Building Stream (with a grain of salt)

Is it possible that the reason people are seemingly more easy to offend nowadays is because when people simply disagree with a point of view they raise a big stink about it?

It's very easy to come across an opinion you don't share, and it's not like people have developed the most mature, healthy response to people thinking differently. Look at how people argue online. The issue isn't only that people argue online or how they argue, but what sparks the argument. Usually, it's a difference of opinion. And when you add how poorly people respond in online debates it looks as though they are personally offended.

My theory is that we've developed being personally offended by differences of opinion and have not developed a healthy, mature way to respond to these differences. We instead lash out. Which is immature on its face, but to go even deeper, it's immature to think that everyone else would or should think exactly as you do. There are too many different kinds of people out there and you didn't always hold your opinions. Just as you came to gain knowledge that led to your opinions others will, too, but in their own time. If you think your opinions or principles are the most valued then give people who don't already share them some patience and teach them. Don't bash them for not having them yet. Don’t waste teachable moments.

Lots of people have to go through a performance evaluation. Many of us dread it because it can be hard to be told what you did wrong and have to sit through being told.

Some people live for performance evaluation. They live for it! “I want to know where I went wrong. It’s the only way to get better!”

That is so true and I very much agree with the sentiment. However, many people do this to a fault. We can do it at work, in our relationships with friends and loved ones, and particularly in our relationship with God.

People will sit down to pray every day and only ask, “Where am I going wrong? Search me, O God. Test me!” For one, that isn’t the only purpose behind the point of Psalm 139:23. Part of the point of that verse is to have such a vulnerable relationship with God that He knows everything about you. It’s about overall, growth, but it’s not only about finding out where you are making mistakes.

One reason I hesitate approaching a relationship with God that’s solely about getting feedback is that it would seem to encourage a performance driven relationship with God. One where you are only concerned about how well you’re doing in not sinning.  I don’t believe God seeks an employer/employee relationship with us. That kind of relationship is too closed off. God wants us to be vulnerable enough with Him so we that can receive the knowledge and wisdom and understanding that we’ll need to grow in every aspect of our lives. Even in areas we didn’t know we needed growth so we didn’t seek feedback. We cheat ourselves out of all the help God could be giving us.

We have to be open and vulnerable to receive all of the good things God has for us. God wants access to all of our minds and hearts. God wants to help us in every area of our life. 

Our time in prayer can’t be to seek one particular thing from Him. We have to enter our quiet, prayerful time with the Lord with open hands saying, “What do you have for me today?”

I thought Prince would outlive us all. He was timeless in his works of art and in age. He was a young 57. I wanted to age as well as he was.

I wanted to meet Prince and tell him thanks. Thanks for being what and who he was to me. 

In 1983 Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” came out. In 1984 “Ghostbusters” came out and I saw Bill Murray and knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. That same month Prince’s “Purple Rain” came out. These 3 experiences told me who I was, taught me that the rest of the world outside of my home life existed because the whole world lit on fire with “Thriller” and “Purple Rain” and I became aware of something bigger. These were the first three times I experienced that and they are among the most personally identifying moments of my life. I don’t know how to describe their impact. I remember in preschool when a teacher brought Thriller and all the classes in my age group were put together. We just danced. It was magic. The next year Purple Rain was requested repeatedly in my Aunt Ruth’s car. Prince and Michael Jackson made me see life through their filter. There was a vast world out there and they showed it to me. And now they’re both gone.

That’s a big statement and it still doesn’t express what Prince means to me. No words ever really will. So if you don’t understand why this shocking death has hurt me then you’ll probably never understand. 

As someone who started out their life being so inspired and defined by Prince who then later in life accepted Christ it makes sense that Prince’s own faith also inspires me. Obviously I would seek out and identify with those songs.

He has several songs that have something to do with Jesus. More than I will mention here, but this is a good starting point.

Please rest in peace, Prince. I wanted to know you and impress you. I wanted to do something with my life by now and get on your radar. Maybe that can happen somehow. 

Controversy; he recites the Lord’s Prayer in this magnificent song about identity, gossip, and public opinion. Poignant lyric for me,

“Do I believe in God/Do I believe in me?”

