Judge, judge, judge. I don't think I've ever truly struggled with anything like this before. I know I judge people, but here at Central it's so much more apparent to me that I do so. With good reason, I suppose. Stereotypes of youth group kids and perfect, little Christians. So with each day that comes and goes, the judgments that I'm passing - even if they are small and seemingly meaningless - are being shoved right back into my face as I'm proven wrong about who these amazing kids truly are. I'm really trying not to judge others. I'm praying for God's guidance in this. I know I need His help with this absolute weakness. It's taken a couple years of praying to learn patience, and although I'm much better than I was in the past, I'm still learning patience. Thus, who knows how long it may take me stop passing judgments? I'm willing to wait. This is important.
'If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!'
[Proverb 11:31]
Showing posts with label Judging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Judging. Show all posts
September 4, 2008
August 31, 2008
Ch. 179 - Exposure
Today I went to a Christian Church in Jefferson City. I knew it was going to be a contemporary service, but it was even more laid-back than I thought it would be. It basically consisted of singing worship songs, communion, more singing, the message, an offering, and a closing prayer. That's it. There wasn't even an invitation to communion; it was just passed down each row. Definitely not what I'm used to, even for a contemporary service. The praise band was really great - I think singing and listening to the band was my favorite part of the service. The message was alright. Because of what the church is going through right now there was a lot of focus on these things called Life Groups, and I don't plan on attending that church while I'm down here at school, so that kind of went over my head.
The sermon focused on serving, but most of it was based on Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life. Even though I appreciated the focus of the message (being created to serve, being called to serve, being commanded to serve), I wasn't very impressed. I feel bad for saying that, but it's the simple truth. I'm not going to lie and say that I had a good time or that I can't wait to go back next week. I'm writing about this because it's what I've been thinking about all day. I also think it'll be interesting to read and reflect on in the future.
It just goes to show how things differ from area to area, from church to church and from denomination to denomination. That's one of the only things I don't like about 'Christianity', I think. All of the separation and differences... it's really kind of ridiculous, in my opinion. Why does mankind have to mess everything up? Honestly. And I know there's a reason for it all in God's great plan - I just wish it was apparent to us all at this point in time.
'Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!'
[James 2:12-13]
The sermon focused on serving, but most of it was based on Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life. Even though I appreciated the focus of the message (being created to serve, being called to serve, being commanded to serve), I wasn't very impressed. I feel bad for saying that, but it's the simple truth. I'm not going to lie and say that I had a good time or that I can't wait to go back next week. I'm writing about this because it's what I've been thinking about all day. I also think it'll be interesting to read and reflect on in the future.
It just goes to show how things differ from area to area, from church to church and from denomination to denomination. That's one of the only things I don't like about 'Christianity', I think. All of the separation and differences... it's really kind of ridiculous, in my opinion. Why does mankind have to mess everything up? Honestly. And I know there's a reason for it all in God's great plan - I just wish it was apparent to us all at this point in time.
'Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!'
[James 2:12-13]
August 24, 2008
Ch. 172 - It's Repentin' Time!
I am not the Judge.
Just another self-reminder.
'There is only one Lawgiver and Judge; the one who is able to save and destroy. But you - who are you to judge your neighbor?'
[James 4:12]
Pulling out the James again...
Just another self-reminder.
'There is only one Lawgiver and Judge; the one who is able to save and destroy. But you - who are you to judge your neighbor?'
[James 4:12]
Pulling out the James again...
June 4, 2008
Ch. 91 - Who Am I?
I judge people.
A lot.
Well, maybe not too much. But definitely more than I should.
Which, in my opinion, should technically be never.
What gives me the right to be around someone and assume I know them... their mind... their heart... by the way they act or by something they said?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
My mom said something a few days ago about me being able to perceive people well. I took that as a compliment. But perceiving people in such ways is entirely different from judging people. The only one who can and will righteously judge others is our Lord. May He forgive me for judging His people wrongly and help me repent so that I don't continue to do so.
'You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.'
[Romans 2:1-2]
A lot.
Well, maybe not too much. But definitely more than I should.
Which, in my opinion, should technically be never.
What gives me the right to be around someone and assume I know them... their mind... their heart... by the way they act or by something they said?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
My mom said something a few days ago about me being able to perceive people well. I took that as a compliment. But perceiving people in such ways is entirely different from judging people. The only one who can and will righteously judge others is our Lord. May He forgive me for judging His people wrongly and help me repent so that I don't continue to do so.
'You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.'
[Romans 2:1-2]
March 16, 2008
Ch. 61 - Getting Across
Today I went to MOPC with Spencer [who played at the 11:00 service] so I could go to a Palm Sunday service. We had to go early because he had to rehearse with the rest of the group, so I was there a good hour and a half before service. I had planned on simply spending the time in the prayer room, but then Spencer reminded me that Matt would be there. I sent a couple texts Matt's way and before I knew it I was following him to the youth room; he teaches Sunday school to the senior-hi.
