A Pretty Port-A-John

Is there such a thing as a pretty port-a-john? They have to be the nastiest things I have ever encountered. They are filthy, stink beyond belief, are tiny and have no windows. The word claustrophobic pops into mind. In fact, as I am writing this, that smell has entered my senses even though I am sitting outside breathing the fresh country air. Gross!

But again, have you ever found a pretty one? Believe it or not, I have actually found two!. One was located down the street from my house where there was construction being done at my neighbors. They were closing in a two-car garage and adding another room to the house. Since the workers had set up shop for, what seemed like, several months, they obviously needed someplace to use the restroom…so up goes “the john.” No body wants one of those ugly things gracing their front yard, so they cleverly disguised it and, to be quite honest, they did a really good job. It took a double take for me to figure out just what was masquerading behind the vine covered latticework. Clever.

The other one, I have seen nearly everyday of my life and it too has had a great disguise. In fact, it was just recently that I made this startling discovery. Me! I am the other port-a-john. Sure, on the outside I am somewhat attractive (I have the advantage of you not being able to see me), nice, respectful, moral, yadda yadda yadda. But if you spend any length of time with me, you will find that I start to stink, figuratively speaking, of course.

I spend my day trying to pretend that I have it all together. I make sure that my hair and makeup look nice and the clothes I am wearing don’t have holes. A distraction.

I don’t cheat on my husband. I love my family, and I pay my taxes every year.
If I were completely honest, I would have to say that the person I pretend to be most, is all too often far from whom I am. It reminds me of the saying “fake it until you make it”.

With all the imperfections and sin going around, most Christians will have to face the most dreaded question of all time: “Do you believe in a hell?” or “Do you believe that all the non Christians are going to hell?”

These questions strike terror in the hearts of many a Christian folk. I, on the other hand, love this question. I almost get an adrenaline rush when I hear it asked.

What is the answer to this question? The way I see it, there are many different types of responses, none of which appeal to the truth seeking person. You could simply reply yes. You can then choose to elaborate or not. You can even throw in some scripture that will back up your response. Don’t get me wrong, these are good choices and clearly the answer is yes, you can only get into Heaven through the blood of Jesus Christ. Each and every Christian has their own way of dealing with this question. However, I like to take a different approach. You can call it the easy road out, but I have found it to be the most difficult way of dealing with the question at hand.
When faced with the question do you believe that all non-Christians are going to hell? I reply, “If it wasn’t for Jesus, I would be going to hell. You are looking at the most deserving person of them all”.

If you respond like this, be prepared to reveal the port-a-john you’re disguising. Usually the person just stares at me for a couple of minutes, obviously unprepared to hear that. Most people don’t go around saying that they deserve Hell. In fact, today most people have been so convinced and put stock in the works philosophy. The more good you do and the more you help people, the more “fire insurance” you have. Unless we do something “worthy of hell” like murder, don’t we deserve heaven? Some people today simply don’t believe that there is a hell. I mean how could a just and loving God send his own creations to such a dismal place?

Just because I have not killed someone or embezzled money from a poor elderly couple or had some scandalous affair, does not by any means assure me a place in heaven.
In reality I have done much worse. I have hated, said hurtful things, lied, stolen, I imagined what it would be like to be married to someone else, gossiped, failed to forgive, envied, been selfish with money, quick to become angry, been impatient, and self- absorbed. None of these things can get me arrested (the stealing one is debatable). I cannot go to jail for these things or be taken to court and held accountable.

Some people call that just being human, and they hit the nail on the head. I am human, I am not perfect and at times can be disgusting. If you are really honest with yourself, you too will see that you have done all the above. Have you ever accidentally taken someone else’s pen? You have stolen. Have you told someone you would pray for them and never did? You have lied. Ever hated.. Murderer!

I can do nothing good of my own accord. If that is not worthy of hell then I do not know what is. Everything that is good in me comes from Christ. So yes, without Christ there would be no heaven for this girl.

The world, deceived by Satan, has taught us that being a good person is something that we can meditate towards, self reflect, or something that we just are. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. It is only by Christ that I gain patience, turn hate into love, have an awesome marriage, focus my attention towards unworldly things, forgiven, turned my ears away from gossip…you get the picture.

The grace that God gives through Christ does not in any way give me an excuse to keep on living in this horrible way. It does not give me a free pass to use him as my vine covered latticework. Through Gods grace I strive to be a better person relying on him to do good through me despite my stinky state.

An Apology...

