If you can watch each of them as a couple I would encourage it, if not I would encourage you to watch the one for you or if you wan’t both, its up to you. Please, I know the truth spoken here will impact you, what you do with the truth is up to you.

When you click the links both will take you directly to the video which are hosted by Mars Hill Church, Pastor Mark Driscoll. These videos are direct and to the point. They are not reassurring lies, but for some inconvienient truths.

Please leave comments!!!!! Spread the word!!!!!

Marriage and Women (Video)

- Mark Driscoll

Marriage and Men (Video)- Mark Driscoll

January 12, 2009

“For much of America’s history, the assumption was that if you were born in America, you would affiliate with the Christian faith. A new nationwide survey by The Barna Group, however, indicates that people’s views have changed. The study discovered that half of all adults now contend that Christianity is just one of many options that Americans choose from and that a huge majority of adults pick and choose what they believe rather than adopt a church or denomination’s slate of beliefs. Still, most people say their faith is becoming increasingly important as a source of personal moral guidance.

Choosing a Faith

The survey shows half of Americans believe the Christian faith no longer has a lock on people’s hearts. Overall, 50% of the adults interviewed agreed that Christianity is no longer the faith that Americans automatically accept as their personal faith, while just 44% disagreed and 6% were not sure.

Two-thirds of evangelical Christians (64%) and three out of every five Hispanics (60%) embraced that position, making them the groups most convinced of the shift in America’s default faith. The study also showed that residents of the Northeast and West were much more likely than those from the South and Midwest to assert that Christianity has lost its place as the first faith option people consider. People who said they are politically conservative, however, saw things differently than did the rest of the country: a slight majority of conservatives claimed that Christianity remains the natural choice of most Americans.

Faith and Moral Guidance

By an overwhelming margin – 74% to 23% – adults agreed that their religious faith was becoming even more important to them than it used to be as a source of objective and reliable moral guidance.

This perspective was championed by born again Christians: 91% concurred with the survey statement. In contrast, just two-thirds of the people who consider themselves to be Christian but are not born again (67%) embraced this view, and only four out of every ten Americans (39%) who do not affiliate with Christianity also said their faith has increasing influence on their moral judgments.

A sizeable majority of almost every subgroup of the population accepted this perspective as an accurate representation of their personal experience. African Americans were the ethnic group most supportive of the notion (84%). Conservatives (84%) were far more likely than either political moderates (70%) or liberals (65%) to agree – although comfortable majorities of those segments adopted the same view as conservatives.

Choosing Specific Beliefs

The United States has well over 200 different Christian denominations, a testimony to the historic importance people have attached to doctrinal accuracy. But things have changed dramatically in recent decades. The Barna survey underscored the fact that people no longer look to denominations or churches to offer a slate of theological views that the individual adopts in its entirety.

By a three to one margin (71% to 26%) adults noted that they are personally more likely to develop their own set of religious beliefs than to accept a comprehensive set of beliefs taught by a particular church. Although born again Christians were among the segments least likely to adopt the a la carte approach to beliefs, a considerable majority even of born again adults (61%) has taken that route. Leading the charge in the move to customize one’s package of beliefs are people under the age of 25, among whom more than four out of five (82%) said they develop their own combination of beliefs rather than adopt a set proposed by a church.

Evidence of people’s willingness to part with church teaching was shown in other data from the survey regarding what people believe. Among individuals who describe themselves as Christian, for instance, close to half believe that Satan does not exist, one-third contend that Jesus sinned while He was on earth, two-fifths say they do not have a responsibility to share the Christian faith with others, and one-quarter dismiss the idea that the Bible is accurate in all of the principles it teaches.

Implications of the Research

Asked to describe what the research means for American society today, researcher George Barna offered several insights.

1. The Christian faith is less of a life perspective that challenges the supremacy of individualism as it is a faith being defined through individualism. Americans are increasingly comfortable picking and choosing what they deem to be helpful and accurate theological views and have become comfortable discarding the rest of the teachings in the Bible.
2. Growing numbers of people now serve as their own theologian-in-residence. One consequence is that Americans are embracing an unpredictable and contradictory body of beliefs. Barna pointed out, as examples, that millions of people who consider themselves to be Christian now believe that the Bible is totally accurate in all of the lessons it teaches at the same time that they believe Jesus Christ sinned. Millions also contend that they will experience eternal salvation because they confessed their sins and accepted Christ as their savior, but also believe that a person can do enough good works to earn eternal salvation.
3. In the past, when most people determined their theological and moral points of view, the alternatives from which they chose were exclusively of Christian options – e.g., the Methodist point of view, the Baptist perspective, Catholic teaching, and so forth. Today, Americans are more likely to pit a variety of non-Christian options against various Christian-based views. This has resulted in an abundance of unique worldviews based on personal combinations of theology drawn from a smattering of world religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam as well as secularism.
4. Faith, of whatever variety, is increasingly viral rather than pedagogical. With people spending less time reading the Bible, and becoming less engaged in activities that deepen their biblical literacy, faith views are more often adopted on the basis of dialogue, self-reflection, and observation than teaching. Feelings and emotions now play a significant role in the development of people’s faith views – in many cases, much more significant than information-based exercises such as listening to preaching and participating in Bible study.”

