Christmas Time is Here!

Now that the Thanksgiving holiday is over, it's officially time for Christmas. Let the decorating begin, the cookies start their baking, and most of all... the music be played! I am always a big fan of Christmas music, provided it's done tastefully and the singing of it is not depressing and contrary to the words themselves.

Someone who does a fantastic job of this is Phil Wickham, one of my favorite worship artist! He has just released a new album entitled, "Songs for Christmas". I can't get enough, and Phil does not shy away from what Christmas music really should be, worship of the Father. I encourage everyone to get a copy of it, and in the mean time, here is a snippet of the song "Christmas Time" of the album. Enjoy!

Christmas Time by Syntax Creative

Going Out or Staying In?

I've been seriously pondering how we do church in the United States lately. For some reason we feel this need to bring people to "church" so they can hear the gospel. But is that what we are called to do?

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”- Matthew 28:19-20 ESV

At the end of Matthew 28 we see what we call "The Great Commission". In this, Jesus' call and command is to GO and make disciples, not invite them to a building. We spend so much time working on ways to get our church numbers up, as if that really matters, and trying to get non believers in a building that many have a lot of animosity towards. Our culture is full of misconceptions of what the church really is, and it's because we treat it like some exclusive club.

We see in Acts that the church is a body of believers that go out into the community. What if our focus stopped being on filling seats, but rather on taking the love Christ to the people?

"How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”-

Romans 10:14-15 ESV

Check out this video of an event held by Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. While most churches hold fall festivals at their building and invite people to it, this body of believers took the festival to the people, playing music, games, and giving out groceries to needy families, even with only a one hour window. With this small time slot they probably touched the lives of more people than hours of effort in inviting people to an event at a church. Is this really that revolutionary of an idea, or just one that we overlook?

Flash Fall Festival from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

Check This Out

Great thoughts from Dr. Russell Moore on testimonies!

Check it out here- http://theresurgence.com/2010/11/07/do-our-church-testimonies-empower-satan

Letters to Corinth: 2-Wisdom from God (Part 1)

Passage- 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

In continuing the next section into 1 Corinthians, I want to split up this next section into to two parts. Paul is further addressing the wisdom of God that was a main piece of chapter 1. Of the whole of chapter 2, let us section off the first five verses.

"[1] And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. [2] For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. [3] And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, [4] and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, [5] that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." - (1 Corinthians 2:1-5 ESV)

Paul begins, talking about how he did not come to the people of Corinth with "lofty speech or wisdom", but rather to speak in the simplicity of the message at hand. Paul simply rests in the truth and simplicity of the message of Christ crucified. That's it! The fundamental truth of our faith that rests above all else is Christ crucified on the cross for our sins, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11). Anything aside from that truth is fallacy. We must not rest in our own ability, but the truth of the message of Christ. As Paul states in verse 3, he as the messenger was in just the same place as everyone else, humble before the power of God!

That is how we should be in proclaiming the Gospel, being weak in and of ourselves, but strong in the message of Christ!

This is an important piece of truth, and though this passage doesn't make for a very long blog post, it is further testament to simplicity of the message of Christ crucified. I will end with this... In verse 4 and 5 Paul states that the Gospel is not "plausible" by the wisdom of man. The knowledge and ability of man will not save people, so don't rest on your own ability, but rest only in the power, truth, and wisdom of God.

God's Calling Transcends Musical Genre

In a post earlier in the summer I said I would post an article describing my musical influences and other things relating to that. This post is kind of something like that.

Music has always been a major part of my life. Ever since I was a child it fascinated me and I participated in it any way that I could, mostly in singing. I listened from country to classic rock, and Christian Contemporary as well. In and around the 5th grade I listened to a lot of alternative and pop-punk, eventually finding my way to real punk music. Around the 6th grade I found an interest in playing bass and trying to start a band, even as young as I was, and began to learn from my older brother. My musical tastes started progressing and I became really into hardcore, along with all of the metal and alternative variations of it. A particular type was post-hardcore, a very progressive style mixing ideas of punk and metal, and a few other things.

