I Love You Just the Way You Are (10/23/09)

I think God’s love towards humanity is crystal clear in the Bible. There are countless passages that confirm this truth, and it’s really the main storyline of the entire Bible. At the same time, it’s clear that God wants us to live more holy lives and that we should strive to become more like Jesus. Again, I won’ t cite passages because there are so many. But if anybody is doubtful, let me know and I will provide the Scriptural references.

So, I really do believe this video makes an important point. God indeed loves us just the way we are (and always will). But that doesn’t mean God wants us to stay just the way we are. He wants us to grow and transform and become more like Jesus because, that’s right, He loves us so much!

Addictions (10/11/09)

I started thinking about this topic after reading the Spring 2009 issue of Leadership magazine. It’s a publication geared for pastors and others in ministry, but the issue of addictions is obviously universal. I just found out the magazine does have a website, www.leadershipjournal.net, and it looks like you can access the articles on this topic (it was a major theme in this particular issue).

In the News: October 2009 (10/01/09)

This has been our first edition of In the News in a long time. I think it’s a nice change of pace from the typical video at FAITH360, so hopefully you find it to be interesting. I’m planning to do another one next month as well.

A few updates. I just read some “letters to the editor” about the article on early marriage. Apparently, a lot of people didn’t like some of the author’s points. Well, let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture. Of course, sex isn’t inevitable before marriage for those who choose to marry later in life. But I still think the article is thought provoking and had some good points.

The other big update concerns Tim Tebow. He apparently received a major concussion over the weekend after being brutally sacked in a football game against, well, I can’t remember who they were playing. Anyway, he went to the hospital after vomiting on the field. I think I saw on the ESPN news ticker that he is going to play next week…so hopefully he will be fine.  But pray for this young man who seems to be a committed Christian.

Coyote Ugly (9/18/09)

It feels good to start a new season of brand, new videos. It’s hard to believe that we’re entering our third year together and that I’ve recorded over 50 video messages. How time flies!

This video was inspired by my mother’s first baby doll. As you can see in the video, it looks pretty scary. If something like that was in your bed, it would be like a horror movie! This then reminded me of the phrase “coyote ugly” which some of you will know. The phrase comes from the idea that you’d rather chew off your arm and escape rather than wake up and face the person in bed next to you. It’s pretty sad but a reality in the party scene at colleges and elsewhere. I decided this was a good metaphor for our spiritual lives.

In all seriousness, we have to devote time to get to know God if we’re gonna become more like Christ. If we make the investment, we’ll be so much better equipped to make a positive difference in the world and deal with challenges that come our way. But so many of us say “I don’t have the time.”

In my younger days, I used to teach time management classes. One of the most interesting techniques was to complete a daily time log where you record your activities for the entire day in 10 or 15 minute increments. When you really study how you spend your time, you typically are shocked to see how much time is wasted…or could be used more efficiently. I know there are some exceptions, but I suspect most of us can carve out more time for prayer, devotions, Bible study or whatever spiritual practices are meaningful to you.

If/Then Prayers (6/21/09)

What a great photo, huh? LOL. Sorry, it’s all I could come up with this time!

Well, I’m personally pleased to announce this is the last new video for the summer. As I’ve done in the past, I need some time to recharge the batteries….so I’m looking forward to the break. However, we will be having our annual Video Countdown of the top 10 videos of the past year….one per week over ther rest of the summer. The videos were picked based on feedback that I received over the course of the year. So if you missed them, I hope you like the summer format. And even if you remember the video, a refresher is always nice

Is Swearing Now OK? (6/11/09)

If I had to prioritize, the issue that I brought up at the very end (using the Lord’s name inappropriately) is a bigger issue. Perhaps this should have been the main focus of the video! But the use of profanity is a very relevant question too. So I’d love to hear what people think. You can post publicly below or email me directly at tom@faith360.org if you prefer your views to be kept private.

A Visit to Paradise (6/1/09)

First, I need to make a correction. I referred to an “AP” study in the video. The study was actually reported by the Associated Press (AP) and conducted by researchers at Elizabethtown College. I don’ t have a link handy, but the article was called “Amish Population Booming, Study Finds” and was written by Mark Scolforo. I believe the date is 8-20-09.

