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christianstriver-blog · 12 years

Video

youtube

The video above features a new song from Matt Papa that is a powerful call to world wide missions. Matt is giving the proceeds from the song--every single dime, for it's lifetime--to missions. You can see which organizations here.

Listen, and then go support the cause by buying the song on iTunes.

HT: Josh Harris

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christianstriver-blog · 12 years

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Is the Hook-Up Culture a Good Thing for Women?

Is the hook-up culture good for women? (Click the link to watch Rosin answer this question). If you ask Hanna Rosin, author of the new book “The End of Men,” hooking up is not only a good thing, it’s a basic need.

This isn’t a new argument, in fact “hooking up” is as old as the Bible (see the story of the Woman at the Well in John 4), but it sure is a central part of a bankrupt worldview that our culture today has bought into hook, line, and sinker (no pun intended). Rosin’s logic follows the familiar feminist line - marriage derails the ability of women to pursue their career goals, but companionship and sexual intimacy remain important human needs, and so hooking up is good and necessary. However hooking up always leads to consequences of some type, some of which can also derail a woman’s career aspirations, so other things, like abortion for example, must also become necessary and good.

This worldview is a cultural slippery slope, but more than that it is a lie that destroys lives (sometimes quite literally). The lie is this: relationships and sex are just basic human needs; they are a means to end, in which the Self ultimately satisfies itself by pursuing what is necessary and good without regard for others. Hooking up is selfishness in the same way that abortion is selfishness - they each place the needs of the Self over and above the needs of others.

The truth is that sex and relationships are beautiful gifts from God. He is the Author and Creator of both and He has made us for to enjoy them. And the Christian worldview doesn’t ignore these needs, but it also doesn’t raise our need for intimacy above our need for God. When people elevate sex and relationships beyond where they should be, it doesn’t lead to fulfillment, it leads to heartache and disappointment.

Hanna Rosin is suggesting that sexual flings are necessary in order to lead a life that is satisfying and it's a a belief that many living in the so-called "hook-up culture," mostly college-age young people, have adopted as their own. But this is a lie. No relationship - not even with a spouse - is going to satisfy our ultimate need for a Savior. Only Jesus will do that. He is what satisfies completely. And He, in putting our sin upon Himself, has demonstrated what true love is all about.

HT: Andrew Sullivan

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christianstriver-blog · 12 years

Video

vimeo

Here's a short video celebrating the little things of everyday life. Take some time today to enjoy the little things in your life. Happy Labor Day!

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christianstriver-blog · 13 years

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Striving for the Faith of the Gospel

Philippians 1:27-30

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

#Christian Striver #Gospel

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christianstriver-blog · 13 years

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Living As Dead People

Our reality as believers will be always a kind of mystery. We live in this world experiencing a real tension. We are here, but we are not from there. We are called to see what is unseen and to seek what can’t be found in this world. And as a reasonable explanation for this, the ...

Read More Here.

HT: Fighter Verses

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christianstriver-blog · 13 years

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"I know of no other way to triumph over sin long-term than to gain a distaste for it because of a superior satisfaction in God. - John Piper

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christianstriver-blog · 13 years

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"And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” - Matthew 25:46

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christianstriver-blog · 13 years

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Is Your Church an Orphanage for Christian Babies?

"A lot of churches have just become orphanages. They know how to have babies and they have a couple of dads and moms for all of the babies - but not near enough to care for them well; and they don't send them out to start new families, so it's a perpetual orphanage." - Jeff Vanderstelt

That's tough to hear, but spot on. Most "churches" are interested in attracting new people to come in, but do almost zero in terms of sending their people out to serve and reach the lost. I say "churches," because if that's the case I'm not sure they really are Biblical churches.

HT: Verge Network

#Jeff Vanderstelt #Missional Communities #Verge Network

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christianstriver-blog · 13 years

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Terry Virgo & Mark Driscoll: Spirit-Filled Leadership

Interview with Mark Driscoll: Spirit filled leading from Terry Virgo on Vimeo.

HT: The Resurgence

#Leadership #Holy Spirit #Mark Driscoll #Terry Virgo

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christianstriver-blog · 13 years

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Strive to Enter Through the Narrow Door

"Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." - Luke 13:24 ESV

HT: The Resurgence

#Striving

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christianstriver-blog · 13 years

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"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. - Philippians 1:27-30 NIV

#Striving

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christianstriver-blog · 13 years

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How Can I Not Love Him?

You say: It’s impossible.

God says: All things are possible. (Luke 18:27)

You say: I’m too tired.

God says: I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: Nobody really loves me.

God says: I love you. (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

You say: I can’t go on.

God says: My grace is sufficient. (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalms.91:15)

God says: I will direct your steps. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: I can’t do it.

God says: You can do all things. (Philippians 4:13)

You say: I’m not able.

God says: I am able. (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: It’s not worth it.

God says: It will be worth it. (Romans 8:28)

You say: I can’t forgive myself.

God says: I FORGIVE YOU. (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: I can’t manage.

God says: I will supply all your needs. (Philippians 4:19)

You say: I’m afraid.

God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear. (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: I’m always worried and frustrated.

God says: Cast all your cares on ME. (I Peter 5:7)

You say: I don’t have enough faith.

God says: I’ve given everyone a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)

You say: I’m not smart enough.

God says: I give you wisdom. (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: I feel all alone.

God says: I will never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)

How can I not love him?

HT: memyselfand-god

#Striving

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christianstriver-blog · 13 years

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Why Are Pastors (and Their Children) So Unhappy?

A really interesting blog post by Mark Clement highlights a disturbing problem in the Church: psychologically unhealthy pastors. He highlights the following statistics, including a shockingly high percentage (95%) of pastor who do not pray with their wives and the very low percentage (30%) that spend personal time reading God's Word, that paint a sad portrait of the health of pastors:

100% of pastors surveyed said they had a close associate or seminary buddy who had left the ministry because of burnout, conflict in their church, or from a moral failure.

1500-1800 pastors leave the ministry each month due to moral failure, spiritual burnout, or contention in their churches.

50% of pastors' marriages will end in divorce.

80% of pastors feel unqualified and discouraged in their role as pastor.

50% of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.

80% of seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.

70% of pastors constantly fight depression.

Almost 40% polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning their ministry.

70% said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons.

90% said the ministry was completely different than what they thought it would be before they entered the ministry.

80% of adult children of pastors surveyed have had to seek professional help for depression.

70% of pastors do not have a close friend, confidant, or mentor.

95% of pastors do not regularly pray with their spouses.

80% of pastors surveyed spend less than fifteen minutes a day in prayer.

70% said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons.

Makes you wonder if at least 70% churches are being lead by pastors that aren't really saved. "If you abide in my Word, you are my disciples indeed. You shall know the truth and truth shall set you free" (John 8:31-32).