how i see it

Recently Niteline had a Face-Off debate that asked the question "Does Satan exist?".  They pitted pastor, blogger and theologian Mark Driscoll (his blog) and former prostitute turned founder of Hookers for Jesus Annie Lobert against philosopher Deepak Chopra and former self described "demon caster outer" Bishop Carlton Pearson.  I obviously fall on the side of Driscoll and Lobert.  This is a very interesting debate and I would highly recommend checking it out.  Check it out here.

I went to a Catalyst event last Friday to hear Chuck Colson speak local pastors. I have to be honest, my mother often forwards me his Break Point emails and too often I don't read them. However, I did go to the event excited to hear him speak as he is considered one of the foremost Christian thinkers today. I wasn't disappointed. Instead of boring you with my notes on his talk, I just want to share some of his best quotes from the night. His quotes are italicized and in quotations, my thoughts are not.

"If you're in a ditch don't keep digging"
He was speaking of the current financial crisis.

"Don't despair, for when you despair you are sinning because despair denies the power of God"
The church and Christians in general too often have pity parties for themselves.

"Christianity is seeing all of life under the Lordship of God"
Don't compartmentalize your faith. God wants all of you, or none of you.

"We offer truth not therapy"

"Defend the truth and overcome evil with good"
That's all we need to do. All good comes from God

A good friend of mine recently wrote a blog I want to share with you. He's a pastor at National Community Church in D.C., the home of Pastor & Author Mark Batterson. I went to college with Jer and worked in ministry with him for almost four years. He's on a short list of people who I go to when I need advice personally, spiritually and in regards to ministry.

Here is a taste of his post . . .

I am so sick of this hippy Jesus that the church has crafted that is all about doing everything possible to make people happy. That’s not the Jesus I see in the Bible. If anything, Jesus did everything possible to trip people up and offend them!

Got you interested? Check out the whole post here.

I'm stealing this blog idea from my cousin. The Steelers are heavily favored but I want to know what's your Super Bowl prediction. Post it in the comments.

Mine is the Cardinals 24-17, basically because God wants them to win.

I've been on a little bit of a roller coaster lately. The economy has taken it's toll on a lot of people. I know quite a few people who have either lost their job or had their hours/salary cut. Working for a nonprofit my ministry is totally reliant on the generosity of others and this has caused quite a bit of worry in my life.

I called my father today to talk to him about all the uncertainty I'm dealing with. I have always respected what he has to say, and believe he has been blessed with godly wisdom and has more faith than anyone I know. Among other things he said to me, "Your mom and I have been through a lot of tough times and God has always provided." Now he wasn't kidding. They have been through many trials. He has been in ministry well over 25 years and has seen it all. He's been on the highest mountains and the lowest valleys and yet God has always provided and not just provided, but blessed.

God has always provided, and he always will. I just have to have more faith. This section of scripture has helped me trust God more and I wanted to pass it on to you.

Luke 12:22-29
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.