Let’s Go Crazy; Prince said in an interview that this song was about Jesus. He said that he wanted to write a song about Jesus, but at the time he knew it wouldn’t get radio play if he said “Jesus” in it. So instead he said, “crazy.” It makes sense, the song starts like a religious ceremony about how we’re trying to get through life but that there is something else, “The after world. A world of never ending happiness. U can always see the sun, day or night.” 

He’s talking about Heaven. Sun = Son. The lord will be the light. It reminds me of depictions of Heaven in the Bible, Revelation 22:1-5.

“And if the elevator tries to bring U down/Go crazy/Punch a higher floor”

Purple Rain; Prince has been a Christian for a long time it seems, but he seemed to rededicate himself in the late 90′s or early 2000′s. I saw him perform live with 2 of my best friends who also adore Prince. He performed this song and added a line, “Let the light of Jesus guide you to the Purple Rain.” But even in it’s inception the song was about the Lord. Prince’s words, “ When there’s blood in the sky – red and blue = purple. Purple rain pertains to the end of the world and being with the one you love and letting your faith/God guide you through the purple rain.”

“You say you want a leader/but you can’t seem to make up your mind”

The Cross; Pretty on the nose. I remember when he played this on TV once when I was in college and my mom, who was watching it in the other room, came in and said, “That song was about Jesus.” 

“Don’t cry/He is coming/Don’t die without knowing/The Cross”

The Rainbow Children; This entire album is steeped in Biblical references from beginning to end. And Old Testament at that. It also refers to the Black American’s experience. But it starts and ends with direct references to God.

“Accurate knowledge of Christ and the Father will bring the everlasting now”

Sign ‘O’ The Times; Sign ‘O’ The Times is about how our world looks. It’s just as relevant today as it was in the 80′s when everyone was worried about Russia. What world do we live in? What does the world matter?  This song isn’t entirely about Christ, but it is. The Bible speaks of dying to yourself. Dying in self or in body means to let go of your Earthly selves and live in the spirit. The body brings about sin. If we cut what binds us to our bodies, and in a way die, and become of the Spirit that God gives us when we accept Christ then we will truly be alive. Luke 9:24, Romans 6:11

“Some say a man ain’t truly/’Til a man truly dies.” 

I Would Die 4 U; This is my all-time favorite Prince song. It’s my number 5 all-time favorite song overall. The lyrics, the music, and production all come together to create something that make me feel something special that I cherish with each listen. It has a completely different meaning for me now. Somehow this death has to be for us. I can’t make sense out of his untimely death. But Prince wouldn’t have it that way. He doesn’t want to be our idol, because Jesus should be.  Lots of things and people can become our idol. It’s not a good thing because those idols can distract us from our living for Christ. Prince knew this. At that concert I went to he changed one of his lyrics. Originally, the lyrics were, “No need to worry, no need to cry. I’m your messiah and you’re the reason why.” Now, he wrote that to be from the perspective of God. That’s why the song starts off, “I’m not your woman. I’m not your man. I am something that you’ll never understand.” But just to make sure there was no confusion this is how Prince sang it the night I saw him,

“He’s your Messiah/and you’re the reason why”

I was telling my girlfriend that we’ll never see another Prince, but I also don’t want another Prince. I just want Prince.

His death has shaken me. But what I was reminded of in some moment of my grief last night is that Jesus conquered death when He conquered the World. Death is no match for the Lord. No death can overcome how powerful Christ is. With Christ giving me strength He can do immeasurably more through me. I can get through grief, I can accomplish dreams, and I can be who He put me on this planet to be.

Deep. If anyone disagrees it’s because they don’t understand. Also, this was on a post asking the question, “What if Kanye West has a mental health issue and we’re just laughing at him?”

I’ve heard people refer to covers of magazines as temptation.

That Woman’s Health magazine cover of a woman in work out gear...that’s temptation!!

But that’s not temptation. That’s a magazine cover.

Temptation isn’t seeing an attractive person. Temptation isn’t seeing an attractive person and being aroused. Arousal is a natural reaction the body has to certain experiences. Temptation isn’t a sin. Maybe intentionally trying to tempt someone to do something they shouldn’t is a sin, but being tempted is not a sin.

