The Country's Recession and a Great Awakening

The Associated Press released an article today (by Rachel Zoll) stating that the country's financial woes are not only affecting private religious schools and religious congregations across the country, but they are changing the religious face of the country altogether. Referencing the popular topic of "the declining church," it begins with the following opening lines:

"Organized religion was already in trouble before the fall of 2008. Denominations were stagnating or shrinking, and congregations across faith groups were fretting about their finances. The Great Recession made things worse."

To be clear, all things in the article are not one-in-the-same.

• Religious schools are not churches (one's success/failure does not dictate the outcome of the other; not to mention they both serve different purposes).
  
• All congregations are not the same (the article discusses religions and Christian denominations as if they are all the same).
  
• People relocating to another area (and thus another church) is not the same as leaving the faith altogether.
• Churches are not programs/ministries
  
• Churches are not extra church/para church organizations (seminaries/schools, Mission organizations, etc. are not the church - they serve the church, but are never ever to be the church)

Is this is this being nit-picky? Isn't this already obvious? No - at least to the author of the article it's not. Church (that being the institution created by Christ, Himself) is not about money or business... even without a building, new programs or fancy sign outside of the building, the church and its purpose still exist. Declining finances does not equal a bankrupt faith. Not only that, but the real "business" of the church is actually MULTIPLYING! Leading people to God is the real business of the church, not exciting programs or ministries.

Rachel Zoll makes an ever-so brief mention of this toward the end of her article (in addition to the money portions where she states that in some communities, giving has gone up) about the real business of the church, but also sells short the movement of God:

"Clergy in different communities say worship attendance has increased with people seeking comfort through difficult times, although no one is predicting a nationwide religious revival."

Why not anticipate a religious revival? Or better yet - an Awakening in a dying and apathetic country so consumed within itself that it has lost its direction.

What the church is seeing now is people who thought they had no need of God because they had nice houses, two cars (or more) per family, a full refrigerator, investments, 401k's, expensive coffees and plenty of credit to spare are watching their lives slip away with the sand.

People are returning to churches and God because they realize now that even with all their plans there are elements outside of their control and only God is infinite and sure. Only God is faithful from beginning to end. God is the only solid foundation that can never be stripped from people. Realizing this, people are returning to Him.

Want to read more about the peril or hard heartedness of financial "security"? Or about the joy of true security in the One True God? Checkout these passages:

"You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. ¹⁸ So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see."
(Revelation 3:17-18)

"“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law."
(Matthew 7:24-29)

Because of our sense of security in being able to do things ourselves without help (saying "look what I did!"): "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
(Matthew 19:23-24)

For those who are True Followers of Christ, we have this promise: "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 8:38-39)

Even in the midst of suffering, loss, doubt, hurt, or uncertainty the Bible tells us there is great hope and comfort in Him who never fails us. Even if the worst should happen, there is great peace in knowing that no one (not even death itself) could strip us away from God!

If you have questions about how to be a follower of Christ - about sin, forgiveness, real love, mercy, second chances and all the amazing things God is - feel free to comment or email me at christianthechristian.c2@gmail.com.

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The Jewish Yom Kippur and Christianity

Today is Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement (seen in Leviticus). While it was the day in which their sin was atoned for through sacrifice, today it is observed through fasting.

Being that Christianity is rooted in the Jewish faith, does Yom Kippur have any significance for us? Absolutely!

Here is a great article on the relevance of the Jewish calendar's Holiest Day for Christians: "Yom Kippur: The Day".

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Jennifer Love Hewitt is Skinny(ier) - You Should Be, Too

Apparently congrats are in order for Ghost Whisperer actress Jennifer Love Hewitt because she has shed the few, apparently 'unsightly,' pounds that stunned the world when she had the audacity to show up at a beach in a bikini about a year ago. It was a real controversy, indeed. How could the typically very slender J-Love let herself go in such a way? It was tragic! Major news outlets around the globe even reported on it (Fox News, CNN, Chicago Tribune, etc.). Devastating.

In case you missed it ladies and gentlemen, that was sarcasm.

Jennifer Love Hewitt was not a fan of having unflattering - not to mention invasive! - pictures of her splattered all over the world (rightfully so) and so she decided to lose the weight "for health reasons" (at least that was her claim initially). Now that she's lost the weight, however, she celebrates by gracing the cover of the oh-so-health-conscious SHAPE Magazine (key articles in her month's issue: "Bye Bye Belly Flab", "Take An Inch Off Your Hips", etc.). No mention of the increased health benefits in the article - just that she has more confidence as she walks through the world.

