Amazing article written by Josh Fults regarding a disturbing side to the Olympics.

Walk Good

Odds are good that at some point this weekend you tuned in with over 3 billion other people to watch the Olympic Games. The Olympics are inspiring to watch, as you witness records being broken and mankind pushing physical strength and agility to their limits. The world looks on in wonder at the accomplishments made and cheers for their country with pride.

Recently, reports were given on what occurs within the Olympic village. Behind the scenes is a extreme party scene filled with debauchery. Reports say that the Olympic village will be stocked with 100,000 condoms during the course of the games. Apparently, the Olympic athletes engage in copious amounts of sex. According to world-record-holding, American swimmer Ryan Lochte, about 70-75% of Olympians engage in what I am terming, somewhat tongue in cheek, “the sex Olympics”.

Honestly, I find this disheartening. When watching the Olympics we get an image of…

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The Light in The Darkness

Last night I had the pleasure of viewing the latest Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises. In the weeks leading up to the film, there was much political discussion concerning this film. Right versus Left. Then the tragedy that occurred in Aurora, CO sparked even more debates – gun-control, whether or not to say the shooter’s (James Holmes) name, is a political party to blame, is the movie to blame. I personally think all of these are ridiculous arguments. The shooting was a tragedy, please do not misunderstand me. Nor is what I am about to say meant to serve as a movie review (and there are no spoilers for those concerned). This is something I feel led to write though I am struggling with how to put it into words.

It is just amazing to me that a Batman movie has cause so much debate and discussion. What I want to discuss is what I felt the entire Dark Knight Trilogy represented. Yesterday, before viewing the last film in the series, I watched the first two – Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. In short, the plot of the entire series comes down to this – the city of Gotham has fallen into the hands of the corrupt and criminals. If you will, darkness reigns over what is described as America’s greatest city. Bruce Wayne’s parents were the light in that city before the darkness came. They did all they could to help those around them before being murdered. After many years of turmoil and self-loathing later, Bruce Wayne decides to take the city back by becoming a symbol to put fear into the hearts of the wicked. Through the first two movies things go from bad to worse. “It is always darkest before the dawn.” For those that have seen the new movie, did you note that most of the scenes in Gotham occurred during the daytime? The first two films were generally night.

I’m sure you’re wondering what my point is in all of this. Simply this – the theme I took away from the films wasn’t political, or violence, nor anything of that sort. Mine is much simpler – Darkness versus Light. In reality, that is what everything in this world comes down to…Evil vs. Good, Wickedness vs. Righteousness, Satan vs. God.  In the films, no one would stand up for what was right at first. Then a ray of hope came in Batman. At the end of The Dark Knight he was despised and rejected. But it started a fire…and because of his acts, others begin to stand up as well and they themselves became lights in the darkness.

I speak now to followers of Christ – we are to be lights in the darkness. America itself is Gotham. Darkness has overrun this Nation and it is saddening to see that the majority of Christians are simply remaining silent or even joining in with the darkness. Jesus Christ, the only son of God, is the True Light.

“In him was life,t and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” – John 1:4-5, 9-13

The world continually rejects The Light that is Jesus for one simple reason – we love the darkness.

“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” – John 3:18-21

For those that have believed though and given themselves to Christ, they receive the gift of The Spirit. This, if you will, is the light inside of us. At least it should be. As I said before, many Christians are standing on the sidelines silent or join in with the darkness of the world. Perhaps it is because what The Spirit is do. Many of us are concerned with how we come across to others, our status in the world and workplace. There are actually many reasons too numerous to list as to why we hide from our responsibility as Christians. But the truth of the matter is, we have been commanded to be a light unto the world.

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” – John 16:8-11, 13-14

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

 

My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are without excuse. I know in the very end The Light has already overcome The Darkness. But here and now, we need to take a stand and be the light Jesus called us to be. Stand up and be that “city on a hill”! No longer worry what you will be thought of by those around you. Christ said that we would be despised and rejected by those around us because of our relationship with Him (John 15:18). Speak out against what is wrong. I know many people will argue, “but Christ is love”. Yes, very much so – but if you have read the Bible you know He was also pretty blunt too and didn’t tolerate sin. The above verses referencing the work of The Spirit within us doesn’t sound all lovey-dovey either. We are to stand up against unrighteousness and proclaim the glory of The Father.

I can’t tell you for certain what will come of this country…what will happen as America continues further down this path (though from Scripture, I can give a pretty solid guess). What I do know for certain is that, while we are still breathing, we need to bring The Light to as many people as we can. We need to be that “hero”. We need to stand up, even if no one else is standing with you. Don’t allow evil to deceive you, stop joining in the pleasures of this world Believers and stand once again in The Light.

This is what every story comes down to my friends – Darkness versus Light. Do what you know in your heart is right.

