I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It

Culture, ,

(This article is from David Courington, a friend and preacher from Polishing the Pulpit – JBE)


The song entitled “I Kissed A Girl And I Liked It” is number one this week on Billboard’s Pop chart. While lyrics like “I kissed a girl and I liked it. The taste of her cherry chapstick. I kissed a girl just to try it,” may sound pretty innocent, the next line might really wake you up, “I hope my boyfriend don’t mind it.” The song is sung by a girl, Katy Perry. Actually this song is pretty tame compared to her 2007 release of “Ur So Gay.” It didn’t take Katy long to go from a “preacher’s Kid” in the “Christian” music industry to this raunchy MTV/VH1 bill of fare.

The point of this article is to give further warning to parents and teens about what you listen to and how you allow it to influence you. Not only is our culture being filled with gay experimentation, but gay rights are being pushed militantly. The Zondervan company(Bible Publisher) has recently been sued by a man who contends the Bible has made his life miserable. With the state of Massachusetts approving “gay” marriages, the onslaught of pushing this kind of “alternate lifestyle” will likely continue to flourish.

We need to be aware of this push, not only in music, movies, TV, etc., but we need to know what the Bible says about such a lifestyle. Paul did not say it was an “alternate” lifestyle, but that it was an “unrighteous” lifestyle (Rom. 1:18). This is the way he described it, “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” (Romans 1:24-27 (NKJV).

In 1 Cor. 6:9-11 (NKJV) Paul also made it plain that practicing homosexuality was sinful, saying, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Cor 6:9-11). Please note that Paul was not “Gay Bashing,” as some would put it, but he offered that some of those in the church had practiced such, come to Christ, been washed, and were now “sanctified” and “justified.” This must be our desire for all who have chosen this ungodly way of life.

ICYC: Better Than Ever

Eastern Shore church of Christ, ,

I make my living with words but today I find it difficult to express just how great Indian Creek Youth Camp really was this year.

Clark Sims begins planning this week at least 6-8 months in advance. He has handpicked a staff of assistants and counselors that is second to none. At 252 campers, this is the largest week during the camp season. This year, 29 young people put on their Lord in baptism and another 25 rededicated their lives to Christ. Among those responding were our own, Anna Isenhower and Travis Purser who were both baptized into Christ. Anna Lloyd asked for prayers and was restored.

Travis Purser (L) and Anna Isenhower were baptized at ICYC
Travis Purser (L) and Anna Isenhower were baptized at ICYC

Our activities included a thorough study of Colossians with speakers each morning and each evening taking a passage from the book for their text. Campers studied Colossians in age-divided classes and in their teams in preparation for Bible bowl.

Teams participated in sporting activities and in wacky games. Congratulations to TEAM ANDY for their victory in the team competition.

Some underestimate the importance of Christian camping. As part of a year-long youth strategy, a week at camp will stand as one of the greatest moments in any child’s life. Lifelong friendships are established at camp and are renewed year after year.

The 2008 Eastern Shore ICYC group
The 2008 Eastern Shore ICYC group

Many campers will stay in touch with each other throughout the months. Camp allows a youthful network to build.

By weeks end we were all tired and dirty but were renewed in our faith. Next year will be even better as we build on our record-setting year.

Thanks to all the staff and to those parents who took vacation time to make this a great week.

Planning for next year begins soon. Tell us what you think about camp!

Notice to Readers

Administrative

I will be out of pocket this week with our children at camp and will have little time to write. Posting will be sporadic this week and will depend on when I can get to the computer. We will return to normal next week.

Since all comments are moderated, none will show until I am able to clear them. But please do offer your comments.

Thanks!

Monday Memo – Noah

Encouragement, Genesis, Monday Memo,

Have you ever noticed how God has a way of using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things? It is one of the great themes of Bible to study how God can take an average man or woman and place them on the steps of greatness. When they are faithful, they become heroes.

