#christiansontumblr

[4319co]

"God will meet you where you are in order to take you where He wants you to go." - Tony Evans

Today's Reminder: Where God guides, He provides.

Source: 4319.CO Instagram

www. 4319.co

[weltbereisend]

[31women]

The Price of Unity (1/2)

We (Christians) all like to talk about things like unity, community, the body of Christ, family in Christ, the global Church, and on and on. In fact, we talk about it so much that you’d think we’d tell you how to do any of that.

Because here’s the truth- we’re not so good at being unified these days. We spend a lot of time trying to prove that we’re not like “those” Christians or criticizing our brothers and sisters in Christ that seem less committed and not as perfect as us in our own eyes. I’d go so far as to say that unity isn’t a priority at all in the modern church. Spiritual denominations and physical borders separate us from each other. Those that have begun to see this as an actual problem stand on street corners and shout at us to get our act together, but even they aren’t really doing anything to help the problem or find the solution. We ask each other to change, saying “if you would just have our worldview and our customs, we could totally get along with you!”

Listen up brothers and sisters- Unity has a price. If we want to truly become one community, we have to have a funeral before we have a wedding.

Think about it this way: When two people get married, they don’t just squish together two individuals. Rather, two people give up their individual selves and become one body together. The same has to happen for us to become one body as a Church. While there are some truths that we should never compromise on and some people who aren’t truly following God that we should rebuke, we are called to sacrifice our comforts and preferences to join with the global body of believers. For example, you may love modern music, but worshipping with a different group of people may require you to learn some old hymns or even music in a different language.

As you all know, I recently spent time in El Salvador working with a Christian organization in Cuidad Delgado (part of San Salvador). While this organization was doing many wonderful things in the community, no organization is perfect and I saw some harmful ideas about what it means to be a Christian practiced in their ministry. Instead of accepting their culture and conforming to their worship practices, many of the missionaries expected the community to become more american. They saw the american christian worldview and customs as the only correct way to know and worship God. Yet God is not the God of America. America does not matter much to God. People matter to God, not national boundary lines. The way we worship isn’t the “right way,” it’s simply our way. When we go into other cultures to do ministry, we need to meet them where they are, not as a lesser people but as a unique and therefore different people.

Unity requires sacrifice. It requires us to give up our comfort zone.

So let’s put this into practice: When you meet other christians with different experiences remember to listen to them, accept them, and learn from them. Stop expecting to people to agree with you all the time, but rather listen to their perspectives to grow your own worldview. Stop asking people to change to join your church or social group, instead see diversity as an asset rather than a risk. Stop worrying about doing things the way they’ve always been done, because those new ideas and new perspectives and new ways of life could be better than your old traditions.

Stay tuned for how to start doing this on an individual level next post.

-31Women (Beth)

[coachingandinspirationsfornow]

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[snarkybluechristian]

Hopefully an Answer that’ll Smooth Things Over...

@zpheadcanons Oh, dear.  I did not expect things to get this out of hand.  I’m dead serious.  I was just going to my room to fold my laundry when my ADD brain got an idea it felt like sharing while I listened to a Rifftrax Christmas special.  I submitted it, read the shitpost that went with it, commented, and then went downstairs to watch the UGA vs UA football game with my family.  

I expected my post to get a few comments and maybe start an interesting discussion, but I really thought that would be the end of it.  

I checked my email and saw a response that was too long for my ADD brain to reply to at the moment so I put off responding and got back to watching the game while browsing Best Buy’s website for a new laptop.  

But about two hours later, I checked the Tumblr page again and saw that people are freaking out, and the cable downstairs went out for some reason, so I decided to procrastinate doing laundry again to reply to the long response.  

We’ve come full circle, people, except I’m listening to Gershwin’s “American in Paris” right now instead of the Rifftrax Christmas Special.  I’ll probably go back to watching that later, but you don’t care about any of that.  I hope the extraneous details didn’t bore you.  That’s just what happens when you ask a writer with severe ADHD to post a response.  I’m long-winded.  Just look at my fan fiction.  

Anyhow, on to my rebuttal:

1.   First, HH may not be based on entirely biblical canon, but it is a little bit.  So, I was using that to draw a hypothesis of how Satan might act in this series.  I don’t see many religious people share headcanons for a show like this, and considering that this show is set in a place that features heavily in my faith, I thought it would be appropriate.  Everyone has the right to share their perspective even if it’s one most people don’t agree with.  Different points-of-view should not be shunned just because people don’t agree with them.  That leads to toxicity which makes fandoms not fun and excludes people.  I know that’s not what you want.  The toxicity of everyday life is the reason people like us retreat to the Internet in the first place.  We face it enough in the real world, or at least, I have.  We shouldn’t try to perpetuate it here.

