tough issues & absolute truths

There are some topics many pastors tend to avoid, because it's too controversial, and there are too many views on it... you can't hold a particular view without offending somebody. We live in a world where the rules have changed... where preaching what people want to hear is the norm. And I understand where they're coming from. As a minister, the last thing you want is negative feedback... beause job security is a real isssue... unless of course you're the pastor of a g12 system.... *pause*... (okay, not right now.. we'll get into that later!). Anyway, somewhere along the line Christians have forgotten the Gospel of truth is an offense to the rest of the world. If there's an absolute truth, we must learn to follow it.

Well, even though I don't have all the answers... I'm all about dealing with the tough issues. If there's a tough issue somebody wants to talk about, BRING IT.
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When we talk about Churches, and when we talk about our spiritual walks... sometimes there's really a lot of stuff to process in our minds... Another option would be, Let's just leave it and not process it! But is that what GOD really wants? Being a mostly active Christian for many years now... I've probably seen as much of the bad as I have the good... if not more. Having heard 'different versions' of the gospel, and having observed all types of denominations and cults... I feel like I've seen things that most people don't even think about. In the Christian community, most people do avoid the tough issues... the ones that stir up "trouble", saying... Let's not be "troublemakers", let's just get along.... (*right!!.. whatever you say). Most people do find it irrelevant to dig deeper into the truth. In other words... Christianity has become "whatever works for me" rather than "what I believe is true". If you haven't noticed by now... I'm a pretty big "troublemaker".

When asked "Why are you a Christian?", common responses include; "because that's how I was raised", "all my friends are Christians", "Church is a fun place to hang out", "I enjoy rock music", "this is the religion that works for me". Seldom do I hear the proper response, which EVERY mature Christian should be able to say without even thinking about it... "This is what I believe is true".

When I was a young teenager many years ago, growing up in Church, I was blessed with teachers who shared the Gospel, and taught the truth... something I will be forever thankful for. And it's the truth I've been grounded in all these years. I realize not everyone gets the same opportunity... especially when I look at the condition of our churches today. It is nearly impossible for a young person to hear the Gospel of truth these days. Make no mistake... the mission field is right here.

For many of the tough issues some of us think about (and others avoid), there are absolute truths. It's been said that if we seek the truth, we will find it... (Matthew 7:7).

My friends, does GOD challenge you to think about the tough issues? (or do you not care), Do you care about digging deeper into the truth? (or do you feel fine where you are), Are you doing this for Jesus? (or are there other reasons), Is Christianity who you are? (or is it just what you do).
If you answered yes to these questions, we have something in common. So let's encourage each other. God bless!
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"I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me." - (Proverbs 8:17)

Question: who was the biggest "troublemaker" of all time?
Answer: JESUS