I realize that this type of music does not appeal to the masses, but this all is just some background to begin my main point in this post, which is essentially the video above.

I began listening to the band Underoath when their third album, The Changing of Times, came out in 2002. They quickly became, and have remained, one of my all time favorite bands, despite member and sound changes. It still amazes me how this band has thrived in a genre once scarcely populated by Christians. One of my favorite parts about their music was the melodic hooks of drummer/singer Aaron Gillespie. Then in 2007, Aaron came out with the debut album from his side project, The Almost, consisting of melodic/alternative type of music, of course I was on board! After leaving Underoath last year he has been focusing on The Almost, as well as ministry opportunities, and this video explains much of how he goes about songwriting and ministering within music in Underoath and The Almost.

P.S. I like all types of music, not just those mentioned. If anyone would like to know more about my musical influence and/or my testimony, all you ever have to do is ask.

A Hectic, Yet Blessed Life

It's been nearly a month since my last post and so much has happened since then. I have been meaning to update my blog, but every time I try something else comes up. For those who may not know, I am an intern with the student ministry at First Baptist Church in Clarksville, TN. I volunteer my time, seeing as I don't get paid, but I am very serious about it and see it as my job and as first priority. Again I do not get paid, therefore as a college student I needed a way to make some cash.

I have been doing this for a year, the entire time desperately searching for a paying job to be able to support myself financially. As my first year of school went by nothing seemed to poke it's proverbial head. In this time God taught me a lot, and I believe used that time to further mold me into being self sufficient as I received a bare minimum from my parents to get me along until I had a paying job.

Just before I was getting ready to start classes at Austin Peay this semester, God seemed to just throw an opportunity in my lap. I got a job at a Lasater's Coffee and Tea franchise here in Clarksville. Since, times have just been hectic with training there, now working closing shifts, and school work, as well as my job as an intern at FBC. The past month of my life has been a constant juggling act, burning a candle at three ends, just trying to figure out where everything fits. God has blessed me in so many ways, and in the midst of my current chaos I feel a sense of peace in it all.

Do not worry, in case anyone was, I have not forgot about my blog series on Corinthians. I plan to continue on soon, along with other posts. God is just doing many a work in my life right now, and I praise him for the blessing it is to be calm in the midst of this all, and the way he has blessed me in new relationships and a blessing financially with this new job.

I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

-1 Corinthians 9:23

Check This Out

A video of discussion between pastors Josh Harris, Francis Chan, and Mark Driscoll talking about What is next for Francis Chan and their hearts for pastoring. A great video!

What's Next for Francis Chan? A Conversation with Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris from Ben Peays on Vimeo.

Letters to Corinth: 1-Boast in the Lord

Passage- 1 Corinthians 1:18-30

(I will quote specific verses, but I ask and encourage you read, or have on hand, the passage.)

You may notice that I have skipped a small section of 1 Corinthians. This is deliberate in that we will return to it soon. Paul is addressing a specific issue of division in the church, but there are sections to the way he addresses it. Therefore in these next few posts we will dissect some of the specifics, and then take a look at it in the grand scheme of what Paul is saying to the church in Corinth. At that point we will come back to the section I am skipping for now.

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.'" -1 Corinthians 1:18-19 ESV

In this passage, Paul addresses the wisdom and the power of God. For the next few verses, he talks about how in the world's eyes, how the gentiles think of what wisdom is, the truth of the gospel is foolish, or "folly", as Paul states. But he addresses the world's wisdom, compared to God's wisdom in verse 25, saying, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." Specifically, Paul talks about how to the non-believing Jew, a crucified Christ is offensive and a stumbling block. And that to the "wise" Greek, or gentile, it is foolish. They don't understand it. In their way of thinking, whether it is offensive or foolish, Christ crucified makes no sense to them. The point that Paul is quick to make is that the wisdom of God surpasses that of man by leaps and bounds. What is wise to man is made foolish by the surpassing wisdom of God. In verse 21 he says how God is pleased in us preaching foolishness for the glory of God, because in reality, in preaching the gospel of Christ crucified we are sharing the true wisdom of God.

