Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: "Fear always springs from ignorance."
In this time of "economic recession" a lot of ignorance based fear is being fed to us. I believe we have a choice. We can listen to what the "news" has to say, or we can listen to the voice of common sense. I am choosing common sense, and that's why I am happy to be part of something that I believe will promote common sense and kick fear in the crotch.
I am a fan of Dave Ramsey. I co-teach his Financial Peace University at NewLife Fellowship, I listen to his talk show on a regular basis, and I have followed his plan to become debt free. Dave is a no bull, "use the brain your mamma gave you" kind of guy. He, along with Lifechurch.tv, have created an event that I am proud to be a part of. We will be hosting this event at Newlife Fellowship and I hope you will join us and thousands of others as we listen to the truth and refuse to be fearful.
Check out this video...
2 Timothy 1:7 says: "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
I'm Nathan, and I REFUSE to participate in fear or this recession! Will you join me?
Monday, March 30, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Episode 15: Blogging is hard!
It’s been awhile since I posted anything here and I know all three of my readers have missed me sorely. I apologize to you all, especially my mom, sorry you guys.
When I started blogging I thought “How hard can it be?” I mean all you have to do is write something once or twice a week and have it evaluated by the whole world (all three of you). It can’t be that hard right? Well as you all know, there is this little thing that sometimes gets in the way of our best laid plans. It’s called “life”, and man it just happened right in front of me and my poor blog was punished horribly.
While this has indeed been a tragedy, it has served to teach me something (life has a way of doing that). No matter how hard we plan, things don’t always follow those plans. I know… that was deep!
When life has its way with me and plans fail, I am reminded of this from Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.”
In the future I will try to be more consistent in my blog-posting. I would hate to disappoint my fan base (Hi mom!)
Until then…
When I started blogging I thought “How hard can it be?” I mean all you have to do is write something once or twice a week and have it evaluated by the whole world (all three of you). It can’t be that hard right? Well as you all know, there is this little thing that sometimes gets in the way of our best laid plans. It’s called “life”, and man it just happened right in front of me and my poor blog was punished horribly.
While this has indeed been a tragedy, it has served to teach me something (life has a way of doing that). No matter how hard we plan, things don’t always follow those plans. I know… that was deep!
When life has its way with me and plans fail, I am reminded of this from Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.”
In the future I will try to be more consistent in my blog-posting. I would hate to disappoint my fan base (Hi mom!)
Until then…
Monday, December 22, 2008
Episode 14: Merry Xmas! (I can't stand Christians!)
For someone fully immersed in the church, I sometimes just really can’t stand Christians!
It bothers me when "Christians" spend so much time arguing about petty things, like the term "Xmas", that they totally miss the opportunity to share what Christmas is really about. It really peeves me when they take stances on these "issues" without doing the research to find out what’s really behind it.
For years I have heard that the term "Xmas" is just a commercialized way for "the world" to take Christ out of Christmas. In reality this couldn't be farther from the truth. Here is what "Xmas" really means.
From Wikipedia:
The word "Christ" and its compounds, including "Christmas", have been abbreviated in English for at least the past 1,000 years, long before the
modern "Xmas" was commonly used. "Christ" was often written as "XP" or "Xt"; there are references in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as far back as AD 1021. This X and P arose as the uppercase forms of the Greek letters χ and ρ), used in ancient abbreviations for Χριστος (Greek for "Christ"), and are still widely seen in many Eastern Orthodox icons depicting Jesus Christ. The labarum, an amalgamation of the two Greek letters rendered as ☧, is a symbol often used to represent Christ in Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christian Churches.
So to all the "Christians" out there who are either too lazy or too ignorant to come down off their lofty pedestals, get their hands dirty, and share the real wonder of Christmas, I say: MERRY XMAS!
Xmas for me is about peace, family, hope, and time spent together. Most of all it's about ☧. Without Him none of us would be here to celebrate. And heck, anything that makes me have to type less is cool by me, especially when twitter only gives you 140 characters!
Merry Xmas to you and yours.
