JUST IN TIME FOR EASTER: An Update On My Growth As A Christian

IT’S PALM SUNDAY EVENING AS I TYPE THIS…

The commemoration of Jesus triumphantly riding into Jerusalem on a donkey with everyone waving palm branches (hence the term “Palm Sunday”) and screaming “Hosanna!”, believing he was going to lead an overthrow of the Romans before commencing with the ultimate turning on someone in screaming for him to be crucified that following Friday,

Our & my Lord and Savior going on to fulfill his mission to die for our sins.

It has been nearly five months since I’ve last posted anything about my walk as a Christian on this blog.

The other day I remembered something that a prominent evangelist on TV would often say to encourage followers whenever things would get discouraging in their walk with the Lord, or whenever they had issues with habitual sinning or something of that nature,

“You’re not where you need to be, but Thank God you’re not where you used to be! You’re okay, and you’re on your way!”

The first sentence of that statement in particular describes me well in that I’m definitely not where I should be as a Christian, or where I’m sure God wants me to be.

And I’ve realized that that first part of that statement describes every Christian, from the top ministers to the newest convert who’s still wet from their baptism.

In my previous post regarding this topic, I wrote in bold letters that I sin every day in thought, word, and deed.

Which is still true not only for me, but for every other Christian as these particular verses from 1 John 1:8 and 1 John 1:10 have become two of my favorites…

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us…If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

Which is why I can’t help but feel a bit negatively for the methods that some Christians, who I’ve seen on TV and YouTube – I won’t mention any names – use to get people saved in the sense that though their intentions are good and their hearts are in the right place,

The way they speak on camera and to various folks, particularly when they use “in your face” methods, gives me the impression from them that they’re “Holier” or superior than the ones they’re trying to get saved.

Which in my opinion can just as easily push people away from the Lord as it can lead them to him.

I also wrote that if one’s salvation is dependent by whether or not they ever commit another sin in thought, word, and deed again, then except for God, Jesus, and angels Heaven would be empty as “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Emphasis on all.

Especially me.

Which, as I once and for all realized recently, is the exact reason why Jesus came to earth and died on the cross to pay the penalty for my and our sins;

If we – especially me – can go even one day without sinning in any way, shape, form, thought, word, or deed, then Jesus wouldn’t have needed to go to the cross and subsequently rise from the dead after three days.

That realization induced encouraging feelings and a new appreciation for what our/my Lord and Savior did.

I reckon some people who may be reading this may be thinking, “Oh, this guy is not serious in his walk with the Lord, he’s downplaying sin, he’s not really saved!”

While I can’t control opinions, I know that such is not the case.

Sinning is not okay, and we/I always need to repent when we sin, which I certainly do in accordance to what 1 John 1:9 says,

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

I emphasize not if we sin, but when.

I firmly believe that.

But I also firmly believe that no human being will ever be completely sinless for as long as he or she is breathing on this planet, that we’ll only achieve complete sinless status when we’re with the Lord in Heaven.

Which helps me in my walk with the Lord in that I’m reminded that it’s not about never, ever sinning again once you accept Jesus as your Savior.

It’s about believing that He is your Lord and that he died for your sins and rose from the dead,

And with Jesus’ help, striving to be more like Him, which I firmly do believe and will always strive to do.

As well as doing your best to do what’s right and being a blessing to people every day by following what the Scriptures say, which though I’m far from always being successful at I try to do.

With the commemoration of Jesus rising from the dead – also known as Easter – coming in a week as of this post,

I can say that I’m glad that despite all of my faults, shortcomings and especially my many sins that I’ve made and will – according to those 1 John verses that say that the truth isn’t in us if we say we don’t sin – continue to make,

God and his son Jesus Christ love me anyway.

And, as I stated in my previous Christian update post on this blog, if they remember nothing else folks need to remember these two things…

GOD LOVES YOU, and…

JESUS LOVES YOU.

I think that – and my wishes that everyone have a good Holy Week and Easter Sunday – is a good way to close this post.

