Lights, Camera…

            I’ve been thinking about our whole concept of church. Do we have it right? I don’t know. Something seems missing. You walk into the building (more on that later), and people seem distant. “Hey” and “what’s up?” abound, but something is lacking. A sense of realness. A closeness. A friendliness.

            We don’t really act like a family.

            We all walk into that building on Sunday with troubles. We have thoughts and questions about life. We have failures and successes that we want to share with people. We want people to be there to comfort us and celebrate with us.

            But we can’t let others inside. You don’t DARE show that something is wrong in that church building. That’s not a good Christian! Christians must always be smiley faces and happy-go-lucky. Something is wrong with you if you aren’t happy. Something is messed up if you don’t act like life is just the most awesomest thing ever.

           So we hide. We put on our miming masks and go through those doors. And that’s a shame.

But First, the Building

            But before I get to how Christians act towards each other, I want to deal with the church “building”. Over the centuries*, we have worshipped in huge buildings. It’s natural, right? Just have a central place where people can gather. People can worship there. The building can serve other functions as well.

            The problem is that we now think of the building as the church. No, the church is the PEOPLE. When you go shopping with another believer, you are doing church. When you go over to another believer’s house, you are doing church.

            The church is simply the group of Christians on earth. Believe it or not, it would still exist if every meeting structure jumped into a lake.

Now, Back to Church

            Lights, camera, action! Let church begin! People roll inside and everyone just does their thing. We are supposed to be a family, right?

            Imagine that happening at your house. You go inside and no one really acknowledges anyone else. Curt nods and “hey”, and people move on. That would not be a place people would want to be. And that can sometimes be our Sunday church experience.

            How can we change this? How can we be real? There are several solutions:

            1) Live life together! Get involved in others’ lives. Invite people over, visit a shelter, volunteer together. When you hang out with people, you realize they are real. They have emotions and hopes and dreams. They matter.

            2) Be real in conversations. When someone asks how you are doing, be honest. Just say, “I’m struggling at the moment. Can you pray for me?” And people would be more than glad to do so.

            3) Celebrate and mourn with people. Go alongside of people when they are going through ups and downs. Be there for them! Let them know you care. People will remember that it was you who walked with them through their saddest and happiest times. And they’ll be there for you.

            All of a sudden, the group of Christians you meet with (in a church BUILDING) will be more like family. Why? Because they are real to you. And you are real to them. The masks will be lifted.

*Don’t quote me on this, but I think this began around the 4th century. When Christianity became legal, it was natural for Christians to stop meeting at homes and build temple-like buildings. And that is how we got to today.

Reality Check

            Christians, especially American Christians, often have an interesting view of what it means to be a follower Jesus.  They read the Proverbs, and then they read the glorious promises found in the historical books of the Old Testament. They read about how God promised wealth and physical success to Israel, if they would just return to Him.

            They start to get a little excited.

            Then they turn on the television to watch the popular preachers of our day.  The prosperity prophets proclaim a future of happiness and monetary abundance. All you need to do is believe in Jesus and give them some money, they say. The blessings will reign down! There will be no pain in your life. You will never go broke. Your life will be the greatest thing since sliced bread.

            Then these Christians go nuts.

Next Stop, Reality!

            But let’s take things back to the real, actual Jesus. No, I’m not talking about that genie-in-a-bottle Jesus. I’m not talking about that winning-lottery-ticket Jesus. I’m talking about that real Jesus. Let’s hear what He says about what will happen when you give your life to Him:

            “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

            Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils, and flog you in their synagogues,

            And you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles.

            When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour;

            For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

            Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death;

            And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

            When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel, before the Son of man comes.” (Matthew 10:16-23)

            Flogging? Fleeing? Hatred? Death? Oh my. But wait, it gets better. The following is what happened to one of the godliest men to have ever lived, Paul. Let’s hear about the easy, prosperous life he had once he accepted Christ:

            “Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.

            From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.

            Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;

            In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

            In weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” (2 Corinthians 11:23-27, ESV)

            My friends, the prosperity preachers are liars. When you become a Christian and live your faith, you will be hated, vilified, humiliated, and more. The extent of this depends on each person’s individual circumstance, but you get my point.

            God doesn’t promise us a physically prosperous life. He did to the Israelites, but that was when His Kingdom was a physical nation. His Kingdom plan is in a different stage now. It used to be about self-preservation (Israel), now it is about evangelism and growth (Christianity). 

            And God tells us there will be growing pains.

On That Note…

            Now that I’ve thoroughly encouraged you and lifted your spirit, let me end on a high note. What’s at the end of this? Why give your life for Christ? Is it worth it? My friends, it is.

            Whenever you are feeling down, read Revelation chapters 21-22. I won’t copy and paste it here (because that would be a little long). But I can tell you a little bit about what Heaven will be like.

            There will be no more pain, no more sorrow, no more human-trafficking, no more rape, no more sickness, no more divorce, no more murder, no more crying, no more tears. Just infinite, eternal joy.

            There will be a city the size of America-ish (don’t believe me? Read Revelation 21:16). It will have beautiful diamonds all around it.

            We will see the saints throughout history. We will see friends and family. We will have eternity to get to know each other.

            But above all, we will get to know God better. The Creator of the universe, the omniscient, omnipotent One. The infinite, eternal Jehovah. Our loving, caring Maker. He will be there for us. He will never leave us.

Which Brings Us Back to Now

            This life will be painful sometimes. God has warned us about that. Friends will abandon us; family and friends will die. We’ll get sick and hurt. Injustice and cruelty will run rampant at times.

            But keep your chin up. Eternal joy awaits us. What’s a few moments of this life compared to that?

What Is Love?

            I go on the radio and hear one word a lot. In tons of different ways. It’s used as an excuse, a catalyst, a weapon, and every other way imaginable. This word, if you haven’t already guessed, is “love”. According to our culture, it is the "get out of jail free" card that you can use to justify any behavior.

           Ha. Let’s see what love really is. But first, I have one thing to say. Forgive me, Disney and Barbie, but I disagree with you on this subject.

When I See Your Face

            We’ve seen it a thousand times before (at least in movies, but it’s also hilarious when it happens in real life). A gorgeous stunner walks by an unsuspecting dude… and when he finally notices her, he almost forgets how to breathe. He definitely forgets how to speak. People look on and chuckle.

            He finally manages to participate in a conversation with her. Later, he gushes about how he is just like so totally in love. He just loves her like so totally a lot. Fantabulasticously*.

            Ladies and gentlemen, there is no such thing as love at first sight. Now excuse me for a second, I have to dodge all the princess movies being thrown at me…

            Let me introduce you to something called attraction. While our culture uses the words “attraction” and “love” interchangeably, they are different. One is ALL about feelings. About the external. If you take away the looks, you take away the attraction. Attraction doesn’t last very long, all that is necessary is for something equally unattractive to happen before it goes away.

            So what the poor guy was experiencing was attraction, not love. Unfortunately, he doesn’t know the difference because the word “love” has been twisted beyond recognition.

            So before we get to the definition of love, let’s talk about what our culture’s version of “love” really is.

Give Me an “S”! Give Me an “E”…

            What our culture calls “love” is really “selfishness”. You love me? Well, if that were true you would give me whatever I wanted. And because I love you, I get whatever I want. Because this is love, baby.

            Yeah, no.

            Love is not making promises to friends that you don’t intend on keeping. Love is not premarital sex because you both just “loved” each other so much you couldn’t wait. Love is not manipulating the other person and guilt-tripping to get what you want. Love is not a pass to allow whatever.

            Let’s find out what love really is.

To the Death

            Here is what the Bible says:

            “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

            It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

            Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

            It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV)

            “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13, KJV)

            Let’s go through some of these. Love is patient; it waits. It’s in no hurry. That means if you aren’t willing to wait until “I do”, you don’t love the person, you lust for that person (attraction).

