CONNECTED Adventist

The standard of Christlikeness is the highest attainment possible for followers of Jesus. But with that standard, comes a lot of refining. The 'criteria' for attaining a Christian High Distinction can become overwhelming and even discouraging for any believers. So is a HD impossible? Or is there more to be considered when setting such a high standard within Christianity?

We're all in a race. However, we're not supposed to be chasing after the Joneses, we're supposed to be racing to keep the faith and to win the prize of Christlikeness and eternal glory. When we start competing for a different prize, relationships, career, academic goals, wealth, assets and appearance, the descend on the slope of discontentment can become dangerous very quickly. The more you descend, the faster your discontentment grows and your dissatisfaction creates a dangerous outlook on life and on God's blessings.

Sin is complicated yet simple. I know that doesn't make sense but you'll know what I mean after you listen. What I do know- with all confidence, is that sin is DANGEROUS! Some sinful experiences are like bungee jumping. The first step is the hardest to take (because God is trying to hold us back from falling) but once you taken the step, there's no turning back- and the only way to go back, is to keep falling until the abrupt stop at the end of the fall. Please pause and rethink about the choice you're about to make. At the moment, the sin you're wanting to experiment with, may seem pleasant to consume and delightful to look at, but sin always kills. Don't let sin corrupt your world. Trust in God and play within the safety of His protection and holiness.

Well... I'm not, and I'm not conservative or liberal either. One thing I've observed that is present within Christianity is that there's plenty of- division. Division on what seems like an ENDLESS list of preferences, doctrines and even convictions. Is division God's ideal? And if it is, what camp do you belong to?

Fully understanding what it means to be made in the 'Image of God' can be complicated but not impossible. Through our faith journey, the picture we paint of God can look very different. However, who God IS will never and had never changed, only our projection of our experience of Him will. So can we see the image of God in humanity today? And what picture are you painting through your life?

The study of Human Diversity reveals that personal identity is not 'individual' at all but rather, a reflection of numerous influences that shape identity into accepting and rejecting particular aspects of societal norms, values and beliefs. Our identity is strongly influenced by our family, our school and work peers, our culture and our nations. This is also applicable within the church context. Sometimes, our identity as Christians is influenced by our Christian circles and not always, influenced by Christ. Because of this human tendency, Christians should always be fluid. If we're not, we run the risk of the Potter not being able to mould us and shape us into what He desires for us to be. Whatever perception we have of what our 'Christian identity' should look like, we must always make room for God to change and even correct those perceptions.

Youth work can be intimidating! Parents of teenagers will tell you why lol Edgar shares with us (no longer young people) what patterns he sees developing within secular youth and how those patterns can (and most likely- will) impact the Youth within our churches.

There's many reasons why people feel shame. And as a Christian, we're DEFINITELY not immune to experiencing shame and guilt for the decisions we make, specially in the relation to our faith. So let's talk about shame-filled Christians and how we can navigate the negativity that comes from not being 'holy'.