So I was thinking about how hard it is to live with different views. Elections are right around the corner and I have struggled today because my friend has had people start a rumor about her. Then I thought of the poem to help me coupe through difficulties with people.
Different faces
Different paces
Different beliefs
Different sighs of reliefs
I love people even when they oppose my political, religious and world view
I love people even when they speak of others or whatever gossips new
I love people even though its hard and...
I love people because it is the right thing to do.
Love covers a multitude of sins.
This is the truth.
So when you see me get frustrated
and sound like my words are hatred
Realize that i'm venting and soon
will realize that I love you.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Called By God to Photosynthesize
The following blog post is in response to the daily Crosswalk by Jack Graham based on the following quote from this excerpt:
So the photosynthesis process turns substances that could cause death into substances that nourish and produce life. Spiritually, God calls you to be transformed so He can use you to help transform others from the death that sin brings to new life in a relationship with Him.
I was brought back in time by God today from a frustrating season of my life as I neared the end of my senior year at International Bible College. I was finally able to heal from a horrible and destructive relationship that occurred at a previous college I was attending. I began to gain confidence in myself and a began to enjoy an intimate relationship with the Lord. It was to the point that I could receive negative feedback (aka constructive criticism) from both my peers and professors regarding my emotions and character. I was learning so much about myself and how to conduct myself in righteous manner.
Although I had gained much insight I grew frustrated with myself because I wasn't being transformed fast enough. I was trying so hard to live as Stephen Convey recommended in his book " Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" but it seemed impossible. I wanted to be this perfect Christian Witness. I wanted to get up at 5am to pray everyday. I wanted to be a Proverbs 31 woman who had the spotless house. I wanted people to respect me. I wanted to be persuasive with people when it came to the gospel. I wanted to be a pastor right away. I wanted to feel strong when I dealt with people seemingly difficult without loosing my cool. I wanted to be able to talk to people without being paranoid that they secretly hated me.
I remember crying and petitioning the Lord one day in my dorm room. I had just read a passage out of Isaiah about planting and harvesting and God gave me a vision of myself. A plant was silhouetted against a beautiful sunset. Then the vantage point changed so that I was the plant. I was holding a mirror up to myself and was checking out my stem and leaves. I picked up pruners and began to snip at myself. Soon a gardener came and took my pruners way, picked up my mirror and smashed it on the ground. I soon realized that God was in control and I didn't need to worry about becoming Christlike overnight.I knew it was going to take time to grow and be fruitful.
When I read the passage above, the vision struck me again. Since the vision was a plant (me) in a garden (the world/ circumstance I was in) and a gardener (God)this valuable message emerged. God has called us to be who we are, rooted in a garden that he tends and make a difference only by his progress report. God wants me to be righteous so that we can provide life (oxygen) out of the very poisonous gas that could cause death. Instead of trying to be the best plant, pruning and observing constantly our progress, he wants us to be a plant, not the gardener too.
This gives me peace about my performance and hope in God's help so that we can make a difference in the world.
In conclusion, I will end with the following quote:
Invite God to do transform your heart so it becomes loving, and your mind so you can think accurately and see life from the right perspective. Once God has transformed you on the inside, the changes will ripple out and affect your behavior, motivating you to reach out to others in need of God's love. Ask God to work through you to spread His love like life-giving oxygen to people who poisoned by deadly sin in their lives.
So the photosynthesis process turns substances that could cause death into substances that nourish and produce life. Spiritually, God calls you to be transformed so He can use you to help transform others from the death that sin brings to new life in a relationship with Him.
I was brought back in time by God today from a frustrating season of my life as I neared the end of my senior year at International Bible College. I was finally able to heal from a horrible and destructive relationship that occurred at a previous college I was attending. I began to gain confidence in myself and a began to enjoy an intimate relationship with the Lord. It was to the point that I could receive negative feedback (aka constructive criticism) from both my peers and professors regarding my emotions and character. I was learning so much about myself and how to conduct myself in righteous manner.
Although I had gained much insight I grew frustrated with myself because I wasn't being transformed fast enough. I was trying so hard to live as Stephen Convey recommended in his book " Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" but it seemed impossible. I wanted to be this perfect Christian Witness. I wanted to get up at 5am to pray everyday. I wanted to be a Proverbs 31 woman who had the spotless house. I wanted people to respect me. I wanted to be persuasive with people when it came to the gospel. I wanted to be a pastor right away. I wanted to feel strong when I dealt with people seemingly difficult without loosing my cool. I wanted to be able to talk to people without being paranoid that they secretly hated me.
