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| Weird Christians |
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I have to admit, MyChurch is the first web forum I've ever joined where the population was for the most part exclusively "Christian", and folks who love the Lord from around the country, and maybe even the world, could communicate with one another, sharing prayer requests, Scripture discoveries, observations about life in Christ, exhortations, praise & adoration for the Lord, etc. And ALL in a spirit of unity.
For a while there, I read blog after blog on MyChurch, and thought, "Man, we Christians are so weird. Look at us, expressing affection and comaraderie towards people we don't even know personally and have little in common with. Including those who hold contrary points of view from every denomination, including nondenominational or even anti-denominational folks!! Including male/female, black/white, democrat/republican, charismatic/traditional, etc. Those who blog/comment on here are just too polite, too cheerful, too quick to admit faults, too caring, too humble! People aren't supposed to be like this. We're just so different, so... weird by the world's standards."
Then more recently I observed language of a different sort. Language that appeared to be accusing, indignant, insensitive, and even rude. And I sadly thought, "Ok, maybe us folks are pretty normal after all." Regretfully, sometimes we really aren't any different than the world around us.
Friends, in Jesus' world, style counts EQUALLY as much as substance.
Here are some of the hundreds of Scriptures supporting the exhortation to emphasize our communication STYLE equally as much as the SUBSTANCE of what we have to share with our brothers and sisters in Christ:
John 13:34-35 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
Galatians 5:22-26 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."
Ephesians 4:1-6 - "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Philippians 2:1-3 - "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." |
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| To add a comment to "Weird Christians" |
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| February 21, 2007 |
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| Preach on my brother! I prefer the term "unique individual" :) Although I would rather be "weird" then "worldly."
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| February 21, 2007 |
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| Amen to being "Weird"! :) |
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| February 22, 2007 |
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| I also agree that people should think long and hard about how they use their words to express themselves here. We all know there is power in the words we use, so use them carefully...it is very difficult, but in all things we should build up one another...otherwise, we really aren't all that different, are we? |
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| February 22, 2007 |
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| You put it well, Voice! Perhaps when representing Christ it's better to swallow a "spiritual" insult here and there in order to preserve the fellowship of love, rather than to belittle an opposing viewpoint in order to show everyone that yours is superior, better supported Biblically, more spiritually mature, etc.? That is how normal people debate, not us.
I've got to admit, I'd prefer to dialogue with lovably abnormal (weird) folks!
~mike |
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| February 22, 2007 |
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| Mike, are you saying we are "a peculiar people?" Kule, thanks for the compliment :). That's just what God is wanting, a peculiar people, and peculiar treasure for Himself.
Exd 19:5
Deu 14:2
Tts 2:14
1Pe 2:9 |
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| February 23, 2007 |
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| Hmmm, the word "peculiar" didn't occur to me. That could be interpreted to mean "Holy." Which means "set apart for God," or just plain different. Yes, I like it!!! Thanks Charlie! ~mike |
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| February 23, 2007 |
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| I think "peculiar people" can also mean a people of My posession. All of these fit, cuz if we are God's posession, holy, set apart and we are living it.. we WILL be peculiar to the world, but precious to God. Sometimes it's hard to tell God's people from people of the world. It's not easy to be IN the world, but not OF the world. Those daily "God moments" of worship can sure help, can't they?
Charlie |
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| February 23, 2007 |
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| Those daily "God moments" are awesome! Just had one today (not uncommon during morning "quiet time). In my reading of 2 Tim, came across this:
"Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly."
Well blow me away! It just so happened this week that the way in which we've been discoursing here on MyChurch has been on my mind and heart, and here God puts this particular Scripture right in my path. Right time, right Scripture! ~mike |
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| February 23, 2007 |
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| Whoever made "Weird" a bad thing was COMPLETELY wrong!!! Praise the almighty Lord for "weird" individuals. God Bless you!!! |
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| February 23, 2007 |
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| Mike, Just a suggestion...You should have edited your original blog to include the latest verse you just mentioned. Powerful, and it is too good to have at the bottom of the page, where many might not see it. Hope you don't mind the thought :) |
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| February 24, 2007 |
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| Good suggestion Sue...and Mike, it's not too late. You can edit your blog now. That reading from 2 Tim is right on time! Or don't edit it. It’s still a colossally cool blog. :-)
The "weird factor". Yep, I’ve encountered that here. Better yet, I’ve encountered it combined with an admission of humanity.
Eventually, other folks will start to get it...yeah, we're Christians...but, we're also human. The major difference being (I believe) in the end, we admit our mistakes and try to make amends. We forgive other people's mistakes and try to help them. We are called to love not only our brothers and sisters, not only the lost and broken, but also our enemies.
Keep on speaking the truth in love my godly brother. And may all we do bring Glory and Honor to our Heavenly Father. Amen.
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| February 24, 2007 |
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| Mary Ann, you'll never know how huge a compliment that is. Thank you, sis. ~mike |
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| February 24, 2007 |
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| Amen Mary Ann, Amen! |
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| March 22, 2007 |
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| Edification, Gentleness, Love, and Unity in Christ. Thanks for the reminder, Mike! I needed it! Great blog! |
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| March 22, 2007 |
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Something about weird things. They're always met with hostility upon encounter. People don't like weird. They don't understand weird. They're not used to weird. Art history provides a good illustration of this. ...And then they look past the surface, the initial discomfort, and they see it for what it is. And they fall in love. And as long as we walk in Christ's light and grow in Him, I think that those who walk on the fence int his world will gradually begin to see it and like it. That's why I like weird. Be it known, I'm a socially awkward person. I dress outrageously at times and often people learn a lot more than they care to about me upon first encounter. I'm weird by all senses of the word. ADD personality, a little goofy, a little cheery, a little different, overall. And the cool thing is that it sets people apart. Those who can't get over first impressions and judge quickly and don't read people by their hearts aren't attracted. Those who look at hearts and not appearances are fascinated. I attract fewer friends, but the ones I attract are true. Once we start living the life Christ commissioned to us, it will become very clear, I think, whose hearts are really out for God and whose can't break away from selfishness. And many eyes, I think, will be opened, then. It'll stop being about sides and who supports this and who supports that, and it'll start being about really looking at ourselves for who we are, what we are, and what we so desparately need. Beautiful post. I get carried away in the words you emphasise. I've met some of the greatest joys in life after I learned to be more humble. I am so relieved that we're a people from a God who's all about love. |
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| July 09, 2007 |
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A bit late, but here's one: 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. Of course, one shouldn't be hasty with this one. This is a special relationship of father and son, not between equal brothers. ;) Christian weirdness drew me to Christ. I saw something different about Christians that I didn't understand. Thank God for salt and light! |
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| September 24, 2007 |
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Thanks Barnabus, ah I mean Mike,
You know it's going on a month now, that I stumbled upon MyChurch and it's has really been an experience; a good one, a challenging one, an eye-opening one, a revealing one, a humbling experience for me.
Since I don't believe in accidents, because my steps are ordered by God, I know that my being here is on (God's) purpose. What that purpose is, I may not be sure, but I believe it's for me to grow. I can't speak for others, I can only speak for myself. I have laughed, cried, shared more than I ever intended too, I've prayed with and prayed for, I have challenged and have been challenged, and I've even gotten pretty darn angry and had to repent for my lack of patience, I've come face-to-face with my own "fallen shortness" and all the while questioning God, "Lord what are you up to now?"
To think it's only been a month or less. Glory be to God, I'm growing, I'm growing.
Me think, God is up to something! One thing is for sure. I'm peculiar and glad about it.
Thanks for this blog
Pastor Aminata |
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| September 24, 2007 |
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Thanks Pastor Aminata. My affinity for you grows with every post of yours I read -- you come across as very Spirit-filled!
Jess-you-are, thank you! And I agree, fabulous Proverb!! And yes, I've read that blog of yours, enjoyed it, and starred it -- it's a good one. To my readers, click the link, I doubt you'll be disappointed! |
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| November 21, 2007 |
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| you said it ;-) |
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| November 21, 2007 |
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Interesting, Marcella. Man, you really are weird. :-) But hey, aren't we all? We believe a guy who died on a cross 2000 years ago is alive and well today, living inside of us! He helps us be strong when we should be afraid, joyful when we should be sad, thankful when we should be angry, courteous and warm when we should be cold and distant. MAN WE ARE WEIRD!!
Good to hear from ya, Faith! |
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| September 01, 2008 |
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| This Mike is a much needed blog! Thanks for posting this, and BTW you are really weird! But i guess it takes one to know one right!! |
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| September 01, 2008 |
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| In this case Amy, I'm GLAD to be weird! :-) |
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| December 01, 2008 |
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| Look pup.... if I am weird, I got it from you, cause I was normal till i hooked up with ya'll. hehe |
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