Comments on: You Deserve That

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:53:54 +0000

Yes, I agree with the gist of your post. I’ve seen it in churches many times. It’s a kind of consumer mentality–or perhaps we could call it an entertainment mentality. “Make me happy to be here, or I’ll change the channel–or the church!” Sadly, many churches have capitulated to this. Their services have developed more dazzle than depth, more entertainment than edification.

But this mindset does have an inverse relationship to the Christian message. As sinners, we come to the cross and say, “I deserved that, all the condemnation and judgment poured out on Christ. But, through faith in Him, God in grace gives me what I don’t deserve, forgiveness, and life eternal, and a personal relationship with Him.

By: Ed Bahler

Ed Bahler — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:19:41 +0000

Marla,

I know what your talking about with some of the younger people. In some cases they’ve watched us and decided there must be a way more peaceful way.

But in the end as you suggest it’s a heart issue. We must guard it and we must own our contentment.

Godliness with contentment is a wonderful thing.

Thanks for sharing…love your passion.

By: Ed Bahler

Ed Bahler — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:16:28 +0000

Ann,

Thanks for your transparency. If we’re all honest our self talk is as bad as the commercials.

There’s work to do but we know there is a place of quiet rest near to the heart of God.

Dad

By: Marla Saunders

Marla Saunders — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:44:12 +0000

Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!! So frustrating.

And about the time I decide that the “I deserve this” mentality is a generational thing, I run into some amazing twenty somethings whose ethic and attitude puts my own to shame. So it’s not purely generational.

I think Ann has a key point when she says it’s partly stress and fatigue. There aren’t many people guarding their health anymore, and the system out there is not set up for energy input. It’s pretty much an energy drainer!

Entitlement. Yep…it costs us now and it’s going to cost this country in the future.

By: Ann

Ann — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:52:18 +0000

YES! It’s a big issue for the Luke and I as well as the other interns Luke worked with this year. I think it’s because of the lack of sleep and normal schedule that makes it hard not to horde free time for selfish activities and wanting those activities to meet expectations. Beyond our own experience, it’s very annoying that about every advertisement in some form alludes to the fact that we deserve just about everything when we don’t deserve anything. I think our culture works so hard that we’re all on the verge of burn out if we don’t watch it… making us more vulnerable to the “well, I deserve this because I need a break or reward” mentality.