"Thus you will recognize them by their fruits..."

To be open-minded is defined as being receptive to arguments or ideas.


So what does it mean to act out open-mindedness? Often we are fed the lie that to be open-minded means to have no backbone... To have no stance when placed within conflict, to have no opinion. If one is open-minded, then one must be OK with all views, must be supportive of all mindsets, theologies, worldviews. Right?

I say wrong. One must be receptive, must listen, but not roll over.

As a Christian, often I find myself within the box labeled "Closed-minded Christians." It sits on the shelf next other boxes... you know: "Right Wing Conservatives," "Homophobes," "Profiling Cops," the list goes on and on. "Closed-minded Christians" is the box I want to unpack today, although the other boxes could be written about for days.

As so called Closed-minded Christians, what is it that we do wrong in societies eyes? Excuse my over generalizations, but from my experience, this is what I have noticed.

We do not agree with same-sex marriage. We are pro-life. We believe that drinking should be kept to a responsible amount. We believe mind altering drugs, and the use of them to an extent where it changes your mindset as well as your day to day life is unacceptable. We believe that only through Jesus Christ, can one reach the Father in Heaven.

Bold statements, yes. But would you expect anything less? Being a Christian is based on the Holy Bible. A manual, so to speak, of the ways of this world, and the ways of those who aren't of this world... those who strive to be holy: set apart from. What hypocrites would we be if we did not stand up for the writings of our life-manual? Being a Christian is about more than just believing that God exists and Jesus came. Being a Christian is standing out as the black sheep in a world full of white ones. It is rising for what is right and just, rather than being blown which ever way the wind takes you.

If that makes us closed-minded, then so be it. But the next time someone decides to put me in that box, I hope they realize that as the mirror shows their reflection, how closed-minded are they when asking me to silence my views?

Bruised but not broken

I found this message on YouVersion. It is written by Bishop Rick Wallace. I had never heard of him before reading this piece, but I think what he has to say is worth reading. Enjoy...

http://www.youversion.com/notes/63215/bruised-but-not-broken

I will not be silent, i will not be quiet anymore...

In a world full of opinions, comments, blogs, walls, and headlines I can no longer travel down this path of life, calling myself a Christian, yet not speaking up for what I believe and know to be true. Often I find myself taken back and offended by the attacks of nonbelievers on my God and my faith. Why? The bible warns us that it will happen, that we will be persecuted for out faith (Matt. 5:10), so why do we cower and become offended when it takes place? Taking offense to others speaking against my livelihood is understandable and by all means necessary, but the way that I choose to counteract that attack is a completely different story. I believe there are 3 ways that we do so. Possibly more, but from what I have seen and heard, it seems as though our body of believers handles opponents of our faith in three very distinct ways.

1. Ignorance is bliss... If we refuse to listen to the attacks on our faith then they must not exist and the world is joyful, open-minded, and just.
2. I'm rubber you're glue... Whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you. Playing a game of "tag you're it" with facts, opinions, and insults all mixed in, in order to get a point across.
3. Holier than thou first fruits... I have God, you don't. I am saved, you aren't. He loves me, who are you?

Having been a Christ Follower for many years, I humbly lay down my crown before you in order to illustrate the fact that I have taken part in my fair share of each of the 3 techniques stated above. Faith stems from passion. Passion has been defined as many things, one of which is this: intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction. This definition speaks of passion as an emotion. As humans, our emotions exemplify the fact that we are of the dust (Gen. 2:7, Ecc. 3:20, Psalm 103:14). We are fragile, the simplest thing can set us off, so of course, when someone speaks of our faith in a negative, condescending way, we act out of passion. This passion either causes us to bury our heads in the sand in order to feel safe and secure, or it causes us to react, to fight back.

The question I continually ask myself is how does God want me to react to nay sayers and persecutors? I think the answer lies within Jesus. How did he respond? He responded first with knowledge, not allowing his emotions to overtake his mind. He responded with love, not allowing his passion to overtake his calling. Finally, he responded with courage, not allowing his injured pride to overtake his purpose.

We, I, must then spend time in the word and in prayer in order to gain knowledge. We must practice love, not just towards our friends, but also those who stand against us, even those who poke and prod using all their might to cause our blood to boil. Finally, we must step out in faith, knowing that at the moment when we know not what to say, He will intervene.

I pray that this blog is a place where I can refuse silence and stand up for what I believe. But moreover, I pray that this blog is a place where my knowledge of him, my love, and my courage will reach people, speak to them, and shine light on the face of God, a face so often covered over with the sheet of life and achieving worldly satisfaction.

May God be with you this day, understanding your frustrations, meeting you where you are, and lifting you up when you feel you can no longer stand on your own.