I have no problem with weight loss, looking nice or trying to be healthier. My problem is with the air-brushed, unrealistic standards by which women (JL Hewitt included) torture, er set for, themselves. What a shame. Most women are so busy gawking at the mirror as they suck in their stomach and sigh that they miss the big picture.

Who does GOD say you are? What does your husband say about you? (only for those married) How are you doing leading other women/girls to major on the majors in life (honoring God, worshipping Him, loving others, caring for their families, etc.)?

TRUTH: Women openly insult this Hollywood culture ("a size 2 isn't fat!"), then like JLH go home and stare at the mirror in disgust. Those that are losing weight or staying trim do so (almost always) for feeling better about themselves than actual health reasons. That breaks my heart. Women miss it, time and time again! Sadder, yet, is that every woman KNOWS that looks eventually fade, but instead of focusing on the things that matter they spend their "youth" (teens-50's) trying to: (1) remain young looking/beautiful, (2) keep from looking older (one of my teen girls one time told me, in her own words, "ugggh I never want to get old. If I were ugly I'd kill myself." While she were semi-joking, the truth in that statement is unmistakable), or (3) turn back the clock ("hide those wrinkles, hide that cellulite, wear what's fashionable - just like those Sex and the City girls, and flaunt it while you got it!").

Women/Teens, checkout the following passages on the beauty of a real woman. Trust me, Hollywood, personal trainers, and Supermodels have NOTHING on this!!!

Proverbs 31:25-31 (The Virtuous Woman/Wife)

Titus 2:3-5

WOMEN, HUSBANDS, TEENS and especially PARENTS: There is no one way to combat this epidemic that is plaguing this body-obsessed culture. A few things to consider though: (1) in complementing our daughters, do we spend more time talking of their beauty or their virtue?, (2) Moms, do you teach a hypocritical/contradictory message (tell your daughter not to obsess about her looks, but then she watches you spend hours getting ready and worrying about your body image or reading magazines that focus on the shallowness of a woman)?, (3) Husbands, as much as you compliment your wife on her stunning beauty, do you take time to honor her for the amazing woman of God that she is? (4) Do your children/teens hear you (dads) compliment their mom with words of honor, praise and value for her virtue?

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Image borrowed from: wallpapersmania.com
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Teen Sexuality

I came across one of the best articles I've read, to date, on teen sexuality (especially girls and their fashion). This is not a "Christian" article, but it deals very well with the overly sexual culture we live in today. Even more interesting is that it was published by a company in the UK (for those who always argue that those overseas... most notably Europe... are far more in touch with their sexuality and do not see it like we do).

This article is a MUST read! Very good. "Lost Youth: Turning Young Girls into Sex Symbols"

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Finding Jesus at a Georgia Truck Stop

Stumbled across this article on CNN and thought I'd post it for you all to read. My uncle has spent his life as a truck driver (and is now a volunteer chaplain in the local jails) and I remember vividly many of his stories and the struggles that the men (and women) face in such a tough job.

Checkout this story about bring Christ to this industry: Finding Jesus at a Georgia Truck Stop

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When We "Christianize" Religion

EDITOR NOTE: Another long (and this time unexpected) absence. I apologize for the delay in posts, but we had a death in the family last week (my wife's grandmother) and so my wife and I traveled to Tennessee to help with arrangements and for the funeral.

I recently stumbled across an article (thanks to Pastor Mark Driscoll via his Twitter posts, @PastorMark) from the USA TODAY that describes an emerging church practice of Christians participating in Ramadan fasting with Muslims. During the fast Christians go through the same fasting rituals as their Muslim counterparts - including prayer, then break the fast after the sun goes down together. The only difference in the ritual is that Christians pray to God through Jesus Christ whereas the Muslims pray to Allah as instructed by the Koran.

This got me thinking: is it okay for Christians to adopt the religious practices of other faiths as long as they Christianize them (pray to the right God)?

