You know we, meaning Christians have heard talk after talk and sermon after sermon telling us that "they" are watching. Well we know they are, they all are. Our walk is measured and our talk is weighed.
During this season, His season, let us live in a manner worthy of the calling and the Gospel of Christ. And as my precious Uncle John says, "That None Should Perish!"
We really look no different than the world, truly. Obviously we are all human but as Christians this world is not our home. Our stats, our sins are equivalent yet worse because they are stumbling blocks to Christ in the lives of others. Oh how precious it is to know my destiny but more so to know my Savior. I long to spend time with Him even if I have let Him down. I know that His rebuke is for my well being and to help me live in the manner I request. A life that pleases Him.
It blessed my soul to read where Sandra Bullock says that she now knows there are Christians who have an authentic faith. WOW. So many have not shown the authenticity of Christ to her. I am speechless! Perhaps that what many should be including me (often), speechless. lol
Evangelism does not have to be as hard as we make it out to be. Just live and love like Christ and the rest will manifest outwardly to others.
It is so important that the "world" gets out of the Church, out of the Body. My previous Sunday School teacher likened it to the scuba diver. He is "in" the ocean but not "of" the ocean. Then I reflected on scriptures which call us to this without a doubt. In order to make it more fun allow me to apply some good old fashioned grammatical rules to our Scriptures.
If I believe in Christ then I am a new creation. Right? 2 Cor. 5:17)
If I am a new creation, my old self is gone. Right? (Ro. 6:6)
If my old self is gone then I am now created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:24)
If I live a righteous life in the holiness of God in Christ then I will clean the inside of the cup before the outside. (Matt. 23:25)
With those "if then" statements said I can only agree that others like Sandra Bullock are listening and watching therefore my actions must represent my beliefs. Now, "if" I am like that "then" the Holy Spirit can work with me.
Read this article and rejoice with me that finally Christ was represented well and it has been noticed. There are two types of judgmental people....Those who wait and watch for the Christian to fail and those who claim to be righteous while faulting the blind for not seeing. (Thank you Dr. Johnny Hunt for that quote.) How many of us not only misrepresent our beliefs with our actions but also fault the blind for not being able to see? The Holy Spirit is the only giver of "that" type of sight, not me, not us. Be an example worth following so that you can boast in Christ and not in your deeds.
Just put on your SONday best!
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=792418&sms_ss=facebook
LOS ANGELES - Actress Sandra Bullock says meeting Leigh Anne Tuohy, who she portrays in The Blind Side, showed her there really are some Christians who "walk the walk."WOW! See they could have tried to impress Sandra with how wonderful and good they are but instead the Holy Spirit was allowed to make HIS impression. Oh, I know we will not live perfect lives but please Lord enable us to live surrendered lives in our SONday best! (everyday)
The film, which opened the week before Thanksgiving, presents the true story of the Tuohys -- a well-off white family in Tennessee -- who welcome a homeless black youth into their home and then adopt him as their son. That young man, Michael Oher, became an All-American selection for Ole Miss and a first-round draft pick. He now plays for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.
Bullock says thanks to the Tuohys, who attend Grace Evangelical Church in Memphis, she now has "faith in those who say they represent a faith." Getting to know Leigh Anne Tuohy, says the actress, showed her that religious faith can be authentic. "She was so open and honest and forthright," Bullock shares, "and I said, wow, I finally met someone who practices but doesn't preach."
Tuohy isn't like some hypocritical church-goers she's known, adds Bullock. "The beauty of Leigh Anne was one of my biggest questions was how people use their faith and their religion as a banner," she says. "And then they don't do the right thing, but they go 'I'm a good Christian and I go to church and this is the way you should live your life.'"
Bullock admits she was wary of Christians before she met the Tuohys. "Whereas...before I was like, do not give me a lecture on how to live my life when I know I'm a pretty decent human being," says the actress. "I might not go to church everyday, but I know I do the right thing or try to. You're going to church and you're still sleeping around on your wife...how are you better than I am? So I finally met people who walk the walk."
Leigh Anne Tuohy says she hopes The Blind Side inspires more people to help others. "You don't have to go out and bring a child into your home -- that's not what's required," says Tuohy. "But you can do something -- everybody is capable of doing something. So whatever your something is, do it well. Make a difference."
Oher's mom says she enforces a behavior code when she watches her adopted son play for the Baltimore Ravens. "I had to have a little 'come to Jesus' talk with my section at [the] Ravens' stadium," she says. "I had to explain to everyone that, okay, we're going to have a change of attitude. There is a two-drink limit, there is no cussing in this [section]. You don't know who you're sitting next to -- I'm a player's mom."
The Blind Side has earned more than $100 million dollars at the box office so far.
Read 'The Blind Side' should trouble as well as inspire
(Commentary by Star Parker)
Chel
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