The response to the release of the Apologetics Study Bible for Students has really been encouraging and overwhelming. I knew there was a pressing recognition of the need for apologetics in youth ministry, but I had no idea now much. I received this email from a youth pastor this week and was deeply moved by it. Check it out:

"I'm one of the youth leaders at our church, and I'm in between a couple of Sundays where I'm giving the message during the youth service. I'm taking the opportunity to introduce the students to apologetics, and the response so far has been more enthusiastic than I'd anticipated, which gladdens my heart to no end.

"At first I was simply happy to see the arrival of the Apologetics Study Bible for Students, but then God laid it on my heart to take action, so my wife and I are using a chunk of our tax refund to purchase 35 copies to give out to our youth during an upcoming Wednesday night function. In price shopping around the Internet, my wife discovvered a promotional video you did for the Bible at Lifeway.com. I'm going to show that video to the kids before unveiling the surprise.

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Hair fashionably mussed, a soul patch beneath his lower lip, the Singer steps onto the small stage and eyes the small audience seated before him.  A man in a dark T-shirt impatiently eyes the Singer.  Pen fidgeting in his mouth, he inquires tersely, "Okay, what do you have for us today?"

The Singer takes a deep breath before answering.  "Well, I'd like to start out with 'Not to Us' by Chris Tomlin."

"Okay," the man responds without emotion.  "Good luck."

Apprehensive, jittery, nonplused, the Singer takes a step forward.  And with all that he has, and all that he is, he opens his mouth.  And sings.

"Not to us, but to Your name be the glory," he proclaims.  "Not to us, but to Your name..." he repeats, each time with greater conviction.  The certainty of his beliefs seem to steady his voice, and he digs into the phrase deeper.  Taking a deep breath, he readies himself for the first verse.

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 For the past two weeks, I’ve been riveted by the stories coming out of Haiti. I’ve read stories that bring me to my knees, stories that make me shake my fist in anger, and stories that make me feel incredibly hopeful. It’s been interesting to watch different responses to the disaster. Between the Haitian government, NGO’s, foreign governments, the UN, independent churches, and missionaries in Haiti, everyone seems to have their own unique take on how to best help the Haitian people. At times, it has seemed that there is no clear leader, no clear entity ultimately in charge of the relief effort.

I think it’s crucial for us, as Christians, to evaluate the church’s response to the crisis.

In the days following the quake, the biggest needs were clearly recovery, search and rescue, and serious medical help. All the organizations mentioned above flew in almost immediately with these resources. But, the runways were clogged. Too many planes, not enough space. Our church partners with an organization called Medical Teams International. MTI immediately sent two planes filled with medical personnel and supplies to Port au Prince but, were unable to land. There was no space for them to touch down. Two planes, filled with life saving supplies and doctors, were diverted to the Dominican Republic.

Recently, Cathleen Falsani, a writer for the Chicago Sun-Times and author of Sin Boldly (which I loved and found to be her something of a kindred spirit), wrote an article for the Washington Post that is worth noting. The article is part of a series entitled 'The Worst Ideas of the Decade,' and Falsani focuses in on the 'Prosperity Gospel.' You can read her article here.

At this point, I agree with Falsani. This incessant need we have to call the American Dream a Biblical idea is more than alarming. The lack of self-criticism of professing Christians and their embrace of 21st century capitalism needs to stop. While there are a great many benefits of America's economic engine and its place in the global economy, calling all things 'capitalism' good and all things 'socialism' bad is too narrow minded. I rather enjoy the fact that Jesus is claimed by Methodists, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Baptists, and yes, even capitalists and socialists. Jesus lived his life in such a way that he's difficult to label and modern Christians would be wise to follow suit.

On this note, Falsani follows up with a second post found recently on the Sojourner website.
I think Falsani speaks truth again. Thanks Cathleen, keep up the good work, and if you're looking to send out signed copies of any of your books, my address can be sent out rather easily.

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Since the idea of justice comes from the Bible, we pause to give three examples of pastors who link the gospel with social change. If you have any other examples of pastors doing this, please add your comments to this post. We're always seeking to learn to walk with churches, leaders, and families more effectively.

Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, has written a book entitled Ministries of Mercy. Click here for a few articles related to this topic. Keller expands the discussion in an article entitled "Gospel Centered Ministry," which you can download in a pdf by clicking here.

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continuation of q&a magazine interview...

Q5. Coming to church is to come face to face with Jesus, yet church attendance universally is steadily declining. How do you think we, as Christians play a part in part?

Alicia: The following progression in our minds and hearts can reroute us slowly away from faithful-church-participation and solidly into occasional-church-attendance:

family --> voluntary association

community--> audience

sanctuary --> building

Q6. Your new book is called 'Intimate Conversations with God'. Can you tell what inspired you to write it?

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There was a shooting a block from my house less than 48 hours ago.  We heard the cracks from the gun in quick succession -- bang - bang - bang - bang - bang.  Five of them.  We wanted to believe they were fireworks.  However, the with the cop car shining a light in our front yard and a helicopter spotlighting our backyard, it clearly was not celebratory.

A 22-year-old young man lost his life.  It appears that 5 gang members killed him.  His girlfriend was shot in the foot and watched him die on the side of the street. It's the week before Christmas -- all is not calm; all is not bright.

Yesterday I was trying to find news reports about the shooting and began thinking about gang violence.  Our neighborhood is generally quiet and family oriented.  There was a random shooting over 2 years ago, but the police claimed to have done a sweep of the area and locked away all those wrong-doers.  It might take me another week to walk down the street in the evening, but I do believe and know that this is a safe neighborhood.  It will, though, take us coming out of our houses to unite in peace to overwhelm the kids with the guns.

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Check out this video my dad and I recently produced with ConversantLIfe.  I love doing TV and radio interviews, but there's something particularly special about partnering with my dad.  In this Livestream interview, we discuss apologetics and ministry today as well as take questions from a live online audience. There's some great content here.  Don't miss it, and pass it on!

 

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It is a tough flu season this year, and many are going to get their shots.  My family is just getting over two weeks straight of the flu.  But what does a shot do anyway?  Basically, in non-technical terms, the vaccine shot introduces a bit of the flu into your system so that your system can build up immunities to the flu.  Seems like a good idea, kind of a “fight fire with fire” type of thing.  Give them a bit of the bad stuff that you don’t want them to get.

But there is another way to get vaccinated (at least partially).  Get the Flu.  Some would advise one to get a flu shot even if you have had the flu, but many others would ask, “why bother?”  Most would agree that if one has had the flu this season, they have a fairly decent chance of not getting it again, because their system has built up the necessary anti-bodies to fight off a second flu attack.

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Many Christians see nothing wrong with being the captain of their own ship, charting a course in search of meaning and purpose. Whether it takes 40 days or 40 years, we know for certain that a life of substance exists because Jesus himself promised it to us: 

"Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life" (John 10:9-10, NLT).

For purposes of clarification, a "rich and satisfying life" does not imply riches (despite how proponents of the prosperity gospel might interpret this verse).  Christ did not come to earth to make us financially wealthy (sorry, Joel Osteen).  Neither did he come to make sure we were comfortable and safe.  Just ask any of the first-century Christians.  Oh, wait--you can't ask them because they're dead, having been tortured to death because of their allegiance to Christ.  They took that whole "take up your cross and follow me" directive seriously.  

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