Christianity Today’s Study Series “Faith and Pop Culture”

Christianity Today’s Study Series “Faith and Pop Culture,” is a small group study which examines various forms of art, from TV to literature to cinema from a Christian perspective. As the authors point out, there has historically been a love/hate relationship between the church and the arts.  

From Steinbeck to steroids, the eight sessions cover not only the traditional arts such as cinema and literature, but also address sports and television. The study also explores the role of “family friendly” movies, violence and the specific role of Christians in the entertainment industry. The eighth session is a challenging consideration of what it takes to fulfill the modern desire for entertainment.   

The outline of each session is designed to facilitate a small group study, with step-by-step instructions from breaking the ice to getting focused on the topic, to rolling up your sleeves and digging in to what the Bible has to say about each topic. Each session ends with a challenge and a personal action plan for how to apply or further consider the subject in the coming days.

This study would be suitable for youth or adults and, I think, would be especially useful for family devotions either in the home or small group setting. It challenges the student to be careful of what we watch and the impact of our choice of entertainment on our thinking and our witness. I think this is an especially timely study considering the events surrounding the recent death of Michael Jackson, Steve McNair and Farah Fawcett.    

“Faith and Pop Culture” is a well designed and useful study guide for small group study.

(I will be posting a few of these book reviews as a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger Program)

Sunday School Lesson in a Sandwich

A few days ago, Eileen and I were enjoying peanut butter and honey sandwiches in the woods. Sometimes it doesn’t take much to make me think of the most off the wall things, and as I thought about honey, I thought about God’s promise to Moses to deliver him into a land of milk and honey. Why milk and honey? Why not water and wine? Why not abundant vegetation for the people and pasture for the cattle? Why not any other of the abundant products of the area known as the “Fertile Crescent”?

Then, as I pondered on milk (which would have been delicious with the peanut butter and honey) it dawned on me. You get milk from cows, cows must have grass, grass must have water and sunshine. So, with milk you get all the other thrown in. Honey comes from bees. In order to make honey, bees need blooming vegetation, blooming vegetation also needs water, and makes its own fruit. So, once again you get so much more thrown in.

That’s the way it is with all of God’s promises. You get what is promised, but you get so much more thrown in. He really is a God Who does so much more than we can ask think or imagine (Eph 3:20).

Not a bad lesson from a sandwich, huh?

Fewer Idols – More Heroes!

We’ve seen an interesting progression, or “degression” in this country over the past couple of decades. In my dad’s generation, there were heroes – Audie Murphy, Sgt. York, even the make-believe guys like the Lone Ranger and Superman were based on the actions of doing good and helping people – but they were always humble. For example, the Lone Ranger was often gone before anyone got the chance to thank him.

Then when I was a child there were still heroes, but we also began to see the rise of superstars. People like Elvis were larger than life and sports stars were lifted up because of their talent event when their personal lives were a wreck.

These days we have seen the coming of age of the “idols”. These are people whose sole basis of their popularity is based on people’s opinion of them – whether they have talent or use that talent is not so much a question.

In other words, they are famous for being famous.

The situation is not hopeless. If godly men and women will stand up and be bold in their faith. There is a need for heroes, and what better place to find them than in our own homes?

Here are some “ABC’s of being a Hero.”

I.    ”Absolutes”        
There is a need for people to know – and be committed to their principles – to draw a line and determine they will not cross that line – no matter what.

We live in a day when everything is so situational and it “just depends” as to whether something is right or wrong. What kind of hero is that?

That kind of attitude goes along with the crowd and there has never been a hero in history that did something just because it everyone else was doing it. Heroes do things because it is the right thing to do.

II.    ”Bold”
It is possible to be a person of absolutes and be a wimp.

Being bold takes guts, it takes courage, it takes a boldness that is willing to make convictions known. Being bold means taking a stand for what is right and then standing up for what you believe in.

You family and friends need to know what you believe and they need to know you aren’t ashamed of it.

III.     ”Christian Character”    
It’s possible to be a bold man of absolutes and be absolutely wrong and staunchly committed to the wrong things.

The compass that keeps a godly hero on target is Godly principles. “WWJD” is more than a bumper sticker or a bracelet.

May God give us more Heroes!

Judging by the Looks of that Guy . . .

I learned a lot when I worked as an undercover police officer. I had the long, long beard, the earring. Some said I looked like I belonged with ZZ Top (for you young ones – that was a rock ‘n roll band back in the “the day.” J

One of the things I learned a lot about was being treated by the way I looked. I remember holding the door open for a lady at a restaurant, and she wouldn’t go through. She just stood and looked at me like I was going to knock her in the head if she got in front of me.