I remember crying and petitioning the Lord one day in my dorm room. I had just read a passage out of Isaiah about planting and harvesting and God gave me a vision of myself. A plant was silhouetted against a beautiful sunset. Then the vantage point changed so that I was the plant. I was holding a mirror up to myself and was checking out my stem and leaves. I picked up pruners and began to snip at myself. Soon a gardener came and took my pruners way, picked up my mirror and smashed it on the ground. I soon realized that God was in control and I didn't need to worry about becoming Christlike overnight.I knew it was going to take time to grow and be fruitful.
When I read the passage above, the vision struck me again. Since the vision was a plant (me) in a garden (the world/ circumstance I was in) and a gardener (God)this valuable message emerged. God has called us to be who we are, rooted in a garden that he tends and make a difference only by his progress report. God wants me to be righteous so that we can provide life (oxygen) out of the very poisonous gas that could cause death. Instead of trying to be the best plant, pruning and observing constantly our progress, he wants us to be a plant, not the gardener too.
This gives me peace about my performance and hope in God's help so that we can make a difference in the world.
In conclusion, I will end with the following quote:
Invite God to do transform your heart so it becomes loving, and your mind so you can think accurately and see life from the right perspective. Once God has transformed you on the inside, the changes will ripple out and affect your behavior, motivating you to reach out to others in need of God's love. Ask God to work through you to spread His love like life-giving oxygen to people who poisoned by deadly sin in their lives.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Compassionate Leadership with Perspective and Justice
I am ever facinated with leaders that show perfect examples of God's grace towards people in difficult circumstances. Today I read out of of Mark 6 and 2 Samuel 16 and picked up on two nuggets of truth.
In Mark 6, Jesus sent the disciples out to teach and minister to people in the area and after that they came back all excited. People were also excited about the gospel and began to flock to Jesus. There were so many opportunities that the disciples were even too busy to eat. After playing dodge ball with the people via boat, the most intriguing thing happens... The disciples, obviously getting annoyed with all the work told Jesus to send the people away to buy their own food. But Jesus' attitude was totally different.
He was moved with compassion. He saw them as sheep without a shepherd and then taught them many things. You would like that after given the responsibility to be sent two-by-two to preach the gospel that the disciples would have a little maturity by now. This passage has reminded me that even we Christians who are placed in ministry/ leadership can loose perspective despite the responsibility we are given. I think anytime we get annoyed or fed up with people, we should reherse these senario in our minds and renew ourself in God's provision of grace.
The passage concludes with Jesus sending the disciples away and remaining behind to send the people off so that they can rest/ recover. Perhaps when we get to this point, we should take a time out too. God's provision of grace and perspective are amazing!
Now in the next passage, I find David showing amazing and godly leadership skills. In 2 Samuel 16, David is experiencing a rebellion by Absalom, his son. The king had retreated with a group of men to regroup. As David and his men passed a hillside before Barhium, he ran into Ziba, servant of Mephiboseth with two donkeys packed with goods. He honored David and his men with food and wine and David was able to give him everything Mephiboseth owned in return.
Then a twist in the plot... David and his men descend the hills to enter Berhium to encounter a family member of Saul, cursing him. Here we have a King being honored and honoring a blesser THEN we have a king honoring a dishonoring man. Just to think, David had plenty of men that were willing to kill Saul's relative, but instead this is what he says...
then David said to Abishai and the other officers, "My own son is trying to kill me. Shouldn't this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to do it. 12 And perhaps the LORD will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses."
There can be many things drawn from this reaction but one stands out the most to me. David had the greater picture. David drew from his own circumstance and understanding what the man had gone through since his own son sought to take his life and his kingdom. David did not turn to retaliation he turned to justice. Of course we can say that David was using his knowledge/ experience with God to allow events to play out but what is more extraordinary is found in the beauty of leadership. Instead of getting mad at someone under your leadership for judging you, why not use your experience of someone causing you pain in the past.