2.  I did not intend to sound salty.  I was being facetious when referring to myself as a killjoy.  My sarcasm is very dry.  Most people don’t catch onto it, not even my family.  I’m sorry for the confusion.  

3.  I would prefer for us to have a civil discussion instead of being made into a meme, but this is the internet...

4.  My blog name “Snarky Blue Christian” is actually based on an inside joke between me and my very good friend of something that happened during Dragon Con this year.  It is not a drama blog, unless you mean my dramatic fan fiction, especially when it comes to Angel Dust or Undertale.  I love writing.  ADD brain.  Focus.  Okay, I am very open about my Christian faith.  I’m not ashamed of it, but I do not like to cause drama when it’s unnecessary.  Believe me.  I’ve dealt with more than enough of that to last me a lifetime.  However, I am more willing than I should be to speak up for what I think is right, and I think it is unfair of you to judge me based on a name when you don’t know anything about me either.    I’m actually thinking about changing my blog name so I can more easily be found by people who follow me on Deviant Art and fanfiction.net.  If you’re curious, my name there is InGodzHandz.

5.  I know that characters vary based on interpretation.  I was being a killjoy on purpose.  I also think it would be a more interesting dynamic between Charlie and her parents if they were completely evil.  I was just giving my two cents.  

6.  As for your comment, Biblical Satan does enjoy causing chaos, but he’s not limited to only using chaos.  Satan can use organization or chaos.  Just look at Putin’s Russia or the civil war in the Congo.  They’re both different means that lead to the same end: destruction, despair, and misery.  Charlie’s hotel would lead to hope and redemption if it succeeded which is ultimately something he would be against because that would be giving God a space in hell.  Satan also has not let go of his grudge after this long.  It’s not too hard to imagine he’d be pissed off at his daughter and intended Antichrist for going against his plans. 

7.  I never intended to sound rude or cause drama.  I just wanted to throw my thoughts out there and see if I could start an interesting discussion.  I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and say you didn’t intend to sound that way, but you sounded like you were saying that I didn’t deserve to share my point-of-view just because I’m a Christian.  We’re all adults here.  We should be above such foolishness.  I don’t think you want to be that type of person.  Please don’t be.  It’s wrong of you to assume that of me when you have no idea who I am.  I should be as welcome in this fandom as anyone else.

8.  Furthermore, someone else shared canon on Lilith, so I thought I’d do the same thing on Satan.  Again, because I have not seen many religious people giving their two cents on here.

9.  I can’t change how anyone feels about anything.  I know HH Satan is going to have fangirls no matter what I say.  I’m not too worried about it.  Honestly, I have much bigger problems to worry about.

That’s my entire rebuttal.  I want this community to continue being a positive place.  Please don’t make it toxic by making people feel unwelcome just for sharing ideas that aren’t popular.  I want this fandom to stay a positive one.

[leeannabell]

Others like me

Finding other Christians on tumblr who also love the work of Bob Goff. Never thought that would happen

[tonykapayou]

"Christians are hateful, too."

Tony Kapayou

[4319co]

Bible Verses to Comfort You

Sometimes, when things go wrong in your life, it is easy to forget who you are. You feel unhappy, you may even feel worthless or unqualified. Beyond every single one of your success and failures, is an Almighty God from above Who knows you, and loves you nonetheless.

If you are constantly finding yourself in a slump, start spending time in the Word to get right back on track. 

Here are some comforting Bible Verses to get you started: https://www.4319.co/blogs/entries/comforting-bible-verses

[4319co]

What do you do when you feel low?

We personally believe that even the lowest times can lead you to high ground. Sometimes, doors shut on you to allow better opportunities a chance to open up. When things don't go your way, having faith is to believe that even when these doors shut on you — it is only because God has something greater in store for you. We can't count the number of times we have met with a disappointment, it could be anything from retrenchment to breaking up. Yet every time we get past the valley by putting our hope in the One true God, we find a better career opportunity ahead of us, a kingdom relationship waiting for us. Whatever situation you are currently in, know that it is not the end. The Author of your life holds tomorrow in His hands.

Source: 4319.CO Instagram www.4319.co

[4319co]

Whatever situation you are currently in, know that it is not the end. The Author of your life holds tomorrow in His hands.

Seek Him and find rest.

Source: 4319.CO Instagram www.4319.co

[4319co]

Which hand do you see yours as? 

Is it the hand right at the bottom, bearing the weight and responsibility of the other two hands? Do you have everything in control?

Beloved, take a step back and consider that

yours is the child’s hand, resting on the pierced hand of Jesus, and held in the hand of our Abba Father:

- The same hand that laid the foundations of the earth and spread out the heavens (Isaiah 48:13).