            Love doesn’t seek attention, because it desires for others to get the praise and the glory. This one is hard for me, an attention-seeker. But if I love others, I should be willing to stay in the shadows and let others in the limelight.

            Love does not dishonor others. One way this happens is by breaking promises. Your word is your who you are. When you say you will do something, is that job as good as done? What is the level of your character, your integrity? Your reputation is a project, make sure to work on it and build it.

            Love keeps no record of wrong. If you love someone, you’ll let their mistakes go. It’s that simple. I can’t say I love you and wag your mistakes in your face. That’s not love.

            And verse 7 is my favorite. Love always keeps its chin up. Life downright stinks sometimes. People downright stink sometimes. I downright stink sometimes. But love always looks for the best in others. Love always believes God will bring out the best results possible. Love is the last one standing in the end.

            You done yet? I wish I was, but there’s more. I saved the toughest one for last. John 15:13 lays it out:

            Would you die for those you love?

            Jesus says that true love means that you are willing to sacrifice your life. I say I love my family, would I die for them? I say I love my friends, would I die for them? That is the ultimate meaning of putting others first.
            This is love.

Wow

            As I read what I’ve just written, I realize it hurts. I fail everyday. I can sound all authoritative behind a screen. I can be a keyboard warrior, flaying others for their mistakes. But when I look in the mirror, I have to face the reality that I am a messy failure. I don’t love others like I should. I’m not and never will be like Jesus.

            But God, in His patient, kind, forgiving, never-failing, and hopeful love, is there for me. He’ll never leave me to my mistakes. Jesus died so that one day you and I can stand before Him and hear something we don't deserve. Something that overlooked all the wrongs we did. Something that can only be described as an act of love.
            "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

*I just couldn't resist.

Loving the Unlovable

            Alright, most of you reading this have gone to Sunday school at one point or another. So answer this common question for me. How do you know you are a Christian?

            Some will quickly point out that they prayed the sinner’s prayer. Others will say that they just feel saved. Others will say that they’ve been going to church all their life. Those who are more advanced in the ways of the Sunday School will say they know they are saved by the fruit they produce, or that they are saved because their lives have been changed.

            But recently I’ve been thinking about forgiveness and love. I think we can add one more answer to this question.

I Love Idi Amin

            Idi Amin was a tyrant that murdered around 300,000 Ugandans during his 9 year reign. He was a mini-Hitler, and a micro-Satan. This dude was evil to the core. He flaunted his brutality to the world, and left Uganda in turmoil.

            In the midst of it all, he severely persecuted Christians. Festo Kivengere, an Anglican bishop, lived during his reign. He witnessed the wickedness of Idi Amin, and eventually he fled Uganda. Within the same year, he wrote a book titled “I Love Idi Amin”. In it, he talked about the supernatural joy and peace Ugandan Christians had despite Amin.

            After hearing this story of supernatural love, I thought of all the persecuted Christians overseas I’ve read about who sing as they get executed. They love their tormentors. They forgive those who hate them.

            And after reading about them, I always go back to Jesus’ words. As He was being mocked and ridiculed on the cross, He was bearing the weight of our sins. And here we were humiliating Him. I’m tearing up as I write this now because I can’t understand the love He has for me. For you.

            “Father forgive Nathan, for he knows not what he does.”

A Supernatural Love

            So what’s this other answer to the question “how do you know you are a Christian?” The answer is that you will be able to love and forgive the unlovable. Jesus loved a worthless nobody like me. Festo Kivengere loved a tyrannical monster. Countless unnamed Christians overseas suffer torture at the hands of the very people they try to help (prison guards).

            Ladies and gentlemen, that is a supernatural love a non-Christian cannot have.

            Oh, the world can forget the wrongs done to them. Maybe even forgive them. But the world cannot turn around and love those who hate them. No, it takes a power Satan does not have.

