They did it again. Someone posted or commented something that called Christians idiotic bigots. Your fingers fly faster than your brain. You hurl even worse names at them, and tell them how God is going to judge the entire world one day in fire. They'll be in hell, and they won't be calling you a bigot then!
While this may not be you (but, unfortunately I've seen this so many times), it just hurts us when people call us mean things. In the world of angry emojis and sitting behind our computers in our comfortable homes, calling people out seems like the way to go. I mean, should we just sit there and allow our fellow Christians to be called all sorts of vile names and not retort? Why? Do we think we will win those people to Christ or to 'our side' by a random stranger going 'Your a terrible person, you are going to hell unless you repent'? Dare I say this?
I don't believe your comments are helping anyone, if anything you are dragging the Christian name in the mud right along with those hurtful comments you are so eager to refute.
Here is what I'm not saying: You should stand back and do nothing. On the contrary, I believe we are using Facebook to help ease our consciences instead of doing what we know we need to do. I am also not saying we shouldn't use Facebook to share the gospel. I love sharing verses and blog posts (and write and share blog posts!) about how great my God is! I believe it's a great tool, but I believe it's just one of the tools we should be using (and not using to retaliate with hurtful words to others' comments).
What should you do then, while people are calling you names and dragging the name of Christ in the mud? Here are my suggestions:
Get Into a Local, Bible Believing Church
What? What does that have to do with anything? Did you know, the church sits in a community? Did you know that it's the church's command to share the gospel, and disciple those who come to Christ? Did you also know that you can become part of that process?
Get into Sunday School, and maybe teach a class. Get involved in outreach programs, VBS's, disaster relief efforts, etc. Show your community what a Christ centered church looks like.
Raise Your Children in the Lord
While the schools may have your children for a good chunk of the day, you still have an obligation to teach your children the Bible and what it says. While salvation is the most important thing to teach them, teaching your children to be strong in the Lord is also very important. So many times I see kids rejecting what they've learned in church as soon as they hit college, but I believe it can also be (but not always) because they weren't taught at home, or because the parents weren't living out an example. Do you want your kids to follow Christ? Put Him first in all you do. ALL you do. That includes ball! and ballet, and whatever else that can come between you and Christ.
We are raising the next generation. While our world is trying to fill their heads with gender confusion, easy sex, 'live how you want to' mottoes, it is our job to teach them what the Bible says. We can't do that if we aren't in the Bible ourselves, or not getting our children into the Bible.
Show Love
This is not to be confused with tolerance. Love these days equals accepting whatever is going on. However, we are to show the love of Christ to all. Romans 12:9-21 says best what a Christian ought to do:
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written,“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
What would happen if Christians would live these verses out? I am praying for revival in our land! Let's get off our phones and into communities. This has convicted me, and I pray it convicts you.
This thing. This toy has been played with, and played with, and played with! If you read my post about things to do with pre-toddlers ,then you will know that bubbles are a big hit around here. Add a tot sized mower that my son can push around and bubbles come out, and you have a complete winner! You can find it at Walmart for $15. It comes with an itty bitty amount of bubble mixture, but a small amount lasts pretty well. I must add, the brand of bubbles it comes with, is the brand of bubbles you want to use to refill. I tried some that I already had, and although it worked, it didn't work as well. No worries though, the brand it uses is very inexpensive!
I am from the south, and it gets hot. I mean 90 degrees in May kind of hot! Water is always a go to on hot humid days. This next toy was found last year at a garage sale or resale shop, still new in the box for a whole dollar! Unfortunately this particular splash mat is no longer in stock, but there are some similar on amazon. If you want something where your toddler can cool down, a small pool, sprinkler, or splash mat can do the trick!
