Look Out Below!!!

For the month of September, our worship team is discussing Pride vs. Confidence and the importance of humility. We have all heard the Scripture that "pride comes before the fall", but how do we prevent that from happening? Did you know that pride is the most serious of the seven deadly sins? It is also the most difficult sin to recognize in our own lives. This is due to the fact that pride can skew our perceptions of reality. Pride deceives us and obscures the truth because of the humbling light that it would shed. See the contrast? Pride and truth are opposites. Pride deals with deception; humility deals with truth.

Here are a few more interesting differentiations between the two. Pride is a preoccupation with oneself. It is often a public display around self-centeredness in some form. Even the word "pride" is centered around the letter "i". Some of the most influential people in history have been brought down by pride. (Ahem...or music icons, cough, cough...Kanye West...) No, actually I'm referring to Adam & Eve, Cain, King Nebuchadnezzar, his son Belshazzar, King Sennacherib and Lucifer to name just a few. I found this part interesting; of the seven deadly sins, each one was associated with a specific demon. Get this, pride was assigned to Lucifer! Pride is an overestimation of one's ability or security, righteousness or self-worth.

True humility is submission to God and legitimate authority, recognition of virtues and talents of others-including those which surpass one's own, giving due honor. Humility is a sign of Godly strength, not weakness. It is about modesty, lacking pretense and not believing that you are superior to others. You can still have both confidence and humility. Confidence is a private matter. The trick is finding the balance. I believe that Queen Esther and King David are great examples of this.

Did you know that you can actually be prideful about being too humble? Give that a second to sink in. And most of us won't recognize pride until it's too late. By that point, someone is already screaming, "Look out below!" We have ALL dealt with pride, but the key is to crucify it before it crucifies us. It is good to have an accountability partner or trusted friend that will let you know without the sugar coating. Anyone can ask, "How am I doing?" But it requires humility to ask, "What can I change?"

Here are a few questions to keep ourselves in check:

1. How many times do the words "I" or "my" occur in a conversation? (Start with counting just in one sentence.)
2. Whose attention am I seeking and why? Where is my focus?
3. Am I judging, degrading or speaking down to others?
4. Am I boastful about my acclaimed humility?
5. Am I able to say the following phrases: "You are right" and "I am sorry". (Just gonna be a little transparent...that's a hard one for me!)
6. Do I have a pastor, friend or confidant that I can go to that does not have their own agenda at stake? Will they be honest enough to tell me the things that I don't want to hear? (This must be someone that you trust to speak the truth in love-words of encouragement and life, not death.)
7. Do I take ownership of my successes, abilities, talents or ideas? (Remember WHO gave those things to you in the first place, so all glory and credit belongs to HIM.)

Lastly, pray, pray, pray! Ask God with an open heart and be ready to listen with open ears. Proverbs is a great book to read on pride and humility. It gives so many practical guidelines to live by. Try one chapter per day if you haven't done so already. So much great stuff in there!

Scripture references:
Proverbs 15:33 "...before honor is humility."
Proverbs 16:18-19 "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud."

"Oh My G*d!"

Everyday, Javin is required to read for 20-30minutes from a book of his choosing. He can choose one from home or one from the library at (public) school. It's always more fun to read something that isn't yours. So, two days ago, he checked out a book at the school library and began reading it to me. Then he stopped and gave me a prerequisite. He said, "Mom, there is a bad word in here, but don't worry because I'm not going to say it." Of course, I yank the book out of his hand and say, "Where? Show me." I was gonna go have me a talk with the school, black out the word, call the teacher...you know, depending...

Javin said, "It says, 'Oh my God', but I'm just gonna say 'Oh my gosh' instead." I breathed a sigh of relief and just smiled like the proud mother that I am. I love the fact that he is so sensitive and innocent. I love the fact that he realizes the importance and consequences of taking the Lord's name in vain. I guess I just didn't expect it from my 7 year old. Funny thing is that I don't ever recall a specific conversation in which we had that discussion. Kids pick up everything whether we realize it or not. He has been watching our actions and words even when we may have forgotten.

His reaction really pricked my heart. If I were reading the same book, would I even have caught that? Would it have bothered me to the extent that it did Javin? Or have I become so numb to the world that it would have just slipped right by without a second thought? I mean this wasn't a blatant curse word or something that jumped off the page. I know that I am already very conscious about not saying the Lord's name in vain, but his conviction just made me that much more aware. "God, I want to be so sensitive to You that I don't miss the little things. I want to feel conviction like he felt with such sincerity in his voice. "

It is so important to guard our gates (mouth, eyes, ears). Don't let anything in that you don't want to come out. Out of a man's heart, so he speaks. Are you guarding your mouth? Does the way you talk change from home to work, school or church?

