Different men often see the same subject in different lights and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is not time for ceremony.” � Patrick Henry
I am one of those people who view the world in black and white. Yup, for me, it either is or is not. It is either right or wrong. So if you were to stand in my shoes for just a day and see things the way I do, there is no doubt that:
1. You would go away shaking your head saying, “Man, what an analytical extremist freak. I am so glad I don’t view the world that way.
2. You would completely agree with everything I said and become just like me. [This would be quite scary!]
3. You would at least understand my rantings much more.
All that being said, here’s just a glimpse into my head.
For me, if you are interested in doing something, then you are full-on, passionately running after it until you get it. If you are not willing to do that, then you are wasting your time. It seems like people who talk and talk and talk have always surrounded me. Drives me up the wall. I am an action guy. Talk quick, tell me what to do, show me the vision and let me run with it. I have no interest in talking about the vision and the goal for decades and never do anything with it. [This is not always a good trait because sometimes I don’t have the patience to sit through all the necessary stuff that will shake out the potential problems … but I am learning!]
When it comes to my faith, I am the same way. I believe it, so let’s run with what Jesus said. Again, this is a work in process for me. Sure, I believe in grace. Thank You God for giving me so much of it. BUT, at the same time, it seems that everyone is so focused on the grace of God to the point that they forget He is a Holy Lord who will destroy the earth and all who refuse Him at the end of the age. Grace will come to a screeching halt. God will not be moved on this issue. God is not a grey God. He is able to see beginnings and endings, futures and pasts … simulatenously. Therefore, He is able to be truly black and white. To Him, it is or isn’t. You are or You are not. You can’t be “sort of” found in the book of life.
My Christian walk is the same way, which is why I can come off so critical or judgmental sometimes to some people. It is not something I do on purpose, but it is just the way my mind works. For example, I say I love Jesus Christ. I say I desire intimacy with Him. I desire a deeper relationship. I know that He says “whoever is not for Me is against Me.” I know He says “let your life be so transformed that you look nothing like the world.” YET, guess what. Even knowing all this, I do things that are totally opposite. Taking the example from my previous post. If I am to sit there and watch a TV show that portrays things that do not draw me closer to God, do not fill my mind with truth, are not “for Him” or that essentially, fill my mind with the sewage of the world… then I live in hypocrisy. Again, that is the black and white in me. I see the logic as an if / then. IF you watch this crap, THEN you must be … Fill in the blank. [Which is a quick explanation of the Family Video post.]
The black and white mind can be a forceful thing to hear. It sounds harsh and uncompassionate. No one likes to hear that their “pet thing” is something that will destroy them spiritually. [Notice that I purposefully said will and not could or might.] And I see the grey mind as able to rationalize everything into oblivion to the point where almost nothing is wrong and all is relative. I can not even fathom or understand this way of thinking. [Remember, this is my head right now, so if you don’t agree, it’s ok, I am just trying to explain how my mind works … for better or for worse.]
I live and work with two other “black and white people” who are able to understand me much more, but at the same time have the potential to get me irritated at how harsh they can come off. Funny how that works, eh.
See, for the black and white mind, compassion is definitely there, but not expressed in the same way. Yes, I feel for the lady who has a bunch of children and has to take care of them – it’s a tough job. But the black and white mind says… “Well, deal with it, it was your choice to have all those kids.” How calloused is that. And given my experience with other black and whites… I know I am not alone in that feeling.
The seeming spinelessness of the grey mind is a confusing thing for me. As I stated earlier, my mind says, it is either yes or no. Good or bad. Right or wrong. I can’t understand middle-of-the-road people. People who are too afraid to take a side and stand for it. People who are happy floating along with the status quo. “What is that!” my mind screams. “Why? Why won’t you have an opinion and be willing to share it? So what, it is controversial. So what, your friends might think you strange.” In this day of tolerance, everyone is afraid to stand for anything for fear of treading on people’s toes. “Tread away!” is what I say. “Challenge me. Make me think!” I have no problem with, for example, Jason saying what he said to me. What that did was cause me to examine and rethink why I said what I said. That is what “iron sharpens iron” means! If I am wrong, I can admit that. It might take me awhile sometimes, but I will do it.
