God Speaks - GREAT Screensaver!

Based on the "God Speaks" billboards across the country...a very cool screensaver!

Parent Resources

Robert Smith, a youth culture specialist and evangelist shared some great resources for parents the other day. Check out his website (http://www.ud4christ.com/) and recommended resources below... Video Games http://www.esrb.org/ (ratings board system) http://www.whattheyplay.com/ (Robert’s favorite) http://www.commonsensemedia.org/ (games, movies, books, websites…there’s a blog) Cell Phones http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/ (spy data extractor) http://www.guardianangeltech.com/ (pre-paid and tracker) Movies http://www.kids-in-mind.com/ http://www.screenit.com/ (requires subscription for just released movies) http://www.pluggedinonline.com/ http://www.movieguide.org/ www.crosswalk.com/movies http://www.goodmoviesonline.com/ (edited movies) http://www.cleanflicks.com/ (netflix with clean content) http://www.clearplay.com/ (DVD player with filter, filters have subscription fees) http://www.christianitytoday.com/ Addiction http://www.teendrugabuse.us/ http://www.drugtestyourteen.com/ http://www.recoveryconnection.org/ 1-800-99-detox Addict in the Family: Stories of Loss, Hope, and Recovery by Beverly Conyers Loving an Addict, Hating the Addiction by Kecia C. Sims Cracked: Putting Broken Lives Together Again by Drew Pinsky (secular author from Celebrity Rehab) Pornography http://www.xxxchurch.com/ http://www.x3watch.com/ (X3 watch monitors web site visits) http://www.safeeyes.com/ (prohibits accidental or deliberate page viewing) Not Even a Hint by Joshua Harris Every Young Man’s Battle Every Young Woman’s Battle Song of Solomon by Tommy Nelson (curriculum made esp for student ministry) Cutting Learning to Understand and Help Those Who Self-Injure by Marv Penner

Easy Believism vs. Perseverance & Obedience

We live in a generation of "easy-believism Christianity" where intellectual assent to the Gospel message is highlighted and often separated from a need for obedient living and a perseverance in the faith.

The book of James is such a great summation of what genuine faith in Christ looks like. John MacArthur states that "James' point is not that a person is saved by works, but that there is a kind of apparent faith that is dead and does not save."

Here are some great verses from James...

James 1:6b "he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

James 1:22 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

James 2:14 "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?"

James 2:17 "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

Saving faith is also described clearly throughout Scripture as a persevering faith.

Colossians 1:23a "if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel"

1 John 2:3-6 "3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."

Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People by Will Metzger is an excellent resource for Gospel-sharing and a proper understanding of what true saving faith is and "God-centered evangelism." Another book I suggest (b/c of the author) is How Can I Be Sure I'm a Christian by Donald Whitney. Dr.Whitney has a LOT of great books on the Christian life.

Are you a victim of "easy-believism"? Are good works, obedience, and perseverance characteristics of your faith? Try reading 1 John & James...see what they have to say about faith.