In Other Words

Here is this week’s quote for In Other Words:

Christian is a great noun and a poor adjective.

~ Rob Bell

I have pondered this quote off and on all weekend. Some of it is easy to grasp and the other not so much. I even had to ask my husband what he thought it. Here are some of our ideas.

‘Christian’ is a great noun because it merely states identity.  A Christian is anyone who is a ‘Christ Follower.”  Or at least, that is how I define it.  I know that the majority of the American population would say they are Christian when asked but the truth is that most are not.  To take on the name ‘Christian’ means to find salvation through the redemptive blood of Jesus Christ and to then dedicate your entire life to following his ways and teachings.  Jesus is great and being his follower is great.  ‘Christian’ is a great noun.

However, ‘Christian’ as an adjective isn’t always so great.  Don’t get me wrong.  Anything that brings honor to the Lord Jesus can be called ‘Christian’ and deserve it. A Christian song or a Christian book perhaps.  But, that isn’t how the word ‘Christian’ as an adjective is used most of the time.  It is used as a label in some form of marketing directed at a particular group in the population.  Christian products are marketed to Christians.  The more I thought about it the more I didn’t like the idea of “Christian” being used in a marketing ploy.  “Hey you, Christian, you need to listen to this Christian music or read this Christian book because it will make you become a better Chrisitan.”  I don’t like that too much and I know the rest of the world doesn’t like it either.  Labeling certain products as ‘Christian’ can alienate other people.  I am sure that a non-Christian is less likely to walk into a bookstore if it is called a Christian bookstore.  It is a bookstore for Christians.  However, she may buy the same book if it is in a regular bookstore like Barnes & Noble.

All that being said I do believe that Followers of Christ are to “in the world and not of the world.”  We are called apart.  Just by merely choosing to follow Jesus we are separating ourselves from our culture.  But, we must also engage the culture if we are to be salt and light.  Perhaps that could mean removing the label of  ‘Christian’ from things so that we do not alienate ourselves. We need to know the culture around us and that will not happen if we focus on all things ‘Christian.’

I kind of feel like I rambled on a bit and perhaps used quotation marks a bit too much in this post.  I hope I was able to present my ideas on the quote this week adequately.  I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts as well.

Please go visit Tami at The Next Step to hear what other ladies are saying.

A New Font Designer?

Curly Font

It is Monday…

…and you know what that means.

# 382-405

The anticipation of a fun weekend

Mucinex DM

VaporRub

Nyquil

Blessings Therapy

Sausage Gravy

Preparing the house for company

A supportive husband

…especially in my crazy ideas

A book on my wish-list given to me for my birthday

Receiving unexpected gifts

Just felling loved

Successful candle making

Recycling old wax into new candles

Picking up house after a fun weekend with company

A sucessful retrun and exchange of a much desired item

Free books

Coloring with Caleb

A new month’s grocery money

Planning new meals

Crafting with my Hubby!! 

All the wonderful birthday wishes

31 years of health.

She Shows No Shame, 365-39

“Hey Mom! Rub My Belly!”

“PLEASE!! Is this cute enough?”

Rest

Painting at Church, 365-38

Taking a break from making binoculars for the kids at church.

Quoteable Saturday

In every ideal home there exists an essence that diffuses its fragrance–the fine flower of noble womanhood, without which the house is a habitation, not a home. Alone under the ministering care of woman may the routine of daily life be relieved and varied and the course of the household made to flow free from friction. Caressed by her gentle touch, order ranges itself, beauty finds a dwelling place, and peace enters as an abiding guest. Preeminently it is woman that idealizes the home, and with her sweet refining presence, creates its atmosphere of serenity and content.
–George H. Ellwanger

Sweet Dreams, 365-37

You can never have too many books to sleep with at night.
Note: This picture was taken in the sleeping bag in the master bedroom. That means Caleb carried the stack of books from his bed to our floor in the middle of the night.

The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible: A Review

As the mother of a very active preschooler I can find it rather difficult to find the time for Bible reading and study. A natural remedy to this dilemma is to listen to the Bible while driving in my car.  My son and I are both a captive audience.  However, I am also a very visually oriented person and listening to books can prove  difficult.  My mind wonders quite easily.  I have attempted other Audio Bibles only to give up because I have a hard time focusing.

I was  bit skeptical when I received The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible.  Will it prove to be difficult for me to focus once again?  In short, NO!  I was thrilled when I read in the insert that it was created to be similar to Old Time Radio.  It was more than just reading the scripture.  It was bringing the words alive with real life actors and wonderful background noise.  I could hear Jesus’ feet as he walked and taught his followers.  I could hear people mumbling as they heard the Sermon on the Mount. As Paul wrote his letter to the Romans I could hear the fire crackling in the background, his pen dip into the ink and then scribbling on the paper.  On numerous occasions I found myself lost in the story as I drove along.  I was there!

The spoken word stood on its own because it is Holy Scripture (New King James Version, to be exact).  It was the background sound effects and actor’s delivery of the scripture that really engaged my attention.  Praise the Lord!  I have finally found an Audio New Testament that I can listen to and not lose focus. I look forward to many more trips in the car with my son and our Bible.





Note: I received The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible from BookSneeze.com as a review copy. This review, however, reflects my honest opinion.

Quite a Legacy, 365-36

My Grandmother’s Bible and poetry on my Grandfather’s Handmade Music Stand