Our youth group is starting a 7 week series tonight called “What’s the difference?” We are going to be looking at various world religions and the differences between them and Christianity(hint: it’s Jesus). The goal is not for them to know more about other religions but to know what and why they believe better. Here are two of the main resources I’m using for this study. Fritz Ridenour’s book has some great stories about the various founders. It’s as informative as a text book, but is a fun read because of the style.
![718982: So What"s the Difference? How World Faiths Compare to Christianity, Revised and Expanded](http://ag.christianbook.com/g/thumbnail/7/718982t.gif "718982: So What"s the Difference? How World Faiths Compare to Christianity, Revised and Expanded") |
So What’s the Difference? How World Faiths Compare to Christianity, Revised and Expanded
By Fritz Ridenour In easy-to-understand chapters, the author explains the basic beliefs of Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, New Age and a dozen other belief systems of the world. It will help you recognize the real differences and make it easier to explain and share your faith with others. Completely revised and updated. |
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Christianity, Cults & Religions: Compare 17 Religions and Cults with Biblical Christianity
Compare the beliefs of 18 world religions and cults at a glance, including Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Science, and more! Learn what each group believes about God, Jesus, salvation, and other basic points of Christianity. Laminated pamphlet measures 5.5″ x 8.5″ and unfolds to 33″—ideal to keep in your Bible or briefcase. From Rose. |
In April and May, we’ll be studying the 10 commandments to continue the process of strengthening their faith foundation. More and more I am finding that many students’ Biblical knowledge is sorely lacking. There are several factors for that but I believe the main culprit is the breakdown of the family unit in our society(more on all that later). The church’s responsibility to make disciples often falls on the local organized body, but I believe that Christ intended for every believer to be and make disciples. I’m not sure when showing up for an hour on Sundays started passing for being a disciple.
Here’s the latest music out this week.
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Beautiful Things CD By Gungor Michael Gungor’s musical creativity and passion for worship are on full display with Beautiful Things, a thirteen-song set of refreshing original compositions. Featuring a guest appearance from Israel Houghton, Gungor breezes through alternative worship styles on tracks like “Dry Bones,” “Please Be My Strength,” “People of God,” and others. |
Gungor also at 
Ohio Avenue at
Vicky Beeching’s new EP at
Saw the preview for this book. Just had a conversation with someone about this very thing.
![316888: Why Is God Ignoring Me?: What To Do When It Feels Like He"s Giving You the Silent Treatment](http://ag.christianbook.com/g/thumbnail/3/316888t.gif "316888: Why Is God Ignoring Me?: What To Do When It Feels Like He"s Giving You the Silent Treatment") |
Why Is God Ignoring Me?: What To Do When It Feels Like He’s Giving You the Silent Treatment
By Gary R. Habermas * Have you ever cried out to God when you were in trouble and felt like he’d abandoned you? Sharing personal experiences, heartfelt insights, and biblical truth, Habermas asks tough questions, shares wise answers—and reveals where we can find our heavenly Father in the midst of suffering and sorrow. 256 pages, softcover from Tyndale. |
Breaking the Sabbath-Part 2
Last week I started posting about my journey to observing the Sabbath every week. The process of eliminating certain things from my life has begun so that my time is best utilized doing the things I was created to do. I believe we live in a day and age where rediscovering the practice of the Sabbath is a necessity. Understand that I am writing from the viewpoint of a pastor where Sunday is not a day of rest. It’s usually one of the busiest days of the week. The point of all of this is to have a set aside, holy, Sabbath day every week regardless of what it happens to be.
In Jewish law, there were 39 categories of activities that were prohibited on the Sabbath. Each category had subcategories and so on and so on. By Jesus’ time, the focus was more on these rules and regulations rather than God’s original commandment. These prohibited things from weaving to tying a knot to putting out a fire to picking the bones out of a fish. The original intent of these laws to to remind people of the things that they would do on a normal day and the Sabbath was all about taking a break from the norm. Over time, the rules and regulations grew to where most common folks could not keep up. The religious leaders of the time used their ability to adhere strictly to the law(and find loopholes when they couldn’t) to lord over the others. So, when Jesus says in Mark 2:27-28:
27Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
He is tearing down some major walls. One, He is telling the people that they have lost sight of the true purpose of the Sabbath. It was a lot of work to remember what you weren’t supposed to do on the Sabbath! Two, He is chastising the religious rulers for using their man made rules and regulations to rob the common folk of their God given rights(dude, my toes are really hurting right now). The Sabbath is all about liberation. It’s not about being confined. It’s about being set free.
