5 Things Christians Say (That I Wish They Wouldn't)

1)  "Everything happens for a reason."
Explain that one to a young teen who was molested by her uncle.  God hates incest.  Abhors it.  It didn't happen for a reason.  Rom 8:28 isn't about his causing things to happen but to redeem things that do happen ("He causes all things to work for the good for those who love Him--8:28).  He brings good out of good things and brings good out of bad things.


2)  "Everything in Moderation"
 Everything?  Not at all.   There is no moderation for sin--a little lust, a little greed, a little adultery, a little murder, a little porn.  There is no moderation in righteousness either--A little love, a little joy, a little peace, a little generosity, a little kindness.

When someone says all things in moderation, they are usually referring to sin in excess.  But sin is sin.   And yes, there are some things permissible in moderation--alcohol consumption, food cosumption, etc...

But all things?  Not.  At.  All.

3)  "It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere." 
Then Jesus' death meant nothing.

4)  "All religions are the same, it's about doing good."
Almost.  Almost all religions are the same.  A whopping 99.99% of religions are about earning God's favor.  Except Jesus.  Jesus says you can't earn the Father's favor.  But he'll die and pay the price/ consequences of your conduct.  Therefore you now live not for his favor, but from it.


5)  "As long as you're a good person, that's what matters."
Jesus didn't die for good people.  He died for sinners.  If the above is true, again, Jesus did not need to die.

Heal us, O Lord

Many think that with the right leader over this country, that we can be at peace. But in a democratic society, a leader is represented by the state of the people. A good leader is massively important, but a nation stands or falls on more than just the person at the helm.

The Holiness

Sacred Brokenness.

Fall-ing

How beautiful the world in fall even as it falls apart.

The Banana Miracle

God's kindness come oftentimes in common packages.  I make a lot of fruit smoothies in order to help my health.  But with a recent grocery store closing, our supplier of discounted speckled bananas went away and we haven't been able to find another one.  But I needed bananas so I decided to go into a local chain store.  Would you believe they had speckled bananas on half price?  I asked the person next to me stocking avocadoes for a box.  I filled it and was going to go on when she asked if I wanted another box.  Sure.  As I was filling that one the produce manager came out (she had heard someone was stocking up on bananas) and told me she would give me another box also for a half off.  She brought them out.  They were perfectly ripe--no brown spots.  She explained to me that the store had strangely received an extra shipment of bananas and they didn't know what to do as they were going to lose them all.   Serious? By the time I was done I walked out with 120#'s of bananas to put in the freezer for about $20. 

It makes me wonder sometimes why we get so many miracles like this.  It happens so regularly.  I believe it is God's favor.  But when I ask for testimonies like  this church we don't receive any.  I sometimes wonder why.  Are we just getting the favor right now?  Are eyes just not open to see?  I don't know.  But I'm glad for how God is blessing us.  It's been a season of fire.  But it's also been a season of grace.