Consider Noah. We first meet this boat builder in Genesis 6:8. After describing the depravity of man the Bible simply says “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” He is next described in three ways. The text says he was a “righteous” man, a “blameless” man and a man who “walked with God.” Only one other man was said to walk with God and that was Enoch who was translated so that he should not see death (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5). Beyond these obvious spiritual traits, nothing is said of Noah’s abilities. He was neither king nor prince, neither wise nor educated. He was simply a man who loved the Lord and was obedient to him.

Beginning in Genesis 6:14 God lays out the plan. Build a large boat for yourselves and for the animals. The rains and floods will come and only those inside will be saved.

We know that Noah was obedient to the Lord’s command. But have you ever stopped to think about what was going through Noah’s mind as God gave him the plans for the ark? Continue reading Monday Memo – Noah →

Essential Evangelism

Eastern Shore church of Christ, Evangelism

Jesus did not instruct his followers to “hold the fort” until he returns. Jesus told us to take the offense and expand the kingdom on earth. The Great Commission makes clear that we are to

“Go…and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19, 20

We are losing ground. Continue reading Essential Evangelism →

A Stable Faith

Colossians,

The need for a firm foundation in any endeavor is unquestioned. Our homes, our office buildings and even our street and highways are formed upon a solid base or foundation. We recognize that a successful future requires a good educational foundation for a career or trade.

It is also true that stability from a firm foundation is required for our spiritual lives. In Colossians 3:5-7, the apostle Paul speaks of the necessity of that foundation.

“For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. Therefore,as you have received Jesus Christ the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”

(Colossians 3:5-7, NASB, underlining added)

Long before Paul, we find wise Solomon extolling the foundation of God. He writes, “When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation” (Proverbs 10:25). Later Paul would speak of the “firm foundation” (2 Timothy 2:19) sealed by God’s promise of faithful redemption and our task of fleeing iniquity. Our children know well the story of the Wise and Foolish Men of Matthew 7:24-29. Wisdom demands that we build securely on an unchanging, stable foundation.

True stability cannot be found in modern philosophies. Paul condemned them to the Colossian Christians (Colossians 2:3-4, 8). The new best seller will soon find itself on the clearance table when a new, more modern philosophy rises to replace it.

True stability cannot be found in the depths of the sciences which are ever changing. For all of its accomplishments, science is not stable in the least but always subject to re-thinking and adjustment.

True stability cannot be found in fleeting human relationships. As many as 40% of marriages end in divorce. Others who do not marry buy live together come and go with no record of their instability. Apart from faith and trust in Jesus Christ, there is no absolutely, always certain security in human relationships. The certainty of death guarantees unstable times in human relationships.

The only absolute stability in life comes from a knowledge of and a commitment to God’s word. The Colossians, through their faithfulness, had come to a “true knowledge” God’s message (Colossians 2:2). Paul sought to insure their faithfulness and continued stability by warning them of new philosophies.

Let me offer some help in building your spiritual foundation.

  1. Immerse yourself in a study of God’s word. There is simply no other discipline that will profit you as much.
  2. Surround yourself with sound Christian literature. Many have given all of their lives to a study of God’s word and now are giving that knowledge to you through solid studies. Read everything you can get your hands on.
  3. Make your Christian brothers and sisters your best friends. Christian fellowship is part of that foundation that will serve you endlessly. Such fellowship includes, but is not limited to, worshiping with your brethren. Can you really expect to build relationships with people you see only occasionally?
  4. Make changes in your life. Cracks in a foundation indicate weakness and foreshadow future problems. Seal the cracks in your life.

Jesus Christ is the foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). We build upon Him. Will you stand with him?

What are your thoughts?

Worth Quoting

Church

Here is a quote that calls us to the journey of restoration.

“Upon the platform of the gospel, only, can we as a body of Christians fulfill our destiny; by conformity to the elements of sectarian popularity we hasten backward to insolvency and shame.”

Thomas D. Butler, 1868 in Millennial Harbinger

I can scant think of a time more needful of such a thought than our present hour. What do you think?