            So look at your own life. Are there people that you feel you cannot love? Maybe a coworker, teacher, parent, spouse, or an ex-friend? You may be right. On our own strength, there are times when our love just runs out. But hang on to the words of Jesus:

            “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

            Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27-28, NRSV)

            He doesn’t ask for us to fight our own battles, because He’s won the war. By His strength we can love those who hate us. We can love those whom the world cannot.

Destroying Never Land

            Awhile back I read Alex and Brett Harris’ book “Do Hard Things”. It was inspiring to hear their stories of doing cool things at such a young age. They also talked about others doing amazing things at an early age (hundreds of years ago, a dude captained a ship at 12. What was I doing at 12?).

            It also touched a topic that really ticks me off.

            In today’s day and age, there is this… thing called a “teenager”. Physically, it is close to or maybe exactly like an adult. Mentally? Basically an adult. Capabilities? Same deal. Responsibilities?

            Ha.

            Unfortunately, the phenomenon of the teenager started in the early 1900s.  Now it has evolved into something that wants to be able to do adult things. Think adult things. Be an adult.

            But have no adult responsibilities.

            So these creatures run rampant in our culture unchecked. They use the label “teenager” to get away with being lazy, irresponsible, and downright childish. Adults look at us (yes, I would be a “teenager” unfortunately) with disdain because we are young and foolish. They don’t respect us because we have destroyed our own credibility.

Hold Up a Minute

            But what is reality? I’ll tell you reality. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:11:

            “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” (NIV)

            Did anyone catch the “when I became a teenager, I did adult things but I was still able to act like a child” right in the middle of the verse?

            You didn’t? Me neither.

            Ladies and gentlemen, to God you are either a child or an adult. Woman or girl. Man or boy. He doesn’t let us off the hook because we are in that “middle” stage our culture has created for us to wallow in until we decide we want to grow up.

            So gut check time for me and you. Are we adults? Or are we still children? If we aren’t adults, what’s holding us back?

Destroying Never Land

            My vision one day is to see Christian youth living differently than all the others. People look at us and say, “Those kids are 13, 14, 15… but they don’t act their age. They act like adults.”  When we speak or act, people notice because we are different. We embrace our manhood or womanhood. We gratefully accept the challenges and responsibilities that should come with age.

            In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul writes:

            “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” (NIV)

            Paul is telling Timothy to not allow his age to be an excuse. He encourages this young man to set the standard with how he acts and speaks. He’s like “you’re young. So what? Let’s do this thing.”

            So this is a challenge to whoever is reading this. Are you embracing the future God has for you? Or are you just hanging back, waiting until the culture reluctantly tells you that you have to leave the easy life of a child? Step up, man up. Let’s do this thing.

Through the Pain

            Hi guys! I’m Katie, one of Nathan’s friends from the church he attends. I just wanted to write this post to help others who may be struggling with physical pain in their life, because I can relate to that. I’ve struggled with migraines and severe neck pain for 6 or 7 years now, and I have to admit I’ve fought with hopelessness and despondency at times. I often wonder if I’ll ever get better. Over the years, I’ve tried different ways of coping with pain, and I want to share with you my struggles and what I’ve learned.

            It’s been so long that I’ve had these problems, and there have been no answers to date. I’ve visited doctor after doctor, and no one has been able to help me. Is there an answer? I don’t know, and sometimes I’ve given up hope that doctors can heal me. It’s hard trusting God for answers. I sometimes feel like I’m going to be stuck like this forever, and I very well may be. But that’s not what I need to focus on. I try to take the focus off of myself and my pain, and I try to put it on God and all the amazing things He’s done for me.

            My advice for people who are feeling down is to, first and foremost, seek God. You’ll get nowhere without Him. I’ve been so blessed, and it’s only right that God should use me to glorify Him. God doesn’t promise us an easy life, but He does promise us a great future if we’ve put our trust in Him. And that’s something to hold onto for those painful times.

