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Social Media Revolution

A thought-provoking video on the influence of Social Media today.... As Christians we should be well-aware that the overhwelming use of social networking is not a fading trend, but an aspect of culture that may be redeemed and used to the glory of God. For some that may mean a more careful and disciplined use...for others it may mean the beginning or wise increase in its use. Followers of Christ cannot fail to communicate the Gospel effectively...we must make the most of the opportunities we have to witness of the work God has done and is doing in us! Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 1 Corinthians 10:31 "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Quote - St. Ignatius of Antioch

"It is better for me to die in behalf of Jesus Christ, than to reign over all the ends of the earth." St. Ignatius of Antioch

Unity vs. Disunity in Marriage

An interesting article on FoxNews.com caught my attention today with its title of "Christian Couples Staying Faithful on Facebook, Twitter." The article discusses an apparent trend of sharing email addresses and other forms of electronic communication. It discusses examples in which couples felt led towards such a decision in order to better protect themselves from temptations and communications that might be harmful to their marriage. I think I take for granted the lessons I learned growing up and through Scripture as I prepared for marriage. I always assumed the unity inherent in marriage and valued the wisdom in sharing information and being transparent (no secrets) in my marriage. Although Brittney and I do not share the same Facebook and email accounts, there is never a sense of secrecy or compartmentalization. We each have totally shared access/passwords to all of our accounts and have a spirit of trust in what we communicate. Likewise all of our financial accounts are totally combined so that there is no sense of "my money" versus "your money" in what we earn or spend. Such trust within a marriage is something I greatly treasure. It is hard to imagine a spirit of distrust, compartmentalization, and secrecy within a marriage and the damage that can do in reducing the unity of the relationship. Are there secrets in your marriage? Evidenced by unshared passwords or accounts? Do you have a temptation to have a compartmentalize part of your life that you are unwilling to share with your spouse? Is there a need for confronting agents and areas of disunity within your marriage? Are you giving Satan an easy avenue for attacking your marriage and creating lasting damage? It is my hope and my prayer that we all seek daily to create, cultivate, and protect unity with our spouses in all areas of our life to the glory of God! Psalm 90:8 "You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence." Mark 10:6-9 "6'But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 7'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. 9Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.""

Quote - Augustine

"We want to reach the kingdom of God, but we don't want to travel by way of death. And yet there stands Necessity saying: 'This way, please.' Do not hesitate, man, to go this way, when this is the way that God came to you." Augustine

Humility & Servanthood

I was reminded of the important of humility in the Christian life as I watched a video of John Piper's sermon this week titled Greatness, Humility, Servanthood. In it he referenced C.J. Mahaney's book, Humility: True Greatness as a focus of their church staff's small group time in the year ahead. I've personally benefited much from this work. Piper's sermon highlighted many great points and I especially enjoyed one statement he made and several Biblical passages he referenced.
  • "Humility is the soil in which everything good grows in the Christian life. If that soil goes away, everything withers" - John Piper
  • 1 Corinthians 15:10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. "
  • Philippians 2:3-8 " 3Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

What example of humility we have in Christ on the Cross. In considering such a sacrifice for sin, how can we be anything but humble?

Video of John Piper's sermon below:

Quote - Oswald Chambers

"Character in a saint means the disposition of Jesus Christ persistently manifested." Oswald Chambers

Trying Something New...

After years of "Favoriting" websites on my Internet browser and then going between them to read articles and find updates, I have finally conceded the inefficiency of this process (opening 20+ tabs/windows). In response I am now using an RSS feed reader, namely Google Reader. Google Reader serves like an email directory almost, where I can see which blogs or websites I "subscribe" to have new articles or postings. I can then scroll through the updates without ever leaving the website I am on (Google Reader). What feeds am I currently subscribed (free) to? Here they are, in alphabetical order!

In essence, with RSS feed readers (like Google Reader) you essentially get to create your own newspaper of sorts with the types of articles you like to read. I'm sure my Internet newspaper will change overtime, and maybe a new reading technique will eventually replace it, but I am enjoying the efficiency of Google Reader so far!

Proverbs 15:22 "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."

Ecclesiastes 7:5 "It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools."

Ecclesiastes 8:1 "Who is like the wise man? Who knows the explanation of things? Wisdom brightens a man's face and changes its hard appearance."