"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;" -1 Corinthians 1:26-27 ESV

In that time, people were considered above others because of ancestry, how "wise" they were, or how much power they had. In verses 26-31, Paul points out that many of the church are not of these attributes. Explaining that Christ chose them by nothing of what they had done, but that God makes the standards of wisdom and power in the world low because of his surpassing wisdom. In the world people are chosen because of what they have done, but in Christ we are not chosen by foreseen merit, but because of the grace of God. In this we boast not in ourselves, but in the wisdom and power of God.

"And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.' " -1 Corinthians 1:30-31 ESV

We live in such a similar state to that of Corinth. So many similarities in our culture, specifically the focus on wisdom. People of our day boast in what they know, filling our nation and world with prideful arrogance. Like to the people of Corinth, the gospel is foolishness to the "wise" of today. We live in a time where we boast in our success, fame, and fortune. We must be weary and heed the word that God brought through Paul. Not to boast in ourselves, but boast in the fact that we are saved through Christ, by nothing that we have done, but what God has done in us. Seek the true wisdom of God, not the self-righteous "wisdom" of our day.

Letters to Corinth: Intro

In the coming weeks I will be posting a series of blog posts titled, "Letters to Corinth". This is not anything I'm trying to peddle as some new or cool idea. There have probably been, in fact, I am quite certain that I've read blogs and listened to sermons on this same subject, possibly even titled exactly the same. This is a study of how God's words, through Paul, hold just as much weight as they did in the days of the early church.

The idea to do this really stems from hearing and reading so many passages from 1st & 2nd Corinthians over this summer and last year. I have felt a strong desire to study this and the idea came across to put this up on my blog and open to a bit of discussion. So over the coming weeks, intermingled with my other posts, there will be these, studying through 1st & 2nd Corinthians, dissecting how these two letters to the 1st century church in Corinth apply to the church today.

I will end this short introduction with a quote, specifically what Paul says in opening to the church in Corinth,

"I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." -1 Corinthians 1:4-9 (ESV)

Follow Up

A few months ago I posted a link to an article on The Resurgence titled "A Religious Boneyard: Examining the South" by Tyler Jones, a pastor in North Carolina. If you haven't read it check it out here, http://theresurgence.com/religious-boneyard-examining-the-south

This is a follow up article describing the problem in the "church" of the South. Here's a quick quote from the article.

"Our churches are full of good-looking, upright, moral people. The tragic irony is that our goodness is our poision. A great many Southerners claim Christianity as their religion, mimicking righteousness on the surface while their hearts remain unchanged by the gospel of Jesus."

Get the full article here, http://theresurgence.com/quaint_moralism

Check This Out - Divisions in the Church

A satirical look at how the church becomes divided. If you you really listen to this, it makes many things that divide us as a church seem petty and childish.

Satan Talks Church Strategy with Craig Groeschel from LifeChurch.tv on Vimeo.

Check This Out

"In ancient times, Satan deceived God's people to prize their knowledge of the Scriptures more than the One behind them. Today, he lures God's people to fall more in love with their theological system than their Savior—a particular danger for our tribe."

A great article, take a minute to read it. Click and check it out!

http://theresurgence.com/justification_by_theology

Summer, Alaska, and Ending the Hiatus

Man, it's been a while... I haven't hardly posted since I went back to Texas for the summer. A lot has happened since then, so many fun times and events, but I want to share just a little bit. Aside from seeing my friends and family back home, I had some great opportunities for ministry. I was given the chance to lead worship for my old youth group, which is always a blessing, as well as being a lifeguard and counselor for a kids camp for some under-privileged kids from the Midlothian and South Dallas area. A wealth of good times and serving Christ back at Oak Crest Baptist, but the main thing I want to touch on is the mission trip to Alaska that I took with the OC (Oak Crest, for those not paying attention).

