Hangin Tough

That's right, looks like the New Kids are back!

Can't Hardly Wait

Living in a "Porn is the Norm" culture

The title of this article presupposes two things: first, your teens are being exposed to pornography, and second, you are already responding—even if you are doing nothing. Maybe you are tempted to toss this article aside with a shrug, “Well, my kids haven’t been exposed and I am careful to protect them. I don’t need to read this.” But, watch an hour of prime-time television and you have seen pornography. Drive past any number of billboards while on a trip and you have seen pornography. Look at the fashion posters in the clothing stores at the mall and you have seen it—in some form.

Part of our problem is that we have either no clear definition, or a very limited definition, of pornography. Most of us think of it as something you find in some rundown bookstore, or maybe in a convenience store. Most of us realize the Internet has a reputation of being filled with it. But do we realize we are surrounded by it, like a hapless adventurer sinking in quicksand?

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Wrestling with Community

There is a lot of talk in the circles I run in of what it really means to live "in community" with other Christians. To most people, I think community means getting together for Sunday school, maybe having lunch at O'Charleys after church, or sitting in the same pew around the same people on Wednesday nights. There is nothing wrong with all of that, but I think living “in community” might require a bit more.

I believe when we begin to wrestle with what it means to live in community, we are wrestling with what it would look like to be honest, vulnerable and transparent with other believers. To be really forthcoming, as much as I hope for that type of community and work toward it in my own life, sometimes the idea scares the heck out of me. I think it is there, in the tension of my own struggle, that I recognize the real issue: If the Church is going to stay relevant and engaged in our culture, we need to figure this community thing out.

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1 Samuel 25:1-42

"There was a wealthy man from Maon who owned property near the town of Carmel. He had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats, and it was sheep-shearing time. This man’s name was Nabal, and his wife, Abigail, was a sensible and beautiful woman. But Nabal, a descendant of Caleb, was crude and mean in all his dealings." v.2-3
Nabal rudely refused David's request to feed his 600 men. If we sympathize with Nabal, it is because customs are so different today. First, simple hospitality demanded that travelers - any number of them - be fed. Nabal was very rich and could have easily afforded to meet David's request. Second, David wasn't asking for a handout. He and his men had been protecting Nabal's workforce, and part of Nabal's prosperity was due to David's vigilance. We should be generous with those who protect us and help us prosper, even if we are not obligated to do so by law or custom.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

Our 1st Guys Night

Last night was our 1st Guys Night. Josiah (3) and I blew up an air mattress, watched a movie, ate puppy chow, and slept in the office/gameroom. Heres a pic from this morning!

It was exciting for me just to share in his excitement. It doesn't matter what we do it just the simple fact that we do it together. This will be something he remembers for ever. Creating Memories together is so important and something we need to be mindful of. Can't wait till Jackson can join us!!!

Air mattress - Donated by Pa Pa
Movie Rental - $3.50
Memories - Priceless

LOST

It's Back!!!! My family and I enjoyed watching the beginning of the 4th season of LOST. A show we got addicted too the summer of 06. Yes we watched seasons 1-2 before season 3 started. Last night was good. But what is up with this video?



Does it have anything to do with the show or is it just to keep us guessing???

1 Samuel 24

"But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. 'The LORD knows I shouldn’t have done that to my lord the king,' he said to his men. 'The LORD forbid that I should do this to my lord the king and attack the LORD’s anointed one, for the LORD himself has chosen him.' So David restrained his men and did not let them kill Saul." v.5-7
David had great respect for Saul, in spite of the fact that Saul was trying to kill him. Although Saul was sinning and rebelling against God, David still respected the position he held as God's anointed king. David knew he would one day be king, and he also knew it was not right to strike down the man God had placed on the throne. If he assassinated Saul, he would be setting a precedent for his own opponents to remove him some day.

Romans 13:1-7 teaches that God has placed the government and it's leaders in power. We may not know why, but, like David we are to respect the positions and roles of those to whom God has given authority. There is one exception, however. Because God is our highest authority, we should not allow a leader to pressure us to violate God's law.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible