Today is May Day. This Northern Holiday from ancient days was turned into Roodmas in England, and International Workers’ Day by the left.
In my view, today is a good time to remind all beleivers that persecution and unpopularity is part of our lot.
1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.
2We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly 3remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. 6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, 7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. 9For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.
11“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13“You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
14“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
We are persecuted because we are different. If we are not different, we are not persecuted. And this applies in all aspects of our lives, for the leaven of worldly thinking has dug deep, as Keoni notes.
Several years ago, I used to work with two women who were born again, evangelical Christians who both had teen-aged daughters. Both of them talked endlessly about their worries for their daughters getting the best education and career they could get as soon as they graduated from high school.
I once made the mistake of suggesting that the most important thing such young girls needed to consider was choosing good men to marry…far more important than what college they were trying to get into, what degree they would try to attain and what career path they wanted to pursue. I tried to explain to them that the biggest decisions with the most far reaching consequences for their lives that their daughters would ever face would be who they decide to mate with. Both ladies didn’t even consider my points. Both immediately argued that their daughters needed their educations and careers first and foremost, just in case they did get married and “it didn’t work out.” Of course, both of these ladies were the primary breadwinners in their family, so it’s not surprising they would feel this way.
They were simply following the new ideal of 21st century Churchianity – changing the Church’s prime directives to accommodate Feminist ideals.
The infiltration of Christian culture and morality by feminism (Cultural Marxism) is nearly complete.
We are not called to follow the herd. We are called to follow Christ. And the laws of nature. For most of us… burn. The way that this was managed, for generations, was to discipline the men — by hard study and work, sport and occupation — until they can stand on their own and support a woman. At the same time, we encourged women to marry in their early 20s — to someone often five or so years older.
This worked. Women could have babies, knowing that there was enough income to live simply, and learn to manage the household. This allowed for a different path for women — being a mother then having a career, a passion. (Men did not have that option: they have jobs. To support their families. Most men are not stupid enough to think that work is fulfilling or meets their emotional needs).
For we are salt and light, not darkness and blandness. Which brings me to this story (From the true Nerd Princess of the Orthosphere — Alte)
This all reminds me, as I’m obviously too lazy to go for that jog so far, of our first date. He cracked a joke with a reference to Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle and I laughed so hard that I snorted water out of my nose and nearly fell off the chair. He just sat there, stone-faced, and said, “I can’t believe you’re laughing at that joke. I can’t believe you even understand it.”
I was like, *slam the table, rock back and forth giggling, cackle, drool some water, slam the table again, cackle some more, slap my knee* “OMG, that was soo f—ng funny!” He said. — and I’ll never forget this — “Other than having the manners of a drunken sailor, you’re perfect.”
Which just made me laugh even harder,
Let us thus go our and politely freak the unbeleivers.
“At the same time, we encouraged women to marry in their early 20s — to someone often five or so years older”
I’m getting married in May [err, this month – you Kiwis are a day ahead…]; in America, all I’ve received is criticism – especially from devout [allegedly] traditional Christians. Apparently I’m getting married because I’m pregnant/to spite my parents/for status/to feel like an adult/to have sin-free sex/to go on an adventure/etc… No one ever says “congratulations! It’s nice that a good Christian girl is getting married young…” They just jump to the worst possible conclusion, and proceed to act like I’m making the biggest mistake of my life.
So if by “unpopular” you mean unpopular among Christians – then I guess I’m doing it right.
Meanwhile; in Japan people congratulate me. They ask me questions like “where are you going on your honeymoon?” There’s no criticism, accusations, or discouraging remarks.
“By their fruits you shall know them” Thus saith the lord.
The problem is that the Churchy people have moved away from what works to what should happen. Best of luck for the wedding!
Thank you.
I find the stigmatization of early marriage reflects western society’s acceptance of pre-marital sex/cohabitation. Even traditional Christians would just look the other way if I was shacking up with my boyfriend […considering that’s what they do when their own daughters move in with a lover]. They make a big fuss about chastity, but when push comes to shove it’s viewed as optional. Cohabiting until I’m 25, then getting married – now that is a plan that would earn me social approval.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, if Christianity intends to make an impact on the life choices of young women, than it needs to stop acting like the “Christian choice” is optional.
Note: In Japan an unmarried woman living with a man is still considered risque
[hence, the existence of Love Hotels – gotta avoid shame]. So for a
young woman in a serious relationship, getting married is the only
logical conclusion [well, either marriage or break-up].
I refuse to go near anything coloured barbie pink in Japan. I know the connotations. Admittedly, with my hobbies, you would find me bargaining for either hard disks or camera lenses — you can take the geek out of South Auckland, but he will still be a geek :-),
Congratulations, BF. THIS traditional Christian is very happy for you and wishes you all the best.
No we’re not.
