The Fine Line
Back in September, I wrote a post about living “in” the world without becoming “of” the world. I was able to share scripture to clearly define the issue, but I couldn’t offer much insight into how to deal with the paradox.
Well, I have found a book that answers all of my questions and presents several more questions to consider. It is an incredibly challenging book that will make you consider past situations and give you great insight into how to live a Transformist life today.
Kary Oberbrunner does an excellent job of making a distinction between Christianity & culture, while pointing out that culture is not absent from Christianity. With this point made, Christians are faced with a decision. Do we continue to live as Separatist or do we become Transformist and engage culture for the glory of God?
This is a very well thought out book with life changing application. I would recommend this book to every Christian. Especially those of us who struggle with living in the world without becoming ensnared by the world.
Contact Kary at his website.
Follow Kary on Twitter.
You Cannot Multiply Wealthy By Dividing It
“You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.”
-Adrian Rogers
1931 – 2005
This is Your Brain on Joy
I recently read This is Your Brain on Joy by Dr. Earl Henslin. I was drawn to this book because it was written by a psychotherapist, but from a Christian perspective. I was intrigued to hear his viewpoint on relating prayer & God’s will with traditional therapy.
Dr. Henslin has delivered a very well written book on his studies and the work of Dr. Daniel G. Amen. It defines how your brain functions in easy to understand language. He goes into great detail to discuss Dr. Amen’s SPECT (single photon emission computerized tomography) scans and their importance in treating his patients.
The book covers some of the issues that can arise in the different areas of the brain and how those areas can be treated. And while often people of faith avoid the topic of medications to treat mental issues, Dr. Henslin was not afraid to talk about medications as a course of treatment in some cases. However he also recommended alternative to taking medicines, such as supplements, proper diet and exercise.
Overall, I would recommend this book. The “Amen Brain Checklist” on page 33 and subsequent answer key is worth the price of the book. The checklist will help you analyze yourself and may lead to some unique self awareness.
Amazon Outreach
Yesterday I had an opportunity to learn about a missionary organization working in the Basin of Brazil. Amazon Outreach assists churches who want to send workers to the small villages along the Amazon River.
Amazon Outreach has large boats that transport short term missionaries along the Amazon to meet with the villagers. While there they provide medical needs such as eye glasses & dental care. They also treat the kids to fun with vacation bible school, sports & recreation. But most of all they gain opportunities to share Jesus Christ.
Jed Thompson is the Executive Director of Amazon Outreach. His heart is for the people in the Basin of Brazil. You can hear the passion in his voice for those people. And after going on 60+ trips, he has the experience to help your church reach those people.
So if you or your church is interested in going with Amazon Outreach, please contact Jed and his team today. The phone number for Amazon Outreach is 972-931-5565 and their website is http://www.amazonoutreach.org.
Bible Versions
When I’m teaching I use the New American Standard Bible (NASB) as my main bible reference. Mostly because I have found it to be the most accurate translation. Plus it is the version of the Bible I’ve used for the last 15 years.
Recently I purchased a Chronological Bible and it New International Version (NIV). I enjoy reading it and find it to be very straight forward.
In class a couple of weeks ago, I used the New Living Translation (NLT) on a handout. I did so because I wanted the class to be able to read a verse to a small group and I wanted the reader to be able to share the verse in very plain, everyday language. We didn’t have time for the reader to explain the context of the words used as that would take away from the topical discussion. That handout caused a few eyebrows to be raised because I used NLT versus some of the more common interpretations of the Bible.
My question today is: What version of the Bible do you use and why?
His Gift For You
Idlewild has designated 2009 as the ‘Year to Serve’. As a way to understand our role in serving, we need to understand the way God has gifted us to serve.
As I prayed about this “giftedness” and asked questions to those around me, it has become clear that many people do not know or understand how God has gifted them to serve.
So for the next few weeks in bible study, I am walking through the Spiritual Gifts. We will define Spiritual Gifts and discuss the what, why, how, etc.
Ultimately we will look at several ways to discern our own spiritual gifts and then how we can apply those gifts to build the body of Christ.
So what Spiritual Gift(s) has God so abundantly and gracefully poured on you? Leave a comment and discuss!
Third Day – Live Revelations
Third Day is releasing a new DVD/CD on April 7.
Check it out (and spread the news):
We are not talking about an ordinary CD release. This will be a 2 disc DVD/CD release. The CD with 9 live recordings would be enough….but wait…there’s more! The DVD has over 75 minutes of documentary footage. From the official Third Day Website, “The 75-minute documentary seamlessly blends the powerful Third Day live concert experience with exclusive behind-the-scenes moments as only an “all access” pass can offer. “When we say “all access” we really went to the extreme with it,” notes Tai Anderson, the band”s bass player. “You”ll see Mac, Mark, David, me living day-to-day with the people we call our “family on the road” and just being ourselves; sometimes intense, sometimes funny – but always real.”
Third Day is an amazing band that speaks directly to your soul. Don’t miss this new DVD/CD. It will be officially released on April 7 and you can pre-order it by clicking HERE.
Sleeping & Satisfied
On most nights while tucking my 9 y/o daughter in, we take a few minutes and dive into God’s word. This is usually followed by a short impromtu discussion on the verse(s) we’ve just read. She loves God’s word and so enjoys reading it. It is truly a joy to see & hear!
Recently we read most of Philippians 4. As we finished, I went back to verses 11-13:
“Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13″
I read it again v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y , hoping she would soak up the richness of this verse. Hoping she would glean the fullness of contentment.
Discussion started with a simple question for her, “what is contentment?”
Daughter: Being full?
Daddy: Being full can be part of it…I guess. What else?
Daughter: Being satisifed?
Daddy: Yes. Paul wants us to learn how to be satisfied in every situation, whether we are in good times or bad times, we need to understand that we can and should be content or satisfied.
Daddy: Last question, are you content?
Daughter: YES…when I am sleeping!
We talked for a while longer about and hopefully she will start working on contentment during the daylight hours as well! 
As I write this and think about contentment, I know God had something for me in there too. He always does.
You see, I’m not very good at being content in every situation.
Often I want to “take control” and try to improve the situation a little bit here & there.
More times than not, I feel like I deserve better or more or whatever…
But I am learning that I can live without most of the “stuff” I think I deserve. I’m also learning that most of the “stuff” doesn’t actually make things better. Sometimes it can make things worse.
Lord, thank you for Your rich and powerful words. I can do all things THROUGH Christ who strengthens me. Not of my own accord, but according to Your will. In Jesus name, Amen.
I Am Not Love
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is everything I am not.
I am impatient & unkind. I am jealous and boastful and proud and rude. I demand my own way, rejoice about injustice and do not rejoice when truth wins. I give up, lose faith and am never hopeful. I know nothing of endurance.
I’m a broken, wrecked guy who, on my own, can do nothing remotely close to love.
Thankfully, God knew this when he formed me. He had a plan for my life. He ultimately sent his son Jesus to pay for the penalty of my sin (John 3:16). And it is only through my relationship with Jesus that I am able to love. The very nature of love comes from God. (1 John 4:16).
May God pour his love on my life. I need it desperately. May He become so much more in my life and me so much less. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
President’s Day
Happy President’s Day!
The federal holiday is to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. In honor of George Washington & President’s Day, here are some links to learn more: