This is going to be a short blog with a simple concept.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the ice storm in Anniston this week. Sure, I've been off work. I've been lazy and couldn't leave the house. But here's the point:
Everyone in town was forced to take life a day at a time.
Everyone had to wait to see if the roads would be open the next day. If the schools would close. If the offices would close.
Any drives taken around town were ones of extreme caution in an attempt to make it to the next day when perhaps the ice would melt and the roads would be safe once again.
I like when everyone is taking life one day at a time.
Now is what we have.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Something important and in terms you can understand
If you have been going to church your whole life (as I have), you likely know a lot of basic ideas about church that you consider common knowledge.
For example,
-Actually, prior to this example I should probably explain something else. A hymnal. A hymnal is a book of worship songs that are referred to as hymns. I take the time to explain what a hymnal is because I am aware that many churches no longer use hymnals. I for one do not care if words are on a screen or in a book. As long as you are worshiping the one true God and glorifying the name of Jesus, then I'm on board.-
Now for that example of a basic idea you learned in church that you (incorrectly) think is common knowledge.
How to read a hymnal.
Now. You may think, "Ok Jake, I know not everyone can read." But this is not what I mean.
What I mean is that when reading a multi-verse hymn one reads the words in the order of the music rather than line by line (which is hopefully how you are reading this blog (otherwise you are likely very confused by now and should continue to another webpage (yes, I am making parentheses within parentheses))).
Anyway, if one is attempting to read a multi-verse hymn, he or she cannot read it line by line. Note the graphic below:
If you grew up in church, you know how to read the words to amazing grace in the correct order based on this image. If you did not, you may not.
So what's my point?
My point is quite simple after such a lengthy mess of a blog.
People who have not been raised in church, who are most likely the people christians should be telling about Jesus, do not know basic church knowledge.
Why does this matter?
It matters because we need to be able to communicate our beliefs effectively.
You should not use church words that you cannot adequately define.
Examples of church words: Amen. Apologetics. Blasphemy. Covenant. Denomination. Gospel. Hallelujah. Hosanna. Sin. Testimony.
These are only a few. Words people understand and don't understand will likely differ based on the individual.
Let's focus on the word sin.
If you tell someone that Jesus can save them from sin, and they don't know what sin is, you need to be able to explain it. Otherwise, they may start asking you who Sin is and why Sin is out to get them.
A bad explanation of sin is "when we do bad stuff."
A good explanation of sin is based on an explanation of the word. Sin means "missed the mark" or "missed the target." It became a commonly used term in archery in Old English.
Now you can't stop there. Because now the person could be thinking, "So I have to become an archer for Jesus to save me?" Perhaps a poor example, but you see the dilemma.
Further explain to them that God is our target. We aim to be like God. Anything that goes against the nature of God is missing our mark, our target. Anything against God is sin.
Now you can explain to them who Jesus is and how he saves us from sin.
The sad truth is that most church-goers do not realize that much of the world does not understand church lingo. Many church-goers only discuss biblical ideas with other church-goers.
We must break free from this. We must not be ashamed of the gospel. It is the good news of hope for the world.
We have to learn to share our faith in the truth of Jesus Christ in layman's terms.
Something to keep your mind rolling: Do you know why we use the phrase "layman's terms?" (hint: don't be afraid to use google for words you don't know how to explain)
For example,
-Actually, prior to this example I should probably explain something else. A hymnal. A hymnal is a book of worship songs that are referred to as hymns. I take the time to explain what a hymnal is because I am aware that many churches no longer use hymnals. I for one do not care if words are on a screen or in a book. As long as you are worshiping the one true God and glorifying the name of Jesus, then I'm on board.-
Now for that example of a basic idea you learned in church that you (incorrectly) think is common knowledge.
How to read a hymnal.
Now. You may think, "Ok Jake, I know not everyone can read." But this is not what I mean.
What I mean is that when reading a multi-verse hymn one reads the words in the order of the music rather than line by line (which is hopefully how you are reading this blog (otherwise you are likely very confused by now and should continue to another webpage (yes, I am making parentheses within parentheses))).
Anyway, if one is attempting to read a multi-verse hymn, he or she cannot read it line by line. Note the graphic below:
If you grew up in church, you know how to read the words to amazing grace in the correct order based on this image. If you did not, you may not.
So what's my point?
My point is quite simple after such a lengthy mess of a blog.
People who have not been raised in church, who are most likely the people christians should be telling about Jesus, do not know basic church knowledge.
Why does this matter?