There are several instances where Christians take regular worship practices of other faiths and Christianize them (these are but a few):

• YOGA (Hinduism - a form of prayer) is probably one of the biggest, especially since most Americans use it as a form of exercise
• Meditation/Centering Oneself (Buddhism and other eastern religions)
• Fasting for Ramadan (Muslim tradition that celebrates the giving of the Koran to the Prophet Mohammed)
• Karma ("someone does something bad to you, don't worry, it'll comeback to them in the end")... Christians instead say, "don't worry God will judge them" (or believe simply that "if you do good, good will happen to you in return - do bad, bad will happen to you in return")
  
• Superstition (that if we do something incorrectly, there will be immediate consequences - break a mirror, walk under a ladder, spill salt, knock on wood, etc.)
• Relativism (or Pluralism depending on the degree of the practice) - blending religious practices from multiple practices/backgrounds

It is one thing for Christians to sincerely approach other religions out of respect, love and humility (something we all ought to do), but it is a completely different venture if we begin to adopt their practices and incorporate them into our own. Three major reasons adoping other practices is dangerous:

1) God has given us all we need, for us to insert new practices or rituals minimizes His Word and role in our lives and completely ignores GRACE! Scripturally, we see such activity in Israel's history as insane or obscene. Over and over again their idolatrous practices (taking religious practices of neighboring countries/religions and blending them into their own) became major stumbling blocks for them. How many times did their doing so lead to their own demise? Every time. Why? Because they got so caught up in the ritual (and false gods associated with them) that they lost sight of God.

2) Christ died to free us from rituals and empty religious practices. Why would we intentionally subject ourselves to ritualistic practices that REQUIRE those rituals as a form of earning favor with their god (or gods)? I believe Pastor Mark Driscoll is absolutely correct (in the article) in saying that observing other religious rituals is completely dishonoring to Jesus Christ.

3) It confuses the world. They see us adopt other religious practices and think that what they are doing to earn favor with God (theirs or ours) must be correct. The Muslim man (Ahmed) confirms this in the article (about Christians participating in Ramadan fasting): "Here is a pastor who wants to understand us, who does not want to convert us, and who is even prepared to walk with us, to fast with us. That is a big gesture."

Anyone who truly knows me knows of my absolute fascination with and respect for truly religious people around the world. I am awed and humbled by their devotion to their faith and practice of faith (though equally brokenhearted by their lostness). As kind, romantic and wonderful a gesture it is for Christians to participate in other religious practices, it is also a dangerous step that is misleading at best and altogether self-centered (dishonoring to God) at worst.

And in closing, while I appreciate Christian's attempts to seek God and grow in their faith, I find that their pursuits that incorporate other religions are typically less about finding God and more about feeling better about themselves or their own spirituality. This, sadly, can have long-lasting and devastating affects to the end goal they had hoped to achieve.

PARENTS: Instead of teaching our children/teens to be hateful toward other religious practices we ought to embrace such knowledge and use what we learn to teach them about the sufficiency of God's love through His Son Jesus Christ. FAMILY ACTIVITY: Research online traditional religious practices, their origins and then compare them with your own practices (those found in Scripture). As a family discuss why we do/embrace certain traditions and reject others.

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A Broken Pastor

I stumbled across this blog article today by a Pastor on sabbatical. In it he describes quite transparently the heart of a Pastor. The high moments... the low moments... the questions... the desperation... the expectations (both of self and external)...

I post this to, hopefully, encourage you all to remember those whom are called to lead you, spiritually.

Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. (Hebrews 13:17)

The life of a Pastor is often one of isolation (sometimes by choice, but usually out of protection). They can easily be in a crowded room and be completely alone (him and his family). They do not usually complain because they know their calling and refuse to waiver. They stand in the gap for us sheep (the Flock - the Church)... they labor in prayer on our behalf... they face temptation... they are ridiculed... they are mocked in the media... they are looked up to in crisis, but down upon in prosperity... their stances (especially against sin) are challenged repeatedly by us who seek only what's best for us.

Some ideas for encouraging your Pastor...

1. PRAY for him and his family! Ask him from time to time how you can pray for them. Teach your children to pray for him and his family, too.

2. LIVE the Gospel... instead of "just trying to make it," seek to LIVE the Gospel that Christ gave His life for and confirmed in returning to the living. Christ lives so that we might have a full life (John 10:10) - one that is for HIS glory and not our own (Col. 1:15-16). Pastors (hopefully/prayerfully) do not seek to achieve self notoriety, but instead to lead people to Him who is the absolute best for everyone's life. There is nothing that brings more joy to a Pastor's heart than to see people with broken hearts turn to Him who heals and molds people in His image.

