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Have you noticed the words that come out of a Christian’s mouth when he or she wants to add emphasis? They’re not the typical “four letter” words we’re used to hearing. Typically, the “f-bomb” isn’t included in the mix.

However, it seems Christians have their own sets of words. They’re not necessarily “cuss” words…but they’re our own set of cuss words. What am I referring to?

Ever said “That sucks!”? How about “That’s a load of crap!”? Ever tell someone you’re really “p*ssed off”? I’m guilty.

Whether or not we think those words are wrong, the truth is some of them offend others and we know that. However, we say them anyway. We could debate that “words are just words” and “words aren’t inherently evil” all day. But have you stopped to take the time to think about the connotation behind a word like “sucks”? When you say something “sucks” or tell someone they “suck,” what are you really saying? Sure, you may have your own interpretation, but think about what the connotation that the word came out of.

We often throw around our Christian cuss words like “sucks” and “crap” and “OMG” and “freakin’” without even thinking about it. It’s almost become second nature for us to say things like that. Sometimes we do it because we want to sound cool or rebellious…without really going all the way and saying the “bad” words.

What do our words say about us?

Ephesians 4:29 makes it very clear that no unwholesome speech should come out of our mouths. Rather, we should build one another up so that we may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 5:4 tells us there should be no filth, foolish talk, or crude joking. Those things are out of place.

As Christians, is our speech any different than the rest of the world? It may be different in spelling, but is it truly any different in meaning?

Here’s something a little different.

Today, Jacob Riggs and I recorded a podcast for The Brink. The Brink podcast is the audio arm of The Brink devotional magazine and small group studies for twentysomethings.

Today’s topics included The Bachelorette, steroids in baseball, a Christian’s view of torture, and your mom on Facebook.

If you’d like to listen, visit thebrinkonline.com or visit the direct link to the podcast by clicking here.

Also, you can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes. We’d really love you if you did that!

Enjoy!

I know this post might spark a lot of debate (or maybe none at all), but please read the question before you begin tossing your opinion around. I am not asking “Is it wrong for Christians to drink alcohol?” nor am I asking “Is drinking alcohol a sin?” Rather I am asking a question out of complete ignorance. My question is “Why do Christians drink alcohol?” I’m looking for honest or even supposed responses.

Why do Christians drink alcohol?

First of all, let me say congratulations to Senator Barack Obama on becoming the 44th President of the United States. Last night was a tremendous day in history, and January 20 will be another historic day when you are sworn into office.

Now that I’ve said that, let me get into a discussion on something I believe needs to be addressed: The whiny attitudes of some Christians the day after the election.

Yes, John McCain did not win the election. There are many evangelicals disappointed today. Disappointment is fine. There is nothing wrong with it. But sour and hateful attitudes? Yes, there is definitely something wrong with that.

I do not agree with Senator Obama on many issues. If you know me at all, you know that is true. There are policies he will put into place that I will not agree with. However, I do NOT have a right to slander him because of those things.

In Romans 13:1-2, Paul wrote, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” 

I am not arguing you have to agree with everything the president says or does. But, you must be willing to submit to his authority. He is the leader of the United States. He is our leader. 

Consider this: Does it make you angry when the liberal media takes cruel shots at President Bush or John McCain or Sarah Palin? What gives you the right to do the same thing to a president you didn’t vote for?

Our country does need “change,” but we can’t expect change to happen if we sit by idly and do nothing. If you really want to see change, do something about it!!! First of all, vote! If you didn’t vote in this election, then close your mouth! Read more…

I don’t like Christians. Sorry, but it’s true. Not all Christians, but some Christians. Why? Well…

Several weeks ago, I was in Charleston, West Virginia for the National Association of Free Will Baptists. If you’re not sure what this is, just imagine 6,000 Baptists all crammed into one convention center and occupying all of the hotels and restaurants within a 5 mile radius.

Located just minutes from the convention center was a food court, placed conveniently in the middle of the mall. One of the staff members of the convention decided to ask an employee of Chik-Fil-A just how everything had been going. The gist of the employee’s response: “Well, so far the teenagers here have been great; it’s the adults we’ve been having problems with.”

Later on in that week, some staff members from the same convention asked a waitress at Chile’s how things had gone that week. Her response: “Well, the tips haven’t really been so great.”

And thus, just a few examples of what it can be hard to like Christians. I’m not talking just from society’s point of view, I’m speaking from my personal point of view. Sure I love them, but I have a really difficult time liking “Christians.”

Talk to a Read more…