In light of the current decisions being made in Washington, I wonder how much consideration the next generations are really getting.  There is talk about it, but how much of that is lip service?  I’ve said it before, but the current “problems” we are facing are not just economic problems, they are moral problems.  By borrowing money (really its printing money) that the next generation has to pay back to pay for the lifestyle that we can not afford is not an economic problem, its a moral problem.  And it ultimately comes back to the worldview of those making decisions.  The main stream worldview is one of self serving interest and its a shame that our grand-kids will be paying for it.

I wonder what we could be doing that would not only NOT hurt the next generation, but could actually benefit them?  In reading through the book of Ruth, it is obvious that little decisions can impact the next generations in huge ways.  There are little decisions that will have massive implications.  In the book of Ruth we see an act of compassion that Boaz has on the widow Ruth, which starts there relationship, which ultimately leads to their marriage.  Their son is Obed, who has a son Jesse, who has a son David which becomes one of the greatest leaders in Israel’s history, not to mention that they are all in the lineage of Jesus.  What would have happened if Boaz would have rejected Ruth’s request to have the left overs in his field?  What would have happened if he would have made the decision based upon personal economics rather than God’s word? Would there have been an Obed, a Jesse and a David?  Where would the future leaders have come from?

Its a shame that the current leaders do not see the wisdom in making decisions that support the future generations vs. hindering them.  What an opportunity we have now to make wise decsions that will set up our sons and daughters for success and show that God’s way is right.  In deed God’s way is to help us, not to hinder us.  Here’s to making a wise decisions.

This is just awesome….

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMJ7Q0aiV4I&hl=en&fs=1]

Here is an exert from an article by Chuck Colson that has gotten my mind spinning.  Are we asking the wrong questions?  Are allowing those in seats of power to direct the moral direction of our country?   When people are so focused on the end result, it allows those in positions of power to make decisions to get there without much consideration or question.  We must protect ourselves from beings so finish line focused that we ignore the means of getting there.  THE MEANS MATTERS!!

In his inaugural address, the President said we should not ask “whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works.”

On the surface, the statement seems quite harmless—even practical. But the seed of this thinking is pure pragmatism—the only philosophical system that can bear the “made in America” label.

It was in the late nineteenth century that William James, Charles Pierce, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and John Dewey, the father of modern education, met at Harvard and formed what was called the metaphysics club–although their philosophy began with skepticism about metaphysics and theology. In essence, they argued that one cannot know truth, so good can only be measured by what works, and what works is therefore good. As James said, “Truth is the cash value of an idea.” Holmes went on to substitute the notion of social engineering for transcendent truths in law.

Today, without a moral compass to gauge direction, “Does it work?” has replaced “Is it right?” If it works for you, then go right ahead.The 1960s adage, “If it feels good, do it,” has been updated to: “If it works, do it.”

The history of the last 80 years should teach us that large and powerful central governments are dangerous. But the history of the last century should teach us that unchecked pragmatism is even more dangerous. In fact, it’s how tyrants gain power. Mussolini became El Duce on the promise that he’d make the trains run on time.

Read the rest of the article here.

Last weekend I got to teach at a high school retreat for a friend’s youth group.  I spoke three different times over the weekend.  We had a great time.  The theme for the weekend was to “Live Love”.  The main focus was to remember we have people in our lives everyday that we can love and serve, and that’s exactly what God is calling us to do.  Here is an over view of the talks and sometime in the future I’ll post the mp3′s so you can listen if I ever get copies (Jason??).

Talk 1:Main Point= Everything counts, nothing is neutral.

This includes how we spend our time, our money, our words and our actions.  There are no timeouts.  What you do on Friday night matters just as much as what you do on Sunday morning. We went through Ephesians 5:15-16. Make the most of every opportunity.

Talk 2: Main Point= What you do will always trump what you say.

We drilled down deeper into the idea that everything counts, specifically talking about  how our words and our actions align.  Jesus’ teaching had authority because his words and actions aligned.  The challenge was to see in what areas of our lives are our words and our actions not matching up. Luke 4:32 “They were amazed at His teaching because his message had authority.”

Talk 3: Main Point= Only Jesus truly satisfies.

