Christian Fun Day

Today I went to Christian Fun Day at Frontier City. Frontier City is a theme park that is western themed and kind'a fun, especially when you're with a whole bunch of your crazy friends. I wanted to ride this roller-coaster called "the Silver Bullet", but my friend was too scared.

"But God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind."

-2 Timothy 1:7

I used this verse to try and get my friend to go, but she wouldn't budge. I've been in that position of fear before, and seeing her stuck in the same rut that kept me down broke my heart. Thus, today's topic begins.

Fear is a harmful and helpful force that keeps us bound and keeps us safe. Fear of certain things is understandable, but being overly afraid is just not okay. Fear is a tool Satan uses to bind us and keep us right where he wants us. It can be over something as petty as not getting on a roller-coaster or as serious as not witnessing to a friend in need. Satan binds us with fear, using a lock we have the key to. The key is the name of Jesus. We can break the bonds of fear, but we don't and Satan laughs at our stupid and naive choice.

I know how hard it is to make the choice of leaving that fear. Fear can make us feel safe and secure, but it's really just holding us back from what we could be getting if we release the fear. Like helping a lost soul reach those pearly gates or getting a smile on your face as you dare to take on the big roller-coaster.

"What can man do to me?" is one of my favorite questions from the bible and I still don't know where it's found (some witness I am, huh?!). That's so true too! If we, as christians, die, we go to an eternal paradise! If we are persecuted, the persecutor is judged by God, so long as we do nothing back. Nothing can keep us down for long, so why fear?

"The Lord is the stronghold of my life / Whom shall I fear? / Whom shall I fear?"

This a line from a song by Andre Gonzalez, the words really touch me. It goes on to say that he will brave to do things for God that many Christians consider "scary" or "uncool". It also described, in the first verse, how God found Andre and His promise to keep him safe. This promise is given to us too. We are constantly under the eye of our loving and gracious Heavenly Father.

"He will never leave you nor forsake you"

Another verse from the Bible that I've heard all my life and can't give the reference for. Still, I know It's true. I've seen this verse play out in my life and the lives of others. God loves and the Bible says that He "... cares for even sparrow..." so, "... how much more does the Father love us?"

I understand if you have certain fears, I have had them too, and I have many more to face and conquer as well. But when I meet a new fear I remember the words of a Dennis Jernigan song from the '90s:

"What time I am afraid / I will trust in thee."

Video Production

Before you think I'm gonna get all nerd on you, This is going to be explained as simply as possible so that anybody should be able to understand. Besides, the point of this blog won't be "how to make a video", but close to that.

I make video announcements for my local church, and they don't look too bad in my opinion but I realize they're not really professional grade. Making a video takes time and effort, lack one of the two and you've just totally lost like 50% of the outcome's quality.

In video, you must take into thought the video (what you see) and the audio (what you hear).

The video can be movies or text (those little words that you have to read). Either way, video expresses a point by it's appearance. If I'm making a a video for a rock concert would I use little ponies and rainbows? No. I would need guitars, smoke, flashing lights, etc. Now if I'm going to make a video to promote Barbie dolls (as if) would I use those same things (guitars, smoke, flashing lights, etc.)? Not unless Mattel (or whoever makes Barbies) decided to come out with a Biker Babe Barbie for the tom boys.

Let's put this in real life terms. If I'm going to a bar for some fun am I going to wear my WWJD wristband? How bout my "Lose the Booze" T-shirt? Not unless I'd like to start a bar fight.

What if I'm going to church? Am I gonna pop out my beer can and start chugging down during pastor's sermon?

What I'm trying to get across is that what we do affects the way people see us. You might say that's shallow of them, but how many times have you made an assumption about somebody based on what they did or looked like?

Now lets talk about audio. Audio can make or break your video. The right song and sounds are key in order to pull off a good video.

Our words can make or break us. The things we say have to be just right in order to reflect the Jesus inside us. The Bible says that the power of life and death lies in the tongue. When we see a Christian being persecuted should we join in or try to get them to stop?