            My life verse which I always come to when I’m feeling down is John 16:33. In it, Jesus says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” It’s so encouraging to me. No matter what happens to me, I’m not to worry. I’m to have peace. Because my Savior has overcome the world and all the bad stuff in it, and that’s pretty comforting to know.

            God obviously allowed this pain in my life for a reason, even though I don’t know why right now. I just have to believe that something good will come out of it. Maybe sharing my struggles and thoughts will encourage those going through tough times themselves!

You Know What?

            You know what? Life is depressing. People are dying. Kids are being killed by wackos. Weird diseases are wreaking havoc. Divorce rates are at 50% (!). People are unhappy. People are depressed. Life is gloomy.

            And that makes me sad.

            But then the other day I received a very nice compliment. And you know what? It was amazing. I was floating. Life was great. I was happy.

            Hmmm.

            So recently I thought about the contrast. Was a kind word enough to combat all the world’s mess? Did it somehow make the world a better place? No… kids are still dying and divorce rates are still about 50% higher than they should be.

            Then what’s up? What’s up, my friends, is the power of words. In the midst of a negative world, people are dying to hear that they are doing something right. That they matter. That something they do or some quality they have is good in a bad world.

            Contrary to what some think, people desperately care what others think of them. Often this is damaging (the world is negative, remember), but this can be used for good.

            So look around. LOOK AROUND. There are people everywhere in need of a kind word. Maybe it’s a family member or a friend. Maybe it’s a stranger.

            Ladies and gentlemen, words are powerful. They start wars. They end lives. But you know what? They can make a difference for good. They can start dreams. They can save lives. They can spread happiness throughout a dark world.

            Words are weapons or tools. Let’s build up others. Let’s let the sun through. But watch out, things will get a little brighter.

Gotham

The Inspiration

            Recently I watched the Batman series, and it was awesome. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that there are some serious parallels between Gotham and America and Christianity. So here we go.

Gotham

            Recently as I’ve look around at the state of Christianity in America, I’ve been saddened. Everywhere you look, Jesus and His authority (the Bible) is being assaulted and forsaken.

            On the one hand, you have the fake preachers spreading the gospel of prosperity. I don’t care to mention names, but these deceivers speak about how God will give you an easy life. He will give you money. He will give you health. You will never have any problems because your faith is your ticket to whatever you want.

            Oh really?

            On the other side, you have sincere, godly Christian leaders who compromise on the clear teachings found in the Bible. They tell us that scientists are the true theologians; only they are able to properly interpret God’s Word.

            Okay.

            On the third side, you have Christian leaders failing morally. Now, we all fail, I understand that. But some mistakes are graver than others. I just came from an association of churches that mishandled some situations, leading to controversies and churches breaking off from the group. Recently a leader of a sect of Christianity had an affair. Then a very popular para-church organization’s president had an affair. And our Catholic brothers and sisters have had to deal with some of the downfalls of their own leaders.

            Ouch.

            And to round out the group, you have the day-to-day people who claim they are Christians and annihilate Jesus’ credibility. I’m not even talking about the Sunday warriors (nominal Christians), but those who, by their detrimental behavior, make a mockery of the word “Christian”. 

            Ladies and gentlemen, Christianity is dying in America. Research shows that around a third of the next generation of church goers (church kids now) will leave the church. That is serious decline.

            This gives a heavier meaning to Jesus’ words in Luke 18:8b when He said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” Ever since Europe fell in the late 1800s, America has been the bastion of Christianity. And now it is following its relative.

We Need Heroes

            Like Skillet in their song “Hero” (not big into Skillet, but I love that song), we need heroes to rise up. We need those who do not care about ridicule and mockery, humiliation and disgrace.

            Now, by heroes, I don’t necessarily mean billionaire playboys or mustache-wearing cops or head-strong rookies. I mean you and me.

            Will you and I be strong enough to stay committed in marriage? To obey authority? To love those less unfortunate than us? To fight for the unborn? To fight against the crowd? To be hated for our Savior? How much does Jesus mean to us?

