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GreenEyezz In reply to saint-miykael [2008-02-16 01:20:26 +0000 UTC]

hey, you got a problem with my stamp? if you're going to be making derogatory statments about my art work, keep it off a club account, keep it off the deviation subbmission and send me a note about it if you really are that upset.

I appreciate constructive criticism of my art, but that is just a put-down on my work.

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saint-miykael In reply to GreenEyezz [2008-02-19 01:37:06 +0000 UTC]

My problem does not merely rest with this stamp, but with the whole "Jesus Freak" mentality, as well as everything that it encompasses.

If I kept my comment secret and off of the club account, then nobody else would ever hear what I'm saying. That would defy part of my reason for saying it in the first place. How can you insist that I keep a conviction silent?

If my disapproval is degrading and derogatory to this stamp, then yes, that is a derogatory statement, and no, I will not keep silent. Sorry dear, but it isn't right for me to go against my conscience, and my conscience bids that I speak and stand in opposition to the "Jesus Freak" mentality. If that bothers you, then I'm sorry, but I cannot go against my conscience, nor the guidance of the holy scriptures.

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lilAURONgirl In reply to saint-miykael [2007-11-24 00:59:18 +0000 UTC]

not to bother you or anything, your comment really doesn't require retort or anything, but I just don't understand what you mean by that. I'm PROUD to be considered a Jesus Freak! It just means that we are not of the world and that is a good thing. Have you ever heard that song by the same title? It's really great. Yes, Christianity is to be regarded seriously, and maybe you thought this was in some way offensive and too lax or something, but it is not intended that way. It's sort of..... our way of laughing and brushing the naysayers off, and maybe making them think a little bit.... You know what I'm saying? Maybe I just misunderstood your comment. Peace out.

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saint-miykael In reply to lilAURONgirl [2007-11-24 03:44:57 +0000 UTC]

Yeah, I'm well familiar with the term. I go to a church where the youth adore DC Talk, and the adults fully endorse it. Pretty much all the 30-40 youth that regularly attend call themselves Jesus Freaks. I've only really been a part of two churches because I wasn't a part of a Christian family, and both of the churches were and are like that, so I suppose you can say that I'm an outsider to the American Christian culture.

I don't want to be harsh or mean or anything like that, but there's not really a nice way to put this:
Anyone who uses the term Jesus Freak is not a Jesus Freak. They are a liar. A real Jesus Freak does not use the term Jesus Freak.

Why do I say this? Well, allow me to illustrate, and once again, I really don't want to be harsh about this, but there really isn't a kind way to put this; Justin J. Cox *, is a Jesus Freak. Blair Wingo *, is a Jesus Freak. Paul Washer *, is a Jesus Freak. Leonard Ravenhill *, is(was) a Jesus Freak. The 208 Christians slaughtered in this incident in Indonesia *, were Jesus Freaks.

I will tell you honestly that I am not a Jesus Freak. Were I, I'd be in another country or out on the street right now. If I called myself a Jesus Freak, I'd be a liar. I will tell you that only a small hand-full of people in my church would I consider Jesus Freaks. Why do I bring that up? Because the people which I've seen that are Jesus Freaks wouldn't DARE call themselves Jesus Freaks. They have too much reverence for God. And that isn't exclusive to just old people, there are young ones, some younger than me (I'm 18), that are the same way. They know better.

Deuteronomy 5:11
"Thou shalt not take* (take meaning use, carry, hold) the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain."
Vain:
–adjective, -er, -est.
1. excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited: a vain dandy.
2. proceeding from or showing personal vanity: vain remarks.
3. ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile: a vain effort.
4. without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless: vain pageantry; vain display.
5. Archaic. senseless or foolish.
—Idiom
6. in vain,
a. without effect or avail; to no purpose: to apologize in vain.
b. in an improper or irreverent manner: to take God's name in vain.


Proverbs 16:5
"Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished."


John 8:54
"Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:"


So that's my beef with the term "Jesus Freak", but the point that I was trying to make in my original comment is this; has Christianity been reduced to a bunch of fancy stickers and Christian fish magnets that we wear around so everybody knows we're a "good person"? Does that really glorify the Father?

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lilAURONgirl In reply to saint-miykael [2007-11-24 20:22:56 +0000 UTC]

I'm sorry you misunderstood my comment. But, the term Jesus Freak was not intended to vain or crude or disrespectful to God. I'm sorry you felt the need to demean your own Christianity by speaking to me so disrespectfully. Again, I only mean to understand where you were coming from in as respectful a way as possible. Please, do me the same courtesy. I do not question another person's way of thinking.

