Thoughts of a Christian/Husband/Father...

Subliminal…

I have recently been reading a few books on anthropology and social psychology (I don’t drop that in to appear smart - some of them had pictures!) But one thing it has opened my mind to is how many subliminal messages are deliberately and expertly weaved into our daily lives.

Whether it’s TV ads, or articles, or things at the side of the page when we’re searching the internet - a lot of time and effort goes into subliminally trying to sell us a product or idea.

It has got me thinking of how we as Christians try to subliminally insert Christ into every situation in some of the most shameless allegorizing ever! I have been listening to the Gospel Coalition Conference on Preaching Christ from the Old Testament and had the panel discussion on in the car yesterday. It was refreshing to hear men such as D.A. Carson, John Piper and Tim Keller discuss how we can find Christ in the overarching Biblical trajectories throughout the entirety of Scripture. The problem they see is when we try to ram Jesus into every story that we come across. Jesus Himself uses parable and metaphor in a great way that was indicative of the teaching of His culture - but coupled with that is straight to the point teaching directed at the people of that day.

I do admit that because of General Revelation (that all truth is ultimately God’s truth and everyone is capable of displaying it) has influenced literature, films and music since the day dot - but when Christians try to make “every” story, book, film and song about Jesus is becomes a bit of a stretch.

I think what I’m coming to terms with is that we don’t need to cram Jesus into the subliminal category to make Him interesting or cool. I don’t think that drawing lines between Frodo and Jesus will have people banging down the doors of our churches - however clear we feel those lines are. The reality is that the Gospel as a story is powerful, the message of the Gospel is revolutionary and the person of Jesus cannot be crammed into anything. It isn’t a simple case of being subliminal - but an in your face reality that has to be responded to.

In our lives do we simply try to influence people with subliminal messages about Jesus or are we comfortable in who He is to allow Him to speak for Himself in order for people to truly see Him by the grace of God?

Start Starting…

I always seem to start starting things…like blogs/journals/reading plans etc.

So I’m going to start starting my blog again…

Let’s hope that I can keep keeping on with it…

Talk soon…

Rediscovering…

Gomez - Whippin’ Piccadilly

Everyman’s Talmud - Cohen

L’Abri - Edith Schaeffer

Getting Real…

A few weeks ago I listened to a couple of interviews from some church leaders and then on Wednesday I met with a few Christian friends of mine. All these have used mightily by God to challenge me on a lot of things.

The main point of it was a question that was asked by a friend on Wednesday that has really got me thinking…

Why am I doing this?

Basically in my life and I suppose in a lot of other people’s lives around me, we are longing for our Christian lives to “be real.” Before you start thinking I’m turning into a hip-hop version of myself, be sure that my bling in still firmly in the drawer.

In terms of my life (and I hope yours also so I’m not alone) I have been thinking on the idea of that well known term “my Christian life.” Next time you meet with a friend, church leader etc check how many times you use it or are asked about it. 

I feel in my case I’m not happy with living two lives, “a Christian life” and a life where I am myself. A lot of people, myself included, are seemingly happy doing it, but scratch the surface and the truth comes out.

“Why am I doing this?”

Maybe this doesn’t ring true with you. Maybe you are exactly who your Facebook profile says you are. Maybe you really do generally quote Scripture a million times per day, listen to Christian bands on loop, read every Christian book that comes out, are actively participating in every charity that you say, praying for everybody you say you are, and generally living life in joy to the fullest.

That’s amazing!

In my case I have been challenged by the fact that in Antioch the disciples were first called (or named) Christians. From my understanding, they were called this by other people, because they looked like mini-Jesus’. But before we revel in the fact that people know that we’re Christians, and if we went to court they would have enough to convict us of being a Christian (I love that illustration!) which side of you would they convict?

The Christian life side? Or every part of you?

Don’t you think it’s time we got real?

Good thought from a book I’m reading….

We can’t think ourselves into acting differently, we must act our way into thinking differently.

The funniest thing…

Last week I was sorting out the outlines and finishing up my sermons for Sunday. It was on John 12 and unbelief, and to be honest it was one of the hardest sermons I’ve had to prepare.

Occasionally I find some sermons subjects more difficult to preach on as I’m still working on them and try to be as honest as possible without sounding crazy! 

Coupled with that, our week has been a bit mad. Ben has decided that going to bed is optional, Julie was involved in a car accident (she’s in a bit of pain, but her, Ben and the baby are fine!) and there have been a few other things. It was one of those occasions where you just say, “God, can you take over here and I’ll just go with the flow!”

And guess what, He did show up! Things that seemed impossible became possible, things that wouldn’t work began to work, and difficult circumstances became ways in which we could see God showing up in exciting ways!

This week we are continuing through John’s Gospel in John 13, and we are looking at Servant Evangelism and turning our back on Jesus. So I’m excited about what is going to happen this week!

Does Bartering Work?

I have read a few post recently about a Bartering craze happening. I wonder if it would work in Northern Ireland as we can be a pretty strange people.

You start with a 1p and see what you can barter it for…and so on.

Anyone game?

If so what did you end up with?