Romans 7

I saw a t-shirt at Books-A-Million that depicts Jesus as the Staples' Easy Button. I couldn't help but chuckle, because God must have forgotten to install my Easy Button.

Paul's Struggle With Sin

And I don't think the Apostle Pause had an Easy Button either. I just read about Paul's struggle with sin in Romans 7. In verse 15 he says, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." I can relate to Paul; I always have to learn things the hard way. I know what I am doing is evil, and I do it anyways. Then I experience the guilt and shame.

No Condemnation

The Christian "Easy Button" is a lie. The Bible never says following Christ is easy, but it does say there is no condemnation in Christ. Romans 7:24-25 reads, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!" It goes on to say in Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..."

You and Me

You aren't the only one struggling; I struggle a lot. Paul struggled, but he still fulfilled God's plan for him. God is bigger than sin. God is bigger than addiction. God still loves you. God will forgive you. God can use you, even if you are screwed up like Paul and me.

Joshua 24:15

Joshua 24:15

The Golden Compass

[from Trailer]
Lyra Belacqua: [upon receiving the alethiometer] What is this?
Master of Jordan: It's an alethiometer. It tells the truth. You are meant to have it. You keep the alethiometer to yourself, it's of the utmost importance to yourself, to all of us, and perhaps to all creation. (Internet Movie Database)

You may have heard about The Golden Compass, a children's movie coming out in early December, but you have not heard the whole story. The book was written by Philip Pullman as an atheist's answer to C. S. Lewis's Narnia. "My books are about killing God (Snopes)." The anti-religious themes have been dumbed down for the movie, but many Christians parents may buy the book because the movie seemed harmless. Pullman is blunt about targeting kids with his atheist agenda, "I wanted to reach everyone, and the best way I could do that was to write for children (Wikipedia)."

As a Christian, I will not fiscally support this movie. I hope I'm not the only one.

[11/25/2007 Update: The 'Golden Compass' points to controversy]

God's Blog

Holy Spirit

"Why do [Christians] always talk about me as if I'm not in the room?" - Holy Spirit

Christian Top Ten

You know you're a Christian when...

1. You can't understand why people don't believe in God, because you talking to Him this morning.
2. When your Christian friends are running late, you worry that you missed the rapture.
3. You insist that you are both a child of God and maturing in your faith.
4. RTFM stands for "Read the Friendly Manual".
5. You've had a progressive fast food dinner.
6. When people ask about your father, you have to ask them which one.
7. You distrust people with too many 6s in their phone number, address, licence plate, etc.
8. When someone exclaims "Jesus Christ," you think it is the Second Coming.
9. You've fixed at least one vehicle by laying hands on it.
   
10. John 3:16 is not your favorite Bible verse!