What's your Point?

I've wanted to write for the past month, but life has provided road block after road block preventing me from enough quiet, private time to do so. Today, I'm at home from work, not feeling well, and the passion that I need to write a good post just doesn't seem to exist. However, I have my laptop in its proper place, and perhaps as I tap away at the keyboard, the passion will hear me and come to visit.

Lately, many people have commented to me on the state of the church, the state of the country, and the state of the world. There are few, if any, good comments. It seems that civilization, in general, is hurling toward Hades in a hand basket. In my personal life, and in my household, frustrations abound. Someone that I really need to understand how I feel seems incapable of listening without jumping to conclusions (most of which are incorrect), and trying to fix a problem that they don't need to worry about, all the while neglecting the problems that I thought I had clearly explained. Life becomes one big, gigantic, heavy sigh, and a hopeless shrug of the shoulders.

Somewhere between flippant dismissal of the issue, and the dark abyss of giving up exists the place I am today. Befuddled as to why I can't seem to handle this current state except without becoming yet more frustrated, my best relief seems to be bursting into tears. But tears upset the jumping conclusion person, who in turn tries to fix the perceived problem, and when the outcome is once again incorrect, that person becomes defensive. 

Said person recently posted an article on their Facebook page. That piece almost directly opposes several tenets of my current ministry. I had those who messaged me telling me how it hurt them very badly. After discussing it with the poster, and maybe even fighting

a bit about it being taken down, we agreed to disagree, and decided in true American fashion that we were both free to post when we like. Not a satisfying step, and it certainly was not my first choice, but a necessary one to prevent harming the relationship, and in turn, the cause of Christ.

So why was I willing to stop fighting for it to be taken down? Again, it was not my first choice. Still isn't. But as a follower of Christ, I saw that the argument was no longer edifying to anyone. It was hurting the poster, it was hurting me, and it wasn't helping those who were already hurt by the post. It also hit me that I could share the experience as an example of what I feel is happening in evangelical churches around the world.

Our churches are ripping apart over fights just as insignificant as this. Many are so adamant that their way is the ONLY way to dress, worship, pray, preach, sing, interpret Scripture, witness, act, think, speak, that they are driving people from the very Christ they say they want others to accept. Even an issue as seemingly important as the current hot topic of homosexuality and Christians, pales in comparison to the importance of sharing the Gospel of Christ.

Infighting among Christ's followers is no way to show others that we are a people called apart to point others to Him. In most arguments I've observed, the participants aren't pointing toward Christ but at each other in blame.And if we aren't using our strength to serve Him,and point others to Him, what's the use?

I have no one to answer to God for but myself. No one's judgment counts for eternity but God's. I may one day see my earthly attempts at worship burn up like hay, but my place in Heaven was secured by God's gift of salvation and sacrifice. And those works that I did to lead others to Christ will last, not to procure my salvation, but to honor the Savior who procured eternal life for me.

And because of that precious gift, and the desire to follow His commandments: Serve and love God above all others, love others as yourself, I put my argument to the side, and work toward pointing others to Christ.

I'm still hurt. I probably will be for a while. I'm human, and a sometimes fragile one at that. Christ provides a healing balm for the ravages of sin, and the hurt suffered during our walk on earth. He's a GREAT GOD, almighty, and powerful. Look at Him! See His way. And when asked why you can put personal hurts to the side, point to Him!

Serve God, Love others,

Pointing Up,

Teapotjan 

Let's Not Make it Harder Than it Has to Be

I think most of you will agree that life is hard, actually, most of the time. We live under the shadow of the fall of man, and the sin that exists in everyone's life. It takes no effort on our part to have a horrendous day. In fact, we often have to work to make a day a good one for ourselves and for others. Life is hard enough without turning every task into a Goldberg machine.

So why, why, why, why must so many Christians work at judging others and their lives? In the process of judging others, they expend their own energy, time and happiness in making another person's life hard. WHY? I've mentioned before that I've seen many "saintly, revered" folk walk around looking like they just smelled something horrible, their faces frozen into a perpetual expression of disdain and self piety. The energy and time they expend in judgement and criticism would be far better used in furthering the cause of Christ by helping and loving those they currently disdain.

