Judgementalism in Dexter's Lab

I have heard examples lately of Christians who hear ONE thing about someone, Christian or not, and they prejudge them, avoiding them or acting a certain way from that point on.

Jesus did not die for you so that you could judge and avoid other people, churches, pastors, political opponents, etc. If you claim to be so serious about the cross, then listen to what I'm saying and stop being so petty. I have a hard time understanding how people who have grown up around the cross for 20 years still have no patience with sinners, or even their brothers and sisters in Christ. If you can't tolerate sinners, that's a sin in itself; if you can't tolerate certain Christians, what is wrong with you?

This is going to be an awkward transition because the analogy that popped into my head was much more lighthearted and comical. I think it still fits. There was an episode of Dexter's Lab once, a long time ago. Deedee, the little sister, was annoying the crap out of Dexter, because she just wanted to show him something. Dexter, in the meantime, refused, because he didn't care and was very annoyed. He refused, based on his judgement of her, and he closed his mind to her.

Deedee was bugging Dexter the ENTIRE episode to just stop and pay attention to her for one minute so that she could show him something. Dexter avoided Deedee the whole time up until the very end. After a lot of nagging, Dexter finally blew up and said "All right Deedee, what is it you want to show me?" or something like that. She showed him her trick (which I think involved a jump rope and some other stuff). Dexter was actually impressed! He said "SAY, THAT WAS PRETTY GOOD! Well, I'll be seein' ya!" Then he waves at her with a smile and they both smile and part ways, and the episode ends. 

I may not be the best at making analogies here, but maybe there's something here that we could take away. I suffer from a judgemental heart too, so God was speaking to me as much as you when He reminded me of this. Dexter, just like you and I, shut out the person/people in his life that annoyed/vexed/drove him crazy. He shut them out, secluded in his own little bubble, his own little world. But Deedee persisted, and finally he listened! How long is it going to take before we shut up and stop listening only to ourselves? How long is it going to take before we stop, question ourselves, and listen to outsiders to the faith? For the sake of changing our doctrine to be more universalist? Absolutely not! But for the sake of showing that you actually care. These very people that drive you up the wall could be the very people that God wants you to warm to, and give you practice at humility instead of superiority. I'm talking about political enemies. I'm talking about the annoying girl in your class. I'm talking about the pastor you think has sold his soul to the devil just because he tries to make church fun by having a band and a few lights. God forbid we actually try to keep people awake on Sunday...

I think it's fitting that Deedee kept bugging Dexter. Frequently, outsiders are more patient with us than we ever are with them! And I think it's fitting that Dexter was actually pleased afterwards, even joyful. The joy that comes from actually living out a compassionate lifestyle [characterized by consistent listening]... is frankly, something that I think very few of us live.

Afterthoughts: on a separate note

P.S.: "compassion", when broken down into root words, means "to suffer with". Are you willing to listen to others who need help, even when it is not convenient?

Naughty or Nice?

You know, I was just thinking... why is the world beginning to look down on marriage and favor "sex however I want it"?

You know how in media such as movies and books, the "naughty" aspect of sex is rapidly becoming considered the turn-on to any sexual relationship. Gotta have the handcuffs and whips. But I'm not really talking about that stuff so much as I'm talking about how it's now considered desirable to be "naughty". How did what is good become boring, even undesirable? 

I just look on, amazed, at how "goodie goodie" girls are looked down on in our culture, and how we don't earn our man or woman card until we've had, frankly put, a good amount of hot sex. That's the way it's marketed. And really, in all honestly, I'm comfortable with sex, and this conundrum still appalls me. I've never done it, but hey, let's just say that my Christian brothers and I have no problem discussing it. Comfort with the topic is great. Comfort with using it outside of God's preference is not. And I know that sounds like a "goodie goodie" attitude... but there is so much more to life than what I thought before I really started following Christ. To quote Matt Chandler, God did not create the Law to rob us of the enjoyment of Creation, but to help us experience and enjoy it the way it was designed to be by God for our benefit, good, and His glory. God does not rob or deprive us of what He has called good. He helps us enjoy it in the best ways.

