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!!!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
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...
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...
Saturday, December 13, 2008
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.
"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.
Monday, December 1, 2008
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
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
Sunday, November 30, 2008
T-Break Lessons #3
I'm working on an illustration for the following truth.
As Christians, we are called to pursue righteousness (i.e. 1 Peter 3:10-12). We are called to turn from evil and do good. Simple enough, but we cannot do this on our own. We can only live righteously because of Christ. Christ has given us his righteousness so we can live righteous lives.
Here's the the illustration I'm working through.
Back when I was 15, I wanted to drive our Ford Taurus. I had to go through a long process of learning to be able to drive our Ford Taurus. I had to take classes, log 50 hours of driving time, and wait until I turned 16 years old.
I knew a lot about driving; I actually got pretty good at it - but I always had to be with someone. Finally, the big day came. My Dad and I drove our van over to the BP station next to the freeway, and my Mom met us with the Ford Taurus. For the first time ever, I got to drive on my own. I had a golf match a few miles away; so I took the key from my Dad and sped off leaving my Mom crying with my Dad.
What's the point?
No matter how much I knew about driving our Ford Taurus on my own - I couldn't drive it without the key from Dad. No matter how badly I wanted to drive our Ford Taurus on my own - I couldn't drive it without the key from Dad. No matter how much I proved to Dad that I was competent - I still couldn't drive it without the key. I was totally dependent on Dad's "power" and "authority."
No matter how much we know about righteous living - we can't do it without the power of Christ. No matter how badly we want to live righteously - we can't do it without the power of Christ. No matter how many times we prove to God that we're "competent" - we still can't live righteously without the power of Christ. We are totally dependent on Christ's power and authority.
Reviews?
As Christians, we are called to pursue righteousness (i.e. 1 Peter 3:10-12). We are called to turn from evil and do good. Simple enough, but we cannot do this on our own. We can only live righteously because of Christ. Christ has given us his righteousness so we can live righteous lives.
Here's the the illustration I'm working through.
Back when I was 15, I wanted to drive our Ford Taurus. I had to go through a long process of learning to be able to drive our Ford Taurus. I had to take classes, log 50 hours of driving time, and wait until I turned 16 years old.
I knew a lot about driving; I actually got pretty good at it - but I always had to be with someone. Finally, the big day came. My Dad and I drove our van over to the BP station next to the freeway, and my Mom met us with the Ford Taurus. For the first time ever, I got to drive on my own. I had a golf match a few miles away; so I took the key from my Dad and sped off leaving my Mom crying with my Dad.
What's the point?
No matter how much I knew about driving our Ford Taurus on my own - I couldn't drive it without the key from Dad. No matter how badly I wanted to drive our Ford Taurus on my own - I couldn't drive it without the key from Dad. No matter how much I proved to Dad that I was competent - I still couldn't drive it without the key. I was totally dependent on Dad's "power" and "authority."
No matter how much we know about righteous living - we can't do it without the power of Christ. No matter how badly we want to live righteously - we can't do it without the power of Christ. No matter how many times we prove to God that we're "competent" - we still can't live righteously without the power of Christ. We are totally dependent on Christ's power and authority.
Reviews?
Thursday, November 27, 2008
T-Break Lessons #2
So I'm studying 1 Peter 3:8-12 over break. 1 Peter itself was a letter written during the reign of Nero to scattered Christians. The theme of this particular passage is unity, and it's interesting to think of unity in the context of persecution.
Remember September 11th?
Not just the tragedy - but the EFFECTS of the tragedy.
There was POLITICAL unity.
There was RELIGIOUS unity.
There was FAMILIAL unity.
There was NATIONAL unity.
Now, I'm not saying that September was necessarily a day of "persecution" in the strictest sense. However, it was definitely a hard time - a time of fear, pain, and sadness. But the unity that came out of that day was short lived. Why? There's a simple explanation...
America as a nation is NOT the body of Christ. Believers are the body of Christ - those who put their faith and trust in Christ alone and follow Him with their entire existence.
If believers are called to unity (1 Peter 3:8-12), then why do we struggle so much with it here in America?
Answer: No persecution.
Am I limb crawling here or not?
Remember September 11th?
Not just the tragedy - but the EFFECTS of the tragedy.
There was POLITICAL unity.
There was RELIGIOUS unity.
There was FAMILIAL unity.
There was NATIONAL unity.
Now, I'm not saying that September was necessarily a day of "persecution" in the strictest sense. However, it was definitely a hard time - a time of fear, pain, and sadness. But the unity that came out of that day was short lived. Why? There's a simple explanation...
America as a nation is NOT the body of Christ. Believers are the body of Christ - those who put their faith and trust in Christ alone and follow Him with their entire existence.
If believers are called to unity (1 Peter 3:8-12), then why do we struggle so much with it here in America?
Answer: No persecution.
Am I limb crawling here or not?
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
T-Break Lessons #1
For those of you who don't know, I am working Security here at BBC over Thanksgiving Break. Over the next week or so, I'm planning on blogging through what God's going to teach me throughout the break.
Today God reminded me how amazing His gift of family is in my life. I always take my family for granted - my physical family and my spiritual family. The body of Christ is a gift that we need to stop and thank God for constantly. I neglect this all the time, and it's something I desperately need to work on.
Thank God for FAMILY today!!!
Today God reminded me how amazing His gift of family is in my life. I always take my family for granted - my physical family and my spiritual family. The body of Christ is a gift that we need to stop and thank God for constantly. I neglect this all the time, and it's something I desperately need to work on.
Thank God for FAMILY today!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
