Linking Arms~

I was looking for some inspirational teaching from Paul, or an ineffable action of Christ that showed the importance of this idea I've been wanting to blog on, but I've struggled to find an instance in the bible that worked well...that is, until I used the power of Google. I was able to use some of Paul's teachings and some internet research to determine one thing for certain~as American Christians today, we lack uniformity. This is an ever-growing problem in today's society, that is starting to hinder Christians ability to reach out to those who don't yet know Christ. Allow me to explain.

1 Corinthians 1:10

"I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought."

Paul continues teaching on the importnace of Christian and Church uniformity in the book of Romans.

Romans 12:16

"Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited."

 

Romans 12:4

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function..."

www.redletterchristians.org says, and I quote, "American Christians have forgotten how to dialogue and respectfully disagree. We've abandoned concepts like grace, humility and love and have developed into critics instead of encouragers, instigators instead of peacemakers, debaters instead of friends, and reactionists instead of innovators."

Are you a peacemaker? Showing mercy? Willing to go the extra mile for your faith?

Many Christians today are critical towards those who aren't Christian, or believe an aspect of the bible differently. If we could set aside minor differences, and find glory in the simple fact that OUR biggest commonality is our belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, we would all be much more versatile tools, right at God's fingertips. It's just taking that step to turn a blind eye to our denominational differences. Taking steps toward a more united Church will better allow us to be the Hope of the World we are called to be. It's time to amalgamate the seemingly seperate entities of the Christian Church, and accept that when it comes down to it, we are all Christians.

Made New~

Breaking an addiction can be tough. I have many people in my life who have sought help in breaking their specific addiction, but it seems like whether it's a counseler, or another family member, the addiction is never completely broken. But is it possible to completely break an addiction? I'm going to tell you that the remnants of broken addictions will still leave lasting impacts on your life, no matter how harmless the addiction initially seemed.  But did you know that our greatest addiction as humans is conquerable? Sin is an addiction every single human battles daily.  Sin's grip on us may seem overpowering, and difficult to bear on our own, however, in Romans 6, we see hope unfold.  Romans 6:4 says this, "therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the newness of life." Verse 12: "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body..." Verse 14: "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are but under law but under grace."  So our old self was buried with Christ, and just as Jesus came back glorious, our newness in Christ is glorious too! So why not live like it?! Many Christians I know still let sin have dominion over them, and don't seek to put end to it's reign.  Shouldn't we seek to produce fruits of Holiness, and part ways with the curse that has ruled over us for years, as Jesus has told us to? Verse 7: "For he who has died has been freed from sin." You're made new! Celebrate! Your spirit cleansed.

Love, Love, Love~

I guess I never understood the importance of love before reading the book of John. John is transformative, as it speaks right to the heart with the words of Jesus Christ.  I was so overwhelmed with all of Jesus' teachings from the moment I embarked on my journey through John. Soon to be finished, I want to share one of many very powerful passages sharing the importance of love.

JOHN 15:

12 My commandment is this - to love one another just as I have loved you.

13 No one has greater love than this - that one lays down his life for his friends.

14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.

15 I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father.

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.

17 This I command you - to love one another.                                                       As Christians, we were appointed to bear fruit that remains, and to follow the commands of Christ.  Jesus stresses love in this chapter, and how we should love one another. Even if we are of difference of opinion with someone, or we have completely different religious/political views...love still applies. Have an awesome day everyone!

Know Your Limits~

Yes, using a theme park as the foundation for my encouragement may seem kind of cheesy, but the lesson I learned during my thrill-driven day at the one-and-only Kings Island stuck with me.  Every year, I'm externally motivated why die-hard roller coaster fans, and by my stupid, human-self to ride every coaster at Kings Island, and this year, my determination was off the charts.

I started out with the Kings Island Drop Tower, "the world's tallest gyro-drop, standing 315-feet tall with a 264-foot drop". POV YouTube Link: http://youtu.be/y1yg8sKOqRg

Next was The Bat. POV YouTube Link: http://youtu.be/tdHDHE06B_s

Success. But next came the Delirium. Here's where I made my mistake.  In the past, spinning rides and swings have always made me motion-sick.  However, I took a risk, knowing there could be a consequence. Here's the POV link: http://youtu.be/Y-wd9r1sIY0

I started dry heaving as soon as I got off. All I'm saying is that we must understand that every decision we make WILL have a consequence.  My consequence turned out being negative, however, the risk I took wasn't really a smart one.  It's important that we use past experiences to conclude what we should and shouldn't do.  Just a little tip. Maybe encouraging? Maybe not...I don't know.  Have a blessed day everyone. ~Eric~

Commenting Trouble~

I'm aware that many have been having trouble commenting on the blog.  My apologies.  When you are reading a blog post, make sure you are off of the main "Blog Archive".  In other words, make sure when you scroll down, you're not looking at a collection of all of my different posts.  To view JUST ONE post, click on the title of the post.  Then, there should be a commenting option.  You see, you can only comment when you are on an individual post.  It will just require that you sign in with your Google account, or will give you other options of commenting.  PLEASE email me at ec99robinson@gmail.com if you're having trouble! I would hate for further trouble to occur.  Thank you!

Open Our Eyes~

Most summers, I prefer lying lazily by the pool, rewatching old cartoons, or climbing under my covers and just sleeping. However, this summer, a book flew into my hands and I'm loving it. The 400 page novel tells the chilling tale of two women caught in the communist regime in Afghanistan, from 1972-1992, and their continued stories afterwards, when a series of cultural civil wars break out in spite of a the government's desperate efforts.

The book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, has really opened my eyes to the horrors that happen behind the closed doors of other countries.  I think as Americans, living life in the world's greatest country, protected from the worldly dangers other countries are exposed to, we turn a blind eye to the closed doors of those other countries.  At this point, we assume that what happens behind those closed doors MUST be good, because many of us, including myself, HAVE NEVER BEEN EXPOSED to the worldly horrors that are realities to many people around the world.

In Afghanistan, teenage girls are taken as early as 13ish to become wives to men they've never met.  Girls are raised to become mothers, and many don't have the option to become educated.  73% of the Afghan people lack clean water. 95% lack sanitation.

Today, I pray that my eyes would continue to be opened to the worldly horrors that hide behind the closed doors of foreign countries, and I pray that willing Americans would seek to open these doors, and that we would rejoice in thanksgiving for all of the countless ways we've been blessed as Americans.

Matthew 7:7-8 says, 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." This week, pray with me. Let's ask God to be with the all of the missionaries who are helping foreigners come to know Christ, and who are working to expose and stop the problems ravaging foreign countries.

I'm back!

I know~I'm late! Let's just say I've been busy.  I am proud to say, however, that I have officially embarked on a biblical journey, and should have the bible read front-to-cover in a years time.  So I don't really have a simple encouragement to share with you guys. Just wanted to remind you all that YOU PEOPLE CAN WRITE TOO.  Email me ANYTHING! I'll be trying to get the word out too. Have an awesome day and God bless.