First off, I will try to explain the issue, then I will discuss the issue I have with the issue. 

1.  The Issue: 

A young man or woman begins to exhibit destructive or illegal behavior–for instance, drinking, doing drugs, cutting, eating disorders, etc.  “All” their “friends” know that the young person is doing these things yet never take it any further.  Oh, they talk with the person and try to “help” them quit, but not a single one goes to a trustworthy adult (or parent) and truly gets this friend the help they need.  Over time, their condition digresses and ultimately they end up having their life’s course drastically changed, if not ended. 

2.  My issue:

Have those silent “friends” really been friends?  When a “friend” sees another friend walking a dangerous path and says nothing, or chooses not to get help, are they a really a friend?  Would a real friend break the “confidentiality” chains and do something more than hide it or keep it a “secret”…the whole time the friend is slowly and surely destroying him/herself?

And, what is your responsibility as a friend?  Is there accountability on your part to see your friend get some real help…even if it means the friend may be mad at you for “ratting them out”?  In the end, they are saved from sure destruction, though they may be mad at you…would that be worth it to know you saved your friend’s life?

Scripture has a couple of places that speak on this issue and I ask you to look them over.  See James 5:19-20 and Ezekiel 33:1-6 (key in on v. 6), Proverbs 27:6.

But, again, I really want to know, what does a real “friend” do in a situation like this?  What responsibility do I have as a friend when I see another taking dangerous steps?  Do these verses speak into this issue?

Thank you for any input you might give me as I wrestle through this.

Now, let me explain my dilemma.  The tough economics of our day have hit our household.  As a result of the uncertainties of it all and the tightness of fincances, we have decided to spend less.  This is a logical response to financial down times.  If I don’t have the money, I shouldn’t spend it.  If funds are low, it does NOT make sense to go out and spend MORE…thus building up debt I could never repay.  It makes no logical sense, as a family, to do something like that.

Here’s my issue:  We have the federal government (with our President leading the charge…no pun intended) saying to us, “Times are tough.  They will get worse before they get better.  We all must make sacrifices to get through this” yet they themselves (individually nor governmentally) are doing nothing of the sort.  In fact, they are doing just the opposite.  “Times are tough, we must tighten our belts…so let’s give billions of dollars (none of which is theirs to spend) to industries, insurance companies, and banks (who have proven to be inept).”  Since the economy is SO BAD, let’s just start spending more and more and more money…money that the people who will be paying these bills can’t afford to waste!  Yet, we as a people, sit back and do nothing to stop this illogical and foolish spending. 

Then, we gripe because taxes are so high.  We gripe because we work more hours but have less to spend on ourselves.  Why?  Because we are funding the ignorant policy makers at the federal level.

I, for one, am tired of working harder and having less money—while my so-called leaders cut nothing, spend more, and drive this land into oblivion.  It is time for us to stand up and speak up about it and tell them to do what we’re doing in these financially difficult times–spend less, cut programs, and start being logical and sensible with our money!

I believe that much of the issue is that in our time, the definition of the term “Christian” has changed from its purest, more accurate, and original usage.  Today, it means I am not a Muslim.  It means that I go to church…at least a couple times a year, and just enough that I can claim that I am a member of such-and-such a church.  It means that I follow Christ’s principles…when they are convenient.  But, if the truth be told, many who call themselves “Christian” are FAR from it in reality.  In fact, they are NOWHERE near being a Christian!

In its original sense used in Scripture, the term “Christian” was used for those who had placed their faith and trust for their salvation in Christ alone and were allowing Him, through His Spirit, to transform them into His image and into one who honors Him in life’s deeds.  Does honoring Him matter?  See the last few words of 1 Samuel 2:30.  (But that is another subject).  Anyway, the title “Christian” implied much more than a toothless title used in political terms and revolving around a demographic of people who use the word but ignore the WAY!

There are too many “Christians” who are that in name only.  They do not exemplify nor practice anything like what Christ would be.  For them, “Christian” and “conservative” is a political term, not a genuine and accurate identification of who they are supposed to be.  And, because of that the voice of the true “Christian” has been silenced by the people of this nation.

In using the term “Christian” within its intended manner, I raise the question again—Can you be a Christian and not be “conservative”?  (I don’t mean conservative in the political, Americanized manner in which it is used by the media to poke fingers at those who actually have morals, ethics, and standards above their ideologies.)  I believe that you CAN’T.  I believe that to be a REAL Christian, you must be conservative…in that, you operate within the God-desired, Scripture-defined boundaries of His will—i.e. being honest; a good steward of time, talent, and resources; loving others, avoiding sin, etc. (See Ephesians 4:25-32 for a good list). 

To be Christian and be liberal is like mixing oil and water—you can’t do it.  You can’t say, “I’m a Christian…God loves us all because we are ALL His children” and then justify those who are clearly living in sin as defined by Scripture.  Does God love us all?  Yes.  Are we all created in His image?  Yes.  But, does that mean that we must accept homosexuality (or any other sin)?  No.  I do believe that as “Christians” we must be tolerant of others (read: love them because God loves them), but we are not mandated to tolerate their sinful actions—EVER!  We are not to accept their agenda just because we are “Christian”.  I say the opposite—as Ms. California has done, we must stand up and be willing to speak for the cause of the Man whose name we claim.

