O thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just;
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave.
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Every time we sing our national anthem in our church, we also sing this verse. Yes, we do need to get back to remembering that our country was founded upon the belief in Almighty God - the God of the Bible, not just some "made up" diety!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Teens & Technology
I remember as a young teenager when I had earned enough money in order to purchase my very first Sony Walkman - a completely portable and battery powered cassette player! I was excited! I next remember purchasing my very own camera, a Kodak Disc 4000. I took literally hundreds of pictures with that camera.
As you realize though, technology has come a long way since then. Teenagers are know inundated with MP3 players, IPods, digital cameras, cells phones, DVD players, laptop computers, portable games, and the list could go on. Technology has definitely changed but what has not changed is the tempatation that teenagers face to use technology in a sinful way.
A recent news article from Fox News.com illustrates that point. The headline for that article read, “Trading Nude Photos Via Mobile Phone Now Part of Teen Dating, Experts Say.” That’s an alarming headline but by no means is it an isolated news story. I have other articles that speak of similar dangers that teenagers (and adults) face in using technology.
There is no way to escape technology. It surrounds us on all sides. Technology itself is not inherently good or bad. It is how we use it that determines whether it is good or bad. Proverbs 15:20a states, “A wise son maketh a glad father:” We all want teenagers that are going to use technology in a wise manner.
This may come as a shock to some but teenagers need to be taught how to use technology! The last part of 1 Corinthians 10:31 states, “Do all to the glory of God!” Teenagers need to be taught, by their parents and other caring adults, how to apply Biblical principles in their use of technology. (3 John 4)
As you realize though, technology has come a long way since then. Teenagers are know inundated with MP3 players, IPods, digital cameras, cells phones, DVD players, laptop computers, portable games, and the list could go on. Technology has definitely changed but what has not changed is the tempatation that teenagers face to use technology in a sinful way.
A recent news article from Fox News.com illustrates that point. The headline for that article read, “Trading Nude Photos Via Mobile Phone Now Part of Teen Dating, Experts Say.” That’s an alarming headline but by no means is it an isolated news story. I have other articles that speak of similar dangers that teenagers (and adults) face in using technology.
There is no way to escape technology. It surrounds us on all sides. Technology itself is not inherently good or bad. It is how we use it that determines whether it is good or bad. Proverbs 15:20a states, “A wise son maketh a glad father:” We all want teenagers that are going to use technology in a wise manner.
This may come as a shock to some but teenagers need to be taught how to use technology! The last part of 1 Corinthians 10:31 states, “Do all to the glory of God!” Teenagers need to be taught, by their parents and other caring adults, how to apply Biblical principles in their use of technology. (3 John 4)
George Whitefield
English evangelist George Whitefield (1714-1770) learned that it was more important to please God than to please men. Knowing that he was doing what was honoring to the Lord kept him from discouragement when he was falsely accused by his enemies.At one point in his ministry, Whitefield received a vicious letter accusing him of wrongdoing.
His reply was brief and courteous: “I thank you heartily for your letter. As for what you and my other enemies are saying against me, I know worse things about myself than you will ever say about me. With love in Christ, George Whitefield.”
He didn’t try to defend himself. He was much more concerned about pleasing the Lord.
Our Daily Bread, August 18, 1992
His reply was brief and courteous: “I thank you heartily for your letter. As for what you and my other enemies are saying against me, I know worse things about myself than you will ever say about me. With love in Christ, George Whitefield.”
He didn’t try to defend himself. He was much more concerned about pleasing the Lord.
Our Daily Bread, August 18, 1992
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