Keeping the Faith

There is a misconception out there about Christianity: If we can get people to "feel" their faith, then they will grow in Christ. The problem is that it doesn't work.

Two-thirds of all adults in America say they have "made a commitment to Christ." I was astounded to learn that 82% of adults have attended a Christian church, most for at least three months. In fact, "a vast majority of teenagers will spend a significant amount of their teen years participating in a Christian congregation... but within a decade, most of these young people have left the church and will have placed their emotional connection to Christianity on a shelf." (Unchristian, 74)

It is easy to have feelings, but it is totally different to have a Christian worldview. The same research revealed that young people who held eight Christian doctrines to be true had "a substantially different faith." They not only held onto their commitment to Christ, but served, gave and lived different in areas of morality.

So, starting Sunday, August 1, we are going to take about 10 weeks and talk about what I am calling a "Christian world view." What are the eight doctrines? I am listing them below and would like feedback on how you view each statement.

1. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life.
2. God is the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe and he still rules it today.
3. Salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned.
4. Satan is real.
5. A Christian has a responsibility to share his/her faith in Christ with other people.
6. The Bible is accurate in all of the principles it teaches.
7. Unchanging moral truth exists
8. Unchanging moral truth is defined by the Bible.

Re Defining Success

Last night, Lebron James dropped the bomb that he was going to Miami to play and leaving his childhood home and the team that helped raise him into "international stardom." There seems to be a lot of talk going about this subject, so let me share my two cents worth.

What is the definition of success. Some players, like Jim Thome seemed to define success as how much money they make. Others, like Lebron left money on the table in an attempt (it seems) to pursue a championship(s) with his good buddies. His definition of success seems to be championships.

The problem with being the best or having the most money is that neither take into account the one thing that lasts after a person is gone. Is legacy only about being the best?

I think that the immediate uproar from Cleveland fans tells us that there is a larger expectation out of people. I know it sounds like I am old fashioned, but it seems that what Lebron left behind was loyalty.

The Cleveland fans sound like jilted lovers.Their lover ran off after someone who was "prettier, younger, more exciting, etc..." What is left behind is the people who are hurt. So, these same fans that swore their undying love to a basketball player now burn his jersey. I guess there was no loyalty there either. The irony of it all!!!!!

There are a lot of things that I could write, but let me simply give my definition of success.
"Those who know you the best, love you the most."
If we used that definition of success, we would be people who are loyal... even when it hurts.

I am concerned about the consumerism of our culture. When a person, product or profession no longer feels right, we just switch. Problems are avoided by running to a better option. We consume what makes us happy, and leave everything else behind. We have been taught by advertising that feeling good is the ultimate goal of life.

But, if we were to redefine success, our goal would be to make others better... and that hurts. It is a Sacrifice.

One final thought. Hitler, Napoleon, Alexander the Great were all great leaders and conquerors. Yet, none of us want our kids to grow up to be like them. All of us laud the life and effect of Mother Teresa, Abraham Lincoln, and many unknown people who sacrificed greatly. Why? Because success for them wasn't just having a list of accomplishments, but making life better for the people around them.... in a word, they were LOYAL.

I want to run after the pot of gold at some rainbow. I want to put my dreams first. I want it all, to be happy, to feel good, to have it all! But, my definition of success means that I will give up what I want. To quote Jesus, "I will take up my cross daily." Jesus did, and we are all better for it.