New Person... who dis?

     It seems to me that every single day when I look at my Facebook "Memories", I cringe looking at the awful statuses I may have posted five years ago. I'm horrified how stupid I was. It's very easy for me to sit back and judge myself for who I was years ago, but honestly, that person no longer exists. It's weird because I never had a funeral for him, and I never told him goodbye, in fact, I never even missed him. When I look back, I'm very happy that I have transformed into a better, more mature person.

     What's the point of all this? The point is that there are several things that I now remember that I did to make myself a better person. You may not agree with all of them, but all of them are beneficial, and most of them will help you no matter who you are.

     1. Have self-respect. You may be thinking right now how much self respect you have, but I remember as a young teenager having long, curly, Shirley Temple like hair, damaged by dyes, bleaches, and straighteners (all teenage guys try this, right?). I remember piercing my ear at my friends house because my mom wouldn't let me, and I was able to hide it for so long because I looked like Tim Allen in Shaggy Dog.
     Another thing about self-respect: learn to speak. I'm from Arkansas. Most of us flunk grammar, and if you are the grammar nazi, you can probably find several errors to this point. However, a basic understanding doesn't hurt. Also, expand your vocabulary. Trust me. You may think your girlfriend likes to be called 'awesome', but trust me. She doesn't. Part of this includes knowing how to type. When you get a text, how many of you tlk jst lk diz or use piles upon piles of acronyms? Stop it. 2005 ended, and with it, so did MySpace. You may think a simple text or email is insignificant, but impressions matter. Once again, trust me.
     If this isn't you, modify, modify, modify. You don't have to forsake everything you are, but find a style that is more respectable while still fitting your taste. And if you try something new, it grows on you. My bangs once touched my chin, now I get a haircut once a month.

     2. Have respect for others. This doesn't just mean greeting the man at the gas station with a "Howdy doody!" but going out of your way to show kindness in the world. It doesn't matter what you're going through, it gets better, even just for a moment when you see that smiling old lady. This takes up less than half a second of your time usually, so it will not kill you. This helps you get known as respectful, and in turn will earn you respect and multiple opportunities.

     3. Have faith in God. He's gonna work it out. You may be angry with him, but he knows what he's doing. Trust him.

     4. Make goals for yourself. Always plan to be better tomorrow than you are today. If you aren't reaching your goals, you have to be willing to do whatever it takes to reach them soon. You can't make up lost time, and you'll feel the guilt of losing an opportunity. You'll never get it back.

     5. Finally, education. Not just education, but lifelong learning. Try to learn from everything. Your mistakes. Others' mistakes. Books, shows, videos, songs, classes, college, traffic. Literally everything. Make it a learning experience. Don't let people consider you dumb. Keep your eyes and ears open and be ready to work.

     The main point here to sum up all five points into one: DON'T BE LAZY!!

Is it Cage Stage... or Just Defense?- a testimony about staying true to my roots, and staying true to God

Is This What It's Come To? 

     

     Right now, I am doing some of the hardest things that can possibly be done in 2016: I am being a white man in a time of feminism and violent race protesters, I am a college student, and most importantly, I AM a Christian. Why is is that Christians feel the need to make people's lives harder. Now, I know what you're thinking. "Not all Christians are this way, how dare you?" However, we both know that if we're having a mature conversation, I should never have to describe that I don't mean all Christians- this is common sense. 

     Before you get riled up and pull out the dusty, old soapbox from your closet, take the humble seat and listen to what myself, as well as many Christians think about "professional Christians". For six years now, I have been a loyal and dedicated Christian, declaring my life for the glory of God, and using my skills to preach in his church and spread the gospel. Then I realized something. There was another understanding of scripture that is more biblical than the one I held true to. This is NOT to say that I think that those who don't believe like me are right, but I am fully saying that I found flaw in my own thinking, and came closer to what I believe the correct interpretation of scripture is. 

     If you're a true Christian, you would congratulate me. You would be happy that in my studies, I was able to lay my comfort and pride aside and transition to a doctrine that I knew would make me hated within most of my fellowship, which I will not name. However, in my time of transition, I haven't received any kind words, but fountains spewing judgement. This only comes from ignorance, so I forgive them, and I apologize as I know that God hasn't decided to let them understand quite yet (Romans 9:18). What do you receive from spraying your judgement? Well, I will assert that you have lost the blessing of God, as I see the biblical example of helping a brother out of sin in Galatians 6:1-10. Why do I think you've lost the blessing of God? Anyone who condemns a brother isn't going to Heaven (Matthew 7:1-6, Matthew 5:22). Matthew 5:22b says "and whoever says 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire." The man who passes judgement on a brother receives that same kind of judgement. But why? Matthew 18:15-20 completely states why: if you have two or more brothers binding something on earth, it will be bound in Heaven. If you give this condemnation, you will be bound as well. 

