The title of this post is one of my favorite lines from Mary Poppins: "Feed the birds and what d'you get? FAT BIRDS."
However, I'm sidestepping the underlying point of this line from Mary Poppins here, and thinking this afternoon of American Christianity. We have SO many churches available these days in our country, and I do praise God for what religious freedom we have been granted.
But instead of making us stronger, more faithful, more grateful and service-minded as believers, instead we have become Fat Birds. American Christians are not service-oriented. We have a consumer mentality rampant in our churches. We look for churches that will "meet our needs," rather than our finding a church WITH needs and offering our gifts and talents to build that work.
Fat Birds. Feed me. I have to feel like my needs are met, or I'm not happy.
How sadly unlike our Jesus, who did not come into this world to be MINISTERED TO, but to MINISTER, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Just my Saturday afternoon thoughts.
God bless.
Knock-knock
2 weeks ago
10 comments:
I've been ruminating thoughts on this subject as well. Although I think I have a different take on the subject. As Christians I think we spend so much time serving at church with internal ministries that not alot of effort/time goes into external ministries. We spend all our time at "the temple" and not alot of time out with the tax collectors, prostitutes and drunks. I'm just s guilty. Of all the people I've met that volunteer at the Union Mission or Food banks, I'd say a good majority are non-Christians. Shouldn't we be doing that work?
So in essence, I agree. We are fed. Well-fed. So much so that we don't share the food with others outside the church.
This is my struggle with homeschooling. (although I would love to homeschool my kids) Surrounding myself and my kids with more Christians. How can I reach others for Christ if I don't know any non-Christians or put myself in a position to know non-Christians?
Please don't take this as accusatory. Its anything but that. Just questions and doubts I have. I would love to hear your opinion and wisdom on the matter.
Yeah, I've noodled that aspect of it a fair bit too--call it Fat Birds Part B :).
Here is where I am, at present. Right now, I am homeschooling my kids. They have school outings with WAVA where, really, many of the kids are from Christian homes, or Christian-sympathetic, so they don't "count". They have karate, where definitely there are unbelievers. For the present, and for their age, that is enough.
Just today, the 13 year old girl down the street kicked mud all over S. (She's been a pretty angry kid over the last year, I've noticed).
Now, as a mom, I was really ticked that someone would do that to my little 8yo girl. But as a Christian, I could attempt to explain to S. that we need to pray for Caroline, because she doesn't have a dad all the time, and she needs to know Jesus as her savior.
As the kids grow older, their exposure to "the real world" will become greater. Next year, Lord willing, we're putting D. into Maplewood for band with Gary Jacobson--(Gary's last year of teaching). Here D. will be exposed to all kinds of new people and points of view. I can't say that I'm feeling completely blythe about this.
I guess I'm trying to say that we're keeping it age-appropriate, and also "kid" appropriate, because each child is different. (Had I gone to Puyallup High School, I would have been a poor testimony for my Savior. I was bad enough at my Christian school.)
So--I fully understand the call to be both salt and light, and trying to figure out how to align that with bringing up my children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. The two cannot be mutually exclusive...but how it fleshes out in individual families will sometimes be radically different, I am sure!
No answers for you Crystal, sorry, just realize we're wrestling with the same things, only a couple years in advance. :)
Realistically our choices are a)homeschool or b)public school. I think for the time being we are leaning towards homeschooling for the first 2-3-4 years then putting them into public school. We'll see. Our schools are very good and all the neighbor kids go to the school. I feel like that would give me a great oppurtunity to meet moms/families around us . Another option: I also want to find a non-Christian affiliated homeschool group. This way I can help guide my children with non-Christian friends and I can meet other moms.
So what is the big deal about using your local school district (or VA for that matter) for homeschooling? I hear many dire warnings from HS groups saying how you can't teach the Bible, etc. Who's going to know what I say and how I teach it?
I have noticed that many Christian HS groups get rather squiffy at my educational choice. To them, I've "sold out." I can no longer be a member of HSLDA because we're in a virtual academy. (I try not to sink under my grief about this)< /sarcasm >
Here's the PLAIN TRUTH: You can teach your child whatever you want to in your own home....EVEN IF you are in a virtual academy. What you cannot do is count Bible time toward any attendance hours. I think therein lies the grievance.
But it is disingenuous of them to insist that you are not allowed to teach the Bible to your children, because most certainly you can. Like you mentioned, how will they know?
I resonate a lot with both of your thoughts. It is very hard to know what is best re: schooling, and of course, we all want the very best for our kids.
Seems like we can model the 'what can I offer?' mindset to our children very early on. To accept what is given to us with gratitude. To write thank you notes. To go out of our way to be involved and to share and help. To not spoil with excessive toys and opportunities. I'm not sure how to do it all effectively, but I think just being cognizant of it is a start.
I guess using the public school would limit what curriculum, (esp science) you could use. I don't know if I want to use Christian-based science curr, however. I think I would rather them go through "regular" science books where I could guide them through areas that might be problematic. What have you found with the VA?
So far, of what I've seen, I'm not impressed with our school district's math program. I guess I would be picky, given my background. I guess in some ways I view my kids as the oppurtunity to teach what and how I always wanted to, math-wise. For once, I would have complete control of my pupils! =) (or one would dream...)
I have throughly enjoyed reading the comments. We as Christians do tend to shelter ourselves amongst other believers, yet at the same time people are watching us. I have to tell A & C who have several non-Christian friends in the neighborhood that they will see God in you if you have a godly attitude but when they choose to argue and fight in front of their friends they are not showing them that they are different. The other comment I have comes from this verse..."the fear of man bringeth a snare." I think that sometimes we often pay too much attention on what other will think of us as Christians when we do this or that but in reality our question should be, "How is my schooling either at home or in public, pleasing my Lord and how is it going to bring Him the glory He so rightly deserves?" You are constantly teaching your children from the Bible. So, Bible time is pretty much an all day affair anyways. It should not matter if you can count it for school hours or not. God will be glorified in it which ever route you choose for your children.
Erin! Don't you get spring break around there? we miss you!
Hello chuck just stopping by to say hello and have a read of your posts, I haven't been over for ages. Hope you are well my friend. Hugs across the Atlantic (I have long arms ;))
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