Lord, Save Us From Your Followers

        I thought that this video was very interesting.  Some of the ways in which Dan Merchant interacted with just everyone was very good.  I think a big problem that people have against Christianity is that Christians a lot of times force their beliefs upon other people and tell them what they are doing wrong.  This seems like we are judging people, which is the case sometimes, but even if it is not the case, the way we force our beliefs on them seems like it.  We don't seem to loving if we just start throwing our belief at people and then tell them what is wrong with them.  The way to get a meaningful conversation started is by loving them and talking to them lovingly, without rebuking or judging them, even if you don't believe what they believe.  Once you start a loving conversation, eventually you may be able to state your faith and lead others to Christ.  But a good starting point is to talk to them and get their story.

          I really liked how Merchant went to some of the places in the U.S. where evil is most prevalent.  I agree that Jesus would be among the gays and prostitutes, etc.  He would be there loving on them and would have compassion for them. Instead of rebuking the people and looking down on them because they are different, or "wrong," Merchant interacted with these people and had compassion for them.  His confession booth was a pretty good idea.  It was a good way to see what others thought about his faith and to hear why his faith is persecuted.  Most of the time it was simply because they were turned off by Christians not loving them or caring for them at all.  When Merchant apologized for the wrongs The Church and he had done, I think it made people realize there are actually Christians out there who live right and how Christ would want us to.  It's not naturally a good feeling to start confessing what we have done wrong to other people we may think we are way better than or to people who seem "bad."  I really like how he went about doing that.  When we admit we have messed up and have not loved everyone like we should, it opens up people's hearts and makes them want to listen to what else you have to say.  By doing that, they then may feel comfortable to talk to you about their beliefs and that would be a good way to share Christ and see where God would lead you in the conversation.  A lot of times the big problem is that Christians aren't open to everyone like they should and the conversations don't get started.  But if we all started being more open to the non-believers and really everyone, we could engage in conversations where God might open doors to save people. 

        We never know what may be going on in someone's life and may not know what led them to be like they are.  I think we would have a lot more compassion on people if we knew their whole story.  Since we do not know the whole story, we need to have compassion on them anyways and be friends with them.  Like I said, we don't have to agree at all with what they believe, and we shouldn't fight it and say they are going to hell or their belief is wrong, but instead we should be loving and listen to them and their ideas.  I loved the way Merchant reached out to people and loved them and had compassion, no matter what was they were living like. 

       At the beginning of the film, I didn't think starting the Christian rally on those steps was a good idea.  It offended many people and it seemed to the people who were doing "wrong" that they were being attacked.  Instead of doing it there, they should have split up and talked to the people and get to know them, instead of hosting a big rally, that didn't get anything done but instead caused tension.  We can disagree with people and what they do but we should be careful to do it in a way that is loving and Christ-like.  That way we will be able to make a much bigger difference.  Instead of focusing on what is wrong with others, we need to fix what is wrong with us first.  By doing so, I think we can make a much bigger difference and set a good example of how to live Christ-like and truly make a difference in this commercialized and lost country and world.

Jesus Camp

I really don't know what to think about "Jesus Camp."  I won't say if it is bad or good, right or wrong.  Looking at the positive and negatives of the film, I will try to show you how I felt about it.  I agree with a lot of what the leader of the camp said.  Like how Christianity has been changed and tainted, causing it to be confusing to some people.  No wonder people criticize our religion so much.  We don't have a lot of people who radically live out their faith. Now there are quite a few people who do, but not enough who are making a big difference.  Anyone can make a difference, but we have to be willing to give up everything and let Him be in total control.  I think that is why she tries to reach little kids so much.  The faith of children is typically quite good and she says that if she reaches them and teaches them at a young age, then they will have that the rest of their lives and will live it out. In a messed up world, we should try to reach children and share Jesus with them.  How can we be loving if we do not share the greatest gift, Jesus, with others?  She had a heart for reaching children and teens and said that Jesus is the only way to salvation.  I totally agree with that.  The way she presents much of her stuff, though, seems to be brainwashing or indoctrinating.  We don't have to speak in tongues or be very dramatic to feel God's presence.  She almost made it seem we have to lift our hands in the air and speak in tongues to be able to fully reach God.  I am not in any way saying that her belief and what she is doing is wrong, but I don't agree with it.  In the way she teaches the kids, it seems like they know a lot but aren't taught how to defend their faith and say why it is right.  One of the best things to do is raise your children up to be a Christian.  But I would not let any children I know go to her camps because of the way it seems to be a little brainwashing.  She would pray about God not letting the power go out and other things.  We shouldn't demand God to do things like that and then be upset when the prayer isn't answered.  We can worship God even if there is no power and reach people.  Worship can happen in the worst or the best situations.  In that one church, the worship should not be about the pastor or the band.  The lighting was just highlighting that and that is wrong.  The only thing we should worry about is if God is getting glory or not.  Our whole lives can be and should be worship to God.  People in her camps are not being brought up in the right way, I think.  You can't threaten people to follow and make them believe something.  She seemed to guilt trip the kids into asking for forgiveness.  Her passion is great and I like that about her.  But sometimes it was hard to watch how she went around preaching and saying some things.  The kids are partially being misguided.  It's not just at a camp like that where you can experience God and feel Him.  You can always be in His presence and can feel Him anywhere.  It is not how we worship, but how authentic it is.  We don't have to speak in tongues or jump up and down or be moving around to feel Him.  It is good to be still and silent to hear Him and be with Him.  All too often, people go to camp and get on a Spiritual high that fades after a few weeks.  We need to be able to keep it going and always feel like that and want to live for Him like that.  She taugh her kids to go out with the Gospel with a war-like approach.  Sure you can say we need to conquer evil or the wrong in this wicked world.  But we need to be loving and we shouldn't force it upon people.  But she is right that we need to reach the world and take the Gospel to people.  She is trying to serve God and reach people, and that is a very good thing.  But because of the brainwashing factor, I would not send any kids I know to that camp.  It is great to get kids to be on fire!  But that needs to last and not fade away like it does a lot.  I agree that this generation is probably the key to bringing Jesus back.  She said that God doesn't like to go to "dead churches."  But what makes them dead and how do you know they are dead?  I don't agree and think that if there is even one person at a church like that who is living for God and really worshipping Him, then He would definitely be there.  I don't agree that Levi should use his "cute, little kid thing and become popular so people will listen and then learn how to use good content to preach."  So this is what I got out of and felt about the film on "Jesus Camp."