#typicalchristian

Okay, so this is gonna be a not so spiritual post. It’s another one of those get to know me things, so I’m gonna be blunt. Feel free to call me out in the comment section for anything that doesn’t line up biblically. I’ll either take it and grow or agree to disagree. ;)

I’m Republican

I’m not. I’m not democrat either. I simply try to pray about each voting opportunity and then try to vote as best as I can figure Jesus would. I honestly believe that looks different for many who call themselves followers of Jesus. The following scenarios are ALL things I’ve heard from people who I KNOW love Jesus with their whole heart and want nothing but to serve Him: 

“I couldn’t vote for either Trump or Clinton and honestly be able to live with myself. So I didn’t vote this time. I prayed hard and The Holy Spirit had me sit this one out.”

“I can’t NOT vote republican. They’re the only ones with Christian values. I have to do what’s right.”

“I had to vote democrat. Abortion isn’t going to change realistically (we’ll have to take a different approach) but we can help the poor.”

My Life is Perfect

My life is far from perfect and I’m not always happy. Christians were never promised an easy life; we were just promised hope. I struggle with anxiety and depression, I’m raising a teenager too, my marriage is probably a lot like yours,  and I get sick like everyone else. My secret is simply that I hold onto the joy of Jesus. I keep handing him all my junk and He gives me peace and wisdom in the midst of it. (John 16:33; I Peter 5:7; Phillippians 4:7)

I’m a Good Christian Girl 

I’m not even sure what this means. But I think there’s this idea that Christian women are quiet, submissive mouses that don’t speak their mind, cook all the meals, sew their kids clothes, never mess up, and volunteer til they run themselves ragged. That’s not me. 

I have five tattoos, I don’t cook (that’s my husband’s job), I’m rarely quiet, I love to teach publicly, I’m a pastor, and I’m quite sarcastic in my humor. If you don’t think I’m the kinda Jesus girl you want around you then, that’s fine, but I’ll leave you with this little snippet that Bob Goff has in his book, Everybody Always:

“ When you keep your distance from people created in God’s image, you only get glimpses of the Jesus you claim you want to know “

I think we’d all be surprised to see that Jesus has more sides to Him than we ever realized once we get to heaven. I’m gonna try to get to know all His sides through all His people on this side of heaven too. 

I Hate People

I don’t hate anyone; and neither does Jesus. We hate sin. That’s it. We hate what can keep us all from a healthy relationship with each other. “Christians” who hate people of sexual orientation/gender/race etc are only Christian in name not deed. And even in name, it’s a bold face lie and only self proclaimed. THEY’RE NOT Christians....not yet anyway. They’re just giving real Christians a bad name at this point. However, please don’t hate them back. Just give them grace. Grace comes from Jesus. Maybe the grace in you will soften their hearts and open their eyes. (James 1:24; I John 4:20)

So, there you have it. I’m a tatted up, non republican, female pastor who loves everyone. Are you surprised? Comment below!