Tifton NYI

Question -

What show still has kazillions of viewers after eight years - even though it is predictable as getting gas after eating Taco Bell?

Exactly! American Idol 8! Yep - it's back and its baaaaader than ever - though some might use the word ?bad' in a very different way (as in this is, well, bad).

So what's predictable? Well, where shall we begin?

Maybe the possibility that Randy will utter the surprising phrase, ?Yo Dawg - check it out? and ?That didn't work for me dawg; it was kinda pitchy.?

Or could we guess that Paula might articulate some odd and semi-freaky comment like this:

"I want to squish you, squeeze your head off and dangle you from my rearview mirror."

Ohhhh Kaaaay Paula, that's an image of David Archuleta that I didn't need.

Or would you ever guess that Simon might be grouchy and critical of something that he asked the artist to do the WEEK BEFORE?

Yet despite all these facts, I'm not going to lie to ya - I still watch American Idol religiously. Each week, I get excited about seeing the performers but most of all, I love the whole ?Idol Gives Back' deal. It is simply mind boggling to me (which doesn't take that much) to see one TV show raise $65 million dollars in one shot to help children across the planet.

So imagine my excitement then when the closing song of ?Idol Gives Back' was actually a popular worship song by Darlene Czech called ?Shout to the Lord.'

You know - as in the ?Lord' being ?Jesus.' But apparently no one told the singers about that small detail, because when the verse that proclaims ?My Jesus, My Savior' came up, what came out was ?My Shepherd, My Savior.'

Huh? Actually, it's not really that surprising, because what is also predictable is the fear on the part of American Idol to actually say the name ?Jesus,' because it might actually offend someone.

Oh no! You should never offend anyone! Jesus never did?did He?

Well, yes. As it turns out, that's why He was crucified. And people are still offended today, because He claims to be the one and only singular narrow path to a relationship with God.

But we don't like to offend, do we? No. Sometimes though it's just unavoidable - especially if you call yourself a Christian. To be a Christian means you not only claim the name of Christ?you proclaim the name of Christ. And if you do, you will sometimes offend.

So how often are we like the American Idols? We're on the stage of life, trying to praise God with our lives - but when it comes down to the moment of truth - which is telling people the truth about Jesus - we quickly change the words and lose our opportunity.

And to do this, we need to go beyond the t-shirts and bracelets and engage people in a conversation about Jesus. Not about how He's your ?homeboy' or how He was cool because He was a hippie with long hair and sandals. What people need to hear is that He claimed to be the only hope of salvation and eternal life in the universe. They need to be aware of the fact that all roads actually do lead to God - most to His judgment. One leads to His forgiveness - the one that goes like this:

Jesus answered, ?I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6)."

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son (John 3:18).

The cool thing is that the next night, the Idols came back and sang the song right. They proclaimed the name of Jesus before the world whether or not it offended anyone.

How about you?

Head: What you need to know about this truth
As Christians, we need to be bold in proclaiming the name and claims of Christ even at the risk of offending people.

Heart: What you need to feel about this truth
Read these words of Jesus carefully and let its message soak into your heart:

Is anything worth more than your soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels (Mark 8:37-38).

Hands: What you need to do about this truth
Take some time this week and ask your friends what words they would use to describe their perception of Jesus. Pray that God will use that to open up a conversation about His claim of being the only way to heaven.

This article written by dare2share © 2008 Dare 2 Share Ministries

Hey guys and girls!!  We have been discussing this topic of evangelism in Sunday School the past couple of weeks and will continue that discussion this coming week.  Do you find it difficult to talk about God to your peers?  Why? Why not?

"You make me so mad!", shouted Sara as she slammed the door shut to her room.  After all, she was only 1 hour past her curfew last night and now her mother will not allow her to attend the prom in two weeks.

Looking at Sara, how many of you can relate to the anger that she is feeling?  We all face situations, which make us upset, which hurt us, and which spark anger.  Sara was hurt and very angry at her mom, even though she stayed out past her curfew.  Galations 6:7 states, ".....a man reaps what he sows."

We all experience anger. Some may think that if a person feels angry that they have committed a sin.  Anger in and of itself is not a sin.  When we are hurt we do have a right to be angry, or upset.  Anger is one of many emotions that God has given us to express.  When one is faced with this emotion we then come to a choice of expressing anger either in a positive or in a negative manner.  Proverbs 14:17 warns us about a quick temper. 

Ephesians 4:26 states, "In your anger do not sin."  As Christians we should express anger differently from non-christians.  As a holiness church God as called us to be seperate from the world.  Proverbs 29:11 says to us, ".....that a wise man keeps himself under control."

The next time you get angry try responding in a positive manner.  Maybe try smiling, try the "chill out" method (counting in your head to ten very slowly), or walk away from the situation (if possible).  Even when we are angry people should still be able to see Jesus Christ in you.  One of my previous senior pastors always said, "No matter what emotion you are experiencing, do it with love."  That is something we all need to remember.

I know what you are probably thinking...........What kind of question is that?!?!?!?, but stay with me on this.

How important are your surroundings to your walk with Christ?  After all, our relationship with God is personal.  So our surrroundings should not matter as long as our relationship with Him is current? Hmmm?

Wrong Answer.

We live within our culture and society, but how do we seperate away from culture and that of living like Christ...Christ likeness?

Jesus often spoke in parables to illustrate spirtual and moral truths.  In fact there are 24 different parables in the gospels that Jesus used throughout His ministry.  Each one illustrating and revealing the truth to mankind.

In Mark 4: 1-9 Jesus talks about the parable of the sower.  How a farmer went out to sow seed.  Some seeds fell along the path, some fell on rocky places, others fell among the thorns, and still some fell on good soil.  I often times wonder where we are landing and taking root.  Just as a plant needs good, fertile soil to grow, we too need fertile soil to grow and strengthen our relationship with Christ.  Our surroundings will help in determining this factor.  For instance, if your friends constantly bring you down or influence you in a negative manner, maybe it is time for new friends.

Your surroundings do matter.  If you were a goldfish would you swim with the sharks or the whales?  Probably not.  No matter how much they have befriended you, the day will come when they will eat you.  Surround yourself with other christians and settings where you will not be devoured and tempted by your evil desires. 

The water in which you swim does matter.

Hey Gang!!  This is a place where you can be open about the discussions taking place.  Remember to be decent and only nice comments to each other.  I want to know what you think about our new website.  Do you like it?  Will you use it?  If not, then why not?  Will you tell others about it?  What else would you like to see on here?