Following Romans 14:13

I've written about this topic before, but it is such a prevailing wind in our society that I feel the need to bring it up again.  This particular post is for those who call themselves Christians - a call for each of us to examine our Christian walk and how our personal walk may affect others.

Recently, I chatted with two different individuals who are struggling in their belief structure.  One never had much support or guidance in her walk of faith and the limited exposure she has had was negative.  The other has had parental guidance and encouragement but has been surrounded by peers who live lives that contradict their faith in very negative ways.  For both of these young women, the concept of being a Christian has been severly damaged based on the example of those who claim to be Christians.

We put heavy emphasis on spreading God's love and doing mission work, which I applaud, but when we do not put the same importance of sharing God in our every day life, we are not living up to God's call for our lives.  I am a firm believer in the concept that your life is a constant testimony to God.  I do not know if anyone has been saved just by watching the actions of a Christian, but I do know (personally) many who have turned completely away from God based on the actions of Christians. 

Although there is always that fine line where individuals have to determine what to take in and what not to pay attention to (i.e., "well the Christian hurt my feelings so I won't believe" is a personal choice), those of us who do purposefully call ourselves Christians must consider how our walk may affect others - particularly when it is blantant, hurtful behaviors - even more so when those hurtful behaviors are done "in the name of Christ." 

I believe in Jesus Christ.  I believe that He was the only sinless individual this world has ever seen.  I believe that He willingly sacrificed Himself as a sinless person to cover my sins (which are many - both public and private).  I believe that I must admit my sinful nature and my specific sins to God and accept that He made this sacrifice.  I believe that in so doing this, I will not be granted a perfect, pain-free life but that I will have His love, grace, and mercy to support me through the dark and rough times.  I believe it is important to share experiences with other Christians and non-Christians as appropriate to support each other and be the body of Christ.

I am a sinner.  Although there are some people in my life have labeled me as "the one who always does everything right," I know that that is just a label and I have had (and will continue to have) my fair share of sinful acts and various struggles in life.  Some of these have played out publically.  Some have merciously played out on a more private scale.  There are things in life that I feel personally convicted to cut out.  There are somethings that are not hinderances in my faith and I have not (at least at this point) felt convicted to remove them.  I watch R-rated movies - Gasp!.  I occasionally drink alcohol - Double Gasp!.  I listen to music other than just Christian - Oh, say it isn't so!.  For me these are not a big deal.  They do not go against any foundational belief in my faith.  I know for some, these types of things may hold a greater significance and they may feel led to behave differently.  These should not be issues that create division.

My focus should be on loving others as God loves me.  Not judging them.  Not condeming them.  Not making them feel like less of a person for not following or walking exactly like I do.  When I hurt another, whether intentionally or not, I need to apologize.  When I am hurt by another, whether intentionally or not, I need to graciously forgive even when it is difficult.  On "paper", these are not difficult concepts.  In everyday life, these are the areas where we cause real and lasting damage. 

Questions I ask myself...
When was the last time I took the time to welcome the visitor at church and really talk to them?  When I see a person on the side of the road asking for money, do I pass judgement whether I give them money or not?   Do I take a minute or even a second and talk to them or just pass some cash over and rush off or roll up my window so I can separate myself from them and their situation?  When I hear a judgemental comment being shared about someone, do I step in and defuse the situation?  When I hear a loved one say, "I just don't know what to think about being a Christian.  I just don't think it's all real" do I ignore it or talk to them to find out why?  When someone tells me they can't believe the Christian life because of how they have been treated by other Chistians, do I open up and share that Christians are full of flaws and we each practice our faith day-by-day, but that the true belief of the Christian faith calls us to be loving and forgiving?

Do I hurt or hinder the Christian faith (or potential Christian faith) of others or do I encourage and help develop that faith?

Lasting thought...one of my all-time favorite songs:

Show me the money!

Gathering opinions...At what age would you all suggest starting specific chores for money for a kid?

The Wee One is starting to get the idea that you have to pay for things but still totally unaware that you have to work for your money. I believe there are some things a kid should just do to be part of the family and personal responsibility, but I think there are some things that are appropriate to be used as opportunities to learn about work and "salaries."

I think it is important for kids to learn that you have to earn money in this life and then learn to be responsible with that money.  My debate is at what age do you start these concepts?  Particularly actually paying your kid for doing specific chores?  A friend calls these "earnings" rather than an allowance and I love that concept!

Thoughts fully appreciated on the following topics:
*age to start paid-for chores
*types of chores
*teaching responsibility with earned money
*amounts paid

Thanks!

Hodgepodge...a day early for once!