God is continually working on me. My prayer that as I grow and learn, that I will become like Him. And that means shedding alot of the junk that keeps people from seeing Him. It doesn’t mean I become a spineless wuss. Look at Paul and Peter. Great mean of God who did not care what anyone thought of them. They spoke truth, and got stoned and beaten for it. They had a message from the Lord to spread to the world. Yeah, what they sometimes had to say was harsh and difficult to hear, but in all of their black and whiteness, you could see the love from God pouring through them. They shone with the light of the Truth and were filled with the love of the Son. And that is where I want to be.
So yeah, that’s just a little glimpse into my thoughts as they came out onto this page. [That’s my disclaimer if they don’t make too much sense.]
most interesting�as i was reading the inside of what josh called �his head� and the comments that followed, i thought about josh�s character and giftings. i don�t claim to know josh really well. but there is one thing that i�ve noticed (along with others i�m sure), is that he has a strong prophetic gifting. with this gifting comes the black and white thinking. i agree with josh a 100%, but i see the other side just as well. i believe the Lord hates sin and that life is more black and white then we know. but i also think that we can become caught up in the black and white thinking, which make some religious and hard. However, I�ve noticed that people who do not operate in this gifting as strongly as some, may not feel that life is as black and white as others do. another thought accrued to me as well, those who believe in black and white, might want to be careful that they don�t become judgmental and closed. and the people who are defensive to what they feel is judgmental, are those who tend to feel judged themseleves. so to advocate josh (not that he need�s it, nor wants it), this is his site, his thoughts, and his opinions. i find josh and his site most interesting. i do not agree with him all the time. it challenges me to look at the way that he thinks and to get outside my own head and thinking. and if i were to be honest, it challenges me to not become judgmental of him. if he cannot be free to express himself on his site, then his site is purposeless. but the character of josh that i speak of and see, is one who is open to others thoughts and ideas and one who most importantly is open to the Lord. this does not mean that his opinion will change to be like ours. but then that is way God created us all uniquely. so in conclusion, Joshua, thanks for encouraging me to look at things differently. thank you for being open to others views. thank you for being yourself. keep it real!
thanks brad. i agree entirely. by the way… it was not my mom! i think i have a pretty good idea who it is after their last comment.
Not to be too harsh, as I was before, but…
My general rule of thumb for the internet combines two items:
1) Think carefully before you say something you wouldn’t say to their face. Or just don’t do it at all.
2) People rarely *respect* a faceless opinion. This is why relationships matter. “I know you” doesn’t suffice for me. Realize your comment may be completely ignored if you are faceless.
So to the anonymous, I understand your restriction. I, however, would not have said anything at all. Perhaps it’s the public sense of such a comment. Maybe next time you will talk to Josh in person and leave us out.
Either way, hopefully you will realize our “fire” was intended to be constructive. The internet is full of no-namers and frankly, we all get tired of seeing them write on *our* sites.
Apparently you were appropriate enough… I think you’ll slide. 🙂
And if you’re Josh’s mother, God forgive me! I really thought about that! :0 All respect to whoever you are.
i enjoy your friendship and even though sometimes i may think your witisisms are harsh it does NOT make me want to not be your friend. but if i released my name it would just cause unnescesary weirdness. all in all remember that i think you are great and this subject is really not a friend killer for me. i just wanted to make a random anonomous comment with a subject that i also deal with and am probably worse than anyone else so on that note, i’m so grateful for forgivness and jesus, also i am sorry if you took my comments as harsh they were not meant to be. they were meant to be constructive and not tearing down. i apoligize and will take whatever is thrown at me
firstly, thanks for the response on this. very interesting indeed. brad, that was cool – i always appreciate your thoughtful comments. darci… you can be a hot shot! 😉
to the person who thinks their name is not important… your comment was interesting. i am leaving it up for now but usually i just delete comments without names. if you believe something and have an opinion about it, be willing to stand behind your words. especially if you say you know me! your name is important to me.
Well, I totally didn’t read the last comment. Here’s being judgmental: use capitalization and paragraphs.