3. TRUST his vision and calling. Most churches hesitate when it comes to change. They cling to what was/is and not what could be. Praise God if your Pastor has a vision and heart to see lost people saved - follow him! Ask how you might be involved. Churches often seek what's best for their own church (or personal lives/families)... a Pastor's heart is to seek how they might profit the Kingdom!

4. ENCOURAGE other church members in their faith. Call "sin" what it is - sin (not an "oops," but a blatant and conscious act that draws us away from God and offends God), fellowship in Truth together, hold one another accountable, pray for their families and together seek out Pastoral council in how you might be a part of His vision (not your own vision - or one that is self-seeking).

5. LEARN with him! Learn how to love the lost, dying, weak, sick, broken, confused, confrontational, impatient, self-seeking and sinful. Learn how to demonstrate mercy and grace and how to extend it to all (regardless of who they are, where they come from or whether or not they even care). Ask him to challenge you in this endeavor. Ask questions (Pastors are always encouraged to see their people hungry for the Word!). Ask for suggestions in ways you might teach your own family (both in Scripture and living out Scripture).

Pastors are MEN called by God - they are not perfect. They lose focus from time-to-time, they hurt, they are anxious, they question their own calling and leadership, they battle pride and they struggle (spiritually, emotionally, and physically). Just as much as they are called to lead us, we are called to be an encouragement to them and to follow them (trusting that they, who are accountable to God, are leading us toward Him)!

To Pastor Trevor (from the article) - I am praying for you and your family, my Brother. I pray God would illuminate your heart with clarity, vision, wisdom and an unquenchable fire!

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The image I borrowed is actually entitled "The Lonely Photographer", but I found it to be a powerful picture that summed up in many ways what I wrote about regarding the Broken Pastor. Image Credit: bart_azare

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Hijacker is a Messenger from God?

Yesterday, passengers on an Aeromexico jet were taken hostage by Bolivian preacher/Christian musician, Jose Flores (stage name: Josmar). The reason? He was trying to relay a message to the President of Mexico from God: beware an impending earthquake "like none there has ever been." He also reportedly told authorities he had three accomplices: "the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost."

Before Christians wheel out the loony wagon, lock him up and throw away the key forever, they would do well to remember that God using prophets to speak to kings (country leaders) and/or whole countries is nothing new. We read and celebrate such instances throughout Scripture: Samuel to King Saul and (future) King David, Daniel and King Nebuchadnezzar, Jonah to Ninevah, Paul to Caesar, to name a few. Their messages were all similar: "Repent and turn to God." Some had messages of impending destruction if they did not repent, others reminders of their first love ("don't forget Him who has saved you over and over again - return to Him").

With that said, I do not think what Jose Flores did and the message of the prophets/messengers of Scripture are the same because of the Bible's New Covenant change. When Christ came and died and rose again everything changed. People are called to repent (turn from sin and love/follow God) through the New Testament church. After the Apostles, it was left to the churches to call people to return to God. There is nothing attached to the call to repentance that is not already in Scripture (namely - the judgment unrepentant people will face is before God in the end). Even if there were (which there's not), it is seen over and over again in the Bible where God warns of destruction to those who are unrepentant, but give them a specific plan: there will be destruction IF repentance does not happen.

Being that God is "slow to anger" and a God of mercy He repeatedly gives chances to repent (the Biblical account of Abraham pleading with God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18:20-33). He also details the destruction and reveals His divine hand working in the midst of the judgment (the Biblical account of the famine in Egypt when Joseph is warned prior and told by God how to protect and preserve the nation during the seven year famine in Genesis 41).

Cutting to the chase: God's judgment is always clear and concise. There is never ambiguity to it and when in the midst of it whole nations know what it happening. There was little offered by Flores, outside of his highly personal God-experience, that leads me to believe his vision or message was of God (not to mention his method of informing the masses was highly unbiblical, ungodly and altogether wrong).

Messages from God are always a funny thing in Christianity. First, they are absolutely real and should not be mocked (1 Thes. 5:20). Second, they are second to the already revealed Word of God (in other words, He is not going to reveal something that goes against what He revealed before in Scripture). Third, revelations from God are confirmed BY GOD (messengers never wander around aimlessly asking "was that God that spoke to me or did I just experience some sort of post-60's head-trip?").

