Here is my sermon for the week...
Since November, Dan and I have been members at a gym about 2 blocks from our apartment. One of my favorite parts about working out at the gym is getting to watch ET or Extra while running away the miles on the treadmill. I find that in doing so, it makes running less painful. Now that the paparazzi and celebrity gossip hungry are sick from the Octo-Mom binge, Mario Lopez and Mark Steines have moved on to new material. Besides the Jon and Kate Plus 8 Drama, they have been buzzing about Carrie Prejean. The sad thing is that "real" news has also been buzzing and covering this story CONSTANTLY.
Carrie's 15 minutes started when she answered a question about "opposite" marriage. I really care less how she answered the question, even though it was hauntingly Palin-esque, meaning, really "pagenty" and rambling. I may not agree, but I do realize everyone is going to have a differing opinion on this matter until the cows come home. She does make a good point saying she has the right to exercise her freedom speech, as do I, that is why I continue to write in this blog.
My annoyance comes up with her most recent controversy. Apparently Miss California has some scandalous (nude) pictures popping up all over the internet. Again, this isn't what bothered me so much. I am more appalled about her fake boobs as a gift from the pageant, than the pictures. I am not going to look at them so it won't bother me...
What bothers me is the defense she used. How she couldn't be in the wrong because she is a good christian (whatever that means, I also have some issues with the term "good Christian"). This bothers me because it is a total cop-out. I think it is pretty sad that because someone is a Christian (a good one at that, it means they should be let off the hook and it is ok to look the other way. The reason you are under scrutiny is because you are a Christian and messed up big time, which all Christians do. SO you shouldn't be claiming you are too good to do something, say you messed up and that you are sorry for it, and hope others can learn from it. Don't point your finger at the photographer and say you were taken advantage of, step up and take responsibility for your actions. EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES, especially Christians, and I feel that at times Christians are under more pressure to preform because "practicing what you preach" is key. No one who committed murder will hear the verdict not guilty because his attorney's main defense is "He's a Good Christian". In my opinion the beauty of being a Christian is making mistakes and owning up to them, learning from it, growing from it, and knowing that you can be forgiven, not using cop-outs to be let off the hook. Being a Christian also puts you under a microscope and people watch everything you do, so you better be ready to explain yourself.
Just because someone says they are Christian does not make them a good person. This is why it bothers me when someone says "I'm a good Christian." It's not true, we are all sinners and pretty rotten underneath it all. If we were truly "good Christians" there probably wouldn't be a need for Jesus, which defeats the purpose of Christianity. I am by far, far from perfect. I know it is wrong for me to single out a person, but I am sick of hearing this weak defense. That is they way I see it anyway.
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4 comments:
I totally agree, good points
So how do you feel when someone says, "I'm a good person!" :) Good post!
I once heard it described this way: A Christian isn't perfect. In fact, they are so aware of their imperfection that they recognize their need for a Savior.
But I'm confused as to how Christians can support homosexualitiy and gay marriage. God is quite clear on this matter.
I don't think it is really my business or decision who someone should marry or love, especially when it is two consenting adults. I will let God decide that.
This is an issue am passionate about, and I have been doing some reading and research on the matter.
I know often times Sodom and Gomorrah are used a prime example of how God stands on the matter, however, Ezekiel 16:48-49 tell us: "This is the sin of Sodom; she and her suburbs had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not help or encourage the poor and needy. They were arrogant and this was abominable in God's eyes."
Here is a website with some info on the other side of the debate (to save me from typing everything out here):
http://www.soulforce.org/article/homosexuality-bible-gay-christian
Sometimes I think the bible may be used to hurt and oppress people. I don't think this is how God intended me to use it. I believe God gives us different perspectives and life experiences to bring us together and help us understand, not to drive us apart. I believe God gives the opportunity to work WITH him to apply his word to my life. I don't think it is fair to attack someone's strength as a Christian because they don't vote a certain way, have fake boobs, or blue hair. The truth is we are all struggling and are figuring out...
And this leads to me to my other most annoying cop-out- "Love the sinner hate the sin." I believe it is often the HATE that is expressed and the love is rarely present. How about we "love the sinner FORGIVE the sin"
I know not everyone agrees, but I think it is important to know both sides of the debate.
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