Well, Did You Get Crucified or Somethin'?
It seems that every day, someone else claiming to be a
'B.A.B.B.F.E.C.C.' * wants to get up in my face about how they want
this country to be a 'Christian' nation. Most of them go away REAL
mad when I ask them if they have been crucified today with Christ
Jesus. The others go away trying to think of something to say back
to me. Let them stew.
While I know I that I am STOOPIDly ignorant about what it means
to be a Christian, I do at least understand that it means daily
crucifixion with Him. That means that my plans go away to be
replaced by HIS plans. That means that I become a servant (washing
feet and stuff). ALL of my purpose is then focused on HIS Kingdom
and HIS reconciliation. When I am crucified with Him, I am no
longer in pursuit of 'The American Dream' ("A house and a spouse
and kids and pets and toys!"), nor am I any longer pursuing personal
genetic legacy, nor my personal empire.
So, are you ready to be a reconciler? Are you ready to wash the
feet of your enemies? Are you ready for this nation to be crucified -
EVERY DAY - with Christ Jesus? Are you prepared that EVERY
resource available to you and to me would be expended on behalf
of reconciliation of the outcast, the diseased and the discarded?
That is EXACTLY what Jesus did for us and that is EXACTLY what
this nation will do for Him if we are to be a 'Christian' nation.
There is in our church, a much beloved lady who to me represents
what it means to be a real 'B.A.B.B.F.E.C.C.'. Her time and her
resources are expended on behalf of the special needs young people
who have become a part of our church because of her. Jesus
expended ALL resources to make it possible for special needs
persons - like you and like me - to become a part of His family. He
has adopted us - by His blood - and if we want to be 'real' Christians,
we will adopt others into His family, OUR family, just as He did and
we will teach those we adopt to adopt others, still!
Is this fair? No, of course not. Is it the only way? Yes, it is unless we
want our nation and this whole world to continue its spiral down and
down into dissolution, violence, despair and madness.
Choose, TODAY.
"Adopt ye, one another, even as I have adopted you..."
* Born Again Bible Believing Fundamentalist Evangelical
Conservative Christian
'B.A.B.B.F.E.C.C.' * wants to get up in my face about how they want
this country to be a 'Christian' nation. Most of them go away REAL
mad when I ask them if they have been crucified today with Christ
Jesus. The others go away trying to think of something to say back
to me. Let them stew.
While I know I that I am STOOPIDly ignorant about what it means
to be a Christian, I do at least understand that it means daily
crucifixion with Him. That means that my plans go away to be
replaced by HIS plans. That means that I become a servant (washing
feet and stuff). ALL of my purpose is then focused on HIS Kingdom
and HIS reconciliation. When I am crucified with Him, I am no
longer in pursuit of 'The American Dream' ("A house and a spouse
and kids and pets and toys!"), nor am I any longer pursuing personal
genetic legacy, nor my personal empire.
So, are you ready to be a reconciler? Are you ready to wash the
feet of your enemies? Are you ready for this nation to be crucified -
EVERY DAY - with Christ Jesus? Are you prepared that EVERY
resource available to you and to me would be expended on behalf
of reconciliation of the outcast, the diseased and the discarded?
That is EXACTLY what Jesus did for us and that is EXACTLY what
this nation will do for Him if we are to be a 'Christian' nation.
There is in our church, a much beloved lady who to me represents
what it means to be a real 'B.A.B.B.F.E.C.C.'. Her time and her
resources are expended on behalf of the special needs young people
who have become a part of our church because of her. Jesus
expended ALL resources to make it possible for special needs
persons - like you and like me - to become a part of His family. He
has adopted us - by His blood - and if we want to be 'real' Christians,
we will adopt others into His family, OUR family, just as He did and
we will teach those we adopt to adopt others, still!
Is this fair? No, of course not. Is it the only way? Yes, it is unless we
want our nation and this whole world to continue its spiral down and
down into dissolution, violence, despair and madness.
Choose, TODAY.
"Adopt ye, one another, even as I have adopted you..."
