Tag Archives: Switchfoot

How To Win Friends and Influence People For Jesus

Jesus is So Cool

Jesus is So Cool (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We’re all suckers for hype. That’s why it’s called hype. People go all crazy over something or someone and, pretty soon, we’re wanting to know what the big deal is. So we read the book, see the movie, visit the place, eat the food, or do the thing that they’re all doing.

So…do you get people hyped up about Jesus? Here’s some ideas how.

Rock The Jesus Music. I will admit, I don’t always listen to Christian music. I find a lot of it sounds like something that would be played in an elevator. Or like something my mom would listen to. Or like something my mom would listen to in an elevator. All that said and done, there is a lot of good Christian music out there, too. So, when you find it, blast it. Play it all the time and talk about why you like it so much. Sing. Dance. Worship. If you know me, you know there’s no denying how much I love Switchfoot and The Supertones. I get people listening to it. And then we talk about it. And then they think about it. And then they think about Him.

Rock The Jesus Books. I read my Bible almost every day. I have one sitting on my coffee table, one in my car, a digital one on my iPod, and about five on my bookshelf. They are torn, tattered, coffee-stained, and falling apart. But there’s no denying that there’s much Bible love in my house. Don’t you love talking to people about what you’re reading? And for me it’s not just the Bible, but Christian books! (Summer Intensive, anyone?) I read biographies, spiritual growth, theology, and (my favorite) Christian fiction. I want to be as hyped up about Christian books as I am about The Hunger Games. Are you?

Rock The Jesus Clothes. No, I’m not talking about cheesy Christian T-shirts with a Coke logo that says a Bible verse (sorry if you own that shirt…just a matter of preference.) It’s more about modesty. Dress well and dress excellently. Cute tops that don’t show skin. A skirt or a pair of shorts that no one could call too short. Jeans that don’t hug in all the right places. Show off your beauty without showing off your body. And when you walk around all fabulous and confident, people will notice there is something different about you. And you can tell them why.

Rock The Jesus Talk. Yes, quoting Scripture is good. But Jesus is big into using love. Kindness. Encouragement. Forgiveness. Joy. Use your words to love people in the name of Jesus. Be a listening ear and an encouraging friend. Don’t gossip, slander, or complain. Instead, use kindness, thoughtfulness, and humor to make yourself (and Jesus) the kind of person that people want to be around.

Rock The Jesus Walk. Your attitude speaks volumes. The way you respond when your parents and teachers ask you for something. The way you drive. The way you react in the midst of conflict. The way you spend your time. Each moment you are around other people is a chance to influence them for Christ. Are you?

Question: How are you influencing your family and friends for Christ? How can you do it better? Which one of these is the easiest for you? Which one is the hardest?


Why You Should Like Things That Suck

Shadows in the late afternoon.

Shadows in the late afternoon. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I hate birds. And frogs.

Grocery shopping in the rain is one of the most miserable experiences of all time.

Traffic makes me cringe.

Smokers make me want to throw up.

This world is full of things that suck. Big things. Little things. Daily things. Once in a while things. It seems like there’s always something that will make us sigh in frustration, roll our eyes, and grumble in our hearts.

Here’s the thing – we need those things.

Grocery shopping in the rain helps me to really appreciate when it is sunny and dry.

Traffic helps me smile when I cruise down the road (at the speed limit, of course) with nothing to stop me.

Smokers help me appreciate places I can go where the air is clean.

Those daily, monthly, momentary or long-lasting joy suckers don’t need to be simply that. They can be reminders of the things that don’t suck. They can remind us that, when we weigh awesome versus sucky, awesome always wins. They remind us of what the Scriptures say:

“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Not only are there more wonderful things in this world than terrible, those terrible things are reminders that this world is not our home. After all, if we had everything terrific and perfect in this life all the time, why would we want heaven?

In the words of Switchfoot, “The shadow proves the sunshine.”

Don’t let sucky things get you down. Instead, let them serve as a refreshing reminder of the good we have in this life and the greatness of the life to come.

Question: What are little things that make a big (negative) impact on your heart and attitude? How can you turn those things around to remind you of the greatness of God? What are you looking forward to leaving behind in this life when you move on to spend eternity with Jesus?


Are You Just Like Everybody Else Your Age?

In light of the blogs I posted this week, here’s one of my faves from Switchfoot. Just because everyone else is doing it…

 
“Chem 6a”

Nothing but a chemical in my head
It’s nothing but laziness
Cause I don’t wanna read the book
I’ll watch the movie
Cause it’s not me
I’m just like everybody else my age

I think I’d rather play around
And I think I’d rather watch TV
Cause I don’t wanna face my fears
I’ll watch the movie
Cause it’s not me
I’m just like everybody else
I’m just like everybody else

Because I don’t wanna be here
I don’t wanna see this now
It’s all wrong but it’s alright
And I don’t wanna be here
And I don’t wanna study now
It’s all wrong but it’s alright

I don’t know what love is
I don’t know who I am
And if I ever want to find out
I’ll watch the movie
Cause it’s not me
I’m just like everybody else my age

I don’t wanna change the world
And I don’t wanna be someone
I don’t wanna write the book
I’ll make the movie
Cause it’s not me
I’m just like everybody else
I’m just like everybody else

I don’t wanna be here
I don’t wanna see this now
It’s all wrong but it’s alright
And I don’t wanna be here
And I don’t wanna study now
It’s all wrong but it’s alright


Video Viernes #15

Because #1 – These guys are my favorite in the WORLD and #2 – The lyrics to this song are amazing. “For all have sinned…”


Video Viernes #2

An oldie but a goodie by my FAVORITE band in the world with a fabulous message for all us tough girls: no one looses their toughness overnight. It’s a slow fade, one little decision, one little compromise after the other. Thanks for the video, baby Switchfoot.

Best line in the video: “Have I won Monopoly but forfeit my soul?”

Do you notice what the guy is stamping on the papers?


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