If what another is doing is sin as defined by Scriptural standards, we must avoid it.  If that person is so caught up in sin that they defy and denounce God, we should use caution and wisdom in our association with them.  This goes for every sin…not just concerning homosexuality.

So, I am proposing this—either we stop using the phrase “Christian” to define those who truly believe or those who truly believe start looking, thinking, speaking, and acting more like HIM!  The term has become too meaningless and shallow.  Too many “Christians” are not representing the Lord whose name they use.  “Famous” actors/actresses are more worried about being ostracized and deemed unemployable in Hollywood than they are about being accountable to their so-called King.  Politicians are more worried about gaining votes than gaining rewards in the name of their so-called Savior.  Normal people like you and me are more worried about our reputation and lifestyle than we are speaking the Truth to a lost world.

And, for me, the time has come to an end where I will be a “conservative Christian”.  I no longer will be just a “committed Christian”.  I will be a Christ-reflector and imitator…even if that costs me my friends, my family, and my lifestyle.  I will speak what God clearly says in Scripture…even if people attack me.  It is time for His people…not in name or convenience only…but His real children, to stand up, speak up, and be strong in the face of the lies our nation’s media and leaders are preaching.  They are not misleading us, they are destroying us…and it’s time for us to resist their ideologies!

Finally, I commend this Miss California for being willing to forfeit the crown of Miss USA to speak TRUTH.  I believe that she has honored God and He will in turn honor her!  And, hopefully all those who are more than just “Christians” (as it is used today) who read this will stand with her…FOR HIM!

What about the folks who take a chainsaw and make things out of tree stumps?  When I look at the tree stump I see something that needs to be dug or burned out.  They see a bear, or an Indian chief, or some other kind of masterpiece.

All this brings up a thought:  What do you see when you look at the person beside you?  Or, even closer to home, what do you see when you look in a mirror?  I am willing to bet that to both of those questions few thought “a masterpiece.”

But, when God looks at those same people (and YOU) what does He see?  He sees His creative masterpiece!  Sure, we all have our dents and dings, but is that where He gets stuck?  I don’t believe so.

Why do I think that?  First of all, you ARE His masterpiece.  He formed you and fashioned you into exactly what you are (yes, even with all those strange designs and shapes and pecularities).  Read Psalm 139:13-16.

But, what about all those strange designs (like my big nose)?  What about the odd shapes (like my “big bone” body style)?  What about the pecularities (like my odd personality traits)?  This is God’s design for me. 

And, over the years I have found this to be true–a lot of what we think of others and ourselves is based upon what the world tells us we are to be rather than what God says and already thinks of us.

Too much value is placed in what the media or the world or our friends are telling us what matters rather than what REALLY DOES MATTER!

Though the world will certainly tell us where we fail to measure up, we must grow past that.  You are ”His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…”.  True, you may be a Corvair rather than a Corvette…and the world tells you that you are less than desirable because of that.  But, you weren’t designed to be a Corvette.  You have been designed to accomplish something very unique to your design.  That’s why you must be confident in who I ARE rather than what the world tells YOU what you should be.

Now, KNOWING that you are exactly like God has designed you (and in direct rejection of the what the world might be saying about you), you have a choice to make…will you continue to live like the “clunker” the world is telling you that you are?  Or, will you live like the masterpiece you REALLY are?

Why does it matter?  1) until you fully grasp who you ARE and accept yourself as God designed you, you will never reach that full potential God intended by designing you; and 2) until you fully grasp who you ARE and accept yourself you will never be able to accept those around for who they ARE!  And, I believe if there is one thing that would really make an impact on how the peeople of the world treat each other, this is it.

So, get up, walk away, knowing that you are a MASTERPIECE…no, you are HIS Masterpiece!

Here’s an analogy that might help, though I realize there are holes:  Have you ever made a mud pie?  You put the right amount of water into a plate full of dirt, mix it up, and put it in the sun.  What happens?  It dries out and gets hard.  You also have a chocolate bar, you take it and put it in the sun.  What happens?  It melts and gets soft and mushy. 

Is it the sun’s fault that one gets hard and the other gets soft?  No.  The result is due to what the object is made of. 

Here’s the question of the day:  What are you made of?  When God begins to shine His light on you, how are you going to respond?  Will you get hard-hearted and dry up?  Or, will you become soft and pliable in His hands?

Sometimes God uses those hot moments to show you what you are made of so He can more effectively use you.  For instance, He asked Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on a mountain.  I don’t think He did it because He didn’t know what Abraham would do, but because He needed Abraham to see how far he would go.

Or, Joseph…sold into slavery by his own brothers.  In the end, he said to his family, “What you meant for evil, God used for good.”