* Born Again Bible Believing Fundamentalist Evangelical
Conservative Christian
posted by Tom ta tum Tom | 11:10 AM
3 Comments:
Well, not too long ago, I struggled with how to view what's going on in the Middle East. As an American, and an avid watcher of Fox news, I decided that America should go over and "kick some Iranian butt" by taking out their nuclear facilities. Somehow, that doesn't jive with what Jesus said. Also, it didn't feel like the thought was in any way linked to the Holy Spirit. I decided being a follower of Jesus far outweighs being a nationalist, despite loving my country. Less TV. More Scripture. I still think if someone breaks into the house and tries to hurt my Mom, I'm gonna bonk 'em on the head. It is one thing to be crucified daily (as though I ever really am). It is a whole other thing if someone wants to crucify someone I love. Still, Jesus let His apostles die as martyrs. It's a tough one. As for a Christian nation, bad, bad, idea. I think they had one in Rome way back when. Big trouble! We must never have been a Christian nation, despite what some of my friends say. Or else our Christian Nation slaughtered Native Americans and welcomed the slave ships. I'd just as soon be a pagan, if that's what a Christian nation does. In the end, I have decided to pray for the Islamic terrorists and all Muslims. They are LOST and that is the real issue. I stuggle with my own nature about this. But, may the Spirit overcome and have His way.
By the way, Tom, there is this guy I know from India. He is very attached to me, and I want YOU to adopt him!!!!! He is driving me nuts!!! mla
Well, not too long ago, I struggled with how to view what's going on in the Middle East. As an American, and an avid watcher of Fox news, I decided that America should go over and "kick some Iranian butt" by taking out their nuclear facilities. Somehow, that doesn't jive with what Jesus said. Also, it didn't feel like the thought was in any way linked to the Holy Spirit. I decided being a follower of Jesus far outweighs being a nationalist, despite loving my country. Less TV. More Scripture. I still think if someone breaks into the house and tries to hurt my Mom, I'm gonna bonk 'em on the head. It is one thing to be crucified daily (as though I ever really am). It is a whole other thing if someone wants to crucify someone I love. Still, Jesus let His apostles die as martyrs. It's a tough one. As for a Christian nation, bad, bad, idea. I think they had one in Rome way back when. Big trouble! We must never have been a Christian nation, despite what some of my friends say. Or else our Christian Nation slaughtered Native Americans and welcomed the slave ships. I'd just as soon be a pagan, if that's what a Christian nation does. In the end, I have decided to pray for the Islamic terrorists and all Muslims. They are LOST and that is the real issue. I stuggle with my own nature about this. But, may the Spirit overcome and have His way.
By the way, Tom, there is this guy I know from India. He is very attached to me, and I want YOU to adopt him!!!!! He is driving me nuts!!! mla
MonaLisa,
Thanks for commenting and welcome! Your comment about protecting your Mom reminds me that we need to be in constant prayer for our Police and our first responders. AND we need to elect political leaders who not only talk tough on crime but who are also ready to take responsibility for FUNDING our Police forces. It's easy to talk tough but raising taxes to promote excellence for our Police is a bit more difficult!
Also, I think I need to join you in prayer for your Mom. We want her protected? We'd better ask The Holy One to be close, for her sake.
And, I am really WITH you on 'Less TV. More Scripture.' Now, THAT will preach! ALL of the TV networks and media outlets have a political agenda (including me). The news these days is less about current events and more about skewing public opinion on behalf of the corporations and moguls that own the networks!
You and I are BOTH struggling with the concept of being crucified with Christ Jesus. I think that I cannot call myself even a follower of Jesus unless I am ready to pick up my cross, daily, and go after Him. I think I have some growing to do on this.
The issue of 'lostness' is the real issue and I believe you have hit it on the head. I believe that, right now, our own nation is lost in it's greed and in it's bellicose self-righteousness. Christians (I think) are humble servants of God. Maybe our national profile doesn't quite fit with the whole concept of what it means to be 'Christian'. Our precious Pastor's message regarding the 'sheep and goats' has me thinking that right now, our nation is among those goats that are too immature for anyting but slaughter. As much as I love this country (almost to the point of idolatry), I fear that we have some DEEP spiritual problems here! Let's BOTH continue in prayer for not only the Muslim nations but for our own nation as well.
As far as your buddy from India, we may need to surround him with a whole community of 'adoptive' friends. Maybe he would be willing to become a member of our larger church family! Explain to him that to be with you, he has to love and accept and be adopted by our whole family in Christ Jesus! He sounds like one of those people of whom we used to say "a little bit of him goes a long way" :P At least, if you have not already invited him to church with us, you can make him know that he would be welcomed.
Thanks again for your comment! It's great to hear from you! May Jesus Christ Be Praised!
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