A VERY IMPORTANT CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM LITTLE OLD ME

What Christmas is REALLY all about, and will always be REALLY all about…

Actually, even though I like drinking egg nog (the low fat kind), watching the Christmas lights at night and both watching the production and listening to the soundtrack of the all-time animated classic A Charlie Brown Christmas,

As well as Jose Feliciano’s classic “Feliz Navidad” and the traditional “Gabriel’s Message” that Sting and Charlotte Church perform so wonderfully,

I’d like to recite something that sums up Christmas for me,

And should sum up Christmas for everyone who celebrates it…

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were so afraid,

And the angel of the lord said unto them, “Fear not, for behold I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people,

For unto you born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord, and this shall be a sign unto you; you will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

LUKE 2:8-14

As Linus said to Charlie Brown in A Charlie Brown Christmas, which as I have done for about fifty years I’ll be sure to watch (on my DVD player as it’s tragically no longer shown on regular TV),

“That’s what Christmas is all about,”

It’s certainly not about what’s both in and bought in the shopping malls or online.

May I in particular keep that in my mind and heart.

And of course one of my prayers is that there will indeed one day be peace on earth and good will toward men, women, children, animals, the climate, and everything else.

I’m looking forward to seeing the Christmas/Holiday lights as well.

And as far as I’m concerned,

No Christmas is Christmas without A Charlie Brown Christmas – period, enough said, and drop the mic.

As has been and will always be the case,

I certainly wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, a very Happy Holidays,

and may there be…

PEACE ON EARTH.

Because as sure as I’m typing this, we all need that more than ever.

Very nice lights on this tree…

MY ONGOING CHRISTIAN STRUGGLES: Another Update

The most important book anyone can have…

IT HAS BEEN A WHILE SINCE I POSTED ANYTHING REGARDING MY BEING A CHRISTIAN ON THIS BLOG,

SO I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE ANOTHER UPDATE

First and foremost, let me make this confessional statement…

I sin every day in thought, word and deed.

I have many faults and shortcomings, as expressed in Romans 3:23, and will continue to have them for the rest of my life – just like an addict and an alcoholic will be one for the rest of their life.

I repent and ask for mercy and forgiveness often, every time I know I’ve sinned, actually.

In fact, I know there are plenty of sins that I’ve committed that I’ve completely forgotten about.

And there are certain sins which I will always struggle with.

Which is why I’m SO thankful that God and Jesus still loves me unconditionally.

I was reminded of that while spending time with God via the internet, doing my study of Bible quotes and reading scriptural messages and reminders that way.

My psyche was also lifted by these quotes that I saw on Twitter’s – now X – various Christian pages such as…

“If you confess with your mouth JESUS IS LORD, and believe in your heart that he was raised from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” – Romans 10: 9-10

I was glad to have read that quote as a reminder because as far as the bottom line, it all comes down to that.

For the past eight years I’ve kept Bible study books, in which I write down direct Scripture quotes, prayers, and other things that I see as important for me to remember;

I’m currently on my third book, and while not intending to boast or anything like that, it’s safe to say that I’ve learned quite a bit, though it would take too long to specify everything I’ve learned from my Christian and Bible studies here.

I’ve worked to keep my twofold vows of…

• Never proclaiming that I’m sinless as stated in 1 John 1:8-10, as I know that I’m about as far from sinless as a Christian can get, and…
• Never exuding a “Holier Than Thou” persona while interacting with anyone, which I feel drives many people away from the Lord and salvation

Indeed, there are times when I think about how lousy a Christian I am as I both struggle with and continue to sin.

I’ve watched videos by different people – lay pastors, etc. – that give me the impression that if one sins after asking Jesus to come into their life and getting saved, then they were never saved in the first place.

Which I think is a wrong mentality as I’m convinced that…

If one’s salvation is determined by whether or not one ever sins again after accepting Jesus into his/her life, then Heaven would be completely empty – NO ONE would be there except God, Jesus, and angels.

I really don’t think such is the case.

Maybe it’s due to me being tired after a fairly long day, but as I am typing this,

I’m getting a relaxed feeling, like someone is telling me in my mind that everything’s OK, or will be OK.

