First impressions can be very important in a variety of situations. When arriving for a job interview or when meeting your significant other’s parents, it is best not to smell like unwashed gym socks or expired gorgonzola. If invited to meet the president of the United States, I wouldn’t suggest donning a suit of fur and acting like a cat. Well, unless you are a cast member of the show “Cats” and the president’s staff suggests that you stay in character in order to fit the president’s request. Finally, if you are looking to meet that special someone, make sure your name isn’t George or Ann. Wait… What?
According to a study by Professor Richard Wiseman of Hertfordshire University, “we might subconsciously associate names with those of the rich and famous.” (dailymail.co.uk) People with traditional names that can be associated with powerful individuals like royalty are viewed as successful and intelligent. The way a name sounds also seems to have an effect on one’s perception as female names that are “soft-sounding and end with the ‘ee’ sound” are thought to be attractive. For Wiseman’s study, 7,000 volunteers were given a list of 20 male and 20 female names. They were asked to identify who they thought would be most successful, attractive, and lucky. Fittingly, I am at the bottom of the lucky ranking and near the bottom of the attractiveness standings.
The names of God in scripture have more significance than association with fame or the way they sound. Elohim (Isa. 54:5) means “strong one.” Yahweh (Ge.4:3), or YHWH, comes from a verb which means “to exist, be.” Through this name God expresses himself to be self-existent. Adonai (Gen. 18:2), like Elohim, is a plural of majesty. The singular form means “master, owner.” The Greek word Theos is translated “God” and teaches that God is the only true God. (Matt. 23:9) God’s character is multifaceted. He is more than a supreme being. He is our Lord, father, and everything else we need.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Illuminate 2010: Drive
This weekend the youth group made its annual trip to Illuminate, a youth conference at the Rochester Church of Christ in Rochester Hills, Michigan. I am very thankful to everyone that made the trip. I would also like to thank the elders for allowing us to be there. It was an excellent time of fellowship, worship, and spiritual growth.
The theme of this year’s Illuminate was “Drive”. Various speakers and performers throughout the weekend used the word in its various definitions. David Skidmore, a youth minister from Tennessee, spoke about how many of us are running on empty, living without a passionate relationship with God. He mentioned David’s Psalms of lament that might seem depressing but show an authentic connection to the Creator. While introducing the concept of “Japanese Bible Theatre” to us, David Skidmore referenced Jesus’ meeting with Nathanael and Philip in John 1. In this story we find two kinds of disciples. There are those like Philip that immediately does what God commands without hesitation. Then, there is Nathanael, who though skeptical is complimented for his authenticity and desired as a disciple in God’s kingdom.
Finally, Skidmore spoke about “Our song”. Those of us that know God and are driven by our desire to serve Him have a beautiful song that people want to hear. We need to be aware of what our song sounds like. If we are tied down by Earthly pursuits, our skepticism, or if we can’t get past our lamenting, we have a song that few want to hear. We have to be driven people, and not simply people that believe in Jesus. We exist to love and to serve the people in our lives. Like David Skidmore did, I want to challenge you to find one person in your life that you can lead to know Christ. Pray without ceasing and share the gospel without fear to all who will hear.
The theme of this year’s Illuminate was “Drive”. Various speakers and performers throughout the weekend used the word in its various definitions. David Skidmore, a youth minister from Tennessee, spoke about how many of us are running on empty, living without a passionate relationship with God. He mentioned David’s Psalms of lament that might seem depressing but show an authentic connection to the Creator. While introducing the concept of “Japanese Bible Theatre” to us, David Skidmore referenced Jesus’ meeting with Nathanael and Philip in John 1. In this story we find two kinds of disciples. There are those like Philip that immediately does what God commands without hesitation. Then, there is Nathanael, who though skeptical is complimented for his authenticity and desired as a disciple in God’s kingdom.
