By Christianity Today

Just wrapped up a decent book by Christianity Today, Study Series Faith and Pop Culture. This book takes on a variety of topics, including how God can speak to us through the arts, and how Christians should discern between entertainment that is meaningful and that which is destructive.

This book is meant to be done in small group but i found it be a good read for individual study. The book comes with different perspectives with various authors. It definitely will spark discussion with the various topics and diverse views. What i did like about this book, is that it did not take a legalistic approach to Pop Culture. However there is a balance to be in the world but not of the world. This book addresses where Christians fit into the whole picture of culture. I recommend this book especially if you have teenagers or work with teenagers. I think this book lays out a healthy between faith and pop culture. A good book - B+

BP

This is from a Craig. How great is this.

Shane's Testimony from Brian Pickerel on Vimeo.

BP

Just finished up Praise Habit: Finding God in Sunsets and Sushi by David Crowder, part of David Crowder*Band. (The have a new album coming in September'09.) I really enjoyed this book. David is a great writer. He has a way with words and bringing you into his life. It is a very encouraging and God exalting book. I used it as a devotional along with my Bible reading. All in all a great read to encourage you to praise God in everything you do. A

BP

Pastor shared a great devotion in staff meeting. Here are the notes.
Exodus 18:13-27

1.Ministry is a never ending task, it can consume your life. (13) Be knowledgeable!
God cares about you than about the ministry.

2. God brings people into our lives to protect us. (14) Be thankful and accepting!
Service in the flesh is not service.

3. Sometimes ourenemy uses our willing hearts to misguide and distract us.(15-17) Be wise!

4. God consistently reminds us that we need Him, we are not super servants! (18) Be dependent!

5. Our task as faithful ministry leaders is to lead & represent God to the people and the people to God. (19-20) Be courageous!

6.There is a difference in people who are faithful & able from those who are just nominal. (21) Be selective!

7. God blesses different people with different levels of spiritual giftedness & ability. (21) Be patient!

8. The result of being an equipper is God's direction, endurance, & peace. (23) Be obedient!

I was sharing this morning at GCA's chapel and shared the story of Martha and Mary from Luke 10:38-41. This story is a great reminder for us in this fast pace life we live. It is very unAmerican to stop and turn everything off and sit in silence. Martha is trying to impress Jesus with her busyness and hard work. However Mary was doing what was right. Sitting at the feet of Jesus and simply listening. When we take our focus off of Jesus it turns towards us. We then become self-centered focused.

Then Jesus goes on to say that this can not be taken from her. When we think we are too busy or try to take matters into our own hands we should just let Christ handle it. The best thing, the right thing is to just spend time with Christ. It is never a waste of time. It is always time well spent.

BP

BP

Be still and quiet for a moment—allow your heart to be open to an awesome God who de-sires to speak to you.

You’ve seen those movies or shows where a person has a small devilish figure on one shoulder and a small angelic figure on the other, both trying to persuade the person to make one decision or another.

Discounting the impish figures on the shoulders, is that scene true-to-life? Explain.

Read Romans 2:14-15. I would define “conscience” as . . .

I think the purpose of my conscience is . . .

God gave you a conscience to help you know right from wrong. However, because your con-science can be flawed or weak, there must be a higher standard to which it answers.

What’s the danger of depending just on your conscience to determine what is right and wrong?

Your conscience instinctively questions whether something is right or wrong, but what ulti-mately answers the question? Or rather Who answers the question? Who sets the standard? God does.

You may face difficult situations and issues today in which you struggle to know right from wrong. How will you determine what’s right?

Thank God for giving you a conscience to help you determine right from wrong. Express to God your desire for Him to guide your conscience to follow His ultimate and absolute stan-dard.

Brian

This is a great story. Worth watching.

'But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.' 2 Corinthians 11:3

This has been my prayer lately. I want to finish well. It is so easy to get caught up in doing great things for God, that we miss it all together. God isn't so concerned about doing BIG things for Him, but rather loving Him. Spending time with Him.

Lets walk with God and enjoy His companionship.

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Is God calling you into ministry? Or calling you to lead another ministry? Know that when God calls someone he has already claimed the victory. God told Moses, "When you have brought the people out of Egypt." God is giving Moses the score. He is not saying if you lead the people out of Egypt. With God we already know the outcome, yet why do we struggle to trust God just as Moses.

Also you see this same scenario with Joshua. God told Joshua to claim the land, its already yours. When God calls us he has everything prepared for us. Ephesians 2:10 says "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." He also tells Joshua to "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9