What does it mean to be a Christian?

I have heard many people call themselves Christian, yet we all live in different ways and we all seem to believe different things.

I was going to write about what it means to be a Christian, but then realized I would first need to know what everyone else thought about the subject, so I could shape my post so it would actually mean something to people.

Then I had another idea. How about a discussion?

What I want to know (and talk about) is... In your opinion, what does it mean to be a Christian, and how do you think it influences the way we should live. To keep everyone from trying to act all high and mighty here, please be honest and admit when even you are living against what you believe.

I would like this to be a discussion, so if you disagree with someone, please explain why and don't just bash others. If bashing occurs, those comments will be deleted as soon as possible. Let's make this an educational discussion, with actual reasons behind what we say (as opposed to just saying, "I don't have a reason, it's just what I believe"). Biblical support would be nice, too. If you disagree with someone, please provide Biblical support as to why.

And go...

What does it mean to be a Christian?

How should being a Christian influence the way we live?

How do you feel you live up to those standards?

Yo Christians

This post goes out to all the "Christians" who claim to be so perfect . . .

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not perfect, but these are some things that irritate me about how others act like they are.

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"Actions Speak Louder Than Words"
Sure, you can talk like you're a great Christian, but I'd like to see you start living like you're a Christian.

"And do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." - Romans 12:2

So what does this mean? As Christians, we are supposed to be IN the world, but not OF the world. We are supposed to stand out and shine the light of Jesus to the world. How can we shine that light if we are doing things and living our lives so that we fit in and act like everyone else.

"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth." - Revelation 3:16

Seems pretty simple and straight-forward to me. We either live for Jesus, or we don't. We can't "straddle the fence," so to speak. If we don't live as He wants us to, well, as another translation translates it, we will be vomited out.

Quoting Scripture
Some people know the Bible inside out, and can quote any passage in any situation.

Impressive, right?

Nope, not really.

Satan can quote Scripture, too.

Am I still supposed to find it impressive?

The only time it is impressive to quote Scripture is if you live it yourself. Don't quote a passage and tell others to live that way, then turn around and break the rule you just quoted.

Yes, that's called being a hypocrite.

"I'm okay because I go to church every Sunday"
Again, so what?

Do you take to heart what the pastor says? If it's necessary, do you adjust your life and behavior to conform with what the Bible says? And no, you're not perfect, so don't say that you never need to adjust your heart. If you're never convicted about anything, perhaps it's time to find a church that will actually help you grow.

Now that's impressive.

But going to church just to make an appearance? That's not impressive. Make it count. Churches are there to help us grow. If we're not growing, the church isn't doing it's job, and it's time to find a church that DOES help us grow.

"It's okay because I'm a new Christian"
Well, if you're a new Christian... CONGRATULATIONS, and welcome to the "Family."

But no, it's not okay. Take your stumbles as a learning experience, learn from them, let them help you grow and become a better person. But don't just say "It's okay because I'm a new Christian," and then continue with the un-Christian behavior. This excuse could easily become a crutch, but let me ask you, how long are you a "new" Christian? How long can you use this excuse?

If a newborn baby doesn't exhibit a learning behavior, or develop properly after a certain amount of time, is the baby still "new?" Supposed a five year old still act like an infant. The child hasn't learned anything yet, or the parents have continued to baby him, continuously saying, "He's just a baby" . . . is he really a baby? No, and in fact, doctors might consider the fact that the child has a development problem.

So how long can you say you're a new Christian?

If, after five years, you're still at the same level you were when you became a Christian . . . I'm sorry, but you're not a new Christian anymore. You're just beginning to reach the point where you're giving the term "Christian" a bad name because you're failing to live by what the Bible says.

If we're truly excited about becoming a Christian, our new birth in Christ should be eliciting a thirst to learn more. We should be excited to learn and grow.

So don't use this as an "excuse," use this as an "opportunity" to grow in Christ.

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Like I said, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not perfect. But I do realize that I need to be continuously immersing myself in the Word, so I can continue to grow. Our purpose on this earth is to live for, and please, God. Anything else is irrelevant.

So here's a challenge.

Make your actions speak louder than your words.

If we all live as we're supposed to, we can change the way the world sees Christians. Let's take the title, and turn it back into something to be proud of.

