We had an excellent time in Gatliburg on our annual trip to Winterfest. For those reading this who are unaware of what Winterfest is, it’s the largest gathering of teens from the Churches of Christ in the nation. Nearly 13,000 people were there this past weekend to share in worship, education, and entertainment. There are great speakers, worship leaders, actors, and other performers who together make up the Winterfest program. The teens that come on the trip grow closer to each other and always seem to return with more dedication to knowing and serving God. I’ve always been impressed with the work that goes on through The Winterfest Group. We learned about several mission trips supported by Winterfest as well as various Christian colleges and Christian organizations. The youth group and myself are very thankful for the support provided by the Roseville Church. Without your generous donations and encouragement, going to events like this would be impossible.
This year’s theme for Winterfest was “Love God. Love Others.” The theme scripture for the weekend was Matthew 22:34-40. In this passage, Jesus states the two greatest commands: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself”. This weekend, it was stated that our responsibilities as Christians boils down to these two commands. If we love God and love others, worship and service will be natural outcomes. Loving God means being fully dedicated to Him. It means that people recognize God living in us. Loving God should naturally lead to loving other people. When we realize what God has done for us (particularly through the sacrifice of Jesus), we should be excited about sharing God’s love with other people. This means putting aside our differences and our comfort as we do everything in our power to serve the people living in our world.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Consequences
This morning, I read a story about a woman who embezzled funds from an Ann Arbor hockey league. The Ann Arbor Amateur Hockey Association (AAAHA) had been putting money in to a special fund for decades. The money was to be spent on the construction of “an independent ice rink for children in the local hockey league”. (mlive.com) This plan was terminated due to the fact that Kimberly Knight, an employee of the AAAHA, spent close to $1 million of the AAAHA’s funds on gifts and a vacation for her family. She apparently purchased some construction equipment for her family’s struggling business, expensive jewelry, extravagant clothing, a 2005 Cadillac Escalade and various other items. Knight had been embezzling the money from 2005 through 2007. It wasn’t until August of 2007 that a forensic audit showed the missing funds and Knight was fired.
This case was discussed on the radio today. The on-air personalities found it odd that this woman’s conscience wouldn’t stop her from committing this crime. A lot of emphasis was put on consequences and how people so often avoid considering them. It was hypothesized that this type of activity is an addiction, leading one to become obsessive and gain a “high” from illegal activities. I always find it fascinating when morality is discussed outside of a Christian perspective. Motivation should come from one’s desire to follow God’s commands and represent him. I remember times in my life when I committed certain acts because I knew there was a slim chance that I would be caught. I also remember doing certain things because I feared the wrath of my parents and other authority figures. God doesn’t need forensic evidence to know we are guilty. He also doesn’t need statistical research to know the consequences of sin. He gives us logical instructions in the Bible that if followed, will help us be freed from sin. God knows our potential, both good and evil. He wants us to live for and fear Him first.
This case was discussed on the radio today. The on-air personalities found it odd that this woman’s conscience wouldn’t stop her from committing this crime. A lot of emphasis was put on consequences and how people so often avoid considering them. It was hypothesized that this type of activity is an addiction, leading one to become obsessive and gain a “high” from illegal activities. I always find it fascinating when morality is discussed outside of a Christian perspective. Motivation should come from one’s desire to follow God’s commands and represent him. I remember times in my life when I committed certain acts because I knew there was a slim chance that I would be caught. I also remember doing certain things because I feared the wrath of my parents and other authority figures. God doesn’t need forensic evidence to know we are guilty. He also doesn’t need statistical research to know the consequences of sin. He gives us logical instructions in the Bible that if followed, will help us be freed from sin. God knows our potential, both good and evil. He wants us to live for and fear Him first.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Personal Ads
I can’t tell you privileged I feel to no longer be a part of the “dating scene”. Looking for a mate was an excruciating and ultimately worthless pursuit. This might not be the case for everyone, but in trying to find the love of my life I only found problems. As I’ve mentioned before, I completely believe that God brought someone to me only after I completely gave control over to him. Before I gave up jurisdiction over my love life, I attempted to meet women in several places including: high school, chorus, summer camp, church, college, and even the Internet. One thing I never tried was personal ads.