How about a more simple example. When our friends are cussing up a storm and dissing everybody they know should you join in or try and change the subject?

As you can see, this wasn't about video production at all. But LIFE production. Your most precious masterpiece is made beautiful by you. Your choices can create something beautiful, or cool, or funny, or whatever you desire to be. Just be sure that what you make is pleasing to God, because his reviews can be pretty harsh.

Careful Little Eyes...

Quick Announcement: Before I plunge into the topic for today I'd like to inform you about a new blog I'll be starting soon. This thursday is a new Smallville, but instead of posting a review here I've decided to make a blog just for Smallville. Why? The reviews are really long, not everyone that reads this blog likes that show, and it has no spiritual value like most posts here do. That's mainly why I don't post often, I can't get a word from God to write. So any-hoo, I'll post the link to it when I get it started, just know it should be here before thursday. (Yes, I know the picture to the left is huge, just stay with me.)

On to the topic for today: I've noticed that many people today have no problem in committing sin. It's not just because they haven't read the Bible, but because they choose to ignore, what they call, their conscience. They do wrong, knowing it's wrong, and without care or concern.

A subtle example is cussing. "Do not swear/curse" is one the Ten Commandments, yet even some Christians blow their top and let the junk fly. They speak without thought and then have to experience a dreadfully humbling experience as they're chided by friends/family for their slip-up.

A common example is smoking or doing other forms of drugs. People just don't take care of their bodies. Then they go and blame stress or depression for their bad habits. In reality, they're addicted. After being drawn in by Satan for just one drop of his deadly poison they become desperate for more. The thing they think they can't live without is the thing that's killing them off.

A sickening, yet often subtly done, sin is public nudity. From extremes like strip clubs to subtle approaches like TV shows, it's there. People try to make it normal, as if walking outside with nothing on is perfectly okay. People are exposing themselves and making themselves less than objects for love, attention, or flat-out lack of morals. Should you ever cross this disgusting sin REPENT and pray that your mind doesn't hold to that image.

These are but a few of the many sick and disgusting sins that people have little to no problems with. Now, rest assured I've never done drugs or laid my eyes upon pornography, but I know it exists. I've let the "small" cuss word fly and I'm not proud of it. I've been watching TV and then been horrified to come across a "cleverly hidden" person.

I know that Satan will try to get you that one drop of poison. That small drip of seductive pleasure. That lick of reasoning that everybody does it or thinks it's okay. But when you see that drop, that beautifully attractive drop, remember that it's still poison and there's plenty more where it came from... too much more.

As you watch TV or tour the internet or hang with your friends, remember that cheesy little song your mom probably sang to you as a child:

Be careful little eyes what you see

Be careful little ears what you hear

Be careful little mouth what you speak

For the Father up above

Is looking down in love

So be careful little eyes what you see

Leaves

Here's a little devotional I wrote entitled Leaves

The leaves of a tree are so easily lost in the winter. They just snap off when the wind urges them to do so. After spending so much time growing and maturing they leave it all to answer the call of the wind.

            We are like leaves. We begin as buds, barely anything but destined to grow. And over time we do grow, we mature into beautiful leaves. But time goes by and we sometimes begin to loose sight of the marvelous tree that we’ve clung to for so long. Then Satan comes along and we listen to his enticing songs. They charm our souls and we long to follow him. Before we know it we’re plummeting to a grave, following the path of many other fallen leaves.

 

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

-Matthew 26:41

 

            Jesus warned us not to fall away from the Lord. He knew that our spirits are strong and our flesh cannot be trusted. But unfortunately we choose to listen to desires of our flesh over the desires of our spirits.

            Cling to the Tree, who is your Lord and Savior. Do not let the winds knock you over. Stay with God and you won’t fall prey to same fate as so many others.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”

-Matthew 7:13

Elevation!

Elevation is the most spiritual event inside our church, a night of praise and worship without adding anything. No distractions. No time limit. No pressure. Just worship. This month Chase Nation Band is coming to our church for this event.

I make the advertisements for Ignite and I've never made anything this good (in my opinion). You can check out the video below.

