In this world not of it...

I've been thinking on John 5 for awhile now. You see in light of recent events, I've begun to wonder how being in this world and identified as a Christian all works together. My feeling recently has been that those identifying themselves as Christians, especially loudly within the media, aren't really who I want to be identified with. 

I want to be a light of God's love in this world. I want to eat with sinners (you know, people just like me) and tell them God loves them. Show them God loves them. I want to help orphans and widows. I want to love well, as Christ did. 

Watching the recent mudslinging in the election, I don't really see a difference between those who profess Christianity and those who don't. Everyone is yelling, demanding, accusing, blaming. Everyone. 

And yet in John 5, I see all these verses. 

¹² “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command you." 

¹⁸ “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." 

Understanding that all these verses follow the "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing..." I wonder how much abiding happens before all our opinionating begins. 

Just some thoughts...and then I read this. It's not just me and I hope it's contagious.

peace.

Why I do what I do...

There are millions of reasons why I do what I do professionally. Literally. 163 million of them to be a little more exact.


The orphan crisis in our world is huge. Stemming from disease, bad nutrition, lack of water, war, social injustice and much more, it is truly a crisis for humanity. But it doesn't have to stay one.

James 1:27 says to look after widows and orphans is the purest form of religion. I like that. It isn't about what I know, it's about how I walk in His footsteps. It's how I show his love. As the Church this is our responsibility. No where in this scripture does it say if you feel like it, if you're called to it, if you want to...It just says to do it.

Here are a few reasons why.

Orphan Sunday 2011 from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.
(if you have trouble viewing this here, click the Orphan Sunday 2011 link above, it's worth it)




Orphan Sunday 2012 from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.  James 1:27

peace.

Thank you Rick Warren.

peace.

and the winner is....

Barb!! I'll get your info set in to Carmex and they'll be sending out your goodies! Congratulations!

peace.

August 1st

I've been a mixed bag of emotions this week. We've all heard about Chick-Fil-A and all the press surrounding their founder's statements. If you haven't heard, how was China during your visit?  (sarcasm, sorry)

Anyway, here's where the mixed bag comes in. I am a follower of Christ. I believe in God and I try to follow him. But the amount of HATE I have heard spewed from both sides of this issue has made me sad, mad, embarrassed, outraged, etc. Hence, the mixed bag.

We live in a free country. A country where it is our right to believe as we wish, spend our money as we wish, support what we wish and do what we wish. My question is "How does what I wish reflect my belief in God?"

I have many gay friends, I love them. I have many fat friends, I love them. I have many gossipy friends, I love them. I have friends who struggle with other sin issues, I love them. And I hope when I am all of the above and more, they love me. Because God does. The only constant wish I am sure I want to exercise is this, "I love because He first loved me." 1 John 4:19

I don't have all the answers but I do know that slinging hate around only hurts those it hits.

Let's try love, it worked great for Jesus.

peace.

Another flavor?

Just when you think you know Carmex, they surprise you! We're all familiar with the little tubs with the yellow lids (which by the way, have the same amount in them as they have always had, Carmex has just redesigned the container for less waste, see here) but now there are so many additional flavors as well.

I really like the Lime Twist, it's become one of my favs. But it may have some competition...Carmex just sent me a bag full of goodies to announce the addition of Pomegranate! And all I can say is yum.

So you know when I blog about Carmex, there is usually good news for you...well this time is no different! Leave a comment with your name and email and you could win this!

It's a beach bag full of Carmex goodies! They sent me one* and I love it. If you share this blog on Facebook or Twitter, come back and let me know. Up to 3 entries per person, contest ends August 10th.
Good luck and smooth lips!

peace.



*fine print. Carmex does not pay me to talk about them, but they did send me this cute bag. I do it because I genuinely love their products.