Average Joey
May 9th, 2005, 04:56 AM
A friend of mine wrote this on his blog.He has worked with child care services for 15 years and recently has spoken out about situations within it and even the rest of the world.
Bubblegum Believers
I’ve heard the word “bubblegum” used to describe music for years. If you enjoy what used to be called “Top 40” music, then you are into “bubblegum music”. It’s used as a subtle insult because supposedly, this type of music is sweet, sugary, meaningless fluff. There is a wide audience today looking for deeper meaning in their music. They want angst, pain, life lessons, an over all “deepness” in their music. These people buy underground CD’s, visit clubs you’ve never heard of to listen to bands that feel and mean what they play and sing. The artists write all of their own songs, don’t believe in “remixing”, and would never lip-synch even if their life depended on it.
But I’m not here to write about music. However I do see a strong comparison within Christianity today. I see and know many “bubblegum believers”. They are easy to spot, they look happy, and they even often sound happy. They claim to have “purpose” and “spiritual gifts”. They are often “touchy-feely” having an almost need to slap you or pat you on the back, or even drape their arm over your shoulder as they lean in close to speak with you. They seem to want to be everyone’s new best friend.
Now, why’s that so bad? I mean doesn’t the church need happier, friendlier people? Aren’t we supposed to be warm and welcoming? In many ways sure! But what I find amongst the bubblegum believers is that they seem to be on a “sugar high” that often fades the minute they have to apply any part of Christianity that would cause them to be uncomfortable in any way. So long as they are getting what they want moment-by-moment, day-by-day, their smile and charm remains. The second they encounter any type of struggle or even slight inconvenience, they change. The “sugar high” ends, the bubblegum gets stale, and they are not happy about it. “Bubblegum believers” tend to be friends to the world, believing that winning sinners over is their responsibility and if they just smile and nod they will win many to the Lord with their ability to seem accepting of just about anything. If they get them into the church, or a Rick Warren book, God will do the rest. If they can just get them to see Christianity as a cool, or exciting (bubblegum) then their part is done. After all, God has a purpose for everyone! Claim your rightful place as an heir of the Lord! Speak to your mountain! Stand up to your giant! Finding Christ is the answer to the doldrums of life! His taste is so sweet, His flavor long lasting! You can’t go wrong with Jesus!
Trouble is, those who listen to this advertisement and come to find peace, and long lasting bubblegum enjoyment get dismayed the second something goes wrong. When they wake up and their family life is still a mess, when their feelings of anger, frustration, or even hate do not instantly fade away. When what they want doesn’t look any more likely to happen today as it did before Jesus.
The “bubblegum” believers get frustrated when new converts, or those they are trying to sell their bubblegum to ask hard questions. “Just pop Jesus into your life and all will be well” is the message they give others. Jesus will fix everything for you. Smile, slap someone on the back, give someone a hug, and just believe! If one is not satisfied with this, it’s their fault. I mean they have been given the bubblegum, if they can’t enjoy it then it has to be their problem right? Certainly the “bubblegum believers” don’t have to go out of their way. Surely the “bubblegum” believers have done their part. They have shared, they have offered, they have lived as a role model. Their part is surely done right?
Here in lies the problem with many Christians within the childcare industry. The majority of them are “bubblegum believers”. The thought that Christians are called to suffer is appalling to them, that as a witness for Jesus Christ, you may have to live a life of frequent emotional pain is just not acceptable to them. Forget that whole “pick up your cross and follow me” business, we are called to be victorious! We are over comers!