So, what sets you free? What makes you feel like you’re alive? The Sabbath isn’t about being reminded that you’re human. It’s about being reminded that you’re divinely created in the image of God. In a day and age where we spend so much time “working for the man” the Sabbath is that weekly reminder that we are God’s “workmanship” and created for a higher purpose(Ephesians 2:10). Part 3 next week, but while you’re waiting check out these posts from Eric Ebbinghaus, Tim Stevens and Dr. Martin Labar. Eric is a fellow Wesleyan Youth Pastor who is currently taking his students through the 10 commandments. Tim recently posted on a digital detox his family was taking. Dr. Labar is a former professor at Southern Wesleyan University and one of the finest and funniest men I know. Do yourself a favor and subscribe to their blogs.
Currently Reading:
![775563: A Blueprint for Discipleship: Wesley"s General Rules as a Guide for Christian Living](http://ag.christianbook.com/g/thumbnail/7/775563t.gif "775563: A Blueprint for Discipleship: Wesley"s General Rules as a Guide for Christian Living") |
A Blueprint for Discipleship: Wesley’s General Rules as a Guide for Christian Living
By Kevin Watson Watson offers a concrete and practical approach to Christian discipleship that is distinctly Wesleyan. His approach builds on the foundation of the General Rules-do no harm, do good, and practice spiritual disciplines-combined with the exercise of small-group accountability. Watson shows that John Wesley’s method of discipleship is both simple and profound, and can help you develop a faith that affects every part of your lives. |
Marriage and Relationship Resources
My wife, Karen, and I are speaking at a Valentine’s banquet tonight at a local church. We are sharing our personal story of God’s healing and blessing. It is exciting and humbling to receive an opportunity like this. It will be good to see some old friends there as well. With that in mind, here are some great marriage and relationship resources.
![746801: As Long As We Both Shall Live: Experience the Marriage You"ve Always Wanted](http://ag.christianbook.com/g/thumbnail/7/746801t.gif "746801: As Long As We Both Shall Live: Experience the Marriage You"ve Always Wanted") |
As Long As We Both Shall Live: Experience the Marriage You’ve Always Wanted By Dr. Gary Smalley & Ted Cunningham Ideal for engaged couples, newlyweds, and long-married partners, this resource provides the tools you’ll need to establish a lasting life together! Relationship expert Smalley and Pastor Cunningham show you how to defuse the ticking bomb of unrealistic expectations and acknowledge your unexpressed assumptions. Learn to understand each other’s needs, express yourself honestly, and increase intimacy. Hardcover. |
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Cupidity: 50 Stupid Things People Do for Love and How to Avoid Them By Hayley & Michael DiMarco Having trouble making sense of your love life? Whether you’re single, dating, or married, the Hayley & Michael DiMarco will help you correct acts of “cupidity” – or “stupid love”! You’ll become a better romantic partner; explore love from a biblical perspective; and avoid heartache and unrealistic expectations. Honest and eye-opening, their guide provides helpful tips from their firsthand experience! Paperback. |
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Happy Spouse . . . Happy House: The Best Game Plan for a Winning Marriage By Pat & Ruth Williams with Dave Wimbish Whether your marriage is on the road to victory, in foul trouble, or just needs a halftime pep talk, you’ll find compassionate and competent coaching in Happy Spouse, Happy House for building a strong, secure, and successful marriage. Using the acronym BEST, Pat and Ruth Williams encourage men to be the best leaders, lovers, and listeners they can be and empower women to be the best partners and players in a winning relationship. B less your spouse |
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L.O.V.E.: Uncover Your Personal Love Style By Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott L.O.V.E.: Uncovering Your Personal Love Style by Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott show couples how to revolutionize their marriages by uncovering their unique love styles – how they as individuals are hard-wired for love. Once they uncover this vital information, they learn how their combined personalities approach marital issues. Using scientifically proven online assessment methods, your two personalities come together to create your unique “love style” as a couple. The acronym uses the primary characteristics of Leader, Optimist, Validator, and Evaluator. L.O.V.E. is accompanied by a set of his/her workbooks expressly designed for couples to drill down into the content of each chapter. These are also ideal for group study. |
![529808: Love & War: Finding The Marriage You"ve Dreamed Of](http://ag.christianbook.com/g/thumbnail/5/529808t.gif "529808: Love & War: Finding The Marriage You"ve Dreamed Of") |