When I would go to someone’s office, people would move their stuff away from my side of the desk – so I wouldn’t steal their stapler I guess.

One of the funniest incidents took place when I met my wife for lunch one day when I had court, so I was dressed in a suit. An older lady she knew who was always ragging me about the way I looked came up and spoke to us– by the way, she had no idea what I did for living. I excused myself and told my wife I had to go back to court. This lady then informed me if I “got a different bunch of friends, I wouldn’t be in court all the time!” She was so precious!

But, all these folks were looking on the outside. Inside, I was still me. Often I find myself doing the very same thing. I catch myself judging someone by their appearance or what they are wearing. When I do, God kind of smacks me on the side of the head and reminds me that once that was me.

He, the true Judge, looks where it matters – at our hearts. And sometimes the cleanest folks on the outside are the ones most in need of “cleaning up” on the inside. So, instead of looking so hard at others, maybe . . .

“I’ll Make You An Offer You Can’t Refuse” by Michael Franzese

What on earth could someone in legitimate business learn from a former mafia capo? Apparently, quite a bit. In “I’ll Make You An Offer You Can’t Refuse,” Michael Franzese writes about how the lessons learned from conducting mob business can be applied in today’s business environment. He rightly points out the goal of both is to make money, the difference is in how it the goal will be accomplished. Franzese pits the philosophies of Machiavelli (the Mafia way) and King Solomon of Israel.

The advice given is very practical. From streamlining meandering business meetings to resemble Mafia “sit downs” where everyone knows the agenda and follows it to guarding against losing company funds to gambling addictions. Franzese’s style is very matter of fact and he makes it clear he does not advocate or condone any of the illegal or unethical behavior of his former lifestyle.

With his focus now clarified, the author makes it clear the true measure of success goes well beyond the bottom line. I would recommend this book to anyone in business, considering going into business or in any leadership capacity.

On prayer . . .

Prayer is a much neglected, yet powerful asset for the Christian. Prayer is entering into the presence of a Holy God and presenting our praises, our petitions, our confession and we acknowledge our dependence upon Him for all we have and are. Prayers are to be made both publicly and privately, but always with the focus on communicating with God in our mind.

 

Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about prayer today. So often, prayer is viewed as a last resort. We hear folks say, with exasperation, “Well, all we can do now is pray.” It is said as if all the “real” options, all of the good alternatives, have been exhausted.

 

Truth is, prayer should be our “go to weapon.” It should be the first thing we think of and the last we do. Not a last resort.

 

Other Christians in our culture today pray with a focus on themselves. This is done by making demands, or going before God without a proper sense of awe and reverence. This attitude is also evidenced by the presentation of petitions as if God owes us in some respect.

 

Some have a general unconcern regarding prayer. Almost as common as taking the Lord’s name in vain is using the phrase, “Pray for me,” flippantly as if it were some kind of joke and that was the punch line.

 

Prayer, rightly viewed, is a God-given privilege to appear before His holy presence. It is by His mercy that we are not consumed (Lamentations 3:22) especially as we draw near to Him in prayer. Then, we are given the privilege of worshipping Him (Matthew 6:9-10) and thanking Him for all He has already done (Colossians 4:2). We are given the grace to repent of the sin which makes us so unworthy (Matthew 6:12). He then tells us we are to make our requests known to Him (Philippians 4:6).

 

Sometimes I find myself in a position where I know God can answer my prayer, I am just not certain that He will.

Recalling Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose, I know that all prayers of believers are answered. It is just that sometimes the answer is “no.”

Jesus pointed out to His disciples in Luke 11:11that if a son asks for bread from his earthly father, certainly that father would not give him a stone. Or, if he asked for a fish, he would not give him a serpent instead. There are times when we ask for things which are not for our ultimate good. To use Jesus’ analogy, if our child were to ask for a serpent, we would certainly not give it to him. Neither will God say yes to our request for things which He knows will harm us.

So seek the Lord early and often in prayer. And expect Him to do great things.

If You’ve had a heart attack . . .

I don’t know how many people might find this useful, but you probably know someone who can use this information – or will.

This is advice is NOT to replace any info from your doctor or medical professional. I do have to add that my heart attack was classified as “mild” and I have NO experience with any other kind. Also, I have been out of the hospital for about 6 weeks, so I’m still learning. But, here are a few things I’ve learned so far.