I would NEVER dare put your faith into question, that is God's place. I trust you believe the same? A constant churchgoer, does not make a Christian. I scripture spurter does not make a Christian. The only thing we really truly need above all else, is undivided love in God. He wants our whole heart. Everything else we can do, such as reading the Bible and congregating at church, is a good work and something that pleases God-- but those things alone do not save or absolve us.

And I see what you mean to say about the stickers and stuff. And I could see how you might think it's superficial, but those little trinkets do not make us Christian or anything, but it's about having the boldness to be able to make everything we own, including our own bodies, billboards for God, and telling the world we are unashamed and thankful to be a member of God's army. It's the same principle as wearing a cross. We do not need little things like that to be a Christian, but it's about testifying.

And as far as the Jesus Freak thing is concerned, it is not suggesting that God and Jesus or Christians are some sort of freaks, but letting others know that we are freaks for God, you know what I mean? And again, it is not suggesting we are some sort of weirdos. It means we are just so in love with God. You know? As Christians, it is our responsibility to shine and let others see our light and love for the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I assure you, Jesus Freak is no such term so vile as you seem to have been told, though it is your gift of free will to believe what you want to. Also, you used the term Jesus Freak to describe yourself, but apparently, you didn't realize that. If you do not get what I am saying, read your above comment. So, you mean to say you are a Jesus Freak, but to call yourself one aloud-- to the world-- is vanity? If being proud of my faith is a sin, clearly, my God isn't the same as yours. And if it is tuly wrong to use the term Jesus Freak, God himself will convict me of it, I trust.

If you have further concerns please feel free to send me a note or continue commenting here.

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saint-miykael In reply to lilAURONgirl [2007-11-24 21:47:29 +0000 UTC]

Once again, I'm trying to be as kind as I can in my saying these things, but I cannot be so soft as to destroy the message of what I'm saying. So please, don't misunderstand. I don't mean to be disrespectful.

But dear, it appears as though you've skimmed over a lot of what I said.
You say I claimed to be a Jesus Freak. I did not; allow me to quote myself:

"I will tell you honestly that I am not a Jesus Freak. Were I, I'd be in another country or out on the street right now. If I called myself a Jesus Freak, I'd be a liar.

So I said the exact opposite of what you're claiming I said.

It IS good to be proud of Jesus. We should be, He is worthy of praise. But that isn't the kind of pride I was referencing. To praise yourself with the badge of "Jesus Freak" is vanity, as far as I'm concerned. I equate it to running around on the street saying, "I'M A GOOD PERSON, I'M A GOOD PERSON, LOOK AT ME, I'M A GOOD PERSON!" If you're truly a Jesus Freak, if it is shown by the way you act, others will see it and praise you as a person who loves God; but if you honor yourself with it, your testimony is worthless and it will shame you. Hence why I quoted Jesus when He spoke in John 8:54:

"Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:"

To summarize what I just said as simply as possible, "Praise God, not me."

Matthew 5:3
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

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lilAURONgirl In reply to saint-miykael [2007-11-25 04:59:42 +0000 UTC]

I still don't seem to understand you. I agree with you on several points, such as praising God in our actions, and such, of course. But I fail to see how putting up a bumper sticker praising God is vanity in ourselves when clearly, it speaks of God, not us personally. I do not claim to be a good person. I never said I was. To call oneself a good person, I agree is vanity, for it cannot be done. The point is, we TRY to be good people. But compared to God, we all suck. Plain and simple. I know you agree. Correct me if I'm wrong. Yes actions speak louder than words, but just as Jesus was bold and passionate, I mean to try my best and be the same, in other words, try to be like him, though no one can attain such perfection.

Again, I agree utterly with you on the whole actions thing. I think more or less, we are on the same page, but saying it in different ways.

And again, no, bumber stickers and DA stamps my seem foolish to you, and that's fine. But it is about being BOLD and proclaiming not that we are good people-- I never said that in any way, if you recall-- it is to proclaim that God is God and we are HIS. It is just another way of exhibiting faith, just as you in your way quote from the Bible. Both are all fine in good, but if you think about it, are stickers so different from what you are doing? You proclaim with your mouth, while others utter the same words on paper.

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