Chapter One
aliens
Aliens are foreigners, strangers in a strange land. Aliens don't
speak the native language, don't follow the customs and traditions,
and don't fit in. Aliens are typically uncomfortable, awkward, and
unsure of themselves in their new foreign homes.
Disciples are aliens in this world. Many of the
values found within our culture are foreign to disciples. Disciples
don't naturally fit into a society that's largely out of touch with
God. They're uncomfortable-looking, and they feel out of place in
the everyday world. Disciples of Christ find themselves continually
at odds with the culture, because they have different values,
different priorities, and a different language. Disciples feel odd
and estranged in contemporary culture-and that's just how they
ought to feel.
Life Hint:
Fitting in is not always a good thing.
1 Peter 2:9-12
You say "different" like it's a bad thing?
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you
out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but
now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now
you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers
in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing
wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
FACT for the day
Robert Heinlein wrote the
science fiction book Stranger
in a Strange Land in 1961. It's
the story of an alien who
comes to earth and can't fit
in, so he establishes a new
religion.
Today's top 10
Make a list of the top ten things
that make you different from
everyone else.
Journal Entry:
The more I try to be like everyone
else the more I build walls around
myself. I need to tear down the walls.
I need to celebrate who I am.
I take today and I will .
All that makes you different and unique in this world is a gift from God. Following the One who said to be
different is a way to say thank you. May you celebrate that which others condemn in you. God does.
Someone Just Like You
Diane (some people called her "Lady Di" because she looked just like the
late Princess of Wales) found herself at the center of the conversation.
The slumber party had been going strong since last night, and now, at
three in the morning, the talk was getting serious. "Come on, Diane,
what do you mean you've never looked at a Victoria's Secret catalog? It's
more than the underwear, which, frankly, I can't believe you don't care
about. It's the models. They look so good. I want to know their secret;
don't you?" "Not really," Di said. "That's why I don't go out with guys
right now. I'm too young, too easily influenced by guys. I could easily be
obsessed with how I look. And I know this sounds stupid, but my faith
really matters to me. Thinking about guys and about my body and my
clothes and my makeup all the time doesn't make a lot of sense when I
could be learning more about God." "Get real, Di. The only reason
you're saying that is because you already have a body worth dying for and
looks to go with it. Every guy in class wants to go out with you. I mean,
come on, you want to learn more about God? That's psycho. What's
wrong with you?" Diane sat up, not sure if it was anger or hurt feelings that she felt
inside. "Hey, I know, I know. Girls are considered crazy if they don't
sit around drooling over guys and trying to turn them on by wearing
tight skirts and miracle bras. Frankly, I don't like being pretty because it
keeps people from trying to get to know me. I think it's sick to turn on
guys just so I can feel good. Besides, I don't want some horny guy who just
likes my body. Call me weird if you want, but I'm totally happy to have no
guys in my life right now." The conversation ended awkwardly, and
Diane eventually fell asleep. Later on that night something woke her up.
She would rather not have heard the whispered conversation that was
going on. ". but she doesn't make sense. She's
full of crap and you know it. Either Diane's lying or she's a lesbian."
"I wouldn't be surprised if she was a lesbian." "She's just plain weird.
All this talk about God is a bunch of baloney." Diane pretended
to turn over in her sleep so no one could see her crying.
IN THE STORY
If you were Diane's best friend and she came to you with what happened at the
party, what would you say to her?
authority
Authority is a word that most young people don't use for
one simple reason. It's a power word . and adults are the
ones who generally have all the power. When adults want
to describe reachable goals for you, they usually use words
like maturity, growth, humility, or patience; but seldom,
if ever, do they use authority. But disciples of Jesus can
have authority, whatever their age. This kind of authority
is the result of simple living. The authority of living
always has greater influence than the authority of talking.
A young person can possess all of the benefits of authority-influence,
respect, and strength-just by living an
ordinary life and following Jesus wherever he leads.
Here's an easy way to know whether you have authority or
not. If your friends ask for your advice, if they want to be
with you when they are in a crisis, if they refer their
friends to you, if they defend you to others . then you know
that they see you as someone with authority.
FACT for the day
A comedian by the name of
Dr. Irwin Corey began
performing stand up in the '30s
(and still is). He billed himself
as "The World's Foremost
Authority." Corey claimed to
know everything about
everything. Basically he just
made it up as he went along.
Life Hint:
Question authority with your life not with your mouth. Show authority with your life, not with your mouth.
May God bless you with the patience you need to get through the day
and give you the strength and courage you need to live an authoritative life.
Someone Just Like You
Rick is one of those very bright people other kids tolerate but don't like to hang out with. Rick
knows all his "friends" at church put up with him because they need him now and then to fix
their computers or bail them out at test time or to explain the latest calculus assignment. For
some reason, Rick never worries much about his nerd status. He has a lot of self-confidence
and has no huge need to be cool. A lot of his confidence comes from his faith in Jesus.
Rick has always lived on the outside of life. His divorced parents have little
time for him. He lives with his grandmother, who barely copes with her own arthritis and
other old-age ailments. His brother and two sisters have long since gone their own ways-ways
that are cluttered with drugs, alcohol, and repeated trouble. When Rick heard about
Jesus and understood that Jesus not only died for him but also wanted him as a disciple, it
was all Rick needed to hear. Not being wanted by anyone else only made Jesus' "wanting" of
Rick more powerful in his life. When Gina-the very popular and very sexy Gina-realized she
was pregnant, it was Rick she asked for help and advice. When Mark-the very good-looking
and very popular Mark-realized he was the father but didn't want to get married right away,
he called Rick as well. Rick was surprised and, deep down inside himself, rather pleased. He
realized that, although his faith in Jesus Christ hadn't gotten rid of his nerdiness, it had
given him authority.
IN THE STORY
Is there a "Rick" in your church? Are you the "Rick"? What
would you say if the popular pregnant girl (or the father) came to you?
Journal Entry:
I can choose the kind of life I live.
I can choose what I believe. I can
choose to control myself or not.
I have authority over my decisions.
I can choose to be
Today's top 10
Make a list of the top ten things
you do every day that are your
choice to do.
Mark 2:23-28
Religion gets in the way of faith.
One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked
along, they began to pick some heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, "Look,
why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" He answered, "Have you
never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?
In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the
consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to
his companions." Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not
man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
(Continues.)