We’re supposed to dominate the civilization with The Law and the righteousness that comes from it. This is nothing more than another dose of that “surrender” crap, a so-called “Christianity” with no spine nor a brain connected to the nerve bundle that runs through it.
Waaah!
Believe it or not, a mere 50 to 60 years ago sluts were shunned, the “Pick Up Artist” type was viewed with distain, clothing worn by both sexes was modest, family reigned supreme, movies and television, though many suspect for decades, were generally suitable for all ages, and the televised “news” was something the entire family could watch without having to hit the mute button to keep the children, let alone the adults, to hear what was being broadcast. Homosexuality was hidden rather than flaunted, there weren’t strip joints all over the nations cities, and in general terms, even in those same cities the streets were darn near empty by 11:00 at night. Businesses were generally run with the health of both the nation and the employees as mission one.
Now?
The usurers have become kings and both the whores and whoremongers rule the day. Christianity rolled over and bought into an idol, a false “god” that is all loving and all forgiving as well as one who is supposed to, like a “white knight”, come and rescue us from all of this, “male” and female alike. It’s a “no action” small “c” christianity that has done nothing but surrender on every front and never resisted a damn thing. Today, putting on the “Full armor of God” is a figure of speech, a metaphor, an absolute nothing. “Have you heard the Good News? Jesus loves you!”
Manly stuff.
Yeah. The one same fellow who said in Matthew, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” Well we don’t like Him. We like this other “nice” (stupid, effeminate) god instead of that guy who said:”For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against
her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36and a
man’s enemies will be the members of his household.
“Or how about the following in Luke? “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no,
but rather division; 52for from now on five members in one household
will be divided, three against two, and two against three…”
Or this? Luke 22:36)
– “And He said to them, “But now, let him who has a purse take it
along, likewise also a bag, and let him who has no sword sell his robe
and buy one.” Hell, He even told the apostles that if they didn’t heed the signs of His return and get out of town that He would kill them too! “We” don’t like “that” Jesus. We like the “love” Jesus.
And what, pray tell, is a spineless small “c” “christian” going to do with a sword? Nothing but wonder why he or she has one.
You aren’t “popular” because there is no reason on this earth nor in heaven to respect you. Righteous men of action gain respect. Their counterparts do not, and since wringing one’s hands are now the only visible “works” that today’s so-called and quite lower case “christians” engage in, well, the current incantation of the cafeteria belief is for effeminate losers, women, and no one else.
Have a happy and deluded day.
Quit your bitching and grow a pair. Or at least, be the kind of Christian others would want to follow.
Your comments are golden, man. You have fallen into the theonomic heresy that we will inevitably be rule on this world in Christ.
Ain’t so. May have been in the USA, but was never the case in NZ where the gov’t has been overtly secular since the 1870s. And globally, the number of martyrs per year is increasing — mainly due to Islamic genocide.
Where I agree with you (and Dalrock, who posted on this today) is that the US Church and NZ church has swallowed the feminist Kool – Aid and this is leading to destruction. But moving into conservative positions and living that way will lead to opposition within the church and without.
Look at BF, who is doing the right thing. Against the guidance of all these “righteous women” who tell her to go and get a degree (and burn in lust).
But you don’t know me. Nor the bible.
Idaho; that’s where Douglas Wilson lives… And where Richard Butler lived, too… Next door to the state where the Unabomber lived…
Buncha freaks in the middle of nowhere who think they can tell the rest of the world how then, they shall live…
“Look at BF, who is doing the right thing. Against the guidance of all
these “righteous women” who tell her to go and get a degree (and burn
in lust)”
Nope. Like I said before – they’re traditionalists. They’re not advising me to get a degree and pursue a career. They’re just advising me to delay marriage so I can “find myself” [Is finding yourself a physical activity, or some-sort of spiritual quest? For a group of devout Christians, trad-cons sure spout a lot of New Age hippie mumbo-jumbo]
Ignore them and listen to your fiancee. There are always women who will cattily criticize, regardless of your choices
At first I wrote it off as typical catty church-lady behavior, but I’m starting that’s not it. American trad-cons seem to be promoting a phenomenon that’s known in Japan as “Parasite Singles”: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasite_singles
Instead of getting married, pursuing a career, or doing anything that could be considered productive to society – parasite singles mooch off their parents for a good portion of their twenties. I’d consider it a form of feminism; a silent protest to the expectations Japanese society places upon young women. “Forget marriage – I’m going to go to the karaoke bar and party with my friends!”
I’m not really sure why American trad-cons would want their daughters to be parasite singles, it seems counter productive to their whole “traditional” agenda.
“Ignore them and listen to your fiancee”
Don’t worry, I’m okay. I’m just amused by the social upheaval my engagement created. My family is a bit goody-two-shoes so the neighbors are enjoying my apparent fall from grace.