These American Christians attend church on Easter and Christmas to take communion, and they volunteer to walk for Relay for Life when asked. Some may even sit in a pew every Sunday and sing in the choir. An ambitious few may help feed the poor and go on missions trips to Africa and China.

American Christians grew up singing Jesus Loves Me, and playing with felt board Moses and Nativity sets. They pray at sporting events and before meals. They were baptized as children and walked the isle to join the church when they were old enough to read and write and follow the rules of the church constitution. They were married in white dresses before an ordained pastor or priest, and they put crosses on the graves of their loved ones.

Religion in Today’s America

We’ve come a long way from the days of Mayberry, R.F.D. Families no longer live behind white picket fences and drive American cars. It’s not cool to speak out against homosexuality In fact, it’s not even cool to say “homosexuality”. The correct terms are “gay men and lesbians”.

Tolerance is a way of life. After all, it’s your body and your life and you have the right to pursue your own personal brand of happiness. But we still believe in Christianity. Just make sure you remember to wear clean underwear when you leave the house, tell your mama you love her, and pray when you get in trouble.

It’s the American Christian way of life.

Seeking Truth

But what does the Bible say about Christianity? Jesus said:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’~ Matthew 7:21-23

Jesus didn’t say some, He said many. Many Christians will be deceived about their salvation.

Christianity= Following Christ

What Christianity is Not

It’s not about going to church.

It’s not about religion.

It’s not about being a good person.

It’s not about how many prayers you say.

It’s not about the music.

It’s not about the way you dress for church.

It’s not about how many Scriptures you can quote.

It’s not even about love (love is not enough to be a Christian).

What Christianity is About

It’s about a personal dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s about believing in Him, trusting Him, and submitting your life to Him. And for most of us, that’s not an easy order to fill.

Walking the isle, making a profession of faith, and being a good person is not enough to make you a Christian. There is no such thing as “Fire Insurance” for your soul. It’s all about Jesus Christ.

Judas knew Jesus, he did good works in the name of Jesus Christ, yet he still wasn’t saved. He looked good to everyone around him, but he still missed Jesus as the central element of true religion.

Pastor Perry Noble asks the question: You go to church. Are you still missing Jesus?

Do you really know Jesus? What about that person sitting next to you on Sunday morning? Do they need a personal introduction to Jesus Christ instead of American Christianity?

Are we living in an age of Christless Christianity?

The deception runs deep in our churches. Your local church pew is the new missionary field. Are you willing to introduce your family and friends to Real Christianity?

Show them a better way of life. Show them Jesus.

When you get alone with God…and honor and embrace Him
for all that He is…

• Holy
• Changeless
• Powerful
• Peaceful
• Generous
• Genuine
• All-knowing
• Blessed
• Beautiful
• Glorious
• Jealous
• Just
• Righteous
• The source of all truth, wisdom, goodness…. love
• Eternal
• Perfect

…you may find yourself speechless. But that’s okay.

“Be still and know that I am God.”~ Psalm 40:10

Sometimes,

silence

speaks louder than a scream.

That awe-filled silence comes before complete surrender.

I wrestled with one of those “why bother” moments today. You know, those discouraging moments when you step back and evaluate your life and are horrified and nauseated by what you see? These moments used to begin a viscous cycle of feel awful, try harder, do better, miss the mark, feel awful. I’m doing things differently now. (I bought into that progressive sanctification of the believer speech and am holding on with both hands (and a few toes).

I stepped back and looked at my business and thought about what I could do better, what needed changing, and what wasn’t working. After the first few weeks, I was excited. After the first month, I found myself wondering if any of this really matters in the big scheme of things. I mean, come on, I write for the Internet! Any idiot can blog on the Net! It’s the Information Overload Age, baby! My words will never amount to more than a drop in the bucket, right?

How my Feed Reader Leads to Depressing Thoughts

This train of thought began as I was attempting to catch up my feed reader. All those little blue numbers cataloging unread posts stared at me every time I checked my email, which is every five minutes. It was driving me insane! So I sat down, determined to at least scan the posts for content and make the blue numbers stop taunting me.

But somehow, as I scanned it just seemed offensive. These blogs were in my feed reader because I shared a connection with the authors. Some I worked with, some inspired me to better things, some entertained me or showed me how to do life better. Some of these authors were friends I had corresponded with for months or years. It seemed obscene to treat their heartfelt words as fodder for speed reading so I could check another set of posts off my to-do list.

It made me wonder how many of my posts sit, unread, in someone’s feed reader nagging at their skull until they break down and scan my inner thoughts just to get rid of me? You see, Blue Duck isn’t my only blog. I write thousands of words a week, for clients, for other Blue Duck owned websites… for myself. I bleed on those pages of words; each one taking a small part of me away to be ferreted in some small corner of the Internet. To what end?