It bothers me when "Christians" spend so much time arguing about petty things, like the term "Xmas", that they totally miss the opportunity to share what Christmas is really about. It really peeves me when they take stances on these "issues" without doing the research to find out what’s really behind it.
For years I have heard that the term "Xmas" is just a commercialized way for "the world" to take Christ out of Christmas. In reality this couldn't be farther from the truth. Here is what "Xmas" really means.
From Wikipedia:
The word "Christ" and its compounds, including "Christmas", have been abbreviated in English for at least the past 1,000 years, long before the
modern "Xmas" was commonly used. "Christ" was often written as "XP" or "Xt"; there are references in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as far back as AD 1021. This X and P arose as the uppercase forms of the Greek letters χ and ρ), used in ancient abbreviations for Χριστος (Greek for "Christ"), and are still widely seen in many Eastern Orthodox icons depicting Jesus Christ. The labarum, an amalgamation of the two Greek letters rendered as ☧, is a symbol often used to represent Christ in Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox Christian Churches.So to all the "Christians" out there who are either too lazy or too ignorant to come down off their lofty pedestals, get their hands dirty, and share the real wonder of Christmas, I say: MERRY XMAS!
Xmas for me is about peace, family, hope, and time spent together. Most of all it's about ☧. Without Him none of us would be here to celebrate. And heck, anything that makes me have to type less is cool by me, especially when twitter only gives you 140 characters!
Merry Xmas to you and yours.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Episode 13: Everthing's Amazing, Nobody's Happy
NewLife is currently in a sermon series called Zip It which deals with the power of our words and how we can use them in the right way, or the wrong way. Last weekend I spoke a message called "Containing Complaining". I think this video explains our culture's never satisfied attitude. Check it out:
What do you take for granted? What do you complain about that you should be thankful for instead?
What do you take for granted? What do you complain about that you should be thankful for instead?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Episode 12: Let's get sexual!
Our world is driven by sex. It's everywhere and you can't stick your head in the sand and deny it. Sex is used to sell everything from cars to mops, it's on every freeway, in every magazine, and on every channel, or so it seems. Our culture has taken a God given gift and twisted it into what it was never intended to be and it's high time WE as Christians start making the effort to turn this destructive movement on its heels and make a difference in our world.
I think there are two places where we HAVE to talk about sex.
The first is in the home. Parents we have the responsibility of making sure our kids understand what God, and his Word, have to say regarding sex. WAKE UP! Don't be deceived! Your kids WILL learn about sex at school. I don't care if you paid extra for them to be in a private Christian school, they will still be surrounded by other kids and they WILL talk about sex. Do you want your kids to learn about sex from them, or you? Take the time to figure out when and how to have this difficult conversation and DO IT. If you need help, read on.
The second place we MUST have the sex talk is in the church. We have to talk about it in the church because the BIBLE talks about it. I have been encouraged as of late because a lot of churches have finally wised up and started talking about sex. For far too long the church has been way too passive on this matter. Somewhere along the course of church history we got the idea that sex is "dirty" and it became taboo to talk about it. The truth is that God created sex and made it so that, in the right context, we can worship Him through it.
One of the many churches that has began to be very vocal concerning sex is Fellowship Church right here in Grapevine, TX. Through the vision and Godly leadership of their pastor Ed Young, they are playing a huge role in turning our cultures' thoughts and actions of sex back to what God intended it to be.
Ed is currently doing a series called "Leaving Lust Vegas" concerning sexual sin and purity. I highly recommend that you check it out. The most talked about part of this series is Ed's "Seven Days of Sex" challenge. In the hopes of restoring intimacy and strength to marriages, he has challenged all of the married couples at Fellowship to have sex every day for seven days. Check it out here.
The media, who of course knows everything that is righteous and holy, has grabbed hold of this and has literally gone crazy. Ed has been interviewed on practically every major network, on morning talk shows, and even on ESPN! The fact that God is using the secular media to spread His Word makes me want to shout. I love God's sense of humor!
I also love the creativity that is in play with this idea and I am hoping it is just the beginning of a cultural revolution regarding love, intimacy, and sex. I am so thankful that God is still in the life-changing business and that he is leading his Church to go against the grain and teach the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth.
