Nimrods

 
I’m in Wisconsin in the Northwoods on vacation with 4/5ths of my family and I had to stop and catch a picture.

Nimrod was a mighty hunter in the Bible and the name means mighty hunter which makes sense in the Northwoods. But nimrod has also came to mean a silly or stupid person, which is what most of us think of when we hear the name. The actual mascot was nowhere to be found so when they have their high school football games, I can only guess as to whether or not they have a “mighty hunter” mascot or a Chris Farley mascot.

Evidently Jay Leno has even been up here to film a segment for his show, wondering what you do with so many nimrods.

The thought that crossed my mind was the word “Christian.” A lot of times when the world hears the word “Christian” they think “nimrod” (and not the nice one). Why? Because Christians can be nimrods, of course!

I received an email this week from a woman who grew up in a nimrod church and left her faith completely. I just spent several weeks on the topic WWJH-Barriers-Legalism. It makes me sad. Most people actually have a great impression of Jesus, but many of them hate dealing with his followers. I guess I’m in that category sometimes.

But have no fear, Nimrod is here. If the great people of Watersmeet (which is evidently where the waters meet) Wisconsin can redeem the mighty name of Nimrod – we should be up to the challenge of redeeming the name Christian.

How, you may ask? By living like Jesus and not like Nimrods. (Oh, I’m going to get a lot of mileage out of this one). Jesus loved everyone – but he ESPECIALLY loved the ones who weren’t religious. He didn’t condemn the sinners, he didn’t burn their books, he didn’t look down on them because he was better than them (and he was the only one who ever could have), he just loved them. And when they were mean to him, he turned the other cheek and kept on loving and forgiving.
 
I don’t know who needs to hear this today – but I hope God is calling you to redeem the name. Stop doing the stuff that gives us a bad name, and start redeeming the name Christian. Christ-follower. Don’t be a nimrod. 

J

God can help us to change the image. God is powerful enough to shine through us, he doesn’t need our help. We just need to let him flow through us.

It’s like me at Bond Falls.
 
The water doesn’t need my help, does it?

Tim

PS - Here is a video of my little friend Stevie who I talked about last week – doing his best PT Father’s Day imitation.  Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Stevie Transforming

 

Also Chase Bank has a Give $250,000 Away on Facebook Campaign.  Check out (vote if you want) the Krochet Kids – a Christian non-profit that teaches women in Uganda to crochet to support themselves. Here is their website and link to vote as well as a video. Krochet Kids   Vote

Comments

[Debbie Hotchkiss]

Not able to view video. I got a message that it's private and I need to sign in.

[Parkview]

Try again, Debbie. Should be good now. :-)

[Mr. Puggle®]

Stevie! Way to go dude! Love the lil' dance at the end.

The Krochet Kids video was really creative. What a cool loft. Thanks for sharing.