What is the Practice of Christianity?

Well, I was wrong this is by someone else:

Here I am Lord
Words and Music by Daniel L Schutte
© 1981
Genesis 46:2
"And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night,
and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I."




I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.

Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?


Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.


Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them.
Whom shall I send?


Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will send the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.


Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
Finest bread I will provide,
'Til their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?


Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
 
I thought Christian practice was:

- promote supply side free market capitalism
- get/maintain religious beliefs and edicts into government institutions and documents
- support any and all wars started by the U.S.
- fight against homosexuality, homosexuals, and the homosexual agenda
- fight against legalized abortion
- promote through satellite television
- hang out on street corners and hassle people coming out of bars and on Mardi Gras
- fight against evolution
- vote Republican
- listen to talk radio
- fight for the right to own guns

This is no comment or judgment on the worthiness of any of the above, but any impartial observer of the behavior of the self-identifying Christian population in the United States over the past several decades (or more) would reach the conclusion above.

On the other hand, it would be nice to see more of those proclaiming Christianity focus on emulation of the lifestyle and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth - or, for more of those who already do to take back the label.
 
DT Strain said:
I thought Christian practice was:

- promote supply side free market capitalism
- get/maintain religious beliefs and edicts into government institutions and documents
- support any and all wars started by the U.S.
- fight against homosexuality, homosexuals, and the homosexual agenda
- fight against legalized abortion
- promote through satellite television
- hang out on street corners and hassle people coming out of bars and on Mardi Gras
- fight against evolution
- vote Republican
- listen to talk radio
- fight for the right to own guns

This is no comment or judgment on the worthiness of any of the above, but any impartial observer of the behavior of the self-identifying Christian population in the United States over the past several decades (or more) would reach the conclusion above.

On the other hand, it would be nice to see more of those proclaiming Christianity focus on emulation of the lifestyle and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth - or, for more of those who already do to take back the label.
Click to expand...
Definition of "stereotype"...
 
DT Strain said:
On the other hand, it would be nice to see more of those proclaiming Christianity focus on emulation of the lifestyle and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth - or, for more of those who already do to take back the label.
Click to expand...

78% of the United States self-identifies as Christians. There is a great deal of diversity in belief and practice, and certainly in political opinions, among that group.

The media is the primary driver of stereotypes that pin "Christians" as being far-right Republicans. The truth is that we run a spectrum from socialist to moderate to capitalist in economic leanings, encompass both staunch passivists (particularly in the "peace" churches, such as Quakers and Amish) and soldiers, and mostly are split on these issues (i.e., we aren't a voting block the way people think we are). I know people who agonize over which candidates to choose, because no one seems to totally embody the Christian ideals, and of course like all people, we struggle with reconciling Christ's demands for passivism with our perceived need for defense and security, Christ's demands for non-accumulation with our perceived need for providing a good life for our family, and so forth.

Recent studies show a tremendous amount of diversity among American Christians in their political ideologies, beliefs, and so forth.

I think there is an interest in this country in keeping us divided and at war with each other. It's sad. Differences within the Body of Christ should be handled with grace and love. But we're human, so these differences often become fodder for stereotypes and fighting.
 
I love that Servant Song and Casting Crowns. Thanks. :)

I like this one... Oldie but goodie...

St. Francis' Prayer

Lord, make us instruments of your peace
Where there is hatred, let us sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is discord, union
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
Where there is sadness, joy
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love
For it is in giving that we receive
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life

Amen
 
I follow the commands of Jesus: Including loving God, loving your neighbors, loving each other, loving your enemies and praying for those who do evil to you. He also said the clothe the naked and feed the hungry. There are other commands, but those are the most important ones- particularly the first 2, according to the New Testament and Jesus' words. :)
 
DT Strain said:
I thought Christian practice was:

- promote supply side free market capitalism
- get/maintain religious beliefs and edicts into government institutions and documents
- support any and all wars started by the U.S.
- fight against homosexuality, homosexuals, and the homosexual agenda
- fight against legalized abortion
- promote through satellite television
- hang out on street corners and hassle people coming out of bars and on Mardi Gras
- fight against evolution
- vote Republican
- listen to talk radio
- fight for the right to own guns

This is no comment or judgment on the worthiness of any of the above, but any impartial observer of the behavior of the self-identifying Christian population in the United States over the past several decades (or more) would reach the conclusion above.