It seems that I’m being reminded of something that is the absolute bottom line with regards to God, Jesus, and everything Christian,

Something that people should always keep in their mind and heart if nothing else…

• GOD LOVES YOU

and…

• JESUS LOVES YOU

That’s what I would tell folks if and when the opportunity arose for me to tell people about that Lord and Savior of mine.

I’ll conclude this by making this last statement,

Which will be in the form of a prayer…

Thank you Lord for your grace, your many blessings, and especially your mercy and forgiveness of ALL my sins, as much of a sinner as I am and as much as I know I’ll never be sinless as long as I’m breathing on this planet.

Thank you for loving me anyway despite all my faults, shortcomings and sins, which I know I’ll always have as the truth will not be in me if I ever proclaim that I’m sinless.

May I continue my walk with you; please help me to do better in my faith in you and the other shortcomings and faults that I have.

In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

On a separate note,

I’m getting hungry, so I’m going to go ahead and start my dinner.

A Prayer That I Would Like To Share

Reading the greatest and most important book ever written and the best selling book of all time…

I FELT COMPELLED TO SHARE THIS:

Though I do pray to the Lord, spending at least some time with Him every day, particularly before I go to sleep,

I make it a point to spend time with God through use of the internet in particular – Twitter twice a week to be precise along with a daily devotional on my Kindle tablet every night,

Retweeting different Twitter posts from pages like Living Christian and Daily Bible Verses,

Along with tweets from different evangelists,

While typing prayers with most of those tweets;

So one can say that that’s one of my ways of spending time with God, which makes me glad that I can connect with Him in that way.

Today (as I type this) I was retweeting some tweets from one of the evangelists that I follow,

When I realized that the prayer that I typed along with the last tweet I retweeted was, for lack of a better word, poignant.

Let me go ahead and share the prayer I tweeted…

Thank You Lord for these reminders,

Particularly the ones about needing to study the Word and to not worry when I don’t understand, because I will in due time.

I know I’m a sinner and I confess that continue to sin in certain areas,

Which I’m sorry for and I repent for.

#ThankYouJesus for your mercy and forgiveness of all my sins especially, and for accepting my repentance,

Because the sins I keep committing I’m sure I’ll struggle with for the rest of my life.

#ThankYouLord for reminding me that my salvation isn’t based on my never sinning again, but in believing and confessing openly that #JesusIsLord and believing in my heart that he was raised from the dead, according to what Romans 10:9 says,

And that salvation is based on #FAITH and #GRACE, not from works lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9), because if such were the case, Heaven would be a completely empty place (except for God, Jesus & his Angels; I forgot to mention that).

If we/I had the ability to never sin, we wouldn’t need you Lord,

And you know I’ll ALWAYS need you.

#ThankYouLord for loving me despite me being such a sinner, and

#ThankYouJesus for forgiving me and showing me mercy for ALL my sins.

#AMEN

I suppose I was compelled to type this prayer, though I’m not 100,000% sure why;

It’s probably because of my sinning and stuggling with certain sins.

It also made me feel better, that I was reminded that God, despite my many shortcomings, loves me.

I hope I don’t forget to pray to him for help in sinning less, as opposed to being completely sinless since that’s an imposibility to every human being as long as he/she is breathing on this planet according to 1 John 1:8-10 that says if we say we’re sinless we “…deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us,” along with “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Which I make a point to do every time I sin and am convicted in my heart and mind of such.

That’s about the gist of what I wanted to share in this post;

I’ll be back towards the end of next week for my annual birthday article, as I turn fifty-six years of age exactly thirteen days from now (as of this writing).

With the outline to Chapter One of the new book I’m planning on writing, SANCTOPIA, hopefully and prayerfully done by then.

Hold good thoughts…

I like the way the trees serve as the background to this Bible in this photo…

TWO THINGS THAT I VOW TO NEVER DO AS A CHRISTIAN

The most common symbol of the world’s largest faith…

TWO PROMISES THAT I MADE TO MY CREATOR AND MY LORD AND SAVIOR

Not too long ago I was praying, spending time with God,

When it occurred to me to make a vow that as a Christian, I would never, ever do these two things…

• PROCLAIM MYSELF AS BEING SINLESS, and…
• PROJECT A “HOLIER THAN THOU” ATTITUDE IN MY INTERACTIONS WITH PEOPLE, CHRISTIANS AND NON-CHRISTIANS ALIKE

I made it a point to never, ever proclaim myself to be sinless at any time when I read this particular Bible passage from 1 John 8-10:

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

This other passage from John 8:7 helps this conviction:

“He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.”

