Settle, Engage, Believe

I've heard it said many times to try to finding Christ in the secular. That made some sense to me, in the cheesy way that Christians try to copy every trendy thing that comes along and put Christ's name on it. I didn't really understand what this ment until I heart it put, "Affirm truth where ever you find it." Jesus is the truth. So that would mean finding Him in everything would include the secular. Hmmm, finding Truth in the secular? Affirm Jesus where every you find Him? Many times as Christians we avoid anything that doesn't have a hocky Christian cliché or Bible verse on it, deeming it "secular" and there for unholy. We have entire denominations splitting off over silly things like can we enjoy music, dance, wear shorts, listen to women pastors, wear make-up, cut hair, have sex, drink alcohol. LeCrae stated at Catalyst Atlanta 2011, "Everything is ultimately good." In Genesis, when God creation each thing, He said "it is good." We're not just talking about, "Yeah, that dinner was...good." as in okay, sub-par, alright. "The Old Testament equivalent means pleasant, agreeable, excellent, valuable, benevolent, and kind."  The, now, sinful nature of people can pervert something to make it sinful but in it was originally good: pleasant, agreeable, excellent, valuable, benevolent, and kind to GOD.

• That means music is good.  Just because some choose to create music to celebrate sin doesn't mean music is sinful.
• Dancing is good. Just because some choose to dance to arouse someone whose not their spouse doesn't mean dance is sinful.
•  Sex is good! Just because some choose to use sex out of context doesn't mean sex is sinful.
• Drink alcohol is good. Just because some choose to overindulged in drinking does not mean alcohol is sinful.

 In the same way

• Stores are not bad. The sin of pornography sold in the store is bad.
• Clubs are not bad. The sin taking place in a club is bad.
• Television is not bad. The sin running ramped and being celebrated on it s bad.

So, that sure was a long intro. What does it all mean?

I've talked a little before about why "[we] don't have TV". If you haven't read that post, I'll catch ya up: We don't have cable or satellite or anything but we do watch select movies.

Yesterday, my girls and I were watching "Cheaper by the Dozen II". I love those silly movies. Having a large family is very similar to having a family with kids close in age {even if there are just 3}. I am always encouraged by their laid back attitudes about a slightly mess house, creative kids, and how much they love their kids. At the end of the movie the mom says, "Settle with the Past, Engage the Presents, and Believe in the Future"God used that quote to remind me that I've settled with Him through Jesus for my past. Wallering in the sin of your past is not going to "settle" anything. Accepting Christ payment on the cross for your sin is the only way to pay for that penalty. So many people live in the past, wondering whose fault is it, what if, when can I change, why did I, where and how do I move on from here? Christ!

I need to engage each day in the present. Wishing my babies were still tiny, counting down the hours for my hubby to be home, or wishing this season to be over will only end in regret. I need to learn to embrace each new day as a gift from God. Enjoy my kids, even when they continually wake up at 2:30 and 6:30 A.M. while their daddy's gone. Find His truth in what is seemingly a 'rough season'. I don't want to constantly say, "this too shall pass."

Believe in the big broad future. I want to live as though I can carry out anything, because I can, with Christ! I want to go full force into each day, asking what God has for me and not questioning the future. He will take care of our every need as we need it.

Affirming Truth in the "Secular"

Where have you chosen to affirm truth where ever you find it?

hope that made since...hehehe I felt kinda rambley