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- jimmy
- There has been a lot of talk in christian contemporary circles lately about the "purpose driven life". But it seems to me like people can live their life so entrenched in western christian culture that that they never get into the mainstream culture to live out their purpose. Are we truly living a purpose driven life or is it really a culture driven life? It's not as simple as applying a "Fish" decal to your car, wearing a "WWJD" bracelet and "Lord's Gym" T-shirt, as you wipe your feet on the "Prayers of Jabez Doormat" while you're on the way to the bible study with all of your friends who are already christian. Are we out there living life with a sense of purpose, a sense of mission? Or are we taking the easy way out by retreating to the familiarity of the christian book store, listening to christian music, playing christian video games, and watching christian movies, as we wear our christian clothes, while we avoid sinners for fear of contamination? What is the difference between "God culture", and "christian culture". I'm trying to struggle my way through this question and I invite you to join in the discussion.
6 comments:
I can't stand it.... Hearing about this makes me angry and sad, and it makes me wonder, when is it all going to end....war or the world?
Unfortunately war will be with us to the end....only the return of Christ will stop it. I understand that Israel must respond, but the image of those kids writing on the bombs is disturbing. Sometimes war has to happen, but it should not be celebrated. Dropping bombs is not something kids should be involved in in any way. These are not note pads for messages, these are things that explode and kill people and no matter how noble your cause or how necessary the bombing is, it is not a happy thing.
The first picture is the result of years of being exposed to the secound picture. A resiliante people will find a way to be light hearted about the most urgent and serious of the conditions we could find ourselves involved in. As a parent I am terrified, as an individgual I am agast, as a collective I am cheering for my side. According to how you read the book of Revelation does the last war happen before Christ returns or after He has riegned for a thousand years.
I'm no expert on end times theology.
I have been concerned for some time that the church's emphasis on the end times/afterlife has led to a disregard for this life and the here and now. Jesus was concerned with bringing "the Kingdom of God" to this life. The afterlife is important to be sure, but if that's all you focus on then the result is a church that cares very little about the needs around them.
"Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom COME,
Your will be done,
ON EARTH as it is in heaven,
Give us THIS DAY our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others in their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Matt. 6.9-14
God also seemed to be pretty concerned about peace.
"Turn from evil and do good; seek PEACE and pursue it."
Psalm 34.14
"Pray for the PEACE of Jerusalem"
Psalm 122.6
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of PEACE."
Isa. 9.6
"The fruit of righteousness will be PEACE"
Isa. 32.17
"Blessed are the PEACEmakers, for they will be called sons of God."
Matt. 5.9
And when it comes to "sides". No matter whose side you are on, when the military uses smart bombs aimed at civilians, and the charred remains of toddlers and their families litter the streets, there is NO occasion to cheer.
Interesting stuff.
Last week, I was reading Luke 19:41-44, and I was reminded of keeping the main thing the main thing: "41 As he (Jesus) approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace--but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you.""
This passage, to me, is prophecy. I believe the verses about peace are a road map to get there, but this passage...wait a second...this is blood & guts stuff. This is Jesus' expectation of Jerusalem. I wrestle with passages like this. Jesus is very pessimistic here. He's weeping, He's not hopeful regarding Jerusalem's future. Am I wrong?
Hi Jimmy~ Rudy's always said that no one wants peace more than the young men and women who are fighting for it~ and that there are no atheists in foxholes. Remeber, there is another way!~ praise God for the children here (including my daughters) who week after week build relationships with other children through feeding them, clothing them, ministering to them, praying for them and worshiping with them! My prayer is that the news and our blogs will give more attention to the glory of God than these sort of photos~ there are so many GREAT things and miracles happening that our children are doing and us parents can learn from and reinforce in our lives~ like Cece told me (9 years old)...momma, how come we only do ministry on Thursdays? How about all the other days? And, I would post pictures in response to "there has to be another way" of a picture of our kids loving and ministering to other kids~ like handwritten notes to the orphans in Cambodia that read, JESUS LOVES YOU~ or their small hands lifting hundreds of bags of groceries to hundreds of families each week, but I don't know how to do that~ JESUS IS THE OTHER WAY~ there is no none other! Praise the LORD that HE HAS MADE A WAY! Lori
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