In closing, what happened to the passengers on that flight (and their families at home worrying and the family of Jose Flores) is sad. Sadder, yet, is the damage it does to the reputation of God's messengers (His church) who truly do have a Word from God to share with the masses. Christians are told by God to be aware of what is to come so they can be prepared, but Christians also ought to be wary of sign-watching and being consumed by the latest vision. God has delivered us a SURE Word (the Bible) and nothing in that Word has or will change. It is His promised Word. We ought to be less consumed with a "new" message (which there will not be) and more consumed in loving and worshipping Him, turning from sin and loving and serving those around us (in preparation for what is to come).

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Image borrowed from Yahoo News
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"Til (In)Convenience Do Us Part"

"Divorce Expert" Jill Brooke recently wrote an article entitled "For Those Getting Married: Banish 'Til Death Do Us Part'". Citing a 50% divorce rate she claims that the idea of death as the only reason for divorce encourages laziness within marriage, thus leading to the crumbling of half of marriages.

I agree with Mrs. Brooke in her conclusion, but not her premise. I think her claim that marriages collapse because of the phrasing "til death do us part" in their wedding vows is absurd. I think it would have probably been more wise of her to cite couples' failure to uphold the previous portion of traditional vows ("in sickness, in health, for richer, for poorer...") since that is the conclusion she ultimately draws. It is not the death part of the vow that cripples marriages, but (as she correctly states) their failure to serve, pursue, court, romance and live for one another. Instead spouses put themselves at the center of their own universe and leave their beloved spouse behind as they pursue selfish pursuits.

FOR THOSE GETTING MARRIED: EMBRACE 'TIL DEATH DO US PART'

The solution to the divorce problem isn't banishing the pledge of commitment or rewording it. It is fulfilling it and fighting to ensure its success. Here are a few reasons why banishing the phrase is a bad idea (and a proverbial straw man):

1. The problem isn't the phrase - it's the failure to honor it.

2. Banishing the phrase is banishing Him who created marriage - God. Marriage is a covenant relationship between man and wife and God. Before God, man and wife covenant (unending promise) with God to become one flesh together and to live for one another as they both live for God. Biblically, the only thing that ends a covenant is death.

3. Removing the phrase does not promote accountability to the marriage relationship (as Mrs. Brooke states), it removes trust and confidence in the union. The new vow will be "I commit to you until you are no longer committed to me or our union is no longer convenient." If a couple wants to remain accountable to their vow then they ought to: (1) read together what the Author of marriage says about real love, marriage and commitment/covenant, (2) check-in with one another regularly and ask "how am I doing loving, serving, pursuing and ministering to you spiritually? Do I demonstrate to you and those around us that you are valuable to me?"

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As always, feel free to email Christian the Christian at christianthechristian.c2@gmail.com.

Pic borrowed from here.
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"To Thine Own Self Be True": Not Truth At All

William Shakespeare penned the famous line "to thine own self be true" in his work "Hamlet." Since then it (and even prior to it) that ideology has taken on many forms and been placed on many bumper stickers, t-shirts and used in many cheesy Oprah-esque "Book of the Month" books or movies. Its latest incarnation came in the form of an article (blog post) written by Emily Gordon called "I Was in a Coma (and I'm Not a Better Person Because of It)".

In the article she concludes (after an obviously horrifying ordeal) that the meaning of life is to "[live life] to the fullest." Outside of it being highly cliche, her point is noted and not altogether unreasonable. However, then she continues... "but I think we get stuck on what "the fullest" actually means. It isn't something you see in Lifetime movies, where somebody gets sick and spends the rest of her time "touching the lives" of every person she meets. It means seeking fulfillment in all its many forms. All of them -- even fries, Prince movies, celebrity gossip -- are more essential to your being than anything you'd list on a résumé."

The heartbeat of her article and Shakespeare's phrase is: focus on yourself - YOU are the central character of YOUR life story.

While I've never been in a coma and cannot relate personally to such an ordeal, I do understand the rationale behind her misguided view of life. She (along with Shakespeare, Oprah, Ellen and countless others) is simply reciting the HUMANIST manifesto. Humanism (or Secular Humanism), in a very short summary, is placing people and their existence, needs and desires at the center of the story of life. In other words, the purpose of life: "is to live it" or "be happy" or "find what it means to you".