I am sure that as a pastor, you could easily embarrass a member in front of the congregation and excommunicate them from the church. But how much more powerful is it to allow the person to express the reality of their grief and allow God to be your deliverer. Besides, taking matters in your own hands may bring a short-term result. So I think this is an important truth to revisit when we are tempted to make an example of someone when they attack us.
These truths encourage me to stop and look for a broader perspective outside myself. These truths allow me to take a step away from internalizing things and taking things personal. People who take things personal do not perspective that they need and should seek a trusting person to give wise counsel. This is the maturity that God looks for to be righteous. Lets take a hold of God's deliverance from our immature ways. May the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart be acceptable in His sight.
So the two truths are:Compassion driven leadership by giving your all to people and Compassion driven leadership by drawing strength to react with a true sense of justice.
Lord help me to take these steps in the future. Amen.
In Mark 6, Jesus sent the disciples out to teach and minister to people in the area and after that they came back all excited. People were also excited about the gospel and began to flock to Jesus. There were so many opportunities that the disciples were even too busy to eat. After playing dodge ball with the people via boat, the most intriguing thing happens... The disciples, obviously getting annoyed with all the work told Jesus to send the people away to buy their own food. But Jesus' attitude was totally different.
He was moved with compassion. He saw them as sheep without a shepherd and then taught them many things. You would like that after given the responsibility to be sent two-by-two to preach the gospel that the disciples would have a little maturity by now. This passage has reminded me that even we Christians who are placed in ministry/ leadership can loose perspective despite the responsibility we are given. I think anytime we get annoyed or fed up with people, we should reherse these senario in our minds and renew ourself in God's provision of grace.
The passage concludes with Jesus sending the disciples away and remaining behind to send the people off so that they can rest/ recover. Perhaps when we get to this point, we should take a time out too. God's provision of grace and perspective are amazing!
Now in the next passage, I find David showing amazing and godly leadership skills. In 2 Samuel 16, David is experiencing a rebellion by Absalom, his son. The king had retreated with a group of men to regroup. As David and his men passed a hillside before Barhium, he ran into Ziba, servant of Mephiboseth with two donkeys packed with goods. He honored David and his men with food and wine and David was able to give him everything Mephiboseth owned in return.
Then a twist in the plot... David and his men descend the hills to enter Berhium to encounter a family member of Saul, cursing him. Here we have a King being honored and honoring a blesser THEN we have a king honoring a dishonoring man. Just to think, David had plenty of men that were willing to kill Saul's relative, but instead this is what he says...
then David said to Abishai and the other officers, "My own son is trying to kill me. Shouldn't this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to do it. 12 And perhaps the LORD will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses."
There can be many things drawn from this reaction but one stands out the most to me. David had the greater picture. David drew from his own circumstance and understanding what the man had gone through since his own son sought to take his life and his kingdom. David did not turn to retaliation he turned to justice. Of course we can say that David was using his knowledge/ experience with God to allow events to play out but what is more extraordinary is found in the beauty of leadership. Instead of getting mad at someone under your leadership for judging you, why not use your experience of someone causing you pain in the past.
I am sure that as a pastor, you could easily embarrass a member in front of the congregation and excommunicate them from the church. But how much more powerful is it to allow the person to express the reality of their grief and allow God to be your deliverer. Besides, taking matters in your own hands may bring a short-term result. So I think this is an important truth to revisit when we are tempted to make an example of someone when they attack us.
These truths encourage me to stop and look for a broader perspective outside myself. These truths allow me to take a step away from internalizing things and taking things personal. People who take things personal do not perspective that they need and should seek a trusting person to give wise counsel. This is the maturity that God looks for to be righteous. Lets take a hold of God's deliverance from our immature ways. May the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart be acceptable in His sight.
So the two truths are:Compassion driven leadership by giving your all to people and Compassion driven leadership by drawing strength to react with a true sense of justice.
Lord help me to take these steps in the future. Amen.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Not so Numb
It's hard to live this kind of life if you're allowing your mind to be numbed or your judgment clouded. Don't let yourself be intoxicated by the spirit of this age, but as Peter said, be "self-controlled and sober-minded."
This sentence is from my daily Power Point from Jack Graham (which is available below this blog). God has be going through a time where he is holding me accountable. Since making the switch from overworked supervisor to stay-at-home-mom, God has been able to reach me in the quietness of my day.