Grace and peace be with you…

50 Shades of Mike

I have been planning to write an article about the hit movie Magic Mike and the best selling novel “50 Shades of Grey” and it’s affect on Christian culture, but I came across a wonderful article today written by Melissa Jenna covering it better than I ever could. Plus, I find it has much more impact that a woman stood up against these trends. So below please find a copy of her article PLUS a follow up covering some of the reaction she’s received. I have also included a link to her site here. (P.S. I inserted the pic, it is not part of her article).- RN

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50 Shades of Magic Mike (In Which I Am VERY UNCOOL)

This is a post that will not make me any friends, and will alienate some of my existing friends, and generally make me look like a complete stick-in-the-mud. Do people still say that? Stick-in-the-mud? How about killjoy/spoilsport/wet-blanket, etc? You get what I mean.

Explanation
The only reason I’m writing this at all is because I feel compelled to do so. I’m not sure if you ever had this feeling, but sometimes there are words that I need to write, only I don’t want to write them. So I push them deep down, underneath all of the other words I actually want to write, and beneath my mental-list of chores and errands, so far down that I think they basically don’t exist anymore. But that’s never the case. Something always causes them to spring back up, and this will continue happening until I sit down and write the words out. Then I can move on with my life. That’s what this is.

“Mommy Porn”
“50 Shades of Grey” is an erotic novel, and “Magic Mike” is a movie about male strippers, and both are very, very popular with women right now. In fact, they’re being called “Mommy Porn.” (I won’t go into more detail, because there is enough about them both on the Internet already.) I can’t check Twitter or Facebook without reading another enthusiastic update about both of them. Seems like every woman I know is into one of those works, or both. I am not surprised that both of these works are being celebrated so openly; there are so many equivalent works that are aimed at men that garner major public attention that I’m actually surprised it took women this long to get their own “thing.” I am surprised, though, at how completely accepting Christian culture is to both of these works. I’ve read a few dozen different updates from Christian women regarding “50 Shades” and “Magic Mike,” and the verdict? They love them. I mean they really looooove them. They can’t stop talking about them.

(Quick, like a bandaid:) This is not okay.

Christian women need to reject both of these works, and instead, use our voices in support of what is good, right and true. It is our responsibility, as daughters of the Heavenly King, to remain set-apart from the poisons of our culture, to rebuke temptation, and to celebrate and honor righteousness.

Some Scriptural Support
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”– 1 Peter 5:8

If your enemy thinks he can snare you with something as “acceptable” as 50 Shades or Magic Mike, you better believe he will take advantage. Don’t let the culture’s acceptance and celebration of these works confuse you, or put you off your guard.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:1-9

(Emphasis my own.) Do not conform to the patterns of this world. In other words, just because everyone else is reading it/watching it, that doesn’t make it acceptable.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”– Matthew 6:22-23

Is what you’re putting in front of your eyes healthy? Is what you’re putting into your imagination healthy?

Put Yourself in His Shoes
To gain another perspective, imagine your husband (or father/brother/church leader) going around bragging about how much he loved reading last month’s Playboy magazine, or rallying all of his guy friends to go see “Magic Meghan” for the third time. If our husbands were drooling over a movie about female strippers, we would be livid. It wouldn’t be tolerated. Church leaders would be publicly denouncing men’s sudden acceptance of pornography and erotic films. (Why aren’t church leaders publicly denouncing 50 Shades or Magic Mike, by the way?)

Make Good Decisions
If you’re a Christian woman, and you’re reading this, know that I am not judging you. (I own 50 Shades myself. I bought it before I knew what it was, on the recommendation of a friend, and after reading some pages and discovering that it’s pornography, I cast it aside.) We all have poor judgement sometimes, and leave ourselves open to temptation. But we can also use our agency to make good decisions. Like throwing 50 Shades away (don’t re-gift it!), and not going to see Magic Mike. (Or if you’ve already seen it, stop encouraging all of your friends to go see it.)
Rather than causing each other to stumble by putting our sisters in the path of temptation, what if we decided to use our voices to celebrate our marriages? Or the marriages of your friends and family? What if we championed healthy relationships?

Taking Things Up a Notch
(This next paragraph talks about sex a little bit, so stop reading if you don’t want to read about sex.)
What if we invested our time and energy into spicing things up in our bedrooms? Rather than spending $12 on that movie, or the book, why not save the money, and instead, wear something sexy to bed, just because? And what if all the time that you would have spent reading 50 Shades, you instead spent making love to your husband? (Though probably not all in one day…unless you’re, like, training for a marathon.) We can definitely kick things up a notch without resorting to reading pornography, or lusting after celebrity-strippers.