To the friends and family of Heath Ledger. My heart is broken over this tragedy. A daughter is without a father, a father without a son and of course a life gone to soon. With all that being said, the thing that breaks my heart the most is the way some Christians have responded to this sorrowful situation. When I got on the Internet this morning there was uproar about a Baptist Church, planning to protest at Heath’s memorial service. They say that they are protesting Heath’s role as a homosexual cowboy in the movie “Brokeback Mountain” and it’s promotion that the word of God is a lie. This is not about homosexuality or someone playing a homosexual, but about how sorry I am that this particular church has decided to protest at the most inappropriate place I can imagine.

I am sorry that the world has yet another reason to hate Christians.

I am a follower of Christ. My faith is everything to me. However, not all Christians are like the ones mentioned above. I feel sorry for people who feel that creating negative energy surrounding a tragedy is the best way to preach and show Christ’s love. I pray that even though it’s not the best idea, they are only doing what they feel like defends the word of God. I agree that the Word needs to be defended, but there is way that is not so harmful and without hate. One would think that preaching love with hate would not be a very effective message. Our history has taught us this.

Not one of us knew Mr. Ledger, much less the beliefs of him or his family. Tragedies happen everyday, but most happen without the whole world watching. Families are able to morn on their own and services can be conducted in a private manner. Unfortunately, because of the outstanding talent of this young man, a family has to do all their morning to the sound of clicking camera’s and the background of a hundred flashing bulbs. Most people could not handle what this strong family has to endure.

As a Christian, I feel like the only role I have in this situation is to be in prayer for the strength of this family and for that little girl. This is a time where the Christian Community can come forth and serve this family with love. Where Christian’s with influence can put into practice the Word of God, instead of just talking about it or picking up a protest sign. In fact, serving people who are not like you is the absolute hardest thing to do and is exactly what Christ commands us to do. Anyone can arouse hate but not everyone can love those who are different from you… if they even are.

Unfortunately Christians are their own worst advertisers. The body is made up of imperfect people, surrounded by mistakes. I know that I personally have not always been the best representative of Christianity and will fully admit that at times, hypocrite is the nicest word to describe me. As a body, we are learning how to be more effective in our world while learning from past mistakes. I guess some people take longer than others.

If the goal of this protest is to lead people to Christ, then I would like to ask the question… has anyone come to Christ through fear or picket signs? Maybe I am wrong, but I would be willing to bet that those people are few and far between, if any at all. The only thing protesting at a memorial service will accomplish is for people to roll their eyes while thinking, those Christians are at it again. Stupid Christians. I know because I am one of them.

So to the family and friends of Mr. Heath Ledger, I am sorry about what is happening. I just wanted you to know that not every Christian will pick up a protest sign for the sake of publicity. There are Christians out there that are uplifting you in prayers.

I know that some people may not agree with me. I did not go to seminary, I am not a preacher, I am just a 28 year old wife, mother, sinner and Christ Follower, what do I know?

Front Row Parking and a Turkey Leg

Today was a very important day in my life. At 8:30 this morning, the doorbell rang. At first, I started to curse this not-yet-identified person, because my son was still sleeping, and while the doorbell kept blaring, my dog got in on the action and started barking up a storm. But fortunately, this was one of the very rare days that my son slept late, so I had already had my morning coffee, taken a long, hot shower, done my hair, and put on some decent clothes. Since I was somewhat presentable, I opened the door.

Good thing I did! There was the Fed Ex man, asking me if I wanted a computer. He had brought to my doorstep the very thing I had been dreaming about for several weeks: my new Mac Book. All the things I’ve wanted to write, but that needed a bit of extra inspiration now had a place to land. It felt like Christmas.

It is funny the things that excite us and give us inspiration. I had been checking the package tracking obsessively, and knew it was scheduled to be on my doorstep on September 19, 2007 at 10:30am. But, here it is two days earlier, and I have it in my hands. I already feel smarter! Yesterday I was just Holly; today I am Holly Mac.

But was it a true blessing? Several years ago, my husband and I went to a Christian concert at a local church. During the concert, the pastor spoke about how much God wants to bless him and make life comfortable. So comfortable, he said, that God provided him a front row-parking place at the local fair and even a free turkey leg.

It is great that God provided his need for food, and I am sure that saving a buck or two was nice, but providing a front row parking space? Come on. As much as God wants to bless us, it seems a little far-fetched that this kind of comfort is part of His plan.