“Bubblegum believers” would have been the one’s two thousand years ago calling for Christ to stop all that talk about the cross and instead defeat the Roman armies and rule from the Kingdom of earthly Israel. A suffering dying Messiah would not have been for them. These “bubblegum believers” work with children and insist that Jesus is the cure all for the pain and suffering these kids have been through. Did your mom beat you? Jesus will make it all better! Sexually abused by several males in your family? Just accept Jesus and He will give you a purpose! Yes, bubblegum Jesus will make you forget all your troubles while putting a jive in your step. Problem is, when a child accepts “bubblegum Jesus” or at least begins to consider it; the “bubblegum believers” think the path to the cure all has been started on. So, when the child reverts to their old behaviors, when they act disrespectful, mean spirited, selfish, or rude, the “bubblegum believer” is perplexed and often annoyed. After all, they’ve shared the secrete!
Christianity is difficult. Telling hurt and abused children that it is easy is a lie. The words Jesus spoke are not easy words. His example is not a simple plan to contentment and peace. In fact, just the opposite is true and that is why there is so few that find it. Jesus told us that the broad road is full and well traveled because it’s path is easy to traverse. No one wants to travel a long, windy, difficult path. “Bubblegum believers” don’t even want to point that way out! They have discovered an easier way to get to where Jesus was going. He didn’t mean we actually might have to suffer.
Matt 16: 24Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? 27For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
Sound hard? It is! We can’t be a friend to the world if we are in Christ. We must realize that we are lost, pitiful sinners in desperate need of salvation. We must repent of our sins and call out to the Lord for salvation. We must turn our backs on the world and its ways, deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him. We will encounter frustration, sadness, pain, and suffering, but we must keep going. We can expect those who are not in Christ to hate us, to persecute us, to come against us. In fact, if we don’t encounter this, something is wrong.
JOHN 15:18"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: 'They hated me without a cause.'
It is my prayer that the many “bubblegum believers” within the childcare industry would wise up, realize that they are called to suffer for Christ and lay down their lives for the children they serve. Only then will the elect among those children hear the call of our Lord in their heart and turn to Him. Until then, they are trying to feast on bubblegum. The sugar high will continue to end with bitter results, and those believers using the bubblegum as their only source of nutrition will continue to be stymied, and of no help to anyone.
John 15
I Am the True Vine
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15No longer do I call you servants,[a] for the servant[b] does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Adam Leavelle
Bubblegum Believers
I’ve heard the word “bubblegum” used to describe music for years. If you enjoy what used to be called “Top 40” music, then you are into “bubblegum music”. It’s used as a subtle insult because supposedly, this type of music is sweet, sugary, meaningless fluff. There is a wide audience today looking for deeper meaning in their music. They want angst, pain, life lessons, an over all “deepness” in their music. These people buy underground CD’s, visit clubs you’ve never heard of to listen to bands that feel and mean what they play and sing. The artists write all of their own songs, don’t believe in “remixing”, and would never lip-synch even if their life depended on it.
But I’m not here to write about music. However I do see a strong comparison within Christianity today. I see and know many “bubblegum believers”. They are easy to spot, they look happy, and they even often sound happy. They claim to have “purpose” and “spiritual gifts”. They are often “touchy-feely” having an almost need to slap you or pat you on the back, or even drape their arm over your shoulder as they lean in close to speak with you. They seem to want to be everyone’s new best friend.
Now, why’s that so bad? I mean doesn’t the church need happier, friendlier people? Aren’t we supposed to be warm and welcoming? In many ways sure! But what I find amongst the bubblegum believers is that they seem to be on a “sugar high” that often fades the minute they have to apply any part of Christianity that would cause them to be uncomfortable in any way. So long as they are getting what they want moment-by-moment, day-by-day, their smile and charm remains. The second they encounter any type of struggle or even slight inconvenience, they change. The “sugar high” ends, the bubblegum gets stale, and they are not happy about it. “Bubblegum believers” tend to be friends to the world, believing that winning sinners over is their responsibility and if they just smile and nod they will win many to the Lord with their ability to seem accepting of just about anything. If they get them into the church, or a Rick Warren book, God will do the rest. If they can just get them to see Christianity as a cool, or exciting (bubblegum) then their part is done. After all, God has a purpose for everyone! Claim your rightful place as an heir of the Lord! Speak to your mountain! Stand up to your giant! Finding Christ is the answer to the doldrums of life! His taste is so sweet, His flavor long lasting! You can’t go wrong with Jesus!
