Changing perceptions

How does the outside world view Christianity?

Do they view evangelicals as a loving, compassionate embracing people?

The answer might shock you. The latest Barna group survey reveals some unsettling things about how we have

• 91 percent of the world sees evangelicals as “Anti-homosexual.
• 87 percent calls us “judgemental”
• 85 percent call us “hypocritcaal”
• 78 percent say we are “old fashioned”
• 75 percent think we are “too involved in politics”
• 72 percent as “out of touch with reality

I don't think these numbers are fair, but perception is often reality. In our desire to be salt and light, as the cities on a hill for a world to see, this doesn’t bode well. We are missing the chance to make a difference.

I lay some of this at the feet of those who thought we could change the world through political majority, which I supported at first, but now regret. We aligned ourselves with politics, sleeping with a friend that later would betray us. We rose up with a voice, hoping that politics would do our bidding. Instead of rolling up our sleeves with the hard work of faith in action, we let government take over our jobs.

 And in the end, we sullied our Saviors name, ruined our reputation, and perhaps lost an entire generation to the Evil One.

But maybe I am wrong. Some may think that these ‘low ratings’ are actually good things. “Rejoice when the world mocks you for My names sake,” our Savior said.

How can we change perceptions? Or should we? What do you think?

The Invisible Man

They shuffle through their lives, lost in a world that has done them wrong.
They’re invisible.

They don’t speak up. They don’t speak out. Their opinions aren’t heard, because they are never expressed.
They’re invisible.

They have pains so deep that they hurt. Loves spurned. Relationships torn apart. Promises broken.
They’re invisible.

Their eyes never meet yours – looking down or away to avoid any questions. Can’t get personal or up close because they might get hurt again.
They’re invisible.

They live next door, or down the street, or in the apartment below you. You don’t know their name or their story.
They’re invisible.

They work in your department or on your tour or in the next office. They put their head down and do their duty. You never hear a thing about what goes on at home or in the heart or in the head.
They’re invisible.

What can you do to make the invisible visible? Comment here

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)

The storm

We gathered on the shore and watched the angry clouds gather on the horizon. Trouble was brewing. You could see it. You could feel it. You could smell it in the air.

But many others ignored the dark chaos. They hoped the howling winds would pass us by. They believed that the signs were for other times.

The storm is now upon us.

The fury that started last year really hasn't improved. Trillions of dollars have vanished -- homes repossessed, retirement dreams gone, jobs lost.

Following our march into the darkness, the entire world is engulfed in a vortex of chaos. Soon, we may see political upheaval, anger spilling out into the streets and trouble all around us.

But there is hope to be found.

Is it found on Wall Street?

Some may put their trust in the financial world, but I trust the Lord.

Is it found in Washington D.C.?
Some may put their trust in the government, but I trust the Lord.

It is found in a political leader?
Some may put their trust in leaders, but I trust the Lord.

Do you trust an economy, a way of life, or a political system? How's that working out for you?

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses,but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."
--- Psalm 20:7

Where is your trust? Comment here.

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Did you miss out on that promotion?

We've all been there. We worked hard, putting in extra effort, staying late, doing everything that's asked of us...and more.

And when the name is revealed, it's not us. It's the other guy who got the promotion. Then the emotions start. And then the accusations.

"The boss was playing favorites"
"They promote their problems"
"He has something on the supervisor"
and so on.

It's tough to be overlooked. It's even tougher when everyone around you thought you were a shoo-in -- and you weren't. Some have even foolishly planned for the money, purchasing cars or gifts, planning on paying for them with the added money.

Prov. 22:29 tells us, "Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings;he will not serve before obscure men."

 

I have to believe that in good time, all things will come. I've been overlooked for jobs, only to find out later that they would have been big blunders for me to take. I have been passed over, only to get something much, much better.

What's your experience? Comment here.

Going the extra mile: Would you give up a kidney for your boss?

(We are honored that the High Calling Blogs published the following in the Dec. 1 edition. Read it here.)

An amazing – and perhaps unprecedented – story occurred in Philadelphia. Rob Fensermaker, a liquor store worker, said his boss gave him the “ultimate gift” when he decided to give him one of his kidneys.

The boss, Brian DeAngelis, stands alone in the world of supervision, where most of his peers can barely peep a hello or a thank you. Many struggle to give a word of encouragement or grant a day off. It’s the rare boss who is genuinely concerned about a personal condition. And I’ve never heard of such a sacrifice.

But it seems that someone has actually one upped DeAngelis.

Joshua Phipps, an employee at the Houston, TX, Methodist Hospital Methodist Hospital gave his boss a kidney.

He wasn’t looking for kudos, despite called the “ultimate suck-up.”

His boss, Charlie Ward, was “stunned” by the offer, which shortened the normal multi-year wait to work his way to the top of the list. The donation saved four hours a day of dialysis.

"I told him several times, 'You don't have to do this,' " said Ward. Indeed, he didn’t.