We Need Leaders

            But while having everyday Christians actually living like Christians would be amazing, who will inspire them? Who will wake up this nation and bring God back to the forefront? Who will lead us?

            When Jesus ascended, He didn’t leave the Church leaderless. The Apostles dispersed around the known world, and Christianity was kick-started. Then God raised the church fathers after they died. Then, when institutionalized Christianity strayed, God brought about the Reformation.

            But now our destruction is coming from both inside and out. We have those in the church preaching the prosperity gospel and telling us secular scientists are the true theologians. On the outside, atheism, Islam, and New Age are knocking on the door, waiting to replace us.

            We are being destroyed from the inside and out. Joker and Harvey Dent. Who will fight them? Who will fight for us?

Sharpening Our Weapons

            But while we wait on God, we have things to do. The first thing we need to do is establish our faith by growing closer to God individually. After that, we need to pray for this nation. Jesus says in Matthew 18:20, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

            Oh really? That’s great. What would happen if the billion plus Christians around the world prayed for this nation? God will move in earth-shaking ways.

            After that, we need to take our faith to the streets. To our homes. To our workplaces. To the courtroom. We have to fight for our faith. We are the lights of the world.

            Let’s shine.

To Save a Life (Post 2)

            In my last post, I went over the groundwork for the Christian’s view of human life and abortion (make sure to read that post before this one!). Now what do you say to a non-Christian who doesn’t care for the Bible? This is apologetics, ladies and gentlemen.

            There are four main differences between a human life that is inside the womb and one that is outside of the womb. Let’s go through them.

1. Size
2. Level of dependency
3. Environment (inside womb vs. outside of womb)
4. Level of development

            The argument goes like this: because the life inside the womb is smaller, dependent on the mother, inside the womb, and less developed, it is not a human life. It is a lesser form of life.

            I apologize, but this simply doesn’t compute. Let’s go through each factor individually:

            1) Size. So someone who is smaller isn’t as alive as someone who is bigger? Gimli would object to that.

            2) Level of dependency. This one, at first, seems like the strongest objection. But it melts away when examined. The logic goes “because the life inside the womb can’t survive on its own, it’s not a human life.”

            Okay.

            We are all dependent on something other than ourselves. Oxygen, water, food, etc. Does that make us less human? What about the people who need feeding tubes to survive? Is that any different than the life inside the womb using the umbilical chord? What about the people that rely on pace-makers, insulin, and kidney machines to survive? Are they less human?

            Of course not. Let’s lay this argument to rest.

            3) Environment. The argument goes “due to the life in the womb’s location,  it is less human”. So where I am determines if I’m a human life or not? Are people in China as human as those in America? The answers are self-evident.

            4) Level of development. The argument goes “because the life in the womb is less developed, it is not human.” What about the humans who are born deformed? What about those who are born without limbs? Are they less human than us “normal” folks?

            Also, development continues outside the womb. Is a toddler less human than an adult? Obviously not.

            I just ran through the differences between life in the womb and life outside it. The differences do not make one human and the other not. But some might object by saying that maybe all four factors COMBINED make womb life less human. This also does not work, and I’ll dispatch it with an example.

            Is a child who is dependent on a feeding tube and a pace-maker and lives in Indonesia and was born without an arm less human than me?

            No.

            And that is all, ladies and gentlemen. Abortion apologetics. Now I’ll go on to some objections.

When Does Life Begin?

            The conventional view is life began the moment of conception. Another view is that human life begins at implantation (six days after fertilization/conception) when the zygote attaches to the uterine wall. Another view is life begins when the brain or heart starts to form. Another view is that human life begins once the umbilical chord is cut.

            And so on and so forth.

            Which is correct? As I explained in the last post, the Bible clearly teaches that life in the womb is human, and it doesn’t differentiate over development (which is silly anyways, that was dealt with above) .

