Tiger Dads vs. Sexualized Daughters

There was an interesting article in Christianity Today online. I think we all need to pay attention to what's happening to our daughters and young sisters in Christ!

A link to Christianity Today

What If?

On our family vacation we saw the DVD movie called "What If". It was a good movie that made me think a lot! It showed a man's life and how two different choices changed his life drastically. The two choices were really between world and following the Lord. We all have those decisions daily. Sometimes a bunch of small choices will lead us to follow the things of this world more than the Lord! Every decision on what we do is important in the long run! So, what decisions need to be made today to follow what God's will is for you? Choosing the world is usually satisfying for only a short time or season and isn't long lasting! Choosing to follow the Lord means you will see the benefit to your life, but it might take a while to see it. You might have to let your imagination tell you how worldly decisions would have gotten you off the path of following the Lord! Check out the DVD in our church library. See a good movie for free! It might even inspire you in living your life for the Lord Jesus!

See more at:
http://thewhatifmovie.com/

My dad's death & "Heaven is for Real"

Our friend Marta told me that I just have to read this book called "Heaven is for Real". She gave me one of the many books that she bought to give to others so they could read this amazing book. The only stipulation was that we had to give to someone else to read after we were done reading it. The small book is one of those books that you always want to find out what happens next so you just keep reading it and before you know it you're done with the book. While reading "Heaven is for Real" I often thought of my dad when he died. For about 5 days he was definitely getting worse from the cancer that was ravaging his body! Then finally one night he slowed down a little in his breathing and heart rate. That night was one of the worst and most awesome nights of my life. Of course I didn't want my dad to leave me and this world. I loved him so much and he was definitely one that was always cheering me on in life. It just seemed like he wouldn't quite let go of this world. Finally I said those words that I've heard that others have spoken to their loved ones that were suffering. I said "it's ok dad, just go to Jesus now. We'll be ok and you need to be with Him now." He loves you! I interrupted those kinds of words with the 23rd Psalm put to a tune that Pam made up as she taught our girls to memorize that Psalm for the Awana children's ministry. Then I sang Amazing Grace. I could actually sing it too. Usually I would just choke up and cry, but the presence of the Lord was strong there and unbelievably I didn't fear losing my dad. I knew it needed to happen and I wanted him to be reassured that Jesus was on the other side of this life waiting for him! Then while as I was recently reading "Heaven is for Real" that story of my dad's passing came to life in my mind. I imagined him seeing Jesus and the pain in his body would longer rule him. He would have a new body. He would see his mom again. My grandma was the one who prayed for me for many years with her friends from church. My dad would also see my brother Les who passed away at age 38. He too would be there no longer in pain, because he also died of cancer. My dad used to love to tell me stories of what things were like at some time in his life. He usually told me multiple times and I can just imagine how he's going to tell me about his experience of seeing Jesus and heaven! Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Reading this book makes me excited to know that what I'm doing here on earth counts and makes a difference when I do it for Jesus! If you haven't read "Heaven is for Real", I highly recommend it. When you're done reading it give it to someone to read and tell them "pass it on to someone when you're done reading it"

Happy Mother's Day

Check out these videos.  One is a pregnant mom's flash mob and the other is a dumb song!




We love our moms oh yes we do!

Maybe the most important movie of all time!

I still remember the feelings I had the first time I watched "The Passion of the Christ" movie by Mel Gibson.
I'm the type of the person that likes to see just what Jesus went through for me!  The beatings, whippings, insults and injustice that he endured were well shown in this movie.  The thing that grabbed me was his determination to do His Father's Will no matter what people would do to Him!  It makes me want to have that kind of sacrificial mindset for me and the rest of my life!  I can give up whatever the Lord wants me to give up in order to do His Will!  On TBN they showed something called "Changed Lives".  They showed interviews of people's lives who were changed by that movie.  It was incredible to hear the stories.  I would encourage everyone to watch "The Passion of the Christ" movie soon!  It will help move you to live your life for Jesus!

What's more important than this?

Last night at 24/7, we had a time where students and youth leaders told the group what they experienced during the Eternity outreach.  It was one of the best testimony times I've heard in a looooooooooooong time!  Youth talked about how they experienced God's power working through them, since they had so little time to prepare for their role in the play.  They knew that it had to be God using them to reach people.  I often get asked if some of the actors are from New York and people are amazed when I tell them that they from here in our church.  Other youth talked about how much the time together in fellowship meant to them.

Just being together and encouraging each other meant more than they thought it would.  One of our youth leaders told the story about Pam leaving a voicemail on his phone thanking him for helping set up this cross scene where 34 children placed their trust in Christ.  He remembered thinking that he didn't have the time, but he helped anyway.  Without his help we wouldn't have gotten hat scene up.  Now he can't remember what he was worried about, but he does remember that 34 kids came to Christ!  He asked us what's more important, having to do something else that you won't remember or helping people come to know Christ like we did through Eternity?

