Why Your Local American Church Pew is the New Missionary Field
May 3, 2009
Most Americans today create their own brand of religion. They call it Christianity. It combines a little Dr. Phil, some feel-good sayings from Joel Osteen, a dash of positive thinking/law of attraction, and a ‘God Loves You’ bumper sticker and Fish emblem on the rear of the minivan. The whole dance is set to the tune of God Bless America and I’m Proud to be an American.
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.
Change is Good
January 26, 2009
Well, I hope you’ve all recovered from getting real. It was a wild ride and I am so glad that many of you decided to participate! I have several more related posts outlined to help you “get real”, but today I have a few announcements.
Blue Duck is Changing
That’s right, we’re working frantically behind the scenes, and I am collaborating with a great group of people to launch a Christian website for women. I have met with Naomi Dunford to brainstorm a few ideas for the business, and we are talking again this week to see what other genius plots will arise from our combined brain power. I’m excited and scared and super-busy right now, but it’s all for a good cause.
So, why are we messing with a good thing? Because Blue Duck is a business website. And to date, the Blue Duck blog is a little-used business tool. Sure, it’s helping people and keeps my brain from exploding with unposted words, but the bottom line is it’s not reaching the Blue Duck target audience. It’s not bringing in any business for the Blue Duck writers and some of them are getting pretty hungry in this crap economy. Part of the marketing overhaul for this year is to use the website as it was intended; to bring in business.
Where’s All the Christian Content Going?
Never fear, I will still be cranking out inspired posts, they’ll just be posted on the new website. 
We’re working furiously on the design as you read this, but it’s not ready just yet. We’ll provide a huge party with cookies and wine and the whole nine yards for the big unveiling when it’s ready. So keep reading for more information.
What Will I Find on the New Blue Duck Blog?
The Blue Duck blog will contiunue to post interesting content on topics such as promoting your ebooks, writing tips, SEO, SEM, content creation, communication skills, psychology, blogging, and small business management. If you manage a website, write a blog, write for a living, or make money on the net, you’ll find something of value.
When Will the Change Take Place?
The changes won’t take place for several more weeks, maybe not until the beginning of March. So if you are planning on cancelling your Blue Duck subscription, you might want to hang in there for a few more weeks.
I realize that this may alienate many, if not most, of my regular readers. That saddens me, but let me encourage you to stick it out. I will keep writing, just the posts you are used to reading will now appear under a different header. The posts that will show up here on Blue Duck will be my own mix of faith and practicality for business owners struggling to make a mark in cyberspace. I am not changing -only the focus of the Blue Duck blog is changing. 
On that note, I have a couple of follow up posts planned for you this week to help you in your quest to get real. We’ll take a look at defense mechanisms and what scritpure has to say about the concept of getting real. So pull up a chair by the fire and let me pour you a cup of coffee. We’re going to get real together.
Real: Up Close and Personal
January 21, 2009
photo credit: preciouskhyatt
When the concept of surrendering and getting real began to surface in my life, I had mixed feelings. Mostly fear and excitement, but some anxiety and wariness as well.
When the excitement hit, I started envisioning a blog post. It was based on the fact that Christians are to confess our sins to each other, and failure to do so creates physical, emotional, and spiritual sickness in our lives. [Truth be told, over half of the sickness treated by the medical community today has a spiritual root, such as the failure to confess sins. (I would venture to say it is probably closer to 80-90%.)]
I began to think of how we are all afraid to reveal our weakness and failures, despite the fact that we each have them. How powerful would it be if someone were to take that first step and say, “This is me, the real me. I fail, I hurt those I love, I do bad things when no one is looking. I struggle, I stumble, I think more of myself than I do of others. I lie, I cheat, I am the master of denial. I try hard, do better for awhile, then fail miserably. I am broken. I am human. I am a Christian.”?
If I could interview someone who was willing to be real, maybe others could see their faults are similar, and that it’s ok to be real with each other. But then the voice of reason chimed in and asked me where I would find such a person willing to submit themselves to public scrutiny- nowhere, that’s where.
Then, I got an email. Several emails in fact, from Lance at Jungle of Life. We were discussing surrender and getting real and I gave him the link to listen to my pastor’s sermon. He listened, and it hit him like it was hitting me. I never told him about my desire to do a “real interview”. I asked him to write out his thoughts on the sermon and see if we were both hearing the same thing. We were. And this is what Lance sent me:
Real.
What is that, anyway?
I am a Christian, a faithful servant seeking peace and love in this world we’re in.
Is that real? Is that how I live my life?
Or is it a little uglier than that?
I can get up on a Sunday morning and spend a couple of hours praising God. It will be all about showing love for Jesus. What happens, though, when I leave that moment I’ve had? What about the other 166 hours during the week? Am I continuing to show my love for God? Am I acting like the Christian I claim to be – one of love and mercy? Or perhaps, do I wear a different mask, one that fits the image I think society expects of me? And, if I’m doing this – wearing a mask over my true convictions – what does this say for being real?
Or maybe “real” is something altogether different.
What kind of barriers am I putting up every hour of every day? Barriers to protect the “who I really am”. Barriers to not let my guard down, to not let out any secrets that might not “fit” with the image others expect to see. I’ve worked hard to get where I’m at, and I don’t want to lose parts of that because I don’t match the standard people are expecting. How often have I “changed” just to protect an image. And how “real” is that?
Lies.
What about God in all of this? God loves us just the way we are. Are we perfect? Hardly. I’m a sinner (there, I said it!). I believe in a God who sent His son, Jesus, our Christ, to die for us. For these sins I’m committing. Yet, I hide behind walls to protect myself. What am I protecting? Am I concerned about what other might think? If they only knew…
- I’ve yelled at my kids for no reason at all
- I’ve shunned my wife because of my own selfish pride
- I’ve belittled others for no reason at all
- I’ve put on the face of a happy marriage, on days when things have been ugly
- I’ve shouted obscenities to the driver in the lane beside me
…and surely worse. Does this change your view of me? …because I haven’t shown these characteristics before? It’s easy, here at computer and keyboard – to become who we desire to be. Is that real, though? Or is this just another way to put up walls. To protect that image of what we want to be known for? Secrets hidden, for a life we want to believe is us.
We are “real”, all of us. Yet, we hide that “real” all too often. It’s time to let the “real” you out, and trust that there are people out there who will encourage you, support you, trust you, and love you. Your life is meant to be lived, and that’s about being real and being authentic.
Real.
What is that, anyway?
Coming Soon
January 15, 2009
Well folks, it’s cold. School is canceled, the hubby is home for the next three days, and there’s snow piled high against the doors. So why haven’t I been been blogging my heart out? I’ve been busy. 
A small group of us have been hard at work setting up a new website for Christ followers. The target audience is women- single moms, old married women, those with a boat-load of babies, those with clean quiet households, those with messy cluttered rooms, single women, struggling women, hurting women. Women just like you. (And men who know and love those women.) We’re writing for those who are looking for faith, hope, and love for the real world.
Faith, hope, and love for the real world. That’s what’s at the heart of this project.
Our pastor gave a tremendous sermon on being a Real Christian last week, and it’s sparked quite an email discussion between myself and Lance. Neither of us can seem to shake the message. It haunts our thoughts and keeps showing up in the strangest of places. Actually, the concept had been in my consciousness for the last couple of weeks, building like a thunderstorm in the back of my mind. God at work.
This is big. HUGE. Life-changing.
I’m going to talk about becoming a real, messy, Christian. Casting off plastic faces, social facades, defense mechanisms, and all those layers you hide behind so no one sees the real you.
Are you ready?
