I thought I'd share a follow up that my buddy Quin shot my way, great stuff to think about. 

-rob

I've always held a strict stance against prosperity doctrine. It's not supported anywhere in the Bible. The Bible says if we get rich here, that's our treasure not in heaven (the jars of clay analogy if you will). God promised He would provide all that we NEEDED, not everything we wanted. In fact, He promised one thing above all others, that we would be persecuted for His sake. To teach otherwise is, I believe, heresy. There, I said it. We should serve God, because He's worthy of it, and because we have faith in His goodness, not because we gain anything but salvation by doing so. 

Quinn

I wanted to share with you guys the video he showed. Pretty rockin stuff. 

It's from Penn Jillette's (from the Las Vegas Penn & Teller show) video blog that he does.

Keep in mind that Penn's a outspoken atheist, but the thought is:

How much do you have to hate someone to not share your faith with them? (3:28)

Kinda makes ya think...

-rob

For those of you who don't have time for the pure enjoyment of the entire thing:

-He takes it to a whole new level @ 0:50

-and don't miss the bridge @ 1:50      

Enjoy! 

-rob

I mean, that's why I committed my life to Christ isn't it? So my life can be... better? that He would come and take away all my problems, guarantee my car always starts and maybe even throw a few bass guitars my way...

I know I'm being over the top here but what a great reality check it is when Jesus said,

"All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." -Matthew 10:22

Matthew- Suffered martyrdom in Ethiopia , killed by a sword woundMark- Died in Alexandria , Egypt , after being dragged by horses through the streets until he was deadLuke- Was hanged in Greece as a result of his tremendous preaching to the lost.John- Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in huge basin of boiling oil during a wave of persecution in Rome.

Peter- He was crucified upside down on an x-shaped cross.
James- Was thrown over a hundred feet down from the southeast pinnacle of the Temple.James the Great- Was beheaded at JerusalemBartholomew- martyred for his preaching in Armenia where he was flayed to death by a whip.

Thomas- Was stabbed with a spear in India during one of his missionary trips to establish the church in the sub-continentJude- Was killed with arrows when he refused to deny his faith in Christ.Matthias- The apostle chosen to replace the traitor Judas Iscariot, was stoned and then beheaded.Paul- Was tortured and then beheaded by the evil Emperor Nero at RomeAndrew- Was crucified on an x-shaped cross in Patras

Looking out my window this morning, the skyline of a downtown that seems to sleeplessly wait for me through the night has been replaced by a haze of grey.

Once I’m able to keep my eyes open for more than twenty seconds and get my feet touching the ground, I like to think I’m a morning person. There's something about getting to start over as the night seemed to clean the chalk-board written madness of my day before.  

Unfortunately, it’s mornings like this that usually end up making me best friends with my snooze button.

But today I’m reminded that I can’t always pick what’s thrown at me and have to make the best of what I’ve got.

So, I’ll reach for my tea [English breakfast tea this morning, in case you were wondering] , get some journaling in, and hit this day running.

-rob

Keep in mind that it is a 100% accurate representation. 

If you don't know, TED is a small nonprofit devoted to "Ideas Worth Spreading." Some of the most prolific intellectuals from around the world are asked to give a "TED Talk" on topic of their choice.

I'm addicted.

But watching these talks got me thinking... If I were asked to give a TED talk, what would I talk about?

Would it be on spirituality, bass guitars, music performance, something that would change lives? 

If you got a call tomorrow to give a TED talk, what would you share with the world? 

-rob

-rob

Currently listening to: 

Delirious¿- World Service

A couple nights ago, me and my ’09 debuting band –HEADLIGHT- had the opportunity to play for a benefit concert raising money for some college students going to New Orleans to street witness at Mardi Gras.

I couldn’t be more supportive about these ministries that students give passionately towards. It’s amazing and I’m super proud of my friends that are involved. But there’s a reality right outside Christian college dorm-room doors that is seldom talked about openly. 

It’s been called The Underground and chances are, there’s someone you know [or maybe even yourself] that’s caught in the midst of it.

I remember enrolling as a freshmen at a Christian university,  I believed God had divinely given me direction to be there and was passionate about the opportunity to grow closer to God there. The concept of drug & alcohol abuse, sex and a double-lifestyle happening in the community and even in the “Christian” dorms  was foreign to me.

I grew up in the Church, going to a private Christian High School, and kickin it with my friends in youth group twice a week. Even though I had committed my life to Christ, I never really had to stand up for my faith or had to say “no” to anything cuz… nothing was really offered. 

I showed up at my Christian college ecstatic [the first month feeling more like summer camp then school].

The first year was a great time of learning and making new friends, but as soon as my Sophomore year hit, my eyes were opened to the world of the Underground.

I became a professional fake.

Living a double-life, I knew what a Christian should look, sound and act like. I gave all the right answers to all the right people.

James says, “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (5:16) but there was no way in hell I was going to do that! I longed for freedom and authenticity in my life but I was living in fear of the consequences. Who would understand?

We speak of freedom, hope and change to those we go on “missions trips” to, but what about those in our community? Do we believe that they can turn their lives around and make an impact in the world, or do we keep them bound in chains with our talk of “how glad we’re not like that” and “those people over there…”

I lived the Underground for a couple years, and would still be there if it weren’t for the love of a mentor with the guts to ask the hard questions and pray freedom into my life.

So, maybe you know someone or you find yourself living a double-life. Maybe you’re a leader in a Christian comunity, in fear of the consequences if you were to be found out. Maybe you feel the loneliness and confusion that comes with this and don’t have anyone safe to talk things out and pray with.

I’d love to get together and chat with ya if you are. If you’d like to stay confidential and would just like prayer for something you’re struggling with, click HERE to shoot me a memo.

If not me, find SOMEONE to talk to. A close friend, someone you look up to, whatever… but,

I promise you this, there is freedom in acknowledging issues, Life isn’t always a summer camp experience, it’s only when we’re open, real, honest that we’ll find freedom.

-rob