An article

So I was reading Relevant Magazine at the gym this morning and stumbled upon an interesting article titled "Not One of Those Christians" by Cameron Strang.  Interesting and very appropriate for where I am right now.  I give you a few pieces of the article first.

 

"We cringe every time we see Pat Robertson on the news.  So, we do everything we can to not be identified as one of those Christians.  We try to get outside of the Christian bubble, love others, be open minded and live in freedom.  So we drink-but just in moderation, of course.  We cuss, but just for humor or effect.  We watch movies that our pastor wouldn't, but it's because we're a lot more in touch than he is.  We criticize TBN, cheesy Christian music and everything else about the Christian subculture.  We hang out at bars and clubs, originally to be "light in the darkness," but now really just for a good time. 

 

And here we are, without even realizing it, living exactly like the world.....

 

....We look to one side and see Christianity being mocked in the media because of stupid public statements by leaders who make us all look like idiots. 

 

But so what?

 

We look to the other side and see a free-will, all-paths-lead-to-heaven kind of Christianity that renders our faith copmletely ineffective out of fear that we might offen someone who doesn't agree with us.

 

But again, so what?

 

Neither of those need to define us.  What other people do is of zero consequence to how we have to live our lives.  The decisions we make and the love we show to others are completely up to us.  No one else will account for your life but you.

 

So how are you using it?

 

Like most of us, I'm tired of being clumped in with stereotypical, suburbanm, materialistic Christianity.  But we can't throw the baby out with the bathwater.  I believe that God wants us to think for ourselves and follow the Spirit.  If it's scriptural, we've got to deal with it.  But if a man came up with it, I give it a healthy dose of skepticism.  It's called discernment.

 

We need to not only embrace grace and freedom, but remember that we're called apart, that what we have in our spiritis separates us from the world.  We are supposed to be in the world, but not of it.  We have a hope and a freedom and a faith that the world is looking for, and they need to see that difference in us. Otherwise, what's the point."

 

It kind of hits on what I was talking two posts ago.  I liked what it had to say because I struggle with this exact topic.

 

And yesterday...great day!  Church was awesome.  I went to the first service, two reasons really.  I honestly didn't feel like socializing so I went to avoid a lot of people and two because I had to go into the office to get ready for a presentation on Monday that I wasn't prepared for.  But I got it done quickly, went home and had the chicken pot pie that Brynn and I had made.  I made chocolate peanut butter bars and fruit dip.  I clipped coupons (a Sunday ritual) and I did a major overhauling of the fridge.  It looks so neat and tidy now.  I don't know how long it will stay that way, but for now I can smile about.  I also was long overdue for some laundry being done, so I did that and all I have to do now is fold it all. 

 

I concluded my evening with "The Mix", fellowship night for the high schoolers at my church.  (That's why I was doing all the baking!)  I had so much fun.  I connected with some more of the girls and had a great time.  I'm excited that I'm already connecting with them and I haven't even started leading the small group yet.  I hope this is the beginning of something great that's coming!  I had a great time talking and hanging out with the other female leaders, Cerise, Tracey, and Margaret. We always laugh so much and just speak honestly about what's going on in our lives.  It was great to just "be". 

 

I'm going to work on just "be"ing today (after my presentation where I need to be all smiles:)). 

 

Love you, mean it!

--
Running Hard,

Kathryn

But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. ...Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.
Philippians 3:12-14