Summer on the Eastern Shore

Eastern Shore church of Christ

We do Vacation Bible School a little differently at Eastern Shore. Instead of a week of VBS we do our VBS every Wednesday night during the summer. At the same time, we conduct our Summer Series for the adults with speakers from around the area. This summer the adults are studying The Wisdom of Solomon: Lessons from Proverbs. The youth are helping to teach the younger children kate the Parables of Jesus. This format helps the children grow and helps our youth mature and gain experience with teaching. By preparing our youth now, they will grow and be far more likely to remain faithful to their Lord as the years bring difficult challenges and obstacles their way.

Most recently, we studied the story of the Good Samaritan. In addition to the usual lessons, puppet shows and such, the children went outside to act out, in a fun way, the story of helping your neighbor.

In this photo (below, left) one of teachers, TR Clevenger helps them carry an “injured” man to safety. Since we had no donkey, we had to improvise. Nevertheless, the children learned the importance of helping all people, not just those who are similar to you.good samaritan

Of course, VBS just would not be complete without singing! Our song leading for the children has been led by our own youth. As you can imagine we have reached back to the old standby favorites but some new ones have been introduced as well.

The Bible teaches us that singing is not about entertaining. We are to teach one another through our songs (Colossians 3:16) as well as offer praise to our God. We ensure that the songs actually have a message such as “I’m All Wrapped Up, I’m All Tied Up I’m All Tangled Up in Jesus” which you see the children singing below.wrapped up

You are cordially welcomed to come and spend some time with at VBS. Every Wednesday through August 6, 2008. We have classes for all ages from infants to adults. You would be our honored guest. We begin at 7 and finish up about 8:30 each evening.

VBS is far more than just fun and games. It’s a chance to learn more about our Creator and how we can better serve him. The memories from VBS will last a lifetime. Is there really anything more important than giving your children a positive lesson in an encouraging environment that centers on Jesus Christ? Of course not. I’ll see you tonight!

Attack of the Pink Monkeys

Eastern Shore church of Christ

We leave Daphne for the backwoods of Walker County, Alabama on Saturday. We’ll be spending a week at Indian Creek Youth Camp with almost 200 young people from across the southeast. At present, 24 are scheduled to go from Eastern Shore.

2007 ICYC group shot

See at right, our 2007 group had a wonderful time and have looked forward to another great since we got home. Students spend time in a variety of wonderful events including team activities, cabin activities and most of all, daily Bible study. Every male camper has an opportunity to participate in camp wide devotionals by leading singing, reading Scripture, offering public prayers or by bringing a short message. The girls have similar opportunities in their cabins.

Probably on of the greatest assets of camp is the wonderful staff. Over 60 adults travel to ICYC to serve as counselors, cooks, team leaders, Bible teachers, nurses, sports coaches and more. There is no doubt that we have the finest staff of any Christian youth camp.

bible classWhile fun and games are the rule, students will spend many hours in Bible classes. For 2008, we will study the great book of Colossians. An end of the week Bible bowl exam will be given to each of 12 teams. Each team will be further divided by ages and each will take the appropriate exam for their age. The coveted team award for the week will be determined, in large part, by the Bible Bowl scores.Bryant and Clark

Our camp week is directed by my dear friend and brother, Clark Sims. Clark is a man with a heart for young people. He will begin working on the camp plans at least 6 – 8 months ahead of time and will continue to “fine tune” every detail up until the very last minute. It is because of his planning, attention to detail and commitment to our youth that this week routinely fills up at least a month ahead of time.

Now, in case you are wondering about the “Pink Monkeys” title of this post — well, you’ll have to ask one of the campers.

To The Point

Bible General

Sometimes, it’s hard to boil down an Biblical concept into simple terms. In fact it seems that some people have made the Bible so complicated that others find nothing but confusion as they turn to Scripture. The subjects of salvation and condemnation are so often turned on their head that we may become powerless to declare the simple statements of truth found in the Bible. Former President Ronald Reagan had a talent of putting ideas and concepts into simple, Continue reading To The Point →