I've met many people struggling with self hate, depression, and hopelessness because of people who took it upon themselves to inform others of just how sinful their actions are. And I've found that many of those struggling turn away from God because of those "informative" people. I know that probably was not the informant's purpose, but it is often the result.

And isn't that exactly the opposite of what Christ commanded us to do? He left us with two commandments that summed up His ministry and all of the Old Testament commandments: 
1. Serve and love God above all else. 2. Love others as you love yourself.
I'm not seeing any mention in either these two commandments or in the original ten that mention we are to be another's judge.

Folks, it's not "us" versus "them." It's not sinner versus saint. It's not straight versus gay, black versus white, preacher versus bishop, Baptist versus Catholic or us versus anything. It's God versus Satan. Evil versus good. And God, the ultimate creator and power of all, is the one who will do ALL judging that actually counts. And besides, if we see someone in obvious sin, in love shouldn't we go beside that person and HELP them, and pray for them? Every Christian carries the Holy Spirit within, and we can leave all the convicting to Him. And since we should not expect the unsaved to follow the commandments of a God they do not serve, shouldn't we be an example of God's grace as a saved sinner with an eternal Hope they don't have?

So, take it easy- so to speak. Use the energy you could expend on judging others to glorify God. Tell others of His Grace and Love. Live a life that mirrors Christ's ministry. He knew the sins of all those around him, and yet loved them, and ministered to them without discrimination or disdain. The only time we see Christ speak in a less than forgiving manner was against the hypocritical, religious leaders that took advantage of those seeking to serve God by sacrificing at the temple, and those judgmental  leaders who "praised God" that they were not like the common sinner.

Frankly, I think it's hard enough judging my own motives and service to Christ. I don't have time to worry about what others are doing except to see how I can help them. And I don't have time to judge them. I'll just leave that job up to the only Being in existence that can justly, and righteously judge us all.

Here I am, grateful to God for His Love and Grace, and "taking it easy."

Teapotjan

Serving When Sad-The Blue Teapot

Sad Teapot by Neiil Oswald.
 https://flic.kr/p/8scaVu

If you read many of my posts, or know me, you know that I am a professed victim of depression. I suffer from a mental illness that is as real as any physical disease. Anything or nothing can signal the black clouds to gather and darken overhead. And if something difficult happens while I'm under that black cloud, it is easy to allow it to surround me and choke out all light and joy. However, over the years, the Lord allowed me to learn the signs of the approaching gloom, and He sends comfort at just the right time to keep me from disappearing into that black, cold cloud.

That's not to say I don't have my bout of tears, sighs, and general mopiness. Believe me. Ask my family, my dog, my close friends, my therapist, my doctor. I get to a place where chocolate seems to be the only good thing in life, and I have none and I don't feel strong enough to get in the car and go get it. It can get bad. Real bad. And this short, stout little teapot of a woman can get very, very blue.

The most astounding thing about what the Lord has done for me in all of this? Even in my darkest blue state, when someone calls me for help, the clouds grow lighter, the blues fade, and I find myself being able to give that person sound advice that can come only from the leading of the Holy Spirit. This unworthy vessel can serve even when suffering because I have made it available for the Master's use. That's just wild. Really. Think about it. All I have to do is what I was made to do, be a vessel to His glory.

Am I always ready for use? Nope. I'm flawed. Sometimes, I do let the clouds choke me and fill me up with dread, shame and hopelessness. That's when depression easily leads to sin. Satan delights in tricking God's children, and he will use any weakness he can to pull us from the delight of God's presence. And since he is second in power only to God, he can do a very thorough job of it. Don't doubt that. He is evil, but he is very talented and creative.

