I love this video from Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor of The Village Church in Texas. Matt recently underwent brain surgery & continues to recover. His testimony of faith during this difficult time is inspiring. My prayers are with Matt & his family.
Posts Tagged ‘acceptance’
Jesus Wants the Rose
Posted: December 8, 2009 in ChristTags: acceptance, compassion, forgiveness, Jesus, love, Matt Chandler, The Village Church
5 Simple Steps to Tick Off Religious People
Posted: September 22, 2009 in churchTags: acceptance, Democrat, forgiveness, Jesus, Kraig Krempa, love, ministry, religious people, Republican, skip church
I believe there is a fundamental difference between religious people and followers of Christ. If you’re not sure which one you are, I’ve devised 5 simple steps to tick off religious people:
1. Be like Jesus and show people unconditional love, acceptance and forgiveness regardless of their lifestyle or circumstances (including non-Christians - gasp! Matthew 11:19).
2. Do something awesome for Jesus without getting permission from your pastor (as a pastor, I hereby give you permission to do awesome things for Jesus without my permission; John 14:12).
3. Vote for a Democrat (or a Republican; depending on how your particular religious crowd rolls; Romans 13:1).
4. Skip church one Sunday and go do something fun with your family (key word = “one”; Mark 2:27).
5. Write a blog telling people how to tick off religious people (Ephesians 4:14-16; or leave a comment here adding some of your own ideas to the list & I’ll take the heat for you).
If these steps generate an emotional response in you somewhat akin to having bamboo shoots driven under your fingernails, there is a significant chance you are a religious person. If you can picture yourself doing any/all of these steps without shame or fear of losing your salvation – Congrats! You just might be a follower of Jesus Christ.
A Distorted Image
Posted: March 18, 2009 in Christianity, church, cultureTags: acceptance, Christ, Christianity, condemnation, forgiveness, holiness, Jesus, judgmentalism, Kraig Krempa, legalism, love, unChristian
From the outside looking in, Christianity is viewed as something radically different from what Jesus intended it to be. I received these words yesterday from a friend with just such a vantage point: “…most people believe that being holy entails telling everyone else what they’re doing wrong, chastising others, standing at the funerals of gay people and telling their friends and family that those people are on their way to hell, condemning music and books that are deemed morally lacking, etc. … being legalistically judgmental.” His sentiment simply echos the latest research concerning Christianity’s unChristian image.
Here’s what I won’t do:
1. Make excuses.
2. Get defensive.
3. Deny reality.
4. Blame the devil.
5. Blame sinners.
6. Blame Christians.
7. Rationalize dysfunction.
8. Point fingers.
9. Ignore the problem.
10. Give up.
Here’s what I will do:
1. Confess. I admit that at times I have personally acted in unChristian ways and held unChristian beliefs; I am deeply sorry & working hard to correct the err of my ways. (more…)