            The simple answer to this question is: what is your worldview? That will determine when you think human life begins. If your view is atheistic, you will view things more narcissistically. What benefits you the most? What is the most convenient for you? Obviously, abortion is the most convenient option.

            If you are a Christian, you’ll agree with the Bible when David said that he was “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). God is involved in the entire process and He doesn’t want His creation to die.

What About Rape?

            What about when a man rapes a woman and she becomes pregnant? She never wanted the baby. Is abortion okay then? While extremely tragic, something has to be noted objectively. This is very, very, very rare. It does not happen often.

            Also, which is worse? Murder, or rape? For if the life in the womb is human, then ending its life is murder. Must the child pay for the father’s crime?

Summary

            The bottom line is this: if life in the womb is not human, then killing it is not murder. Just like killing a plant is not murder. But if womb life is human, then killing it is murder and is wrong.
            I went over how the differences between life inside the womb and outside of it do not amount to anything drastic enough as to label womb life non-human. Therefore womb life is human, and therefore abortion is murder.
            I'm being blunt, but at the end of the day, my goal in life is not to be liked. It's to be like Jesus, and He stood for the truth in love. I have to do the same.

To Save a Life (Post 1)

            One of the hot button topics of today’s age is abortion. Is the life in a woman’s womb human, or something less than? Does a woman’s right to choose trump that life’s right to live? Is abortion justified in the face of rape?

            How is the Christian to answer?

            Unfortunately, there is a lot of emotion in this debate. And unfortunately, the church doesn’t really teach apologetics in this area. Or any area for that matter. So Christians resort to cries of “murder” and other emotionally charged sallies that don’t get any positive results.

            That’s unfortunate.

            There really are two types of answers to these questions, depending on who is doing the questioning. The first type of answer is relatively short and sweet, and it is directed to Christians who ask about abortion. Christians shouldn’t have any problems with the answer because it is right out of the Bible.

            The second type of answer is for the non-Christian. The answer is different because the non-Christian doesn’t accept the Word of God as his or her authority in life. It’s longer and messier, but still necessary.

For the Christian

            The occasional Christian will lean towards pro-choice, so it is important to have Bible verses ready to lovingly direct them back to God’s opinion in the matter. His opinion is kind of important. Let’s get started:

Jeremiah 1:4-5, Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Isaiah 49:1.  Listen to me, O coastlands,  and give attention, you peoples  from afar. The LORD called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name…

Psalms 22:9-10, Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.  On you was I cast from my birth, and from  my mother’s womb you have been my God.

Genesis 25:22-23, The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?”  So she went to inquire of the LORD.  And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”

Galatians 1:15, But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace.

Luke 1:40-41, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

            There are many others, but this should be good enough. If the Christian doubts how God views life in the womb after this, you really have to question how much this person values the Bible.

For the Non-Christian

            Because I don’t want this post to be the equivalent of three or four pages, I’ll save the Christian’s answer for the non-Christian for my next post. But I’ll lay the groundwork here.

            Amongst Christians, whoever has the most Biblical support should be the one swaying the other. Why? Follow the logic: if the Bible is the Word of God, then His words are always true. Therefore whatever position in a debate lines up with the Bible is true and correct. Therefore Christians should try to hold the most Biblically sound positions in a debate. Obviously “pro-life” is more Biblical in this case, so that should end the argument amongst Christians.

            But you can’t do that with a non-Christian, because they reject the premise that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. If you threw a verse at him, he would respond, “Okay, so what?” I would do the same if someone came at me with the Book of Mormon or Quran. I simply do not accept those books as the Word of God.

            So after establishing what the Bible says on abortion, and why you accept the Bible as true, you have to go a different route. I’ll explore this route in my next post.

            But before I do that, I also have to put 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 out there:

            “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

            And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

            If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

            I am as guilty as anyone else. Truth is a knife without love. It damages, razes, burns, pillages. But with love, it builds, encourages, convicts, and strengthens. Many people are suffering through the guilt of an abortion. Many people know people who are suffering through the guilt of having an abortion.

