Just for fun!
Let's Loosen up!
It is a ironic that something that sounds as morbid as self-crucifixion turns out to be the source of the deepest possible joy. In the face of all of the world's problems and suffering and fears, many are not aware of how their limited experience of joy is poisoned with all kinds of bitterness, anxiety and self-hatred. This should not be true of anyone who is "abiding in Christ." The most human and most meaningful joy a person can ever know is to be found along the path of Christian discipleship. Once in a while, we find ourselves just plain happy, in spite of everything! This section is for people who can see the humor in looking at the Christian walk in unusual ways.
In John 6, Jesus weeded out all of those followers who were unable to perceive the spiritual meaning of His teaching. He seems to have done so on purpose. He did it by saying something like this..."unless you eat My flesh and drink My blood you will not see the kingdom of God." If you or I had been there, we might have felt what many appear to have felt that day, "He's lost his mind!" Even the disciples required a little straightening out after that one. There is much to discuss in a serious way about the implications of John 6, but for now, lets try to lighten up and have a little fun!
When you first believed that Jesus died for your sins, you may have been told that you are now "dead and your life is hid with Christ in God," or something to that effect. This entire website is dedicated to understanding the personal and practical implications of Jesus' sacrificial death, in an encouraging but non-theological way. For those who prefer a systematic thrological study of the "self-crucifixion" involved in daily Christian living, I will put up links to those sites as I find them.
Since the New Testament teaches us to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ, I thought the following mind bending frivolity might lighten things up a bit, while opening our eyes to some of the spiritual realities behind Jesus' words.
Since all who call themselves "Christian," or "believer" or "disciple of Christ," or whatever, are supposed to be "dead to the world, the flesh and the devil", and yet alive in Christ, I thought we are in fact all members of something that amounts to a "Church Of the Living Dead!" In that case, the day of your conversion/salvation is the day you "died," your baptism was your "funeral," and your testimony is your "Obituary." When you invite a person to a baptismal service, its a "Funeral Notice!" Your old sin-nature/selfish personality is a "Ghost!" And your new Christian spiritual life is the real you.
Here's an example of how to share your faith and have some tongue-in-check fun doing it.
This is my testimony.........................
OBITUARY
Richard Wagoner, 12, of Titusville, Florida, died at the First Baptist Church of Mims, Florida on Wednesday, April 10, 1968. The pastor had just explained some of the details of Jesus' death and how important it was. Richard responded by going to the prayer alter and praying: "Father, if Your Son did that for me, then there is nothing You cannot ask of me." Richard's death resulted in an immediate change of personal values and direction. His Funeral was Sunday, April 21, 1968. He was "buried with Christ in Baptism, and raised to walk in newness of life." He is survived by a loving family and many friends, including some who predeceased him. Last rites and funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Joseph A. Boatwright.
In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations may be made in the form of prayers of thanksgiving and celebration that Richard "once was lost but now is found!"
You can place your own OBITUARY on the Guestbook page.
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