If you’re shaking your head in disagreement, then consider this: If front row parking spaces are the kinds of blessings that God wants to pour out on faithful believers, then what about the believers that are being disowned from their families because of their Christian faith? What about those that are being killed at this very moment for having the faith and the courage to witness where it is against the law, under penalty of death? What about those that have left their families and moved to a different country with a different language, no water and certainly no Target? Do you think that they are thinking about where they will park their car… if they even have a car at all? Do you think that they are comfortable?

My guess would be no.

Yes, God wants to bless us. But maybe not in the way that is being preached in America. God wants to give us the desires of our hearts, but His will also needs to be accomplished. If people come to Christ with this “give me” attitude, then will they be able to lay down their lives if need be? Blessings are great; don’t get me wrong… especially if the blessing is a Mac Book or a front row parking space. But, when the blessings become our focus, we forget the real reason why we are here.

We are here to please the Lord and to reach non-believers. This life is not about us. It is not about our comfort and our rights. It is about serving and loving. Especially loving those whom it is hard to love. We do not have to go all the way around the world to share the Gospel. There are plenty of people right in your neighborhood that need to know Christ, people whom we may not associate with simply because they are too full of “sin,” and we are scared what our Christian friends might say. But if you do not show Christ’s love to the alcoholics, homosexuals, adulterers, or whoever else is in need, then how will they ever know it? Certainly screaming at them from a distance and waving the Bible will not do anything. You have to love and welcome them, even when it is uncomfortable. How can you hold the sin against them when they are not aware that they are sinning? Just remember that you were once lost as well and are still full of sin.

When I look back on the of the concert, it strikes me that this pastor’s story of comfort will be the only thing several hundred people will remember of him and the church he represented. At the end of your life, do you want it to mean more than just a front row parking space and a free turkey leg?

Phenomenon of the Disappearing Chrisitian

Do you remember the song "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone"? I have been singing it a lot lately -- except I have replaced Cowboys with Christians.

Have you ever been in a situation where you need people the most -- friends, family, other church members -- and whenever you look for them, they are gone? They are there on Sunday mornings with a smile, asking how things are going, but not really listening to what you are saying. They are there during the good times. Sure, they are there when they need something or someone to talk to. But where are they when you are truly in need? No phone rings, there are no supportive drop-bys -- not even a supportive My Space comment. Nothing. I am almost 100% sure that most people have experienced the phenomenon of the disappearing Christian. And I am also 100% sure that everyone has been part of the phenomenon. I, for one, have been on both ends.


Where Have All the Christians Gone?


It's funny: In my experience, as with a ton of other people, it took a lot of pushing for God to finally reach me. Throughout my life, I have encountered too many people that claim to be Christians with absolutely no fruit in their lives. Yet they can whip out a Bible verse on demand or repeat the message that was given on Sunday. Or even worse, they may be the person who gives the message! Hypocrites.

We have all met these Christians, and we have all been one of them. Most importantly, we will continue in this disease until we become sinless with Christ. However, it surprises me that the people with the most consistency, with the most support during the rough times, are those that do not even know Christ's love. When you need support, when you need that phone to ring, or you need that encouraging comment, food, money -- whatever the need -- there they are. You get cards sending you "positive thoughts" from someone you have never met, someone that lives all the way across the world.

But the person you considered a sister/brother in Christ, who lives down the street? Nothing. Not even a little message saying, "praying.” Church members run and hide. Pastors give you sympathy and then forget about you. The worst abandonment, however, are the “Christian” family members that can give you a lecture about what is appropriate to wear in church or what type of music is truly Christian, but will not even give you a call during the most difficult time of your life.


So while the "worldly people" are serving, the Christian people are preaching about serving, or not even thinking about anyone but themselves.

Funny how that works.


I have been 100% guilty of being a disappearing Christian. Friends have a baby… well I thought about bringing some food. Or even worse, I give a half-hearted "How are you? I have been praying for you.” Yeah, right -- honestly, I haven't really given any thought about your situation because I am too focused on all the mess going on in my life.


Christ’s love equals perfection. It is a love not based on what you do or what you have done. It is forgiving, everlasting, serving, and selfless. A love that is so hard to comprehend, much less duplicate.


But that's what we are called to do: love people with way Christ loves us. Why is it hard for us to get? Why is it easy for many who do not know Christ to see the way people need support and encouragement during the midnight hours, putting aside their own comfort, conflicts or misunderstandings to stand beside that person in love, even if they have no idea that they are representing the love a our savior. Christ died so that we may live. Christ showed us what love is and how to show it, beyond any measure that we will ever have to. So…


Christians Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are!