The most crucial time in the relay race is the baton exchange. How many Olympic runners have lost their race trying to pass the baton to the next runner? The same is true of our passing the responsibility of the gospel to the next generation. Paul spoke clearly of the importance of these issues when he declared to Timothy, “And the things that you’ve heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who will teach others also.” ( 2 Tim 2:2) This is one area that we must get it right! Dr. Thom Rainer wrote about this recently in the Facts and Trends magazine published by Lifeway. He pointed out that the generation born between 1980 and 1991 is known as the “millennial generation”. According to extensive research, only 15% of these young people are followers of Jesus Christ. We are dropping the baton! We must do better to reach them and equip them. My prayer is that North Central will be a place that properly disciples and equips the next generation to multiply the gospel for years to come! Look for some young person to encourage-some younger believer to disciple!  Don’t drop the baton!

In my last blog, I pointed out that as Paul and Barnabas were persecuted and in the midst of that persecution, they remained faithful. (Acts 14) What do you do when people try to worship you? That is exactly what happened next when Paul and Barnabas went to Lystra. Paul healed a lame man and the people thought that the two men were gods. They called Paul Hermes because he was the chief speaker. They called Barnabas Zeus. There was a legend that Zeus and Hermes visited Lystra years before and so the people were all worked up that it was happening again.

How would you respond? My tendency would be to relish in the spotlight momentarily. Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes.  This was a way to visually show their disapproval of the idolatrous worship of the people of Lystra.  They said, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them.” In spite of the people being out of control to worship them, Paul and Barnabas wouldn’t allow it.

Great lesson for us.  Run from idolatry.  Embrace Humility

In today’s edition of the Gainesville Sun, the Associated Press reported on the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life survey suggesting that between 47 and 59 percent of U.S. adults have changed affiliation of their religion at least once. Michael Lindsay, a Rice University sociologist says, “This shows a sort of religion a la carte and how pervasive it is . . . in some ways, it’s an indictment of organized Christianity.”

Two comments in the article grabbed my attention. First, the article pointed out that the ranks of those unaffiliated with any religion are growing not so much because of a lack of religious belief but because of disenchantment with religious leaders and institutions.  In my opinion this is a wake up call to the local churches and leaders of those churches. This comment seems to say that the rank and file would participate in worship in the church but somehow they have been burned or dissappointed in some way by the church or it’s leaders.  Our conduct in the church really does make a difference in how the unchurched world interprets the truth of the gospel.

Secondly, the article pointed out that many “Americans who belong to their childhood faith are “reverts”–people who left the faith, only to return later.”  This is encouraging for those who are passionate about working with children and youth.  Often times we wonder if what we teach these young people is really sinking in.  The Pew research seems to indicate that what we plant in the young will eventually take root and draw them back to the Lord Jesus.

Concluding thoughts:  Live a contagious, authentic Christian life that demonstrates the reality of the transforming power of Jesus.  In addition, put an emphasis on reaching and training young people with the message of the gospel.  Your work there will not return void–or should I say many of those young who grow up will return.

There is a helpful article in today’s edition (2-17-09) of the Gainesville Sun by Ashley Ross which gives us insight into how we can protect our kids from sexual predators on the computer. Keith Dunn, a former detective and member of the National Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, shares some helpful hints about internet safety. The article cites these five suggestions by Dunn to protect your kids: 1. Communicate–Keep open the lines of communication with your children about the internet. If you allow your kids to be online (this is debatable, depending on their age) create a contract of times they are allowed to be online. 2. Monitor your family online–keep the computer in a public place in the home, not allowing family members to be online in private. 3. Watch out for Cyber bullying—it may be easy to ignore, but it needs to be reported, the article says. 4. Be careful posting personal information—Dunn says that sites such as MySpace and Facebook can be dangerous if you include info such as where you plan to go and when. He even says that putting your last name on the site should be avoided. 5. Use Caution with webcams, pictures—as technology increases these features on our computers can be used by the predators. Dunn says that there is software that will turn on your webcam without you knowing it.

Although I don’t know everything that Dunn teaches on this issue, I do feel that this article brings this important issue to our attention. Every family has to decide how it will tackle this problem. I would encourage believers to exercise extreme restraint in allowing their children access to the internet. The risk is too high. Even though there are many benefits we enjoy with online activities, we risk too much when we don’t monitor our computers in our homes.