Quote - A.W. Tozer

"A pharisee is hard on others and easy on himself, but a spiritual man is easy on others and hard on himself." A.W. Tozer

Parents - Do You Prioritize the Spiritual Growth of Your Child?

A recent Lifeway Research survey reveals some startling statistics regarding the spiritual influence of parents on their children. This survey reveals that many parents show little concern in action for the spiritual growth of their children. The first two stats appear to reveal the opposite though...
  • "72 percent (of parents) want their children to have more than they themselves had growing up"
  • "87 percent of parents believe it is important to teach their children how to have a relationship with God"
The truth is revealed as the application is considered in the process of teaching children about having a relationship with God...
  • "55 percent of parents agree they try to take their children to worship services on a regular basis"
  • "47 percent agree they do not want to influence their children too much about religion, saying, 'It’s important they find their own way.'"
  • "17% of weekly churchgoers, 41% of born-again Christians and 24% of evangelicals do not strongly agree that they need to take their children to services regularly"

The results: many parents value in speech "a relationship with God", but are a significant number are unwilling to build and support that relationship by bringing their children to church.

Since when do children learn to 'find their own way' without the influence of their parents? Do not doubt that children are influenced, for good and for bad, by what they see and don't see in the lives of their parents. A child of any age is far more likely to model what is done rather than what is said by a parent. They will prioritize what the parent prioritizes in the use of their time, emotion, money, and energy. Is your relationship with God a priority in your life? Does it show in a way that inspires your child to emulate you? Is there any hypocrisy that must be rooted out? 1 Corinthians 4:16, 20 "Therefore I urge you to imitate me...For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power." Proverbs 20:7 "The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him." Photo Above: A sealed church door in Anglesey, Gwalchmai at St Morhaearn's Church from http://www.photosofchurches.com/

Quote - Francis Bacon

"Men fear death as children fear to go in the dark." Francis Bacon

Essential Church - A Must Read for all Youth, College, & Young Adult Workers

I just finished listening to the audiobook of Thom Rainer & Sam Rainer III's book Essential Church: Reclaiming a Generation of Dropouts and highly recommend it to all of those within churches who minister, volunteer, or work with middle school, high school, college, and young adults within the church. Although the focus is on studying dropouts (dechurched) from the church who are primarily in their 20s, the value of the research is remarkable for the spiritual formation of those teenagers who are still in church and preparation for the many life-changes they will hit as they exit their high school years. In this book, the authors explore why young adults leave "nonessential churches" and contrast it with "essential churches" that effectively close the back door in retaining believers active participation in the local church. Christians today cannot help but notice the trend of those who leave the church in their late teens or early 20s only to return when they begin a family or encounter a significant life-event. It is perplexing and troubling to those of us who understand and value the local church as God intends it. In the first century the followers of Christ were inextricably connected with the local church. In the 21st century we have a generation of Christians who views church as optional. Those of us connected and committed to God's work through the local church MUST work to help bring those claiming Christ back into the fellowship and protection of the flock. It may require some tough self-evaluation and changes within our churches, but the potential reward in the lives of believers and winning of the lost is incalculable.

Quote - Richard Trench

"He has brought himself to this state; he has exposed his heart as a common road to every evil influence of the world, till it has become hard as a pavement." Richard Trench

Babies In The Womb vs Eagles in the Egg

In The Womb is an incredible photographic and videographic look into the human womb by National Geographic (they also have a series on multiples and animals) that reveals the reality of life in its earliest stages. As technology increases to allow 3D & 4D ultrasounds, it reveals what we already know (but some try to suppress); the incredible life God creates at conception in the human womb. I continue to marvel at our country, where we punish the disturbing and moving of eagle's eggs with monetary fines and jail time (Federal Law - 1900, increased in 1972 in the midst of the Roe vs. Wade appeal process) but finance, endorse, and encourage the mudering of innocent human children. Psalm 97:10 "Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. " It is my hope and prayer that those who endorse and allow the evil of abortion would open their eyes to the images of these human children, gaze upon the torn bodies of the aborted, and repent of their wicked ways. Even if we have supported or been complicit in abortion in the past, our God is a forgiving and loving God who desires us to turn to Jesus Christ in faith and trust! 1 John 1:9-10 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."

