What does the Cross mean to you?

A couple days ago I heard a segment on the radio talking about what the cross actually means. I thought it was quite interesting as I had been thinking about that subject recently. The cross has so many different meanings in the world these days. Here are some of them:

- A symbol to distinguish christians

- A fashion ornament for celebrities and urban style

- A shorthand in writing for Jesus

- An illustration of Easter

- A sign for a church

- Something we link with Jesus

- The way Jesus died

I think we have all, christians included, forgotten the true meaning and significance of the cross. In the roman empire, crucifixion, or execution on a cross, was the most gruesome punishment considered. So much so, that roman citizens were exempt to being sentenced to death this way - subject to overrule by the emperor. The cross symbolised death in its most horrific form.

When we see a cross and speak of the cross, and even associate ourselves with the cross, we should be reminded of the lengths that Jesus went to take away our sins - his death on the cross. We should be reminded of the mercy of God - that we were destined to die, an eternal death, and God sent Jesus to take our place on the cross that we associate ourselves with. And we also should be reminded of our lives too - in light of Jesus on the cross. Our response is a life being a living sacrifice to worship God.

So what does the cross mean to you? Is it just two straight lines intersecting? Is it just an ornament? Or is it much more?

A Balanced Life - Gaming

I like most of Mark Driscoll's stuff, but I think some of his spiels (as with other notable preachers) I think just go too much to the extreme. This is one of the dangers of teaching/modelling from one side of the spectrum to the other.

In this video, Driscoll says gaming is stupid, its an alternative to living truly for Jesus, amongst other comments.

I disagree with Driscoll in most of the comments in this video, and my concern is that people will either watch this and take his extreme stance, or be turned off from Christianity. There is no problem with gaming in itself. Games are great - they are a good way to relax, a good way to keep your brain ticking, a good way of playing with others. Just like anything else, when gaming takes over your life, or when there is too much gaming, then there are problems. Its like fat - humans actually need to consume fat as part of a healthy diet, but when humans eat too much fat, a lot of problems eventuate. The key is to have a balanced lifestyle and also making sure gaming has not become a little god in your life.