Non-Christian Perspective
It is not okay to sexually objectify people. Just because evidently this summer we’re all about objectifying men, that doesn’t make it okay. It’s not like there’s a scale, and all these years, it’s been heavy on the objectification-of-women side, and we need to balance it out by objectifying men now. It doesn’t work that way. The only way we “balance the scale” is by quitting objectifying anyone, and leaving the scale empty. Oh, and that saying “you are what you eat?” I’d say the same thing goes for media: you are what you consume. Pornography is unhealthy. There, I said it.

Do I win some kind of prize for being the least popular person on the Internet for this? Like I’ve said: I did not want to write this. Please be nice to me in the comments, because if you know me at all, you know that this is totally out of character for me. I don’t preach at people…well, ever. I’m just glad these words are out so I can finally write the things I want to write.

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So This is Love? (Follow-up to 50 Shades of Magic Mike)

I’m sitting here at my computer, collecting my thoughts, and on the surface, everything is exactly the same as it was yesterday. Same feeling of disapproval when I look at my face in the mirror (explanation). Same anxiety about leaning into the words that have been put on my heart. Heck, I’m even drinking from the same coffee cup (I washed it, don’t worry).

But below the surface, I’m overwhelmed. I’m completely humbled by the incredible outpouring of love and support I’ve received from strangers.

You know, when I first sat down to get that 50 Shades/Magic Mike post out, I’m going to be honest: it felt as if I was unloading a burden. I didn’t write it so much to please God, as to get him off of my back. (I wish I could say I had more righteous intentions.) I put off writing it for several days, but whenever I’d sit down to blog, or work on my book, or email a friend, I couldn’t write the words I wanted to write, because the whole 50 Shades/MM thing kept bubbling up. So late one night, annoyed that I couldn’t get any “real” work done, I finally addressed the issue that had been niggling at me for the past week. And I am so glad that I did.

God is Proving a Point
It is interesting, how even in the community of believers, one can feel so alone. At least, that’s my experience. I didn’t see much purpose in writing that post, beyond showing God that I was willing to let him interrupt my plans, even though I didn’t see a real point in it. (Though I’m well-known in my field, outside the tech-world, I’m nobody special, so the its not like anyone was going to read it anyway.) And in hindsight, I wonder if God’s purpose for me wasn’t necessarily just to address the 50 Shades/MM issue, but to show me that I’m not alone. That there are sisters (and brothers) all around me, and that I don’t have to feel so isolated.

So thank you. And “thank you” are pretty measly words, compared to how I feel. I am so grateful to each of you who has extended herself/himself in support, and has encouraged me to continue saying “yes” to God’s “interruptions.” You have blessed me immensely, and God is using you to prove a point to me: I can trust that I am not alone. I can find community and love in a group of people who used to intimidate me. A group that I used to openly despise. (Maybe sometime I’ll talk about my pre-Christian life a bit. What a change.) That I’ve been adopted by such a father, into such a family, moves me to tears. What a beautiful, beautiful gift that I absolutely do not deserve.

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This is not to say that there has not been resistance. I knew when I wrote it that it was not going to please everyone (and would probably upset some), but should pleasing people be my primary concern? Like so many people, I place too much value in how others regard me, and I often prioritize others’ comfort to a fault. Saying “yes” to the words that were placed on my heart was a way of willfully pushing myself out of my comfort zone, recognizing my error in allowing others’ opinions of me to dictate my identity, and deciding to place my security in the opinion of my Father alone. And it was hard. And just because I did it one time, doesn’t mean that it’s over. I’m afraid and excited that in this regard, my journey has only just begun.

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Feel-goods aside, I’ve learned a lot from the spectrum of responses I’ve received.

We can turn nasty when our earthly desires are threatened.
We are prone to justifying behaviors to satisfy our ideas of what is good, rather than God’s.
Many people have said that admonishment of wrong behavior is “why they left the church.”

“It’s people like you that caused me to leave the church.”
That third point, “Many people claim that admonishment of wrong behavior is “why they left the church,”” is an interesting one. I can see a lot of myself in that statement. Like I said earlier, even in the community of believers, I often feel alone. There is a lot that bugs me about Christians; some of it is vestigial frustration from my pre-Christian experiences, but some of it is rooted in legitimate concern. Probably the greatest factor that has influenced me to stay in the church over the past several years is that at one point I realized that authentic faith is not rooted in one’s feelings about Christians; deep, meaningful, authentic faith is rooted in one’s love for God their Father.

If your faith is tied up in people-pleasing, and following rules in order to be accepted by people, your faith is in trouble. I used to resent Christians, because I didn’t feel like I needed to live a certain way in order for God to love me. And that’s the truth. God loves you, no matter what. But here’s the thing: if you believe that God, your Father, loves you, and only wants the best for you, it follows that you would, out of respect and love for Him, do your best to live in a way that honors Him, and brings glory to his name. It is IMPOSSIBLE to be happy living that life if you are looking to others for validation. So many of us have tried doing just that, and failed miserably.