            We are to step alongside them and try to UNDERSTAND them. Help them. Be there for them. Love them. Our wrongs are no better than theirs. We are all in the same boat; we are all sinners in need of a Savior.

Insecurity Inside

            Contrary to popular opinion, I’ve actually matured in the last few years. I’m not EXACTLY how I was awhile ago. As I reminisce about how I used to be, I realized something.

            I was one of those attention seekers.

            You know exactly who I mean. Those people that will do anything to get attention. They’ll be the loudest. They’ll be the most outgoing bouncy all-over-the-place type people. They’ll be the most flamboyant. Their goal? Attention.

            While I may still be this way, this tendency (hopefully) has lessened. This self-reflection prompted me to wonder why we are the way we are. Why do I always need to be the center of attention?

            Then it hit me. The reason why I need constant attention is for self-worth. I think I am only valuable if people are focused on me. If people aren’t, I’m not worth anything.

            So I always had to be first. I had to show off whenever possible. I had to be the most spiritual in every Christian discussion. I had to be the most… something. No one notices those in the background, so I made sure to be in the limelight.

            I was insecure about myself.

            Attention seekers are insecure. I realize that now. We are only something if people notice us. But that is so tiring. So empty. No matter where you go, there will be people who are better looking. More athletic. Funnier. Smarter. It’s an endless pit, trying to be the center of attention. There are always those who are simply better than you.

            I’ve realized this now, especially as I’ve gotten older.

            That’s why our security has to be in Jesus. He is there for me. He never changes. If my security is in Him, I will never be disappointed. He is the Mr. Awesome I can and will never be.

            For my “new” friends in Anne Arundel County, you may never have experienced that side of me. For my old friends back in Harford and Frederick County, I’ve changed. At least a little.

            One thing I’ve had to work on is being okay with being second. Not winning. Letting others have their spot in the limelight. I’m working on it, and i still have a lot of work to do! But these verses always comfort me:

            “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

            Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (KJV, Matthew 11:28-29)

            That may be my favorite passage of the Bible. I can find rest in Jesus. I don’t have to act or pretend. I don’t have to be the center of attention. I can just rest in His arms.

Why I Am Not Paul

            One of the most infuriating verses, for me, is 1 Corinthians 10:31:

            “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (NIV)

            Why does it drive me crazy? For one, it pops up at the worst times. I’ll be talking back to my parents or gossiping about a coworker… and this thing will just enter my mind.  Who does it think it is? I didn’t give it permission. Talk about ANNOYING. 

            Another reason this verse is difficult is that it is HARD. Life is filled with the mundane and non-fun things. Driving in a car. Eating. Sleeping. Cleaning dishes. Correcting siblings (and receiving correction from siblings). How can you glorify God through these things?

            So it’s during those moments I’ll wish Paul was present so I could give him a stern talking-to about practicality. Because, you know, I know everything there is to know about everything.

            Psyche.

            Paul understood something that took me an eternity to learn: you don’t have to be doing something TO God to be doing something FOR Him. The focus is on the “why” behind the activity, not the actual activity.

            Why am I driving in a car? To get to a place, either home or away, where I can be a light to those around me and serve God.

            Why am I eating? So that I can live another day to serve God, and do so with energy.

            Why am I sleeping? So that I can live another day to serve God, and do so with energy.

            Why am I doing dishes? To respect and obey authority (whether my bosses at work or my parents at home), thereby glorifying God.

            Why do I correct my adorable siblings (and receive correction from them )? So that we can learn not to make the same mistakes, resulting in living a more godly life.

            Not everyone can be a monk, with 95% of his daily activities involving doing something directly TO God (singing, praying, meditation, etc.). If every Christian was like that, Christianity would be in trouble.

            But every Christian can do everything FOR God and His glory. This, and for a ton of other reasons, is why it’s Paul who is the author of many New Testament books, and not me. I'm still learning daily!