How many times have I heard myself or other people of a certain persuasion ‘speaking’ boldly to God? There has become such a conditioning to speak without a holy reverence to the God most high using the scriptures to justify their cockiness. They use the scripture, ‘come boldly to the throne of grace’ to give explanation for being able to ‘speak’ at God instead of entreating him in all his mercies. He has become a private genie of sorts to many.

It has become a popular attitude to claim situations, speak things into being or command angels and demons. This stance doesn’t seem to be the servants attitude Jesus and Paul spoke of but rather a grasp for power in our lives to let somebody think God is gracious and a friend and has given us the right and privilege to command him at will.

Instead of hearing someone say, ‘Oh Lord I am fearful of this situation, please send me an angel for protection?’ we tend to hear things like, ‘Cover me, Lord’, ‘Thank you Lord for your angels’, ‘Protect me Lord’, ‘Guide me, Lord’, or ‘Go before me, Lord’. We are not humbly entreating his kindness and mercy ~ we are commanding him.

In Hebrews 4:16 we are told to come to the throne of grace boldly that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Coming to the throne in the Hebrew is meant to draw near by a ‘reverent approach for worship’. When you come to the throne it is to tell him the whole story of our shortcomings not to sway him.

Sadly this is just one of the scriptures that are taken sorely out of context. It is not about us being able to have boldness before God to thus command him at will but rather it is spoken in context of us not having a fear in our very time when we need him most for our salvation or continued deliverance.

But he gives more grace. Wherefore he says, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble. -- James 4:6

It is remarkable that we will boldly speak to God and of all that he has promised to us but the scriptures also mention speaking boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel. When folks hear us commanding this God like our private genie it will propagate the very things that happened in Acts 8 where Simon was amazed at the apostles laying hands on folks and them receiving the Holy Ghost. He wanted that kind of power so badly that he offered to purchase it from them. Folks will see us commanding God and also want that ‘power’ versus a loving, intimate relationship with a Savior.

It is a privilege to be able to come to the throne of grace in our greatest times of need…not God’s responsibility to bow before us.

I just read a newsworthy article about a couple that was caught defrauding over 10,000 people of more than 20 million dollars through a T.V. program they had that sold fine art pieces. They stole art, forged art, faked art, inflated bids, created false appraisals and certificates of authenticity, etc.

I wonder how long the program ran and how long they were able to keep up the façade. I marvel at how folks are able not to just live a life of lies but to do it publicly and on T.V. I speculate about whether they did it with a straight face or if they were secretly laughing on the inside.

My first ‘religious and righteous response’ is to be questioning these things and more. But then I am quickly put into check by the Spirit of God in me that reminds me it is not just the folks of the world that do this. Unfortunately, too many Christians are living this life of lies also.

There are Christians on T.V. that are defrauding people with false claims, cheap promises and lots of tales supposedly in the name of Christ. There are fake claims, healings, miracles, churches, pastors and documentation. The one thing that seems real in both of these instances is the money that was bilked from the unsuspecting people.

I would like to say that is why there are so many folks that do not like ‘Christians’ or things pertaining to Christianity except that these type of folks don’t really need an excuse to be against God. I heard a saying that went like this: I like God; I just don’t like his fans. How true. I don’t particularly like a lot of them either. We are a bunch of religious freaks that take things out of context trying to please ourselves… all in the name of Christ. It is sad but true. No, not everyone. You that are truly righteous can sit back down. I am talking about the rest of us sinners that may be washed in the blood but still have real every day struggles with sin and life.

Why is it that many times folks cannot differentiate between Christians and the regular folk? Why are we blending with the ways of this world so easily? What I really want to know is: why it does not seem to matter, to enough ‘Christians’ that they are too much like the world?

There once was a bunny and egg,
The two were a pair to peg,
One day they did walk,
And the bunny did talk,
This is what he said:

‘Mr. Egg I’m going on a journey you see,
Would you like to come with me?’
‘Journey where? I have no feet.
Where will we go and who will we meet?’

‘I can hang you around my neck,
So you can join me on my trek,
To see the man upon the tree,
He hung to die for you and me!’

‘A man on a tree that died for an egg?
Oh, Bunny explain, I must beg!’
Bunny stammered and then he blinked,
He grinned real wide, then he winked,
And this is what he said:

‘This man died for the WHOLE world,
And that means you and me!
He did it for bunnies and eggs,
And… he called it… Easter?!’

Mr. Egg just laughed and said,
‘He didn’t die for you or me.
Men added us to lighten the sting,
The man won the victory!

Bunny I fear the story you’ve told,
Can never possibly truly unfold.
Easter is Jesus, the cross and his rise,
We are but a compromise.

Tales are a bad thing… no not on your butt,
One has to know exactly what’s what.
The truth be told, we must tell the truth,
To play with religion is so very uncouth.

Bunnies don’t talk and eggs only roll,
But Jesus died and then he rose,
He is coming again to gather his own,
And for his bride he will compose.’

I have some Easter art that I created last year if anyone wanted to use it or whatever. It is on http://controversialatbest.blogspot.com.

Proverbs 22:1 says, A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

I know a woman that had a baby girl and named her Ava. Pretty name. But I wonder if when she was choosing names did she ponder them based on them being cutesy for a baby, a good name for a child or if it would become a solid name for an adult? Some names are great baby names but do not fit well for adults and vice-versa. How does one choose a name for a bundle of joy that will grow up to be a 250 lb. lumberjack?

I lived in Tennessee for a few years and it seemed like ‘everyone’ was named Bubba. There was uncle Bubba, cousin Bubba, and brother Bubba. Bubba was your neighbor, the dogcatcher, the repairman and your pastor. Then I discovered my daughter started to use Bubba for a nickname for my grandson! And they have never lived in Tennessee! I begged her not to do that! ‘Oh but it is sooo cuuute Mom!’ NO it’s NOT!

A name is something we have to live with for life but it should not define who we are. Being called by the name of Christian should define who we are. A lot of folks think of religion, hypocrisy and a whole slew of other bad things when they hear you go by the name of Christian. It brings to mind others they met by that name and you are automatically thrown into the group before your mouth even opens or your actions can say different.

Do folks choose the name of Christian because it seems cute, good or solid? Do they go by the name Christian because they want to go to heaven, enjoy the socializing, need the structure, feel obligated, or perhaps their family has been Christians for generations?

Personally, I try not to use the name Christian when describing what I believe. The word has seemed to have lost its meaning and become an extremely watered down version of who Christ really was. I can be a Christ-follower but then I sort of feel like I should belong to a hippy commune. What name could I use that would set me apart from the typical Christian so that folks would know that I am trying to be more than just a religious cliché?

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. ~ Colossians 3:17