Resources to Ignite the Fire of Your Faith

Do you want to be more passionate about Christ?  Do you feel you've lapsed into complacency?  Do you wonder if you're making a difference in the world for Christ?  There's a new book coming out, by the Harris twins, Brett and Alex, called "Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are", scheduled for release March 16, 2010. If you haven't heard of "Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations", their earlier book, I recommend it to you.  That book and these two young men started a revolution against complacency, irresponsibility and rebellion in youth, and of passion for Christ, and they (coincidentally) call it, The Rebelution. (click on the link to go to their blog: disclaimer--I don't subscribe to everything they say and do. I believe that they will challenge you, especially young people, to a closer walk with God. But, Dear friends: As I give recommendations, I try to know that what I'm recommending is good for you, but each of us is ultimately responsible to be discerning and check everything against the Word of God to make sure that it lines up.  I hope that you will do that with everything that you see here.)

Today, I'd like to share some Resources with you that my 20-year-old daughter, Kelsey, loves, and we recommend, that will challenge you to be more passionate about your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Have you ever heard Mark Cahill speak, or have you seen him on YouTube?  Now, *there* is a man with a passionate message that will change your life!  Kelsey had a neat idea: she wanted to do something special for her birthday, (her 19th)--so she invited about 10 girls over to watch Mark Cahill's "Lukewarm No More" message.  Of course, there was the usual laughter, food, fun picture-taking and girl-talk mixed into the evening.  They also played a game using random pictures (found online), such as a man playing a trumpet in the middle of a park, or a woman mountain-climbing.  Each girl had to pick one, and, with 5 minutes to prepare, share a Bible verse, an analogy or a testimony relating to the picture they chose.  They spent some time in prayer, as well. She challenged them to get more serious, as a group, and as individuals, about their faith.  "One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven" has really inspired her to take her faith in Christ much more seriously, and to be passionate about sharing the gospel. His example of witnessing is phenomenal.


You *will* be challenged.











For the last few years, Kelsey's been raving about Paul Washer!  She has listened to countless of his messages on the internet.  Now, we're starting to hear others rave about him, too.  His messages are direct, boldly Biblical, and passionate. And not what you are used to hearing. (Called "Shocking"!  The first message Kelsey ever heard by Paul Washer was the highly discussed YouTube/Tangle video "Shocking Youth Message," which has now been watched by hundreds of thousands of people.  Are you sure you're saved?  Don't be fooled.)  I really recommend watching him.  He's so on fire!  You'll find a link to some of his messages further down on my blog on the right. He'll really make you examine your heart and ask hard questions. How obedient am I and how much do I really love Christ--where's the proof in my life?

 ...and Francis Chan.
We don't know a lot about him, but we've listened to some of his messages, and we're finding out about him. What I've heard him say has been very Biblical.  Kelsey's favorite thing about Francis Chan is that he is so in awe of God and he sees God's Fingerprints in even the trivial things in life--his passion and zeal are contagious. 
I have to say I was impressed, when I read that he gives 90% of his income away as well as all his royalties from the sale of his books.   (bookshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Chan)
One thing is for sure, he challenges your way of thinking about your life. From 2 minutes of listening this week, this was my challenge from the Lord: Where is your home? Is it here? or is it in Heaven? Are you so aware that Jesus is coming back and so looking forward to His return, that you think, "Would I want to be here doing this if He came back right now?"

We've gotten complacent. Let's start here,  rekindle the fire in our hearts for the Lord, and not be afraid, no matter how old we are, to do hard things for Him.
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Musings from me and Video from Francis Chan on "Being Too Popular"

I see myself as a "prophet" speaking forth the Truth at times. This week I had to speak some hard Truth.  But, I constantly struggle with my need to be loved, affirmed in what I'm doing, and reassured from those around me that I'm doing fine. I'm inclined to be too bold. To speak the Truth, alright, but not as lovingly as I perhaps should.  Sometimes I don't hear how what I said came out!  I have a faithful family who keep me in line when they're with me.  They let me know when I've said something I shouldn't have! When they aren't there, and even when they are, I need to be saturated in the Word of God, and sensitive to the Holy Spirit to guide my words.  As a blogger, I seek to edify, encourage, and build others up in Christ. I find that I must continually look to my Heavenly Father for whether I'm doing ok.  Even more than that, I ask Him continually, "What do You want me to say?"  This short video by Francis Chan really spoke to my heart this week.



Luke 6: 22, 23, 26-28--"Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you."
www.biblegateway.com

Thankful Thursday: Spiritual Spinach

It's Thankful Thursday and I had so many options to post on, I had a hard time deciding!  I truly feel blessed.  First, my wonderful Godly father-in-law is staying with us again for a week, and when he makes a visit, it's as though God says to me, "Here is a special gift for you--to let you know I love you."

Related to, and because of, his visit what I am especially thankful for today is Christian radio!  My father-in-law is accustomed to listening to a particular Christian radio station, and certain programs, during the day.  He is anything but demanding, which is why it took me until Thursday to realize this and receive the blessing from it.  I tried to find this station on the radio, but we can't pick it up. Our old computer was too slow to listen to a program without a lot of frustration, so I haven't been listening to Christian radio as much, since our boombox broke.  But I realized today that we've recently bought a new computer and so we tried it and what a blessing!  We listened to Biblical preaching, teaching, exhortation and encouragement!  We heard commentaries and discussions about the latest world news from a Christian informed worldview, which gave me much needed direction for my prayers.  Most of all, I was strengthened spiritually! The programs today were like spiritual spinach for me!  I feel encouraged, fed, prepared, and strengthened to meet my enemies.  We are responsible for what we eat, both physically and spiritually.  We can be so preoccupied with whether our physical food is healthy, but what about the spiritual food we're feeding ourselves?

This week I invited my wonderful Godly father-in-law into my home, and because of him, throughout the day today I ate a nourishing and healthy diet of spiritual food, and ran in the fresh air of God's truth, being exercised, inhaling deeply and cleansing my soul.  I have knowledge and the memory of how good that feels and am encouraged to continue in this healthy spiritual lifestyle.  And I am so thankful for the blessing of Christian radio.

Thank  you, Lynn, for hosting Thankful Thursday this month!

Please visit Lynn's blog to read about her "stinky" day (pun intended), to participate and to hear from other thankful hearts!