What caught my eye in this devotion is how it can be hard to live an active Christian life IF you are allowing your mind to be numbed or judgment clouded. It made me immediately self access, asking God candidly in what way has my attitude become numb or my judgment clouded?
I found that I have focused so much on other things. My priorities have been skewed and opportunities wasted. I have been recovering from a divorce and had focused on healing for a season and realized that I used my season of healing as an excuse for many things.
When I find myself justifying or scrambling to find a reason why I have to do something(instead of something I should), I realized that my mind was being clouded because I simply believed I deserved to watch TV or I deserved to avoid reading scripture because, etc. You can pretty much fill in the blank of any situation that you want to procrastinate.
I honestly believe that if a believer does not maintain themselves by being sober-minded, that they will reach a breaking point that steers them away from God and into another direction. If I had only realized that true healing from my divorce was in the power of the Word of God and not the latest TV show or upbeat song.
I believe that God knows the best for his Children and perhaps I needed a little distraction from the Biblical Training and intense Job I had at the time at the time of my divorce but I do believe that God is announcing the end of a season and a beginning of a new season. Although the intent of the above scripture from I Peter is for those who are focused on worldly desires, I know this scripture was breathed on my by God to nudge me into a new path in the journey.
So lets talk about not being so numb...
When I think of the word numb, I think of Ambesol. When I have a tooth ache and I don't want to go to the Dentist/ Doctor I put it on the area of my mouth that is in pain. I also think of the times I was a kid and did belly flops in the pool. The numbness on your abs is painful and foreign because your body just transferred multiple sensations through your nerves. I can parallel this to the many and painful experiences we endure in life. From big events to small, God still asks us to focus on him.
So when the Bible advises me not to be numb, I first would like to ask myself, what hurts? Why am I numb? How did I get here?
Personally, being numb is the feeling after pain. Life is painful but life is hard/ difficult when we allow the numbness to set in. If I prolong the numbness, I will become indifferent towards God, have a wrong perspective and make the wrong decisions. I also will have a crappy attitude and won't be a witness for Christ. I could say that when I find myself scrambling to justify myself I should see it at as a red flag to consider making a decision upon being a good witness for Christ and being sober-minded. I can't make right decisions nor have a Christ-like attitude when i am indifferent towards God. When I experience pain, instead of reaching for something to numb the pain, I look for a healing in God's Word.
Lord help me not to be wasteful of the lessons I learned and the time you have given me. Help me to stay focused on the cross and not my flesh. Amen.
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/powerpoint/11633430/
This sentence is from my daily Power Point from Jack Graham (which is available below this blog). God has be going through a time where he is holding me accountable. Since making the switch from overworked supervisor to stay-at-home-mom, God has been able to reach me in the quietness of my day.
What caught my eye in this devotion is how it can be hard to live an active Christian life IF you are allowing your mind to be numbed or judgment clouded. It made me immediately self access, asking God candidly in what way has my attitude become numb or my judgment clouded?
I found that I have focused so much on other things. My priorities have been skewed and opportunities wasted. I have been recovering from a divorce and had focused on healing for a season and realized that I used my season of healing as an excuse for many things.
When I find myself justifying or scrambling to find a reason why I have to do something(instead of something I should), I realized that my mind was being clouded because I simply believed I deserved to watch TV or I deserved to avoid reading scripture because, etc. You can pretty much fill in the blank of any situation that you want to procrastinate.
I honestly believe that if a believer does not maintain themselves by being sober-minded, that they will reach a breaking point that steers them away from God and into another direction. If I had only realized that true healing from my divorce was in the power of the Word of God and not the latest TV show or upbeat song.
I believe that God knows the best for his Children and perhaps I needed a little distraction from the Biblical Training and intense Job I had at the time at the time of my divorce but I do believe that God is announcing the end of a season and a beginning of a new season. Although the intent of the above scripture from I Peter is for those who are focused on worldly desires, I know this scripture was breathed on my by God to nudge me into a new path in the journey.
So lets talk about not being so numb...
When I think of the word numb, I think of Ambesol. When I have a tooth ache and I don't want to go to the Dentist/ Doctor I put it on the area of my mouth that is in pain. I also think of the times I was a kid and did belly flops in the pool. The numbness on your abs is painful and foreign because your body just transferred multiple sensations through your nerves. I can parallel this to the many and painful experiences we endure in life. From big events to small, God still asks us to focus on him.
