Imagine spending years of your life getting to know someone only for them to leave you with no plan b. Not only did they leave, but they were crucified on a cross before your very eyes. Hung on a tree for all humanity. Overwhelmed with sorrow and guilt you try to pick your life back up. One day your friend returns to you with a request. “Go out and make disciples” Confused you begin to struggle with the “truth.” How are you to tell others what you have seen without them thinking you are crazy? Your friend implores you, tells you have been chosen. What if the disciples had said “no?” Jesus had no plan B. We each are commissioned to spread the gospel: All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. ~ Matthew 28:16-20 You see Jesus had no other plan, no other options but for us to spread his word. It was not only up to the disciples that lived over two-thousand years ago. It is up to each one of us today to share his message as well. Every Christian is asked to carry on Jesus’ message to the world. It can be as simple as a conversation with a neighbor over the dinner table, […]

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Much discussion has occurred lately on the flaws of Christians and how many of us behave towards others.

How to Separate the Disciples From the ChristiansPeople fly under the label of being ‘Christian’ as if it is an excuse to behave poorly. They have become judge and jury for those that step out of alignment with their beliefs. Holding themselves to a set of laws that were written thousands of years ago and adapted them to meet their needs and to be able to admonish others while condoning their own behavior.

I recently listened to the first two parts of an ongoing podcast series by Andy Stanley. The podcast titled ‘Christian:Brand Recognition’ tugged at my own heart. Over the past several months I have had an internal debate that at times has been vocalized. Feeling frustrated with my Christian brethren that claim to be disciples yet did not behave ‘Christian.’

A bit disenfranchised with the behavior of Christians as of late, I began to wonder. How can people who call themselves Christians be so hateful? We have become judgmental, homophobic and sometimes even worse. Standing high on our pillars we cast a disparaging eye on those that don’t meet our expectations.

I frequently am reminded of the quote attributed to Ghandi many years ago “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” These are powerful words spoken about a people who claim to be followers of Christ.

Is this really what being a Christian is supposed to be about? Maybe I am not so much a Christian as I hoped to be?

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” How are you going to answer than question this year?  By coming together on the King Holiday to serve their neighbors and communities. The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President’s national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. We can all make a difference in our own neighborhoods and communities and in turn change our cities, states and nation.  This is the twentieth anniversary since the designation of a day to serve.  We together can celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his dream by serving and helping others as he would have done.  By choosing to live to our potential and using ways of non-violence to improve our communities, we too can empower others and build bridges to heal the nation. By taking the day that most of us have off and transforming it into a day on in our communities we can begin a trend of service that can heal our country. So take a little time out of your busy day off, go out and serve others and in turn you will be serving yourself.  I will be heading out to share sandwiches, clothes and the gospel with the homeless in my city today.  What will you choose to do to continue the dream?   Blessings, CJ