All posts tagged: Religion and Spirituality

Raping the Innocence of Generation Z (revisited)

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Raping the Innocence of Generation Z (revisited). Vai – ChurchRelevance Generation Z is still undefined but could loosely be labeled those born from 1996 to today. In 2009, we highlighted University of Pittsburgh’s research discovering the connection between musical lyrics and sexual activity. Lyrics Influence Teens Exposure to lyrics describing degrading sex was one of the strongest associations with sexual activity. Compared to those with the least exposure to lyrics describing degrading sex, those with the most exposure were more than twice as likely to have had sexual intercourse. Similarly, among those who had not had sexual intercourse, those in the highest third of exposure to lyrics describing degrading sex were nearly twice as likely to have progressed along a noncoital sexual continuum compared to those in the lowest third. Movies Influence Teens Now 3 years later, there is new research linking movie consumption to sexual behavior. Psychological Science will soon be publishing a 6-year study by Ross O’Hara while at Dartmouth College that states: Much research has shown that adolescents’ sexual attitudes and behaviors are influenced by media, but the role …

Entitlement Issues

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Limited in mind, limited in body, ruler of our own domain.Claim false authority, like we’re the ones who rule and reign. The mentality of the majority is more than metaphorically morphing into a misinformed form of who we were born to be. Torn between, blind perception and divine reality. Torn at the seems, our dreams are built on a faulty foundation of fallacy. This will be our fatality, it’s simply a formality. See the casualties of war laid on the floor of the battle scene. We worship how we feel, we don’t worship who we should. Yeah we got it bad, and if God calls it bad we call it good. We covet what others have, grab whatever we can, whatever we want, we think it belongs in the palm of our hands, going along with a song and a dance. Worshipping idols to fulfill our entitlement issues. Addicted to the feeling we get when we get what we want so we pick and we choose. Even the air we breath is a gift we …

Baptism: The triple portion

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I heard the story about a bunch of guys who used to gather together to read their bible every day on their lunch break. They were all from different denominations, so they agreed that they will not make it the goal to change each other’s theological point of view, but will allow the Word of God to do the speaking. One day while reading, they stumbled across a very controversial subject and each man found himself drawn into a deep discussion. But there was one guy in the group who was not an active participant in the discussions. So, he was asked to share his opinion. He sat up , cleared his thought and said, “I really don’t care about what is written in there, I am going to stick with what I’ve been told.” Could it be, that what you have been told about the Holy Spirit does not measure up with what is written about Him in God’s book? In this study post, I encourage you open the book for yourself and explore. …

How to work for Google Earth in a hurry!

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A few days ago, George and Lu Sigalas, a husband and wife and members of our church invited my family to spend 4th of July with them in the hills of San Jose, California. We accept promptly. I was thinking, free food a swimming pool and a magnificent view for the fireworks later that evening. We made it up the mountain and began to mingle  with the people at the house. George and Lu introduced his nephew and his wife the owners of the house in the hills. The kids jumped into the pool and my wife and I began checking out the finger foods on the tables. While we stood there a gentleman came over and got a plate of meatballs, he said hi and went back to his seat. A few minutes later he came back and got another plate. At this time we realized the  meatballs must have been really good. So we went over and got some too. While we stood around talking this gentleman reached out and introduced himself as Michael. …

Take 6 and get that life

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You know that I’ve got it (sho’ you right) (I’ve got it) (yes I do) I’ve got it (sho’ you right) (sho’ ‘nuf got it) (I sure do) You know that I’ve got it (sho’ you right) (sho’ you right) Well you might wonder why I’m so happy And if I’m right there’s one thing you should know I’ve just been connected (oh Lord) to an everlasting souce of power And that power makes me glow No I’m not saying I don’t have problems And I can’t say that I don’t get down But it behooves me to move with a pep in my step When I’m excited ’bout the joy that I’ve found Channel: I might have trouble on every side yet not distressed I might be perplexed but never in despair Persecuted but not forsaken Cast down but not destroyed Chorus: Whoa I’ve got life in Jesus (Better believe) That I’ve got life just look at the smile on my face Oh I’ve got life in Jesus And you know that I’m goona …

Yes! He is God.

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I grew up going to the kingdom hall. My entire family used to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. So the very first question I asked the Jesus when I got saved was this – “Are You God?” His answer was a resounding “yes!” From the day he showed me John chapter 1, it has remained one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible. The bible talks about the beginning. The beginning of Genesis 1:1 – when God created the heaven and earth. It is not talking about the beginning of God – because God has no beginning. Therefore since God has no beginning but exist from eternity to eternity and the word was with Him in eternity the ‘Word’ (Jesus) could not have been created. In fact the bible says, the ‘Word’ was with and the ‘Word’ was God. This ‘Word’ stepped out of eternity into time in the person of Jesus – the Christ – the Son of the living God – which happens to be a technical term used for Jesus. He has always been …

Oh how I hate small groups!

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A few years ago I preached a message at a thriving church where I served on staff. It was at the time small groups were gaining momentum. Every church around the world and especially here in the USA was all about getting people of the same interest, same profession connected in the same group. Unfortunately, I began to notice that all the cool people were joining groups with  other cool people – you know, like some did in high school. And the not so cool people we being left out. So I preached on a passage from Romans 12:16: Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. After my message I was sent into the office of the big man on campus (senior pastor) where I was grilled for a few minutes. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wanting to hang with like-minded folks, but if we really want to live in authentic community, we need to understand what community really …

EGO – The Final Episode

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The story and book of Jonah closes with a question that actually is left unanswered. I believe that is was left unanswered for one reason – for readers to answer the question. What is the question? And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle? Let’s put the question in perspective. After Jonah preaches to Nineveh and the city repents, Jonah is mad.  Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city. Now the LORD God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the …

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Originally posted on Walter Bright:
 And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” (Jonah 1:9 ESV) This is one of the most awkward verses in the book of Jonah. a vivid example of how sometimes our talk really doesn’t match our walk. Jonah is claiming to be a God fearing person at the same time living in rebellion. I know the sailors were going awhhh, Mr., this is weird – why are you running from Him? Related articles EGO – Edging God Out (waltbrite.wordpress.com) Edging God Out – Episode Four (waltbrite.wordpress.com) Edging God Out – The main thing! (waltbrite.wordpress.com) Edging God out – Second Episode (waltbrite.wordpress.com)