Or, finally, Paul.  Beat, imprisoned, left for dead, and more.  He could have become hard with God, but he chose to live out his life so that others might experience Christ through him.

I know a lot of people who have had some hard life events occur and have become bitter, hard, and harsh.  I also know others who have had just as bad events occur and they end up having an incredible testimony.  Was it the event that “made” them that way?  I don’t think so.  Those events only revealed what they were made of in the first place.

So, again, what are you made of?  Something that gets hard when God turns up the heat?  Or, something that softens and becomes usable in His hands?  The heat will always reveal it!

My point is short and sweet here–if you claim the name of Jesus, it is time you live Him.  “For to me, to live is Christ…” Paul said in Philippians, and that’s what the world needs to see more now than ever in the family of God.  I’m not talking about church attendance, service projects (for soothing our conscience), having a daily devotion and prayer time (just so we can say we have one)–though all these are critical in our journey.  I’m talking about allowing the Spirit of God to so overcome us and lead us so much that every step, every part, every action, of every day, people around us stop seeing US and start seeing HIM!  I’m talking about integrity in the small things, not just the big things.  I’m talking about rising to levels above and beyond the standards our culture sets up.  I’m talking about displaying the heart and passion of the Lord for others so that they see Him as He is, not as what we make Him.

If these words strike a chord, comment please.  I want to hear your thoughts so I can: 1) understand this burden God is placing on me; 2) be encouraged in this endeavor; and 3) be challenged to see it through to the end.

There are times in life when we just don’t hear.  There are times when we may hear, but we don’t listen.  There is a difference between the two.  Hearing is simply the registering of sound.  Listening is not only registering the sound, but responding to it. 

For instance, my wife can be talking to me and I hear her.  Then, she asks the dreaded question, “What was I just telling you?”  And, I don’t know.  I heard her, but because I was watching the Steelers game, I wasn’t listening to her.  Do you think, for her, that there was a difference between my hearing and my listening?

In Mark 4:3-9, Jesus starts a parable with “Listen” and ends it with “Those with ears, listen!”  In between is the story of the sower and the soils.  Some is hard and unreceptive.  Other soil is shallow, and when the heat is turned up, fails to produce.  The next is quickly drowned out by weeds.  The final one receives and reproduces.  The point of the story is that there are those who hear God’s words and just block it out.  There are those who hear and receive it, but quickly fall away when resistance or trials pop up.  The third group hears, receives, but gets quickly distracted by the interference of life.  The final group, hears AND listens to His words and produces.

In Mark 1:40-45 Jesus heals a leper.  The leper is clearly told to go directly to the priest and get that busines taken care of–without saying a word to anyone on the way.  He hears Jesus.  But, he doesn’t listen.  He tells practically everyone he sees and as a result, some of Jesus’s ministry is hindered.  His failure to listen hurt.

Finally, at the end of the account in Mark 4, Jesus says, “Be careful what you listen to…” (24).  It is critical what you let influence you.  There are all kinds of conflicting and dangerous messages out there.  Some are soft and subtle, but no less consequential.  Others are loud and obvious, but still powerful.  It matters what you hear and what you listen to.

The questions of the day are these–What are you listening to to?  And, are you listening to God or just hearing Him?  It matters!

1.       Job 4:8—“Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble reap the same.”  Common sense tells us, that if you plant one thing, you will grow it.  In other words, have you ever seen a farmer plant wheat in September and have tomatoes in June?  It won’t happen.  What you plant is what you get. 

This is true in our spiritual journeys as well.  You can’t go around planting seeds of anger, dissension, etc. and expect to experience peace, positive relationships, etc.  You get what you put into it.  The question is:  What are you planting—good or bad?  What should you be expecting down the road come “reaping” time? 

2.       2 Cor. 9:6—“My point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.”  An illustration of this was a man from my home town.  He was not famous or rich.  But, he was a giver.  Over the years, it would be hard to count the people he helped.  As he got older, he was unable to do things he “needed” to do.  People were more than willing to help him out.  One time he commented to me, “Why are people so good to me?”  I told him it was because he had done so many things to people that now it was his turn to receive for a while.

The question is: Are you a giver or hoarder?  If a farmer goes to a quarter section of land and tosses one seed in the middle, can he expect to have a crop-filled field later?   No.  He sows in proportion to what he wants to reap.  The same is true spiritually—if you put a little into your journey, you will get little out. 

 3.       Galatians 6:7, 9—“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.  And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.”  The farmer planting wheat on Thursday won’t have his combine in the field on Friday.  It takes time for a harvest to develop.  There are all kinds of things that can happen between the sowing and the reaping.  Left ignored and the farmer won’t have wheat, he’ll have weeds.  It takes time, energy, effort for a bountiful harvest to happen.

It’s the same spiritually.  For you to reap, you not only have to sow, you have to do all you can to insure a productive harvest can even happen.  The questions become: A. Are you sowing the right stuff?  B. Are you doing all you should to allow the right stuff to grow?  C. Are you going to be patient while God is growing in you all He wants?

 What kind of farmer are you?