Sunday, April 23, 2023

Reflection - Dennis DeHaan - Cafeteria Christianity

Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 50, "Cafeteria Christianity", Page 58.
By Dennis DeHaan, Our Daily Bread Author


 Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. - Mark 8:34
PHOTO: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. - Mark 8:34
Read: Mark 8:34-38

In his book Thinking in the Future Tense, author and lecturer Edward B. Lindaman refers to "the cafeteria culture of our age." It's the tendency to shy away from life's unpleasant disciplines and seek only what brings immediate pleasure.

Christians are not exempt from this tendency. Some persuasive preachers promote an "abundant life" of success and prosperity through positive thinking, more faith, or giving money to get God's blessing in return.

The Bible, of course, teaches us to think positively (Philippians 4:8) and to give liberally (2 Corinthians 8:2), But this kind of preaching lacks the nourishing truths of Christ's sacrifice for sin and His demand for godly living. Our God is not only loving, good, and generous, but He is also righteous, holy, and demanding. He hates sin and will not compromise with evil.

It's wonderful to hear about the blessings Christ offers, but we also need to experience repentance and self-denial. The picking and choosing of a cafeteria-style Christianity is no substitute for a well-rounded diet, which includes the tough truths of taking up Christ's cross and following Him (Mark 8:34). That kind of nourishment stimulates the growth of spiritual muscle and Christlike character. And I need all of that I can get, don't you?

To be conformed to Christ, let God's Spirit form Christ in you.
Picture posted by One Lost Sheep
 

 Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. - Mark 8:34
PHOTO: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. - Mark 8:34
Picture posted by Imagens Biblicas on Friday, 14 January 2011 at 13:54
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIonJiuXHsGhRxmiPzzpg1eMlI4f33jSJ1No4pPPrVQnWIzW_Ygkefj_D_aVeTL9IecmvJd0Ro5bGwcyur5PkfR4Pl-dZRqSR2KRVP3UJva44bRdQSKwwSxEETCpxoeghqBECwa9cdivuZV0woeZEQtyMt9pPzZZt0L8IfIIUTKpDMalccgr_oiZB-/s1075/0-jesus-16.jpg
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http://biblicasimagens.blogspot.com/2011/01/andar-com-meu-senhor.html


In his book Thinking in the Future Tense, author and lecturer Edward B. Lindaman refers to "the cafeteria culture of our age." It's the tendency to shy away from life's unpleasant disciplines and seek only what brings immediate pleasure.


 In his book Thinking in the Future Tense, author and lecturer Edward B. Lindaman refers to 'the cafeteria culture of our age.'
PHOTO: In his book Thinking in the Future Tense, author and lecturer Edward B. Lindaman refers to "the cafeteria culture of our age." It's the tendency to shy away from life's unpleasant disciplines and seek only what brings immediate pleasure.
Picture posted by Barker Books & Vintage
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHgQTIt3Sy49aL-7GkkoexiErLE-zhrf3c4nTqsKDByH_Vc2M0a7kou0Jw8OQruob5xV1sc-0XuPeelFDlQHjeB5rrw0qviPJY6wu3ALU2vCksFPPSdrQrKjvlakZky6-RurtbcQTSYwGEGQtkbQH_ZxfN8CSePVE8lTT125bQ0B6JJXDm3njnaZ3/s1607/29128.webp
https://barkerbooksandvintage.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/29128.jpg?v=1621718387
https://www.barkerbooksandvintage.com/pages/books/29128/edward-b-lindaman/thinking-in-the-future-tense


Christians are not exempt from this tendency. Some persuasive preachers promote an "abundant life" of success and prosperity through positive thinking, more faith, or giving money to get God's blessing in return.


 Christians are not exempt from this tendency.
PHOTO: Christians are not exempt from this tendency. Some persuasive preachers promote an "abundant life" of success and prosperity through positive thinking, more faith, or giving money to get God's blessing in return.
Picture posted by Missionaries of Prayer on 13 September 2015
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQIJVLFXLyON-FdwDFp0JK28rga-vDVaRBUsGfYX3EZec-sBQgTZ9vfQt2vZsM9l4HqHHzWdfetqJZPZd_SjYUViws511COFZsXTnr8r-MuIzUbS7tJdFzO9NXms6YYOs5Kt6ZkwHzezkibRcIlSqjtMluxputCngpePfEMFD3CqH1gk_rzmcedDM/s800/matthew-13-prayer-hundredfold-blessing-800x800.jpg
https://www.missionariesofprayer.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/matthew-13-prayer-hundredfold-blessing.jpg
https://www.missionariesofprayer.org/2015/09/praying-for-a-hundredfold-blessing-on-your-harvest-matthew-13-3-9/


The Bible, of course, teaches us to think positively (Philippians 4:8) and to give liberally (2 Corinthians 8:2), But this kind of preaching lacks the nourishing truths of Christ's sacrifice for sin and His demand for godly living. Our God is not only loving, good, and generous, but He is also righteous, holy, and demanding. He hates sin and will not compromise with evil.