After a lot of hard times trying to fund myself for the trip, the time finally came to head out on a plane to Anchorage, Alaska. The plane ride itself was quite uneventful, except for a strange, elderly LDS couple that sat behind us after the layover in Salt Lake, but also the trip was as tiring as ever. After we land and wait forever trying to find the van we were using for the week, we begin our four hour car ride to the other side of the Kenai Peninsula. (Oh, side note! One thing I found in Alaska is that there are no short 20 minute rides to another town. It was like a two and a half hour minimum to go anywhere!)

When we finally arrive in Kenai, Alaska it is almost 10:00 PM, but it looks and feels like 3:00 in the afternoon. After we get there and have a day of training and setting up, we go out to the beach. (Now would probably be a good time to explain what we were doing there.) Every year, for about a two week period, Alaskan residents are given the chance to dip net for salmon as they swim from the ocean up river. Almost like a hunting season. We were set up at the mouth of

the Kenai River where the people just lined up on either shore by the hundreds to dip net for salmon. Many people were sportsman catching fish, but in direct contrast, many were also very poor and the salmon they caught would feed their family for the year. Because of state law, we were not allowed to touch anything that had to do with the fish, so we served the people free hot dogs, hot chocolate and coffee. We also had a bounce house and kids area where we could minister to the children while parents were busy fishing, along with a fire that people could come get warm by and they would come just sit and talk with us. Our group was set up on a beach only accessible by 4x4 or ATV, but there were still tons of people.

The last day we had a beach chapel service where we sang some songs, Nathan Clardy (student minister at Oak Crest) spoke, and we had some locals join in with us.

We had some great times and got to see some of Alaska and go sight seeing, but apart from that my eyes were really opened to the need in our own country. The state of Alaska is so full of wilderness and beauty, but it also seems like the place the rest of America has forgotten about, aside from cruise stops, and the people there have very much learned to be self sufficient. It was strange to go to some place where many people there have never even heard of Jesus, much less go to church. There are so many thing about Alaska I could talk about, so just ask if you want to know. I hope that God continues to bless the ministry there, and that one day I might again have the opportunity to go back.

Layin' Down Some New Stuff

I've been playing guitar and writing my own music since the 8th grade. I've had a link to my music myspace on here, but never had it up and running, until now. I finally was able to record some new material and got about five new songs up on it. Take a look at it if you'd like. There you can here my music and read a "tid bit" on my musical background and influences, but it's only a "tid bit". I will soon post an article on my music experiences and how God has used that for his glory, for those who would like to read. So again take a look and enjoy!

Click Here to Check It Out

A Day for Mom

Today is May 9th, Mother's Day, and I would like to take a brief moment to express my personal gratitude for my mom. See, God has blessed me in so many ways, and one of those is my mother and the relationship I've had the pleasure to have with her. Growing up my mom was always there me. From me playing sports, to being in Boy Scouts, to my church youth group, and playing music, my mom has always been there to support me. God has blessed me in giving me a mom who has invested in me and cared about me in everything I do. Leaving her, and the rest of my family, to come to Tennessee was one of the hardest things I've had to do, but it's because of her and my dad encouraging me to be independent that has given me confidence to grow. So on this mother's day I praise God for my mom, and thank her for always being there.

Happy Mother's Day!!

Check This Out

I am a guy who loves comedy, especially satire, and I wish I would have had this video when I did the post on "entertainment". This perfectly illustrates a "church" service designed to enterntain, not methods to respond to Christ.

"Sunday's Coming" Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.

Check This Out

I read this blog post on theresurgence.com a few weeks ago and felt I should share it here. It is a post by Acts 29 Pastor Tyler Jones in Raleigh, North Carolina.

"We are in the midst of a war, and yet there are no records of battles waged in protest, no heroic lives lost. It is not marked by battles or invasions; you won’t hear reports on the news, yet lives are at stake."

