It's great to be apart of what God is doing! It was youth from grades six to eight at the retreat. Talking with one of the other Harvest Youth Directors we both noted that looking at the reactions of the youth that it is really easy to tell the difference in the sincerity of faith for youth. What I mean to say is, those who worship with fervor and "talk-the-talk" because its the thing to do at youth, compared to those who have genuinely had their hearts changed by God bearing fruit in keeping with repentance even outside of a church/youth group context. Then, where it stands for the youth worker is 1) diligent prayer for all, 2) faithfulness and integrity in teaching the message of the gospel. Through preaching and through small groups, it should all lean on the cross. So we praise God for the decision of these youth. But, Jesus has commissioned the believers not to make converts, but to make disciples. So we are just getting started :D
Monday, January 23, 2012
Dwelling on Dimanche - 1/22/12
Well, this Sunday I was not at my home church, Harvest Bible Chapel - York Region. I was with a group of 10 students and 4 leaders at Muskoka Woods retreat centre for the anual Harvest Youth Coalition winter retreat, "Winter Fuse." It was a really great retreat. The theme was "God is >" ie, God is greater than. Nick Masi from Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago was preaching and we saw God do a lot of amazing things over the course of the weekend. From our youth group alone we saw several students come to faith in Christ and in the entire group it was about 30+ students that first came to faith or further repentance.
It's great to be apart of what God is doing! It was youth from grades six to eight at the retreat. Talking with one of the other Harvest Youth Directors we both noted that looking at the reactions of the youth that it is really easy to tell the difference in the sincerity of faith for youth. What I mean to say is, those who worship with fervor and "talk-the-talk" because its the thing to do at youth, compared to those who have genuinely had their hearts changed by God bearing fruit in keeping with repentance even outside of a church/youth group context. Then, where it stands for the youth worker is 1) diligent prayer for all, 2) faithfulness and integrity in teaching the message of the gospel. Through preaching and through small groups, it should all lean on the cross. So we praise God for the decision of these youth. But, Jesus has commissioned the believers not to make converts, but to make disciples. So we are just getting started :D
It's great to be apart of what God is doing! It was youth from grades six to eight at the retreat. Talking with one of the other Harvest Youth Directors we both noted that looking at the reactions of the youth that it is really easy to tell the difference in the sincerity of faith for youth. What I mean to say is, those who worship with fervor and "talk-the-talk" because its the thing to do at youth, compared to those who have genuinely had their hearts changed by God bearing fruit in keeping with repentance even outside of a church/youth group context. Then, where it stands for the youth worker is 1) diligent prayer for all, 2) faithfulness and integrity in teaching the message of the gospel. Through preaching and through small groups, it should all lean on the cross. So we praise God for the decision of these youth. But, Jesus has commissioned the believers not to make converts, but to make disciples. So we are just getting started :D
Friday, January 20, 2012
#trending - 1/20/12
Here are some #trending blog posts and headlines this week in life and the faith...
#theleadoff
Christianity Today went on the record on their stance on spanking. Here is the blog post and here is a response to said post.
#secondbest
Apparently American congress was trying to do some add legislation that would drastically hinder information sharing over the internet. SOPA and PIPA. Wikipedia even shut down for a whole day in protest. Here is information on SOPA and PIPA and the latest news in congress.
#tebowhangover
He is still making headlines even though he is out of the playoffs. Virginia governor is considering "Tebow law" that would allow homeschoolers to play in public schools. Relevant magazine tries to draw a center line in support of Tebow... here is a funny video of a kid parodying the extreme Christian Tebow fan.
#hitmyheart
I am just starting to learn who Paul Tripp is, and everything I've read or seen by him has seen to be the right thing that I need at the right time. Here is a blog post that did just that a few days ago. You should follow him on twitter
#theleadoff
Christianity Today went on the record on their stance on spanking. Here is the blog post and here is a response to said post.
#secondbest
Apparently American congress was trying to do some add legislation that would drastically hinder information sharing over the internet. SOPA and PIPA. Wikipedia even shut down for a whole day in protest. Here is information on SOPA and PIPA and the latest news in congress.