So how about it couples? Will you take the challenge? I would love to hear your thoughts.
I think there are two places where we HAVE to talk about sex.
The first is in the home. Parents we have the responsibility of making sure our kids understand what God, and his Word, have to say regarding sex. WAKE UP! Don't be deceived! Your kids WILL learn about sex at school. I don't care if you paid extra for them to be in a private Christian school, they will still be surrounded by other kids and they WILL talk about sex. Do you want your kids to learn about sex from them, or you? Take the time to figure out when and how to have this difficult conversation and DO IT. If you need help, read on.
The second place we MUST have the sex talk is in the church. We have to talk about it in the church because the BIBLE talks about it. I have been encouraged as of late because a lot of churches have finally wised up and started talking about sex. For far too long the church has been way too passive on this matter. Somewhere along the course of church history we got the idea that sex is "dirty" and it became taboo to talk about it. The truth is that God created sex and made it so that, in the right context, we can worship Him through it.
One of the many churches that has began to be very vocal concerning sex is Fellowship Church right here in Grapevine, TX. Through the vision and Godly leadership of their pastor Ed Young, they are playing a huge role in turning our cultures' thoughts and actions of sex back to what God intended it to be.
Ed is currently doing a series called "Leaving Lust Vegas" concerning sexual sin and purity. I highly recommend that you check it out. The most talked about part of this series is Ed's "Seven Days of Sex" challenge. In the hopes of restoring intimacy and strength to marriages, he has challenged all of the married couples at Fellowship to have sex every day for seven days. Check it out here.
The media, who of course knows everything that is righteous and holy, has grabbed hold of this and has literally gone crazy. Ed has been interviewed on practically every major network, on morning talk shows, and even on ESPN! The fact that God is using the secular media to spread His Word makes me want to shout. I love God's sense of humor!
I also love the creativity that is in play with this idea and I am hoping it is just the beginning of a cultural revolution regarding love, intimacy, and sex. I am so thankful that God is still in the life-changing business and that he is leading his Church to go against the grain and teach the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth.
So how about it couples? Will you take the challenge? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Episode 11: Hey parents! Wake up!
In the restroom at my office is a radio. Why the powers that be decided to place said radio in the restroom remains a mystery to me. Maybe some people need the inspiration.
As I was using the facility today, I overheard one of those radio ads that is sponsored by an organization dedicated to helping keep kids off of drugs. The ad encouraged parents to talk to their kids, and in doing so, they would be less likely to ever try drugs in the first place. This "ad" set off an alarm in my head, hence the rant you currently read.
What the heck has happened in our society that parents have to be reminded by an anti-drug campaign to talk to their kids? They are YOUR kids! YOU should be talking to them because they ARE your kids. It isn’t up to the government, or the school systems, or radio ads to police their activities, it up to the parents.
In the last few years I have seen a disturbing trend taking place. One where it seems that telling your kids no or handing out discipline, will somehow damage them. I have heard statements along this thought process like "I don’t want them to hate me" or "I'm just trying to be their friend".
Earth to parents! Your kid has plenty of friends, and you don’t even know who they are half the time, they need a PARENT not a friend! Your kid NEEDS somebody to train them, to correct them, and someone who isn’t afraid to discipline them. It short, kids need parents who love them enough to stay all up in their business. If you don’t do that, they WILL hate you, and they will have no respect for any kind of authority EVER!
I am so thankful that I was raised by loving parents who stayed in my business. They knew who my friends were; they knew where I was, where I was going, and who I was going with. They told me no, but they also told me yes. They talked to me, and they listened. And by their blood, sweat, tears, and a LOT of prayers, I have become who I am today.
Joy and I have the same resolve that mine, and her parents, did. We will strive to raise two competent and healthy adults who will become contributing members of society. Adults who will respect authority and live by the law, be polite, have basic manners, say “Yes Sir” and “Yes Ma’am”, and most importantly to love and follow Jesus Christ with heart, soul, and mind. The only way for that to happen is if we are diligent in setting boundaries and letting them face the full weight of the consequences when they step outside those boundaries. It isn’t always easy, but that is our goal. And by the Grace of God we will reach it.
