Life is Weird

I'm going through the Truth Project with my parents over break. If you haven't heard of it - you really need to check it out... www.truthproject.com. It's a 13 lesson Christian worldview tour that is done with intelligence and excellence. As soon as I finish the "tour," I'll be purchasing the DVD set and somehow implementing it into ministry. (Or maybe just saving it to go through with my kids... who knows...)

Presently though, this philosophical whirlwind has got me thinking...

Life is Weird. Yes - Weird - with a capital "W." Life is Weird because of relationships. There is nothing Weirder than relationships.

Some last a lifetime.
Some last as long as a conversation.
Some are deep at first and then die off.
Some are brief at first and then grow later.
Some are lost and then regained at the most random times possible.
Some are strengthened through tough times.
Some diminish at the first sight of trouble.

Thank God his relationship with us is UNLIKE ANYTHING WE'VE EXPERIENCED ON EARTH!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Theology from "Secular" Music

So many "secular" songs have spiritual overtones. While driving from Scranton, PA to Kalamazoo, MI with friends, we were listening to the song "Believe It or Not" by Nickelback - Canada's finest rock band (in my opinion). I can't stop listening to it. Here are the lyrics and the song is at the bottom of the post...

CHORUS:
Could someone deliver us?
And send us some kind of sign,
So close to giving up
Cuz faith is so hard to find
But you don't, and you won't, until we figure out...

VERSE 2:
I've seen it a lot
Every time to the world turns upside down
Believe it or not, everyone
Most of us feel like we're losing ground
Believe it or not, everyone, hate admitting fear
Believe it or not, most of us wanna know why we're here
Why we're here, but we don't and we won't
Until we figure out...

Over break I'm working on my reading for an Apologetics Seminar I'm taking at Baptist Bible Seminary. In reading all these books on defending the faith, it's really connected with "Believe It or Not." (Especially because I simply can't stop listening to it...)

There's a reason for all this "theology stuff." All the Greek. Bible classes. Apologetics. Preaching. Communication skills. Leadership training. Resume building. Tests. Quizzes. Theology.

What's it all for?

It's all for and because of the Gospel - Jesus Christ. The answer to Nickelback's song is the Gospel, and the Gospel is a person. God is real - He loves us - He is Christ. I have a relationship with the King of the Universe. He is WHY I AM HERE!!!

P.S. He's also the reason we have Christmas coming up on Thursday...

Life of Avoidance

Today I was reviewing my DVD-recorded sermon on 1 Peter 3:8-12. In my sermon I had this quote... (Yes, I'm actually quoting myself...)

"Christianity is not a life of avoidance."

What do I mean by that?

1) Following Christ isn't simply saying "no" to places, people, actions, ect...

2) It can INCLUDE saying "no" - but that is not the core of following Christ.

3) A true Christ-follower is not characterized by what he/she AVOIDS!!!

4) A true Christ-follower is characterized by what he/she ACTIVELY PURSUES!!!

5) Christianity is a life of ACTION.

This action is Gospel-centered, humble, loving, unifying, missional, counter-cultural yet relevant, and commanded of us while powered by Christ ALONE.

World AIDS Day

As Christians, we are called to show Christ's love to the broken, the poor, and the hurting. Here are some great ways to do that...

1) Sponsor a child through Compassion International
www.compassion.com

2) Buy Product (RED)
www.joinred.com

3) Join the ONE Campaign
www.one.org

Be aware of World AIDS Day.

"It’s not a coincidence that in the Scriptures, poverty is mentioned more than 2,100 times. It’s not an accident. That’s a lot of air time."
- Bono