#tebowhangover
He is still making headlines even though he is out of the playoffs. Virginia governor is considering "Tebow law" that would allow homeschoolers to play in public schools. Relevant magazine tries to draw a center line in support of Tebow... here is a funny video of a kid parodying the extreme Christian Tebow fan.
#hitmyheart
I am just starting to learn who Paul Tripp is, and everything I've read or seen by him has seen to be the right thing that I need at the right time. Here is a blog post that did just that a few days ago. You should follow him on twitter
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Free stuff, Fun stuff! - 1/19/12
There isn't much (anything) that I actually have that I can give away for free. But what I can do is help point you to free stuff! That being said, every Thursday I will show you why if you are an avid reader of Christian literature that you should seriously consider buying a Kindle e-reader. One reason: public doman. So many classic Christian book are in public domain and free on Amazon as ebooks. Here are the latest that I have downloaded. To show you why you should seriously consider buying a kindle I am going to keep a running total of how much money I have saved/spend/purchased in books compared to paperback of the same book from Amazon. I have already downloaded 50+ free books in the past two weeks.
The Complete Works of Paul Bunyan
Sovereign Grace, its Source, its Nature, its Effect - D.L. Moody
The Autobiography of St. Ignatius
Amount Saved: $66.98
Amount Spent: $0
Books Purchased: 3
Also, as a hobby I am trying my hand at simple design typography (emphasis on simple). Here are 3 free downloads for desktop (1440x900), iPhone, and iPad and are going with the same theme in which I did the background for my blog. The design is based off of Acts 17:28. Simple right click the images below and "save image as".
The Complete Works of Paul Bunyan
Sovereign Grace, its Source, its Nature, its Effect - D.L. Moody
The Autobiography of St. Ignatius
Amount Saved: $66.98
Amount Spent: $0
Books Purchased: 3
Also, as a hobby I am trying my hand at simple design typography (emphasis on simple). Here are 3 free downloads for desktop (1440x900), iPhone, and iPad and are going with the same theme in which I did the background for my blog. The design is based off of Acts 17:28. Simple right click the images below and "save image as".
desktop (1440x900)
iPad
iPhone
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Book Reviews 1/18/12 - "The Rage Against God"
Having read deceased atheist Christopher Hitchen's "god is not great" I was surprised to hear he had a brother. A brother who also wrote books. Moreover, a brother who wrote books with a differing worldview to Christopher. Peter Hitchen's book is a quasi autobiography/apologetic for the Christian faith.
Initial Reaction
Since "god is not great" was an attack against religion I thought that "The Rage Against God" would lean equally in fervor and zealous support of religion. I was caught of guard to begin reading it as a sort of an autobiography. It put me off at first and I actually moved onto another book before picking it up again in a few months where I then couldn't find myself able to put it down. Peter writes very intellectually and formally with a vivid language that shows a close resemblance to the writing of Christopher Hitchens.
Main Idea
In a way this book is a rebuttal to "god is not great" but mainly addressing one main topic. Christopher often alluded to a concept in which he said that "religion poisoned everything" specifically as a tyrannical theocracy. Peter fights back against this thought chronicling his life as a journalist in Soviet Russia and showing how he saw first hand atheism destroy morality and civilization. He goes on to say that this evil eventually led him back into the faith. Walking through a hotel in France atheist Peter at first scoffed at a Christian painting entitled "The Last Judgement" but then succumb to an understanding of his own sin and subsequent fear, "I have felt proper fear, not very often but enough to know that is is an important gift that helps us to think clearly in moments of danger." (103) That fear slowly drew him back to the church and away from the evil of atheism. He also spends one chapter giving a brief apologetic. But the thrust of the book surrounds his experiences with atheism in Soviet Russia.
Final Thoughts
A refreshing read. Not what I was expecting but nonetheless worth the purchase (actually I think it was a Christmas gift... the Christmas after I received "god is not great" for my birthday). I would recommend reading this if you have read Christopher Hitchens or are familiar with the atheist/religion debate. Otherwise the narrative may grow dry. But if this is a subject that intriques you, then it is worthwhile addition to your library. On a side note, Christopher Hitches did die. Here is his Peter's eulogy commending his brother as courageous.
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