Thanks to http://joyce-fromthissideofthepond.blogspot.com/ for this week's Hodgepodge questions.  This is always a fun way to keep the blog posts coming.  : )  (For those not in-the-know...Hodgepodge is supposed to be a Wednesday thing - I'm early!!!).

1.  In what ways do you indulge yourself?
It all depends...I love a good massage or pedicure, but since I have a difficult time splurging on myself, I'm more likely to indulge with a full afternoon of TV watching on the couch.  Slightly pathetic - yes, I know.

2. Have you ever taken a cooking class? Any interest? What type of class would you most like to try?No, but I do think it would be all kinds of fun.  Pretty much any kind of cooking class would be pretty cool, but I would love to try something like a sushi class.

3. What does it mean to be a good citizen?
Love this question...what is "good"?  I believe a good citizen should find a way to contribute to their community, state, and/or nation in some way.  I believe it is good to vote, but only if you are informed on the candidates and issues.  We should all find some way to give to our communities and to demonstrate good moral and ethical leadership to youth.

4. 'Tis the season of the political advert...do these ads influence your vote?
Sadly, political ads don't influence me in any way other than to make me feel a smaller desire to be involved politically.  I try not to let the ads diminish my desire to be a "good citizen" but I do find myself becoming highly irritated by the political games that take place and I'm fully feed up with the way we allow politicians to advertise themselves.

5. What's something you see today that makes you wish you were a kid again?
Now that I have a kid, there are things I see all the time that takes me back to my childhood.  I admit that is not the same as "wishing I were a kid a again" but that's as close as it gets.  I really don't have a desire to be a kid again, but I do love the nolstagic moments of things from my childhood...She-Ra is definitely one that we happened upon recently and it took me back. 

6. What's your least favorite cliche?
I really don't know that I have one.  Probably because I use them.  hahahaha

7. What percentage of your Christmas shopping has been completed? How does that make you feel?0%...yes, I said ZERO!  I always think it would be good to get it done throughout the year, but it never happens.  We are also not the family that goes super present crazy.  I love getting gifts for others but I don't enjoy shopping so I like to go when I have a specific purpose.  I have found myself occasionally finding something that I know someone would really love and debating if I should go ahead and get it at the moment, so maybe I'm changing.

8. Insert your own random thought here: 
I had an emotional reaction to something today.  Really, it's been building over time, but it kind of hit today.  My precious child (The Wee One) doesn't really look like me.  This is something that I've just learned to deal with since she was born.  However, it has become a major frustration (just getting my feelings hurt) that apparently the only things that others see in my child that could possibly be from me or my side of the family are the "negative" things in life.  Even my own side of the family makes comments about this.  It seems like any time she does something sweet, cute or talented, it magically comes from my husband or his side of the family line.  If she demonstrates frustration, anger, stubbornness, or anything of the like, then magically someone shows up to comment on how that must be something she gets from me.  I gotta say...over time those comments hurt.  Realistically, I know this is not true and I know that no one would say these things to purposely hurt my feelings, but sometimes they just get to me.  My suggestion...we should all think before we speak a little more often.

Who knew?

The Wee One turns four this coming week.  As every parent ever on the face of the planet has said - Time flies too quickly!  I was doing a little reminiscing and scrolling through some pictures I have posted over the past 4 years.  One in particular stood out because it is SOOOOO The Wee One.

Who knew that personalities developed so early?  I know, I know.  Many people say your personality doesn't really develop until you are older, but now, after having a kid, I think that's gotta be wrong.  The Wee One has had a very distinct personality since birth and the picture below reaffirms that for me. 

So the caption I had put under this photo back in 2009 when it was taken was "Well, you see, this is what happened..."  Okay, not only does she still do this expression and hand gesture, but she actually says, "Well, you see..." All the time. 

Who knew?  I guess she did.

This is the crazy Wee One now:

 

I think we'd better prepare ourselves for the future - watch out world!  hahaha

Audience participation time...

I am working on a new assignment for my class this semester and would like to elicit help from you all.  I have decided that it would be a good activity to review some blogs and analyze them for appropriate/inappropriate self-disclosure.  (I have to miss class one day and thought this might be a good out-of-class assignment). 

What I would love is to gather some suggestions of a variety of different blog styles from people who may know of some interesting blogs.  Many of the ones I follow on a regular basis have a Christian component and/or family based, and I don't want to only provide suggestions for blogs that talk about one particular faith or one issue.  I would ultimately like to provide a suggestion list of blogs that cover a multitude of topics yet that still include some aspect of self-disclosure.

If you have favorite blogs that you think would have interesting topics, please leave me a note letting me know the address.  I'm curious to see what my students feel is appropriate or inappropriate for online sharing.  : )

Thank you in advance for your participation.  (Does that inspire you to help me?  I hope so.)