     There is a certain preacher who has made quite the impression on my life until about a year ago. Slowly, I watched as he stopped preaching the Bible, and started preaching a false, hateful agenda towards a group of people IN THE CHURCH who hold opposing views. As I began to transition to this group, I was told my loyalty is fickle. I don't take criticisms to this measure very lightly, so for weeks I pondered on his statement, and I came to the conclusion: anyone who doesn't know where your loyalties lie will shout fickle if you don't please their needs, so they complain and backbite as though they were still baby Christians who can't be trusted with solid food; only milk. I told him, my loyalty isn't fickle, you just weren't aware that I'm not loyal to your ministry, I'm loyal to God, and God alone, as it should be for all Christians. As the conversation proceeded, our friendship ceased. He shot attacks at me, and sadly I shot attacks back, just as Peter cut the ear of Malchus. I still accept him as a brother in Christ, so I apologized. He ignored this apology. He insulted my apology, and never took responsibility for his sin, never apologized, and his pride puffed up. I asked him a while later if he would like to sit down over coffee and discuss our differences. He said it's his obligation to meet with me, so as long as I visit his site and read every article concerning this topic, he would meet with me. If I didn't, neither would he meet with me. 

     What kind of men do we allow in our pulpits? Unfortunately, this man is one of many that allowed the power of being a pastor/preacher go to his head. What kind of man can point me to a blog instead of having a meaningful conversation with his brother? If he thinks my stance is wrong, then so be it. Show me scripture. Show me God's words telling me I'm wrong, and by all means, I will follow God whether I like it or not. Now, it may seem like I've wandered from the topic, but here's my point: this "man of God" wouldn't take the time to correct his brother as the Bible commands, but decided to hate, as is the antithesis of scripture. Christians are supposed to help and serve other Christians. When they don't, and to the extreme, if they act like this man, they make life harder for the Christian, especially a younger one. Have you ever wondered why 70% of young people between the ages of 18-22 leave the church? It's because the church acts like they've never tasted the goodness of Christ! They live as though they've never known his glory, and instead of teaching them, they shove doctrine down their throats. I remember my 5th grade teacher said at least twice a day "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time", and the same is true for the church. How can you teach someone about the righteous sufferings of Job if they still pronounce his name as if they just applied for it on Snagajob?

     The next time you think about the disrespectful teenager or even Calvinist, ask yourself why they're the way they are, and if you have contributed to it. Someone once asked me why Calvinists seem like they're always the ones that are defensive and aggressive, and I responded with the following analogy. Puppies are cute and sweet, and bring a lot of joy to peoples lives, but sometimes, they get in the grasp of the wrong owner. The owner beats and batters on it, and when it grows up, it's a ferocious beast. This isn't a decision, this is instincts after being attacked. Why are many teenagers and Calvinists disrespectful? We want someone to treat us with the same respect as you would anyone else, and treat us like a Christian. If you don't, don't be surprised when they grow up to be ferocious. 

     Unfortunately, this is the direction of the church. I can't even make a single post on Facebook without ignorant interjections are placed in the comments. This is never how it was meant. Discuss scripture with complete regard of respecting it and not throwing quotes around like it was your favorite quote from 'The Fault in Our Stars'. Be a Christian, help a Christian. You may have rebuttal to this post, and that's easy when I'm insulting your traditional way of handling situations, but when dealing with brethren, treat them as such, with all patience, love, humility, and teaching. If the post seems aggressive, that's not my intention. To me, situations like with the preacher mentioned above have worn me out. I am weary. Forgive me for my wrongdoings, as Christ has also forgiven you. I'll do the same. 

     Sola Gratia!

Tracy McCann

Wait, Where's My Identity?

You haven't seen it, have you? I've searched everywhere and I've asked several people. Hundreds of people and I can't seem to find my identity. I once knew who I was, and I was firm on the fact that I am a teenaged white male but I certainly can't be the gender that women call "dogs", can I? I can't be the same race that enslaved black people until a little more than 100 years ago.

People today struggle with their identity. I know a transgender that no matter the anatomy, he hated pronouns such as he or she. But why? It's something we're all born with. I was recently watching a documentary about a young black kid who tried to "brush the color out of his gums" because he wanted pink gums. He said "I have black and brown gums so they're ugly". But why? That's what he was blessed with. Brown gums and pink gums serve the same purpose, and with the same level of efficiency.

Here's the reason there is such an identity crisis in our society. Society has determined what they find right and wrong, ultimately making people feel uncomfortable with their identity. Culture has made falsehood about several things. Such things as a feminine acting males must be gay. This is untrue prejudice. Another thing is about a guy who takes care of himself well, is well-groomed, and well-dressed (also called a metrosexual), who is also considered gay. American culture has told us that men must be rough and tough with dirt and oil matted on their hands and torn clothing. Otherwise, they're gay. If you're black, you face mocking because of race. Men face dispute because we're all called dogs. If you're a woman, you face sexism by being called inferior. If you're feminine, you're called gay. If you're fat, you're a slob. Culture makes fun of anyone for anything and now we face the ultimate consequences.

How often have you heard "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."? The biggest problem with that is its a lie. Words do hurt. They cut deep. Now that we have to face a crisis that we caused in the first place, we resort to the thing that caused it. Mocking. Mocking comes in several forms. Making fun of someone for being different than the crowd. Acting better than someone. Religiously shaming them because they aren't in the same religious bracket. Those are all forms of mocking.

As Christians, we fail. We fail more than we will ever succeed. I have to admit that. I'll use a better word: I MUST confess that. We have caused a great shame upon ourselves because church is a safe place, or supposed to be. I'm not claiming I have everything right, but this is one thing I know: the church was designed to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world. If we aren't serving the purpose, we need to take every step possible to change that. We have been called to a mission.

There is a world that is hurting and they're searching. Searching for us. The church. Jesus. It's our job.   Let's show them. Look for every opportunity to spread the gospel. This is not only important, it mandatory!