Hello, My Name Is...

"Hello, my name is Child of the One True King", sings Matthew West.

(Click here to view a lyric video for the song)

I don't have a lot to tell you tonight. You think it's complicated, but it's really not. So please, throw away all preconceived notions and hear what I have to say.

What Matthew West says here -that's what it's about. Your identity has nothing to do with what you've done. It has nothing to do with your circumstances, your failures, or how far away you feel.

In fact, it's not really about you at all. That's extremely terrifying, to know that you're not truly in control. However, it's also very freeing, because that means you can always have hope. You see, if God is out there, all-knowing and all-loving, you don't have to rely on your own strength anymore. Doesn't that sound wonderful?

You've bought into the idea that your life is somehow measured by the height of your success or the depths of your despair. That's a twisting of the truth that Satan loves to attack you with. Don't give him the time of day anymore. It's not worth it.

Yes, I know you've experienced grace, and I know you've thrown that back into God's face. I know you've struggled, you've hidden, you've ran. God knows it too. Of course it hurts him, be sure of that. You're even right in thinking that it should separate you from him. Here's what you're forgetting: THAT'S THE POINT OF GRACE. 

That's the whole point. You've fallen, and that has to be atoned for. And it was!!! You're downplaying what Christ did by focusing on what you have been. It's not about that anymore. This journey God is calling you to is so much bigger than that.

Another line in Matthew West's song says this:
"I am no longer defined
By all the wreckage behind"

Your name is not Regret. Your life is not Shame. Your master is not Fear. You were created for so much more, and you know it. You are a Child of the One True King. Let that sink in. Let that be your identity. Here's the beautiful truth: because of grace, that is your identity. You're free. Live like it.

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

- (Romans 8:37-38a,  NLT)

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Don't mind me, I'm just writing to myself. I've got a feeling that someone else can benefit from this too, though. Let's learn to believe more and more each day that we are loved.

"Christian" or Christ-Like?

I've been thinking a lot lately about how we label things "secular" and "Christian". I haven't quite reached a conclusion on the matter yet, but I'm pretty sure this is a pointless exercise.

Sure, it makes organizing things more convenient. We know that "Christian" radio is safe for the family and "secular" radio is most often not. We'd much rather bear "Christian" messages on our t-shirts than "secular" ones. We might even venture to say that hanging out with "Christian" people is much better than hanging out with "secular" people.

Well, I'm sorry if this makes you a little uncomfortable, but that's not what Christianity is about. Not the way I understand it, at least. Please don't take me as any sort of authority - this is simply the musings of some kid that you have no real reason to listen to. But why do we need labels?! I know that the issue of labels has been addressed time and time again these days. Seriously, though, are we that concerned with being "safe" and comfortable?

Brant Hansen, a radio personality on Air1, wrote about this very idea. It's partially what inspired my thoughts. Here's a bit of what he had to say:

I don't believe in a line between sacred and secular.

A tree isn't "secular."  A car isn't "secular."  And, while most agree my accordion will not be in heaven, it isn't "secular", either.

There are Christians in the music business, and not just in the "Christian Music Business."  Some of the best "Christian Musicians" will never win Dove Awards.  They play bass trombone for the Boston Symphony (Douglas Yeo) or principal trumpet for the NY Philharmonic (Phil Smith) or sing mezzo soprano for the Metropolitan Opera, like Wendy White.  They're not "secular."  They're gifted by God as artists, participating in His creativity, Soli Deo Gloria.

And your job?  Your computer isn't secular.  If you mop a floor at work, you're not mopping a secular floor.  If you're mowing grass, you're not mowing secular grass.

It's God's grass, man.

And Jesus didn't change water into secular wine.

You can now buy Christian-marketed pants.  Does that mean my current pants are secular?  Have the Christian pants truly repented?  And what can be done to reach my pants for Christ?

(Go check out the whole post here)


With his classic humor and fresh perspective, he brings up a very valid point. What do we even mean by "secular" or "Christian"?

I should make it clear that I'm not opposed to "Christian" things. I wear Kerusso t-shirts, I listen to Christian music 80% of the time, and most of my friendships come from church-related activities. I'm not condemning the intent of the "in the world, but not of it" attitude. I do, however, think that we (referring to the Church as a whole) are a little too concerned with the "Christian" label.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Did you catch that? In all things. God can use anything and everything - secular and sacred, religious and rebellious - for his glory. Let's focus on who Christ is, rather than on branding his label on everything we make. This will spill over into a truer faith, and a truer love for others. 

• What if we were more concerned about loving people in the name of Christ than about where they are on Sunday mornings? 

• What if we spent our energy using our gifts to further God's kingdom rather than to appeal to a specific religious audience? 

If I understand correctly, Christianity is simply about being Christ-like. That's the focus. Jesus hung out with the sinners. The people who listened to the first century Nicki Minaj. The people who definitely didn't own any Christian t-shirts. These are the people Jesus sought out. Their labels didn't matter, because that's not the  focus. The focus is the heart.

Let's let our hearts be changed. Let's not worry about being "Christian" enough, and start seeking to be Christ-like.

I Wish the Mayans Were Right. #YOLO

Yes, I did just drop two of the biggest social phenomenons this past year has seen. They are relevant, I promise; though YOLO is not typically relevant...but that's beside the point.

Based on the end of the Mayan calendar, people have speculated that the world will end on December 21, 2012. Besides the fact that no man will predict when Jesus does come back, researchers, scientists, and those that once entertained the accuracy of this idea have even debunked it. Needless to say, I am convinced that the world shall go on for the time being.

However, now that the date is upon us, it has sent people into YOLO-mode. YOLO stands for You Only Live Once. It can be (and has been) interpreted in many different ways. At first glance, it seems rather redundant. Its typical use, however, is as an excuse to do really stupid stuff. In some ways, that sentiment makes sense - you only have one life to live, so live it to the full. However, doing [stupid] life threatening acts does not equate to living fully in my mind. Here's an insightful and humorous take on the subject:



There you go. Now you understand what social phenomenons I'm talking about. If you already did, well...you've just been re-educated. You're welcome.

Anyways - in light of the supposed end of the world, there is a lot of YOLO happening. The pointless kind. People feel like being reckless, because it brings up this: we never know what day will be our last. Now, this is a valid point. In addition, being reckless can be a very good thing. In fact, I believe that to truly follow Christ, you must be reckless. Make the most of every moment. As cliche as it's becoming, I believe it's true. I'm just disappointed at how these sentiments have led so many to fulfill unmet selfish goals rather than live recklessly in Christ.

Imagine with me that the world was ending. That reading this was the last thing you ever did. Rather than asking the question "What one thing do you wish you had done?", I want to ask you "What one thing would Christ have had you do?" See, there are a lot of things Christ calls us to that we don't follow through on. We have our pride, our image to protect. Being reckless - disregarding rules - is fun, but being reckless - laying down our interests and serving wholeheartedly - is not the first thing on most people's minds.

I wish it was. If tomorrow was the end of the world, let's do something about it. Let's tell the unloved that they are loved. Let's make amends with the bitter. Let's bear our hearts with one another.

Maybe this is just a whole lot of "Christian" stuff thrown together, and it's too overused to mean anything. I truly hope that is not the case. My challenge for myself, and for you is this: let's live like the predictions were right - that today is our last chance. Let's not live recklessly today, but every day. #YOLO