So we've all got this huge superiority complex, as Americans. We think that we know the best way to enjoy sex (namely, however we want it). Dare we literally think that God doesn't know the best way for us to enjoy things? Who was it that let Adam and Eve walk around naked all the time and eat papayas?! It was a freakin' sweet time! They didn't have to worry about money either! God has put us here to listen to Him and learn how to enjoy things the way He wants us to. When Adam and Eve walked outside of that parameter, they gave birth to this superiority complex... that I KNOW, not GOD KNOWS.  That the truth lies with ME, not with GOD. So we start listening to US, not to the LORD of all.

And we get this backwards understanding that what is bad... is actually good. See the polarity?

The other day, I told an old friend that my friend Brad was getting married. His response: "Poor bastard." See, marriage is an inherently wonderful, good thing. But the world hates the things of God because they seem like foolishness.

So anyway. We love our "naughty jokes", but perhaps we should stop... and listen to Christ and realize, maybe that's not what He wants us to say. Lust is quickly becoming the new "love". And I just hope that as the true Gospel of Christ is reintroduced by the new wave of united churches all across the nation and the world, that this norm is reversed. Our kids are not going to have it easy.

If you don't understand my point of view and you think I'm a sheltered hyper-conservative jerk... I'm sorry. I'm really not. But I think that the things that God wants for us are important and that He's made it very clear. 

Isaiah 45:19 NLT... I love this. 18 "I am the LORD," he says, " and there is no other. 19 I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner so no one can understand what I mean. And I did not tell my people to ask me for something I did not plan to give. I, the LORD, speak only what is true and right."

Breaking this down: Number one... God's promise is rock solid, and publicly available. Number two, He is not vague, and Scripture is clear. There is no excuse that one can "interpret the Bible differently from another" so as to make sin seem okay. It's called exigesis, look it up. Number three, God promises us salvation, and he will deliver. Number four, if you can count on anyone, it's him.

Outside and Inside: Why we're obsessed with good works.

Ever wonder to yourself, in light of the Gospel, how and why the whole world thinks that doing good deeds makes you a good enough person for Heaven?

As Christians, hopefully we know that it works a little differently from that. It's actually the opposite! Being a good person makes you do good things. I'll explain. 


Because of the way salvation works, we can't earn it. God placed a curse on us when Adam and Eve sinned. The people under a curse can't break a curse. Because of the resulting weight of our sin, we can never hope to rise back up to the glory we once had. Adam and Eve were immortal! Sin earned them death (the wages of sin = death). So suddenly we see how impossible it is. Even the good things we do aren't enough, because they don't earn us right standing with God. 

But what does? Faith. And to be more specific, love.


Love for God is faith. If you love Christ, you start to change. This is where the title's main point comes in. 


We change on the inside. That causes a change on the outside.

The world has it backwards. Why?

They can't see the unseen, inner parts of us that cause they're just that. Invisible! So they look at what they CAN see. They look at the overt, outer parts of us that really say what we're all about, and they draw conclusions from there. 

So suddenly we get this outer-focused perspective, when really it starts with the heart and what's inside. So you get people who pour millions into charities just to feel better about themselves as a person, when all they'd have to do is realize and admit their need for a savior, and just accept in their heart what Jesus has done. There's nothing we can do, except surrender. After all, we're fallen people. We sin. "Nobody's perfect." Even nonbelievers know that. We just need to help explain how that links to God and faith and the heart and how all that stuff precedes a behavior change. 


Because if we're honest, all of us are experienced in behavioral modification. We'll try different combinations of what we do to see if we feel better about ourselves. But wait... nothing we do can save us? Right! Because it's not about what we do. It's about the heart underneath. Is it for or against God? Does it hold onto Christ out of love and desperation? Or is it just okay with looking good on the outside?

Recognize your need for Christ... repent... love Christ... behavior starts changing. Why? Because you don't want to sin anymore. Are we sinless? By no means! But you grow less and less comfortable with it. 

American church

We think we have it hard here in America. You've seen the anti-liberal mailings, alerting you to every new political "threat" to our great country and our great faith.

Guys, if your faith is really great, nothing can threaten it.

Ephesians 6:12. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but it is against spiritual forces. So why are we burning away our lives in opposition to another political party? It's exhausting! You spend your whole life making it about what you're against and you forget about what you're for.

