Carroll Marr is the senior pastor of Southcliff Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. "I don't really want to bore you with the facts about me. I'm just a normal guy. A pastor. A husband. A Dad. A wannabe Granddad. If you'd like more information about all things Carroll, well just read on."
I feel that I must give you some insight into the purpose of this blog. Actually, I am not sure of its purpose but can tell you what you might expect. I will use this space to chat about things that I observe, think, experience, or otherwise encounter. To me, a blog is an opportunity to openly dialogue and stimulate thinking. I will not always answer questions raised; in fact, at times, I will raise them and challenge you to answer. I will always, I think, leave the topic incomplete. That, to me, is the nature of a blog. If I complete the topic it should be a book and not a blog. Sometimes the thoughts will be fun sometimes serious. I do not intend to give you a daily devotional though I would be happy to recommend a couple. My hope is to inspire at times, encourage at others, entertain at others and occasionally make you think a little. We will see if I accomplish any of the above.
On Easter I will begin a new series of messages tagged, Life is a Set Up. The gist of this series will focus on the fact that, living according to the principles of this world is a setup. To live as this world dictates is a setup – a set up for failure.
To illustrate let me take a story from the headlines of yesterday’s news report. The story is about a new swim suit line just released by Abercrombie and Fitch. This company is no stranger to controversy, but their most recent decision has landed them in some hot water. The news story reported that their latest line of swim wear features a bikini with a padded bra and, here is the controversial part, the swim suit is targeted to girls as young as 7 years old. I must say I was somewhat encouraged by the apparent outrage over this marketing ploy since so many other similar marketing techniques seem to go unnoticed.
As I see this story unfold, I believe it is another illustration that life, according to this world’s standard, is a setup. Think about it. This world seems to place extreme importance on physical appearance - especially for young girls. We bombard them with pictures of what “real beauty” looks like, images that are almost always scantily clad, and now offer padded bra for girls 7 years old. Where does this lead? Am I naive to suggest that some of the statistics of teenage pregnancy are somehow connected to this “sex sells” mentality? Is it possible that young girls are beginning to think that they are not ok as they are and as such could not be loved as they are and must somehow search for that love through sex?
I know many will disagree with me here so I will return to my original point. Life is a set up. Ok, follow me here. We give our 7 year old girls pushup bra swim suits to draw attention to their bodies at a time when they should be focused on playing (ok I am digressing again). From 7 years old they are made aware of their sexual nature, they are led down a path that ultimately leads to sexual experimentation and involvement. Studies have revealed that most children have their first encounter sexually before the age 13. (I am relying on memory here so don’t get hung up on that quote it might be younger)
So here is the setup. You tell me, what happens to the girls who get pregnant at age 13? Does the world reach out and say “you poor thing you are just a victim of circumstance”? No, our society looks down its nose and calls the child irresponsible, point’s fingers at the parents and the school system for not educating them in the issues of sexual relationships. It is a set up – hey, these children are just walking down the path the world has pointed them toward and then when they arrive where it leads the world condemns them and calls them a slut.
It is a setup, I tell you and that is just one example. In the series of messages I will share many others. The good news is the God has made a way for us to live above the world’s standard. God invites us to a new standard of living that is upside down and inside out compared to the world’s, one that offers hope and help, purpose and power.
For more come see us on Easter or check out the series on line.
I agree 100%. The world does set people up for failure. The world all together is sinful. Two virsues came to mind when reading your blog. One was from Romans 12:2-And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. The other verse I thought of was John 15:18-If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you.
People want to follow whats popular these days and then, when things go wrong point the fingers at everyone but themselves, when i reality, they are just calling the kettle black. Society is spiriling downward when you take out all of the bible’s teachings and beliefs out of schools and systems and that only invites more and more sin into the world. We live in a culture that is focusing more and more on sin each and every day. Even though im only 29, I can remember when only hearing about how college girls where getting pregnant. Since then, its trickled all the way down to middle schools which is very sad. As a society, we are telling younger viewers how its ok to dress all “sexy” and when bad things happen, we tend to turn it around and say its all that individuals fault. Th
Focal Point
Greetings, Dr. Marr,
I have been privileged to benefit from your teaching at Southcliff for several months now. I just stumbled across your “Marrs Hill” blog & want to take advantage of your invitation for comments.
You are surely right that “life is a setup.” That is the devil’s way and he’s good at it. We all relate to these pitfalls of life. Perhaps these setups are designed to lead us to Christ–to push into Him all the more–to realize how much we all need Him.
Therefore, I like to focus on, must focus on, His word, especially scriptures that tell me who I am “in Christ.” These words are life to me. The book of Romans beings joy to my heart, and peace with God. Romans 5:15 says, “But the free gift by grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.” And in verse17, “For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, MUCH MORE those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”
I must hear words such as these daily. Everyone knows of sin. I seek teachers to remind me who I am in Christ. Paul writes to the Philippians, “having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (1:11).
Wow! Now that’s true knowledge. This is true food. My spirit is made in the image of Christ. My soul, at times, is still a problem. As I hear who I am in Him, this brings change (fruit) and my soul begins to respond. Glory to God!
Christ is my life; I have none outside of Him. He is more real than any person I’ve ever met. My soul surrenders knowing “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1). “For He loves me, and gave His life for me.” My hard heart melts with such words.
I cannot become more righteous so being reminded of my sinful nature is not particularly helpful. I’m already made righteous (my spirit man). I can only become more aware of this righteousness through the progressive knowledge of the Truth. This awareness, this knowledge, is my focal point.
Life is a “setup”–oh, yes, indeed. Christ is my answer in this life, and for the next. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Oh how weak I am! How my soul lacks. My Lord does not. My spirit rejoices when I am made more aware of my weakness and revel in His amazing strength and power to overcome sin.
Best Regards,
Daniel Bradburn
DandyAir1@yahoo.com