Recently, I’ve been thinking really hard about the seriousness of Jesus’ words. We often mitigate the severity of his statements by explaining them away. "Oh, it meant something different back then." But if we stop trivializing him long enough to take him seriously, there is much to make us questions our Christianity. In particular, I’m challenged by his demands that require everything. Like when he says "follow me," and the first disciples "left everything and followed him" (Luke 5:11,28). Here are just a few "everything" statements that may cause you to question your Christianity:
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To Fellow Men:
I know a guy who often says, "I don't have time for this $#*&." That's how I feel about this Fifty Shades stuff. I haven't read the book and won't see the movie. I don't have time for it, but I've got five minutes to rant by listing some of my favorite lines about men, sex, and marriage. Treat women like sisters and your wife like a queen. You don't glance, peek, or think thoughts about your sister. And you adore only your queen. If you're not married, start living like you will be. If you aren't prepared to meet a wife, you never will. Phase out the juvenile habits (excessive video gaming, endless hours of Sports Center). Learn to wash your own clothes. Practice good grooming and hygiene. Work on being responsible, accountable, selfless, and wise. Find a godly mentor to help you do this. If you're married, always date. Your wife, that is. Never give up pursuing her. Treasure her. Hold her hand. Open the door. Surprise her. Show affection. If you're more aroused by fantasy than reality, then go for sober. No porn. No lingerie ads. No thoughts. Starve the fantasies. Don't give them any fuel. They will mess you up and you'll never be able to have a genuine relationship with a real, live woman. Monogamy is a courageous adventure. Fight for one woman for a lifetime. Lesser men will chase after many women. Greater men will love a woman day after day and discover joy and fulfillment. I currently have members who are soon to be married 75 years. Beat that. She stares at the snow, the sun's blinding refraction. Her mind is formed by four years of living on our planet. Into her fifth year of life, she ponders the nature of light and sun. "Is our sun the same sun that's at Grandma's house?" "Yes," was my simple reply to a complexity of thought. Yes, this is the same sun. No one has another sun. No one can escape its light. From Beijing to Boston; from South Africa to every town named Springfield. There is no human that is not subject to its light and heat. By its perpetual flame, the earth is sustained through seasons. All of history's societies have witnessed the same sun's power. Every human ever to see daylight has felt its rays on their skin. This star is common to us all. "Is our sun the same sun that's at Grandma's house?" "Yes," is my reply. "There is one sun for everyone." In December I had lunch with six college students. I wanted to hear what challenges they face and what hopes they have for the future. A common thread in each of their reflections was an intense burden to succeed. It’s no longer enough to have a diploma or even a high GPA. I’m sounding like an old man, but I feel like "things are harder for kids these days." I believe the Great Recession intensified an already hyper-competitive and status-seeking society. We are conditioned to strive after bigger and better. Positions of prestige. Jobs that are lucrative and well-compensated. Offices of honor. Places of admiration and influence. We live in a status-seeking society. |
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