Jesus was tempted, and if He was perfect (which He was) then that means being tempted isn’t a sin.

Doing something wrong depends on how you respond to that arousal. Temptation is the desire to have or do something in response to that arousal, especially something that is bad, wrong, or unwise. Though, it’s not limited to bad things. You can be tempted to do things that would be good for you, like going out with friends when you originally planned to stay home and clean.

It’s super easy for people, especially people in church culture, to freak out over natural things like finding someone attractive. Whether you’re with the love of your life or not there are many attractive people. They exist. Ryan Gosling and Scarlett Johansson exist. They are living proof that there will be beautiful people other than your spouse or significant other. Seeing them and thinking, “Wow, how attractive,” isn’t a bad thing. Having the natural, physical response of arousal to seeing an attractive person isn’t a bad thing, either.It’s simply your body working as God designed it. Thinking it is wrong will only drive you crazy every time you see Ryan Gosling or Scarlett Johansson. And that just doesn’t seem healthy to me.

How you respond to that arousal is where things can go awry. Lusting is the sin. Not the temptation. Not the arousal.

It seems to me that one has to know what they are experiencing and how to appropriately respond to how they feel. The more appropriate response is to simply acknowledge what you’re experiencing and then let it go. Beating yourself up for finding someone attractive isn’t healthy and it isn’t helpful.

Next time you see someone attractive and are aroused just say, “Hey, that person is good lookin’,” then forget about it and move on. It can be that simple. And the power you have over the situation puts your mind much more at ease.

Temptation is still not a magazine cover.

This morning was the first morning that I finally got back to getting up and reading my Bible in the morning. Not tooting my horn. It’s just that I haven’t been good about reading my Bible every day for awhile. I’m off an on with it. It used to be a morning habit.

I don’t know what happened, but I got out of the habit of doing it which I have noticed a distinct difference. Not just in how I feel, but how centered my mind feels. I was thinking better when I was reading it every morning.

It was easy for me to feel like I have been ‘bad” for so long that God would be getting increasingly upset with me. Counting all the days that I have been “bad” or “sinful” just to hold it against me.

Of course God knows everything I do, but this isn’t the God I’ve come to know. I was reminded while reading this morning of the parable of the lost sheep from Luke 15. 

"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7)

Repent sounds like a strong word, it essentially means someone who has stopped doing something they shouldn’t and started doing something they should. It’s someone who has turned to God. Reading the Bible is a way to turn to God. I can’t sit down to read my Bible with this dark cloud of God’s damnation and wrath over my head with a finger point at me about “all the days I didn’t read.” That’s not God. God is rejoicing that I did this one more day!

Every day I have a choice to do whatever I end up doing. When I wasn’t reading my Bible and centering myself first thing in the morning it wasn’t helping me and it caused a pattern of behavior to keep doing it, but it can be undone because whatever can happen, good or bad, can only happen one day at a time. I can turn it around and start doing something good for me one day at a time, too. And the bad habits and choices don’t pile up so much that it can’t be overcome. 

Each day there’s a choice to practice good or bad habits. One isn’t easier to practice than the other. No matter how many times we’ve done the thing that’s not good for us, it doesn’t mean we have to do it again. Today, make the choice to do the thing that’s good for you and rejoice!

Maybe that’s part of it. We idolize the people we see on movie screens, invite TV stars into our living rooms, make a soundtrack for our lives with the music singers make. That creates a big impact on our lives.

I think another reason it’s so hard is because many of these stars impacted us at very young ages and as teenagers. Whatever time does not take away from the innocence our childhood the loss of the people who contributed to that innocence does. It’s a constant reminder that we are moving forward. Not able to hold on to the way things were.

Our romanticism of our childhood is sacred, but not Teflon. Things are changing and change is hard.

I may have to accept the distance between now and those days of innocence, but nothing can take away that I’ve been impacted and have things to love. We can still love “Space Oddity” just as we always did. I can still listen to The Eagles and have what I always did when I listened to them.  Time has moved on, but I still have that.