Barna Group March 31, 2008

 So why do people get divorced?

When one looks at Matthew 19:8 one gets an opportunity to listen in as Christ gives an answer to this question in which I believe to be the answer for the majority of the divorces to date. Divorce it seemed occurred for the most part due to hard hearts. Most people don’t get a divorce for a ligitamate reason as outlined by Scripture(Adultry), they do what is right in their own eyes. People are divorcing because they don’t get along, or my husband is a nag etc, or my wife is a drunk etc. Friends these are not grounds for divorce! These are grounds to love uphold your commitment, pray for your spouse, support them, help them etc. Our culture treats marriage like automobiles, when our car breaks down, we trade it in for a new one. Divorce is always a result of sin, if not by both individuals involved, it may be by the sin of one individual  (adultry etc. ) in the marriage. Its unfortunate that we Christians cover up sin with divorce, which is clearly rebellion (sin) against Gods decree for marriage (19:6). People divorce because of their calloused rebellion of fallen humanity against God. If we are people of the faith we must purge divorce from our lives, and Churches. We are reflecting the world, instead of defining it with Christ in regards to marriage. We ought to feel hatred towards divorce as God does (Mal 2:16). We ought to embrace our commitment to each other in marriage for better or for worse as our Savior does us, if not for our commitment to each other, we should embrace our covenant we made before God to uphold the marriage. Think of all the awful things we’ve done as individuals against our God, and yet He never leaves us nor forsakes us. This is a high standard, but we are called to righteousness, we are called not to be conformed to the world. A world in which vows, and covenants mean nothing. A world in which divorce is common, and encouraged. What God puts together He says let no one seperate, its time we Christians take that seriously, buckle down and seek Gods grace and strength to bring Him Glory through our marriages.God puts little emphasis on getting married, and great emphasis on staying married (1 Cor 7.) Sometimes your hands are tied, your spouse just up and leaves you for what ever reason. My friend maintain your commitment, pursue to love them in Christ through it all. This is not easy for sure, but press on toward this. Pray that God may reveal the error of their ways and the hardness of their hearts, and that He might grant them repentance.

Blomberg writes:

“He [God] did not originally create people to divorce each other, and He therefore does not intend those whom He re-creates — the community of Jesus’ followers — to practice divorce.”

Hard-heartedness is not a legitimate excuse for Christians to divorce. If you find yourself reading this and in the midst of a possible divorce or seperation, stop and ask God to reveal your heart…Don’t do what is right in your eyes, but what is right before God. God’s word is clear on the matter of Divorce.

I leave you with some passages to study:

Matt 19

1 Cor 7

Take Our Poll“

Below is an excerpt from another forum I write on…I wanted to post it here for all to read. I would like for people to tell me their thoughts on the issue.

—————————————

Sarah,

I think you did a really good job answering the question you selected. Part of your answer prompted a trivial question in my mind, that though it be trivial, I thought it interesting enough to try to get everyones take on it.

You said “Jesus is teaching us not to boast in our prayers”. I agree.

That statement brought about this:

I thought of this verse:

“Whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, because they love to pray while standing in synagogues and on street corners so that people can see them. Truly I say to you, they have their reward.” Mark 6:5

“But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” Mark 6:6

Then the question came about as I am writing this at Wendy’s… Should we Christians not pray in such public places (resturaunts etc.) as we traditionally do before we eat etc. I know for me I always notice when a table bows their head before they eat. I think it to be a cool thing to witness. I know this seems trivial but I think it to be interesting in light of the above verses. Can anyone support yea or nay from scripture whether we should pray in public as a good practice in places such as Wendys. Or can someone support it probably is not the best thing to practice prayer in such public places.

Bryan

———————–

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said, “We can’t keep Christians from going to church.” “We can’t keep them from reading their Bibles, and knowing the truth.” “We can’t even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Savior.” “Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.”

“So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, but steal their time, so they don’t have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.” “This is what I want you to do,” said the devil: “Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!”

“How shall we do this?” his demons shouted.

Satan answered, saying, “Keep them busy in the nonessentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,” “Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.” “Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.” “Keep them from spending time with their children.” “As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!” “Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.” “Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive.” “To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.” “This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.”

“Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.” “Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.” “Invade their driving moments with billboards.” “Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes.” “Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what’s important, and they’ll become dissatisfied with their wives.”

“Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas.” “Give them an Easter bunny so they won’t talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death.” “Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.” “Have them return from their recreation exhausted.” “Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God’s creation.” Keep them so busy they pray as little as possible. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead.” “Keep them busy, busy, busy!” “And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences.”

“Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.” “Soon they
will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.” “It will work!” “It will surely work!” Satan Exclaimed.

“It is quite a plan!” shouted the demons. The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get more busy, and more rushed, going here and there. Having little time for their God ,or their families. Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.

I guess the question is, has the devil been successful at his scheme?

WOW! Talk about 9 years down the “tube”.

Christian or not, I think anyone of all faiths would agree 9 years watching TV is just a waist of time that can’t be recovered.

For Christians this may represent and should represent a bigger problem.

I want to clear up that watching TV of it’s self is not a sin, and in no way am I advocating one should throw out their TV.  My household is of the 99% that possess at least one television. My point is don’t waste time. TV may be just that for you, a time waster. For me I found it to be.

Our lives are so short.

“For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes.” James 4:14b

With music for modern ears, they are seeking to make hymns more accessible and known to the church again.

They are sharing their recent recordings for free to bless the wider church. You can listen and download them at their site.

(For those curious, I’m told that CXVI is the page number where Aslan sings Narnia into being.)

I downloaded the Album and love it! SPREAD THE WORD!

For many of us when we are wronged, it’s hard to “turn the other cheek.” This truly is not an easy practice, and I think most would agree. We are an eye for an eye people. We are a selfish people. We are a people that lack love. I am not merely talking about people in general sadly, for we Christians really are no different from the world in this (5:46). When we Christians read the above passage and others like it, it can be unsettling, and seem impossible, especially if you’ve tried it and failed. I have heard it said, to practice this, is to be fake and ignore your feelings, this is not the case at all as we will see.

Jesus in this passage is calling those in the crowd, and us, having His future audience in mind, to a higher righteousness. He said you’ve heard it said an eye for an eye, or in other words revenge is acceptable. Christ begins to break this practice down by commanding us not to “resist an evildoer”. Resist literally means, to set one’s self against, or oppose. Christ said to them that it is no longer acceptable to oppose someone who wrongs you, even if you are struck by them on the cheek, turn the other cheek to him. He was instructing that if someone wanted to sue them for their inner garment, that they should also give them their outter. He said If an official forces you to go a mile (this was common in that day for an official to request someone to carry their stuff a mile.), that they should volunteer to go 2 miles. Christ goes on to another subject which is bound to hit us American Christians where it counts. He says, “Give to the one who asks you,  and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.” Our obsession with our stuff is a sensitive subject for some, we forget it’s not ours. None the less, this can be a difficult command to swallow, but if we are willing to concentrate on the treasures above, we would be content with the essentials, and this command would be acceptable to us. Not that it could get any worse, but Christ goes on to say “that you’ve heard it said, Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you.” Some of you might be saying, my stuff would be easier to part with then, loving my enemy, and praying for them, that’s impossible! I assure you that because Christ commanded it, that it is possible, but not easy for sure. This is the very place where I have heard it said time and time again, that to do this would be fake, and that love is not a choice, I can’t change how I feel. I think that to be a very valid response, but that does not excuse away what our Lord is commanding us to do. It is not being fake to submit to Christ’s will for our life, and repond in situations obediently. If we love Him, we will obey Him (John 14:15). The very fact that love is commanded shows that it is a matter of the will, or choice, and not soley of emotions. It is impossible to naturally love someone who hates you and is evil towards you.  Its easy to love those who love you, that naturally happens. That’s why Christ said, “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they?”

For me this is a wake up call. I am not practicing the things above as Christ has instructed me to, how about you?

I am the type of person that needs to know why I need to practice such things, besides the obvious answers. The passage gives me the answer :

1. So that you may be like your Father in heaven. (vs48)

So truly I want to be more like Him, and obedient for sure, but how can I do these things that are so difficult, and seemingly impossible? How can I love someone who is my enemy? How can I turn the other cheek? How can I pray for those who persecute me? How can I love, when I can’t love?

I submit to you William MacDonald:

“Humanly speaking the things above are impossible. Only as a person is controlled by the Holy Spirit can he live a self-sacrificing life. Only as the Savior is allowed to love His life in the believer can insult (vs39), injustice (vs40), and inconvenience be repaid with love…It is a supernatural grace and can be manifested only by those who have divine life.”

So, it is hard to turn the other cheek, apart from the work of the Spirit, and Christ in the believer. We should examine our walk in light of this.

Christ is our greatest example of this “turn the cheek”, in that while we were yet sinners and enemies of God, He died for us (Rom 5:8). Praise Him!