Read the full blog-post at The Resurgence, http://theresurgence.com/religious-boneyard-examining-the-south

"Lukewarm Leftovers and a Holy God" (audio)

I have been on a temporary posting hiatus because of finals this last week and next week. I had the opportunity to speak at First Baptist Clarksville, where I intern, with the students this past week. I told a few people I would post the audio from that to here from our sermons podcast for Unison Student Ministry. We have been in a series going through the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan, and this past Wednesday I discussed what he puts forth in chapters 4 and 5. The topic is "Lukewarm Leftovers and a Holy God".

Crazy Love (Students) Week 4

Unison Students Sermons

Check This Out

DugDownDeep_Carnahan.mov from Covenant Life Church on Vimeo.

“Are You Not Entertained”

It is these famous words from actor Russell Crowe, from the 2000 Ridley Scott movie “Gladiator”, that burn in the back of my mind as I write this. See, in the past years I’ve seen a growing problem, but not by any means a new one. Even when we try not to indulge it, people are constantly searching for the entertainment value in going to church. In past years this has been a glaring problem in youth ministry. Youth ministry in many places was, and still is, defined by how they entertain the students. The problem is that this does not keep students coming today. Saying this from my own experience, as well as my observation of youth culture today, students, youth, young people, whatever you wish to call them, are looking for substance and will be let down by futile attempts to entertain them.

This has also been a problem in many new churches that seem only to seek to entertain their congregation, or better yet audience, with flash and glamour. We typically see this in the younger generations of adults. The question is why, why do younger generations flock to churches with entertainment value, yet end up leaving because they get nothing out of it? The answer to that is that believers, who have been a part of church since their youth, and even youth themselves, are looking for something new, but not the something you may think I’m referring to.

People so often think of churches that give entertainment are new, flashy churches, but the fact of the matter is people have been looking to be entertained by church for years! It doesn’t have to be a new, “contemporary” church, whatever that means anyway. Many older generations, in “traditional” churches only seek to be entertained by their church service, heaven forbid something be new or ordered different from their traditions. This is where we get debates on musical style preference, changes in worship order, and other issues of the like. This is the reason younger generations flock to that which entertains them, then leave because no substance is there. They are looking for something new from what they’ve been around their entire Christian life. Regardless of age or “style” we’ve gotten away from what worship really is. Here are a few reminders from scripture…

“And the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.”- Exodus 4:31

“And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship each at his tent door.”- Exodus 33:10

“Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping the Lord.”-

2 Chronicles 20:18

“All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.”- Psalm 86:9

A specific theme is shown through these verses. Worship is response to God, for his teaching, for what he’s done in your life, not a time for you to come and be appeased by the music and have everything exactly the way it always is. We worship in spirit and truth, in response to a Holy Father, regardless of our futile traditions and preferences. So I ask you, people of all ages, why is it that you go to church? Is it to respond in worship to our Lord and be taught by his holy word, or do you just want to hear some “good music” and some good “ol’ fashion preachin’”?

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”- John 4:23

Check This Out

In the midst of all of the debate over our government in the passing week I feel it's important for Christians to take a God centered approach to the situation. Check out this blog post from my brother in Christ, Jeff Tilden.


http://www.meneatburritos.com/2010/03/god-is-bigger-than-american-government.html

Love or Fear?

Today, during a little bit of class discussion time in my public speaking class this morning, we were talking about ethics in regards to speeches. We were asked to give some historical instances of times when speakers have been unethical in public speaking. Some of the obvious ones that came up were Hitler and other dictators in history, but a person brought up religion, Christianity specifically, and using a fear of hell to gain followers.

Now, I won't spend too much time here, seeing that I'm typing this from my phone, but I feel that this is an issue that needs to be addressed in today's Christian "culture". Too often I've seen some "hellfire and brimstone" type preaching, especially growing up traditional Southern Baptist. Much of the time this has been done in a way that strikes fear into people, where people don't come to have a relationship with Christ, but save their own skin, or just cover their bases. This is obviously not how we are called to spread Christ, but in trying to come away from that I fear we still, as a whole, are still missing the boat.