People make it very easy for themselves to get upset in the church world.

For instance, I’ve heard people who definitely love the Lord and want to serve the Lord complain about my pastor and other pastors I think are doing good work and it’s all because they make it super easy for themselves to get upset.

Recently I heard some people criticizing that my pastor will talk about sex in some of his sermons. And I don’t mean the way your buddy recounts his exploits or how Sex and the City talks about sex, that those people are probably fine with, I mean my pastor will talk about the spirituality of sex. What the Bible says about sex. How lustfulness can control people and how Jesus can set them free from it. That. That’s what they have a problem with. That talk is too dirty.

I can’t understand their complaints because they say that the sermon should be about Jesus. Okay. Well, that’s who my pastor is talking about. He asks people at the end of every service if they would like to accept Christ and be saved, too. So what’s the problem with that?

I think their issue is that they think sermons should be ultra squeaky clean. SO clean that a 3 year old could hear it. It has the pass the most strict standards and practices of the faint of heart. It has to be able to pass the most virgin of ears. That’s what every sermon should be.

The problem I have with that is that I don’t think Jesus was so sterile. Jesus said, “in this life you will have trouble.” There is nothing squeaky clean about that. Jesus also used a metaphor about the sick needing a doctor where the doctor was Him and the sick was humanity. There’s nothing squeaky clean about the sickness in our culture and in our world and dealing with it won’t be squeaky clean either.

Sometimes life gets downright mess. I for one am glad Jesus will still meet me where I’m at and get me cleaned up, not afraid of getting too dirty.

Something has to change in us. I feel really lost in the midst of the state of things. The world feels so volatile right now. 

We have been cultivating a culture of negativity. Go to Twitter right now, scroll through. Get on your Facebook and scroll through. Go to a news site. Negativity is not hard to find.

It’s not our fault when someone goes on a sadistic rampage and kills many. It’s their fault. Their minds are warped. They don’t know how to navigate through the world functionally.

What is the world we all are navigating through, though? Every day online I see intolerance. Not just intolerance towards Gay people, women, people of color, White people, Transgender people, Liberals, Conservatives, the President, the list goes on and on.

Intolerance for all of the above mentioned people are abound online. But also online is an intolerance towards people who disagree or simply don’t understand things the same way.

When someone is wrong about something our response is to jump down their throat. To criticize them to an excessive degree. I hate sexism and misogyny, too, but someone recently suggested in an online post that Age of Ultron director Joss Whedon should be curb stomped because they (mistakenly) thought he did something sexist in the film. Why such aggressive, negative, volatile language over this? Sexism is wrong, but it turns out he didn’t actually do anything sexist. Even if he had, how is that the right response? How is that thoughtfully considered? How is that moral?

Volatile negativity is a common occurrence online now. What kind of atmosphere are we creating with our behavior and responses? 

It’s certainly not an atmosphere of love. We don’t seem to model patience or grace or understanding to anyone who doesn’t see eye-to-eye with us. We don’t bother trying to correct them. We jump straight to a maximum punishment. How does anyone learn what’s right in that atmosphere? 

What we model is harboring negativity. We model flying off the handle because of minor disagreements. We model aggressiveness because someone is different or doesn’t see things the way we do. We model intolerance when someone doesn’t understand people who are different from them. We model negativity, flying off the handle, aggressiveness, intolerance; or to put it another way, hate.

We model hate.

That’s what it is. It’s hatred. We are teaching others and ourselves that we can hate people who we want to. It may not be the level of hate that makes someone want to kill. But it’s on the low end of the same spectrum. We model hate.

And it has to stop. We are doing it. WE have to stop doing it.

It’s not them. It’s just us. We are all we’ve got. We are all we are. There is no “us versus them.” It’s just us on this planet together. And we have to stop treating others the way we do.

As anyone in America has heard, a woman in Spokane, Washington was passing herself off as a Black woman. She was also the president of an NAACP Chapter.

When I first heard about the story and saw the pictures matched with the headline, “Woman Has Claimed to be Black...Says Her Parents.” I wanted to know more about it. I wanted to know if she really did pass herself off as Black.