On the other hand, it would be nice to see more of those proclaiming Christianity focus on emulation of the lifestyle and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth - or, for more of those who already do to take back the label.
Click to expand...
which brings this bible verse to my mind


Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.1 john 2;17

christians should be focused on doing the will of God ,not trying to shine the brass on a sinking ship.
it seems that so called christians have really lost their focus .

those who are REALLY doing the will of God would be focusing on doing what he JESUS commanded
matthew 28;19-20 matthew 24;14 and bringing that to the fore instead


when Jesus died he committed into his disciples hands the work of teaching others to worship God.
He also warned that he would return and expect a reckoning from them as to how they had conducted themselves during his absence.—Matthew 24:46; 25:14-23; 28:19, 20.


Eventually, the number of those claiming to follow Christ climbed into the hundreds of millions. ​


But in most cases, the worship by these vast throngs was not based on Bible principles. ​

so,when Jesus was installed as heavenly King in 1914 and then ‘arrived’ to have a reckoning with those who claimed to be his followers, what did he find? ​

Millions of professed Christians were engaged in the most terrible war in mankind’s history up to that point. ​


Yes, the vast majority of "Christians" were acting completely contrary to basic Bible principles. ​

However, there was a group of real Christians trying hard to follow godly principles and also teaching them to any who would listen in the war-mad world. ​

These were gathered together and in time were joined by a great crowd of like-minded persons. (Matthew 24:31; Revelation 7:4, 9, 10) ​

They are still following life-giving principles, telling others about God’s great purposes, associating together as one flock, and trying hard to conform to the "perfect will of God."—Romans 12:2.
and yes the christians DOING THE WILL OF GODare JEHOVAHS WITNESSES ​

They have not lost their focus . ​

This has not been easy
. For one thing, these true Christians have had to fight their own imperfect, sinful nature.

And they have to live in a world that is completely opposed to the values and principles they try to live by.

In fact, the apostle John said: "The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19)

That is why God’s true worshipers today have to keep close in mind a vitally important principle explained by Jesus:

"They [Christians] are no part of the world."—John 17:16.

The disciple James warned: "Whoever . . . wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God." (James 4:4)


True Christians have prayed: "Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth." (Matthew 6:10)

Jehovah’s Witnesses know that God’s Kingdom alone can bring real peace on earth.

Being close observers of Bible prophecy, they are convinced that this prayer will soon be answered and that the Kingdom will shortly take charge of earth’s affairs. (Daniel 2:44)
Their adherence to this Kingdom makes them neutral in the affairs of the governments of the world.

they have not lost their focus :)












 
bob x said:
Yes, but in my life that is mostly what Christianity means to me.
Click to expand...

And sadly to many christians that is what it means.....

Scripture if I may, it shows YHWH speaking to -his- people... And it is even relevant, (in my humble opinion, even today.)......... Eze 6:18-19 You will put on sackcloth to show your sorrow, but terror will overpower you. Shame will be written all over your faces, and you will shave your heads in despair. Your silver and gold will be thrown into the streets like rubbish, because those are the two things that have led you into sin., and now they cannot save you from my anger. They are not even worth enough to buy food.

Also I find Number 14 interesting... where you have man deciding what god's intentions and will is... YHWH is just sending them to be slain in Canaan.. Well no he made them a promise he has made clear what his will is.... And you also have this classic line.... "Let's choose our OWN leaders, and go back." (14:4) So not only changing and deciding what his will is, they are now wishing to demote their god and put a creation of his in charge.... I feel we still see this in this modern life... We make mistakes we mess up and we make some pretty big errors....... They even then turn on those whom stay faithful evening wishing to KILL them.... (Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb and more.) But, there are those out there Bob that are faithful to his will......

All they need to do is just as Jesus says in luke chapter 13.... 'Turn back, to god..."

Please do not hold such a blanket judgement over all bob....
 
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