Looking to 2012

2011 is almost over,  it's been an eventful year, a growing year, and a challenging year.  I found these questions helpful in looking forward to the next year:

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression than I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what I was told to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
7. Did the Bible live in me today?
8. Do I give it time to speak to me every day?
9. Am I enjoying prayer?
10. When did I last speak to someone else of my faith?
11. Do I pray about the money I spend?
12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
13. Do I disobey God in anything?
14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy.?
15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
16. Am I jealous impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrusting?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Am I proud?
19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?
20. Is there anyone I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? I If so, what am I doing about it?
21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?
22. Is Christ real to me?
   

Should Christmas only be about Christmas?

 There is a cultural war brewing in America.  Each year we see traditions such as nativities, Christmas tree lighting change to holiday displays and holiday lighting.  The word Christmas - which comes from Christ Mass, the celebration of Christs birth seems to be offensive to those of no or little faith.  The desire of change is to create a pure commercial holiday, with out Christ.   How will the next battle of this war be waged?

I just finished reading an article by Rebecca Hagelin,  It's worth the time, she's done a great job of laying out the battle lines -> We need Christmas now more than ever.

Is the World Going Crazy, is is that just me?

Over the last few weeks we've seen unrest break out in many parts of the middle east. Much of the turmoil has been simmering for years, but why all at once. Is this the tinderbox that past presidents have been so careful not to disturb? I believe that freedom is a right given by God to all mankind (if offended womankind also), but is freedom the end result of these outbreaks of unrest? If we carefully examine the founding of the United States, a majority of colonist opposed a war, but enough were willing to band together and fight for what they believed to be an absolute "That all men are created Equal, and are endowed by their Creator with Unalienable rights, that among these is Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness." These were rights that they would later give more definition in the constitution.
If the end goal of the Middle East upturn is to give them a higher view of Life, real liberty and the freedom to work, worship, and live in peace I would say it's admirable. As of today, I have not seen these statutes as a sign of what is happening, What I see is tyranny followed by more tyranny. There is no goal for a higher freedom, just a change to something new.
These are my thoughts on the matter, please comment if you wish to correct me.

Texas is Growing

The 2010 Census data is out, and Texas has a growing population, actually growing enough that it will get four more representatives, bringing the total number for the state up to 36 from 34. This means the redistricting struggle is about to happen again! Wait and see how our state representatives in Austin will consider slicing the pie.
2010 Census Data - 2010 Census

Idolotry in a Nation of Idol Worship

My very thoughts today are pondering on something I heard yesterday on the way home while listening to Wretched Radio. It was a quote from a pastor in South Carolina, he was talking about 'The Modern Church'. The church with great worship bands, great music, great lighting, great sound, the preacher doesn't use a pulpit. It's a worship service at any church today. I don't know of a single church that still has an organ and that's it. The question is... of course.. why? Why does our church need these tools for the theater? Could our church even exist for one Sunday without the video projector? Could we hold a service if the pastor didn't have a wireless mic? When the service is over, are we thinking about the 'Worship Experience' or are we convicted by the power of The Word?
The very fact that I'm pondering these things is making me rethink what I do. Each and every Sunday I'm thinking about the lighting, the visual, the sound... But am I thinking about the lyrics to the song, am I being convicted by the message? Is this idol worship? This is weighing quite heavy on my heart, because I love my church, I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. But if I'm worshiping something... anything other than God alone, it's idolatry. What's so different between the theater and the church? Why am I even go to church? Is it more for the entertainment value than true worship? If it's even a little bit towards the entertainment value I'm worshiping an Idol.