MAKING MUCH OF CHRIST

     This chapter was actually quite interesting.  This war is not geographical; the "war" between sin and righteousness in every family section was one that really stuck.  How it is being fought everywhere we go and in everything we do practically.  It has physical effects on us through our successes and failures all the time.  Partnership of ox and people; not everyone should be a missionary or a pastor.  This is very true.  We must be able to help the people that do go into dangerous areas and the people that risk their lives just to say the name of Jesus.  We must support the people that God has called to be teachers of His word.  Just because some of us aren't out there being missionaries to foreign countries doesn't mean we can just sit around and hope for the best, we need to continue to learn what the Bible teaches so we may be able to share it with anyone we come across in need. 

"His aim is to be known, because knowing him is life and joy.  He does not call us out of the world.  He does not remove the need to work.  He does not destroy society and culture.  Through his scattered saints he spreads a passion for his supremacy in all things for the joy of all people.  If you work like the world, you will waste your life."

That little section is my favorite.  God knows what we are capable of and he knows the best way for us to give him glory.  He keeps us on the earth so we may do so.  Not everyone on this earth is a believer so we will bring Him even more praise.  This passion he has given us allows us to have eternal life and joy.

"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?  For what can a man give in return for his life?"  Mark 8:36-37

Don't Waste Your Life

     Chapters 6 and 7 were about your goals in life and making God more precious than life at the top of your list.  One of the questions was if people would be able to notice whether we acted differently because we have God in our hearts or if we act the exact same as non-believers.  This is a hard question to answer because many people think they are Christians when they don't act like it at all and know nothing about Jesus.  Some people may be Christians and just don't do the most "Christian" things.  Chapter 6 also talked about forgiving others.  I find myself holding grudges sometimes on stupid things when it would be so much easier just to forgive them.  God forgave me for so much more than I can even imagine.  Chapter 7 talks about how much Jesus preached on money a lot more than we do now.  The story of the widow is one of my favorite stories.  How she gave only two tiny coins, but it was all she had. 
     Television, it is a life-waster in my opinion because we just watch it and time flies on by.  We get caught up in our shows and could care less about the world around us.  Tv and internet distract me from the things I actually need to do.  It sends me messages that are wrong and cause me to waste my life.
     My tv/internet and Bible/God ratio is completely backwards.  I don't know why I do this.  Well, I do.  I fall into the temptation of the media world because it makes me happy for a temporary moment. 

Lord, save us from your followers

     Boy, this was interesting.  It started with a man named Dan Merchant, who wore a white jumpsuit with religious bumper stickers all over it, and asked people which ones were their favorites.  He also asked what others thought of when they heard the word Jesus or Christianity.  Some of the replies were kind of sad to hear on how some people perceive Christians.
     I remember him saying something like, if we were called Christ-likes instead of Christains, maybe we would try to act more like Christ.  I liked that statement because I think we would in a way try harder.  I found it quite surprising on how much non-Christians knew about Christians in that game show.  I felt bad because I know I would have done the same thing.  I want to be able to defend my beliefs by knowing others beliefs better. 
     I enjoyed the part when he had a confessional booth in the middle of the gay pride week.  Since when does God hate gays?  It took some courage to do what he did.  Poor little Roger.  I think that's really sad, what they did to him, but then I think about how the guys that were bullying him probably weren't Christians so it didn't have any effect on them.  I am glad I got to watch this film.

wasted life?

     Boasting in the cross happens when your are on the cross, isn't that interesting? We must live for Him, and Him only, now and forever.
     Our earthly bodies die but our spirits will live forever, in heaven or hell. We die but we also live.
     I would like to say that I am living my life in all areas by faith, but I'm sure that isn't true and never will be. I try to do things on my own and that doesn't tend to work. I have to fully rely on God in my everyday situations. 

aisle walking

     It's always interesting to read that a lot of churches are just starting to use this method.  I go to Emmanuel and I've grown up with these things.  I don't think it is necessary to walk the aisle to have Jesus be your Savior, it just sort of shows others that you've received Him, or you want people to help you out with your new relationship with God.  I'm sure that alter calls can be hard for some to do, because everyone is staring at you as you walk up to the pastor.  That would make me uncomfortable. 

glee

     It's always interesting to discover other people's views on religion, whether it's accurate or not.  It was probably hard for the actors to portray their faith for their characters role if it was different from their real life beliefs.  I didn't enjoy when Fen though that he could pray to a grilled cheese sandwich and all his dreams would come true.  Probably my favorite part was when Mercedes invited Kurt to her church and had everyone pray for him and his dad, and sang a incredibly moving song.  I liked the concept of all the kids in glee club to sing religious melodies.  It kind of seemed towards the end that cheerleading coach started to come around and not mind everyone wanting to sing faith related songs. 
     This was the first episode of Glee I have ever seen.  I may never watch it again, but if I'm flipping through the channels and it's on, I may watch it until a commercial comes on. 

retaliation

     "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, 'Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn him to the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have you cloak as well.  And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." -Matthew 5:38-41
     This means that you shouldn't be so quick to respond to others.  Think about what they are saying, if they're trying to be helpful to you or trying to hurt you.  If they are trying to hurt you on purpose, maybe you should just be as kind as you can and walk away.  We shouldn't be so selfish about stupid things.  We have to be able to help others and be giving too.  I know that I definately need to work on turning the other cheek.