Hearing God's call

What I have to say in this blog is very important. Most of the time I'm spitballing at topics cause I feel like it, but this one actually means something to me and it's somewhat serious because it determines how obedient we are to God.

Recently, I have had the privilege of receiving many support letters to help my friends out on summer mission/evangelism projects. I say "privilege" because it is an honor to invest in eternity and to put a smile on my friends' faces when they meet their financial goals. Hope is a great thing. I love you guys!

I have noticed that in most letters, people say "God is calling me", etc. frequently. Seldom do I hear "I want to go and serve." Listening to God is great! But sometimes we wait forever and ever for help in a decision when He wants us to just act. Recently I listened to a podcast that really opened my eyes on this. There is absolutely nothing wrong with listening for God's call... that's wonderful! 

But sometimes a nasty little problem arises. 

Sometimes... we can become so focused on listening to that little voice in the back of our minds, that we forget something very critical to understand. You'll understand what I mean in a minute.

I have a story for you from the podcast I mentioned. I'll paraphrase it. 

Matt Chandler: "So are you going on that missions project?"

Young man:  "I don't think so. I prayed about it, but I didn't feel God calling me there. If I went, it would only be out of obedience."

Matt Chandler (thoughts): Well... what's wrong with obedience?

Wow! What's wrong with obedience to God, and doing what you know would please Him? What a faithless people we are, that we wait for a sign and don't just act! This is a HUGE deal, guys!

Sometimes, God's call isn't something we can hear. Sometimes it's in the opportunities you have to serve Him. And then the choice is up to you. Are you going to serve Him out of obedience, or are you waiting forever for a sign? A message in your alphabet soup, perhaps? Sometimes it's not going to be clear. Sometimes God won't tell you at all what He wants. 

Conclusion

So basically, I'm not saying anything bad about you guys, my friends, doing missions. I love that you love God enough to do it. I just hope that regardless of whether you "feel" a tug or a direction, that you're willing to do what you know is inherently pleasing to God. That's probably why you're going, and I hope that's always your motivation.

I've seen people switch ministries and churches because they say "God is calling me there". And He may very well be! But the question I need to raise is this: Are you following your own desires and labeling them as God's, saying it must be His way because you feel like that? Or are you taking a step out in faith, in obedience?

This fatal mistake in thinking has caused me to avoid many a homeless person because I don't "feel" that God is calling me to do what's inconvenient: give a few dollars, a few minutes, and maybe, God forbid, tell them the Gospel. 

Maybe, God forbid, you college kids should get up off the couch and stop watching Sportscenter reruns... and eat a vegetable, being a good steward of your time and body. 

Are you beginning to see that just because you feel it, it doesn't make it God's call? And are you beginning to see that just because you don't feel it, it doesn't mean God doesn't want you to do it?


Maybe, God forbid, you should go to a dangerous war-torn country and risk your life for the Gospel. Is that not what we're commanded to do? Is that not what the saints robed in white around the feet of Jesus up in Heaven did, in their time on earth? They counted it all as loss for the sake of Christ, the only treasure that matters, period. In this country, we love "cheap grace". Not having to give up anything to get Jesus. In some countries, it might cost you a hand, or your life.



Consider the true story of this guy: He spent years upon years preparing for missions in Africa. He landed there and was stepping off the plane and was immediately killed with an arrow. His death spurred a huge wave of missionaries and subsequent Christian success in Africa. So... maybe God's will is for you to die. I bet you're not envying that guy. Yet... maybe... that will be you Maybe it will be me. Read James 4.

I really hope you read this with open ears and it hits you. I hope I don't turn deaf to it myself.

Beach trip

I went to the beach Thursday through Saturday night with Matt Warnick... it wasn't what I'd call a blast, but it was great to get away and just not have to think. I have the pictures up on Facebook if you care to check them out. They turned out great! Above is one.

