I begin with a quote from John Ortberg:
"American society does not talk much about calling anymore. It is more likely to think in terms of career. Yet, for many people a career becomes the altar on which they sacrifice their lives.
A calling, which is something I do for God, is replaced by a career, which threatens to become my god. A career is something I choose for myself; a calling is something I receive. A career is something I do for myself; a calling is something I do for God. A career promises status, money or power; a calling generally promises difficulty and even some suffering - and the opportunity to be used by God. A career is about upward mobility; a calling generally lead to downward mobility."
I will add that a career is man chosen and often enslaves people - becoming the thing by which their life is defined. A calling is God given and releases us.
A career, like many things, can easily increase the busyness of our life that it can be hard to hear God's call. Are you fulfilling God's call in your life? Are you open to fulfilling God's call?
Many a calling has died on the altar of career
***Would love feedback***
Blessings,
Darren
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Do as I say or do as I do???
***Here is a response I wrote to a friend about an article dealing with a Christian organization bashing the actions/behaviors of non-Christian companies***
Taking AFA out of the conversation and addressing the broader issue I have a couple reflections?
I agree it is silly for Christians to expect non-Christians to understand, let alone uphold, Christian values. The Bible is clear it is their hearts we are after not their actions. Actions will follow the heart. In some ways I think the secularization of our nation will actually help the cause of Christ in America. After all, when everyone in America claims to be Christian it is very difficult to not focus on actions – it does lend it self to frustrations, arguments, confusion over the behavior of those who claim by name Christian. As people are becoming more open to claim secularization, or even other religions, it helps clarify the line between believers and non-believers. At that point it becomes clear who should be expected to live by the Christian world view they confess and who shouldn’t. Once that line has been drawn the moral argument from Christian obedience is lost until the one being talked to claims to be a follower of Christ.
I do believe there is still a moral argument for society that must be raised. It is on these issues that we can, and must, reach across political and religious lines to voice a united moral voice to the whole of society. The minority cannot be allowed to dictate the standards to the majority because the majority is divided in its voice.
As Christ followers the burden is upon us as believers living in such a way that we are light and salt. A Christian’s talk of hating sin but life of enjoying it is what confuses the non-Christian and mutes our voice – actually mocks it. For example, the AMA awards. I t does not surprise me that a gay guy would kiss a gay guy. It also does not surprise me that I whole industry built around sex would have sex laden performances. Where is the surprise in any of this? As long as neither Adam nor AMA is claiming to be Christ followers then their actions are not the issue – it is their need for Christ. NOW, I do think a complaint is merited to the network. The moral voice of America is still opposed to this behavior being openly displayed for children viewing and they should be held accountable to respect the moral voice of our nation. Obviously, our moral voice is quickly diminishing but for now it remains and the network, not Adam or AMA, should be fined and held accountable.
For me however the real issue is those that claim Christ that are watching, buying and supporting the values/behaviors that should be easily discernable as morally wrong to a Christ follower. My concern is not that lost people do not have a Christian world view but that many, if not most, who claim Christ do not have a Christian world view. Why would I have to convince a Christ follower that sexual immorality, homosexuality, mistreatment of women, foul language, crude behavior, etc. is wrong? Isn’t it as clear as can be throughout Scripture? Doesn’t God’s Spirit within us teach us to say “no” to ungodliness? How hilarious it must be for Adam and AMA to hear angry “Christians” griping and complaining about their actions when they could walk right into their homes and cars and see all of their products being bought and listened to. To me that is hilarious, and overwhelmingly sad.
The need for America is not a revival in Hollywood or Washington, Professional Sports or our Schools… it is in the church. True Christ followers must once again learn to “preach the Gospel at all times…use words only when necessary.”
It is for this reason that I don’t fear the darkness. Sin only allows righteousness to shine more clearly.
***Thoughts, reflections, opinions???
Darren
Taking AFA out of the conversation and addressing the broader issue I have a couple reflections?
I agree it is silly for Christians to expect non-Christians to understand, let alone uphold, Christian values. The Bible is clear it is their hearts we are after not their actions. Actions will follow the heart. In some ways I think the secularization of our nation will actually help the cause of Christ in America. After all, when everyone in America claims to be Christian it is very difficult to not focus on actions – it does lend it self to frustrations, arguments, confusion over the behavior of those who claim by name Christian. As people are becoming more open to claim secularization, or even other religions, it helps clarify the line between believers and non-believers. At that point it becomes clear who should be expected to live by the Christian world view they confess and who shouldn’t. Once that line has been drawn the moral argument from Christian obedience is lost until the one being talked to claims to be a follower of Christ.
I do believe there is still a moral argument for society that must be raised. It is on these issues that we can, and must, reach across political and religious lines to voice a united moral voice to the whole of society. The minority cannot be allowed to dictate the standards to the majority because the majority is divided in its voice.
As Christ followers the burden is upon us as believers living in such a way that we are light and salt. A Christian’s talk of hating sin but life of enjoying it is what confuses the non-Christian and mutes our voice – actually mocks it. For example, the AMA awards. I t does not surprise me that a gay guy would kiss a gay guy. It also does not surprise me that I whole industry built around sex would have sex laden performances. Where is the surprise in any of this? As long as neither Adam nor AMA is claiming to be Christ followers then their actions are not the issue – it is their need for Christ. NOW, I do think a complaint is merited to the network. The moral voice of America is still opposed to this behavior being openly displayed for children viewing and they should be held accountable to respect the moral voice of our nation. Obviously, our moral voice is quickly diminishing but for now it remains and the network, not Adam or AMA, should be fined and held accountable.
For me however the real issue is those that claim Christ that are watching, buying and supporting the values/behaviors that should be easily discernable as morally wrong to a Christ follower. My concern is not that lost people do not have a Christian world view but that many, if not most, who claim Christ do not have a Christian world view. Why would I have to convince a Christ follower that sexual immorality, homosexuality, mistreatment of women, foul language, crude behavior, etc. is wrong? Isn’t it as clear as can be throughout Scripture? Doesn’t God’s Spirit within us teach us to say “no” to ungodliness? How hilarious it must be for Adam and AMA to hear angry “Christians” griping and complaining about their actions when they could walk right into their homes and cars and see all of their products being bought and listened to. To me that is hilarious, and overwhelmingly sad.
The need for America is not a revival in Hollywood or Washington, Professional Sports or our Schools… it is in the church. True Christ followers must once again learn to “preach the Gospel at all times…use words only when necessary.”
It is for this reason that I don’t fear the darkness. Sin only allows righteousness to shine more clearly.
***Thoughts, reflections, opinions???
Darren
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