This was my favorite message to give.  Looking at John 7, Jesus tells us that its not the religious experiences that satisfy us, its Him who does.  A great challenge at a religious event!  Jesus said if we come to him, we will be satisfied.  A great message of hope.

Well, it was a great weekend. Thank you everyone that was praying for us as we traveled and spoke.

This past week has been very hard for some friends of mine.  I can’t even begin to imagine what they are feeling and thinking right now. I’d probably be pretty ticked off, really sad, confused, wanting to cuss, scream, punch a wall, yell some more, question and then repeat it all again. This past week a friend from college and his wife lost all 6 of their babies in their 20th week of their term. Below is a copy of the blog post from their pastor and my friend Dustin. Please join me in praying for the Tippings and their family.  My prayer is that God will let them hear stories of how their faith through this changed someone’s life.  I pray for peace and the ability to sleep at night.  I pray for a huge impact on the Kingdom.  God please do something huge through this.  Please prove yourself faithful again through this tough time.  Allen and Courtney, you are in our prayers.

Here is what Dustin wrote. 

There have been very few times in my life that I have had the privilege of sitting on the front row of a concert or event. The few times I have though…I must say, it is AMAZING. From a distance it all seems fake and far off. From the front row you can see things play out, that unless you were sitting up close and personal you would never get the chance to experience and learn.

Over the last 9 days I have had the privilege of sitting on the front row of what has been the most amazing display of faith and trust I have ever seen. This week I watched as 2 of my best friends (Allen & Courtney Tipping) lost there 6 babies who were delivered preterm at 20 weeks. Now you may be thinking….How or why in the world would you call that a privilege? I think once you read what I saw from the front row…you will understand.

FROM THE FRONT ROW

FROM THE FRONT ROW…I heard Allen say over and over again…I love you Courtney. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I heard Courtney tell Allen over and over again…I love you Allen. FROM THE FRONT ROW…Courtney asked me to check on and take care of Allen. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I saw Allen massage Courtney’s feet. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I saw Allen taking a minute here and there to read the words of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I watched Courtney ask visitors to simply read her scripture. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I heard Allen say, “I don’t understand God, but I trust Him.” FROM THE FRONT ROW…I watched Courtney graciously thank Doctors and Nurses for helping her. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I watched Courtney take her hand from holding her tummy and point towards her heavenly Father and say, He is giving me strength. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I watched Allen kiss Courtney’s forehead over and over again. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I heard Courtney tell Allen that he needed to rest. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I would watch Allen and Courtney pray together. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I saw Allen molding into more and more of a man of God. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I saw Courtney’s love for Jesus grow. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I watched Courtney fight for her babies. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I watched as Allen didn’t sleep for 30 hours straight as he continued to rub Courtney’s forehead with a cold towel. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I watched as Allen took Blue Gatorade flavored ice chips and feed them to Courtney (Court loves blue Gatorade). FROM THE FRONT ROW…I watched Allen feed Courtney sweet potatoes. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I saw a couple trust God and His truth more than their own thoughts. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I saw a faith like I have never seen before. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I grew as a pastor because I saw what it really means to take care of someone. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I grew as a husband because I saw Allen serve His wife as Christ served the church. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I saw 2 parents love their children. FROM THE FRONT ROW…I saw God Glorified through Allen and Courtney and I am sure I will continue to see the name of Jesus lifted higher and higher through the lives of this amazing couple.

Allen…Courtney…. THANK YOU. You are both amazing and it is a blessing to get to walk through this life with you guys step by step. Renie and I both look forward to hanging out here on the front row as God continues to work in and through you. We get a unique perspective into your lives and I wish the world could see it as we see it…….because they would see an amazing picture of Jesus. It’s a privilege!

This year make your bracket picks really count!

Are you crazy about March Madness and also want to help us end child sex slavery?  Enter our tournament challenge for a minimum donation of $10 and the winner will have all the proceeds donated in their name to the Free Chains Campaign to end child sex slavery.

Other prizes will be awarded for top finishers.

Go to the donate page at www.freechains.org to sign up.  We’ll email you log in information once donation is received.

There is something powerful about doing what you know you should do even when you don’t feel like doing it.

-Mark Batterson