Christian Culture

We had a mix of weather today...light rain, temps in low 30's, then a little warmer, and messy thawing. The rest of the week it's supposed to be COLD. Jon has been in the house tonight since 7:30 instead of in the garage. We're just about ready for the rest of the insulation, and then we'll be pretty close to being able to use the garage at least enough to get in and out of the house. We can't wait, but we will.

Thought for the day

I've been thinking about the way Christian culture has become so commercialized. The vast majority of us are supposed to be normal, everyday folks...working with our hands and minding our own business. We're given spiritual gifts to be used in the service of others and the body as a whole. There should of course be some in full-time Christian work of many kinds, but I wonder if we have created a culture where the gift is turned into a marketable asset. I believe that Scripture indicates that our spiritual gift(s), given by God, are simply Jesus living through us. While He may certainly work primarily in one or two particular ways in a person's life, He can and may work in any way He chooses at any time. So God may give an anointing for a thought or prayer perhaps put to music or turned into a book, but what does human nature do? It tries to turn it into a livelihood by marketing it. How many times have you bought a cd and one or two songs on it were powerful and the rest were fillers. A group takes center stage for a while, then fades just as quickly into obscurity. A writer puts out a book that helps many people, then is obliged to put out a book every year whether it's good or not. I'm not throwing stones, I just wonder if we're looking at things backwards. Maybe it's just me....

Response to Culture

Megan and Greg are in process...offer, counter, wait...things look very promising though , and we are VERY HOPEFUL!!! Jon is working late tonight. We had some high winds last night and one of the banks in town lost part of a roof. He is helping tonight to get it tarped and covered.

Thought for the day

Going back to yesterday's post...how do we respond to this present Christian culture? My tendency is to withdraw from the scene, the culture. I avoid conversations that will lead down this assuming path; I do not share myself with very many people. Part of the reason I withdraw is I don't want to disillusion anyone or poison their view, but I would love to get their attention and shake the status quo encouraging them to seek the REAL, PERSONAL God and to know Him in a way that the culture can never achieve for them. So how does that work? I'm sure there must be a better response than to withdraw. How do you see it?

Bowls and Culture

Just to prove what a nut I am about kitchen stuff, these are pictures of my new bowls that I'm so excited about (the small white one in front is just for size comparison). I found them in a catalog called "Country Store" and when they arrived the burgundy one had a huge chip out of the rim. I called the catalog and they said they would send out a new set...and I should keep the ones I have!! I insisted I only need one, but eight more are on the way. How fun!!

On to other things...I find I'm having a hard time getting past the Christian "culture" that seems to have invaded "Christianity" in this country. I love music, but much of the music seems to be empty. I love to read, but it seems that as soon as a certain topic sells well in the book market every author rushes onto the band wagon with their version of this new word from God. There is a very narrow "approved" political view, "favorite" teachers, speakers, talk radio hosts, even news networks. If you attend an evangelical type church it as assumed that you are "in the know" and a part of this culture. It sits so wrong in my spirit...not that the view is "wrong", but the assumption that we are all on the same page. People stand up in church and share their victories...fine, but how do people share when they have failed morally or financially? How do they let others know that their grown child is in prison or has committed suicide? How do they share that even though they have prayed perhaps even more faithfully than "the successful parent" their child has not come to the Lord and doesn't seem to have any intention of doing so? Do we allow failure and hardship, illness and death, sin and sorrow to be embraced as part of our journey and another opportunity to know God? How does this present culture fit with a God who is eternal, always patient, full of lovingkindness and completely familiar with suffering, pain, loneliness, rejection, violation, and death? He draws near to the broken hearted, heals the sick, redeems the lost, forgives the sinful, keeps the universe in place, and calls each star by name...where is He in all of this?

I'm probably rambling, but I'd like to hear your feedback...I guess you already got my Thought for the Day!!