Trouble is, those who listen to this advertisement and come to find peace, and long lasting bubblegum enjoyment get dismayed the second something goes wrong. When they wake up and their family life is still a mess, when their feelings of anger, frustration, or even hate do not instantly fade away. When what they want doesn’t look any more likely to happen today as it did before Jesus.
The “bubblegum” believers get frustrated when new converts, or those they are trying to sell their bubblegum to ask hard questions. “Just pop Jesus into your life and all will be well” is the message they give others. Jesus will fix everything for you. Smile, slap someone on the back, give someone a hug, and just believe! If one is not satisfied with this, it’s their fault. I mean they have been given the bubblegum, if they can’t enjoy it then it has to be their problem right? Certainly the “bubblegum believers” don’t have to go out of their way. Surely the “bubblegum” believers have done their part. They have shared, they have offered, they have lived as a role model. Their part is surely done right?
Here in lies the problem with many Christians within the childcare industry. The majority of them are “bubblegum believers”. The thought that Christians are called to suffer is appalling to them, that as a witness for Jesus Christ, you may have to live a life of frequent emotional pain is just not acceptable to them. Forget that whole “pick up your cross and follow me” business, we are called to be victorious! We are over comers!
“Bubblegum believers” would have been the one’s two thousand years ago calling for Christ to stop all that talk about the cross and instead defeat the Roman armies and rule from the Kingdom of earthly Israel. A suffering dying Messiah would not have been for them. These “bubblegum believers” work with children and insist that Jesus is the cure all for the pain and suffering these kids have been through. Did your mom beat you? Jesus will make it all better! Sexually abused by several males in your family? Just accept Jesus and He will give you a purpose! Yes, bubblegum Jesus will make you forget all your troubles while putting a jive in your step. Problem is, when a child accepts “bubblegum Jesus” or at least begins to consider it; the “bubblegum believers” think the path to the cure all has been started on. So, when the child reverts to their old behaviors, when they act disrespectful, mean spirited, selfish, or rude, the “bubblegum believer” is perplexed and often annoyed. After all, they’ve shared the secrete!
Christianity is difficult. Telling hurt and abused children that it is easy is a lie. The words Jesus spoke are not easy words. His example is not a simple plan to contentment and peace. In fact, just the opposite is true and that is why there is so few that find it. Jesus told us that the broad road is full and well traveled because it’s path is easy to traverse. No one wants to travel a long, windy, difficult path. “Bubblegum believers” don’t even want to point that way out! They have discovered an easier way to get to where Jesus was going. He didn’t mean we actually might have to suffer.
Matt 16: 24Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? 27For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
Sound hard? It is! We can’t be a friend to the world if we are in Christ. We must realize that we are lost, pitiful sinners in desperate need of salvation. We must repent of our sins and call out to the Lord for salvation. We must turn our backs on the world and its ways, deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Him. We will encounter frustration, sadness, pain, and suffering, but we must keep going. We can expect those who are not in Christ to hate us, to persecute us, to come against us. In fact, if we don’t encounter this, something is wrong.
JOHN 15:18"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: 'They hated me without a cause.'
It is my prayer that the many “bubblegum believers” within the childcare industry would wise up, realize that they are called to suffer for Christ and lay down their lives for the children they serve. Only then will the elect among those children hear the call of our Lord in their heart and turn to Him. Until then, they are trying to feast on bubblegum. The sugar high will continue to end with bitter results, and those believers using the bubblegum as their only source of nutrition will continue to be stymied, and of no help to anyone.
John 15
I Am the True Vine
1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15No longer do I call you servants,[a] for the servant[b] does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Adam Leavelle