Finally, Skidmore spoke about “Our song”. Those of us that know God and are driven by our desire to serve Him have a beautiful song that people want to hear. We need to be aware of what our song sounds like. If we are tied down by Earthly pursuits, our skepticism, or if we can’t get past our lamenting, we have a song that few want to hear. We have to be driven people, and not simply people that believe in Jesus. We exist to love and to serve the people in our lives. Like David Skidmore did, I want to challenge you to find one person in your life that you can lead to know Christ. Pray without ceasing and share the gospel without fear to all who will hear.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Gotta Catch 'Em All
This week I will be making, by far, my most “nerdy” illustration. Buckle up. It’s going to be a bumpy ride. A big phenomenon among today’s youth (and youthful gray haired folks like myself) are various games based on obtaining a collection of cards, toys, or electronic monsters. Some of the more popular games in this category are Yu-Gi-Oh!, HeroClix, Magic: The Gathering, and Pokemon. An insurmountable sum of time and money is spent purchasing, trading, and competing in these games. Tournaments and other events based on them are held throughout the world.
The one game in this collectable category that’s always gripped my brother and I is referred to as “Pokemon”. In the Pokemon video games, the player catches and battles with various creatures on his or her way to become the best “Pokemon trainer” in the game’s world. The games use an ingenious paper/rock/scissors system. For example, a Pokemon creature that uses fire can be bested in competition by a creature that spews water. In order to win battles against one’s opponent either in the game or in person, one must have a team of creatures that is diverse and skilled in the various elements.
Kids have been enthusiastic about collecting for centuries. When it comes to various virtues and attitudes detailed in scripture, kids (and adults) can be a little less zealous. There are various lists in scripture including the definition of love in 1 Cor. 13, the components of the “full armor of God” in Eph. 6, and the qualities of a Christian in 2 Peter 1. You can see that God (and the Bible’s writers) is very thorough. He wants us to have the “collect them all” mentality. There is always some facet of ourselves that we need to be working on. If we exclude parts of God’s commands, we are left vulnerable and unbalanced. Only through self-examination and training can we resist Satan.
The one game in this collectable category that’s always gripped my brother and I is referred to as “Pokemon”. In the Pokemon video games, the player catches and battles with various creatures on his or her way to become the best “Pokemon trainer” in the game’s world. The games use an ingenious paper/rock/scissors system. For example, a Pokemon creature that uses fire can be bested in competition by a creature that spews water. In order to win battles against one’s opponent either in the game or in person, one must have a team of creatures that is diverse and skilled in the various elements.
Kids have been enthusiastic about collecting for centuries. When it comes to various virtues and attitudes detailed in scripture, kids (and adults) can be a little less zealous. There are various lists in scripture including the definition of love in 1 Cor. 13, the components of the “full armor of God” in Eph. 6, and the qualities of a Christian in 2 Peter 1. You can see that God (and the Bible’s writers) is very thorough. He wants us to have the “collect them all” mentality. There is always some facet of ourselves that we need to be working on. If we exclude parts of God’s commands, we are left vulnerable and unbalanced. Only through self-examination and training can we resist Satan.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
And the Award Goes to...
I have the Academy Awards to thank for my recent movie watching mood. Always a fan of the cinema and a part-time movie buff, it doesn’t take much to send me in to a film frenzy. This time of year, I spend the later part of my evenings catching up on any award nominated movies and performances I might have missed.
I was rather excited to see “The Hurt Locker” receive the Oscar for Best Picture. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy “Avatar” or the other nominees. I just like to see lower budget, more human/character centered movies take home the biggest honor in the motion picture industry. “The Hurt Locker” had a budget of $11 million and is the lowest grossing best picture winner of all time. “Avatar,” on the other hand, cost more than $230 million to make and broke box office records.
“The Hurt Locker” follows a United States Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team during the Iraq War. The script was written by a freelance writer embedded as a journalist in 2004 with a US bomb squad in Iraq. Their job is among the most dangerous and most important in the military. They deserved to be recognized.
The Bible is centered on the lives of human beings with dangerous jobs. It could be nothing more than a simple instruction manual with step-by-step instructions. However, it follows people like Moses, who faced an angry Pharaoh. It tells the story of Job, who remained true to his faith despite losing everything else. It reveals the life of David, who (like “The Hurt Locker”) stood in the face of tremendous odds and conquered a giant. In the New Testament, we read about Jesus and his apostles, who suffered much to forever change the world. Carefully study the lives of these heroes. You will see that “average” human beings can become “more than conquerors.” (Rom. 8:37)
I was rather excited to see “The Hurt Locker” receive the Oscar for Best Picture. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy “Avatar” or the other nominees. I just like to see lower budget, more human/character centered movies take home the biggest honor in the motion picture industry. “The Hurt Locker” had a budget of $11 million and is the lowest grossing best picture winner of all time. “Avatar,” on the other hand, cost more than $230 million to make and broke box office records.
