The FEAR FACTOR

I have stated several times that I do not believe that fear based conversions to Christianity are healthy and/or desirable. That being said, many Christian denominations have made the fear of “hell” the linchpin for turning one‘s life over to God. While I do admit that physical and spiritual torture, via fire and brimstone, ranks right up there with forced sodomy in the- “Please God! Noooooo!!!!”- department….I do not believe that the fear of eternal punishment is the best way to enter into a relationship. 


We all acknowledge that any human relationship built upon the premise of: “do what I say or I will punish you!” is dysfunctional to say the least, yet when it comes to a relationship with God, this is often the status quo. I don’t believe Joe Rogan (or anyone else for that matter) would want to host an eternal punishment game show where you either fear God and win prizes, or not believe and die screaming and burning in the smelly sulfur pit. Call me crazy- but besides a few select churches- I cannot envision too many advertising sponsors anteing up for those infernal time-slots!?!


I’m not here to debate over the existence or non-existence of Hell. My point is that churches who focus solely on believing in God so that they don’t go to hell are missing out on the entire ministry of Jesus Christ and the sacrificial-relational message contained within. Loving and serving one another is where we truly begin to evolve beyond the dogma of religion and arrive at a Christ centered ministry. The only thing hindering us is that we tend to love ourselves more than others. Ah, damnable state indeed!




So what is your opinion of Fear Based Conversions?

How do you define "fearing God"?

Guest Post: Misunderstood, Misused, and Misrepresented

Today we have the honor of having Matt Rose author our first ever guest post on 3-Foldcord! I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with him via the interwebs over the last year. He is a devout believer and relentless seeker of the most High God. He is also a very cool cat and sports an awesome green shirt in his Twitter profile picture (which I earnestly covet!) Be sure to visit Matt's blog-  An Open Book  and follow Matt on Twitter @MatthewSRose. Be sure to show him some love (or disagreement) in the comment section as well. 

Misunderstood, Misused, and Misrepresented

You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (Exodus 20:7, NIV)


When I think about the traditional Ten Commandments, this is one that just seems strange. It makes sense that we shouldn’t murder. It makes sense that we shouldn’t worship other gods. But what is all this talk about not misusing God’s name? Does it just mean that I need to say “OMGosh” instead of “OMG”? The ancient Hebrew people—the ones who first received this command from God—were so concerned about violating it that they wouldn’t even use his name. Essentially, to them, he was G-D. Or “The Lord” or “The Almighty One” or some other variation. I’m not saying we should never think twice about the words we speak or the way we speak them, but I am saying I believe there’s much more to this command.


In his book, It’s Not About Me, Max Lucado tells a story about an exchange he had with a rabbi. An exchange where Max did all the listening and walked away changed forever. Imagine, says the rabbi, a large corporation. The average worker doesn’t know the CEO personally, but most of them have met his daughter, because she works with them. She isn’t her father. She isn’t the CEO. But what the workers see of her shapes what they think of him. For better or for worse. And that, says the rabbi, is how we can misuse the name of the LORD our God. It’s all in how we live. It’s all in how we represent—or misrepresent—him.


So let’s ask the painful question: do those who know you see an accurate representation of God through your words and actions? Or are you misusing his name?


Do you study theology because you long to know God? Or do you just want to be known for knowing much? You might be misusing his name.


Do you show love to—and even defend—those whose lifestyle or culture is different than yours? Or do you justify your hatred—your lack of love—by calling it “righteous indignation” instead? You might be misusing his name.


Do you use your resources to help those in need? Or do you complain about the big government that is only trying to do what you should have been doing all along? You might be misusing his name.


In the end, misusing God’s name is not so much about what we say. And yet it’s all about what we say. Because our actions speak too. And they speak louder than our words.

Book Review and Giveaway!!!

Our latest review is entitled:  Pursuit of a Thirsty Fool by T.J MacLeslie.

I admire any Christian author who is brave enough reach inside themselves and dig into their soul and psyche, even at the risk of incommoding, and ultimately publicizing, his/her own vermin. That being said, MacLeslie not only digs, he travails and hacks at the roots of sins that have inundated his mind, body, and spirit. Of course none of this digging would be possible (or tolerable)  without the guidance and divine hand of the merciful God and Savior Jesus Christ AKA:  “The Master Gardener”.

This is Not a Blog about Birth Control

When I was 16 I found out my older sister was on birth control and I called her a slut. I was young and outspoken. I was new to a relationship with Christ and I hadn’t quite formed my own opinions yet, but I loudly shared what I thought I knew. And it was hurtful to my sister. Even though the only physical contact I had had with the male specimen was holding hands and I didn’t truly understand the weight of the word slut or anything about sex, my ignorant exclamation, even in it’s wrongness,, still stung when it fell on my sister’s ears. The fact of the matter is that I was upset that my sister was having sex outside of marriage- but my expectations were entirely unfair. The funny thing is, the expectations I had as an immature, not Biblically educated teenager, reflect the expectations of Christendom as a whole on today’s society.

Religious Despotism

Show me a man who is only devoted to a set of religious principles and I’ll show you a tyrant (or a despot in the making). There is a vast difference between a devotion to a set of principles and a devotion to a person. The Lord Jesus never proclaimed a cause; He proclaimed a personal devotion to himself. Now this does not only apply to man…it can also apply to a church or institution too.

My Criticism -My Judgment- My Fault

It is hard to admit that the average Christian is one of the most penetratingly critical individuals there is on the face of the earth; oftentimes there is nothing in me that resembles Jesus Christ. I must confess that I’m often guilty when it comes to being critical of others. Over the past couple weeks the Lord has shown me that having critical disposition is in stark contrast to His teachings. I have found that when I’m being critical of others…it is impossible for me to enter into communion with the Lord. The truth of the matter is: when I criticize another person, I have basically put myself above the person I’m criticizing. In this self elevation of ego, I have separated myself from another human being and made myself superior to him or her. I should never in any way take this position with another person, for it grieves the Holy Spirit.

Relational Regression

John 6:66,67 (Amplified Bible)
66 After this, many of His disciples drew back (returned to their old associations) and no longer accompanied Him.
67 Jesus said to the Twelve, Will you also go away? [And do you too desire to leave Me?]


Oh, the pain and abandonment Jesus must have felt! When it comes to relationships- I think we can all 'relate'... 


Are there certain relationships in your life that are so far from where you would like them to be that it often brings you to tears? When you contemplate these relationships do you wonder whether your friends and/or family ever think about you? Or if they even care at all? Yeah, me too.