So to those of you who would say that being admonished by other believers is pushing you away from God, I encourage you to reorganize your priorities, and begin making decisions through the lens of God your Father. If you love God, seek after Him, and his will, and his purpose for your life. It will follow naturally that you will make decisions based on His approval alone. (Though that doesn’t make those decisions easy.) Once that becomes your new normal, I believe you will have a whole new perspective on admonishment from other believers.

God, The Dictator
If you’re trying to live under God without loving him, or without knowing his love for you, you’re missing out entirely, and you’re going to feel like you’re beating your head against a wall. If you feel as if God your Father is demanding, and oppressive, and you’re constantly struggling to please him, you’re not getting it, and my prayer for you is that something will happen that will reveal God’s overwhelming love for you, because it will change your life.

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Thank you, again, for encouraging me, and for correcting me that sharing God’s truth doesn’t have to be “quick, like a bandaid,” (my words), but “loud, and clear, like a trumpet call” (words of a particularly inspiring commenter.

I love you. I really do. And that’s the first time I’ve ever felt that for our big, crazy, sometimes loud-mouthed family. (Even though there are a few of you that fall into the “crazy uncle” category, and a few of you who I’m SURE would argue with me about politics over the Thanksgiving turkey.)

So this is brotherly love, huh? It’s a whole new world.

Xoxo,

mj

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Told you she put it well. I hope this article helps, educates, convicts and moves both men and women to stand up and take a stand to be apart from the world and strive instead for righteousness.

 

Grace and peace to you all,

Robert

Concerning America

Sunday at church, Pastor Steve Swafford  (First Baptist Church – Rockwall) preached a sermon titled “Does God Choose Sides”. It was truly amazing and I wholeheartedly agreed with every point he made. I feel that this is a topic that Christian Americans ignore or that we place the blame solely on non-believers. This sermon puts the responsibility more heavily on our shoulders. Pastor Swafford pulled some of his notes from Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer who authored “Is God on America’s Side?: The Surprising Answer and How It Affects Our Future”. Please take the time to look over the notes below and I encourage you to buy Dr. Lutzer’s book (only $4.03 on Kindle and $6.00 paperback) as well.

DOES GOD CHOOSE SIDES
PSALM 33:12-19

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
The Lord looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man;
from where he sits enthroned he looks out
on all the inhabitants of the earth,
he who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds.
The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.” (Psalm 33:12-19 ESV)

> The people (Israel) of the above passage are different from the United States.
> The principals of this passage are the same.

“Your faithfulness endures to all generations…”
(Psalm 119:90 ESV)

1. God can both BLESS AND CURSE a nation.

“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.”
(Deuteronomy 11:26-28 ESV)

2. God judges nations based on the amount of LIGHT AND OPPORTUNITY they are given.

“And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”
(Luke 12:47, 48 ESV)

3. God sometimes uses exceedingly EVIL NATIONS to judge those who are less evil.

“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear?
Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save?
Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong?
Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.
So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth.
For the wicked surround the righteous; so justice goes forth perverted.
“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.
For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation,
who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own. They are dreaded and fearsome; their justice and dignity go forth from themselves. Their horses are swifter than leopards, more fierce than the evening wolves, their horsemen press proudly on.Their horsemen come from afar; they fly like an eagle swift to devour. They all come for violence, all their faces forward. They gather captives like sand. At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh. They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it. Then they sweep by like the wind and go on, guilty men, whose own might is their god!”
(Habakkuk 1:2-11 ESV)

“For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish;
those nations shall be utterly laid waste.”
(Isaiah 60:12 ESV)

4. When God judges a nation the RIGHTEOUS suffer with the wicked (i.e. Daniel & friends).

5. God’s judgement take TAKE VARIOUS FORMS.
(Sometimes judgement is the accumulated consequences of sin. Sometimes you get what you want, but you don’t want what you get! Relativism is when there are no absolutes.)

“…In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
(Judges 17:6 ESV)

Relativism…
a. Encourages IMMORALITY
b. Discourages EVANGELISM
c. Promotes PERSECUTION

6. In judgement, God’s target is often His own PEOPLE, not just the pagans among them.

“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
(1 Peter 4:17, 18 ESV)

Churches are ineffective because…
a. Pastors are too worried about being politically correct and care more about filling the seats.
b. Christians would rather “be of the world” than Christ-like.

7. God sometimes reverses intended JUDGEMENT.

“Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish.”
(Jonah 3:8, 9 ESV)

“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that
God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”
(Romans 2:4 ESV)

I do not care whether God is on my side – the important question is
whether I’m on God’s side – for God is always right.
– Abraham Lincoln