“The Hurt Locker” follows a United States Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team during the Iraq War. The script was written by a freelance writer embedded as a journalist in 2004 with a US bomb squad in Iraq. Their job is among the most dangerous and most important in the military. They deserved to be recognized.
The Bible is centered on the lives of human beings with dangerous jobs. It could be nothing more than a simple instruction manual with step-by-step instructions. However, it follows people like Moses, who faced an angry Pharaoh. It tells the story of Job, who remained true to his faith despite losing everything else. It reveals the life of David, who (like “The Hurt Locker”) stood in the face of tremendous odds and conquered a giant. In the New Testament, we read about Jesus and his apostles, who suffered much to forever change the world. Carefully study the lives of these heroes. You will see that “average” human beings can become “more than conquerors.” (Rom. 8:37)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
A Few Words About Nonverbal Communication
I am a big proponent of nonverbal communication. I don’t prefer it to verbal communication, seeing as how I’ve spent quite a few years attempting to speak correctly. However, I can’t claim to have mastered the English language and I certainly can’t tell you that I’ve come close to becoming a skilled nonverbal communicator.
Facial expression, gestures, signs, and use of space are all important components of nonverbal communication. An About.com article states, “Multicultural differences in body language, facial expression, use of space, and especially, gestures, are enormous and enormously open to misinterpretation.” A study at UCLA revealed that up to 93% of communication effectiveness is determined by nonverbal cues. Another study showed that the impact of one’s performance is determined 7% by words used, 38% by voice quality, and 55% by nonverbal communication. Having a very high and occasionally shrill voice myself, I depend highly on nonverbal communication.
In order to understand nonverbal communication, one must practice watching “facial expressions, eye contact, posture, hand and feet movements, body movement and placement, and appearance and passage as [someone walks] toward you.” If you have to choose between reading one’s words and one’s nonverbal cues, it is usually the right choice to go with the nonverbal communication. These cues reveal more than words.
In 1 John 3:18, it is stated that we should “not love with words or with tongue, but in deed an truth.” Anyone can talk about their love for their fellow man or for the Lord, but how many of us take time to show our love? James 2:15-17 tells us that faith without works is dead. More than a gesture or facial expression, acts of service can bond people together and change the world in significant ways. Encouraging words are great, but always look for other ways to serve your fellow man!
Facial expression, gestures, signs, and use of space are all important components of nonverbal communication. An About.com article states, “Multicultural differences in body language, facial expression, use of space, and especially, gestures, are enormous and enormously open to misinterpretation.” A study at UCLA revealed that up to 93% of communication effectiveness is determined by nonverbal cues. Another study showed that the impact of one’s performance is determined 7% by words used, 38% by voice quality, and 55% by nonverbal communication. Having a very high and occasionally shrill voice myself, I depend highly on nonverbal communication.
In order to understand nonverbal communication, one must practice watching “facial expressions, eye contact, posture, hand and feet movements, body movement and placement, and appearance and passage as [someone walks] toward you.” If you have to choose between reading one’s words and one’s nonverbal cues, it is usually the right choice to go with the nonverbal communication. These cues reveal more than words.
In 1 John 3:18, it is stated that we should “not love with words or with tongue, but in deed an truth.” Anyone can talk about their love for their fellow man or for the Lord, but how many of us take time to show our love? James 2:15-17 tells us that faith without works is dead. More than a gesture or facial expression, acts of service can bond people together and change the world in significant ways. Encouraging words are great, but always look for other ways to serve your fellow man!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Winterfest 2010: "The Veil"
The youth group had an excellent trip to Gatlinburg, TN for Winterfest this year. We would like to thank everyone who made the trip possible including (but not limited to) the parents, teens, sponsors, elders, and everyone who donated funds through the collection plate and our various fundraising events. As always, this trip allowed us to have fun, bond together, worship, and learn more about our God. Everyone who attends comes back spiritually invigorated and more enthusiastic about serving the Lord.