- The same hand that holds all things together (Colossians 1:17).

Fear not, because He is with you. Do not be dismayed, because He is your God. He will strengthen and help you (that’s a promise!). He will uphold you with His righteous right hand (another promise!).

Take some time out to reflect on these promises from Isaiah 41:10 in your journal today, and claim your portion in Jesus’ name!

Source: 4319.CO Instagram

www.4319.co

[4319co]

Have you ever felt like a piece of you was missing?

Maybe you tried turning to distractions to fill a void, and yet, you still feel incomplete. We have a reminder for you today. Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” - John 4:13-14 We may be content with earthly distractions for a little while, but we can never be fully satisfied by the things of the world. Spend your time in the Word getting to know Jesus, and you will be filled with living water.

Find out how we find the time to practice His presence amidst our busy schedule of running our passion project (@4319.CO) alongside our full time jobs in our blog post, "Ways to Practice His Presence On A Busy Schedule".

Stay blessed and be loved, child of God!

Source: 4319.CO Instagram

Blog Post: Ways to Practice His Presence On A Busy Schedule

www.4319.co

[4319co]

Child of God, rest, for it is finished.

In celebration of the One who died and rose again, we launched our first ever Christian line art design in limited quantity. For this year's Resurrection Sunday, all proceeds from the sale of this 'Child of God' journal will go to Singapore Children's Society to help vulnerable youth and children at risk.

Only 10 pieces available. Visit our website at www.4319.co for more information.

[4319co]

A wedding is a beautiful thing, and we are not just talking about the overall aesthetics of the grand event. We are talking about the entire process of embarking on exciting visits to different wedding venues, to designing your wedding invites and curating your event schedule! The entire journey of wedding planning brings you and your significant other to new levels of intimacy.

For Christian couples who desire to embrace an element of grace that exudes their faith into their vows or wedding decorations, read our blog to find 5 of our favorite Bible Verses about love for weddings.

Read More: https://www.4319.co/blogs/entries/beautiful-bible-verses-about-love-for-weddings

[31women]

Fear to Freedom

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.”

What do you do when you’re living in fear? When paranoia (justified or exaggerated) causes you to be hyper-aware of your surroundings? When you go to bed drained only to wake up with dread? When social interaction is a danger? When leaving your room feels like a risk? When you know exactly who to avoid, but not who to trust?

In the past few months, I have witnessed the impact of a spirit of fear. I have picked friends up from classes, taken the long way home to avoid the populated areas, gone in groups to do laundry, eaten on my dorm floor instead of the cafeteria, built forts in an attempt to create a safe place, and stayed up into the early hours of the morning to make sure everyone got back safely.

Security was non-existent, lying was a necessity, and paranoia was normal.

There are many places in the world (fun fact: I’m in El Salvador right now) where living in fear is just a fact of life. Even though our fear was justified, as are the fears of others around the world, we need to remember that fear isn’t from God; fear came in the aftermath of sin. 2 Timothy tells us, that “God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” We are no longer slaves to fear, but rather free in the authority (power), sacrifice (love), and righteousness (self-control) of Christ’s death and resurrection.

At the end of the school year, I promised I would come back in the fall with blonder hair, tanner skin, and a sense of freedom rather than a heavy heart and fearful spirit. That’s when God showed me Galatians 5:13-  

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

My first thought was, “How can giving more of myself away be freedom?!? I have given all I can to this situation! I’m exhausted! How can you tell me, Lord, that freedom is just more taking, and no receiving!” ….. And then I started this internship in El Salvador that required me to serve others pretty much 24/7 (explanation here), and I finally get it. Before God changed my heart, I thought about myself, my choices, my security, and my feelings first. In taking control of my own life, I failed both myself and others, because instead of feeling free, I felt trapped in my own sin and the destruction of a fallen world. When Christ set me free, I finally had the opportunity and the choice to give myself to him instead. True freedom was the choice to give up my independence for true love, joy, and peace in my savior and redeemer.

So when God tells us that we are called to freedom, we think the ability to do whatever we want, but God says no, it is rather the ability to do what is good for the first time.

Because let me tell you, when I am working in El Salvador, I feel so genuinely free. The ability to go out and do something for someone else is a beautiful thing. I get to love. I get to serve. I get to give.

For God did not give me fear, but rather gave himself away to me in love so that I could be free to do the same.

Welcome to sonship over slavery, eternal over fleeting, and love over fear.

-31Women (Beth)

Song that goes with this there here

[4319co]

Whatever setbacks you may be faced with right now, allow God to turn the situation around for you. There's no problem too big or too small for a God who cares so much for you. ❤️

Source: 4319.CO Instagram www.4319.co