A shame to be ashamed

So I assume we all get those emails from time to time. Many of us know someone who believes in God and who is always forwarding emails along with messeges. Or maybe they aren't God realated at all, but still you get forward after forward. Now some people like those things, but I get the feeling that most don't. It's not that we don't like the inspirational messeges in them or the facts or the jokes (most of the time). I think a lot of us get annoyed by the frequencey of them and, above that even, the ending to the majority of them. Stupid stuff like "pass this to 10 people in ten minutes and your wish will come true." or "don't delet this or it will bring bad luck." Personally, I can't stand that. Even when the forward has such a wonderful thing to say I most often delete them simply because of the ending tag line. Once in a rare while I'll pass along one if it's realy good but not before deleting teh tag line at the end. That way it doesn't end badly for the next person who gets it. It should be about choice, as with everything else, I think. If the contents inspire you and you want to pass it on so be it but seriously, theirs no need for an idiotic tag line like that.

Today I recieved two email forwards. One was an image of Jesus's obituary which was pretty cool I thought. It was made up to look like someone cut it from an old newspaper and scanned it. At the end of it the tag line said, "Pass this on to all who know Jesus." which made complete sense to me as those who don't know him would not really appreciate it, most likely. The other email was of a poem called the "new school prayer" and was quite good in all truth. It just pointed out the state of affairs in the freedoms vs. religion debate. It was a bit long so I won't post it here, but the tag line was far more impacting than the poem itself. (To me anyway.) It read, "Jesus said, 'If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father.'" Potent tag line for a believer. I wanted to make sure it read that way (though their was little doubt) and I found in Luke 9:26 "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."

Sheesh, how's that for a kick in the gut? (^_^) It seems that our shame to be what we claim to be is a problem for most of us, though I couldn't guess how many consider it from day to day. Emails are just one example of this. So, I know that I do the talk and the walk, but so very often I find myslef shying away from an unbelieving world. It is often subtle and easily rationalized, but not proper. Do you know what I mean? Are you like me? Jesus's words are as true today as ever. They have not changed and have not become less appropriate, but we have learned our place is not in the light but instead right on the edge of the light. Right where we can say, "I believe and I care, but it isn't necessary to go that far.", as we hope silently that we are right. Self assuring ourselves that the person simply didn't want to hear it anyway or wasn't receptive enough yet. I've been that person many times and it can be tricky indeed as their is some truth in the lie. After you've offered to talk, you've asked for caution with language, and made yourself known that you take this seriously just how often do you try? Do you try at all when the responce was a firm "No." I mean of course prayer will stay, but action? If you're like me you work that angle like a crutch. It becomes your excuse to not do it and yet it is so worng at its core.

Now, of course I'm not saying that livign well isn't good or that we have to do everything perfect, but boil it down for me and for you. Do you turn down the chirstian music when around others? Do you talk about a movie or book that is of christian base with groups of non-believers? Do you tell someone to watch what they say when they drop a "G.D." or a "J.C." in your presence? If so I give you credit. If so I ask for your support to those of us who do not because we need a hand in learning. For the rest of us, well, I dare you to not shy away next time. I dare you and me.

Next time I see a messege to forward that is worth forwarding I'm sticking that tag line (Luke 9:26) in at the bottom in place of the one it already has. Feel free to do the same if it seems worthy of it.