Love & War: Finding The Marriage You’ve Dreamed Of By John & Stasi Eldredge John and Stasi’s new book, Love and War: Finding the Marriage You’ve Dreamed Of does for couples what Captivating did for women and Wild at Heart did for men. In it couples are encouraged to fight for one another and not with each other. The Eldredge’s liken marriage to a love story occurring within the context of a war. As couples fight the forces at work against their marriage, they need to remember that they are in this together. Alternating chapters show the male and female perspectives and as they share their personal experiences, they let you know that it is in the context of marriage that God chooses to heal and transform you into His image. Hardcover. |
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Loving the Love of Your Life By Mark Gilroy Looking to add a little spice to your love life? In one affordable flip book you’ll find 60 ways to show how much you care and add a fresh spark to your marriage. With the fun of a game, the book contains a series of activities, surprises, and suggestions; taking turns, the couple passes the book back and forth adding romance, humor, and good memories to the process. In a busy world where Christian couples are giving, working, studying, and serving, here is a collection of ways to connect with the one you love best, and build into your marriage in a fantastic way. Nurture your love and watch it grow! Husbands: Wives: hereare 60 ways to get started- 30 for each of you. Get started today and take your marriage over the top! Paperback. |
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More Than a Match: The Five Keys to Compatibility for Life By Michael & Amy Smalley with Mike Yorkey More Than a Match provides you with the tools you need to find the love you want and turn your romance into a lifelong love affair. In this book the authors explore the “compatibility factor,” teaching you how to apply the specifics of good compatibility to a prospective date or mate, as well as how to break things off when you find yourself in the wrong relationship. And.since finding and keeping the love of your life is about much more than finding a match, you’ll also learn how to deal with conflict, develop a healthy sex life, and recover when you inevitably hurt one another. Paperback. |
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The Five Love Languages, Singles Edition By Gary Chapman Whether you’re widowed, divorced, separated, or never married, your deepest emotional need is to feel loved—and your greatest successes will be obtained by loving others. Chapman shows you how to do both effectively in situations unique to single adults—dating; roommates, classmates, and co-workers; family connections; and single parenting. Includes new discussion questions. |
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The Love Dare Day by Day: A Year of Devotions for Couples By Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick Love is a choice. A daily choice. The Love Dare Day by Day is a daily reminder of how it’s done . . . and done well, taking the original experience to the next level. With 52 weekly dares, this one-year devotional invites you to go deeper into the scriptural principles of The Love Dare, and is meant to enrich your relationship with God and your spouse through a daily time of reading, prayer, and action. Make this more than a year of your life. Make it your bold, next step to a lifetime of love. Features of this book include:
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The Art of Elimination
I think I have been guilty of suffering information overload. Some of this information could be useful like being informed on issues being debated in DC. Some of it is not so useful like knowing that Taylor Swift is in The Hannah Montana movie with Vanessa Williams who is in Elmo: Escape from Grouchland with Mandi Patinkin who is in The Princess Bride with Cary Elwes who is in Days of Thunder with Tom Cruise who is in A Few Good Men with Kevin Bacon. Yes, I know there’s a quicker way to connect Miss Swift to Mr. Bacon, but that’s the point.
At one point I could have told you how many wins Tommy Bowden averaged per year in his 10 seasons at Clemson, but that’s a decade I’m trying to forget.
Here’s a quote I wrote down from the 4 Hour Work Week:
Doing something unimportant well does not make it important.
I know what you’re thinking. Hey, Heath, don’t most youth pastors work 4 hours a week anyway? Do you really need a book to tell you how to do that? Ha Ha. I get the joke and yes, I have lived that joke. Sadly, the flip side is that many people are working crazy hours but accomplishing very little. As I noted in this post, I am trying to be more effective and efficient. Here is where my train of thought is going:
1. I know that conservatives and liberals don’t like each other and go over the top in media to make their points. Do I really need to check 8 different websites a day to confirm what I already know? It’s not going to change my political persuasion. Knowing all this stuff just allows me fodder for conversation. I do have more important things to talk about so I will.
2. I’m a slow learner so it has taken me a while to figure out that very little news happens between when I go to bed and when I get up in the morning. Why do I default to checking all the news and sports sites first thing in the morning on my phone? Can I rid myself of this burning desire to be “The Grapevine” and the first to know everything from what the Senate is debating to who Boston’s middle relievers are going to be to which pastor is going to what church and when in our district? Would it be so bad to hear this news from other people instead?