Forgetful

I looked at the date of my last post and then at today's date and said "OH SNAP! 5 days!" Yeah, I'm sorry I forgot you guys, my faithful readers! (all 4 of ya!)

You know something else I've forgotten, I've forgotten to spend time with Jesus every day. It's really screwed up my life, too. I remember when I was in New Mexico and I would have a whole new view of my Savior because life was so unpredictable that He was all I knew to be certain. I remember receiving words from the Lord at Spring Break Camp, and thinking "man, I want to do this everyday!"

But I haven't.

I've not received a word from God since SBC, my worship has become a self-conscious worry about whether or not my singing is bugging the person next to me, my Bible reading is either forced or skim reading. We need to give Jesus time. We need His peace and presence in our everyday to save us from that everyday. Did you know that prayer to God, for anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes or more, is better for your blood pressure than a full nights rest. Next time I have and all-nighter I'm just gonna pray it through! Haha!

Here are some ideas on how to make your "Quiet Time" easier:

Make a playlist of worship music - Using iTunes or Windows Media Player you can create hour long playlists and use those to put you in a worshiping mood. (Hillsong is the best for creating a peaceful, spiritual environment.)

Open your Bible - I don't follow one of those "read the Bible in a year" things, I just open the bible and thumb through till I feel an urge to read a certain page. It could be a headline or just a random page that I found a verse on. It sounds dumb, but the Holy Spirit guides my eyes to read what I need to hear.

Shut yourself off - No phones, no computer (unless you've got you playlist on there), no people/animals. This is a time for you and God, no one else. Let God speak to you and show you things. He CAN and WILL do it, I guarantee.

Give it your all - I heard from a very wise man that you only get out of worship as much as you put in. In case you don't understand, if you're not looking for God you're not finding Him. You got to apply yourself. Don't just listen to music playing and sit there. Sing, dance, cry, laugh, prophesy, heal, be changed... these things don't ONLY happen at the camps or revivals or black southern churches... these things can happen in your BEDROOM... if you let them happen...

I should really rename this page my random testimony/confession/sermon center...

Fine Arts RULES!!!

If you've been following this blog you know I'm in Fine Arts. If you missed that post, scroll down some. Any-who, I just got back from the FAF competition, and I'm beyond ecstatic!!!

My Large Human Video Ensemble ("He Is") is going to nationals, but didn't place. My drama ("Cellphones") - which asked the funny question of "What would your cellphone say about you?" - got nothing, no invite, no placement. But my Children's Sermon (on "the Great Commission") is going to nationals AND got MERIT at districts!!! All the hard work paid off and now I must regain the sleep I've lost over the past two nights! Haha!

PS: Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I've been slightly busy. =]

I'll try to keep it up. Keyword: try! Haha!!! LOL!!!

Reality TV

I always hear pastors and christian radio stations diss Reality TV. Today, I could possibly agree with them. It's ugly and filled with drama. People cry cause they got "voted off the island", "fired", or "kicked out of the house". People cuss every other scene. Shirts, hats, tattoos, and some mouths have to be censored. These people take these games way too seriously, and they make me never want to participate.

So that's that. Ignore the TV shows and all the drama and ugly content they bear. Now step outside. Try ignoring that!

... uh, just kidding, don't become a hermit...

Life has all the junk that reality TV bears, you can't turn it off. True, we shouldn't draw attention to it, or set it on a pedestal, but we can't just act like it doesn't exist. Instead, I think we need christian television shows that addresses the issues of reality in a non-cheesy, entertaining, fun way that people will actually want to watch! People take a few looks at TBN or Daystar and find about 4,576 ways to make fun of christians and christianity.

Let's make Christianity what it is! It's not as cheesy as the saturday morning specials that they present for kids, or as boring as two old people discussing the latest news from last year. Sure there are people that enjoy those programs; but seriously,  it's time to update and create a powerful TV action series for adults; funny, entertaining shows for teens; and cool, cheerful shows for kids. 

Wake up Christian TV, the 21st century has arrived, and it's about time you hopped on board.