Who says "white guys can't jump" & Eternity

Way to go Clint!  I see a lot of air under those feet!  My favorite scene in Eternity is the scene called "Merry Old Saints".  The scene reminds us that those who follow Christ and believe in Him will be changed in heaven.  We will be given a body that won't die or fade!  I'm excited, because each year seems to bring a new pain to our bodies!  Read about it below and thank the Lord for your salvation.  If you haven't trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior then do so right now!  You won't regret it when you die! 

1 Corinthians 15:50-53
I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. (NIV)

Praying through the armor & reading Matthew

Try praying through the armor of God
Belt of Truth - I put on the belt of truth, because I trust in Jesus as the way, the truth and the life.
Thank you for letting me know the truth and for setting me free by knowing you.

Breastplate of Righteousness - Thank you for giving me the righteousness that is found in Christ Jesus.  Thank you for making me right in my relationship with YOU!  Help me to live my life in the right way which is doing YOUR WILL for my life.

Shoes of Readiness & Peace - I put on the shoes of the gospel so that others can know YOU!  Help me to share Jesus with and invite people to spend eternity with YOU!  Thank you for giving me the peace that passes our understanding!

Shield of Faith - I take up the shield of faith.  Thank you for the power of faith in Christ!  I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!  Give me the faith to do YOUR WILL for me in my life!

Helmet of Salvation - I put on the helmet of salvation, because Jesus is my Savior!   You have delivered me through Jesus and his sacrifice!  Thank you for the power of God in my life!
Sword of the Spirit - I will take up the sword of the Spirit which is YOUR HOLY WORD!   Thank you for living in me and giving me the living word of God (Bible)!  Mold me into the image of Christ through Your Word!

Start Reading the book of Matthew this month!  Read through Jesus life in the book of Matthew.
Start today if you haven't already! 

Certain & Uncertain Times (Heaven & Gas Prices)

Yesterday I pulled off a quick one when I saw that gas prices at one gas station jumped 24 cents.  I've timed it and I know that I usually have one or two hours to get the vehicles to another gas station that is still at the old price.  I was excited to know that our tanks on both vehicles were low so I could fill them with the old prices.  I made it in time to fill both vehicles.  I think I saved almost $9.00 total. YEEEE Hawww.
I really can't get too excited about gas prices spiralling out of control.  It's so unpredictable to know what is going on in our world.  Wars in several countries that we're involved with, governement spending out of control, health care costs concerns for everyone and much more!  Last night, I also saw the heavenly stairs being built for the Eternity drama  that we're doing at First Baptist April 9-13.  I'm so excited.  Not just because of the drama, but also how I know that heaven is such a real place that I will live with Jesus one day with all who believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior!  That's something that is certian.  Jesus promises us that in the Bible John 3:16. When I watch the heavenly scenes I get pumped and emotional, because one day I'll see Jesus like that (well it's probably going to be WAY BETTER than that).  In an uncertain we can be certain about Jesus!  Be sure to come to the show if you're in the area April 9-13 7:00p.m. at First Baptist Church in Savoy. 

Sword of the Spirit

The Sword of the Spirit

     The picture above is probably closer to the type of sword that the Romans used so effectively than the large swords that we commonly see.  They learned that a shorter sword was better in close combat than the long sword.  They probably learned it from the Spanish mercenaries.  During that time any wound could be fatal and when the short sword was used in close range by a skilled soldier it was a deadly weapon.  Spiritually speaking the Bible which is God's word can be a strong weapon in our lives.  If Christ is in our lives then God lives in us by His Spirit (Ephesians 2:22).  If we don't take time to learn God's word and how we can use it, then it's like owning a sword, talking about it, but never knowing how to really use it. 
     This April month I'm encouraging everyone to read through the book of Matthew in the Bible.  That way we can read through the life of Christ.  Easter is at the end of the month so the timing is really good.  Youth & Parents I strongly suggest that we all dive into the book of Matthew today!  Read it separately or together or some of both.  Go For It!

Shield of Faith

“In addition to all of this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16

The shield that Paul talked about might have been something like this one.
It was made of wood, covered with linen & leather and there was a rim covered with brass or bronze metal.  The leather was to be dipped in water before battle so it would not catch fire and it would extinguish the flaming arrows.  The metal rim was to protect against a sword attack on the shield.  The shield was curved to better protect around the soldier.  It could be used individually or in a group.

They could protect or advance toward the enemy with this shield.  The protection was very important when the enemy would shoot hundreds of arrows all at once.  Kind of like in some of the Lord of the Rings scenes when sky was like a rain of arrows.  Without it we are defenseless! 
 
Some of the questions that came up last week were ones like:
"Why is there evil in the world?"  Some answers that were discussed were:

1. People were given free will.  We can choose to accept or reject Jesus.  If we reject Jesus then people open ourselves up to what they think is right. 
2. God's original plan was to live with humans and have relationship with them.  Humans chose to reject God therefore the world changed from the God's original plan. 
3. One youth said that without evil there's no comparison to what is good.  I thought that was an insightful comment. 
4. God can use bad happenings to teach us or so that we would rely on Him instead of ourselves.

 
Another question that we discussed for a while was:
"How do we know that Christianity (following Jesus) is right and other religions wrong?"