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."- 1 John 4:18

We are not called to guilt, or strike fear in people, to repent and follow some rules, but to show people how a real relationship with Christ will change their life and outlook. We can't go and not tell people of the reality of hell, like many modern churches do, but on the reverse side, we can't go around saying "repent or burn" either. We must preach the love of Christ, that he wants a relationship with us, but at the same time, in a manor of love, be real with people.

Good Enough?

Earlier today I was driving and saw a bumper sticker that read, "Born OK... the first time". Now, I've seen this before and my typical reaction is to cast the thought to the side, not really caring about their atheist beliefs. But today there was a different thought process when I came upon this bumper sticker.

I began to think about this statement, "Born OK... the first time," and I thought of the horrifying reality of the people in this world that believe that. Not only atheist, who believe in no afterlife, but many studies and surveys have shown that most people believe in heaven, in one form or another, and many believe that generally "good" people go there. In my own experiences, I've met many people who believe in God, and that as long as they don't kill anyone, I hear that the most, that they are going to heaven. No mention of Jesus or the fact that all man is sinful.

From the atheist to those that believe in some type of God, people think that man is generally good. The fact of it is, everyone has the capacity to be evil, and when left to their own devices, out of the public eye, we revert to this in one way or another. In this we see that man is sinful, born into a world that tries to rationalize the fulfillment of fleshly desires, slowly deceiving us as we creep further into it. This has been shown in social experiments, such as the Stanford Prison Experiment. The reality of sin is so prevalent in our world, yet people try to rationalize it to say they are good people.

Always remember the truth of scripture. That in Christ we are saved, not by anything we have done to try and be good enough, but through his sacrifice our sins are atoned for.

"And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,..." - Colossians 1:21-22

Check This Out - St. Patrick

Being that this is one of my favorite holidays, I wanted to point everyone towards a great article on the real man, Saint Patrick. I wanted to make my own post on St. Patrick, but why when someone else has already done a fine job of it. The article, written by Mark Driscoll, highlights the missionary to the Celts. Take a look at the man who's namesake is our Americanized holiday where we pick on old Irish stereotypes, or if you are like me, it's a good day to look at your heritage (that being the reason it's one of my favorite holidays).

I am a servant of Christ to a foreign nation for the unspeakable glory of life everlasting which is in Jesus Christ our Lord. – Patrick


http://theresurgence.com/Vintage_Saints_St_Patrick

Check This Out

A great article explaining the "New Calvinism" by an Acts 29 Pastor in Texas, Jonathan Dodson.

A good quote from the article, "There is much more continuity between the New Calvinism and John Calvin than with some of his followers. However, what essentially remains the same is the soteriological core—God's sovereign grace in redeeming broken sinners, which has been popularly captured by the TULIP acronym: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints (limited atonement appears to be more negotiable among the New Calvinists)." The last statement being true in my case.

http://theresurgence.com/message_of_resurging_calvinism

A Word to the Wise

Wisdom…, it’s something we look at, strive for, yet few seem to grasp what true wisdom is. The end of James 3 teaches us that true wisdom is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” This is the wisdom from above, or from God in other words. James also teaches us that there is another type of wisdom in this world.

“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” – James 3:14-16

See, many leaders in our world feel they have wisdom, but take a quick look at their motives. Many, though not all, have some selfish motive behind their so-called wisdom. This is shown throughout history in many different stories of corruption. Countless occasions of people not doing what is best, but most profitable for themselves. People often rely on their own discernment, revealing the corruption of the flesh, rather than discernment from above, which is always good, as described in James.