3. We had our cable TV cut off last summer because my family was going to be in Alabama for several weeks. We never turned it back on to save money. We are doing the Dave Ramsey thing now and downsizing from 4,000 channels to 12(depending on if the government mandated digital converter box is operating properly) has been a great decision. I’m not checking ESPN news, FOX news, or TLC every 15 minutes. I watch three shows a week: Heroes, Survivor, and Extreme Makeover Home Edition. I have almost effectively eliminated channel surfing from my life. For me(the poster child for ADD) this was HUGE. We get a lot of movies from the library so the kids watch those and PBS Kids. Less TV has meant more rasslin in the living room with my children. Put THAT in your talking points memo.
4. Being on a budget has eliminated needless trips to Wal-Mart. I love the deals, but we were spending time and money we did not have every time. Going in to purchase dish shop(crud, we are out of that now) ended with a full cart, empty bank account, and a side trip to the Mcdonald’s that is conviently located inside the stored. Don’t get me wrong. I love me some Wal-Mart, but our family had to take ownership of our buying and spending habits.
I’m not going to pretend that this journey hasn’t been a struggle or that we have it all together now. I just knew that something had to change. I wasn’t at a crisis point, but I could have been. I will leave you my favorite joke from Jerry Seinfeld.
People ask me what I’ve been doing since we ended the show. I’ll tell you what I’ve been doing: nothing. I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that you might like to try doing nothing yourself. Well, its not that easy. Because the idea of doing anything that could easily lead to something that would cut into my nothing and that would force me to have to drop everything.
Forgotten 5 Signs You're Watching a Bad Movie
5. The words “Jennifer Lopez” appear in the opening credits.
4. You talked to everyone about this movie and no one knew anything about it.
3. It’s on local Channel 12-2 in the Triad area of North Carolina.
2. ____________________(insert name of person who is famous for being famous) said they “loved it.”
1. They rewrite over 70 years of history by giving Superman a son.
What did I leave out?
In case you wanted to know, there are two types of mainstream movies banned at my house: Anything with Jennifer Lopez and Rocky 5.
Speed Reading 2.0
If you’re going to grow as a person and a leader then reading great books should be an essential part of your growth. I have recently started reading with a new method that I wanted to share with you. There were 2 things I wanted to accomplish with this method.
1. Read faster
2. Take notes that are easy to scan through
There are 4 things in a book that make this process work: Chapter Headings, sub-headings, lists, and quotes. First, let me say that this method will not work with every type of book. This won’t work with a novel. I’ve found that most business, leadership, and growth books have all of the above.
Get the book you’re reading and a notebook. On a fresh page, write the Title and Author. Next, find chapter 1 and wirte it down along with it’s heading. All you’re going to do is scan the pages looking for key words that catch your eye(these depend on what and why you’re reading), subheadings, quotes, and lists. I typically write down all subheadings and lists. I write down quotes only if they’re truly memorable and something I could use in a sermon or a post. So, your page would look something like this(but hopefully with better handwriting):
Your amount of notes will depend on the format of the book and the length of the book. For example, I have 3 pages of notes from Crush It, and 12 pages of notes from The 4 Hour Work Week. I liked the books equally, but one of them had more lists and sub headings so I took more notes.
The most important thing to remember is to enjoy the book. If you get a chapter in and it’s not doing much for you then put it down and move on to something else. Also, don’t feel like you have to finish every book you read. Are you getting out of the book what you were hoping?
For me, this was born out of a desire to learn and grow without feeling overwhelmed. I also am trying to live by a set schedule. So far, the schedule has helped me get things done, but I’ve also been able to be flexible with it when necessary.
Finally, there have been two tremendous benefits so far with the creation of this site. One, is connecting and reconnecting with people all across the country through Twitter and Facebook. The other is immersing myself in the flow of great resources that are at our fingertips to help us become the people we were created to be. There are countless great books, blogs, conferences, music, and videos to help us discover our purpose, passion, and possibilities that many of us are unaware of. My reading list is full of great books I didn’t know existed before I started Chasing My Lion. Sadly, I know two many people who aren’t plugged into any of these things. They seem content to live life without pushing themselves to grow as Christians and leaders. Sadly, many of them are good friends in ministry.
So, what about you? What are you reading? What are you chasing?
Currently Listening:
Currently Reading:
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Why So Many Gods? By Tim Baker What do Madonna’s henna tattoos really mean? Is The Matrix more than just an action flick? Probing the meanings behind pop culture symbols, this hip guide to over 100 religions, cults, and worldviews will get your teens thinking about what they hear, see, and read—and help them choose God’s truth over the media’s mixed messages. 240 pages, softcover from Nelson. |
Currently Watching:
Newspring church at .