"If you don't see the real me, you won't see what love has won..." Vota

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Danged Roosters!

I am really frustrated today with people, Christians, non-Christians, well people in general. I just can't figure out why we are so mean to each other. Why do we get our kicks, joys, rung bells, highs, confidence... whatever, from putting others in their place. Who has the right to tell someone off? Who has the right to try to hurt someone's feelings? Who has the right to call someone names? Who has the right to hold a grudge? Who has the right to strike back in any capacity? Well, I suppose if you fall into my new category of a "Danged Rooster" who pecks the eyes out of other roosters just to be king rooster at the fight... Well then I guess you have the right to do these things by way of... What in the world folks? We are people, not roosters.


Christians don't you remember in the Bible where Jesus says in Luke 6:29, "If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic." He says this and I do think He was serious. I remember being taught this as a kid. I lived by this (except with my brother's furniture-- whole other blog post there) and still do as much as I humanly can. I do have to ask God for help and so often I fail. I try not to, but sadly I do. I am the worst of sinners as I have claimed many times before. I just can't figure out why we, I, am so adept at being mean to others. Why does it make us feel better about ourselves when someone else fails? Why do we feel better nit picking someone else’s shortcomings? Shouldn't it make us feel better if we help someone succeed instead? I think people take solace in using others as their uplifting by climbing on top of them. Why not just ask the person for a boost and then thank them for their help? Why not encourage each other and be each other's cheerleader and fan? Then who wouldn't want to become a Christian? The way we are supposed to be, who would call us hypocrites then and turn to Atheism? What if we lived what we believed?
I want to post this whole section in 1 Thessalonians 5:11-24


11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 12Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil. 23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Where in this scripture does it say that if we don't agree with our brother or like the way our brother does something we can call him names, pick a fight, and peck out his eyes? That as long as we are "true to ourselves" and express our true feelings in mean words then it is ok to curse someone. I have had a few dealings today where this was the case. I just don't understand what is so hard about putting others first. Why are we so darned selfish? This one little word is what caused the fall of man and woman. I am no different; I am just as selfish as everyone else. I do not want to be.

Back to the question, "what if we lived what we believed?" I once heard a sermon/lesson as a teen by my Youth pastor (John Pryor) who talked a lot about this. He said, and I still vividly remember this, "You live what you believe", not the other way around. We say one thing and do another-- we don't really believe what we are saying then. Hypocrites! Do you believe it is wrong to murder? Do you murder? Probably "yes" and "no" to those questions respectively. Do you accept Jesus as your leader? Do you do what He says? Hmmm, maybe a little harder. Do you believe it is ok to put others down, gossip, throw a fit of rage when you don't get your way or I repeat put others down? Probably not. But do we do this? Yes and often.

So my challenge to myself and you (whomever you may be) is to start thinking about how we are living. What do you believe? Really?

6 comments:

  1. Why do you go back and forth with these people, roosters as you call them. I think that you enjoy the confrontation with these goons. You talk about turning the other cheek. I don't think that means engaging in all the arguments you seem to participate in. Lighten up and forget those who annoy you. DON'T RESPOND!

    Tammy Faye Gossett

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  2. This is not about anonymous. It is more of some issues with friends and family who are well, fighting with each other. It was actually prompted by a FB message from a person I do not know cussing a friend of mine. They are both Christians and it just really caught me off guard. I have also been watching family members, loved ones, and Christians fight, gossip and bicker all my life. I also see it going on at church in every one I have ever been to. The roosters are not my readers--I hope. My readers are entitled to opposing opinions even the free editing (who could ask for more). I do not mind so much. I try not to fight.

    BTW dear editor, I would so love to have a name to call you by, maybe this could be a good thing between us after all. Not that I will ever write a book-- always wanted to become a writer, but not feeling the call... You just keep on editing me posts and I will gladly, and maybe humorously a times fix the problems. Beth Moore talked about how difficult it was to have her first Bible study edited and she got offended at first. I must be normal to get ones feelings hurt when someone marks up your writing.:)

    I hope that my silly fun remarks do ot come off as me trying to be mean. I am not so funny, but I try to be.

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  3. What's the difference between a youth pature and an old pasture?

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  4. He was in charge of the teens. A youth minister, youth pastor, teen leader... He has the job of ministering to the youth. An old pastor, well I have never exactly called them that, but they are the congregational minister or preacher. I guess more focused on grown ups and the congregation as a whole.

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  5. Do not the young need the same gospel as the old?
    Tammy Faye

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  6. The same Gosple is preached/taught. Teens however need a little different guidance than adults. They are dealing with very different pressures and need very different mentoring. The same goes with the little children. They have their own person in charge of their events at our church too. The youth minister takes the teens to teen events, and has teen Bible Studies and small groups. The children's minister plans children's events like VBS, Bible bowls, kids parties... The lessons for all ages have to be age appropriate (I can't imagine playing with playdough to make Bible characters to retell a story would bare any weight with adults) and these professionals have been trained in how to teach to the ages. They use the same scriptures, but teach it in very different ways.

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