Thinking about my mom

I couldn't sleep tonight; I've been missing my mom a LOT lately. So I decided to write down a little of what I've been feeling.

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I never thought I could miss someone so much. Words cannot express the hurt I feel, the emptiness in my heart grows more and more each day. My heart holds a void now, one that only you could fill.

I loved you more than I ever said. No, not loved as in past tense, but still love as in present tense. I still love you. I should have told you every day. You may have thought me crazy if I did, though, because we just weren’t a family that said it. We were a family that knew it. Still, there were times I wanted to tell you. But I didn’t. But I should have. Now, the regret makes me long for you even more. To tell you over and over again how much I love you.

Now when I pray, I ask God to tell you that I love you. I’m sure you know it. I’m sure you knew it anyway. Still, my heart longs to tell you. I wish I could tell you. I’m sorry I rarely did.

I used to think you’d be here forever. When you got sick, I didn’t show much emotion. Truth is, I don’t think my mind wanted to accept it. I couldn’t comprehend a world without you. I know we talked about it, and my brain knew it, but my heart just wouldn’t accept it. I didn’t want to believe that your time here, our time together, would come to an end.

You were the best mom I could have ever asked for. You did everything a mother should do for her children. Loved, cared for, taught… but you were also a best friend. No, closer than a best friend. You listened to everything without judging. You were a “how was your day” person, so always made me feel liked you valued everything I had to say. You knew when I wanted advice, and you knew when to let me figure something out on my own. I can’t remember one day of my life, ever, that you were not there for me.

And then you were gone. You went to be with Jesus on September 8, 2011. Six and a half months ago. And I miss you so, so much, words could never describe how much I want you to still be here. You left too early, too young.

I love you, mom. Now and forever!

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To everyone that's read this far... give your mom a hug and tell her you love her. You never know when you're last chance will be.

Davy Jones

Heard about the death of Davy Jones today. This is so sad! I remember watching him on the Monkees (he was always my favorite), and listening to him sing. My mom was a big fan of the Monkees, and she enjoyed watching the show when she was a kid... she got me started. I may not have given them the time of day if she had not liked them, 'cause I remember when the show was on "Nick-at-Nite's Blockparty Summer." They showed the commercial for "Monkee Monday's," and I told her, but wasn't too enthusiastic because I had no idea what the show was about. But she got all excited, so I decided I'd give it a chance.

One episode was all it took. I was hooked. I also wasn't really into music until I got into the Monkees. I think I was about 11, so I've been a fan now for about 15 years.

One year for Mother's Day, my brother and I sent Davy Jones a letter and a CD, asking him if he would autograph it for our mom, and send it along to the other Monkees. At the time, I wasn't sure if they communicated with each other on a regular basis, and my brother and I were both pretty young. We figured if anything was done at all, we would just get the CD back from Davy. After a while, we forgot about it. Then one day we got a package from California. It was from Peter Tork. Our request was granted. The CD had traveled to Davy, then Micky, then Peter, and back to us. We hadn't thought at the time to send envelopes (you know how most celebrities say that if you want to get something back, "send a self-addressed stamped envelope"), so we were even more thrilled that they had done it. We also hadn't thought to give them our mom's name, so it was signed to "Rachel and Aaron's mom." When we got it back, we were so excited, we had to give it to her early. We presented the CD to her and her first response was, "I already have this CD." We told her to open it up, and she just started crying. She was so happy and in awe that that had been done for her.

Now that she is gone, that CD is in my possession, and has always been special to us, even more so now. I wish I had been able to see the Monkees as they toured last year, but I wouldn't have gone with anyone else but my mom, and she was too sick last year to be interested in traveling to a concert. We did get to go see them when they toured in 2002, though (just Micky and Davy), and that was enough. She hadn't ever gotten to see them on tour in the 60's, when she was a teenager. So seeing the two of them in 2002 was enough for her. Not just once, but we attended two nights in a row. One in Indiana, that we had traveled for, the second in Michigan, as we were on our way home, we decided to go again. Those two nights were such a thrill!

The Monkees will always remind me of my mother, as the show/music was an interest we both shared. He may be gone, but Davy Jones will never be forgotten.