1. There's no absolute way to absolutely prove to people that Christianity is true & right, but I believe that there is much more evidence that true Christianity has than any other religion or philosophy of life.  (See the books by Josh McDowell Evidence that demands a verdict 1, 2 & 3 and the list at the end of this blog entry)
2. In most other religions people are trying to be good enough to make it to heaven.  In true Christianity it is God that reaches down to us instead of us reaching up to Him.  Mike Thomas quoted Bill Hybels when he talked about Do vs. Done.  Most people try to "do" enough or do the right things to make it to heaven.  On the other hand, Jesus Christ has "done" the work that we could never do.  Jesus paid for our penalty of sin by dieing as a perfect person without sin and he died on the cross in our place.  Therefore God raised Him from the dead.  So we must truly put our belief and trust in Jesus.  If we truly trust Jesus then our life will focused on living our lives for Him and His purposes and not our own.  Our lives change and in a sense our lives no longer belong to ourselves, but our lives belong to Jesus.

 
Helpful books in the church library (check a book out and learn more about what we studied):
New Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowell



More Than A Carpenter, Josh McDowell
Answers, Josh McDowell
Reasons, Josh McDowell
Case for Christ, Lee Strobel
Case for Faith, Lee Strobel
Case for Easter, Lee Strobel
Can Man Live Without God?, Ravi Zacharias
Jesus Among Other Gods, Ravi Zacharias
Know Why You Believe, Paul Little
Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis
Who Moved the Stone?, Frank Morison
Letters From A Skeptic

For all those at FBC, Deacon Mike Thomas has 10 copies of The Reason for God by Timothy Keller (will be in the library soon). Let me know if you want another book suggestion.
Pastor Chris

The Helmet of Salvation

The Helmet of Salvation. 
Key questions for life?

Is there any need for me to be saved? 
Read Romans 3:23

What happens to me, because of my sin?
Read Romans 6:23

How are we saved?
Read Ephesians  2:8-9

What do we become when we accept Christ into our lives and how should we live our lives after we accept Him into our lives?
Read I John 3:1-10

Remember that the helmet of salvation represents two important things
Protection from evil forces and others in the world
Power to overcome sin now and in the future
Check out this music video "Children of God"
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=9C2EE1NU
Also, this incredible video of the forgiveness of God.
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=9CC09MNU

Feet Fitted with the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace

Being ready is one of the most important steps to success in any area. 

We have to ask ourselves a few questions first:
Reflect on these questions:
How much does my faith in Christ mean to me?

Am I willing to give myself fully to the Lord?

Do I know what to tell others so they could know Jesus as Lord and Savior?

Secondly, we need to understand what our situation is and what God has done for us.
Here's the video that we watched last Sunday called "Bird cage" by the skit guys.  It might help you
understand what God has done for you!
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=7Z67KGNX

Try to memorize the 4 pillars of sharing the gospel.

Pillar #1 - GOD
God loves you and created us for a relationship with Him

Pillar #2 - PEOPLE
We are separated from God, because of our sin.
Romans 3:23  (For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God)

Pillar #3 - JESUS
I Peter 3:18 (Christ died for sins once for all)

Pillar #4 - YOU
John 1:12 "To all who received him , he gave the right to become children of God."

If we truly believe that Christ is our Lord and Savior, we will go all out to help others know
that Jesus loves them and died for them.

Watch this final video of people who seem crazy for their Idols or gods!
http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=7KLYDWNX
Let me know what you think about it!
Have an awesome week and let God use you to help others know HIM!
Chris

Breastplate of Righteousness - This week we studied righteousness at 24/7.   Watch the video with your son or daughter (youth ask your parents to watch it with you).  It's a takeoff on the Mac vs. PC.  After watching it discuss the questions below and read the scripture passage.  If you don't go through it with a parent then please go through it yourself.  Watch this video!

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=FMC1FNNU

Read Ephesians 4:22-24

In what ways are you trying to put off the old self (change any sinful ways or habits)?

In what ways are you trying to put on the new self to be more like God?

Read I John 3:7-10

Discuss what it means that if a person keeps on sinning that he or she is of the devil and also a person does what is right we are of God. 

Let me know how it goes!

Chris

Armor of God - Reflections

Devotional Reflections -
Week of Feb. 20, 2011 - Belt of Truth

Check out this link to some of the information that I talked at 24/7 last week. It has some incredible facts about the reliability of the Bible! http://www.allabouttruth.org/bible-truth.htm

Parents & youth read these scriptures this week and write your reflection after each one about what it means to you personally. These scriptures are to be read like He is speaking them to you.

John 3:16 – I Love You and sent my Son to save you

I Corinthians 6:20 – I love you and you belong to Me

Ephesians 1:9 – I created you with purpose

Ephesians 1:12 – You have hope

Ephesians 2:10 – You are my workmanship

Ephesians 2:14 – You have my peace

I Corinthians 6:19 – You are my holy temple

Ephesians 2:20 – You are secure in me

Ephesians 3:12 – You can approach me with confidence

Ephesians 6:10 – You have my power