Apparently she did. Amid the controversy she seemed to stand tall and this week she has doubled down and has publicly said that she identifies with Black.

Many are offended, many are asking who anyone else is to define another person’s identity. Both are fair points.

I grew up having people tell me I wasn’t Black, despite my heritage and despite my complexion. They would say I’m light-skinned, so I don’t really count, or that I “didn’t act Black.” The major problem with that is they were putting their ideals of what constituted Black on me. And most of the time what they constituted as “being Black,” were garish stereotypes and caricatures. 

A part of me does not want to put her through that. A part of me realizes that she is White, she can go back to living the life of privilege comes with being White anytime she wants, and it is not more brave to choose to live as a Black woman than it is to be born Black.

But what does this say about self-identifying? Shouldn’t we all be able to associate with what we feel a kinship with? Shouldn’t we be able to identify ourselves by a culture we relate most to?

Sure. But I also have had White guys who really loved Hip-Hop tell me that they were Blacker than me because they loved Hip-Hop. Which, if you don’t know, is wildly offensive. Not only because it is an attempt to invalidate a person’s existence, but it also is based on a caricature of Black people. I love Jazz music. Jazz music was created by Black people, too. Jazz music was one of the biggest influences of rap music’s creation. Why does that not make me Black enough? Because using a love of music is not what makes a person Black.

In the end, we should find a way to be kinder to others. Whether you aren’t sure how all things Rachel Dolezal add up or not, she is a person we have to find a way to love.

All people are people we have to find a way to love.

We are too apologetic. As a society. 

How often do you say to someone in the aisle of a grocery store, “I’m sorry,” with a squinched up face simply because you’re passing them? Or something like that. It seems like a lot of people do. I do it. 

We need to have more confidence. We have every right to be in that aisle. Just as much as anyone else. Just say, “Excuse me,” and pass on through. You’re not doing anything wrong. Your existence isn’t a problem for anyone else.

Our confidence issues also affect how we handle criticism or correction. It seems that many can’t stomach hear mild correction or even guidance. We can’t grow if we aren’t taking guidance or correction well.  We’re not a problem for anyone else. We’re not bad people just because we needed to be told to do something in a different way. We simply need to take the advice/guidance/criticism.  As a result of people not taking correction well others are getting worse at giving correction. It seems like many of us are hesitating more and more to give notes or critiques or even guidance, which isn’t necessarily negative, because we’re worried about the response we’ll get. This results in less practice at addressing an issue, which can make us do a poor job of addressing something when it needs to be.

Let’s all relax. Take it easy on ourselves and others. Make it easy for ourselves and others by just relaxing. 

Take it easy, make it easy. 

Let’s make that our motto for a little while. Things would go so much smoother.

I feel like being positive at the beginning of years these days. Last year I start out super optimistic. The year before I started out wanting positivity.

This year I want positivity and to be optimistic, but also want fruitful fulfillment.

I'm really tired of negativity. I almost want to divorce the internet just to have more peace of mind. There are so many great things that happened in 2014. Things that genuinely make me happy. However, the swirl of negativity that surrounds us on a daily basis took my attention away. Enough so that I didn't enjoy the good things as much as I should have. I didn't progress as much as I should have given the great things that happened because I lost my concentration to the negativity. It's a bummer. 

And now I find myself feeling behind in every category of my life. I always feel like I'm trying to catch up to some standard I have set for myself physically, mentally, financially, spiritually, romantically, and career-wise. Don't get me wrong. I don't feel like bad things are going on in those areas. I'm saying that I feel like I'm not living up to my potential. That I could be and should be better off than I am in those areas.

I'm perplexed as to why. Where did the time go? Why didn't I take better advantage of my time or the momentum garnered by all the great accomplishments and things that happened?

And now all I think is, "Well you did this wrong, that wrong, this isn't good, this is bad." There's no inner support system. There's a bunch of self-loathing and negative self-talk. I'm being the negative one now. Not just the internet.

I know somewhat how I got here. To some degree I had too much going on. I also should have powered through in some areas. Sought strength in the Lord to power through. 

