I did! And I used the abreviations Cmas for Christmas in a status update. Well, a man I don't even really know (who is a christian) comment's on it freaking out that I took Chrsit out of Christmas....Come on! There are children starving to death, women being raped and abused, families that won't even have a Christmas and all you care about it being the Christmas police? Grow up. First of all, I only use Cmas to help not affend christians with the whole Xmas thing. Eventhough X is Greek for Christ...anywho, what is the point in making a big deal about something SO silly!!! THIS attitude is what repel's potential followers of Christ away. Who wants anything to do with something that they are always wrong or will never be good enough? That's not what salvation in Jesus is about. Romans state's that we are to figure out our own faith by ourselves, and what might convict you isn't always a convition to someone else and it is not for you to judge them for it. It is a sin to you if you do not abide by your convictions, not everyone else you know. Christ is welcoming, you are repelling and standing in front of the door to many's salvation. You are preventing dozens from ever experiencing Gods love, grace, restoration, and gentle guiding hand. They will never be touched by Him if you pick at every little thing. It is not your place to tell anyone what to do, how to act, or what they should believe. It is only the right of God to judge someone.

Devo Share: Isaiah 3:13,-4

This should be short and sweet, but I really believe these verses apply to America more than ever. Therefore, I am going to replace Zion with America just to get the point accross.

^{13 -15}God enters the courtroom.
   He takes his place at the bench to judge his people. God calls for order in the court,
   hauls the leaders of his people into the dock: "You've played havoc with this country.
   Your houses are stuffed with what you've stolen from the poor. What is this anyway? Stomping on my people,
   grinding the faces of the poor into the dirt?" That's what the Master,
   God-of-the-Angel-Armies, says.

When I read this, it made me picture a scene that possibly all of our representatives for every state and city as well as our lawers, officers, and judges might have to face on their day of judgement.....

   ^{16 -17}God says, "American women are stuck-up,
   prancing around in their high heels, Making eyes at all the men in the street,
   swinging their hips, Tossing their hair,
   gaudy and garish in cheap jewelry." The Master will fix it so those American women
   will all turn bald— Scabby, bald-headed women.
   The Master will do it.
   ^{18 -23}The time is coming when the Master will strip them of their fancy baubles—the dangling earrings, anklets and bracelets, combs and mirrors and silk scarves, diamond brooches and pearl necklaces, the rings on their fingers and the rings on their toes, the latest fashions in hats, exotic perfumes and aphrodisiacs, gowns and capes, all the world's finest in fabrics and design.
   ²⁴Instead of wearing seductive scents,
   these women are going to smell like rotting cabbages; Instead of modeling flowing gowns,
   they'll be sporting rags; Instead of their stylish hairdos,
   scruffy heads; Instead of beauty marks,
   scabs and scars.
 
I really feel that this verse was not written only for the women of Zion, but for every nation who's women become this. American women strive for sexyness. It's written all over us every moment of every day. We wear perfum to draw in (seduce) the men of our choice. We wear dark make up and revealing clothing to catch anyone's eye. Once we have men drooling and women jelous, that's when we feel accomplished. Generally speaking of course, not every woman is like this. This is our culture, and I believe it is our responsibility as Christian women to go against it and set an example. You can still get a smokin hot man w/o showing off your body, doing your hair every day, or trying to change yourself. I have known MANY men who find it much more attractive when a girl cover's up most of the time and it more reserved than flaunting themselves every day or most days. There is nothing to look forward to if you reveal the suprise! I belive that women, just as much as men, are responsible for the judgement America is recieving right now. Women are men's helpers, we hold them up. They depend on us no matter how big, strong, and independent they say they are or try to be, every good man has a good woman as his rock. He is the same for us, we need eachother. But if we act in this way, we are setting up our men to fall, be unfaithful, and to turn into the sex animals many are today. Men are visually stimulated and are like hound dogs when they get a scent, they take off. Some men are strong enough to resist this, but most aren't. I belive that if women acted the way they were suppose to, Americans would see our divorce rate go down.
 
   ^{25 -26}Your finest fighting men will be killed,
   your soldiers left dead on the battlefield. The entrance gate to America (New York) will be clotted
   with people mourning their dead— A city stooped under the weight of her loss,
   brought to her knees by her sorrows.

<sup>This is the consequence. Sound familiar already (Iraq and Afganistan) ?

ISAIAH 4
1</sup> That will be the day when seven women will gang up on one man, saying, "We'll take care of ourselves,
   get our own food and clothes. Just give us a child. Make us pregnant
   so we'll have something to live for!"

I believe that day is long and gone and we are living that out. I have been raised to be independent and taught to never really depend on a man and always be prepared to be self sufficent because the man you marry doesn't always stay that man. I believe that is true and something I have seen over and over, but I belive there is a balance. Yes, I do believe a woman should be independent, but not so she replaces the purpose of men. Men's purpose is to provide and protect, if we take those purposes away, he will leave. Men must  fill that role in order for them to feel accomplished and proud of themselves. That is key. Women should be independent in the ways of general life, what she eats, wears, says, believes, does in the communtiy, job, ect. But non of this should take away from women or man's true purpose. That, I believe, is a good balance. Women should not be controled, nothing should feel unnatural because it is automaticly programmed in us to play these roles.

The next set of verses are what I belive the promise we still have from God, and what would happen if we did make a change and return to him.
   
