When you made the decision to become a Christian....what was it that brought you there? In my Bible study group last Sunday we are going through a book called Tactics where it helps us be more productive when sharing the Gospels to others. At the core of this book is the effort for which we are not there to change someone's mind right then and there, but we are to hopefully share with them the good news that places a small pebble in their shoe.
Quick Blog Update: It's pretty amazing to see this blog and the outcomes that have come from just a little bit of sharing on a site. I've had many people start conversations with me about Jesus that I never thought would happen. It has also given me more opportunities to serve. I haven't been writing as frequently because of these opportunities. I am pursuing some leadership roles within my church and also pursuing more one on one ministry. Plain and simple, my reason for starting this blog a year ago was this: I love God so much that it typically brings me to tears because He delivered me when I was nothing and had nothing to give to Him. The joy that I have in the Lord is so wonderful that I don't feel like I am obligated to share it with others, I WANT to and have to! I spent so many years being a luke-warm Christian for which I never really had a relationship with God...and it showed! It showed in my pursuits, my passions, and in my relationships. I will continue to write on this blog and I hope you continue reading. My goal is to be a conduit, be a lighthouse, be an avenue for which I can place thistle and embers around so that when your heart starts to spark a fire for Jesus that it turns into a roaring flame! For today's writing though I'm going back to the fundamentals....the Gospels. The question that spawned me to start writing and pursuing the will of God came from a great mentor and friend: What is your purpose Cameron? Money didn't matter, accomplishments didn't matter, the adoration of others....it didn't matter. What mattered was and is Jesus. I wrote down on my note card that day that my purpose is this: To discern God's will, live a life that isn't mine, and share the light with those in darkness. The context of this question is important. If someone asked what a police officer's purpose was while he/she was in full attire directing traffic I'd assume that he/she would say something along the lines of "to direct traffic" or "to protect and serve." The context and framing of every question must be examined, and today I challenge you to go to the simple questions within the context of being a wonderful creation in Christ.
What's the number one question kids ask? Why? If you grew up like me, the typical response was "Because I said so..." which most of the time was good enough for me (not necessarily though for my sisters). So why are you a Christian? What brought you to the place of accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior? In the book Tactics it poses us with questions that many non-believers ask Christians: How can you be a Christian when there was so much bad in the Bible? What about the crusades? What about all the stories in Judges? Truth be told, I didn't have a great answer for these during our group discussion. It did however leave the pebble in my shoe-how would I respond to that today if someone actually asked me that? I didn't have an answer....until....in my prayer time I was shown that the reason I am a Christian is because of Jesus and what He did for me. The reason I am a Christian is because of the Gospels. The reason I pursue and love Christ is because I know that He is my Savior through the Bible that puts the entire picture together that leads to His death and resurrection!
Christians get hard questions all of the time: How can you be a Christian when the church has brought so much pain to people? How can you believe in a loving God when there is so much pain and suffering in the world? How can you be a Christian when I know about your personal past?
At the end of the day, it comes down the one thing that changed everything: The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament showed a law.....and it showed all breaking that law. The New Testament shows us the new covenant that God made for which we have eternal life through Jesus Christ for which NOTHING can separate us from His love for us (Read Romans....the whole book of Romans).
Why am I a Christian?.....because I am nothing. I am a spec. I am useless.....without the love and mercy of God who gave His only son for me. All the bad in the world, all the bad in our pasts, all the bad in our hearts.....set us up for Who we needed, and that is Jesus Christ! I'm not a Christian because of the book of Genisus, or Hebrews, or Judges....I am a Christian because I know with 100% certainty that Christ died for me.
So my question for you is this: Why are you a Christian? I'd love to hear your comments. Drop me a line.
-Cameron
Quick Blog Update: It's pretty amazing to see this blog and the outcomes that have come from just a little bit of sharing on a site. I've had many people start conversations with me about Jesus that I never thought would happen. It has also given me more opportunities to serve. I haven't been writing as frequently because of these opportunities. I am pursuing some leadership roles within my church and also pursuing more one on one ministry. Plain and simple, my reason for starting this blog a year ago was this: I love God so much that it typically brings me to tears because He delivered me when I was nothing and had nothing to give to Him. The joy that I have in the Lord is so wonderful that I don't feel like I am obligated to share it with others, I WANT to and have to! I spent so many years being a luke-warm Christian for which I never really had a relationship with God...and it showed! It showed in my pursuits, my passions, and in my relationships. I will continue to write on this blog and I hope you continue reading. My goal is to be a conduit, be a lighthouse, be an avenue for which I can place thistle and embers around so that when your heart starts to spark a fire for Jesus that it turns into a roaring flame! For today's writing though I'm going back to the fundamentals....the Gospels. The question that spawned me to start writing and pursuing the will of God came from a great mentor and friend: What is your purpose Cameron? Money didn't matter, accomplishments didn't matter, the adoration of others....it didn't matter. What mattered was and is Jesus. I wrote down on my note card that day that my purpose is this: To discern God's will, live a life that isn't mine, and share the light with those in darkness. The context of this question is important. If someone asked what a police officer's purpose was while he/she was in full attire directing traffic I'd assume that he/she would say something along the lines of "to direct traffic" or "to protect and serve." The context and framing of every question must be examined, and today I challenge you to go to the simple questions within the context of being a wonderful creation in Christ.
What's the number one question kids ask? Why? If you grew up like me, the typical response was "Because I said so..." which most of the time was good enough for me (not necessarily though for my sisters). So why are you a Christian? What brought you to the place of accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior? In the book Tactics it poses us with questions that many non-believers ask Christians: How can you be a Christian when there was so much bad in the Bible? What about the crusades? What about all the stories in Judges? Truth be told, I didn't have a great answer for these during our group discussion. It did however leave the pebble in my shoe-how would I respond to that today if someone actually asked me that? I didn't have an answer....until....in my prayer time I was shown that the reason I am a Christian is because of Jesus and what He did for me. The reason I am a Christian is because of the Gospels. The reason I pursue and love Christ is because I know that He is my Savior through the Bible that puts the entire picture together that leads to His death and resurrection!
Christians get hard questions all of the time: How can you be a Christian when the church has brought so much pain to people? How can you believe in a loving God when there is so much pain and suffering in the world? How can you be a Christian when I know about your personal past?
At the end of the day, it comes down the one thing that changed everything: The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament showed a law.....and it showed all breaking that law. The New Testament shows us the new covenant that God made for which we have eternal life through Jesus Christ for which NOTHING can separate us from His love for us (Read Romans....the whole book of Romans).
Why am I a Christian?.....because I am nothing. I am a spec. I am useless.....without the love and mercy of God who gave His only son for me. All the bad in the world, all the bad in our pasts, all the bad in our hearts.....set us up for Who we needed, and that is Jesus Christ! I'm not a Christian because of the book of Genisus, or Hebrews, or Judges....I am a Christian because I know with 100% certainty that Christ died for me.
So my question for you is this: Why are you a Christian? I'd love to hear your comments. Drop me a line.
-Cameron
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