Archives For video

Addicted to Sadness

May 29, 2012 — 1 Comment

 

There is a great, yet overplayed, song out by Goyte right now (and this cover video is so much less creepy than the original music video.) In the song “Somebody that I used to know” there is one line that always reminds me of me.

“You can be addicted to a certain kind of sadness,”

While I haven’t had my heart broken by a girl in 20 years, there are some forms of being sad that I can definitely relate to. Some pretty terrible addictions, and one really good one.

  1. Sadness that gets me more attention. I’ll go ahead and admit it. There are times that I like to share bad news. It’s purely attention-getting and I love it. I want the hands on my shoulders, the promises of praying for me, and the potential that they buy me lunch.
  2. Sadness that gives me an excuse to be a jerk. It’s nice to know that there are things that can happen to me, that make it easy for those I love to be gracious with me. But many times, I like to take it farther than I should. I’ll use it as an excuse to push the envelope of being jerky to a whole new level (and I’m talking about a really big envelope of jerkiness.)
  3. Sadness that forces me to Gods Word. Can I get super-spiritual? There have been moments of discouragement that have brought me to a place that all I want to do is read Christ’ words to me. It pushes me towards a God that cares for me in all seasons. There are reminders in scripture that I need my soul, mind, and heart to hear.

The thing with all forms of sadness, and the things that take me there; is that I can’t stay there. I’ve got to put some symbolic pavement under my feet and keep moving. It’s time to stop the addictions to sadness, and instead use the season as the change that God has intended it to be.

 

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

In Personal , , ,
 permalink

Sanctity of Human Life

January 20, 2012 — 1 Comment

Churches all over the country will be observing Sanctity of Human Life Sunday this January.  It’s not an argument  it’s not taking stand against anything, it’s not picking a fight; it’s about mirroring God’s heart towards all life.  He chooses life, and so do we as Christ followers.

To those struggling with the choice of what to do with their unexpected, unborn children…we offer them hope and ask them to choose life.

To those struggling with the consequences of their past decisions to have an abortion…we offer them hope and ask them to now choose their best life in Christ.

In the midst of all these conversations this time of year, I found this video and think it illustrates exactly the response that believers should have for life.  The 3 most dangerous words in the world, “It’s a Girl.”

In Ministry , ,
 permalink

Jesus Came

December 24, 2011 — Leave a comment

As we celebrate this special season of Christmas, I wanted to share the greatest reminder we could have this time of year.  Jesus actually came!

HT: Gateway Church, Dallas, TX

In Links, Ministry ,
 permalink

Grace at Christmastime

December 21, 2011 — 3 Comments

I love this story of grace, and what it means to those that most need it.  This season is always a great reminder to those of us in the position to give, that we hold the possibility of changing lives with our generosity.  What would God have you give this year?

In Ministry , ,
 permalink

Why December 25th?

November 7, 2011 — 26 Comments

A few years ago I remember there being a family in our apartment complex that didn’t celebrate Christmas.  The real kicker was that they were ardent Christians, and we’re a really great family.  They didn’t celebrate it, for reasons that are common.  Jesus wasn’t born in December, it’s a roman holiday, etc, etc, etc…  The real funny thing was that another Christian family in our complex noticed this family didn’t have a tree or any presents for the kids…and in the real Spirit of Christmas they set out to correct this assuming the family couldn’t afford to celebrate.

They went out and bought a tree, presents, and Christmas food and showed up unannounced at their doorstep to surprise this family with their own “Christmas Miracle.”  What was really great, was that the family that didn’t celebrate; never let on with this family as to why they didn’t celebrate.  They just took the gift, and celebrated that year.

Well, this year the folks over at “What’s in the Bible?” have tackled this age-old questions of why is Christmas on December 25th?  The videos and curriculum are sure to be content-rich; but they bring up an interesting question.  How do we approach this sensitive subject with kids and those that lead them in our churches?  I mean we do all understand that Jesus wasn’t born on the morning of December 25th, right?  We know that the date we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior is rooted deeply in pagan traditions, right?

I personally have learned to celebrate the birth and coming of my redeemer, in spite of the conflict that December 25th present for us; but how do I prepare my leaders to do this in the atmosphere of being honest and forthright with our kids?

 

Let’s start here:

  • I’d let the information within the WITB videos spur the questions and answers on their own.  When I show this video to our kids at Trinity this month, I’m going to make room for kids to question what they hear.
  • I’m going to encourage that we make the most important thing the most important thing.  The most important thing being…a redeemer was sent for me.  That redeemer was born to a virgin, and laid in a manger in Bethlehem.  That’s truth, and I can hang my hat on that all day long.
  • Be sensitive to those that disagree with the day of December 25th.  It’s easy to assume those people are nuts, but they have their reasons.  When I’ve dealt with these families; I’ve always encourage them to find their own times of the year to celebrate the arrival of a redeemer!

So I’ve spent time today talking about this great video and curriculm idea from WITB; and now it’s time to give yourself a chance to win some all for yourself!  I’ll be giving away a “Why do we call it Christmas? Curriculum Series” DVD, valued at $79.99!  And you can enter right now below, and there are up to 5 different ways to get your name in the drawing.  Let’s play now!

In Links, Ministry , , ,
 permalink