I had a discussion with my mother on the way home from church today about a couple of my close friends who I am trying to introduce to Christianity. One of those is Hindu, the other of which was raised in a home where he is to remain theologically neutral until his eighteenth birthday. My original question to my mom was if God would allow good people in heaven, even if they were of other religions. She quoted the verse about how Jesus is THE WAY, and that no one gets to The Father but through Him. Even so, I've continually been trying to evangelize simply for the fact that they need saving just like everyone else.
Evangelism has been especially difficult with the second of these friends. He has a harder time accepting what I'm presenting because he's never been given the choice to accept for himself. Because of his upbringing, the need for an almighty God is absent from his life, and he sees no practicality in "worrying about it".
This has sparked my interest in the minds of Americans and why we have a hard time accepting Jesus as Saviour. I'm beginning to understand this by observation of the middle/upper class American state of mind.
You don't need to be provided for if you can easily conjure up anything you need with a snap of your fingers.
You don't need rescue from suffering when you've led a life of luxury.
We lounge and put our feet up in our fancy chairs at our holiday homes while sunbathing with our Oakleys to protect our eyes from the very sun that shines over the heads of the underpriveleged, orphaned, oblivious, and poor.
We, as Americans, proudly declare ourselves as "on top".
And we are.
It is easy for those who need to be provided for to need a provider, and it's easy for those who suffer to need a rescuer.
We, my friends, need a divine intervention in our lives just as much as they do.
We need to get off our independent, self-sufficient high horses.
We need Jesus.
"Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who 'have it all' to enter God's kingdom? You can't imagine how difficult. I'd say it's easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than or the rich to get into God's kingdom." (Mark 10:23-25 MSG)
Monday, June 15, 2015
Friday, June 12, 2015
Lessons Learned in Texas
We are coming up on my family's one year anniversary with Texas. In the time we have spent here, I have learned many new and valuable things about this glorified country we call a state- and I guess that statement right there gives me Lesson #1...
1. They say Texas is a state, but not really. It's a country.
You'll notice this one perhaps the quickest. Texas is the one place I've been where everything is Texas themed. It's like a big Texas theme park. You can buy Texas mugs, stickers, rugs, placemats, bikes, blankets, magnets, jewelry, clothing... You never have to look far to find Texas merchandise. Texans win the "State Pride Award", hands down. Even if we do have a conspiracy theory that they will eventually secede from the United States.
To please my mother, I have observed all the fashion trends here in this Great Land. Who knew fashion was a cultural experience? This is a lesson or two in itself.
2. Texans, as much as they try to convince you that they aren't all cowboys, really are.
Boots, boots, boots. Lots of boots. Wrangler jeans, anyone? Even those I know who don't own cowpoke or horses or whatever still wear all the cowboy apparel! They may not technically be cowboys and cowgirls, but they will dress like 'em nonetheless.
3. You can never have too many rhinestones, crosses, and camo.
These are the three components that really seal the deal with Texas fashion. Most of the time, you can find all three in one item of clothing. Something about pink or traditional green camouflage and plastic jewels just really says "Jesus".
Relationship building has certainly been interesting here in Texas. Meeting new people and making new friends has never been easier... and harder.
4. Be careful little mouth what you say!
Just writing this article somewhat defies that there rule. Texans are capable of being easily offended! This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it sure does teach you to be careful with what you allow to exit your mouth. For my expertly northern family and I, this has been a challenge so far. I've never had to be so considerate with what opinions I share!
5. Barriers must be broken to form real relationships.
Lots of people here have this wall built around them, making it hard to connect. There is an outside and inside person, and most people will only let you get to know what's on the outside. You will know you've built a good relationship when you can get to the person on the inside of the barrier.
Earlier this year we attended the rodeo, just to see what it was all about. So much goes on at the rodeo. So. Much. There's the carnival, the art, the food, the concert, the show animals.... You can take three days and still not cover everything this event has to offer.
6. Try the fried stuff.
The fried food we ate at the rodeo was the best and worst experience of our lives. We learned not to acknowledge the fact that deep fried cheesecake on a stick could quite possibly bring our lives to an unfortunate and untimely end. It's all part of the experience!
7. Texans DO have souls.
My little animal-loving brother and I watched through our hands in horror of tiny, harmless calfs being strangled and tackled in the dirt for sport. I honestly wondered for days after seeing that if these insane people valued innocent life at all. I have concluded that Jesus still loves their souls, even if they are dark and filled with cow torture.
As soon as we got here, we sought out shopping centers. We discovered a few that we really like, because after all, shopping in Texas is quite the activity.
8. Grocery shopping is more fun in Texas.
This may be more of an opinion of mine (and my mother's) than a general rule, but honestly. HEB. Need I say more?
