Words

I am neither a Christian American nor am I an American Christian.
I am a Christian in America.
By only looking at the words, it's hard to see the difference. However, when you chew on the meaning...

Christian American
There is this relatively new phenomenon of labeling things as "Christian." -Christian bookstores, Christian movies, Christian fitness centers.-- At first, it all seems harmless. In reality, it is a big problem. We've turned the noun Christian into an adjective. We've taken a word that names an existence, defines a person, marks the submission to a savior and reduced it to the same level of descriptive words like "red" or "tall" or "rich."
By calling yourself a "Christian American," you are placing your identity as an American citizen over your Kingdom Citizenship (assuming you are counted as such). It says, "I am an American first. Oh...and I also believe in Jesus."

American Christian
So...what? Would it be better to say "American Christian?" Absolutely not! American Christianity points solely to the type of Christianity found in America. Not only is our experience limited to America, but we are subjected to the American Gospel. I'm not the only one to notice, and definitely not the first. Musicians and writers have regarded in ways like "Jesus of Suburbia" and "the Wrong-Eyed Jesus" and "America's God." We have a buffet-style faith. Our freedom as Americans has somehow diluted the Gospel. We can pick and choose what we want to believe. Some want God to bless us. Others pray for God's wrath to fall on the heads of all of the sinners. Still others, the overwhelming majority, get a big helping of nothing. They want to go to church on Sundays and/or Wednesdays and maybe even special church functions. They choose to sit in a pew, hear a sermon, and... well... NOTHING. It never moves beyond that. There is no move. "God, I love you. Teach me to be better. Show me your will for my life." That's the prayer of the American Christian.- Morality. That's the end though.
It's not the prayer of Isaiah after he encountered the presence of the Almighty. Not only was he purified, but he was challenged. No, he was ready. Ready to act. God asks and Isaiah answers. "Here I am! Send Me!"
He's not begging for supplication. For more purifying coals. For blessings. For wealth. He's not even asking God to take him to heaven. He is asking God if he can be a part of His work. He wants to send the message to the people. He wants to do this despite his knowing that the people WILL NOT understand. They just won't get it. Yet, Isaiah is still ready and willing.
Worshipping God should be a BIG part of our faith and our lives. I also believe that church reminds us of our call. But it should not stop there. THE CHURCH- as in the believers should be following Christ's example. Christ praised His Father, taught God's word, read God's word, sought communion with God, AND HE SERVED.
He served strangers more than his own congregation of disciples. His disciples learned while they followed. Their faith was ACTIVE.

Faith without works is DEAD.

You will know them by their fruits.

The Bible we read and hear tells us to go into the world and feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to care for the widows. It doesn't say give your pastor's six figures, have great Christmas plays, or let fellowship replace showing God's love to those that need it most.

Christian in America

So NO I am not a Christian American. And I am Not an American Christian. I am a Christian in America.
I am a failure- unable to live up to God's standard.
I am purchased- my debt is paid by the very God that I fail
I am thankful
I am learning
I am incapable of saving anyone-I can only follow Christ's example by knowing, loving, and serving the people that need it.
I am hopeful that God will remind me of who I am because of Him. Also, that He will send people to love me when I need it.

Purpose

Before I begin sharing my thoughts with the world on a regular basis, I want to be clear that I have a mind constantly in motion. That being said, my thoughts are not concrete. Day in and day out I proof my thoughts. Thus, something I say now may not be exactly what I think in the next year. Remember, however, that I will not put a thought on paper unless I have scrutinized it to be sure that it reflects what I believe to be true.

I look forward to this venture.