But I also have mismanaged self-evaluating. What was supposed to be helpful has become just another tool to beat myself up. Soul-searching and self-evaluating is supposed to be used to address where you are. Yes, we should notice the weaknesses, but not to rake ourselves over the coals. It's there to pump yourself up and find out what beneficial things you could do to live a higher quality of life. It's not about pinpointing what I'm doing wrong. It's about encouraging oneself to focus on what's best to do.

I've put myself in a fast-moving, business mindset. Like I'm McDonald's or something. It's all about how well the machine moves and not about the benefits I'm seeking. And like I'd be if I ate at McDonald's all the time, I'm spiritually, emotionally, and mentally malnourished. I need wisdom. I need fruits of the spirit.

Wisdom is, "first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit." (James 3:17-18) Fruit of the spirit is, "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23)

I used to feel that way. A little over a year ago. I was so inspired. It was great. Then I let the world take my attention away. This time I want to start focusing on what God is doing in my life through the good stuff in it like my relationship with my girlfriend, friends and family, my performances. That seems like a great start to a new year.

Sometimes I don't know what kind of doubt is okay and what kind isn't.

I suppose it's all normal.

But what is "strong faith?" Is it believing so strongly that nothing ever worries you? Is it not ever doubting that what you're praying for will happen?  Or is strong faith trusting God even in the face of doubt?

I really don't know. 

I know that God is real and powerful enough to do anything. I'll pray for change and feel that belief about who God is growing stronger. But when things don't change I start to worry. Then I wonder what kind of faith I have. Is it not enough? Is that why things don't change? 

I don't need God to prove His power or presence to me. I need God to change circumstances. I know He can. Can I just be honest and say I have no clue what to do sometimes other than turn to Him? 

Why is it so easy to get caught up in struggling with mistakes and sin and to then lose track of where you are spiritually?

Religion. Does it every time for me.

Christianity isn't about being perfect. It's about being made perfect, which is something only God can do for you. So when we try to be perfect by following "the rules" perfectly we end up off track simply because that's not the way to Jesus or perfection.

When I'm focusing on not sinning and not doing anything wrong I find myself sinning more, also I'm just not happy. I'm weak and I'm discouraged and I spiral out. If you're focusing on sin all the time of course you're going to sin more. This was never supposed to be the point. The point was to put God first, not to put "not sinning" first. When we are hyper-focused on not sinning (which is legalism) we end up making "not sinning" an idol above God and that is a pretty huge sin, too, in case you don't know the first commandment. Living a life fighting sin is not living a life of freedom from sin. A freedom Christ died for us to have.

Instead, when I'm focused on the Holy Spirit I find that I am more joyful, encouraged, stronger, more faithful, sinning far less, generally just happier. My mindset is more positive as is my outlook on my life. That's because the "fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)

There is no law against such things. There is no law that can uphold these either. It's not about the law. It's about the Holy Spirit. I accepted Christ so I received the Holy Spirit, which has brought me a ton more joy and peace and courage than any other thing I've ever tried. Anybody else can have this, too.

I've had a time lately with weakness. and struggling with sin. I suppose we all do, but I'm also easily hard on myself.

If I sin or find myself being more selfish (which, let's face it, is just another form or self righteousness since I'm only trying to please myself which means I'm putting my desires before God's) I can fall into a pattern of negative self-talk. I beat myself up and my typical assumption is just that I'm not committed enough to God. It's my fault. I'm stupid. I'm inconsistent. I'm not loyal. I used to be on the right track, but I stumbled all because of my own flaws.

Sounds pretty negative, but in the moment I think I'm just holding myself accountable. It's just constructive criticism (also known as conviction in Christianese). Well, it's not. It's condemnation disguised as conviction and it's not from the Holy Spirit.

I shouldn't be so hard on myself when I succumb to sin. And no, I'm not about to say, "Hey, sin is no big deal." I will say, though, that it's not worth the berating. Two big reasons why:

There is No Condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1): Jesus did not die on a cross so that we could be free from a death sentence, but still on trial; constantly having to prove our innocence in an ongoing court battle. When He freed us from death, He freed us from condemnation. 