9. Filling your gas tank has never been more efficient!
Buc-ee's. It's not just a gas station. It has everything. You can get anything from house decor to your next meal! Did I mention the cleanest restrooms on the planet? You can buy anything with a beaver head on it for a few extra dollars. Oh, and I guess you can get gas in your car, too.
Everybody knows that Texas is renowned for it's great food. That is no lie. There are so many options for food in Texas, you might not ever set foot in a McDonald's again once you get here!
10. Taco carts?
It may seem ghetto to buy food from a small cart on the side of the road that almost certainly has pest and rodent issues. But no. Looking for delicious and authentic tacos? SEARCH NO FURTHER! Lime and cilantro... Mmm....
Thinking about Texas weather is like a horror movie for northerners, but you learn to appreciate it after a while. Why? Because nobody misses shoveling snow.
11. Tropical weather means no snow and swimming all year round!
Knowing that our weather is close to equal to that of Florida makes life nice.
However...
12. Allergies will make or break you.
I personally have had bad skin breakouts since moving to Texas, and my whole family has experienced some severe allergies and allergy colds. Yuck!
Coming from a place with such obvious beauty like gorgeous color-changing leaves in the fall and humongous lakes to a flat place with bugs and snakes really makes you aware of what you have.
13. Appreciate the beauty you are given.
In comparison to other places I've been, Texas doesn't immediately scream "pretty", so I've learned to love every bit of the palm trees, flowers, and sunshine that we do have. There are a million different kinds of beauty out there.
This next ones are somewhat random, but they are some friendly reminders.
14. Always wear sunglasses and sunscreen!
I keep forgetting that I'm in Texas where it's always inevitably sunny! With my vampire-like Irish skin, sunscreen is a necessity. I already have some interesting tans in bad places. It's often too sunny outside to see ten feet in front of you without some shades, and the sunshine filtered through the car window isn't much better. This is a very important rule!
15. Texans say "y'all", NOT "you'ns"!!!!
Don't question this one, guys, and don't laugh at me. Long story short, I mistakenly said "you'ns" once and was harshly reprimanded. Ouch.
Lastly, I have grown a great deal in spiritual discoveries this past year. Being in a different church, school, and cultural atmosphere has greatly affected the way I see things in our state and our world.
16. Christian ≠ Christian.
This never occurred as a problem in the north, because northerners would be out with it and tell you straight up whether they were dedicated believers or not. Here in Texas, where church is the social norm, everybody is a Christian. But not really. People say they're Christians and go out and party on the weekends. People say they're Christians and never go to church.
17. People still need Jesus.
Yes, even in our Bible Belt, Bible-thumpin' culture there are sinners, and there are lost people. There are people who don't know His story. There are people who never will, because nobody will take the time to tell them, because we expect them to already know. That kid at your lunch table? Might not know who Jesus is. That lady at work? May not have ever set foot in a church building. You never know. Don't think for one minute that everyone is already aware of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Some people may be offended by what I have written here, hence Lesson #4. Some may find it funny. Some may not take it seriously because I'm just a little youth minister's daughter who doesn't know what she's talking about. My reason for writing this is not just to let out all the thoughts that have been swimming in my head for this past year, but to share what I have learned in the hopes that this will, in some way, bless someone else, and pass on what little wisdom I have gained from Texas so far. Wow! Texas really isn't that bad.
1. They say Texas is a state, but not really. It's a country.
You'll notice this one perhaps the quickest. Texas is the one place I've been where everything is Texas themed. It's like a big Texas theme park. You can buy Texas mugs, stickers, rugs, placemats, bikes, blankets, magnets, jewelry, clothing... You never have to look far to find Texas merchandise. Texans win the "State Pride Award", hands down. Even if we do have a conspiracy theory that they will eventually secede from the United States.
To please my mother, I have observed all the fashion trends here in this Great Land. Who knew fashion was a cultural experience? This is a lesson or two in itself.
2. Texans, as much as they try to convince you that they aren't all cowboys, really are.
Boots, boots, boots. Lots of boots. Wrangler jeans, anyone? Even those I know who don't own cowpoke or horses or whatever still wear all the cowboy apparel! They may not technically be cowboys and cowgirls, but they will dress like 'em nonetheless.
3. You can never have too many rhinestones, crosses, and camo.
These are the three components that really seal the deal with Texas fashion. Most of the time, you can find all three in one item of clothing. Something about pink or traditional green camouflage and plastic jewels just really says "Jesus".
Relationship building has certainly been interesting here in Texas. Meeting new people and making new friends has never been easier... and harder.
4. Be careful little mouth what you say!
Just writing this article somewhat defies that there rule. Texans are capable of being easily offended! This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it sure does teach you to be careful with what you allow to exit your mouth. For my expertly northern family and I, this has been a challenge so far. I've never had to be so considerate with what opinions I share!