As sure as I’m typing and posting this, I KNOW that I will never be sinless as long as I’m breathing on this planet.

Which is why I strive to sin less in an ongoing process that I know will last the rest of my life, as opposed to trying to be absolutely sinless and never, ever making a mistake and/or committing a sin again.

I think that has been a main factor in people being pushed away from following the Lord and getting saved.

Giving an impression of being condescending and “Holier Than Thou” in any of my interactions with folks, particularly when it comes to sharing my belief in Christ as my personal Lord and Savior and my belief that he was raised from the dead,

Is likewise something that I gave my word to God that I will never, ever do.

One of the things that especially causes a negative reaction is when I get an impression from someone through their interactions with me that they,

• See themselves as a superior
• See me as being inferior to them, and…
• Talking to me accordingly as in “talking down” in a condescending, bullying fashion, like they’re a micro-managing boss or a slavery-era overseer

Knowing that I’m just as much of a sinner as the person I’m interacting with helps me here.

Plus I don’t ever want to be seen as arrogant or condescending, which I feel has hurt Christians as far as planting seeds in getting people saved.

So to sum up…

Consider this my promise in front of God, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the world that I’ll never consider or proclaim myself as a sinless person,

And I’ll do my utmost best to never, ever see myself as being “Holier Than Thou” or superior to anyone.

If I do give off any impressions to the contrary, I vow that I’ll repent and seek forgiveness right away.

Everyone reading this are my witnesses in these promises.

May the Lord help me to be successful in these vows and commitments.

The single greatest book ever written. The most important book ever written. The most important book you’ll ever read. Enough said.

MY WALK WITH JESUS AND MY HEAVENLY FATHER: An Update on How Things Are Going

IT’S BEEN THREE MONTHS SINCE I’VE WRITTEN A POST ON THIS BLOG ABOUT MY CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCES,

SO I THOUGHT I WOULD DO SOME CATCHING UP…

If anyone asked me if I have grown in Christ since the last time I’ve written about such here,

I would say that while I feel I’ve grown some,

I’m still very far from where I should be in my walk with Jesus.

I continue to struggle with various sins, one in particular which I’ll probably always stuggle with that I won’t specify because quite frankly, I don’t see that particular sin that I’m struggling with as anyone’s business.

However,

There is another sin that I’m very guilty of and have been for the bulk of my life, which I realized the other day and which I don’t mind specifying here…

Pride.

It is pride that’s a very notable reason why I see myself as having failed in the mainstream workforce, never lasting more than three years as an employee in any job and often getting either fired or forced to quit from the jobs I’ve had within two years.

It is my failing to completely 100% submit to supervisors and employers too much of the time, as specified in Romans 13:1-2, which says,

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment, “

That was a significant factor in my failure in this area.

It’s also my failing to be humble in the workforce, commiting the sin of exhalting myself as in (according to Luke 14:11),

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted,”

That was a big factor in this failure.

When I realized how I sinned in pride and lack of humility thanks to God showing me such, I repented, asking in prayer for forgiveness and help in getting better at submitting and humility, which I know I’ll need help in;

And which I have faith that He did indeed forgive.

I also realized that despite this particular sin, God was looking out for and showing his love for me in that since he saw me as being better off working for myself, like those who own their own businesses, he nudged me to pursue writing by reminding me how I had a knack for it in the past, winning an essay contest in the fifth grade and writing for a newsletter in college.

Which after fifteen years of writing and blogging online and (self) publishing a book, I am very thankful to God for.

There is another thing that I gave my word to God that I would never, ever do;

Proclaim myself as being without sin as 1 John 1:8-10 says,

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

That is one of my favorite Bible verses.

Today I saw a post on a Twitter page I’m following called “Living Christian” that said, “I’m far from perfect but I’m still loved by God.”