It's Not About How Committed You Are: You aren't perfect. You are not even a high priest, who had the Bible memorized and was proficient with sacrificial rituals. That's some pretty serious commitment. But, Hebrews 5:2 says that even the high priest is subject to weakness. High priests were the most committed, more than you and me combined, and they still were subject to weakness. 

If harsh thoughts bulldoze your mind when you sin then chances are that's not God speaking to you. That's you or the devil. The Holy Spirit encourages you when pointing out sin and Hebrews 4:15 says that it empathizes with you. It will be gentle and loving with you when it does call you out. 

Don't beat yourself up for not being good or strong enough, because it's not about how you.

It's never been about how great you are, it's always been about how great Jesus is.

It's Easter so obviously we're talking a lot about Jesus. Or candy. Depends on your perspective I guess.

The Gospel is that Jesus died for our sins because we can't atone enough for our sin.

There are a lot of responses to that.

Either people feel Condemned, to which I would repeat, "There is no condemnation in Christ." Therefore, God and Jesus (nor am I, but I don't matter) are not condemning you by mentioning it. It's a fact. If I go to the doctor and the doctor tells me I have an ear infection or that I'm sick, I'm not being condemned. The doctor is just telling me the state I'm in.

Or people say, "People Aren't So Bad," to which I would say, "Have you watched any reality show ever? Cause there are some jacked up people on there." Right now I'm watching The First 48 a lot...too much. That maybe isn't the best representation of the human race, but stay with me. Criminals get caught, it's clear they are guilty and they still deny having done anything! It reminds me of any 4 year old who does something they weren't supposed to, gets caught red-handed, and they stick to their story, "It wasn't me." There's literally no one else here. "It wasn't me." It's super petulant in adults, it isn't better behavior in children. We aren't perfect. We start out that way. We do sin. We may not be so bad, but we aren't so good, either. We even don't live up to our own standards. Ever had another cigarette after, "That one last cigarette?" Ever said it's wrong to lie then lie to someone's face? We are imperfect and sometimes pretty messed up. We sin. Sorry. But, I'm just telling you the state we're all in.

Some even feel like We Can at Least Atone for Our Wrongdoings. We don't need a God for that. We don't need to be saved. To which I would say, "Haaa hahahahaha." Not really.

But let's talk about atonement. Can we atone for everything wrong we do? Enough to make us pure enough to live eternally with the purist power ever? No. No we cannot atone for our sin. Not enough to be pure.

Why does purity matter? I'll walk you through it.

God is the MOST pure. God wants to have a relationship with you. God wants this relationship so bad that He wants to be with you for all of eternity.

The problem is, impurity and purity don't dwell in the same place. Not even in our minds can the two coexist. When we are in a healthy mindset are you also in a negative, nasty, ugly mindset? No. Same goes for purity vs. impurity. Something can't be both pure and impure at the same time. Cause the existence of one in something proves that the other is specifically not there. 

So back to atoning for our sins. You won't be able to atone for everything, and here's why I say that:

We Sin Too Much to Atone for Every Sin: Atoning back in the day (Old Testament day) meant sacrificing something, like a calf. I don't have enough things to sacrifice for every wrong thing I do. I don't even have any cattle. I'd run out of stuff to sacrifice!

We Sin in More Ways Than We Know: How can you atone for something you aren't even aware you did? I sin in more ways than I consciously realize until I read something in the Bible that says a certain behavior is sin. "Oops," I say, "I've done that countless times." No way I can remember every past sin. So it's impossible to atone for EVERY sin.

We are Imperfect: Even if I am aware of every sin, I'm not perfect about not sinning. Therefore, I'm not going to be perfect about atoning for my sins. There will be sometime that I will say, "Eh, I don't feel like it this time. Why bother?" I will do that. Cause I am not perfect.

We can't atone enough to make us pure. And because we can't make ourselves pure, we can't make ourselves pure enough to dwell where God, in all His glory and holiness, dwells for all of eternity.

In comes the need for a savior: Jesus.

God made Jesus the embodiment of sin in order for us to be free from it. We don't have to atone for it. Jesus did for us. For every sin. All we have to do is accept that.