JonathanPearson.net

Put Up or Shut Up

Here’s a question that I’ve been asking myself lately…

What does it mean to follow Christ?

Now, I know that there are some typical answers to this question,
but they’ve really become more “church talk” than an actual lifestyle.

Here are a few practical examples of what following Christ look like when put into action…

Loving people that seem to not deserve and love.
Reaching out to help even when it seems to be really inconvenient.
Making Jesus a part of every part of our lives.
Not being afraid to step out on faith.
Really believing and LIVING as if nothing else matters.
Keeping eternity at the forefront of our minds.
Believing and LIVING like there is a literal hell.
Giving it all in determination to show others that they are important.

Luke 9:23 “Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”‘

Your thoughts…

What’s it mean to be a Christ follower?

Jun 2010

POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson

POSTED IN

Blog, Featured

DISCUSSION 14 Comments

TAGS

christ, Christian, Leadership, Living

Follow Me

We all like to be around people that are like us…
That look like us.
That dress like us.
That like what we like.

We are drawn to people of similar personality and preferences.
It’s the way we work.
It’s the way we’re comfortable.

At the same time, we were never meant to all act, talk, look, and be the same.

A lot of churches and a lot of Christians seem to operate like…

We don’t mind letting “guests” in our church doors as long as they meet our standards.
We don’t mind welcoming new Christians as long as they already look and act like us.
We don’t mind evangelizing to others, as long as they’ll quickly adapt to our standards.

That’s just wrong!

God never called us to evangelize and lead people to Christ for the sake of them becoming just like us,
God called us to evangelize and lead people to Christ so that they will follow Christ.

Don’t try to convert people to your standard,
help people meet Christ and then let Him be THE standard.

You may be surprised by the end result!

Jun 2010

POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson

POSTED IN

Blog, Church Ministry, Featured, Life

DISCUSSION 12 Comments

TAGS

Christian, evangelism, Love, stereotype

5 Things You Don’t Really Need to Know

Here are 5 quick things about myself that you don’t really need to know, but I feel like sharing. I hope this gives you a little bit more of an idea into who I am;

1. I always ask for a to-go cup when I leave restaurants.

I don’t know how this started, but I always ask for a drink to take with me when I leave a restaurant. I’m kind of a cheap person, so maybe this is just my way of getting my money’s worth…

2. I’m actually a pretty quiet person.

I love people and I love talking to people, but I have to have some quiet time on occasion too. It kind of recharges me to better interact with people.

3. I enjoy shopping.

I really enjoy shopping for some stuff. I know it’s not an extremely manly thing to admit, but it’s something that I enjoy.

4. I am an avid sports fan.

My two favorite sports are South Carolina Gamecock football and Atlanta Braves baseball. I plan vacations and meals around these teams. I also am a fan of just about any other sport or team that happens to be on TV. Heck, I even watch the replays the next day on occasion.

5. I want to help change the world.

It’s my calling and my passion. Jesus is still into saving people and God still desires to have people be reconciled to Him. The Church will prevail. I want to be a part of that. Seriously, whatever it takes!

Tell us, what’s one interesting (or surprising) fact about you??

Jun 2010

POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson

POSTED IN

Blog, Random Stuff

DISCUSSION 18 Comments

Our Greatest Need, Their Greatest Need

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

-Charles Sell

I love this quote.

There’s no greater need for me than a Savior.
There’s no greater need for you than a Savior.
There’s no greater need in the world than Savior.

That needs to be our focus…

To help the world receive what they need the most!

Jun 2010

POSTED BY Jonathan Pearson

POSTED IN

Blog, Encouragement, Featured

DISCUSSION 16 Comments

TAGS

evangelism, Jesus, Savior

Over-Complicating Simplicity

It seems to be a trend in today’s culture…

To over-complicate everything.

Some things aren’t supposed to be complicated…

Like: government policies, law, math, and insurance.

I think we often over-complicate Christianity.

We focus on theological terms and denominational stances.
We focus on systems and programs.
We focus on things beyond our control.

While I never fault anyone for wanting to understand their faith,
I do wonder if sometimes, our tendency to analyze prohibits our ability to trust.

Jesus is about relationship.
It really is that simple.