Category Archives: The Christian Walk

September 3, 2012 · 8:53 am

You Might Be A Christian Atheist If…

As many of you know, I’m a big fan of studying theology and religions, especially my own, Christianity.

As a born-again believer in Christ, I consider myself a disciple who struggles daily to be more Christ-like.

A while back, I was browsing in the Christian bookstore when I came across a book that caught my eye–

The Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel

Believing in God but Living Like He Doesn’t Exist

I added it to be TBR list, excited because I thought, Finally! Maybe this book will help me understand why so many of the people I know are in church on Sunday morning, but are making choices that are so contrary to Biblical teachings every other moment of the week.

With promos from authors and theologians like Francis Chan, Andy Stanley and Dave Ramsey, among others, I was really thinking that this book was going to support my right to be angry and frustrated with some of the people in my life.

When I got the book, I dove in, expecting to be fist pumping in agreement with Groeschel’s assessment of why so many acknowledge God but live like he doesn’t exist.

But instead of fist pumping and nodding along in agreement, ladies and gents, I sat in stunned silence as my eyes moved over the pages–convicted.

Convicted.

I realized that I, too, am a Christian Atheist.

Are you a Christian Atheist, believing in God, but living like he doesn’t exist?

A Christian Atheist is someone who believes in God, but doesn’t really know him. A Christian Atheist is someone who believes in God, but isn’t sure He loves you. A Christian Atheist is someone who:

Believes in God but not in prayer
Believes in God but doesn’t think He’s fair
Believes in God but won’t forgive
Believes in God but doesn’t think He can change you
Believes in God but still worries all the time** (This one really, really hit me hard)
Believes in God but pursues happiness at any cost
Believes in God but trusts more in money
Believes in God but doesn’t share his or her faith
Believes in God but not in His church

This book has really opened my eyes to my own Christian Atheism.

I’m going to dedicate a few blog posts to some of the points that have brought me pause. I have no doubt that they’ll speak to you, too.

If you are looking for a good read, check out this book. You won’t be sorry.

Share with me: Which of those points above about Christian Atheists interests you the most?

8 Comments

Filed under Books, The Christian Walk

Tagged as books, Christian Atheism, Craig Groeschel, Jesus

July 2, 2012 · 6:00 am

I Thought Everybody Had One– Do You?

I have opinions. Lots of them.

I’m what you’d call an opinionated person. It’s rare to find me without at least an inkling of what my opinion is on any given topic, although I try to keep them to myself unless asked. (Unless it’s on my blog, which is, well, my blog, so I’ll write what I want.) 🙂

I wish more people were opinionated.

Do you think I’m crazy?

Perhaps you do because you think the people in your life, maybe even you, are too opinionated and should keep their opinions to themselves.

Let me rephrase– I wish more people had opinions on issues that matter.

We’re quick to share our opinions about TV, movies, music, books, clothes, etc., but in this politically correct world in which we find ourselves, more and more people are going “opinionless” about issues that are socially, politically, and economically relevant.

On a regular basis I find it easy to converse with people about trivial issues, but when it comes to meatier topics, I find that many, many people have a distinct LACK of opinion.

This.is.dangerous.

A lack of opinion makes us sheep. It makes us followers, willing to go along with those we consider to be “wiser” and “in the know.” Most of the time people who claim to “know” really don’t.

So you need to know for yourself. You need to have an opinion. An educated opinion.

The opinionless epidemic stems from two things–

1. The fear of being judged or discriminated against because the opinion isn’t “politically correct” or mainstream. (I.r.o.n.y.)

2. Lack of information and education.

How can you better educate yourself on issues of politics, religion, economics, and social movements? Watch the news, even for just a few minutes a day. Read a few news articles online (go to google and click “news.”) Take the time to stay up to date on what’s happening in the world and why.

Make it a priority so that you’ll have an opinion when it’s time. Election Day, for example.

How can we end the fear of voicing minority opinions? Well, for one, we can practice what we preach about blanket acceptance and actually apply it to all, instead of screaming that we need it and then choosing which groups can have it. And we’ll have to be brave enough to stand up for what we believe in.

There will never be a time in this country that we’ll all get along socially, politically, and religiously (not before Jesus comes back, anyway). There will never be a time when we’ll all get along, so it’s no use arguing your opinion to change someone else’s mind, but it’s certainly wise, prudent, and civically responsible to have educated opinions of your own.

There will be a time when you will need to stand up and give your opinion, even if it’s just through a vote, so make sure you have one.

Share with me: I wish I had a stronger opinion about ________.

6 Comments

Filed under The Christian Walk, Uncategorized

Tagged as opinions, politics, religion, social movements, voting

June 25, 2012 · 6:00 am

Getting Pumped Up For the Storm

Think back to the hardest, most difficult time in your life. Your Storm.

Perhaps you’re in that time now. Maybe you haven’t faced an immense difficulty yet. Perhaps it was years ago, or the wind and rain is just beginning to quiet.

When you look back on that storm now, it’s easy to see all the lessons God was teaching you through it, right?

Is it easy to see your mistakes, your triumphs, and His hand in every aspect?

Even if you don’t recognize those things individually, it’s clear that He was holding you in the palm of His hand as your storm threatened to destroy. It’s clear because you made it through.

Because that’s His promise.

It’s clear that He gave you the power to fight through it– the strength, through his Son, to face your storm and emerge on the other side, maybe a little tattered, but filled with His love.

Because that’s His promise.

But what if you, thinking you’d weathered the difficulties of it, had to face that storm all over again? What if, thinking the worst is over, you realize there’s a new storm yet to come? There’s always a storm on the horizon.

It’s coming. You’re in it. You think you might sink. You don’t know if you have the strength to continue. You feel alone, abandoned; like life just isn’t fair and you might have to give up.

Hebrews 10: 23 says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

He’s powerful. He brought you through it before, he’ll do it again.

He will always bring you through.

He is faithful.

The Message translation presents that same verse in a way that’s crazy-inspiring.

Hebrews 10:23– “So let’s do it. Full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word.”

He gives us promises that keep us going. He nourishes us to weather anything, gives us the power to face down any storm and come out stronger on the other side.

Get excited up about that promise! He always keeps his word.

Not sometimes. Not occasionally.

Always.

Don’t you just want to put your hand in God’s, like a team pumped up to play the game of their lives, or a warrior ready to head into battle to meet the enemy head on, and shout with Him, “Let’s do it!”

Share with me: God is the leader, coach and captain of your Storm Fighting Dream Team. Who else would you want on your team with you? The “talent pool” is vast, so choose wisely.