So when the Bible advises me not to be numb, I first would like to ask myself, what hurts? Why am I numb? How did I get here?
Personally, being numb is the feeling after pain. Life is painful but life is hard/ difficult when we allow the numbness to set in. If I prolong the numbness, I will become indifferent towards God, have a wrong perspective and make the wrong decisions. I also will have a crappy attitude and won't be a witness for Christ. I could say that when I find myself scrambling to justify myself I should see it at as a red flag to consider making a decision upon being a good witness for Christ and being sober-minded. I can't make right decisions nor have a Christ-like attitude when i am indifferent towards God. When I experience pain, instead of reaching for something to numb the pain, I look for a healing in God's Word.
Lord help me not to be wasteful of the lessons I learned and the time you have given me. Help me to stay focused on the cross and not my flesh. Amen.
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/powerpoint/11633430/
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Oil Spill
I am so freaking mad about this oil spill. Even as a small child, I have remembered oil spills on TV and never have I seen one that lasted this long. It pains me to see all the marine life so affected. To see their remains floating on top of the surface causes my heart to break. I am shocked at BP's CEO's apathy towards the situation. And althought our President hides behind a stoic stature, I don't think he really cares. He is merely giving lip service. Had Bush been in office, the media would be much harsher at the length of time this disaster has lasted.
I really hope America becomes a little more agressive in their protests.
I really hope America becomes a little more agressive in their protests.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Amanda's Reflections on Pentecostal Spirituality #1
Today's Reflection is from Pentecostal Spirituality A Passion for the Kingdom by Dr Steven Land Introductions The Purpose of this blog is to embark on a journey of the infusion of faith, experience, scripture and reflection.
Disclaimer- If you find these views to be offensive or stupid, feel free to comment anyway just as long as you intend to express yourself with the means to end in a greater understanding. I do not expect everyone to agree with my journey and I am sure many will find it heretical, I, a free thinker wish to ponder theology to come to a deeper meaning of life.
Passion is almost always associated with emotion. Passion has found its way into poetry, love and pain but what of in religion? Is it better to be passionate about your belief or not? Are emotions really all there is to passion? Reflection #1- Passion .
So I looked up passion in the dictionary and most of the definitions describe passion as an emotion or feeling. But I did stumble across another definition that did not associate with an emotion. Passion -the state of being acted upon or affected by something external, esp. something alien to one's nature or one's customary behavior.
Lets pretend that you notice something out of place with your environment or character. What would you call the moment you decide to change it? It would seem that you could call it a passionate response to an indifferent experience.
It would be safe to say now that I believe passion can be used to describe someone who has decided to change due to a conviction. Conviction is fixed or firm belief and when a person becomes a Christian they are telling God that they accept the truth and will walk in the truth. So someone who has a firm belief will be passionate. Now, it is true that not everything you do to make a change does not have to be a big event... like deciding to drink milk or water... but it surely shows that you care enough about something to change yourself or thing.
Now that we have clarified that passionate people have conviction, what is left in the argument that being passionate is a bad thing. After reading numerous blogs that say " Oh, Pentecostals are just a bunch of passionate... well you know" the next subject to address is the display of passion, right?
It is obvious that this idea of passion has more to do with how one displays their conviction. So this goes to show that some Christians think they are better than passionate Christians because one displays emotion or behaviors. Display can mean to spread something out so that it may be most completely and favorably seen. So if the intend of the Christian is to be seen by God, what room does a reserved worshiper have to hate on someone's communication with God? It is not intended for anyone else but God. Among many Pentecostals polled about their displays post- service say they do not recall what anyone else did when giving passionate displays to God. This is evidence that Pentecostals DO NOT do it ostentatiously, but in becoming righteous with God. This is called "praying through" and this topic will be further explained at another time.
BRINGING IT HOME
So how does this talk circle back to me?
A quick anecdote... I received the most interesting comment from my boss. He had told me that he wishes he could use me on every shift. When I asked him why, he told me it was because I was faithful in showing up on time, getting things set up and could anticipate things that need done. I smiled and told him that I was just doing my job. He said he knows but not every employee does this.