Oddly enough, I started a cussing cup at work. They pay me in chocolate! It works out great because they understand my convictions and I get the benefit! (Maybe a little out of context but it reminds me of the Scripture that says "The wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous!" Their wealth is my chocolate!) That's just a little Kellyology. =0)

How does that gum commercial go? "Dirty, mouth? Clean it up!"

Poop or Get Off the Pot!

I am writing this blog because it bugs me when people call themselves Christians, but have no idea what they are talking about. You see the question all over Facebook, medical documents, personal profiles, etc. "What is your religious preference?" Most of us answer with "Christian". We might have a general concept of what Chrisitanity is, but do we really know the privilege that comes with being a Christian and the responsibility of acting like a Christian?

I liken the indecisiveness of professing that you are a Christian, but then acting polar opposite to "Poop or get off the pot". Either make a decision to be a REAL and AUTHENTIC Christian or don't. It drives me nuts when Christianity seems to get diluted or when someone makes a half-hearted profession without understanding the full concept of what they think they believe. So let me give you my point of view.

Christianity is not just a religion; it is about a lifestyle and a relationship. God created us to love Him and have a personal relationship with Him through His son Jesus. (John 3:16, Eph 2:4-5) Christianity is accepting the fact that Jesus Christ came to earth to die for our sins so that we could receive salvation and spend eternity in heaven. Let's try not to make that sound cliche'. Do you have any idea what He went through before He was resurrected? (I will attach a video, but it is not for the faint of heart. See link below) Being a Christian is about being "Christ"-like. It is about setting an example, setting yourself apart. How else will anybody know that you are "different"? Believe it or not, being a Christian is NOT just about believing in God. Many people and religions believe in God...or a god.

According to Wikipedia, a Christian is "one who professes belief in Jesus Christ and lives a lifestyle based on the life and teachings of Jesus." In 2007, the US did a survey and found there to be 5 typical Christian categories:

• Active Christians: Committed to attending church, Bible reading and sharing their faith that salvation comes through Jesus Christ. Usually in church leadership. (relationship-driven)
• Professing Christians: Also committed to accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, but focus on personal relationships with God and Jesus more than attending church, Bible reading or sharing the faith. (my side note-we need to have the fellowship of believers and the spiritual covering of the church)
• Liturgical Christians: High level of spiritual activity (notice the difference, it does not mention salvation), mainly expressed by attending and recognizing the authority of the church and by serving in it or the community. (appears to be works driven)
• Private Christians: Believe in God and doing good things (fyi...does not mention Jesus), but not within a church context.
• Cultural Christians: Do not view Jesus as essential to salvation. They are the least likely to align their beliefs or practices with Biblical teachings or to attend church. They favor a universality theology that sees many ways to God. (Obviously, we know there is only one way and one God. Honestly, this category should not even be in the "Christian" category since Christianity is about belief in The Christ. Keep in mind this is from a secular source.)

And then we have Hypocrites. This is when you claim to be a Christian, but your fruit does not show it. You go to church and then act another way when you get home. This is when I say, "Poop or get off the pot". Being a Christian is serious business. (No pun intended) It is better to be hot or cold than to be lukewarm. Would you like the Scripture reference for that?

So what type of Christian are you? I'm striving for "Active". What does Christianity mean to you? Here are a few responses:

• Matt Petroski -"Stripping away all the junk you think is you, but isn't"
• Bro. Rod -"The Love, Life and Laughter of Jesus"
• Elsie Spingath -"Knowing God, receiving His love and mercy through Jesus and acting in that love"
• Penny Bordelon -"Freedom"
• Johanna Triche -"Being like Christ"
• Van Bordelon -"To give of yourself freely and watch the impact that has on others"
• Courtney Sessions -"Accepting Jesus as your Savior and devoting your life to being a symbol to others of what Jesus is"
  Ronny Michel -"God pouring out all He is on all I'm not"
• Kim McGee -"Seeking out God and having a relationship"
• Rudy McGee -"Being like Christ"
• Staci Ojeda -"Being a reflection of Jesus"
• Rory Warren -"A relationship with God"

It is interesting to see everybody's different interpretations and point of views. So, back to the question: What is your religious preference? Now you can make an educated decision. Poop or get off the pot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzat9dx6v8k