Back in blogging....big news!

After a few months off from blogging (finishing my Masters of Divinity and spending an AWESOME summer leading our church's youth group), an appropriate way to get my website up and running again is through a VERY SPECIAL announcement.... Brittney and I are expecting our first child in early March 2010. Our child is a precious gift from God, one we have prayed and hoped for since we first married. We continue to pray for our child's health as well as its future salvation and service to our Lord Jesus Christ. Over the past few weeks we have clearly seen the beginning of a heartbeat (6 weeks), legs/arms/head/body/umbilical cord/clear heartbeat/small movement (8 weeks), and listened to its heartbeat as well (12 weeks). We look forward to seeing it via ultrasound again soon and love praying for and feeling its growth every day! This visual and audio evidence is such a clear reminder of the reality of life within the womb. It is also a sad reminder of the tragedy and evil of abortion that ends the lives of so many children every day. Enjoy the below photo (8 weeks) and audio (12 weeks) of Baby Carl and please join us in praying for him/her! "13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14

The Twittering Tongue & James 3

The other day I attempted to sign up for both Twitter and Facebook Mobile only to be denied because my cell phone provider does not support them. Although I was partially disappointed, I think I was mostly relieved. No instant access to Facebook and Twitter might help me in the long run by preventing me from rashly throwing my immediate thoughts and feelings onto the information super highway... It is a scary thing when we have in our hands the ability to lash out or openly share our emotions, feeling, frustrations, etc. not just with those within earshot, but with all of the world on the Internet. Far too many teenagers and adults rashly write things on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Blogs, etc. that they would not dare say directly to others. Often they write or say things without thinking about the audience who is paying attention...their friends, family, teachers, employers, employees, pastor, youth minister, and strangers. What we say and do should always be about giving glory to God. Oftentimes in our technology-laden society we allow (and are teaching following generations)the immediate pouring out of our emotions without giving thought to the ripple effects that such comments may hold. Let's take our time in thinking through what we choose to share, and in the process teach our teenagers to rightly handle the responsibility that comes through the freedom of social networking! Let us not become the stumbling block to the beginning or growth of another's faith! James 3:5-10 "5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so." James 1:19 "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger" Let's be slow in our Internet-based speech!

Quote - Jerome

"A false interpretation of Scripture causes that the gospel of the Lord becomes the gospel of man, or, which is worse, of the devil." Jerome

Quote - C.S. Lewis

"If you read history you will find out that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next." C.S. Lewis

Are we an Ezekiel 16 Nation? Am I an Ezekiel 16 Person?

When you think of the United States of America, what images come to mind? Are they great ones? Do you tend to see how the United States has provided freedom to the oppressed, democracy to counter tyranny, aid to the impoverished, hope to the nations, and leadership in the midst of chaos? What do you think captures God’s eye when He looks upon our nation today…our headlines, our entertainment, our focus? (Ezekiel 36:22-32) When you think of yourself, what images come to mind? Do you see yourself as a person who cares, provides, loves, serves, contributes, and is faithful? What do you think God has to say to each of us about our day to day lives…about the focus of our hearts? (1 John 2:15-17) When we fail to spend time daily with God, we can quickly begin to think better of ourselves than we should (Romans 12:1-3). Apart from God’s Word and prayer we will quickly lose our sensitivity to and conviction of sin. I fear that we as a nation and as individuals have far too often allowed our focus to be drawn away from Jesus Christ. When we look across the Old Testament we cannot ignore the cycles of Israel and Judah, whether under judges and kings or in exile, in which they abandon God and reach a point of punishment and rebuke. Try reading Ezekiel 16 today and ask yourself a simple question: have we been an unfaithful bride to our Creator by loving the creation more? Revelation 2:4-5 (ESV) “4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” It is tempting to think that we may solve the problems of our nation and the problems of our lives through some act of our own. We want to be able to work our way out of the problems of the day, whether through laws and legislation or through the busyness and compartmentalization of our lives. However, there is only one true solution…we as a nation, as a church, as individuals must humbly repent and faithfully refocus our lives on Christ and seek Him daily. (Zephaniah 2:3, 3:1-2) Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) “1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Quote - Martin Luther

"I have held many things in my hands, and have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess." Martin Luther
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