Chastity

What's the biggest obstacle in teaching and living a life of chastity?  Is the difficulty more inside us, or is it in the culture around us?

MM 

Christians and Homosexuality

Instead of a question from me this week, I'd like to just open up the blog for any comments or questions regarding the sermon topic.  

 

MM

Bad Lessons in Movies

Last summer I saw a popular movie that troubled me because of what I saw as a very distorted understanding of love. I don't want to give the title away right off, but I would like to hear some thoughts from anyone out there who has been struck by a twisted (yet widely accepted) portrayal of love in the movies? 

MM

True Love (1 Corinthians 13)

Paul explains in 1st Corinthians 13 that true love (agape) seeks only the benefit of the beloved, and has no concern for itself--and that this type of love is one of the most substantial, most real things we can know. 

In contrast to this is the popular view of love in our culture which sees love as an arbitrary feeling which we fall into and out of. 

So what are the dangers of the non-Christian view of love? What kind of problems can result if we fail to see that true love is more than a feeling? 

MM

It's Not About Me

Among many other examples in the Bible, Joseph (in Genesis) and Paul in the end of Acts, both show by their attitude after being  released from a two year prison term that the true follower of God can only live a life pleasing to God, and can only fulfill his or her calling in life by recognizing, "It's not about me."

But many segments of our Western culture don't see it that way. In fact, a lot of businesses thrive on convincing their customers that "It's all about you." 

So what are some good examples from popular culture of things or people who seek to convince us (not that it takes much) that our lives really should be oriented around securing our own immediate comfort and security? 

MM

N.T. Wright on a Biblical view of mission

I thought it would be good this week to post a link to a talk by New Testament scholar, N.T. Wright on a Biblical vision for mission. He gives some great ideas, and the talk goes right a long with today's message on mission. (And it's only about 16 minutes long--well worth listening to.)

Tom Wright – A biblical hope for mission

(Right click on the link and "save as" to download, or just click on the link to listen to the talk on the web)

As always, feel free to post a comment or discussion question. 

MM

Hillbillies In The Mansion

So the Beverly Hillbillies were odd because they lived in a new world but still acted as if they lived in the old one--what are some specific examples of ways Christians do this? What are the traits of our old selves and old ways of thinking that are hardest to leave behind? Why? 

MM