I walked away thinking that even we as human beings full of knowledge and experience do not always do the right thing. It is more common to say that most people do not do what they are mandated to do. Some will even admit it. This goes to show that people do not act upon their convictions so those who do act on what they know is right are praised due to their passion.
So to say that Pentecostals are too emotional or passionate would put the one stating this opinion in a difficult position. Perhaps Pentecostals are passionate about doing things right. Doing things with conviction! Perhaps those who call another person passionate with the intent of insulting are really making themselves look sub- par.
Why do they treat Christians who want to live their faith correctly as mere zealots that only sense to annoy their complacency? So to the complacent, are the teachings of the Bible and doctrine optional? Be rest assured that when someone says this, the implications here state that we are to live mostly Christ-like. MOSTLY? So we are only to put our righteousness within the 65 percentile range .... just as long as we are receiving passing marks? Who is more insolent... the complacent or someone who does things with conviction?
Disclaimer- If you find these views to be offensive or stupid, feel free to comment anyway just as long as you intend to express yourself with the means to end in a greater understanding. I do not expect everyone to agree with my journey and I am sure many will find it heretical, I, a free thinker wish to ponder theology to come to a deeper meaning of life.
Passion is almost always associated with emotion. Passion has found its way into poetry, love and pain but what of in religion? Is it better to be passionate about your belief or not? Are emotions really all there is to passion? Reflection #1- Passion .
So I looked up passion in the dictionary and most of the definitions describe passion as an emotion or feeling. But I did stumble across another definition that did not associate with an emotion. Passion -the state of being acted upon or affected by something external, esp. something alien to one's nature or one's customary behavior.
Lets pretend that you notice something out of place with your environment or character. What would you call the moment you decide to change it? It would seem that you could call it a passionate response to an indifferent experience.
It would be safe to say now that I believe passion can be used to describe someone who has decided to change due to a conviction. Conviction is fixed or firm belief and when a person becomes a Christian they are telling God that they accept the truth and will walk in the truth. So someone who has a firm belief will be passionate. Now, it is true that not everything you do to make a change does not have to be a big event... like deciding to drink milk or water... but it surely shows that you care enough about something to change yourself or thing.
Now that we have clarified that passionate people have conviction, what is left in the argument that being passionate is a bad thing. After reading numerous blogs that say " Oh, Pentecostals are just a bunch of passionate... well you know" the next subject to address is the display of passion, right?
It is obvious that this idea of passion has more to do with how one displays their conviction. So this goes to show that some Christians think they are better than passionate Christians because one displays emotion or behaviors. Display can mean to spread something out so that it may be most completely and favorably seen. So if the intend of the Christian is to be seen by God, what room does a reserved worshiper have to hate on someone's communication with God? It is not intended for anyone else but God. Among many Pentecostals polled about their displays post- service say they do not recall what anyone else did when giving passionate displays to God. This is evidence that Pentecostals DO NOT do it ostentatiously, but in becoming righteous with God. This is called "praying through" and this topic will be further explained at another time.
BRINGING IT HOME
So how does this talk circle back to me?
A quick anecdote... I received the most interesting comment from my boss. He had told me that he wishes he could use me on every shift. When I asked him why, he told me it was because I was faithful in showing up on time, getting things set up and could anticipate things that need done. I smiled and told him that I was just doing my job. He said he knows but not every employee does this.
I walked away thinking that even we as human beings full of knowledge and experience do not always do the right thing. It is more common to say that most people do not do what they are mandated to do. Some will even admit it. This goes to show that people do not act upon their convictions so those who do act on what they know is right are praised due to their passion.
So to say that Pentecostals are too emotional or passionate would put the one stating this opinion in a difficult position. Perhaps Pentecostals are passionate about doing things right. Doing things with conviction! Perhaps those who call another person passionate with the intent of insulting are really making themselves look sub- par.
Why do they treat Christians who want to live their faith correctly as mere zealots that only sense to annoy their complacency? So to the complacent, are the teachings of the Bible and doctrine optional? Be rest assured that when someone says this, the implications here state that we are to live mostly Christ-like. MOSTLY? So we are only to put our righteousness within the 65 percentile range .... just as long as we are receiving passing marks? Who is more insolent... the complacent or someone who does things with conviction?
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