After I finished this video, I realized there is another area where the Amish might have it right. They don’t send their kids to public schools. I don’t know all of their reasons, but after having a terrible experience with our public schools this past week, I can see why so many parents send their children to private schools or opt for home schooling. The garbage that enters young, vulnerable minds is scary.

If you’d like to share any of your thoughts on the Amish with me, I’d love to hear them. By no means am I an expert on this topic.  Shoot me an email at tom@faith360.org. Thanks!

Paul & Ancient Sports: Part 3 (5/21/09)

We have come to the conclusion of our 3-part series that focused largely on Paul’s sports imagery in 1 Corinthians 9.  There are indeed more athletic references in Paul’s other letters, but this passage includes the most extensive and specific language.

I struggled in deciding what to talk about (and what to cut out). I wrote a 50 page Masters thesis on this passage, so I had a lot of material to choose from. But as always, staying within my 6-minute time limit is challenging.  Anyway, I hope you found some insights or information of value.

In the video, I made reference to 1 Cor 9:27 and said the verse raises a host of potential theological issues. It seems pretty clear Paul is saying a Christian can be disqualified from receiving the prize. The key question is, however, what prize? Eternal life and heaven? Maybe, maybe not. Or does Paul believe heaven will never be taken away but there are different rewards in heaven? Maybe, maybe not. Or is Paul not talking about the afterlife at all, but rather referring to the prize, joy and satisfaction that comes from serving Christ on earth? Maybe, maybe not. Or perhaps Paul is referring to something else entirely?

Well, this is a simple summary of a complex issue. In any instance of interpreting the Bible, it’s important to understand the context, other passages on the topic, the original language (in this case, Greek), and more.  I don’t mean to raise the issue and leave you hanging, but I just wanted to provide a little more information on what I was referring to in the video. Maybe some day we’ll tackle just verse 27!

Paul & Ancient Sports: Part 2 (5/11/09)

I wish there was more time to talk about ancient training programs. The topic is quite interesting.  For example, there was a popular but controversy program called the 4-Part Cycle. Basically, the athlete did different tasks for 4 days on a reoccuring basis. It was controversial because on day 2, he basically killed himself through exhaustive training. Also interesting back then were the approaches to dieting. Fad diets were just as popular in ancient times. LOL

Anyway, I want to stress one particular point. I don’t believe Paul is condemning all athletes for their hard work. But it’s really matter of why they are doing it. In other words, if the purpose is to glorify God, success in such worldly pursuits can be a desirable thing. Remember when he said, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17). So whether it’s athletics, business, academics, hobbies or anything else, the key is to find a way for your activity to glorify God and advance His kingdom. I’m a big believer that we need committed Christians in the highest levels of sports, business and everywhere else in the secular world. How else can we influence and change a culture with messed up priorities?

Paul & Ancient Sports: Part 1 (5/1/09)

This is our first in a series on ancient sports.  And to start things off on the right foot, I made three mistakes on this video! First, the verses we will focus on are 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (I said 24-26 on the video). You would think I would get the verses right since I wrote my Masters thesis on this passage!

Next, a comment I made didn’t come out quite right…and then it was too late to fix. Well, I tried to fix it with a little message on the bottom, and I’ll certainly stress in the next videos. But Paul’s reference to “winning and losing” does indeed apply to both our lives on earth and the afterlife. I was trying to stress the former (which is often neglected in this passage), but in doing so, I suggested that eternal benefits don’t happen. Anyway, I hope I didn’t mislead or confuse anyone.

Finally, my last mistake was technical. I was having audio problems and ended up recording in only one channel, i.e., you’ll only hear my voice in one speaker. I think this happened because I was trying to fix another problem where I was getting a ton of humming noise. Anyway, hopefully I’ll have it corrected for the next video.

I hope you come back for the remaining videos in the series. I had a blast learning about ancient sports for my thesis, and I think sporting fans in particular will find these messages to be interesting.