Get Real Super Powers

Public Domain, Fleschier Superman, 1940

Superman is a Christian. I just realized this earlier this week. True, he was created by two Jewish boys--but like every person on this earth he was converted into Christianity. Everything Superman does and believes in is Christian. Superman believes in protecting everyone. There is no evil in his heart. His forgiveness is Christ-like. No other superhero has such a high moral character. It is against Superman’s nature to lie and he always tells the truth. And just like Jesus Christ, Superman is willing to sacrifice himself, even his own life to save the life of others. To my knowledge his comic book creators have never acknowledge his Christianity---but they never had to. Like a true Christian Superman’s way of life, what he has practiced all of his life, is Christian.

His powers also show his connection to Jesus. Superman can walk on water, just like Jesus did. Superman can move at superhuman speeds. In one instance Jesus Christ, without a boat, beat his disciplines in crossing the other side of the sea. Superman can turn coal into a diamonds. Jesus Christ turned water into wine. Jesus once said that with great faith a person can move a mountain. Superman moves mountains. When Superman died at the hands of Doomsday, he came back to life; just like Jesus was resurrected after his crucifixion.

And what about that big iconic S symbol on his chest? His symbol are two fishes drawn next two each other. A fish is a symbol which represents Christianity. Additionally, the S represents Savior, Saved, Salvation, Son, Spirit, and Sacrifice. Above all the symbol represents “hope”. Just like the cross of Jesus which represent life, hope, love and peace. The great difference is that Superman is a fictional character. Jesus Christ is real. When life is to hard to handle. When I cannot take the pain and suffering anymore, I can turn to Jesus Christ with great confidence and He will rescue me. There is no other superhero like Jesus Christ---not even a superman.

Christians With Superpowers

Christians with Superpowers

As a kid I used to think that having superpowers would be the coolest thing. Most boys imagine themselves flying like Superman, or having a sixth sense like Spider-Man. It turns out that most Christians do have powers, but they are called Spiritual Gifts. I honestly did not know about this until I took the class “Discovering Your Gifts” at Moody Church. These spiritual gifts are wisdom, healing, leadership, prophecy, wisdom, discernment, faith, teaching, miracles, word of knowledge, interpretation, and mercy---just to name a few of the 23 that are described in the Bible by the Apostle Paul and others.

After completing several assessments I discovered I had up to five gifts/powers! I have the spiritual gifts of discernment, word of knowledge, mercy, faith and creativity. The description of each is as follows---

Discernment: To distinguish between truth and error. Differentiating between good and evil, right and wrong. Christians who have this gift are able to identify deception. They can recognize inconsistencies in a teaching, prophetic message or interpretation. They are also able to sense the presence of evil. (Ooooh! This is probably the coolest.)

Word of Knowledge: Brings the truth to the body through a revelation or biblical insight. Christians who have this gift are able to search the Scriptures for insight, understanding and truth. They gain knowledge that is not attained by natural observation or means. They are inquisitive and spiritually sensitive.

Mercy: To cheerfully and practically help those who are suffering or in need, having compassion that is moved to action. Christians who have this gift concern themselves with individual or social issues that oppress people.

Faith: Act on God’s promise with confidence and unwavering belief in God’s ability to fulfill his purpose. These Christians go forward when others will not. They ask God for what is needed and trust him for his provision.

Creativity: Ability to communicate God’s truth in a variety of art forms.

I tend to believe these choices are true of me because I would have wanted to have the gift of healing, or performing miracles--but the assessments did not score these high enough. Additionally I did not know or want the gifts of mercy or creativity---but they showed up very high on the independent assessments made by three people who know me.

Several points the teacher made clear was that these gifts are given to Christians after they receive Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. They do not manifest themselves before conversion. They are also meant to glorify God and not ourselves. So after all, I do have my own spider-sense! That means that no one should try to pass any wool over my eyes. What do you think?

Day Against Christophobia

International Day Against Christophobia May 18, 2011

Public Domain, Father Miguel Pro executed by Mexican Government on November 23, 1927

I cannot take the hypocrisy anymore. I cannot just sit here and not try to do anything about what is happening to our values, and families as Christians. Today, I openly declare that it is the International Day Against Christophobia--- the fear, discrimination and intolerance against Christians.

As Christians we do not hate anyone. Jesus Christ clearly told his followers to love one another, including those that hate us. If we speak against an immoral acts or behaviors, we disapprove of the act or behavior, not the person. But many groups have taken upon themselves to misinterpret the tenements of our faith.

There is a world wide movement against Christians sweeping the globe. Christians are not permitted to talk openly about their faith. Secular society is quick to stop Christians from professing their faith to others for fear of offending non-Christians. But no matter where you go in the United States, whether you are a Buddhist, Hindu, or Wiccan--nobody tells these and other religious groups from showing-off their faiths.

As Christians we know that we will face persecution in many forms but as the body of Christ we are all one. The Bible says that if one part suffers the whole body suffers. So if you are a Christian, or sympathize with Christianity in the most remote sense, let us come together and start our own movement to bring awareness that Christian persecution must stop all over the world.Please spread the world, share this movement with all of your church groups, friends and family members. Because Christians come in many different denominations, races, and walks of life, wear any color ribbon turned horizontally either to the right or left because it resembles the Christian fish symbol. Wear your ribbon every day of the year, because Christian persecution is daily and will culminate every May 18. Thank you. Be blessed in Jesus Christ!!

Facts against Christians

Vandalism--churches are burned, defaced, or broken into.
Violence--Christians are beaten, or killed for believing in their faith.
Music---death metal, pop, often declare hatred against Christ, the Church or Christians
Government--Over 50 countries have laws written in their Constitutions banning the practice of Christianity.

Statistics Against Christianity

150,000 Christians are killed world wide for their faith.
75 out of every 100 people killed for religious hatred are Christian.
Over 1 million children are the victims of Christian persecution.

Countries that persecute Christians the most

North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Maldives, Yemen, Iraq
Uzbekistan, Laos, Pakistan, Eritrea, Nigeria, Sudan, China, Cuba, Egypt

© 2011 All Rights Reserved JFS