 The Bible, of course, teaches us to think positively (Philippians 4:8) and to give liberally (2 Corinthians 8:2),
PHOTO: The Bible, of course, teaches us to think positively (Philippians 4:8) and to give liberally (2 Corinthians 8:2), But this kind of preaching lacks the nourishing truths of Christ's sacrifice for sin and His demand for godly living. Our God is not only loving, good, and generous, but He is also righteous, holy, and demanding. He hates sin and will not compromise with evil.
Picture posted by Fr Vic Kevin Ferrer, Dominus Est on 07 April 2019
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8ytUKKnk-ChIzlAnV-MA1o3NoV0Z8xC55dE0gpMVhNCVRO3Ec50T5yKPUo-ucxk0TxUB1KrTikA2d-9qCWyEQE6KqR7SlhxWyBNp0G4xRYbb2D43rxnvCZFRZeAuHG6p6QGPRz10Mk53SUO9MROsRSbEikcOj015gP-hV0cK1TEygVaxBr-LMIuO/s1000/20f0a8_3d557c5fcbc84bc5b5d7acbc6612c663~mv2.png
https://static.wixstatic.com/media/20f0a8_3d557c5fcbc84bc5b5d7acbc6612c663~mv2.png
https://www.dominusest.ph/post/there-is-only-one-perfect-sacrifice-to-god-the-father-good-friday-reflection


It's wonderful to hear about the blessings Christ offers, but we also need to experience repentance and self-denial. The picking and choosing of a cafeteria-style Christianity is no substitute for a well-rounded diet, which includes the tough truths of taking up Christ's cross and following Him (Mark 8:34). That kind of nourishment stimulates the growth of spiritual muscle and Christlike character. And I need all of that I can get, don't you?


 It's wonderful to hear about the blessings Christ offers, but we also need to experience repentance and self-denial.
PHOTO: It's wonderful to hear about the blessings Christ offers, but we also need to experience repentance and self-denial. The picking and choosing of a cafeteria-style Christianity is no substitute for a well-rounded diet, which includes the tough truths of taking up Christ's cross and following Him (Mark 8:34). That kind of nourishment stimulates the growth of spiritual muscle and Christlike character. And I need all of that I can get, don't you?
Picture posted by Flash media
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0mYI_8DrsBAfWguxp9Vf2mOyvTBGkiWQ-znpgXGUK6uT3-L8LCfPWSzMwoxiNqisRRq9SuCM2K-oHu5Wwq5wu51XzGxiO8gJUXk9Io3XSib-gybg-7zjxOVLsf_F0B44KZ0OK2w_ZFmJ0DB3VA6Wd9vj8b3HFNCW8BgsfMOj_f2EEKByPjxrPKtX/s899/img_202324_126035ea_1677751199892_sc_1.png
https://cdn4.sharechat.com/img_202324_126035ea_1677751199892_sc.jpg?tenant=sc&referrer=post-rendering-service
https://sharechat.com/tag/B0y18N/image?referrer=loadMorePostsAMP&offset=0.5


To be conformed to Christ, let God's Spirit form Christ in you.

 To be conformed to Christ, let God's Spirit form Christ in you.
PHOTO: To be conformed to Christ, let God's Spirit form Christ in you.
Photo from DNY59 / Getty Images
Picture posted by Scott P. Richert, Learn Religions on 15 January 2019
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6OmtUuR_X9w2O6lNNSBkG_38aSSLaWGBSwf0MfoajHeWyQ8cs6CHScxI0h9mOsEevZxfJdkkN_H51NhxXlwa71xQQLnBvFaSMrTxr2j9kwVx-I4c4Et2E_kDTV7NG2JAURtsqqq80tqd4nKHkWZ4so_lSiH0zQkQW6oJAI5BuNrxY8IqiGDs9zSH/s1500/GettyImages-155279714-5c3e4b05c9e77c00019c3a67.webp
https://www.learnreligions.com/thmb/auiSmiQQxY5wvmMtQpVBbCpk7tE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-155279714-5c3e4b05c9e77c00019c3a67.jpg
https://www.learnreligions.com/the-fruits-of-the-holy-spirit-542103
 

 Reflect and Pray
PHOTO: Reflect and Pray
From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakening;
Not thus are spirits fortified.
Not this way went the Crucified. - Carmichael
Picture posted by ☺☻Дя∩Θ∟ם™☻☺ on 11 November 2010
Reflection - Dennis DeHaan - Cafeteria Christianity
Source (book): "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Chapter 50, "Cafeteria Christianity", Page 58.
By Dennis DeHaan, Our Daily Bread Author



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Reference
[1] From "Classic Gem: Timeless Devotions from Our Daily Bread Authors", Copyright © 2021 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Chapter 50, "Cafeteria Christianity", Page 58.


Links


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