#Rethink - September 2021

#Rethink - September 2021

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Well, hello there! This month let's talk deconstruction, the prosperity gospel, and the importance of living our real lives.

Can we deconstruct in a healthy way?

I've started my podcast up again for Season Five and it's all about deconstruction. That word can be a bit triggering for some people. Especially if you've only heard a definition where the end result is leaving the Christian faith. But, to deconstruct something just means that you take it apart down to the individual pieces; it doesn't necessarily mean that you throw those pieces in the trash. My first episode covers this idea and I share an analogy that I wrote to explain what deconstruction might look like to different people.

Deconstruction is a buzz word right now, but why is it SO important?

It's because many of us have a bunch of extra junk that we've heard or experienced within our version of Christianity -- junk that isn't actually Biblical. I truly believe that we can deconstruct these beliefs and experiences while still holding onto the core truths of the Christian faith. It's not easy, and it's definitely uncomfortable, but in the end it's absolutely worth it. Because we are left with the Real God and rock solid truth that we can build our lives around. I'd love to have you join me for Season Five of Looking for the Real God. You can find it on Apple Podcasts or anywhere you listen to your favorite shows.

• What is it about deconstruction that scares you?

• Where are you at in your deconstruction experience?

• Are you at a place where you can invite the Holy Spirit to join you on your journey?

"The most important question of all is this: do you seek only the healing, or have you found the Healer?"
Costi Hinn, More than a Healer
 

I haven't actually read this book yet, but I am waiting rather impatiently for it to arrive on Tuesday. I preordered "More than a Healer" months ago and it's finally releasing into the world on the 28th. My husband found the book and told me about it because of the byline. Not the Jesus you want, but the Jesus you need. "It sounds like you," he said. I love it!

Nephew of Benny Hinn, Costi left the family ministry after realizing that the gospel they preached had nothing to do with the Biblical gospel. He was disillusioned by the greed he saw, the double standards, and fakeness of the supposed miracles. Costi tells his story in his book, "God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel.

I don't think we realize how much prosperity gospel is mixed in with our American Christianity: the formulaic ways we try to twist God's arm, the expectations we have for a good life as long as we are behaving ourselves, our frustrations at the brokenness in the world. These things point to the fact that we don't get it. We are missing something, or Someone.

I'm pretty sure this book is going to be amazing and I'll let you know if I'm right or not. :-)

Living Our Real Life

I was already feeling convicted about the amount of time I was spending on social media and the effort I was putting into crafting posts looking for followers and engagements. I was already pulling back and focusing more on my real life. Then I took this teaching job.

As I said last month, my time is now quite limited and I'm rarely on social media these days. But honestly? It's been good. I'm living my real life with real people around me instead of trying to come up with content to impress people that I don't even actually know. And if I do post something it's because that thought is truly on my heart. It might not be the way too build a platform, but it's the way to a satisfying life. And as things get into a rhythm at school I've been able to write, podcast, and post a little more.

What is the part of your real life that is being neglected right now? Is it due to busyness? Or your phone? Or a desire to hide? I encourage you to do a little reflection and then take a step into living the life God has given you, the real one. 

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Thanks for taking a moment to #Rethink some of our religious traditions and beliefs. I know that it can be scary to deconstruct and reconstruct our faith, but finding the Real Jesus is absolutely worth it. As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts, questions, or comments.

If you know someone who would love to #rethink, please share!
 
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