Misnomers: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves.
Growing up in a geographical location where it would be considered the Bible Belt and living in Texas, you hear some misappropriated things claiming to be Scripture. Usually it’s something someone said in a sermon, and it’s been skewed. OR it’s something that’s been said so often, that people ASSUME it’s in the Bible. The one I heard most growing up? “God helps those who help themselves.”
Good grief. Not only is this phrase misapplied applied as the Word of God, its anti-God. Wait, what?
Embrace it, things are different…or are they?
This week, as part of my final semester in undergrad studies at Dallas Baptist University, I’m taking a course entitled “Cowboy Church Culture.” No joke. This is a real class, for real credit. In fact, the course is only a workweek long. 8am to 5pm most nights this week. I will receive 3 hours of college credit at the end.
You may ask yourself why, because if you know me, I don’t fit into that culture at all.
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?
“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.
State of Emergency
Image courtesy of Examiner.com
[It was requested that I post a second post today, so here we go!]
If you’re one for following the news, I’m awful at current events, you’ll most likely know that the city of Dallas, Texas has placed an alert for a state of emergency. This is due to a recent rise in the amount of victims suffering and dying from West Nile Virus. The city is urging citizens to remain indoors and has launched campaigns for hosing the city down with toxins to eradicate mosquitos. Speaking of which, I was bitten today, I hope I get it, so I can beat it and add it my Timeline on Facebook.
It’s gotten me to thinking, why the sudden urgency? Because life is currently at risk? Because someone has to do it? These questions have lead me to my next, “Where is the/my urgency for the Gospel of Jesus Christ?”
The powers of Hell and death are currently and constantly at war for our affections. They want to distract us from recognizing its work in those around us. Our sense of urgency is pinned into West Nile, or maybe a loved one’s sickness, or “insert your idea here.”
So many times in scripture we see the urgency for sharing the message of Jesus. So why do we procrastinate? What’re we waiting for church? I’m talking to you, the member of the church, the believer in Jesus Christ. I’m not talking to the building. I’m not talking only to church staff. I’m talking to you, the layman, I’m talking to myself, I’m talking to you all.
We don’t need to wait until death is creeping up, we need to go now.