As I was using the facility today, I overheard one of those radio ads that is sponsored by an organization dedicated to helping keep kids off of drugs. The ad encouraged parents to talk to their kids, and in doing so, they would be less likely to ever try drugs in the first place. This "ad" set off an alarm in my head, hence the rant you currently read.
What the heck has happened in our society that parents have to be reminded by an anti-drug campaign to talk to their kids? They are YOUR kids! YOU should be talking to them because they ARE your kids. It isn’t up to the government, or the school systems, or radio ads to police their activities, it up to the parents.
In the last few years I have seen a disturbing trend taking place. One where it seems that telling your kids no or handing out discipline, will somehow damage them. I have heard statements along this thought process like "I don’t want them to hate me" or "I'm just trying to be their friend".
Earth to parents! Your kid has plenty of friends, and you don’t even know who they are half the time, they need a PARENT not a friend! Your kid NEEDS somebody to train them, to correct them, and someone who isn’t afraid to discipline them. It short, kids need parents who love them enough to stay all up in their business. If you don’t do that, they WILL hate you, and they will have no respect for any kind of authority EVER!
I am so thankful that I was raised by loving parents who stayed in my business. They knew who my friends were; they knew where I was, where I was going, and who I was going with. They told me no, but they also told me yes. They talked to me, and they listened. And by their blood, sweat, tears, and a LOT of prayers, I have become who I am today.
Joy and I have the same resolve that mine, and her parents, did. We will strive to raise two competent and healthy adults who will become contributing members of society. Adults who will respect authority and live by the law, be polite, have basic manners, say “Yes Sir” and “Yes Ma’am”, and most importantly to love and follow Jesus Christ with heart, soul, and mind. The only way for that to happen is if we are diligent in setting boundaries and letting them face the full weight of the consequences when they step outside those boundaries. It isn’t always easy, but that is our goal. And by the Grace of God we will reach it.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Episode 10: The sky is falling!...or is it?
A wiser man than I once said "Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it"
This has been extremely evident to me as I have watched the current economic "crisis" unfold. All I can think as I see and hear the dismay and fear is; This isn't new! The US economy goes up and goes down, and it has done so since the dawn of this wonderful nation. If it's down today it will go up again tomorrow. We have bought into the sensationalism of the media and the over zealousness of politicians, and a Chicken Little "the sky is falling" fear has seemed to envelop our nation.
Here is the truth. Despite who is in the White House, despite who is in Congress, despite what the news media has to say, GOD is still on His throne. He hasn't forsaken us, left us, or changed since the day He created this world. Nothing happens that He hasn't preconceived.
When the next president is voted in, God isn't going to wake up, look at the morning edition, and proclaim surprise. He knew, He knows, all that is, was, and is to come.
So while this chaos goes on, I hope that you will turn off the TV, put down the Blackberry and the newspaper, and read the only constant Truth there is. Here is a part of that Truth that has resounded with me over the last few days.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Tim 1:7
This has been extremely evident to me as I have watched the current economic "crisis" unfold. All I can think as I see and hear the dismay and fear is; This isn't new! The US economy goes up and goes down, and it has done so since the dawn of this wonderful nation. If it's down today it will go up again tomorrow. We have bought into the sensationalism of the media and the over zealousness of politicians, and a Chicken Little "the sky is falling" fear has seemed to envelop our nation.
Here is the truth. Despite who is in the White House, despite who is in Congress, despite what the news media has to say, GOD is still on His throne. He hasn't forsaken us, left us, or changed since the day He created this world. Nothing happens that He hasn't preconceived.
When the next president is voted in, God isn't going to wake up, look at the morning edition, and proclaim surprise. He knew, He knows, all that is, was, and is to come.
So while this chaos goes on, I hope that you will turn off the TV, put down the Blackberry and the newspaper, and read the only constant Truth there is. Here is a part of that Truth that has resounded with me over the last few days.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Tim 1:7
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