It matters because we need to be able to communicate our beliefs effectively.
You should not use church words that you cannot adequately define.
Examples of church words: Amen. Apologetics. Blasphemy. Covenant. Denomination. Gospel. Hallelujah. Hosanna. Sin. Testimony.
These are only a few. Words people understand and don't understand will likely differ based on the individual.
Let's focus on the word sin.
If you tell someone that Jesus can save them from sin, and they don't know what sin is, you need to be able to explain it. Otherwise, they may start asking you who Sin is and why Sin is out to get them.
A bad explanation of sin is "when we do bad stuff."
A good explanation of sin is based on an explanation of the word. Sin means "missed the mark" or "missed the target." It became a commonly used term in archery in Old English.
Now you can't stop there. Because now the person could be thinking, "So I have to become an archer for Jesus to save me?" Perhaps a poor example, but you see the dilemma.
Further explain to them that God is our target. We aim to be like God. Anything that goes against the nature of God is missing our mark, our target. Anything against God is sin.
Now you can explain to them who Jesus is and how he saves us from sin.
The sad truth is that most church-goers do not realize that much of the world does not understand church lingo. Many church-goers only discuss biblical ideas with other church-goers.
We must break free from this. We must not be ashamed of the gospel. It is the good news of hope for the world.
We have to learn to share our faith in the truth of Jesus Christ in layman's terms.
Something to keep your mind rolling: Do you know why we use the phrase "layman's terms?" (hint: don't be afraid to use google for words you don't know how to explain)
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Where were you when _____?
Common question. Go ahead. Fill in the blank.
Where were you the first day of the year 2000? (It should be noted that this can also be phrased as "Where were you when so many people felt stupid for stockpiling life necessities in fear of a world computer crash?")
Just an example.
A lot of these questions involve sports...
Where were you when Cam Newton destroyed South Carolina? When this play happened? When so and so caught the ball with his feet?
Or maybe they involve celebrites...
Where were you when you heard Michael Jackson died? When so and so got engaged? When actor X was convicted of murder?
The thing I've noticed about this question is that it's usually asked right after the event happens. I hear people say "this is a 'where were you when?' kind of moment." Interestingly enough, I never hear anyone ask the question about that event again. In fact, other than some recent events, I can't remember specific examples of people making this claim. Which means when I did hear it, most of those people were wrong.
So how about we make this a common phrase that we use correctly? Let's all make an agreement to use it on something important.
Where were you when you came to understand just what Jesus did for you? Where were you when you decided your wants and desires are nothing in comparison to what God wants for you? Where were you when you quit running the rat race the world wants you to be part of?
Where were you when you made up your mind to actually read the bible and stop pretending you know everything that's in it?
If you haven't considered these things, now, the beginning of 2011, is the time do so. You don't have to be in a church building to make a real decision.
Let's make 2011 a year to not feel awkward about bringing up the name of Jesus. Let's make it a year that we glorify God more than ourselves.
Where were you when you decided to be as proud of the name of Jesus as you are the name of your quarterback?
It's not cheap talk people. It's what matters most.
Where were you the first day of the year 2000? (It should be noted that this can also be phrased as "Where were you when so many people felt stupid for stockpiling life necessities in fear of a world computer crash?")
Just an example.
A lot of these questions involve sports...
Where were you when Cam Newton destroyed South Carolina? When this play happened? When so and so caught the ball with his feet?
Or maybe they involve celebrites...
Where were you when you heard Michael Jackson died? When so and so got engaged? When actor X was convicted of murder?
The thing I've noticed about this question is that it's usually asked right after the event happens. I hear people say "this is a 'where were you when?' kind of moment." Interestingly enough, I never hear anyone ask the question about that event again. In fact, other than some recent events, I can't remember specific examples of people making this claim. Which means when I did hear it, most of those people were wrong.
So how about we make this a common phrase that we use correctly? Let's all make an agreement to use it on something important.
Where were you when you came to understand just what Jesus did for you? Where were you when you decided your wants and desires are nothing in comparison to what God wants for you? Where were you when you quit running the rat race the world wants you to be part of?
Where were you when you made up your mind to actually read the bible and stop pretending you know everything that's in it?
If you haven't considered these things, now, the beginning of 2011, is the time do so. You don't have to be in a church building to make a real decision.
Let's make 2011 a year to not feel awkward about bringing up the name of Jesus. Let's make it a year that we glorify God more than ourselves.
Where were you when you decided to be as proud of the name of Jesus as you are the name of your quarterback?
It's not cheap talk people. It's what matters most.
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