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Bob Kersten's avatar

Humorous on the one hand, but true at the same time. I truly believe that it’s no coincidence that Jesus once stated, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him DENY HIMSELF, take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) A whole multitude of problems which now plague the Church would suddenly disappear if only this simple command of Christ was taken to heart by more would-be Christ followers.

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Laura Y's avatar

Not to make light of your serious topic, but as an aside, when I looked up Skyline Chili, it's "identified" with Cincinnati. Seems Dayton just can't catch a break.

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Jim's avatar

Who I am

depends on who

I believe Jesus Is

If I believe He’s the king

who wisemen travelled far to find-

to worship with gold, frankincense and myrr-

Creator, Lord, and ruler

of all the universe-

then I will humbly bow and give Him all my love!

If I believe He walked upon the water

and calmed the sea

and calms the frightened hearts of men-

then I will find my peace within His presence

and trust that He alone is my fear’s

final end.

If I believe He gave sight to the blind man

and light to all

a world lost in the dark-

Then I will live my life

within His brightness,

and His words declare

just who we truly are!

If I believe He shows us who’s our

neighbor

the stranger lying wounded by the road-

then I will waken to the needs

of those around me

and see beyond myself

and share their load.

If I believe He raised Lazarus from the dead

and now has gone

to make a place for me within

His Father’s house

then my true home awaits for me tomorrow

and no joy will be forgotten

on that day.

If I believe He is the one and only

Son of God

who holds my very life within His hands-

then I am one

who will believe that it is true

and proclaim His costly mercy’s

meant for you!

If I believe He is Saviour, Lord

who on the cross poured out His life,

for prodigals, lost, wounded by our sin-

then I am one

who will with faith turn to His grace

and by His love and mercy live again!

Yes, He’s the king

who wisemen travelled far to find-

on Savior, Son of God

my life depends-

so I am one

who will with faith takes up love’s cross

and by His grace and mercy live again!

Yes, who I am depends on who

I believe Jesus is-

Lord, Savior, Son of God, eternal friend-

so now with faith I turn to His grace

and by His love and mercy life begins!

Copyright 2024 Jim McConnell

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Bobkanary@sbcglobal.net's avatar

You indicated elsewhere that you were going to tackle this Dayton Vampire phenomenon. The twilight book series (written by a quasi Mormon woman, with appeal to a then teen audience) went mega, So vampirism has received several cultural boosts in more recent years. As you say, The abandonment of a Christian worldview has yielded a vacuum, and now we see the return of the old gods, foreign gods, and new gods, as people wrestle with life's human ultimate questions, including human identity (am I created or creator?). Paul the apostle instructs young Timothy not get too wrap up in foolish discussions, in 2 Timothy 2:23 and elsewhere where he refers to myths. At the same time Paul does tell Timothy that he is a bond servant of the Lord and must "not be quarrelsome but be kind, able to teach, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, that they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will (2 Tim. 2:23-26). Some may find their way to Jesus. I am one.

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Jonathan E. Brickman's avatar

Humorous indeed. And terribly sad, to watch human corruption continue to grow.

There is another item that struck me:

> So we identify, first and foremost, as children of God, made new by the sacrifice of Christ.

And I'll have to suggest, that we should be very careful to not say "we identify" in this age where that phrase is significant. Rather, God defines us. He did define us as children of this world, doomed to die with the world. But He has redefined us, rebirthed us, made us into His children, granted His inheritance.

And self-identification is not new. Generations upon generations of armies have identified themselves as "Christians" while mowing down Indians and other unbelievers, for gain of this world. A reminder worth having; thank you, Father.

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Henry M Armfield's avatar

Identity is what it's all about in our new world. I'm past 60, but I have wanted to be a cowboy since....ugh, 1967 (I was five years old). Today arthritis keeps me off horses, and loading a six shooter is a bit troublesome with damaged hands. Frankly I'd just rather sit in a recliner and watch a western film on the television. Identification puzzles me. In parts of my North Carolina, I have come across, and mind you I have verified this odd behavior with persons whom I deem reputable, school children who think they are....cats. From what I'm told they wear attachable cat ears and tails, and.....use boxes with cat litter for bodily waste removal (provided by the local school systems, I have no idea what they do at home, perhaps the yard?, or a sandbox set up in a corner?). Almost always these "cats" were born female humans, but that's a minor detail and shouldn't take away from their "felinity".....is "felinity" a new identity?

I had a cousin in Raleigh, an avowed atheist now departed. He was such a non-believer that his non-faith would not allow him to even step into Holland's Global Methodist Church (it was UMC back when he was alive, even then he refused to enter) for their bi-annual barbeque (I highly recommend it, then again most everyone in Wake County knows of it, and I suspect a few atheists and pseudo-vegans slip in unannounced, but no one is keeping tabs since cooked and flavored pork is the focus). In my failed attempt to reason with my atheistic kin, I said "Look, going inside that church to eat a plate of barbeque will no more make you a Christian than my standing on the lot at the Ford dealership will make me an F-150." Oh well.....and my attempt to witness to him didn't have good results, but I did try, and from what I was told, I did deliver the message, and that was all I had to do. I'd wished for more.

Identifying as a Christian is so much being a cat, or a vampire. Or an atheist. There's nothing real about any of it. Becoming and being a Christian, that's a solid rock to stand on.

I've had Skyline chili, and I don't believe in vampires. Not impressed with either.

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“Mr.Darcy” Guyant's avatar

"The decline of Christianity in the West has created a vacuum of identity, and nature abhors a vacuum."

This reminds me of the concept of a “God-shaped hole” in our hearts that every person has, but which the world (Satan) increasing offers a multitude of ideas and attractions to fill it with.

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