   ^{2 -4}And that's when God's Branch will sprout green and lush. The produce of the country will give American survivors something to be proud of again. Oh, they'll hold their heads high! Everyone left behind in Zion, all the discards and rejects in Jerusalem, will be reclassified as "holy"—alive and therefore precious. God will give American women a good bath. He'll scrub the bloodstained city of its violence and brutality, purge the place with a firestorm of judgment.
   ^{5 -6}Then God will bring back the ancient pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night and mark Mount Zion and everyone in it with his glorious presence, his immense, protective presence, shade from the burning sun and shelter from the driving rain.

This is so beautiful. Dispite everything, all the wrong doings and betrayal, God still wants to tenderly love us like a Father, picking up his son's and daughters to wipe the dirt from there clothes that they recieved from their fall. If we open our hearts, he will change and clean us. If we give him the reigns, he will lead us into prosperity. Day and night, he will be there. He will lead us, protect us, and comfort us. We will see him and be close to him 24/7. I absolutely love the thought of this. For America to return to what this country was first founded on.

Christianity

This is not a shove religion and bible verses down your throat blog, but rather one possibly challenging the christian faith as well as the church as a whole.

When most people think of Christians, they think of a group of people who reads a book called the Bible all the time and try to live by it as well as persuade others to also. What's the big deal about this book? It holds our instructions on how we are to act and how we are to live. God uses it to speak to us and teach us lessons that need to be taught. It also holds valid historical accounts, making it credible, and giving us interesting stories to read and receive from based upon personal interpretation in some places and simple absorbson in others. While I do see the bible as a very wonderful gift to man kind, I feel that the church has put far too much emphasis on it. What I mean by that is Christianity is not about the Bible. The bible is a tool, a hitch hikers guide to Jesus so to speak. It is not what being a Christian is though.

You may have heard this or read it in countless of Christians religion choice on facebook : "It's not a religion, it's a relationship." That is true, but do you understand what that really means? By definition it means:

"a connection, association, or involvement." Having a relationship with God is no different than the relationships we have on earth. THIS is what the church is missing. We treat God like this almighty smitter who sits on a throne and looks down upon us. "Now bow your heads" and every person will bow their head, fold their hands, and some even bend their knees. Have you ever spoken to your best friend in this manner? I highly doubt it. We are made in His image (Gen 1:26)! He has the same emotions as we do, He talks like we do, and He is no different than we are! (Except sin, we created that) Jesus (God) was just like every other human right? If anyone ever bowed down to Him, or treated Him how we treat God today, He did not like it! To have a relationship with God, you must treat Him like your best friend, your family, your spouse, no different than any other human. Talk to Him all day long, laugh with Him, joke with Him, and I promise after you get over the awkwardness, you will more than likely say that you have never felt so close to God and so happy. Treat this relationship no different than one you might have with a significant other. How do you feel if they don't talk to you much or at all in one day, or if they stopped spending time with you? I cannot speak for Him, but maybe that's how he feels.

This is what the church is missing. This is why so many go astray once they leave church and their families for college or career. It's because they do not have a relationship with Christ. Reading your bible every day will not get you into heaven. Good deeds will not grant you a seat next to Jesus. I often wonder if even those who strictly obey His word, standards of living set by the bible, will experience heaven if they do not hold the relationship aspect. After all, God says that He will even send those who perform miracles and cast out demons in His name because He "never knew them." (Matt 7:23)

Having a relationship with God is more important than anything. It means nothing to read your bible every day if you are only doing it because your pastor or church mentor told you to do so. We must look at devotions, worship, and church as a whole in a different way. Think of how you get close with someone you really like (romantically). You spend quality time with them! You set time aside to get to know that person better and because you like their company. This can be done as equally easy as spending time with someone you really like. Think of devotions, reading your bible or a christian aid (pretty much anything in LifeWay book store, books, movies, music etc.) as like your "date" with Him. When something happens, whether funny, sad, threatening, etc., tell Him. You will find yourself laughing more often and it will only become easier and easier.

As far as Sunday morning church, church is a place where fellow believers can come to fellowship and lift each other up in their faith. It should be a place where you can ask tough questions and talk about the things you are struggling with. It is a place where we give God praise, not a place where we judge who the best christian is. God is the judge of that, only he can see your heart. I am sorry, but if I can predict exactly when someone is going to do something with a count down and always be right, it's not sincere. God does not acknowledge that and I bet it only makes Him sick. You don't need to always lift your hands during worship, appear to be praying, or get on your knees and cry for God to see you or for you to be a "good christian." Be sincere, if it become a habitual for you to do something then stop. Humans always feel like they must move and do something, especially in the busy world we live in where nothing is fast enough. If you are compelled, that is God. If you can't stand to not raise your hands or fall on your knees crying in prayer, that's God. I'm so sick of playing church and watching everyone else just simply go along with it. As Christians, WE are the church. Not a building. I do not have to go to a particular building, sit in a particular chair, listen to a particular person, and wear particular things to be a good christian and to be a part of a "church." Church is where ever you are. When I am hanging out with my friends who are Christians and we are enjoying one anothers company and conversation, that is church.

Christianity has become too political. Where is the freedom? Being a Christian already isn't the easiest thing, and churches aren't making it any easier. The message needs to change, it's time for a revolution.