Which hit home with me, because I’m probably as far from perfect as a person who has asked to be saved and accepted Jesus as his Savior and Lord can get;

If there’s anyone out there who feels that they are farther from even being good, let alone perfect, in their walk with God than me, I’d like to meet him or her.

Reading that God still loves me despite that has eased my mind, and will continue to.

As does this quote from Romans 10:9 whenever I doubt I’m saved,

“If you declare with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Which I have done and which also serves to help ease my mind.

As I have said,

I’m about as far from being a perfect, or even a good, Christian as one can get.

And I certainly have a long, long way to go in my walk with the Lord in needing to do better with producing better fruit, repenting, and sinning less.

I’m glad for the fact that no one will be a “finished product” and be completely sinless until we’ve passed on and are in Heaven.

I think for me, it’s a factor of pressing on, continuing doing my best in this walk, and not giving up.

I reckon God is reading this;

I pray that he continues to be patient with me and to help me in the areas I need help in.

I’m also very thankful for his grace, his many blessings upon me and everyone I know, and especially his mercy and forgiveness for me being such a sinner.

#AMEN

CHRISTMAS IMAGES 2022: And My Annual Message For This Holiday

Photo courtesy of silive.com

PART OF MY ANNUAL HOMAGE TO MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY,

A HOLIDAY THAT COMMEMORATES THE BIRTH OF MY LORD AND SAVIOR

Though I’ve always really liked Christmas and everything that goes with that day,

I have found myself falling more in love with it than ever the past several years;

I think it’s due to my embracing Jesus as my Savior and Lord.

I’ve found myself enjoying the lights displays in my neighborhood more and more,

I’ve found myself enjoying the Christmas decorations and the red and green-colored themes more and more,

And most importantly, I’ve found myself appreciating the true meaning of the holiday – the birth of my Lord and Savior – more than ever.

Which I reckon is why I want to share these photos and images of Christmas, as I’ve done on this blog in the past.

Regardless of the number of looks and reads these posts have gotten, I have always enjoyed making them.

I hope you enjoy these pics and images this year.

BY THE WAY:

My message for this Christmas and Holiday season is the same one that it has always been,

One that is needed MORE THAN EVER…

PEACE. ON. EARTH.

PERIOD.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Subtle, yet effective. Photo courtesy of homesoftherich.net

Not quite as subtle here. Photo courtesy of onlyinyourstate.com

I like how this tree stands out among everything…

This lighted Christmas tree next to the fireplace gives me a soothing and calming feeling…

I like this particular ornament…

This tree is subtly decorated, but I really like it! Being that my house is not big enough for Christmas trees this size, I miss having trees like this!

You know I had to include a wreath here…

I reckon I could read under this tree, the lights are so bright!

For all of our friends who celebrate Hanukkah…

My shout-out to the Kwanzaa holiday…

Weather-wise, this is an image of Christmas that most of us in this country and most of the northern hemisphere associate that holiday with…

One more image of Christmas trees for the road…

One of two images that is a reminder of what Christmas is all about and should ALWAYS be all about…

I REALLY like the emphasis of Bethlehem in the backgound, the three wise men, and the star on top of the manger in this Nativity picture. Image courtesy of wallpapercave.com

An Issue Among Christians That’s Pretty Prevalent

It’s all about this book…

EXPRESSING MY VIEWS ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE

Earlier today I was looking at my main Facebook feed when I came upon a post from someone who’s in a Christian group that discusses and debates various issues regarding Christianity and following Jesus that I’ve been involved with for the past few years.

This person, well…

I’ll just state what she posted…

“Can we please agree that too many people are worried about what others are doing and not working on their own relationship with God or their own sins? I understand Christians guiding other Christians to do the right thing but dang…work on yourselves too for goodness sake”

Here’s my comment that I wrote that I think sums up what I felt about her sentiments…

“#THANKYOU! I couldn’t have said it better!”