The Gainesville Sun ran a New York Times article today that highlighted the accomplishment and success of the new movie Fireproof. The story is of a young firefighter who works hard saving the lives of those in danger, while losing his own marriage. Caleb Holt (played by Kirk Cameron) is challenged by his own father to take the “Love Dare” and invest in his marriage. He attempts to invest unconditional love in his marriage in hopes of salvaging his relationship with his wife who is seeking divorce.

Kelly and I and three of our children went to see it this past Friday night.  Almost every seat was taken in the theatre.  We found ourselves laughing and crying throughout the film.  All of us came away realizing the treasure of marriage.

Some thoughts come to mind as I think about this film.

First, congratulations to Alex and Stephen Kendrick, brothers, 38 and 35, who followed their dream to write, and produce films that communicate the Christian message in a quality way.  This is their third film.  Flywheel and Facing the Giants are their other two movies.  I highly recommend Facing the Giants.  The Sun Article noted that the budget for Fireproof was only $500,000 and on the first weekend of its showing it grossed $6.5 million in ticket sales.  The Kendrick brothers challenge us all to take the gifts and talents and dreams that we have and give them to Jesus, asking Him to use us to make an impact for the gospel.  What is it that you could give to the Lord that He could use for His glory?

Second, I applaud Kirk Cameron, former star of television’s Growing Pains, who donated his talent to make the film a success.  Cameron said, “I’m not on a professional crusade to inject Jesus Christ into every project that I do, but when a good project comes up that is about marriage and is based on what I think is really going to help marriages, and is worthwhile, I’ll jump in with both feet.”  I am thankful for an actor with the guts to get involved with a project that unashamedly comes at you with a Christian message.

Third, I applaud Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia and its pastor Dr. Michael Catt.  This church has backed the movie efforts of the Kendrick brothers and even enlisted its members to donate their acting skills for the movies.  May there be more churches that engage the culture as Sherwood has done.  Sherwood Pictures is a challenge to all who need an example of becoming “salt and light” in this generation.

I wholeheartedly recommend this film for our church members and Christians everywhere.  It will challenge you to love your mate unconditionally.  Why don’t you consider taking someone with you who would benefit from its message?

See you at the Movies!!

Last Friday the cover of People Magazine showed Clay Aiken holding his infant son, Parker Foster Aiken. The headline read, “Yes, I’m Gay.” Clay has finally come out of the closet after so many questions about his sexual orientation. Aiken fathered the child using in-vitro fertilization with Jaymes Foster, a friend and producer. In the article, the 29 year old former “runner up” on the 2003 American Idol contest said, “It was the first decision I made as a father,” referring to his going public with the shocking news. “I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn’t raised that way and I’m not going to raise a child to do that.”

What makes Aiken’s disclosure so troubling to the community of faith is that he claims to be a born-again Christian. He acknowledges in the People article that his Claymates, as they are known, may not be happy that he has chosen to father a baby and bring it into the world without the benefit of a traditional family.

The Scripture makes it clear that the love and grace of Christ extends to all people. There is no doubt that the power of the gospel can extend to all who are Homosexual. There are times when believers need to be reminded that where sin abounds, grace much more abounds. (Rom. 5:20)

But with that being said, it becomes necessary to teach our sons and daughters, and the church at large, that God Almighty has given us His boundaries for our sexuality. Don’t forget, God Himself is the one who created us as sexual beings. He knows what is best because He is the creator. This philosophy that says, “You live the way you want to live and I’ll live the way I want to live,” won’t work. Everyone comes at life with some foundational worldview. The believer chooses to obey the Scripture because he or she embraces the truth that the God of the Bible is the one true God. When that issue is settled, the scripture becomes your blueprint for life.

This issue is of importance for me as a Pastor as we approach the election. On the ballot for all Floridians is Amendment 2 which attempts to define marriage as “the union of a man and a woman as husband and wife in the Florida Constitution.” I wholeheartedly encourage every voter to support Amendment 2 and vote yes for it on Election Day. As is stated in materials from the website, www.Yes2Marriage.org “a yes vote on Amendment 2 lets the people of Florida decide how marriage is defined in our state. It will prevent homosexual groups and activists judges from redefining marriage as they have in Massachusetts and California.”

I believe that Amendment 2 will be good for our state. It defines marriage from a Biblical perspective and in my opinion this helps us all, believers and unbelievers alike.

I would welcome your comments. For more information on Amendment 2 see www.Yes2Marriage.org.