Is it Selling Religion?

Today I was reading an article that appeared in the Huffington Post entitled, 

The 11 Ways Forever 21 Is Selling Its Religion  

"The day when the ultra-religious views of Forever 21′s owners crept out from under their signature yellow bags and onto their shelves."

The article written by Rachel Kane tries to make an argument that Forever 21, a retail clothing store is trying to somehow under handily share their religious views. Don Chang the owner of Forever 21, began putting the bible verse John 3:16 on the chains bag as a demonstration of his faith. 

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

My question is what is wrong with that? 

Don't we have the freedom to talk about what we believe? 

Why is it wrong to put a verse on the bottom of a shopping bag?  I don't think it has had a negative effect on their business.

In-n-Out  and Chick fil-A both put bible verses on their cups. Their businesses are booming!

I applaud these businesses for preaching the word in season and out of season!

Her next complaint is that now there are crosses and clothing with Christian slogans on them being openly sold at the store. I am amused at the "openly"! Forever 21 never hid the fact their owners were Christians nor do they make excuses for what they believe. Why is this so suspect?

I might just have to go and buy something from Forever 21 to encourage them to keep up the good fight!

  

Brown layer

Image via Wikipedia

Brown layer!  That doesn't sound very good does it?  This weekend, my husband and I attended our church's marriage retreat.  Paul and Susie Ulrickson were our speakers and they reminded us that being a couple takes some hard work.  We did exercises that helped us communicate feelings and come to a better understanding of each other.  At one point the term "Brown Layer" was introduced.
Paul explained it to be like

 the outer portion of an onion.  The stuff that we throw away.

 Often the first things that we begin to share with each other are much like this "Brown Layer"!  It was a great concept for me, since I often process verbally and don't always filter what is said.  It gave me permission to say, "I think that was "brown layer" let's start over!"

It is probably why in Scripture is tells us to be slow to speak and quick to listen!  We are to listen more than we speak!

I will try to put this into practice. My husband has already become used to the phrase "Brown Layer"

Father,

Help me to guard my tongue and choose wisely the words that I speak. Lord help me also to recognize when I say things that are "brown Layer and to own up to them. Give me quick ears and a slow tongue.

Jann

Will this ever get easier?

Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up. James 4:10

I have heard this so many times.  From the time I became a Christian in the summer of my 9th grade year, I have sung the worship song. "Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord".  It seems like such a simple idea. 

God is bigger and better than me. 

• He is the ultimate Creator. 
• The Alpha and Omega.
• The Great I AM.
• The one who called me by name.
• He sent His son to save me.

And yet, I still struggle at times to give Him the glory due His name.

I think about my wants and needs instead of His plan and purposes

I know he is calling me to bow before Him, to allow Him to lead me, to surrender to His will.

Will this ever get easier?

The promise in the verse is that "He will lift you up".

I am choosing to humble myself, holding onto His promise that as I do, He will lift me up.

Father,

I know I sound like a broken record.  I want to live for you and serve you, yet I struggle to do so consistently. I apologize for forgetting who you are. I am humbled as I write this.  Please accept my apology and fill me with a deeper awareness of your kingdom and of your majesty. Thank you for your promises. I will put my trust in you because I know that your mercies are new every morning.

Jann

Yesterday I had the pleasure of doing one of my favorite things. Teach from the Word with my husband. I don't know when we discovered that doing this together was such an invigorating activity but we absolutely delight in it! We have been in ministry together for 30 years. It is hard to believe but it is true.



Kevin and I became Christians in High school and had an amazing experience being part of a ministry that reached out to 1000+ students on a weekly basis. Later we found ourselves working together to teach and lead these students. It was in the basement of the youth center one night when I saw God working through Kevin and thought. "He is so attractive!" I was falling in love with the man who was loving God. We would lead meetings together, talk through bible passages, critique each others messages and spur one another on. Through the years this has repeated itself in many ways and in various environments.



I guess each time we teach together I am reminded of
the early days of our relationship.


Scripture says that

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. Ecc.4:9

It also says that

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:24

I truly think that for my husband and I, we are a balance of many gifts and that when we use our gifts together it is a good thing. We feel blessed and hopefully those who have heard us together feel this way.

Father,

I am grateful for the gift of a spouse who loves you and seeks after you. Thank you for continuing to work in his life for your great pleasure. I praise you for giving us opportunities to serve you together. My heart is filled with joy as I think about all that happened yesterday. It would be okay with me if we had more times like that. May your name be lifted high through our lives.

Jann