I have heard it said many times that people always start out with a plant before they get a pet because plants are easier to take care of. If they don't kill their plant, then they won't kill their pet. To me this seems like a pretty bogus idea. I mean yes...a pet needs to be exercised, watered, fed, loved, etc... and a plant only needs water and a new pot every once in a while (and love too, I suppose)...but there's one very important difference between the two. A pet will tell you when it's time to be fed. For example, my dog will bug you and stare at you until you feed her. She won't let you forget that she's there and she's hungry. A plant, on the other hand, does not do that. It cannot talk, it cannot stare at you, and the only way it tells you it needs water is when its leaves start yellowing and falling off. And even that is only if you ever look at the thing. No no, pets are MUCH easier to keep alive.
So I started thinking...which most represents our relationship with God? I came to the conclusion that our relationship with God is like taking care of a plant. Stay with me on this one. Does our relationship with God take work? Yes it does. We cannot neglect this work, either. If we forget to "add water," it will eventually die. Our relationship cannot stand on its own, it won't thrive, and it won't grow without commitment and work. Obviously it takes longer to maintain our relationship with God than to water our plants; we have to read the Bible, we have to meditate on the Word, we attend church where we can worship and fellowship with others, and we PRAY. We should be in constant conversation with God to keep a healthy relationship.
I bet you're wondering now what makes this relationship easier than our other ones. Here's the beauty of being in a relationship with God: No matter how many mistakes you make, He will NEVER turn His back on you. God loves you unconditionally. God is always there to protect you. God's arms are always open. And even though He may not always give you the answer you wanted, God will never disappoint you - eventually you will see that His plan is so much better and way more satisfying than your own. What does God want from you? He wants you to "add water." He wants you to talk to Him, trust in Him, believe in Him, walk with Him and study His Word every day. We do this in our other relationships. In fact, we devote a lot more time to our other relationships and yet, those people don't always love us unconditionally. They won't always be there. They cannot protect us from everything. They'll disappoint you as much as or more than you disappoint them. How ungrateful are we that we neglect the One who will never leave us?
How else is our relationship with God like taking care of a plant? Well, God doesn't always convict us very strongly to "water" the relationship. Just as a plant sits quietly, God allows us to exercise our own free will no matter how much it hurts Him. Yeah, God will tug at your heart. He'll make sure you know He's still there every once in a while. But every day you forget about Him, He'll become quieter and quieter. He's still there, waiting for you, hoping for you to come back around. But you forgot about Him. What's even worse is that you may never even realize it until you see all the dead leaves scattered on the floor. What happened? You let it fail. He was waiting for you. You stood Him up.
What is even better about God is that, unlike a plant, a relationship with Him can always be revived. I have heard such wonderful testimonies, and it doesn't matter how far gone a person goes, God is always there and waiting, and you can build that relationship back up again. Isn't it wonderful that it will never completely die away like a plant? I mean, I really find it comforting that, no matter how much I screw up or how far I stray sometimes, that relationship never fully dies. Even those who reject God completely can someday have an encounter with Him and have a changed heart.
We've been given a wonderful opportunity; the opportunity to talk to, share with, cry to, pray to, trust in, and lean on our Creator. He doesn't distance Himself from us. And while it's not like our other relationships, the ones we experience every day when we see and talk to our loved ones, it still takes attention. He chose not to distance Himself for a reason and that is because He wants this relationship with us. You just can't forget to add the water.
""Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord..."
-Jeremiah 29:12-14
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
-Matthew 6:6
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."
-Romans 8:26
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayer and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
-Ephesians 6:18
"...pray continually..."
-1 Thessalonians 5:17
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
What Would Jesus Really Do?
I feel a little bad, because it seems some of my Shower Talks are becoming political rantings. My Mother called me an activist so I guess it fits. Que viva la Revolución! Just kidding, kind of.
Anyway...every day I keep hearing "Democrats can't be Christians" or "You can't be a Republican and be a Christian!" Let me be the one to tell you: You are both ridiculous. And I'm pretty sure you don't have the authority to say who is and who is not a Christian even though you try. Shall we check our Christian attitude? Yes please? "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" -Matthew 7:3. What I'm trying to say by this is that I'm embarrassed by Republican Christians and Democratic Christians alike. Do you not know that it's not your arguments that turn people away from Christianity so much as by the way you approach them and by your actions?
Chew on this for a minute: I'm a Christian. I sometimes listen to *some* other Christians talk and I become disgusted with religion. I have to remind myself that, if they're acting in such a harsh way (Notice I said harsh and not radical? We are called to be radically different, yes), they are probably not fully in line with Jesus. Because I don't recall the Bible saying that Jesus went up to people yelling at them or getting in their face or being in any other way abrasive in order to convert them. Jesus taught. Jesus taught lovingly. My point? If I'm a Christian who can become disgusted with religion because of the way other Christians talk, just imagine the non-Christians. What in the world do you think you're doing to them?? Please don't undo my years of reconciling my friends' relationship with Christianity, because I've seen that happen in one fell swoop.
You can argue that you're right until you're blue in the face. I don't care if you're right. You can be right all day long but that doesn't mean you now have a free pass to be a jerk to someone else. We have to be respectful. I would rather listen to someone who is respectful any day, even if they're wrong about everything. If you're a jerk I'm going to write you off immediately and probably label you as ignorant, and I know that's what a lot of people do. It's good you think you're right though. I think I'm right...I think I have wonderful ideas. But no one is 100% right, that's just not how it is. That's why we have checks and balances - because no one is 100% right (or just). There has to be a way to make sure that all ideas are being heard and the best ones are being carried out that will do the most good for the most people. So when you say to me "I'm right and that's the end of it." you just sound 1) Pompous and 2) 100% wrong.