This afternoon, I came across a personal ad featuring a chubby engineering student that seeks an Asian woman of a very specific height, weight, and build. I began searching around and found several other examples of humorous personal ads. The first is: “SWM, old, fat, balding, many disgusting habits seeks SWF with money. Send pictures of your house, car, RV. This could be your lucky day.” You have to appreciate his honesty. Another reads, “SWM into chainsaws and hockey masks seek likeminded SWF. No weirdos, please.” Even the stars of major motion pictures have trouble finding love! Finally, showing that one’s priorities change with age: “When I was thirty my dates had to be young, slim, tall, handsome, rich, intelligent. Now I'm 64, they only have to know how to read and use the telephone!”
James 4:8 states that if you draw near to God, “He will draw near to you”. God has put out a personal ad for us. He seeks a loving, intimate relationship with his creation. If we answer this ad and devote ourselves fully to God, it is easy to see how strong God’s presence can be in our lives. We have someone to confide in that provides everything we will ever need. Do you “consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ?” (Phil. 3:7-8)
This afternoon, I came across a personal ad featuring a chubby engineering student that seeks an Asian woman of a very specific height, weight, and build. I began searching around and found several other examples of humorous personal ads. The first is: “SWM, old, fat, balding, many disgusting habits seeks SWF with money. Send pictures of your house, car, RV. This could be your lucky day.” You have to appreciate his honesty. Another reads, “SWM into chainsaws and hockey masks seek likeminded SWF. No weirdos, please.” Even the stars of major motion pictures have trouble finding love! Finally, showing that one’s priorities change with age: “When I was thirty my dates had to be young, slim, tall, handsome, rich, intelligent. Now I'm 64, they only have to know how to read and use the telephone!”
James 4:8 states that if you draw near to God, “He will draw near to you”. God has put out a personal ad for us. He seeks a loving, intimate relationship with his creation. If we answer this ad and devote ourselves fully to God, it is easy to see how strong God’s presence can be in our lives. We have someone to confide in that provides everything we will ever need. Do you “consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ?” (Phil. 3:7-8)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
The Wide World of Sin
From time to time, in the news headlines, we read stories about adored athletes who make bad decisions that forever tarnish their reputations. It wasn’t all that long ago that Michael Vick, a former quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, was found to be the proprietor of a massive dog fighting complex. He was suspended by the NFL, lost his promotional agreements, and was sent to prison. The last I read, Vick is supposedly heading to a halfway house program. Sean Avery, a former left-winger for the Dallas Stars, lost his spot on the team for publicly insulting another NHL player regarding this player’s relationship with Avery’s former girlfriend. Plaxico Burress’s future in the NFL is in question because he was found to possess a handgun illegally after accidentally shooting himself in the leg. Most recently Michael Phelps, the winner of 16 Olympic medals, was photographed using marijuana. There is talk that he will lose sponsors.
There is much that we can learn from these athletes. First, we discover that there are consequences for even the wealthiest and most well known people in the world. Galatians 6:7-8 reminds us “a man reaps what he sows”. Second, we learn that we can’t hide from these consequences. In Psalm 139, the writer speaks of God’s omnipresence. The worst thing about the situation involving Michael Phelps is that those representing him attempted to cover up the mistake and bribe the newspaper that original published the photo. Finally, and possibly most importantly, we must remember, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). These men have made mistakes that our Lord is willing to forgive them for. We should also be willing to forgive the sins of others.
There is much that we can learn from these athletes. First, we discover that there are consequences for even the wealthiest and most well known people in the world. Galatians 6:7-8 reminds us “a man reaps what he sows”. Second, we learn that we can’t hide from these consequences. In Psalm 139, the writer speaks of God’s omnipresence. The worst thing about the situation involving Michael Phelps is that those representing him attempted to cover up the mistake and bribe the newspaper that original published the photo. Finally, and possibly most importantly, we must remember, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). These men have made mistakes that our Lord is willing to forgive them for. We should also be willing to forgive the sins of others.
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