Duck Season. Rabbit Season…Voting Season..FIRE!
The time rapidly approaching. You know what time I’m talking about. I’m talking about voting. Politics. Christians. Do the two mix? Let’s explore this. I’ll first state, I will post no opinions on current candidates, so, if you’re getting your hopes, I’m sorry to dash your dreams.
Recently, I submitted my application for absentee ballot, as I am an out-of-state student. I will be voting. I am still wrestling with this idea. There is so much mud slinging on all sides, there’s also tons of apathy, and there’s tons of distortion of the facts and stances. As Christians go, do we need to vote?
Patronize this.
I was leaving church yesterday, and driving home. As I turn the corner in downtown that leads to my straight shot out of downtown, a young man walks across the street. I think nothing of it, until I notice his shirt. Now this is a shirt I’ve seen before and thought not a lot about it, except when a girl wore one to class at the Baptist university I attend.
The shirt reads, “Legalize Gay.” Now when she wore it to class, I thought, she’s just trying to provoke someone, and that’s silly. I carried on in my day, and thought nothing more of it. Yesterday, however, I noticed this shirt, and I immediately thought of a graphic designer friend who would get a kick out of doing a parody shirt, “Legalize God.” I sent him a link from the website of the creators of the shirt, a company whose stance is to be activists for homosexual lifestyle and rights. This company also publishes their catalogues with semi-nude models of both genders, and provocative clothing items. The discussion I’m getting at here isn’t on gay rights or gay bashing. My thought is, do we patronize companies like this, as Christians?
Dunk ‘Em Good – Thoughts on Baptism
Baptism seems to be a hot topic in church culture. We know that Jesus has commanded the act of baptism. But I think some people may have a misconception of what baptism is, and what it does. I know a ton of churches have analogies they use to describe what it is.
This post is designed mainly for the non-Christian, or young Christian, but I don’t think those who have been Christians for years and years can’t benefit from it. Clarification, I think it could benefit most everyone.
A little history on me, I was baptized on Easter Sunday, circa 1997. I did it for several reasons. First it thought it was the process of being saved, I didn’t wanna go to hell! Second, I chose to do it, based on recommendation of my grandparents. They always spoke of its importance. I wanted to do things right in their eyes.
Unfortunately, as kids who grow into adults, this is generally the reason, and we see so many people come for salvation and baptism, because, “It didn’t really mean anything then,” or “I didn’t know what I was doing.”
I want to be clear in saying that baptism isn’t required for salvation. “BLASPHEMY!” is what the person who stopped reading at the word ‘required,’ is saying.
Your salvation isn’t based on baptism.
As a follow up to my previous post regarding praying the prayer, and salvation, baptism is a follow up act of obedience.
“Did you pray THE Prayer?”
image from dipity.com
Hello. My name is Jarin and I’m concerned about your soul. Is it going to be in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, let’s pray THE Prayer. This prayer is the only way you can know for sure if you’re saved. Let’s pray it, come on, let’s pray the prayer. Give your soul to the Lord.
The truth is, I am concerned for your soul. However, I won’t approach you that way. In fact, I won’t ask you to pray the prayer.
“WHAT? YOU WON’T PROMPT WITH THE PRAYER?” is probably what you’re screaming in your head.
The answer is, “no, I won’t.” I’ll show you scripture that lays out how salvation works. In fact, I plan on doing that here.
It’s been almost a couple years since this incident occurred, but I’d like to spell out the story for you.