So what to do? As I said earlier, I have learned the warning signs, some of which are particular to me, and when I heed them I do better. When I am hit with something particularly difficult? I understand that it's natural to be sad, and down, and understand it will pass as it has in the past. But I also know that I need to tell someone, and admit I'm struggling. There is no shame in asking for help. In fact, especially for those of us recovering from the "Big F Fundamentalism" mindset, it shows great bravery. We ask for help when we have the flu, don't we? If we ignore the symptoms of flu and carry on as normal, we may injure ourselves to the point of dying, all while infecting and hurting everyone we contact. The same potential is there when we suffer with depression and don't recognize its power to harm us and those around us.

If you think you may possibly suffer from depression, reach out for help. This link: Signs of Clinical Depression, sends you to WebMD's site and has a great deal of good information about the medical side of depression.

Serving when sad? It's possible as long as we listen to the leading of the Spirit, and realize that depression is an illness and process that we must recognize and handle with care in ourselves in others. 

Praising Him under the clouds and waiting for the sun,
Teapotjan

Red and Yellow, Black and White Privilege, The Teapot's Shady Friends

God has brought many people my way. Sometimes it seems that if I sit and wait, willing to minister and serve, that people come to me unbidden, but all in God's timing.

One of these people became an "adopted" son. He is extroverted, loud, sometimes obnoxious, Dominican (hispanic and black), political, outspoken, and amazing. Oh, and the absolute worst? He's from NYC. 

But all that aside, he loves God, and he empathizes with other people of color and of non-European descent and the struggles they face.

To the irritation of some, he often speaks of "white privilege" and the lack of issues that privilege affords them. Honestly when I first saw this term in his posts, I rolled my eyes. No, I thought. The race issue is dead or at least dying. Let it be. You're just stirring up trouble.

As I read on, and in subsequent conversations with him, I learned more about what he meant by "white privilege" and what it really means to a Christian of color. It pops up in movies as jokes. Remember in Men in Black II? Wil Smith's character, J clicks a remote and a realistic robot driver pops up behind the wheel. K, his partner asks "Did that come standard?" J answers, "No, it came with a black guy, but he kept getting pulled over."

The fact is that racial profiling still occurs. It's something light-skinned people don't really have to concern themselves about on a day to day basis. And while you and I might not be racist, we can't even begin to think that everyone feels the same.

I'm not saying that there are not hate-mongers of all colors. Oddly enough, racism crosses all ethnic, social, and cultural boundaries. No matter our skin color, we all bleed red, and we were all born sinners.

And I'm not saying that we can make up for the years of slavery that the ancestors of my friends suffered through by any means. But I can realize the impact that the mindset from that time has on today's treatment of people of color. 

So what am I saying? Don't assume that because a black/hispanic/dark-skinned/non-caucasian talks about white privilege that they are racist or angry at all white people. Realize that they must deal with a part of our culture, that light skinned people have not faced, at least not in this country, in this generation.

I am thankful for my friends of all shades. Being raised in the deep South, and very, very white, and just barely old enough to remember what a big deal integration was, I have become, in God's timing, pretty much color blind. Ignorance and hate come packaged in all shades of skin. But so does love and graciousness. Notice a friend's skin color for one reason: to help you realize one of the struggles they may face each day.

Glow in the dark white, with a lot of "shady" friends,
Teapotjan 

The Face of "Abomination"

No matter what you believe about same sex attraction, and same sex marriage, listen to this young man's testimony, and see if you can still call homosexual desire an "abomination." We can all have our opinions, but perhaps, as Christians we should temper our words with compassion.

No one has ever been drawn to Christ by angry, hateful words, and attitude. But everyone who came to Christ ultimately came because of His love.

This young man is an SBC pastor's son. His struggle is obvious. His "abomination" is not.

This isn't about gay people parading around in the streets. This isn't about politics, and laws. This isn't about rainbows and unicorns and abominations. And it isn't about you. It's about souls spurning the Gospel because of hate filled Christians. It's about young Christians filled with self hate and loathing and having no where to go for help. It's about our real job: 

SERVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS

Prayers and blessings,

Teapotjan