RADICAL Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt is a book that is not only a "must read" but a "must intake". This is not a book review or anything like that. I have been studying some things in the book of Daniel recently and today while doing some reading of Radical this jumped out at me:
"God loves me" is not the essence of biblical Christianity. Because if "God loves me" is the message of Christianity, then who is the object of Christianity?
God loves me.
Me.
Christianity's object is me.
Therefore, when I look for a church, I look for the music that best fits me and the programs that best cater to me and my family. When I make plans for my life and career, it is about what works best for me and my family. When I consider the house I will live in, the car I will drive, the clothes I will wear, the way I will live, I will choose according to what is best for me. This is the version of Christianity that largely prevails in our culture.
But it is not biblical Christianity.
The message of biblical Christianity is not "God loves me, period," as if we were the object of our own faith. The message of biblical Christianity is "God loves me so that I might make Him - His ways, His salvation, His glory, and His greatness - known among all nations." Now God is the object of our faith, and Christianity centers around Him. We are not the end of the gospel; God is.
In the book of Daniel Chapter 4 and 5 talk about 2 different kings (Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar) who in knowing how great and awesome God is dishonored God with their pride and actions. Nebuchadnezzar changed quite literally into a beast and Belshazzar saw the writing on the wall and died that evening.
Nebuchadnezzar repented of his ways and glorified God. Belshazzar knew better but decided to praise things rather than God and his life was taken.
How much should we repent of our "Christian" egos? How much have we twisted the gospel's message and the Bride of Christ to mankind's agenda?
I'm finna go King James for a minute: WOE to the Church in America if we don't turn back to real faith, real true biblical Christianity! Our fate will not be lessoned but increased since we know all too well of how GREAT and GLORIOUS OUR GOD IS!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
To the Flight Attendants
Recently the family and I were flying up to Alaska to see my in-laws. I don't know about you but when I get excited about a trip (or Christmas) I can't sleep the night before. So I'm pretty tired just to start off. We have two evening flights. We're expected to be in Alaska around mid-night and I have a 2 hour drive to get to the airport. So just like everyone else I tune out when I got on the plane. Especially during the "presentation".
As per FAA regulations every flight has the Flight Attendant Presentation. The demonstration on how to fasten your seat-belt...which I would get if you're under 2 yrs old and your mom and dad didn't care about you. Then they tell you where the doors are for your "convenience". Like I'm going to say mid-flight, "Hey let me off here". After that is all said and done they give the oxygen mask / flotation device location demonstration. Which is great to know because if I need any of those I hope we've landed in water that way it'll cover up any other "accident" that has occured. When all is said and done they tell you that you can find the demonstration on the "shoulda been listening" emergency card on the seat back pocket in front of you.
While all this is helpful information I know I don't pay attention and here is why...I look at everybody else who is not paying attention. People are sleeping. Whispering. Reading books. Doing work. Looking ahead aimlessly. Some are even mocking the flight attendant. And this happens on every flight.
You, flight attendants are so chipper trying to let everyone know what to do if they are about to DIE and no one seems to care. You may feel you're speaking to the wind. You may say to yourself, "I've done this a gazillion times and 99.99% of that gazillion times nobody pays attention." You may think that your job is pointless but it's not.
I remember one flight I was on and the plane hit some really harsh turbulance. I love rollercoasters; the more it pushes you the better. This one had me getting those butterflies in my stomach fluttering. I recall at one point as we dropped I was ready for that oxygen mask to drop or for the flight attendants to say, "Get your floaties".
Well I think your job is a lot like mine. I've preached salvation messages in churches, youth camps and street corners across America. I've seen people respond to the messages while others sleep. Whisper. Read the tithe envelope. Look aimlessly at me. I want to scream and say "Pay attention...you need this!"
I feel your frustration Flight Attendants. The thing is if we quit with our message it's quite possible that someone might slip by who has never heard.
As per FAA regulations every flight has the Flight Attendant Presentation. The demonstration on how to fasten your seat-belt...which I would get if you're under 2 yrs old and your mom and dad didn't care about you. Then they tell you where the doors are for your "convenience". Like I'm going to say mid-flight, "Hey let me off here". After that is all said and done they give the oxygen mask / flotation device location demonstration. Which is great to know because if I need any of those I hope we've landed in water that way it'll cover up any other "accident" that has occured. When all is said and done they tell you that you can find the demonstration on the "shoulda been listening" emergency card on the seat back pocket in front of you.
While all this is helpful information I know I don't pay attention and here is why...I look at everybody else who is not paying attention. People are sleeping. Whispering. Reading books. Doing work. Looking ahead aimlessly. Some are even mocking the flight attendant. And this happens on every flight.
You, flight attendants are so chipper trying to let everyone know what to do if they are about to DIE and no one seems to care. You may feel you're speaking to the wind. You may say to yourself, "I've done this a gazillion times and 99.99% of that gazillion times nobody pays attention." You may think that your job is pointless but it's not.
I remember one flight I was on and the plane hit some really harsh turbulance. I love rollercoasters; the more it pushes you the better. This one had me getting those butterflies in my stomach fluttering. I recall at one point as we dropped I was ready for that oxygen mask to drop or for the flight attendants to say, "Get your floaties".
Well I think your job is a lot like mine. I've preached salvation messages in churches, youth camps and street corners across America. I've seen people respond to the messages while others sleep. Whisper. Read the tithe envelope. Look aimlessly at me. I want to scream and say "Pay attention...you need this!"
I feel your frustration Flight Attendants. The thing is if we quit with our message it's quite possible that someone might slip by who has never heard.
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