While the Bible does say that believers need to hold each other accountable for their sins and sin struggles, which I accept,

A New Testament quote that I wrote in the post’s comments that backs up what this person stated is from Matthew 7:4-5 sums up my convictions on this matter:

““How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’, when all the time there’s a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

In my view, the problem is that too many believers in the Lord as their Savior use the commandment to “judge righteously” to justify adapting a “Holier Than Thou”, superiority complex attitude that gives the impression to the ones they are “correcting” that they see themselves as better, the ones they are correcting as inferior and, in some cases as this person who made the original post mentioned, seeing themselves as not being a sinner anymore and being convinced that God has ordered them to point out the flaws in others.

Which I answered in another comment,

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (John 1:8)

It is this “Holier Than Thou” attitude that I’m sure has pushed people away from God and Jesus; who wants to be among a group with peers who do nothing but find faults whenever such group gets together?

Which while I can’t speak for anyone else, would lead me to walk on eggshells in such group.

Which is no way to live.

And which is why although I haven’t really corrected anyone, if I do find myself having to do so I’ll make sure that I’ll either have at least an acquaintance with him or her to the point where he/she knows that I care about them and am not being “Holier” than them if I talk to them about whatever needs to be talked about,

Or if they’re a stranger, I’ll first let them know in no uncertain terms how much I care about them and how God loves them before I correct them.

As opposed to going on and on about how bad a sinner they are the way a drill sergeant would,

When though my sins may be of a different sort, I’m just as bad a sinner as they are.

That’s why I’m in complete and total agreement with taking the log out of my own eye and especially working on my own sins before calling someone else out on their sins.

After all, as this original poster said in a comment to someone else’s comment,

“At the end of the day, their sin is between them and God. They will be judged by God. Not God…and all the other Christians ever…We need to work on our sins first. Plain and simple.”

Like I said, I couldn’t agree more, as I would rather comfort someone who’s struggling with sin than interact with them like an overseer or a drill sergeant would and tell them how bad a sinner they are in a way that makes them feel like I’m condemning them.

A Few More Thoughts On This Issue:

I wrote a couple of more statements regarding my view of Biblical correction in the comments section of the thread that this particular person had started.

Here is what they were as I think it’s important to let folks know where I stand once and for all…

The first point that I made was about how some people who make Biblical corrections sometimes forget, neglect, or don’t care that people are at different places in their walk with God and one can’t correct every Christian the exact same way; if the ones being corrected are baby Christians and are being corrected in a not necessarily nice way, which sometimes happens,

It would be like a teacher giving a kindergarten class a trigonometry test and yelling at the class and giving them detention when they fail it.

Of course those who are mature Christians can better handle correction when though it’s done in love, it’s also done in a seemingly harsh way; which is fine.

And of course if the Bible says to correct a fellow believer when he sins, then that’s what should be done; I’m not disputing that.

My main point was that the key is to be sensitive to where a Christian is in their walk with God, and flexible in the way it’s done.

In other words, it’s how the correction is done that’s the main thing.

As for the second point,

I said that what should be the number one rule in correcting fellow Christians that the one doing the correcting should never, ever correct someone without mentioning your own sins first, because even though one’s sin may be different than the sin that’s being corrected, the one doing the correcting is every bit as much of a sinner.

To not mention one’s own sins first may well give the impression as being “Holier Than Thou” and giving the one being corrected the impression that the one doing the correcting sees them as an inferior – even though that’s not the intention.

That’s the gist of how I see this issue.

I know that there are those fellow Christians who will disagree with me on these convictions, some of them vehemently.

Of which nothing can be done about that.

And of which I’ll move on.

JESUS DYING FOR OUR SINS ON THIS: This is what it’s all about…

PERSPECTIVE: A Surprising Personal Revelation About What Is Really Important In Life

I’ve always loved these open spaces, and the shade from those trees look inviting…

I’M ABOUT TO MAKE A STATEMENT THAT IF YOU KNOW ME, YOU WOULD FIND A LITTLE SHOCKING TO SAY THE LEAST

For the bulk of my life I have been very much into the following things…

• Baseball and Softball – both watching and playing as well as being a longtime fervent follower of the Dodgers
• College football – particularly the football team of my alma mater, UCLA, though the rest of that universe has always held great interest as ESPN’s College Game Day has always been my favorite sports show
• Sports in general – Going to sporting events, writing about them on my sports blog, SoCal Sports Chronicles (here’s the link) http://www.socalsportschronicles.wordpress.com
• UCLA – my alma mater which was my dream college from my high school days; being accepted and, more importantly, graduating from that institution was a definite achievement in my life

One can say that I was obsessed with the above things; it’s a trait on the autism spectrum, an Asperger’s trait to be precise, for one who’s an Aspie to be obsessed about certain topics and subjects, and I was and am no exception.