This way of thinking is wrong in so many ways:

#1 - Life is not about YOU. To think it is, is selfish and narrow-minded. What was the purpose of life before you existed? What will it be after you're dead and gone? Surely you cannot think that your sole purpose for existing is to be all about yourself (and if it is, then why have laws or rules? Why not just do whatever we want without the fear of consequences?). Colossians 1:16-17 declares that we exist because God saw fit to create us and that we are here "for Him" (to worship and love Him).

• Life is HIS story, not ours.
• We are part of HIS story - He is not part of ours.
• We exist for HIM, He does not exist for us.

NOTE: A Great book to read regarding this: "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan

#2 - If Life is not about you, then our attention and desire ought to be bigger than ourselves (and not because it makes us feel better - but because it is a primary part of our purpose in existing). Humanists get the Second Greatest Commandment ("love your neighbor as yourself") backwards, though... instead of truly loving others, they love others when there is reward in it for them (whether it be experiencing happiness from making others happy, actual reward/award in return, fulfillment in life, etc.). When we love ourselves first, above all others, and base our love for them simply in "what's in it for me" we miss the true value of what it is to pour into people selflessly (and forsake our calling to do so).

#3 - God is the best we can ever have. Not heaven, not eternal life, not friends and family in heaven... simply put: GOD IS THE BEST and MOST VALUABLE TREASURE we have. All the other things are blessings (His gifts to us). People fall short, we fall short, money and things provide temporary satisfaction (and in many ways bring more heartache), but God is faithful and true - always has been and always will be. He existed before we did and will continue to once our time is done. He is our greatest treasure.

PARENTS: While much more could be said of this topic, I will stop for now. For you, as parents, however, the conversation is only beginning! Are we raising our kids to think the sun and planets revolve around them (as if THEY are man's greatest treasure)? Do we say with our lips "I love God," but live our lives devoted to our real god (ourselves)? For more on this sort of topic, checkout the following archived blog posts:

What Pours from Your Heart?
Culture and Your Teen/Child
The New Daughter Philosophy: "Your Daughter and What She Deserves"
Mom and Dad - Time to Grow Up!

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Image borrowed from ArtbyChrysti
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True Love

Checkout this remarkable story of love, commitment, and loyalty. I pray my wife and I are able to enjoy this type of love story and endure even longer, together.

Click here to read this beautiful story.

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Would You Still Do It?

September is the beginning of a lot of things: new school year, new church year (for some churches), beginning of fall, the start of the NFL season, and the beginning of Fall Television (new seasons and new shows).

Every year there is a new, highly anticipated television series that a network hopes will bring home the bacon via high ratings. Most of the new shows flounder (such as one of my favorites that only got one season - "Kings"). This September is no different, with a slew of new shows slated to begin in the next couple weeks. One show in particular that has caught my eye is a new one on ABC called Flashforward.

In the show, the world blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds and when they come to many (or all?) got a glimpse of their future and are trying to figure out (1) how their lives got to that point, (2) what caused the blackout. One part in the preview that caught my attention was a woman saying she saw herself with another man, who was not her husband. Watch the preview:



The idea, the suspense, the plot and characters have me intrigued, but the very brief scene with the woman has my mind racing... would we, if could see the consequences of our choices (or evaluate them in light of present joy or standards), would we still follow through with it? Would we, like the woman, be brokenhearted (even before it happens)? Would we work to prevent it from happening?

As my mind stirs about this, Paul's struggle with his sin and his love for God are in the back of my mind. In particular, the part where he says "when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong" (read about his struggle in Romans 7:14-25). Or the part in Corinthians where Paul reminds believers that we have a choice in pursuing our sinful desires or running from them and toward God (1 Cor. 10:13).

I have no idea what the series has in store or whether or not it is going to be a good piece to discuss sin and consequences, but thus far it certainly catches my attention.

PARENTS: Shows like this that portray sin and consequences are GREAT opportunities to discuss the power of our choices. It is a prime opportunity to discuss choices and their consequences from Scripture (both good and bad): Adam and Eve, Joseph and Potipher's wife, David and Bathsheba, King Asa, Ecclesiastes (Solomon lamenting "chasing the wind"), Peter denying Christ, temptation gives birth to sin which eventually gives birth to death (costs more than we bargained for - James 1:14-15), etc.

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