What would I do if my boss needed my kidney and I was a match? How would I base my decision? Would the Red Letters of Jesus break through my selfishness?

"Give to the person who asks you for something, and do not turn away from the person who wants to borrow something from you."

Would I justify my indecision because I was overlooked, underappreciated, and underpaid?
"And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two."
What about that slight? That nasty thing he said to me? The way he embarrassed me.
“Whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.”

What would you do? Comment here.

"Happy Holidays?" How sensitive should we be?

Are you a "Happy Holiday's" kind of person? After all, why offend? But consider this fact. The total number of "non-Christians" in America add up to less than 10 million people, which is around three percent of the population, according to Dinesh D'Souza. 

We know that many in the raw numbers of self-professing "Christians" are those those who really don't have a clue. But those who truly are "offended" at the Christian message are a very small minority.

In terms of religious background, America is no more diverse today than it was in the 19^th century. So is it really necessary to cow tail to secularists? To keep things nice for those who don't share our way of faith? 

During Christmas, we are extra careful with our "Happy Holidays” and winter wonderlands. We are ultra sensitive to those that don't believe, changing our messages and our actions to be kind to those who don't believe. And how about work? Most of us are especially cautious here, making sure our words don't constitute "harassment" of any sort.

Here's the question. Should the true Christian, the walking, talking Red Letter Believer, be more concerned about speaking the truth, or more concerned about speaking it in love? What's your opinion? Or is Christmas so commercialized that none of this matters?

 Comment here.

Find your passion in work

"Our society has developed a knack for portraying work as a curse and the need to work as a misfortune."

So begins a wonderful letter to the editor in the Nov. 25 USA Today from Patricia Romeo of Cincinnati, OH.

"The 'take this job and shove it' attitude has been around for a long time. Today, the unemployment rate is more than 10 percent. Now that jobs are scare, I am very thankful to have one."

"Whether you are a plumber, a waitress or a business professional, workign with passion provides great satisfaction. I am often moved by people who find passion in their jobs.

She continues:
"This year, I am going to give my work the passion it deserves. i am going to exude pride as I manage my daily tasks like labors of love. Work is a privilege, and to acheive satisfaction when finishing a task completes me as a person."

"My hope is that , some day, every American will have the opportunity to share in the joys that work provides."

All I can say, is "Amen."

Comment here.

Thanksgiving prayer: "Thanks for the robbery"

Matthew Henry wrote a prayer of thanks on the night he was robbed.

If it were me, I would have asked for divine intervention, rapid aphrension, a swift trial and a no-nonsense judge.

But Henry's prayer was one of thanksgiving.

"I thank Thee. First, because I was never robbed before

Second, because altho' they took my belongings, they did not take my life.

Third, altho' they took everything I had, it was not much.

And fourth, becuase it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed."

In other words, Thanks for the robbery!

Kurt Warner: Red Letter Athlete

The world of professional sports is no doubt one that would be extremely difficult for a Christian. The fame and adulation that we, as fans, heap on these mere humans would take a great deal of god's-mainintain-and-sustaining humility to prevent the fall.

The money. The fans. The road. The temptations are many.

Kurt Warner's road to faith has been a welcome story in the normal world of NFL thuggery. The Arizona Cardinals quarterback is known for on-field prowess, and his off-field giving and sharing in the name of Christ. USA Weekend honored him as the "2009 Most Caring Athlete."

The story tells of his unlikely rise to fame, starting as grocery stock boy before getting a shot with the St. Louis Rams. He hung in there. He met his wife, Brenda at a country western bar, and even though she had two special needs kids, he continued to pursue her.

His conversion occured in 1996. "We simply put our lives in God's hands. Since then, we have sought to share ourselves and our faith and to touch other people's lives."

Touch he does. The article lists all of his efforts through his First Things First Foundation and says that he makes "no apologies for using his fame to reach more people with the Christian message."

Is Warner the real deal, or are we just hero worshipping?

What do you think?
Click here.

“What does God expect of me?”

Cover via Amazon

What does God want from me? You might be surprised, but whatever you think it is, it's really not enough.

"Belief is not enough

Worship is not enough

Personal morality is not enough.

Christian community is not enough

God has always demanded more”

n Rich Stearns

The Hole in Our Gospel

You say you follow Him, but do you really?

What does God expect of those who say they are his followers? We have created a whole list of things, many forged by the modern concept of Christianity. Some of our expectations we have include a moment of personal salvation, regular church attendance, moral living and right thinking, among other things.

But the real test is not in what we think He expects. The test is in what He tells to do.

He wants everything.
"Take up your cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24)

He wants our faith to not be a separate experience from our work, school home or community. He wants our faith to be lived out in real life. He wants it to infuse our thoughts, our motives, and our actions. He wants it to spice our language and thoughts. He wants it visible, lived out in those around us.

He wants faith that goes beyond mere words, simple faith or easy talk.

He wants all of you

Comment here.