Another aspect of Godly wisdom is the comprehension of the things of God. So often we try to engage our minds, striving to understand the mysteries of God. Scientists try so hard to understand the workings of nature, developing theory after theory. We as Christians even try to understand things that may not be fully clear to us, though the Bible teaches us that we should try to comprehend these things by the wisdom of the spirit, not of the wisdom of the world.

“For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. ‘For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 2:11-16

"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him…" That statement right there sums it up. When we try to comprehend the things of God by our own understanding we fail, but through the spirit God reveals them to us.

Time and time again I find myself learning more and more. Even when I begin to feel I have some understanding, God reveals through his word new thoughts and ideas and I am completely in awe of the vastness of God. Strive to seek out the wisdom from above, not the so called “wisdom” of this earth, for not only understanding, but discernment in all things.

D-Now 2010 in the CLV

This past week, Wednesday night thru Sunday morning, was “disciple now”, or D-Now as some know it, for many of the churches here around Clarksville, Tennessee. The set up was new; pulling together all of the churches for two worship services, the first and last night. The theme was ID3NTITY, and knowing your identity in Christ, not the world. I enjoyed seeing Sam and Jonathan, as well as forming some new relationships with the rest of the band. For me, even though I was running sound and helping out all weekend, God was present and speaking to my heart.

Our speaker, for the city-wide sessions as well as ours here at First Baptist, was Jamey Crosson. We got to know him and his wife over the time this weekend. The message that God had to bring through him was impactful and deep. He talked about diagnosing the root problem of sin, that being, believing in lies that Satan puts in our heads. When we work so hard to combat a sin in our lives, we believe the lie that the sin has some type of power over us. Christ has paid the price, he has broken the power of sin, and if we are in Christ, sin has no hold over us. We must strive to glorify God as we are called, and created, to do, rather than continually trying not to sin. Don’t combat the sin because we can do nothing, but seek to glorify God, and Christ through you will overcome the sin. We must not only read, but believe what is stated in Galatians 5:1. Do not submit to the bondage of sin for in Christ it has no power over us.

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1

I could go on and on about the message that God brought through Jamey, but I fear I would run out of room, so I digress.

I enjoyed seeing some friends from back home, making some new ones, helping out with the fantastic students here, but most of all worshiping the Savior and being shown the truth in His word.

Wonder and Amazement

“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love; here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.” – Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing; 1757

Man, I am continually in life amazed at the gift of music that God has bestowed upon us. Words of worship to pure and Holy Father are timeless. We have used music for centuries. Music is a medium by which we express emotion and adoration. Ever since we have harnessed this raw power of nature that God has given us, this set of melodic tones; we have used it as a means of expression.

There are so many things about music that amaze me. For starters, just the simple nature of sound frequency, or melodic tones, and how our ears and brain process those tones, carefully working so we understand the sounds. Our ears work as a super powered microphone, transducing the sound to electric signals to our brain. But, not to show too much of my nerdiness, I digress from that.

“When we arrive at eternity’s shore, where death is just a memory and tears are no more. We’ll enter in as the wedding bells ring, Your bride will come together and we’ll sing You’re beautiful!”- Beautiful; 2007

In worship we communicate to God. Like I said before, we communicate emotion, passion, and adoration through the songs of worship we sing. And again, the words we sing in worship are timeless. Worship of the Father is not constrained by our musical preference, and we too often our caught on that issue that it becomes sinful in the way our churches operate. Whether we are singing a song written in 1757, like “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, or written in 2007, like “Beautiful” by Phil Wickham, the words exceed our preferences. Both songs are two of my favorites. Not because of the style of music they are played in, but because of the truth in the words that I sing.

“When we arrive at eternity’s shore, where death is just a memory and tears are no more,” or “…here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.” Two lines from different songs, written by different people, in two different millennia, are true regardless of time, style, preference, or any other worldly constriction we try to put on things. They are true then, now, and forever. Whether the songs are written by John Newton or Hillsong United, truth is just that, truth.