This year’s theme for Winterfest was “The Veil”. The theme was addressed from several angles. We discussed “the veils” in our lives. All of us have things in our lives that keep us separated from God and blind to the truth. We make idols out of a variety of pursuits including money, beauty, health, sex, and popularity. We make ourselves comfortable with the temporary and avoid the eternal God. Daniel and his associates were used as examples of individuals who put God first even when facing threats of death.
Our world was compared to the city of Babylon and it’s lust for power, wealth, and physical pleasures. The speakers told the story of Belshazzar and his lack of respect for God. He was given a prophecy of his destruction and we will end up destroyed as well if we try to gain life outside of God. One lesson was about the veil on the temple and how Christ’s sacrifice gives us access to God.
There was an excellent presentation on apologetics. Through a mock debate between a believer and a naturalist/agnostic, we were shown how to defend our faith without being condescending or offensively aggressive. Finally, we heard the story of Sean Algaier, a youth minister and “Biggest Loser” contestant who has lost nearly 200 lbs. He spoke about confronting our personal demons and achieving excellence with God’s help.
This year’s theme for Winterfest was “The Veil”. The theme was addressed from several angles. We discussed “the veils” in our lives. All of us have things in our lives that keep us separated from God and blind to the truth. We make idols out of a variety of pursuits including money, beauty, health, sex, and popularity. We make ourselves comfortable with the temporary and avoid the eternal God. Daniel and his associates were used as examples of individuals who put God first even when facing threats of death.
Our world was compared to the city of Babylon and it’s lust for power, wealth, and physical pleasures. The speakers told the story of Belshazzar and his lack of respect for God. He was given a prophecy of his destruction and we will end up destroyed as well if we try to gain life outside of God. One lesson was about the veil on the temple and how Christ’s sacrifice gives us access to God.
There was an excellent presentation on apologetics. Through a mock debate between a believer and a naturalist/agnostic, we were shown how to defend our faith without being condescending or offensively aggressive. Finally, we heard the story of Sean Algaier, a youth minister and “Biggest Loser” contestant who has lost nearly 200 lbs. He spoke about confronting our personal demons and achieving excellence with God’s help.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Life of a Christian is Curling
According to the bastion of information known as Wikipedia, “curling is a team sport with similarities to lawn bowling and shuffleboard played on a sheet of carefully prepared ice.” Two teams with four players on each team take turns sliding heavy (about 42 lbs.), polished granite stones down the ice towards a circular target marked on the ice (called the “house”). As the stone makes it way across the 140 to 150 feet ice surface, two sweepers brush the ice to control the speed and trajectory of the stones. The purpose of the game is to complete a delivery of 16 stones (an “end”) with the winning team’s stones closer to the center of the house than the opposing team’s stones. There are 10 ends in a complete match.
A curling team is named according to when a team member throws a stone. The lead is the first, the second is appropriately titled as the “second”, the vice is the third, and the skip is the last to throw a stone. There are three basic shots: a draw puts the stone in the house, a guard protects a stone or creates an obstacle, and a takeout knocks out an opponent’s stone. The sport of curling is featured as part of the Winter Olympics.
Studying Matthew 7, there are a few teachings of Jesus that can be connected to curling. For one, curling requires a precise draw throw towards the house. In order for us to have life, we must walk on the narrow road. There are others (sweepers if you will) that can assist us in staying on this road. We have to watch out for false prophets who try to lead us away from God. They are like the takeout throws. Finally, and I think this is a perfect illustration; the wise man builds his house on the rock. Though stones might try to take us out of the house, a guard, the rock of our salvation, defends us.
A curling team is named according to when a team member throws a stone. The lead is the first, the second is appropriately titled as the “second”, the vice is the third, and the skip is the last to throw a stone. There are three basic shots: a draw puts the stone in the house, a guard protects a stone or creates an obstacle, and a takeout knocks out an opponent’s stone. The sport of curling is featured as part of the Winter Olympics.
Studying Matthew 7, there are a few teachings of Jesus that can be connected to curling. For one, curling requires a precise draw throw towards the house. In order for us to have life, we must walk on the narrow road. There are others (sweepers if you will) that can assist us in staying on this road. We have to watch out for false prophets who try to lead us away from God. They are like the takeout throws. Finally, and I think this is a perfect illustration; the wise man builds his house on the rock. Though stones might try to take us out of the house, a guard, the rock of our salvation, defends us.
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