A Culture of Onlys

A door is always slightly open when I sit across from my husband on a date night, talking politics, religion, life from the varying views of a Christian and a Skeptic. My greatest witness is sharing with him that Christ is still possible beyond the man-declared onlys —Only way to think, only way to be, and only way to act...on political issues, on church establishments, on how we should view and treat those around us...mostly those onlys that in the end, stray from the very example Christ set. The world typically sees many camp in the notion that as long as it is spoken in His name, it’s an okay only.

Pharisaical? Maybe. Human? Yes.

I have seen it happening more and more, and I feel more and more desperate to denounce such things for the sake of souls, for the sake of a Name that’s being crucified over and over because of false claims. 

If I am honest, I preached the trivial for so long, I demanded that I knew it all, enlightened and confident—and then I broke and realized such knowing was so, so very human of me. 

How could I have thought so small when my God is so big? 

I have yet to discover an argument that disproves God—but I have heard many arguments that turn people away from Him. 

I beg you arguers out there, consider your words, are they worth a soul? Do you share Christ, or an opinion of who you might want Him to be because He seems safe—for you? 

I ask myself: Do I argue points because it is easy to explain away, or because it is true? Am I so bold to risk the soul of just one because my certainty is so important? 

Like my pastor is known to say, I hope to be more curious than certain. May I allow the God of the Universe be the Heart-changer and the Way-maker—not because of  the explanations and accusations of man, but mostly despite them.

After all, His ways are not our ways...I pray that I always remember that when I think I know better. And I hope I continue to seek the Truth of Christ in the actual Gospel, not the one that crops from a culture of Onlys.

Raising Skeptics Without Forfeiting Faith

**With the election year gearing up...can I hear and UGH!?....I needed this reminder, so I am posting it again! Have a great Wednesday!**

Lately I have noticed a trend across social media, political media, and whatever media: The audience's lack of skepticism. 
It seems human opinion is becoming GOD to the public. And I kinda understand. Because I know how it feels to have my pre-conceived ideas justified in print. In the past, I often cast off skepticism for an idea that aligned with my worldview. I would refuse to listen to the opposition with ears unplugged. I refused to let myself see the matter from a different view point. Sometimes, even now, I'll see something cross my newsfeed that appalls me, and I choose to believe it (and re-post, ack!) instead of seeking the truth of the matter.

More often than not, no matter the source, there is a truth being half-told, or covered up altogether.

One of my biggest fears used to be changing my worldview. I was told that there was only one way to look at things--"God's" way or the highway. I had been trapped into thinking that being loyal to God meant including myself under certain labels, certain opinions, certain trends. But all of those labels, opinions, trends...(ahem, political parties for example)...are man-made. Media is man-run. And lately, it all stinks of flesh to me. Many times, I find truth being covered up by even Christian sources. Sad but true.

As a parent trying to shape my kids' worldview, my fear swells at the responsibility.

Am I leading my kids down a path that is riddled with lies and cover-ups all in the name of God ('s people's opinions)? 

I have seen where this type of misinformed path might lead. My husband swore off religion altogether and identifies as an Atheist. You think I am being dramatic? I have fought that fight these past two years, and MUCH OF IT is because of the ugly actions and attitudes of Christ's church finally bringing my husband to a breaking point. I don't want that end for my children.

If we allow ourselves to align with certain truth-cover-uppers...or slanderers...our children will one day have minds of their own and realize the lies. If those lies taint Christian voices, then healthy skepticism for the world transfers to skepticism for the Church itself.

Once you become skeptical toward's Christ's church, more than just your political affiliations crumble...but your faith in Christ dies as well.

I want to instill faith in my kids, but teach them that God's truth and a keen sense of skepticism are all they can count on.

Regardless of who preaches, teaches, reports, or writes an article, I want my children to seek the truth of the matter with the truth of the SPIRIT guiding them.

I don't want them to view opinions equal to God's opinion. Every thing needs to be mulled over these days and affiliation with a media-driven idea needs to be held at arms length.

 My pastor often says that Christ's economy is upside down from the world's. And I am seeing that applied to all sides of all issues. Nothing is black and white. There is so much grey because We, The People muddy it. I am teaching my children to take EVERYTHING they hear with a skeptical, Christ-grounded look. If they need to turn it upside down to find truth, then skepticism will serve them well for a point of view with the whole truth, without the expense of their faith.

Preview to Wednesday's Post

Living with an Atheist has taught me a thing or two about skepticism. Staying close to my faith has opened my eyes to skepticism as a tool for my children. Come by tomorrow!