At one point last week we had gotten together to chat and he brought up that he had been asked by Jamie to go over things that aren't exactly talked about often in youth groups. Last week it had been death, the week before, homosexuality. This week the topic was disability and value.
Having worked with both kids and adults who have mental and physical disabilities over the past few years (including the Toronto mission trip), I thought it would be really interesting to hear what Matt would say and how the youth would respond. Well, that 'thought' sort of backfired, if you will, because as it turns out, these kids do not speak up during Sunday school. They were chatty Cathies beforehand, of course. There were a few who would bring something up now and then, but it looked as if doing so was painful, actually. It was sad. I understood that in regards to speaking about people with disabilities, some of these kids may not have had much interaction with disabled people, but when one in five Americans have a disability of some sort, that's hard to believe. Going on to value and how we, as a society, judge others based on a number of things - but especially on what they do or do not have to contribute - you would think that this would be easy to talk about in a group of high schoolers.
Nope.
Matt asked who had been touched by the idea of valuing people more than others because of money, talent, skills, looks, etc. Not one person in that room did not raise their hand. Everybody has either felt valued based on something they have or by comparison to others, or have judged and valued others based on X factor.
So why wouldn't these kids speak up?
I know it wasn't because I was there; Matt told me it's like this every week. And every week he gives this little speech on how he gets what they're talking about. He knows it inside and out. Yet when he tries to help them know it and understand it, they don't respond. Maybe they are getting something out of it, but choose not to show it. But what if what he is saying simply goes in one ear and out the other? That's how it seems, obviously.
It's not like this with every group of high schoolers. I think it was Landon who said that his group - the kids who have graduated within the past two years - would never shut up.
That's how I wish it were.
I wish that if you were in that class, you would practically not be able to get a word in. You would if you wanted to, sure - but you would have to wait your turn to do so.
After church I found myself thinking, 'This is probably an unfair analysis, but it seems like something's a bit off. If Matt has to give that 'speech' every week, and the kids continue to simply sit as stones of silence... this isn't good.'
But who am I to judge?
At least he's trying. I can't say the same of me - as much as I would like to be able to, I can't at this point in time. Oh, how I miss teaching Sunday school and working with youth... I hope I can fill that void in my life really soon.
And at least they're there. I started teaching Sunday school because I refused to go to senior-hi Sunday school. Yet looking back, whenever I was there I got something out of it. I learned. I grew.
But you know, God can do anything. Ask and you will receive. Expect great things.
'If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.'
[John 15:7]
At one point last week we had gotten together to chat and he brought up that he had been asked by Jamie to go over things that aren't exactly talked about often in youth groups. Last week it had been death, the week before, homosexuality. This week the topic was disability and value.
Having worked with both kids and adults who have mental and physical disabilities over the past few years (including the Toronto mission trip), I thought it would be really interesting to hear what Matt would say and how the youth would respond. Well, that 'thought' sort of backfired, if you will, because as it turns out, these kids do not speak up during Sunday school. They were chatty Cathies beforehand, of course. There were a few who would bring something up now and then, but it looked as if doing so was painful, actually. It was sad. I understood that in regards to speaking about people with disabilities, some of these kids may not have had much interaction with disabled people, but when one in five Americans have a disability of some sort, that's hard to believe. Going on to value and how we, as a society, judge others based on a number of things - but especially on what they do or do not have to contribute - you would think that this would be easy to talk about in a group of high schoolers.
Nope.
Matt asked who had been touched by the idea of valuing people more than others because of money, talent, skills, looks, etc. Not one person in that room did not raise their hand. Everybody has either felt valued based on something they have or by comparison to others, or have judged and valued others based on X factor.
So why wouldn't these kids speak up?
I know it wasn't because I was there; Matt told me it's like this every week. And every week he gives this little speech on how he gets what they're talking about. He knows it inside and out. Yet when he tries to help them know it and understand it, they don't respond. Maybe they are getting something out of it, but choose not to show it. But what if what he is saying simply goes in one ear and out the other? That's how it seems, obviously.
It's not like this with every group of high schoolers. I think it was Landon who said that his group - the kids who have graduated within the past two years - would never shut up.
That's how I wish it were.
I wish that if you were in that class, you would practically not be able to get a word in. You would if you wanted to, sure - but you would have to wait your turn to do so.
After church I found myself thinking, 'This is probably an unfair analysis, but it seems like something's a bit off. If Matt has to give that 'speech' every week, and the kids continue to simply sit as stones of silence... this isn't good.'
But who am I to judge?
At least he's trying. I can't say the same of me - as much as I would like to be able to, I can't at this point in time. Oh, how I miss teaching Sunday school and working with youth... I hope I can fill that void in my life really soon.
And at least they're there. I started teaching Sunday school because I refused to go to senior-hi Sunday school. Yet looking back, whenever I was there I got something out of it. I learned. I grew.
But you know, God can do anything. Ask and you will receive. Expect great things.
'If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.'
[John 15:7]
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