Dangers of Christianity?

Article on raise an awareness of the danger of Islam at local Public High School


Ummm what about the dangers of Christianity?

1. That one has to forsake their Father and Mother.
2. One has to count the cost to follow Jesus.
3. You actually might be transformed.
4. Your mind maybe renewed.
5. That there will be persecution.
6. Not everything will be ok.
7. You are called to love one another and love those that even hate you.
8. It isn't so much about You than it is "I AM"
9. There are no Guarantees this side of Heaven.
10. Having a relationship with Jesus - just is dangerous. It messes up your whole world.

Self Esteem versus Self-protection!

There is a whole debate on Self Esteem
and that of self-protection.

By self-esteem, I define it as one's view evaluation of their own worth or self-worth.

I like the following definition: "the experience of being competent to cope with the basic challenges of life and being worthy of happiness."

The problem with self-esteem is that sometimes the ability to cope with abuse in one's own life hurts their self-esteem or even questions their image as they are created by God and to be tranformed. I know the abuse I have suffered has hurt my own self-worth and even God-worth as I have focused much from ME to that of the Great "I AM"

We need to tell students that they are valued. They need to have self-worth. That God values them and created them. There is hope and purpose.

The real issue is how to balance this in a PC (Politically Correct) world that wants self-esteem to be self-protection. Self-protection is defined as that of protecting of one's self or others' their own emotional feelings and hurts so everyone can feel good about everyone else. So in self-protection - there is no games of Tag
, Dodgeball
and of course Kickball
because there are winners and losers.

There is not a clear cut way to coping with the basics of life. Everyone is OK. Everyone is a winner. Everyone's feelings are to not be trampled on. There is more coddling and less evaluation. There isn't even a clear cut Grading system. It is all about relationships and well "Self-esteem" but it is more Self-protection.

Life isn't Fair. The more children get to know this, the better. There are winners and losers. Not everyone can be a Superhero. We do need to praise people but also tell the truth in love.

The more self-protection we do - the more harm it is. The more people think because their Grandmother says they can Sing ...they think they are the next American Idol. In all reality ... they sing worse than William Hung
. It was just nobody had the guts to tell them until Simon Cowell
.

So what is the answer? Let's not focus on self-protecting. Society does enough of that. Let's have students know their worth and value they have in Christ. Even before they encounter Christ - they have to know they are valued, loved, and need to encounter the One who made them. This leads to spending time. Knowing the hurts. Praising students (sometimes that isn't what they get at home). Balancing how to cope with life and how God views it.

So what do you think? Is there too much self-protection? Do our students suffer from lack of self-esteem or are they protected too much?

Top 10 Important Things Every Youthworker needs to know.

1. Your relationship with God is more important than your ministry. Take time to tend to your soul.

2. Your Family is important. Do not neglect your family. They are your number one ministry.

3. Learn to delegate responsibility. The more you equip - the less you do yourself.


4. Spend time alone. - Get a hobby. It will help your sanity.

5. Be a life long learner. Invest in resources, studies, online etc.

6. Choose your battles wisely. Not every hill is worth dying for. Learn conflict resolution and even have others take the heat off of you.

7. Build relationships that will last.

8. The Kingdom of God is Bigger than your one Church. Learn to network, get to know other churches, learn from them and vice versa.

9. Be a leader. Be responsible and be the leader God called you to be - don't try to be something you are not.

10. Be humble. Part of that is being authentic. Not everyone is buddy buddy with Doug Fields, knows Marko, or even can speak at Group's or YS' or whoever's denominational YouthWorkers' convention. Be who God called you to be, not this trying to be a "Minor" Christian celebrity. I know I'm definitely not.


What would you add to the list? Thoughts?