1. Your life will change. What you can do for the short term is not what you will be able to do long term. Your diet will probably change that should be long term, very long term. Your activity level will change. That is probably short term, you can get active again, but it will take a while. If you were not active before, that will probably change if you will do it.
2. Listen to your doctor – but also talk to your doctor. Ask questions and write them down so you don’t forget them during those whirlwind visits.
3. If your doctor won’t answer your questions – find a new one. This goes for your family physician to your cardiologist and anyone else you might see.
4. Do rehab. I read recently those who participate in rehab decrease chances of dying from a heart attack by 20-25%. Maybe those machines kill you – I’m just kidding! I didn’t plan to complete rehab. I was just going to go and get some ideas and stop. I’m thinking that probably isn’t a good idea now.
5. Get plenty of rest. The tiredness does go away after a while, but if it doesn’t, it could be a side effect of some of your medicines. I guess they all have side effects and they affect different folks in different ways. But, if you’re not sure, ask your doctor.
6. Involve your friends and family. They want to help and you should let them do whatever you need help doing. Depression is a potential side effect of a heart attack. I guess it could be a side effect of some medicines or combinations of meds, but it doesn’t have to be a “natural” side effect. If it is, your friends and family can possibly see it before you do.

I hope this helps someone. I was totally unprepared for my heart attack. But I’ve had a great support group including my family, my church family, my friends at work, my doctors and other medical folks and now beginning in rehab. Most of all, I thank God for His care during all of this, and I look forward to everyday He sees fit to let me stay here.

 

Christianity Today’s Study Series “Faith and Pop Culture”

Christianity Today’s Study Series “Faith and Pop Culture,” is a small group study which examines various forms of art, from TV to literature to cinema from a Christian perspective. As the authors point out, there has historically been a love/hate relationship between the church and the arts.

From Steinbeck to steroids, the eight sessions cover not only the traditional arts such as cinema and literature, but also address sports and television. The study also explores the role of “family friendly” movies, violence and the specific role of Christians in the entertainment industry. The eighth session is a challenging consideration of what it takes to fulfill the modern desire for entertainment.

The outline of each session is designed to facilitate a small group study, with step-by-step instructions from breaking the ice to getting focused on the topic, to rolling up your sleeves and digging in to what the Bible has to say about each topic. Each session ends with a challenge and a personal action plan for how to apply or further consider the subject in the coming days.

This study would be suitable for youth or adults and, I think, would be especially useful for family devotions either in the home or small group setting. It challenges the student to be careful of what we watch and the impact of our choice of entertainment on our thinking and our witness. I think this is an especially timely study considering the events surrounding the recent death of Michael Jackson, Steve McNair and Farah Fawcett.

“Faith and Pop Culture” is a well designed and useful study guide for small group study.

(I will be posting a few of these book reviews as a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger Program J

With all their Heart

I participated in the “Run for the Warriors” www.hopeforthewarriors.org/r4w.html at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina yesterday. Of course, I had to walk, not run, due to my heart.

I was a little put out about that, because I wanted to run and I especially to run at Camp Lejeune. That’s where I developed a love for running as a Marine back in the early 80’s.

While I did not get to run, I was blessed to be able to walk. And I will run again, Lord willing, one day soon. My affliction is temporary. But there were those among us yesterday whose afflictions are not temporary. Many of the “wounded warriors” were there. Some in wheelchairs, some with canes, some with other physical impairments due to wounds received in battle. These guys were awesome. Some rode handbikes, some seemed to be doing good to walk. But, their spirits were undaunted.

Many of these guys fight to be able to show they are still physically fit to serve – some even going back into combat. But, they will face challenges for the rest of their life. Please keep these men and women, and their families, in your prayers. Help them when you can. Organizations such as Hope for the Warriors are doing an awesome job of looking out for these folks. They don’t want sympathy, they are warriors. And, in this fallen world of tyrants, dictators, despots and other enemies of freedom, we need warriors.

God bless them all, and Semper Fi.

 

 

 

Another Step on the Road to Recovery!

As you know, there was a slight interruption in my plans to begin running in 5k’s, 10k’s, etc. J

Eileen and I had signed up to run in this weekend’s Race for the Warriors which helps raise money for the troops wounded in battle. www.hopeforthewarriors.org/

Well, I certainly won’t be running it, but I plan to walk the 5k. Eileen is going to run it, so I won’t be there this time to get a photo of her crossing the finish line, but I know she will do so in fine fashion.

I took the stress test earlier this week and see the cardiologist Monday. Rehab begins on Tuesday.

If you, or someone you know, is in the recovery process from a heart attack (that’s the only thing I can address from experience) please encourage them to improve and do what they can. I know sometimes it is our tendency to try to protect our loved ones, and NEVER do anything against the advice or instruction of your medical professionals, but do all you can to be an encourager.

I thank God, I’m surrounded by people who love me here at home, at church and at work both from my students and colleagues.

I’ll keep you posted and plan to do a post for recovering (PT) addicts J