Thursday we drove to the beach filming crazy videos on the way...check Facebook soon. Got there, unpacked, went out on the beach and did a sexyman photoshoot because we both wanted new profile pictures. I'm surprised the world didn't implode, we were so sexy (j/k). Then I freaked out because the water inside the condo was still turned off, just like the previous time I came to the beach. So I called maintanence and the guy was super nice, walked me through how to turn on the water and the hot water heater. That night, we went to the ABC store and got stuff for margaritas and rum and coke (all in moderation). Cooked out (burgers on Matt's grill, on the back porch, which apparently is a fire hazard according to Mister Security Guard so we won't ever do that again). Took over an hour to light the charcoal... it was supposed to be matchlight. Friday I hit snooze on my alarm (the song Not Guilty Anymore, a very soothing alarm, makes you hug your pillow really tight), it was set for 8:30 but we got up at 11. Matt said he's pretty sure he's not guilty anymore. Went out on the beach, played songs and talked about Ecclesiastes and stuff. I took the most pictures on this day. Jessica Bulova came, I looked behind me and she was there. I got a call from work saying they screwed up my work schedule for this week so I don't have any hours at all. Sweet! So we extended the beach trip and I was able to relax. Chilled on the beach literally with the wind chilling us... then Mike Bushey and Matt Bello, who are Warnick's roommates, came. We had a dinner council meeting and decided to go all out. We hit up the grocery store and got some pasta, alfredo sauce, salad, and stuff for shrimp/vegetable kabobs. Came back, grilled out (in the parking lot grilling area this time, but still on Matt's portable grill, which is, we know now, illegal). Pasta was done way too early. But otherwise it was fine. Everything was coordinated really well. I actually enjoyed the process more than the actual meal, because by the time we sat down it was somewhat cold. But it was still great food. And the salad... I kinda expected to be cold.

Went out that night (Friday) and watched Matt Bello catch 3 sharks. We accidentally killed one because we took too long to get the 3 pronged hook out of its mouth, plus everyone had to take pictures... including me *twitter is addictive* *cough*. Tried to stay under the overhang on the end of the pier to get out of the wind but someone had pissed in it so it smelled awful... A former ECU student that was there caught this weird eel-fish thing and said he'd use it as bait.

Came back that night, and Jersey Jess and the boys left. Matt and I searched for TWO HOURS on TV for something... the only thing on was the Matrix but somehow we got stuck watching TBN, which was horrible. Amy Grant... you need to take off your golden-plated capo (which was capo 7, WAY up there) during the song if you're going to sing without playing. Her tuning must have been screwed after that. Oh and it was obviously filmed in the early 90's. Then a man with barred glasses came on and proceeded to explain how the reinstatement of Israel as a country was a sign that Judgement is near. Apparently the restoration of Israel is something that happens in the end times. We about were falling asleep then so we got up and went to bed (in totally separate beds but definitely in the same room).

Got up after noon the next day... dang it. Going to bed at 4 has its drawbacks. Got up, ate the last of the doughnuts from Thursday, went out on the beach. Sat out playing guitar. Didn't do much of that before several girls showed up and introduced themselves. Apparently they go to ECU too. Oh wait... I don't anymore, cause I'm an old fossil. They left, and Matt and I went for a walk on the beach and talked some more. Came back up and were cleaning up, preparing to come home when the girls stopped by and said they were preparing dinner and we could come. So we did. And they only lived three doors down. I've never seen anyone my age there before. Crazy! Then after a couple hours of me constantly trying to end the conversation and leave, we finally did. They were very talkative, and Matt is no exception. Then we left. Filmed more videos on the way back home. Stopped in New Bern, picked up my diploma that finally came, got to see my family and pick up a book I ordered called "The Cross and Christian Ministry", and then we came back to G-Vegas. The End.

Confessions.

I'm not sure why I'm confessing this, perhaps it's for attention (because hey man, he's confessing all this stuff and because of that we're gonna heap compliments on him because he's humble). I tend to fish for compliments, therefore deriving my glory from man and not from Christ, who offers me Himself to be my glory and hope and reason to shine and INSTEAD I choose to rely on empty praise. 

I am: 

easily puffed up & easily insulted

quick to listen and dish out wisdom, but rarely self-apply what I learn

So just pray that my heart will change so that my own lessons hit me hard instead of me automatically thinking "this is how this applies to this or that person" without thinking about how it applies to me. Pray that I am able to throw down my pride and actually be genuine in my pursuit of Jesus and my attempts to live like him.