HOWEVER…

Since I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and have at least tried to act accordingly in following him, I’ve given these obsessions some thought, particularly this weekend as rather than play pick-up softball or go to the UCLA football contest at the Rose Bowl, I stayed home to rest as it had been quite a while since I had done that and I was starting to feel a little burnt out.

From studying Scripture, I realized that I was breaking the first of the ten commandments, “Thou shalt have no other Gods before me,” in being so extremely into the things that I’ve mentioned above.

Though it had been in some part of my mind for a while, I realized that I had made baseball, playing softball, sports in general, watching the Dodgers, UCLA football, baseball, softball and gymnastics in particular and UCLA in general my “God” (I realize that I have really made the Bruin gymnastics team my God – or “Goddess” – in recent years).

Which was not good, which I regret, and which I’m making a point to repent from.

I reckon this is where at least some of you are thinking that I’m about to renounce all of those things and activities that I’ve been into since my formative years and make a statement about how I’m officially quitting playing softball, rooting for the Dodgers, going to UCLA events and rooting for the Bruins, etc.

But I’m not going to do that, as that will continue to be a part of my life;

Playing pick-up softball on Saturdays is a good part of my fitness routine.

And I don’t want to cut myself off from Bruin Nation completely; I’ll continue to go to UCLA sporting events, though not as many as I used to.

It’s just that from resting this weekend, I found something that I believe I have lacked all these years;

PERSPECTIVE.

Seeing the Bruins win a national championship in the four sports I’ve mentioned just doesn’t matter as much as it used to.

Seeing the Dodgers win their second World Series in three seasons, which would be great, just doesn’t matter as much to me as it used to.

And while I still love to hit softball and baseballs and am disappointed when I don’t so such well, and probably always will,

If it wasn’t for the fact that it’s good exercise, playing softball games wouldn’t provide the 100,000% excitement that it used to; I actually get a bit bored standing at my position (usually first base) when the other team has a big inning.

In other words,

In the grander scheme of things, there are more important things in this world and in life.

As I have said,

Please don’t think that I’m no longer going to be involved in these things that I’ve been involved in.

I still love baseball.

I still love playing softball.

I still love the Dodgers.

I still love football, particularly the collegiate kind.

I still love UCLA and Bruin Nation, being an alum (class of 1991) and all.

Those things will always have a place in my heart.

But you know what?

I LOVE GOD MORE.

I LOVE JESUS MORE.

And I pray that that conviction remains in my heart, and that I can keep that perspective and never forget what’s truly important in this life.

Check out this sunrise (or sunset) by this church; loving this photo!

Two Movies That Christians Ought To See

Image courtesy of ecranlarge.com

BOTH MOVIES – IN A BIG COINCIDENCE – HAVING MANDY MOORE STARRING IN THEM

These are two films that greatly illustrates two types of Christians that are personified by Mandy Moore;

• A Walk To Remember – which celebrates its 20-year anniversary this year and also starred Shane West as Mandy’s boyfriend and eventual husband

and…

• Saved! – which was made in 2004 and likewise stared Mandy as a student in a Christian high school along with Jena Malone and Macaulay Culkin

To refresh your memories in case it has been a long time since you’ve seen them, or to clue you in in case you’ve never seen them…

In A Walk To Remember, which was based on a book by Nicholas Sparks,

Mandy played 18-year old minister’s daughter Jamie Sullivan, who while not perfect – no one is – came pretty close to being a perfect Christian;

Not only is she a complete mainstay at her Baptist church and is in the choir, she carries a Bible wherever she goes.

Her wardrobe, which consists of a single sweater and dresses going down to mid-calf, is not exactly what is seen as fashionable in mainstream American high school society in the Christian tradition and Biblical commandment of needing to dress modestly.