Now here's my thing with debating: If used properly it is wonderful. But you cannot be a good debater without also being a good listener. It just won't work. If you can't be quiet long enough to listen, you won't learn anything (again, ignorance)...and I thought the point of debating was expressing both sides? That's what people keep telling me, anyway. Use it effectively and, if you're going to debate, be willing to hear the other person. It's a waste of time otherwise.
What did I want this Shower Talk to say? Christians: I believe we have a place in the political system. I believe what we pull from the Bible is valid and makes a good argument. The Lord gives us strength to fight His battles. BUT we have no right to judge other people or determine who is or isn't Christian - that's God's job, not ours. If we're going to be the light of Christ, we have to be loving and respectful, not jerks. They will shut us out immediately and I've seen it happen. Please do not turn people off from being Christians because you cannot find it in yourself to be respectful, I beg of you. We have to take any and every opportunity to express Jesus' love and let His light shine through us, don't pass it up.
Biblical verses to express why I believe what I believe:
1. Comprehensive Immigration Reform: "'When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.'" - Leviticus 19:33-34 (And since I've already been yelled at for this I thought I would just clear it up for those who don't understand what Comprehensive Immigration Reform is: making the immigration process better and more effective).
2. Pro-life: "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now CHOOSE LIFE, so that you AND your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." - Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (emphasis added)
3. Supporting the weak (without sacrificing those who've already "done their part" although I don't think it'd kill those better off to help): "'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40
4. Loving others (Republican/Democrat, Rich/Poor, Old/Young, Immigrant/Native-Born): "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
AND
"One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
God said it, I'm just passing it along.
God bless...make sure you don't forget the love.
Anyway...every day I keep hearing "Democrats can't be Christians" or "You can't be a Republican and be a Christian!" Let me be the one to tell you: You are both ridiculous. And I'm pretty sure you don't have the authority to say who is and who is not a Christian even though you try. Shall we check our Christian attitude? Yes please? "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" -Matthew 7:3. What I'm trying to say by this is that I'm embarrassed by Republican Christians and Democratic Christians alike. Do you not know that it's not your arguments that turn people away from Christianity so much as by the way you approach them and by your actions?
Chew on this for a minute: I'm a Christian. I sometimes listen to *some* other Christians talk and I become disgusted with religion. I have to remind myself that, if they're acting in such a harsh way (Notice I said harsh and not radical? We are called to be radically different, yes), they are probably not fully in line with Jesus. Because I don't recall the Bible saying that Jesus went up to people yelling at them or getting in their face or being in any other way abrasive in order to convert them. Jesus taught. Jesus taught lovingly. My point? If I'm a Christian who can become disgusted with religion because of the way other Christians talk, just imagine the non-Christians. What in the world do you think you're doing to them?? Please don't undo my years of reconciling my friends' relationship with Christianity, because I've seen that happen in one fell swoop.
You can argue that you're right until you're blue in the face. I don't care if you're right. You can be right all day long but that doesn't mean you now have a free pass to be a jerk to someone else. We have to be respectful. I would rather listen to someone who is respectful any day, even if they're wrong about everything. If you're a jerk I'm going to write you off immediately and probably label you as ignorant, and I know that's what a lot of people do. It's good you think you're right though. I think I'm right...I think I have wonderful ideas. But no one is 100% right, that's just not how it is. That's why we have checks and balances - because no one is 100% right (or just). There has to be a way to make sure that all ideas are being heard and the best ones are being carried out that will do the most good for the most people. So when you say to me "I'm right and that's the end of it." you just sound 1) Pompous and 2) 100% wrong.
Now here's my thing with debating: If used properly it is wonderful. But you cannot be a good debater without also being a good listener. It just won't work. If you can't be quiet long enough to listen, you won't learn anything (again, ignorance)...and I thought the point of debating was expressing both sides? That's what people keep telling me, anyway. Use it effectively and, if you're going to debate, be willing to hear the other person. It's a waste of time otherwise.
What did I want this Shower Talk to say? Christians: I believe we have a place in the political system. I believe what we pull from the Bible is valid and makes a good argument. The Lord gives us strength to fight His battles. BUT we have no right to judge other people or determine who is or isn't Christian - that's God's job, not ours. If we're going to be the light of Christ, we have to be loving and respectful, not jerks. They will shut us out immediately and I've seen it happen. Please do not turn people off from being Christians because you cannot find it in yourself to be respectful, I beg of you. We have to take any and every opportunity to express Jesus' love and let His light shine through us, don't pass it up.
Biblical verses to express why I believe what I believe:
1. Comprehensive Immigration Reform: "'When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.'" - Leviticus 19:33-34 (And since I've already been yelled at for this I thought I would just clear it up for those who don't understand what Comprehensive Immigration Reform is: making the immigration process better and more effective).
2. Pro-life: "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now CHOOSE LIFE, so that you AND your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." - Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (emphasis added)
3. Supporting the weak (without sacrificing those who've already "done their part" although I don't think it'd kill those better off to help): "'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40
4. Loving others (Republican/Democrat, Rich/Poor, Old/Young, Immigrant/Native-Born): "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
AND
"One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
God said it, I'm just passing it along.
God bless...make sure you don't forget the love.
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