The two black and whites:
1) People define a higherarchy that governs all situations in their minds. This penetrates the 60s to the 90s. When they enter into a situation, this higherarchy, usually based on very few variables, takes presidence. This happens regardless of how many other variables are present. It’s like a scientist who doesn’t work in a clean lab… bound to error, often.
This is called legalism, and it affects us all. This black and white is why many Christians cannot succeed in “the big city”.
2) As opposed to defining a set of rules for every little thing in life (I thought Jesus brought freedom from religion…hmmm), some people build character. They desire to be like Christ in motivation, knowledge, and action. They realise that the character of God could be studied for years to no end, and so they continually model their character to be more like the person and less like the rules.
In any given situation, the presence of the Holy Ghost, his conviction, the character enstilled in their being, and their desire to act without wavering influence their decisions. These people are black and white, and we would say, “we know where they stand.” But no one, no one would call them legalistic. They have mastered “salt and light” without becoming grey.
Perhaps a similar supporting idea is the “bases” illustration for Christian living. I forget the exact bases (doh!). Nevertheless, the idea is that a person’s knowledge, skill, legal accuracy is last in line to being a willing participant in the kingdom building. It’s last base to seeking Christ, being faithful, available, and teachable.
Look at those we call legalistic. They run the bases backwards. They misunderstand the road, the criteria for Christian living.
I know that you, Josh, grew up in a very legalistic church environment. You are making a healthy transition to #2, from #1. I can honestly say that I see milestones in your life that speak to this.
At times you have been #1, and justified your decision under the veil of “black and white.” But… these times are fading fast as the character of God penetrates your life. It’s not that you are more educated; it’s a spiritual maturity.
That is a compliment of sorts. 🙂 You are always appreciated by me, friend.
WOW! I think that its awesome you express what you believe. I also agree that if you have strong oppinions than stand up for them and be who you are. By your actions you will show what you speak. Don’t hide, don’t try to mask what you believe in or believe to be truth.
I think its awesome, because God is totally teaching me how to do this my self. I am not a hot shot thats for sure I just know that God is good and I am blessed. He surely is teaching me so much. I am a sinner who is on her way to go all out for Jesus! Amen for the love that you give me Lord!
jesus spoke in parables. which weren’t always black and white but he desired for us to figure it out. if he told us exactly what to do all the time then our free will would be abolished and he would have a bunch of robots who were doing what they were supposed to be doing. sometimes it would be easier that way i think instead of falling every single day in a learning process but that is how he designed it to be, it being life. god doesn’t care about our opinions, at all. he doesn’t care if you think one of his kids are out of line or if they are making a mistake. he’s much more interested in what you are doing with your time and where he fits into your schedule. let him worry about the others. don’t get me wrong, i fiercly believe in accountability and know it can be hard to hear sometimes and i also see how people confuse the voice of judgment with accountability. i know people are quick to say “your bad and your judging people” but usually it is a cop out. i mean what if god told me to tell you that it grieves his heart when you watch mtv because he knows it causes your mind to lust. does that mean i’m judging you. or what if i see you rent a movie that obviously has nudity and i say. “you shouldn’t watch that” is that me judging or is it really the truth. people who say “don’t judge me” are usually trying to find a way out of their own convictions. on the other hand one who is black and white is not always the wholehearted. they are mostly the people who believe they’re right and things should be done their way because it just makes sense to them that way. i know how you are josh and the others to. your hearts are good and there is a hunger that follows you but the black and white thing can sometimes come off as stand offish and sort of christian snobbiness. i love you josh and your two mates more than you could know so please don’t take that wrong, but when you guys are black a lot of other people are white and vice versa. so what do we do in this case and how do we become family in this circumstance. what i do is i just let you be you and them be them. until god tells me otherwise it will remain that way. remember these great words “are you to good for this, what makes you the better man / one moment it’s whatever man then change style whatever man, mentality, let’s see all sides of reality / so what’s your take on normality / cause i don’t see as you see and you don’t see as i do. what might be normal to me may be abnormal to you / i won’t front to know all because only god does / but i do know where i’ve been and what i’ve seen and who i was / and who i am now and on the path that i’m headed / so much to be proud of and yet so much that i’ve regreted / but yet still yahweh you fulfill where i lack / put me on the right track and tell me never look back.