Scripture Mess

I'm easily annoyed by misinformation that is boldly spread as the truth--especially when it has to do with scripture. I'm tempted to add "Part 1" to this title (because I assume I'll come across more examples), but we know how well that subtitle has worked for me in the past. Anywho, here are some often misinterpreted "Bible verses".

Numero Uno: "Heaven helps those who help themselves". Yeah, that's not in the Bible. So, people can add it to as many sermons or Bible Study lessons as they'd like, but it doesn't change the fact that, A ,It's NOT in the Bible and, B, it most likely contradicts Biblical teaching on grace.

Dos: "Money is the root of all evil." Um...this is also not in the Bible. Here are a gazillion (more like 10) versions of that verse. You'll quickly see that the verse actually says. " The love of money is the root of all evil." What's the difference? The first verse states that money is evil. This has led many Christians to abstain from wealth and cling to poverty. The other verse, clearly puts the blame not on money, but a feeling towards money. That feeling, love, is misplaced when directed towards something as fickle as riches. So, correctly interpreted, the scripture does not condemn wealth, but the act of loving wealth, adoring it, worshiping it, depending on it, trusting it, and maybe even making piles of it and jumping around in the piles.

Tres: "If I be lifted up on earth, I will draw men unto me." So, this verse is in the scriptures. However, most times it's used incorrectly, even in songs. People use this verse to explain that if we praise Jesus on earth, Jesus will draw men unto Him. However, that's not what the verse is saying. The type of "lifting up" this scripture refers to is Christ's death on the cross. Therefore, this verse means, once Christ is crucified on the cross, He wall draw us to Him. All I have for now. Thoughts?

(Insert Clever Title For a Blog Article on Fasting Here)

So, let me start by saying. I am a faster.  I'm a pretty useless prayer warrior.  Also, I almost only sing praise and worship in group settings.  (I feel awkward doing both the lead and background parts by myself.) So, fasting is my go to solution for almost any problem.  In fact, any time something doesn't work out I usually scratch my head and wonder, "Maybe I should have fasted?"   People have asked me for a beginner's guide to fasting. (Well, one person has.  So, I'm assuming the rest of you really want to, but just haven't done so yet.)  So, here goes.

1.  Friends don't let friends fast alone.  I used to interpret this verse of scripture  to mean I had to fast in secret.  But, now, I really don't think that's the point of this verse.  I'm not saying that you should make  "I'm holy, I'm fasting. Don't bother me with your unrighteousness," your Facebook status whenever you fast. But, it can be helpful if you let people around you know when you're fasting.  They can pray for/with you and even fast with you.  A lot of times your fasts will be more meaningful if you buddy up.  Also, letting others know you're fasting helps you avoid the "devil is a liar" traps that usually come, such as friends making you a surprise breakfast on the one day you've decided to fast.

2. Don't become a fasting fatty.  Because you're depriving yourself, the temptation is to overindulge in other things to distract yourself while you fast.  Also, when you finally break your fast, you may feel tempted to overeat.  Monitor yourself and keep this from happening.  In order to deal with the temptation to overeat, when you break your fast, try to start off eating less than half the amount you would usually eat.  That usually helps you stay away from a cookie monster style fast breaking session.  


3.  Control what you watch/ listen to.  By fasting you're taking a big  activity in your day out of the mix.  You need to replace that with something meaningful.  If all you're listening to and watching is "kill that, smash that, buy that",  you're replacing the empty space with garbage.  Instead listen to/watch meaningful, uplifting and, yes, holy things.

4. Put Jesus in your fast.  Fill what would have been your meal times with a "Jesusy" activity, such as reading your Bible, praying, listening to sermons and gospel music, volunteering, healing the sick, or raising the dead.  If you're not doing Jesusy things while you fast, you're not really fasting, you're just choosing not to eat.


5. Decide what type of fast you're doing.  Then, stick to the rules you set.  When I first started fasting sometimes I would see something like an apple that I really wanted.  So, I'd tell myself, "Okay, I'm doing a fruit only fast" and I'd eat the apple.  Then I'd see a cookie and I'd say "Okay, I'm doing a "no meat fast."  Then I'd see some chicken....and you get the drift.  Once you make one exception, it gets easier to keep making exceptions.


6. Alternatives. If fasting from food is a real problem for you, for example if you have a health problem or a lifestyle that demands constant eating (i.e. you're a competitive eater or an athlete) examine your life and look for something that is a huge stumbling block in your faith walk.  During your fasting period, completely cut that thing out of your life.

7. Pray, pray again, and then pray some more.  Pray before you fast for the strength to carry out your fast and for God's guidiance through your fast.  While you're fasting, continue praying for endurance and for a meaningful life change.  If you're fasting to get a specific thing, remember to pray for that request.  Finally, pray before you break your fast.  Thank God for carrying you through the fast.


Thoughts?

Who Do They Say I Am? (Part II)

So, I looked back and noticed that the title to my first "Who Do They Say I Am?" post said "part 1".  At the time I assumed that it was going to be a series.  How ambitious of me.  Well, in order not to disappoint 2010 me, I have decided to meet  the expectations of that title. Here goes.


My entire Christian life, I worked tirelessly so I wouldn't be seen as one of those Christians. You know who they are. The ones with the signs!  Not all signs are created equal.  I mean the Christians with those signs.  The signs which list all the things God supposedly hates, usually using racial and other slurs, sloppy graphics, and, of course, bad grammar.  Also, not all signs are on billboards.  Other signs are loud voices on talk shows, appearances at inappropriate places, lifestyles. I've seen those Christians and struggled not to be linked with them.

This kid's parents think this sign is appropriate.

I never wanted to be a Christian who was more interested in being a Christian than in BEING a Christian.  That is, I wanted to be a Christian at home, at school, at church, and at work without forcing my Christianity on people in all of those places.  I wanted my life to be worship.   But, while worshipping, I didn't want to accidentally be mistaken for one of those Christians.  So, many times I downplayed my faith in public and whitewashed a lot of my beliefs so, I wouldn't be taken as a wierd extremist.  I was so worried that people would take my real me the wrong way that I inadvertently created a quasi-me, a "me lite", if you will--a washed out version that in no resembled the fullness of me. 


I like to think I've changed and I'm different.  Who knows?  But, here goes an attempt to show the unwatered down version.  Here are two of my "CHRISTIAN" beliefs.


1. I don't believe abortion is right, for any reason--even rape, incest, or the mother's health.  But, I do not believe this is a decision anyone is entitled to make for another person, especially through a law. As Christians we should try as much as possible to provide the support people need to make the right decision in these cases.  But, to somehow pretend you are more moral than others because you think the government should force all women who get pregnant to carry the baby to term is silly.  As Christians the goal is conversion. We want women to choose to keep their babies--to know that God will provide.  (We also want underaged women to abstain from sex, so they don't get pregnant with babies for which they are not prepared.) But, forcing our faith on others is a cheap way of carrying out our commision to spread the gospel.


2. I think the idea that being a Republican and being a Christian are one in the same is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.  I cringe because I feel that a lot of Republicans run on a platform of  religious beliefs that mirror mine, but their lives, campaign style (the venom they spew through ads, and appearances) and every day statements they make seem so at odd with what I believe.
 
There!  I have now exposed my "Christianity"!
...(maybe 2017 me will have a part III)


Thoughts?