Stuff Christian Culture Likes- and Stuff Christian Culture Needs to Repent From

I find it so sad to read through posts on the "Stuff Christian Culture Likes" Facebook page and see how so many people have been hurt by the Christian church and the Christianese culture that some people fall into that often does not really reflect the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I can't say I always agree with all the criticism leveled, but I can certainly admit there is validity to many of the points made and it's something all Christians and churches should consider. Whether you agree with everything or not, if you're a follower of Jesus, you should listen to what people have to say and take it to heart because there are many places the church so often fails and needs to address.
     It is some of these things that make the world see Christians as hypocrites and the church as an abusive manipulator rather than the loving solace it is supposed to be- a safe harbour for all people. It is a place where sinful people who have been transformed by the amazing grace of Jesus- demonstrated through His death and Resurrection to pay for all sins and save all who put faith in Him and follow Him- can congregate and help each other and not tear each other down. (see Ephesians 4:29 and 1 Corinthians 14:26. Use your spiritual gifts to build each other up and help them pursue holiness. Yes, there is a place to lovingly and humbly confront Christian brothers and sisters about sin in their lives- Jesus spoke about that in Matthew 18:17. But He also said that we better get the plank out of our eye before we try to help get the speck out of our brother's eye. [see Matthew 7:1-6])
      And above all- while speaking The Truth in Love (Ephesians 4:15), we must Love undergird all we do. "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil, hold fast to what is good." (Romans 12:9) (Genuine love is reiterated in 2 Corinthians 6:6 and 8:8 too) "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." (Romans 12:10) 1 Corinthians 8:1 says that love builds up. As 1 Corinthians 16:14 says, "Let all that you do be done in love." Galatians 5:13 says that through love we should serve one another. And as 1 Peter 4:8 says, "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." I'm glad that God has covered me with His love and removed and forgiven my multitude of sins. As Jesus said- Freely you have received; freely give.
      When people don't see this, they can quickly become calloused with hardened hearts due to their hurts. It's easier to protect your heart than let it get broken again. I don't know the spiritual background of everyone on this site, so I'm not saying this about anyone in particular.
But I have found it to be an interesting linguistic observation that it's only one space away between an atheist and a theist. And the only way to make that space in their heart so it can be open to trusting God is through the Holy Spirit working- and He works through His children who seek to live out His love. So it's like Pete Townshend said, with a slight modification- Let Christ's Love open the door to your heart!
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxryzVVxFHI

Of sacred cows, Christians and chicken

Note: This post is in reaction to a mild debacle over a Zaxby's chicken ad in the 2019 NFL Superbowl.
(https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/zaxby-s-super-bowl-ad-mocked-chick-fil-a-for-closing-sundays-and-it-backfired.html?utm_medium=fbpage&utm_source=cross&utm_campaign=cdupdate&fbclid=IwAR3IAlfqn4jdc9pFV0136eoU3Wm2l8mK2lk9uuuZjn6Wu3oXLtKlaRjzjBY)
It's not so much about this particular instance; that's just the latest example. It's more of a mild lambaste of our goofy Christian subculture. :-)

Seeing as how the ad doesn't even mention Chick-Fil-A, and knowing the fun nature of a lot of other Zaxby ads, I doubt the restaurant was really trying to "mock" Chick-Fil-A for being closed on Sundays. Yes, it does seem to be a lighthearted jab but I don't see that it's anything to get offended by or upset about. I have no problem eating at either place. Both are pretty good. (Though I will say Zaxby's took a while to grow on me- it's not a big favourite to go to often, but I do enjoy their salads when I go. I probably go to Chick-Fil-A more often but I don't go there all the time either.)
    Similar restaurants take little jabs at each other all the time as part of friendly competition. McDonald's and Burger King have done it. Pepsi and Coca-Cola have certainly done it. And when it's done as lighthearted fun, I don't think it's a big issue.
   I also don't think Christians should assume that Zaxby's is trying to mock Chick-Fil-A's Christian values just because of this ad. It seems like they were trying to capitalize on a selling point that they have over CFA- they are open on Sundays! And I appreciate places being open on Sundays. Jesus said it's good to do good on the Sabbath. As a New Testament Christian, I'm not under the Law but under Grace.
I appreciate CFA carrying out its convictions but I think this is an issue that falls under individual believers' consciences.
    In any case, there are things worth getting upset about, but I don't think this is one of them. Chick-Fil-A is nice but it's not better than anyone else just for its owner's faith. I understand Christians wanting to patronize it because of that but I do get tired of the jokes that near-deify the place above any other restaurant.
     Our Christian subculture is so weird at times- lol. And it should be weird- but let's be weird for the right reasons. Be a weirdo for Jesus and uphold His commands- and turn the other cheek when there is real or perceived slander. And let's find the right hills go die on- I don't think this is one of them. Eat mor chikin at Chick-Fil-A or Zaxby's or both- and love and follow Jesus more. :-)