Looking Back

When I worked as an RN, I returned home exhausted but content to know that I made a difference. My efforts helped someone that day, often several someones. I fought infection, healed wounds, provided comfort, relieved pain, was a shoulder to cry on, even saved lives. I mattered to someone each day. I made a difference. I made my own corner of the world a better place, one shift at a time. I miss that feeling.

Taking the Flak

Most of my family is not supportive of my decision to forgo nursing for writing on the Internet, even after it has been paying the bills for two years now. They think I am crazy, stupid, becoming eccentric and a whole host of other descriptive synonyms.

After all, R E A L writers get published. They have books on the shelf with their byline in bold print. They have an agent, a publisher, a publicist, and a fat royalty check coming every month. Internet writers are only a cheap fad. There’s no work involved, no real skill.

Defending the Faith

Then there’s the issue of my faith. I’ve had close friends try to turn me away from advertising as a Christian business. One even went so far as to tell me I was insane for mentioning my faith; it will only hurt your business. “Jamie, you’re a talented writer. You have a decent business sense and you’re a quick learner. You could do so much more. You’re shooting yourself in the foot with this Christianity nonsense.”

“At least leave it out of the blog!” they plead. But I can’t.

I am hopelessly dependent on God for every breath I draw. Without Him I wouldn’t have the strength to get out of bed each morning. Seriously, I would have given my life to the business-end of a Glock a long time ago if it weren’t for God’s intervention each day. He whispers in my heart that I matter to Him, my life has purpose, my pain has meaning, my life has a destination other than the trash heap of humanity. My faith is woven into every fiber of my being. How can I leave it out of my writing?

If God blessed me with a natural propensity to write, shouldn’t I write about Him? If God provides for me and blesses my business, shouldn’t I give Him the credit? If He heals my pain, shouldn’t I show my scars to others who are still bleeding and tell them there is hope? I would sooner stop breathing than leave God out of my business and my writing. It was never an option.

Yet, these things are politically incorrect; taboo in today’s business world. That makes me the freaky kid in study hall who’s not quite right in the head and, did you hear?, I think she’s in some kool aid drinking cult that takes all your money and makes you marry your cousin.

My Conclusion

What’s my response? I say do it anyway.

Embracing Romance

Christianity is the greatest romance the world has ever known. Even the raciest story lines and the best Hollywood blockbusters pale in comparison to the love of my God.

He pursues me with the tireless love of a soul mate. He chases me to the farthest recesses of my mind, and leads me out by the hand into the light. He plummets into the depths of the cesspools of scum and sin to rescue me from myself, and He braves the darkest hours of my depression to fan the flames of my passion back to life. He follows me where no mortal lover would dare enter, and tolerates more than a loyal mother could take. He knows every secret, every regret, every hurt. He holds me when I sob uncontrollably, carries me when I am too weak to stand, and rejoices with my every triumph as if they were His own. His loyalty extends beyond death and knows no bounds. His love is so great that the human language cannot describe it adequately.

I have never seen my Lover’s face, nor have I heard His voice, but I know Him intimately- perhaps better than I know myself.

I have encountered God and there’s no going back to the way things were before.

The Plan

So what is my business plan for 2009? I don’t have one. That’s right. I threw it out- tore it to shreds and did the happy dance as it burned in the kitchen sink. Am I off my rocker? Nope, I’m perfectly sane.

I intend to write my own socks off this year. I will continue to blog, continue to write about my faith, and keep right on believing that God led me here for a reason. I’m dreaming big folks, and I’m praying bigger. In fact, I’m leaving it all up to prayer. My single New Year’s resolution is that I will not write nor speak a single word without praying first. That places my entire business (and my life) firmly in the hands of God alone.

So Lance and Christine, my word for 2009 is SURRENDER.

It’s a tall order on my part, I tend to like to do things my way. Not because I think I can do better, I just have a problem trusting that I won’t get hurt unless I do things myself. Well, guess what? Bring on the pain. I’m done doing things my way.

I’m talking complete surrender. I’m not holding anything back. Break out the supernatural Super Glue because I’m about to be broken in ways I never dreamed were possible. And you know what? I’m scared shitless. How’s that for a confession? And yes, I am a Christian, but I do say “shitless “when it fits and I’ve peed in the shower a time or two. I am far from perfect.

So if you know my God, please pray for me. And if you don’t know Him, He knows your name and He loves you with an unmatched passionate abandon that must be experienced to understand. His romance is powerful and His love is gratifying.

He’s waiting for you. Dive deep.