Uncovering the heart behind Jefferson Bethke's controversial words

I'm so happy Jefferson Bethke has come clean, apologizing for his rap, which downed hypocrisy in religion. Because of my experiences with people steeped in tradition, defined more by their religious practice than their relationship with Christ; my initial response was Amen to his between-the-lines cry for real religion. I agree with what he sought to promote, a heart Christianity, which shows itself in a life of integrity. We need be careful to live by the religion of the heart, a growing relationship with Christ.
1. Our outward show of Christianity needs to be the kind that draws others to Christ, not ourselves. 
Christ performed miracles and received worship but lived to be in His Father's presence. His miracles were a mere medium to help others, not help himself to their praise and adulation. The moment we become so sold on our brand of Christianity that we exclude others, failing to live inclusively within the body of Christ, is the moment we placate others within the body, not winning the world by our love.
2.  Our purpose must be to bind the broken and guide the blind.
Christ priority was the real physical needs of people. Yes, men roamed without Shepherd; but His first concern was showing he cared. As His heart for them became evident, He felt permission to speak words of salvation to them. There were times when His way with people way outside this grid; for example, his dealings with the woman of Samaria, who he dealt with sarcastically before bringing her to the realization that her needs were met in Him. But Christ's way generally is caring words, helpful deeds, before transforming message. It's high time we take great care to spread love in and out of the household of faith, so they may know and experience Christ by our love.
3. We need to speak clearly especially when we cry against hypocrisy.
Christ was radical, calling out pretense in religion. Five of the six types of Pharisees were the false kind, who were privy to his words of judgment. Steeped in tradition, a far cry from the giving life, He lived by; Christ excoriated the Pharisees for their white-walled religion. He spoke lucidly decrying their practice of faith to the exclusion of possessing true faith. It was their show of God, without heart for God that compelled Him to cry against their virtueless religion. Jefferson's cry and the outcry of many against his plea for true Christianity reminded me much of the angst Christ encountered as He seemed to belittle the very religion the Pharisees practiced; Jefferson's heart is pure gold and his words have already  bettered our church's teens. Where Jefferson failed I believe is in his use of the word "religion." The more we decry  "religion" rather than promoting the worth of true religion: the more we'll turn the unreached against the idea of religion in any form, even heart religion, a real, transforming relationship with Christ that helps others in Christ's church and touches the broken in society at large. 
God heart is that we be clear LED light, which radiates through our planet with the life of Christ. To be a light to others is to expose their darkness too. God help us be clean as we live in true union with Him, manning Christ's mission well, not bringing offense to the cross by our conduct.

Tebow: Religious show or Da Truth

So much to muse on this week but the Tebow phenomenon is the topic of choice. Living in a world of self-made men, where God's name is given voice to appear humble when victorious; Tebow is a great cup of tea. With Tebow, God isn't a genie in a bottle or frosting on the cake-God is life and victory for him. Tebow has a deep realization that his time in preparation and prowess as a football player are just part of his fulfilling his life purpose. His life is for God's glory. Admittedly, his praise song singing and open prayer seem ostentatious and better done in private; but the truth is Tebow does those things for him, more than he does it for us. The praise songs lift and lighten his spirit; prayer clears his head. Many criticize his show of faith, but Tebow needs to do what helps him succeed. I think the reason his overt, righteous ways don't sit well with us has to do with the failures of many who have worn their religion on their sleeves. I believe Tebow's rise is not on accident. His Justin Bieber-like peak has placed God front and center-for all to see. The transforming impact faith can have is evident to all and more importantly, many are forced to consider just how different their lives could be for placing their faith in God's power. I thank God for the impact of Tebow's life, more than his show of faith. I understand that were he not willing to show his Christianity; God wouldn't be the talking point of the world right now.

Great prayer

“Tell God all that is in your heart, as one unloads one's heart, it's pleasures, and it's pains, to a dear friend. 

Tell him your troubles, that he may comfort you; tell him your joys, that he may sober them; tell him your longings, that he may purify them; tell him your dislikes, that he may help you conquer them; talk to him of your temptations, that he may shield you from them; show him the wounds of your heart, that he may heal them; lay bare your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for evil, your instability. Tell him how self-love makes you unjust to others, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, how pride disguises you to yourself and others.

If you thus pour out your weaknesses, needs, troubles, there will be no lack of what to say. You will never exhaust the subject. It is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets from each other never want for subject of conversation. They do not weigh their words, for there is nothing to be held back, neither do they seek for something to say. They talk out of the abundance of their heart, without consideration they say just what they think. Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved intercourse with God.”
Francois De La Mothe Fenelon, Archbishop of Cambrai