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All in Personal Faith
What do you think is most important for being a disciple of Jesus? (Click to Tweet)
Commitment? Faithfulness? Discipline? Moral goodness? Sound theology? These are all good things, but I don't believe they are what Jesus is looking for as priority number one.
So... what is the one thing Jesus requires of His followers? A story of restoration gives some great insight into this.
Our nation thrives on what's popular. We (North) Americans are a nation of consumers. This has become the earmark of our culture and the engine of our economy.
Sadly, the American church often reflects this consumerist identity.
People seek churches and ministries that appeal to them, and churches and ministries get trapped into making themselves more appealing.
The mangoes of the Philippines are amazingly delicious! It's their national fruit, and I've found no other mango like the queen of mangoes, the tu-od variety. I posted this photo on Instagram and Facebook a few years back, proclaiming their goodness, and saw a lot of agreement.
But there are plenty of other wonderful fruits in the Philippines and SE Asia—papayas, guavas, lanzones, jackfruit, and even durian, and much more.
Yet, the fruit I'm most excited about in the Philippines doesn't grow on trees.
What comes to mind when you think of Christmas? For me, it's Jesus. You may have heard the expression, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season."
Indeed He is, but we're celebrating much more than a child in a manger!
We're celebrating who He is and what He did!
The birth of Jesus is well documented. The story of the Savior's birth is well known by millions. Yet, too often, there is still no room for the Lord Jesus—no room where He wants to dwell.
Where does Jesus want to dwell? In our hearts—our inner, spiritual nature.
Journalists embedded with combat troops made the Viet Nam conflict the first televised war. Network news brought the war into American living rooms every evening. It was an undeclared war that brought continuing protests on college campuses, at military induction centers, and government monuments for over a decade.
Televising this "conflict" fought on the other side of the world created a tug-a-war for the American psyche. The embedded journalists revealed the realities of the daily struggle of war, as thousands of young soldiers died in an undeclared war that divided a nation.
It was not a bright spot in American history, but it brought about a more honest view of combat and politics that lingers today.
Where do you shop for clothes? Do you go to thrift stores, big-box discount chain stores, trendy boutiques, or high-end stores? Or is most of your shopping online?
When do you shop? Do you wait for clearance sales or Black Fridays? Are you a last minute shopper or do you plan your shopping trips?
We Americans, known for our consumeristic culture, are overly focused on clothing. It's more than just covering our nakedness, it's often part of our identity.
But really, how important should it be? It depends on the clothing.
Interest in physical fitness surges a few times throughout the year. The holiday season when we all tend to eat more than our body needs is a prime example. This carries over to New Year's resolutions to get physically fit.
Summertime also brings renewed interest in physical fitness for those who go to the beach or lake to catch some sun. Some gyms are even open 24 hours a day for the die-hards, but many of us have difficulty being consistent.
Inconsistency is also an issue for many of us with spiritual fitness. We may know what is needed for spiritual growth and strength, but struggle to move beyond the initial experience of making Jesus the Lord of our life.
Aren’t we all in pursuit of an easy life?
We all want to be stress-free. We all want to find peace. We all strive for security. Yet all this striving creates a mentality of fear within us.
I am 28 and balding, which is a sign of a stressful life. I don’t have health insurance. So pray I don’t get cancer. Most of all, when I lay down in bed I worry about not leaving a legacy.
Having wealth is no guarantee of a better life. Just ask lottery winners who've won and lost millions, finding themselves overwhelmed by their new-found wealth.
Being rich has its challenged and these challenges lead to greater responsibilities.
This illustrates a spiritual reality. Jesus had something to say about the pitfalls of wealth and their spiritual connection to the heart.
Most of us have heard of having either left or right brain dominance. Those who have a left-brain dominance are supposed to be more analytical, while those with right-brain dominance are more creative.
Art is defined as a creative skill or ability, and science is knowledge about something or study of a subject. Typically, art and science are seen as opposites, just as with left or right brain dominance.
And by the way, the idea of left or right brain dominance? It turns out to be a popular myth. So, maybe art and science aren't so opposite.