She volunteers at many places, including at a tutoring center for underprivileged kids.

And despite being ridiculed by the popular crowd, she forgives and prays for them on a constant basis.

Not to mention she is as kind as they come.

In other words, she not only talks the Christian talk,

She walks the Christian walk in a pronounced fashion.

Due to all of those factors, my biggest impression of Jamie was and still is, “That’s the perfect personification and illustration of the kind of girl that guys should marry,”

Shane West’s character, Landon Carter, who was one of the popular kids who ridiculed Jamie realizes this after he and Mandy, as Jamie, appear in a play together and Jamie, dressed in a gorgeous angel-like gown, sings beautifully.

They end up falling in love and Jamie, through her Christian-like ways, completely changes Landon into someone who’s a decent, caring young man, “…(saving his) life,” in his own words; They eventually get married after Jamie tragically grows ill from a terminal case of leukemia, fulfilling what she listed as number one on her wish list.

In short, Jamie Sullivan is a wonderful example and illustration of how Christians are supposed to behave and interact with people;

I would certainly be attracted to and would want a relationship with someone like that.

Mandy Moore (left) and Shane West (right) in “A Walk To Remember”. Photo courtesy of popcorntime.online.com

Macaulay Culkin (in wheelchair), Jena Malone (left) and Mandy Moore (right) in Saved! Photo courtesy of galoremag.com

As wonderful as Jamie was, Mandy’s character in the 2004 movie Saved! was nearly 180 degrees different.

In Saved!, Mandy plays Hilary Faye Stockard, the queen bee of the popular crowd at her Christian high school who on the surface is as devout of a young follower of Jesus as one can get, spending much of her time holding prayer meetings, protesting abortion clinics and getting people saved.

But as the movie goes on, it becomes crystal clear that Hilary is the personification of what I call a “Christian Pharisee” as she kicks her best friend Mary Cummings, played by Jena Malone, out of her “Christian Jewels” clique after Mary gets pregnant by her happens-to-be-gay boyfriend, who is likewise ostracized (and not in a nice way) by Hilary and her fellow Jewels.

Along with other outrages such as throwing a Bible at Mary while trying to perform an “exorcism” on her and saying, “I am filled with Christ’s love (Yeah, right! She just THINKS she is!)! You’re just jealous of my walk with the Lord!” and vandalizing the school with anti-Christian graffiti while setting up school rebel Cassandra Edelstein, played by Eva Amurri, with the crime and getting her expelled.

And speaking of Cassandra,

Despite her being Jewish and being such a rebel in being a chain smoker and generally an obviously blatant sinner, Cassandra is the one that acts a hundred times more like a Christian should than Hilary Faye (or “Hilary Fake”, as I called her when I first saw the movie in the theater) as she, along with Hilary Faye’s brother Roland, played by Macaulay Culkin, is the one who ends up helping Mary, having her back, and basically being a good friend to her during her pregnancy.

As another example of Cassandra’s goodness, when Hilary Faye is found to be the one who tagged the school, framed Cassandra and got her expelled, when Hilary Faye drove off in shame and crashed her van Cassandra was the one who comforted her, essentially forgiving her for what she did.

Which is what Christians are supposed to do.

In fairness, Hilary Faye did express remorse for her sins and apparently repented for what she did, but through that character Saved! did an excellent job in showing how some people who claim to be such fervent believers and followers of Jesus show, through their actions, to be such Pharisees and fakes,

Which incidentally was the reason why none other than Mahatma Gandhi said that while he loved Christ, he didn’t like how too many Christians didn’t do what Christ taught, which was the reason why although his actions and deeds were very Christ-like in many ways, he remained a Hindu and was never officially saved.

Mandy Moore’s acting career, which has reached a peak in the just ended TV series This Is Us, had a great start in these two movies which showed two opposite types of Christians, one who truly walked the walk and the other who pretty much only talked the talk.

The Bottom Line:

Because of the different portrayals of Christ followers,

Even though they are technically secular films,

A Walk To Remember and Saved! are two movies that I feel Christians, particularly young Christians, ought to watch in order to once and for all understand what being a believer in Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and Savior really means.

Image courtesy of blogspot.com