5. Barriers must be broken to form real relationships.
Lots of people here have this wall built around them, making it hard to connect. There is an outside and inside person, and most people will only let you get to know what's on the outside. You will know you've built a good relationship when you can get to the person on the inside of the barrier.
Earlier this year we attended the rodeo, just to see what it was all about. So much goes on at the rodeo. So. Much. There's the carnival, the art, the food, the concert, the show animals.... You can take three days and still not cover everything this event has to offer.
6. Try the fried stuff.
The fried food we ate at the rodeo was the best and worst experience of our lives. We learned not to acknowledge the fact that deep fried cheesecake on a stick could quite possibly bring our lives to an unfortunate and untimely end. It's all part of the experience!
7. Texans DO have souls.
My little animal-loving brother and I watched through our hands in horror of tiny, harmless calfs being strangled and tackled in the dirt for sport. I honestly wondered for days after seeing that if these insane people valued innocent life at all. I have concluded that Jesus still loves their souls, even if they are dark and filled with cow torture.
As soon as we got here, we sought out shopping centers. We discovered a few that we really like, because after all, shopping in Texas is quite the activity.
8. Grocery shopping is more fun in Texas.
This may be more of an opinion of mine (and my mother's) than a general rule, but honestly. HEB. Need I say more?
9. Filling your gas tank has never been more efficient!
Buc-ee's. It's not just a gas station. It has everything. You can get anything from house decor to your next meal! Did I mention the cleanest restrooms on the planet? You can buy anything with a beaver head on it for a few extra dollars. Oh, and I guess you can get gas in your car, too.
Everybody knows that Texas is renowned for it's great food. That is no lie. There are so many options for food in Texas, you might not ever set foot in a McDonald's again once you get here!
10. Taco carts?
It may seem ghetto to buy food from a small cart on the side of the road that almost certainly has pest and rodent issues. But no. Looking for delicious and authentic tacos? SEARCH NO FURTHER! Lime and cilantro... Mmm....
Thinking about Texas weather is like a horror movie for northerners, but you learn to appreciate it after a while. Why? Because nobody misses shoveling snow.
11. Tropical weather means no snow and swimming all year round!
Knowing that our weather is close to equal to that of Florida makes life nice.
However...
12. Allergies will make or break you.
I personally have had bad skin breakouts since moving to Texas, and my whole family has experienced some severe allergies and allergy colds. Yuck!
Coming from a place with such obvious beauty like gorgeous color-changing leaves in the fall and humongous lakes to a flat place with bugs and snakes really makes you aware of what you have.
13. Appreciate the beauty you are given.
In comparison to other places I've been, Texas doesn't immediately scream "pretty", so I've learned to love every bit of the palm trees, flowers, and sunshine that we do have. There are a million different kinds of beauty out there.
This next ones are somewhat random, but they are some friendly reminders.
14. Always wear sunglasses and sunscreen!
I keep forgetting that I'm in Texas where it's always inevitably sunny! With my vampire-like Irish skin, sunscreen is a necessity. I already have some interesting tans in bad places. It's often too sunny outside to see ten feet in front of you without some shades, and the sunshine filtered through the car window isn't much better. This is a very important rule!
15. Texans say "y'all", NOT "you'ns"!!!!
Don't question this one, guys, and don't laugh at me. Long story short, I mistakenly said "you'ns" once and was harshly reprimanded. Ouch.
Lastly, I have grown a great deal in spiritual discoveries this past year. Being in a different church, school, and cultural atmosphere has greatly affected the way I see things in our state and our world.
16. Christian ≠ Christian.
This never occurred as a problem in the north, because northerners would be out with it and tell you straight up whether they were dedicated believers or not. Here in Texas, where church is the social norm, everybody is a Christian. But not really. People say they're Christians and go out and party on the weekends. People say they're Christians and never go to church.
17. People still need Jesus.
Yes, even in our Bible Belt, Bible-thumpin' culture there are sinners, and there are lost people. There are people who don't know His story. There are people who never will, because nobody will take the time to tell them, because we expect them to already know. That kid at your lunch table? Might not know who Jesus is. That lady at work? May not have ever set foot in a church building. You never know. Don't think for one minute that everyone is already aware of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Some people may be offended by what I have written here, hence Lesson #4. Some may find it funny. Some may not take it seriously because I'm just a little youth minister's daughter who doesn't know what she's talking about. My reason for writing this is not just to let out all the thoughts that have been swimming in my head for this past year, but to share what I have learned in the hopes that this will, in some way, bless someone else, and pass on what little wisdom I have gained from Texas so far. Wow! Texas really isn't that bad.