Music is such a brilliant gift and we sometimes overlook the miracle that it is. The physical side of it and the way we can somehow harness nature, by the grace of God, and put our emotion and feeling into a true art. My purpose in this post is not to debate musical styles of worship, but to step back, and see the beauty in the things God has given us. Music is great part of my life, and I praise God for the blessing.

True Joy

This is a devotion I wrote for the student ministry I intern for here in Clarksville. I figure I will also post it here since I've gotten a little lazy at late with the new semester starting and all.


“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:11-12

A picture is painted in these verses, as well as the full Psalm of David that they are contained in, and that picture is a life of joy. “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice,” that statement, in and of itself, is an amazing description of what we have in Christ. In Him we rejoice and have joy in life.

Throughout time, we have always had the instinct to search for something more in life. Specifically in today’s culture, we have continually searched for joy and happiness in money, fame, recognition, power, and so much else. We search high and low for something to fulfill our lives, but time and time again we have been let down or pushed aside and eventually are back at square one. The problem we have run into is that we are always eventually unfulfilled in our own efforts.

I remember during my junior year of high school I had a substitute teacher in chemistry one day. As the class went on that day I became increasingly frustrated by his, for lack of a better word, “preaching” of “success and money equal happiness” to our class. It was a bit ironic in my mind though. I couldn’t figure out where he was in his own plan, being a substitute teacher as a relatively older man. The problem I had with what he was saying was that so many times I’ve seen that way of life fail people, yet others keep on trying.

One of my favorite quotes, one that I’ve had posted on my facebook for about a year now, is by C. S. Lewis. In it Lewis says this, “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” The truth of the matter is that, apart from God, we are miserable. In all of our failed attempts at happiness we are miserable. Without God there is no reason in life, but with God, through Christ, we find meaning. “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy,” I can’t not say that with anything but joy in my voice because of Christ in me. There is nothing apart from God that will fulfill our lives.

So take refuge, and rejoice, even when times seem rough we have the true bringer of joy.

Check This Out

The new album from House of Heroes came out in September, but I have just come upon it. The refreshing music and lyrics are fantastic, and from the intro to the end I completely love it. The first single, "In The Valley of the Dying Sun", is not only a great song, but is also from the biblical story where Jacob wrestles with God. Other songs on the CD that are my personal favorites are the acoustic ballad, "By Your Side", and the fast moving song of hope in Christ, "Journey Into Space (part one)". There is not a bad song on the album and would be a great pick up if your looking for something new to listen to.

This is the video for their single, "In The Valley of the Dying Sun"

House of Heroes from Endeavor Media Group on Vimeo.

Fact or Fiction

I have seen, growing up in the Baptist church, quite a bit of book, or movie, “bashing”. For example, when the Harry Potter series hit America’s shores I began reading them. From our church, my mom was immediately given a pamphlet on the reasons these books were evil (the witchcraft, the author being an atheist, etc.). I personally have always been able to distinguish the fantasy of the novels. And then more recently, in the passing weeks that the new movie Avatar has been in theaters, I have begun to see some “bashing” of the story of this movie. I’ve heard it called “pure paganism”, and I personally was thrown by this statement. My first thought after hearing this was, “So is Batman and Transformers…,” and the point of that is the fact that anything we create that is not of scripture is pagan, or worldly. I could write a book, or make a movie, and no matter how clean or wholesome that story is, if it has no truth of scripture in it the story is as pagan as anything else you could think of. I often feel that we as Christians look too deeply into fiction. If you’re going into either a good read or a movie looking for any more than a good story, you should reevaluate why you’re picking up that book, or going the theater. We don’t go to the movies to learn thoughts on philosophy, we go to be entertained. To say that Avatar is pagan because it equates God to nature is completely looking too far into the plot of a science fiction movie. This movie is no more pagan than The Land Before Time movie series. We have been able to distinguish fact from fiction for a good couple hundred of years, so what’s changed? What about some of the classics like The Iliad, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Alice in Wonderland, or so many others. We must be able to discern what is truth in scripture, and what is made for enjoyment and entertainment.