Lone Ranger Christianity

After being out of fellowship for what felt like an eternity, it was good to be back in corporate worship. I am really understanding what people mean when they say it is hard to be a christian in a vaccuum or to live a christian life alone.

My personal study, quiet time, research whatever you wish to call it, has always been conversation driven. The pastor, SS teacher, member of the class, family member, christian blogger, says or writes something interesting or provocative, inspiring me to pray and search the scriptures for truth. In recent years God has placed books, events and people in my path to help me and inspire me in my journey for spiritual transformation.

When I am absent from such stimuli my motivation to study God's truth wanes and I find myself distracted by doing such things as computing 1000 possible scenarios of the BCS, figuring Jason Whites passer efficiency rating, watching political shows, watching 4 straight football games, or one of a hundred reality shows , etc.

I need to discipline myself better I know, but in reality no one can do it alone and that is not my goal. My goal is to broaden the conversation outside the confines of my church, a church that I love, but is there to equip me. I need to become better equipped so that when I am away for these long stretches I can still grow and help others along to grow as well.

For me Lone Ranger Christianity does not work. God never intended it to be that way. We are part of a body of numerous parts.

When the Bible says " do not forsake the assembling of yourselves", it is not just a stern commandment, but an instruction for a better life in Christ. Hebrews 10:19-25

19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Customized Communion

Since Jason is discussing Baptism, we may as well discuss the Eucharist.

http://southern-orthodoxy.blogspot.com/2004/11/customized-communion.html

The above link describes the various views different denominations have of the Sacrament of Communion. How do you think we as Baptists stack up?

Is Communion something to be customized? I really don't know, some things are non-negotiable, but what has to be contained in the ritual and what could be altered?

Is Progress really progress?

After watching the documentary "Beyond the Gates..." I was fascinated by the elder natives view of America. How a primitive individual would view 21st century America. He was quick to notice how fat Americans were and the reason was obvious..... you drive by these food houses and people hand you food out their window. No one has to walk or climb, the trail moves (escalator).

I then read an article about Marshall Mc Luhan a Christian thinker (no, that isn't an oxymoron) who coined the phrase a "global village" and the word "media". He recognized that as man progressed technologically, he lost skills previously neccessary for survival. An example would be how fat we would get due to driving every where as opposed to walking or not being able to climb like some natives would have to do to gather food. There are several examples and many have detrimental consequenses, which might outweigh the benefit.

How would this axiom relate to Church? When the first followers of The Way met, the met in homes. In small groups. As civilization progressed we eventually built magnificent cathedrals for all to flock to and admire. No need to go to folks, they will come to us.
We condense our Discipleship Training to a quarterly with a moral to learn each week, no need for individual research or soul searching, we have everything condensed for you!! So once again man is fooled by thinking how far we have come. So I am going to continue to maybe look back to see if maybe we might have let progress get in the way of relationship. That is what is really all about, relationships with others and with God.

What are they afraid of?

All of a sudden I feel as if I am part of a group of people that seems to scare people. Those on the political left are vascillating between trying to embrace evangelicals and demonizing them (me).

To answer my question;(What are they afraid of?) I know many people are frightened when a discussion of issues evolves to a Christian saying, "I don't have to worry about that, Jesus will come soon" or "The world is going to end soon anyway" or any number of cliches we have all heard or maybe even spoken. The problem is people who aren't Christians don't have a clue about what you are talking about, which causes people fear. We do need to engage the lost world in a coherent way. I realize a lot of people have the view that we are hypocrites, another favorite argument against believers. The problem is that maybe we are hypocrites. I find I am hypocritical on several occasions.

For starters maybe it would be best to avoid eschatological discussions with unbelievers. Confront the hypocritical argument head on, by pointing out that we are all sinners, just some of us our at different levels or stages in our spiritual development. Let it be known that Jesus still loves us, even when we are acting hypocritical. The fact that I am not a good apprentice does not mean my mentor, Jesus, is not worth imitating.

But I think we have an opportunity with everyone talking about Christian evangelicals in the wake of this election, to communicate to people that we are not right wing fascists, we do not want to legislate everything in their private life, we believe in free speech, the right to assemble, the seperation of church and state and so on.

Bill Maher (Real Time, HBO)was destroyed by 2 of his guests for mocking Christians. They both said "keep doing what you are doing and the left will never win". But we can do our part by giving those skeptics less ammunition to work with. I am tired of the phrase intolerant, but we must still guard against being percieved as intolerant by those that need the Gospel. (without abandoning God's principles). I know people who are for example gay, but I still love them, in fact consider them friends. I don't condemn lost people for some activities they do that I don't. Christ will change the heart first then the lifestyle will change. So if we concentrate on how Jesus did it, we will see the transformation. And by letting Christ do the changing of behavior we then avoid that ugly label of "intolerant".

The Sleeping Giant, Not Fully Awake

It has been said in American politics that if all Christians united in a vote, then that candidate would surely win. Pundits were surprised that moral issues were the number one factor in votes cast last Tuesday, if you believe the exit polls. Bush carried the Catholic vote 52-47, 80% of the Evangelical vote and increased his African American vote no doubt among evangelical blacks. In essence he appealed to his base. How does this square with the state questions that have passed right here in the "Bible Belt"? We kept the gays from marrying, but we desire to fund our education with gambling and we also are increasing gaming. Did you know one of the largest casinos in the country owns property on the river in OKC in hopes to put in casino gaming on the Candadian, like they have in KC and St. Louis?

When I filled out my United Way donation card today I noticed there was no "Gamblers Anonymous" in our city. Looks like we may be funding one of those in the future.