Are You Relevant?

We have a problem: far too many self-identified Christians are increasingly irrelevant in today’s world.

George Barna is a social researcher, and his “mega themes” from recent research are telling a troubling trend: Believers are more inward-focused, making less impact in the lives of those around them.

Some of the findings indicate that Christianity’s influence on the wider culture – and individual lives – is “largely invisible.” He notes that:

Christianity has arguably added more value to American culture than any other religion, philosophy, ideology or community. Yet, contemporary Americans are hard pressed to identify any specific value added.

Partly due to the nature of today’s media, they have no problem identifying the faults of the churches and Christian people.

Barna goes on to suggest:

The most influential aspect of Christianity in America is how believers do–or do not–implement their faith in public and private.

This is a pretty interesting talking-point. I’m not advocating a social-Gospel, good-works approach to our faith. But I do think we’ve dropped the ball on some pretty important cultural matters, and that many believers have been too silent, for far too long, and that a result of our disengagement is that we’re considered irrelevant – and even more importantly, our faith is seen as disconnected from the world, its needs, its people.

To be sure, there are many, many good Christians doing great works for God. Addressing injustice, the needs of the down-and-out, the value of life and more, these believers are engaging and relevant. In future days I’ll try to highlight some of those good deeds – showing a vibrant, living faith – and better, a living God who cares.

Meantime, here’s the link to that Barna study. It is worth reading. And praying about.

Spiritual Aspects of Eating

In this broadcast Lysa TerKeurst continues to offer insights from her book, Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire With God, Not Food. Here’s a video clip from our in-studio conversation.

Choosing Childhood Memories

As featured on the Focus on the Family radio broadcast, Lysa TerKeurst offers a personal – and practical – look at the “why” behind our eating patterns. Focusing on God as our provider and healer, she suggests there is a spiritual element to our physical decisions and behaviors.

In the following video clip, Lysa recalls a happy moment with her father. Despite years of difficulties with her dad, it is a tender childhood memory of her father’s effort to show his love.

If you’re struggling with unhealthy choices that reflect unhealed wounds from the past, call our family help-line at 800-A-Family. Ask for a counselor, and we’ll have someone call you back a convenient time. They’ll walk you through some initial steps, and then make suggestions about resources and someone in your area you can talk with further.

Top Five…Books (updated)

I’m fortunate to love reading and to interact with a lot of authors. Of the many books I’ve read during the past year, here’s a short list of those that I found to be particularly meaningful, inspiring, challenging or otherwise significant.

  1. Dancing With Max, by Chuck and Emily Colson. As the parent of a special needs child – particularly a boy with autism – I was moved to tears and greatly encouraged by this account of a very special young man named Max.
  2. Radical, David Platt. A long, slow and reflective read of this book will challenge you to reconsider your faith and how you live your life.
  3. Choosing To See, Mary Beth Chapman. A tender story of joy, deep pain and restoration of hope.
  4. Stronger, by Jim Daly. If you struggle in life, don’t be surprised – God is likely going to do a significant work, if you’ll choose to see and embrace His sovereignty and grace.
  5. (updated) Shattered, the autobiography of pitcher/theologian/radio host Frank Pastore. Great story of redemption and transformation.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t add that the most influential, provoking, inspirational book I’ve read this past year is (still) The Holy Bible. I’ve spent much of the past year in the Old Testament, and continue to be amazed at the richness and depth of the prophets’ faith. What amazing men of God, and what lessons they have for me.

    I hope to have more time to read in the coming year than the past twelve months have afforded me.

    Protect Your Marriage

    Our current international radio programming reflects a great conversation we enjoyed with Jerry Jenkins, author of a tremendous resource, “Hedges, Loving Your Marriage Enough To Protect It.”

    There’s great wisdom in being proactive about protecting yourself and your spouse. Jerry has an entire book with suggestions on how to do that. Here are a couple of ideas I employ to make sure I stay on track:

    Here’s a previous post about that book and concept, and the programs with Jerry Jenkins. I suggest you listen – with your spouse – and map out specific ways to keep the relationship strong and intact.

    Christmas Prayer

    I don’t know of anyone who isn’t busy in life, especially this Christmas season. My wife and I have avoided being over-committed, and yet the schedule has been quite full these past few weeks. Still, there’s a difference between busy and hectic, between a full calendar and an overwhelmed life. We’re not stressed, but we have wished for a bit of free time to contemplate “the reason for the season.” Maybe you can relate?

    Helping us refocus our attention, here’s a meaningful prayer that my wife found. It reflects our hearts for a touch from God to restore the wonder…

    Dear Heavenly Lord,

    The Christmas story is so full of activity, and yet, Mary quietly pondered. She was in a place of silence, not because she was untouched by all the events around her, but because she was capable of wonder. In the midst of the Christmas hustle, help our family to find that quiet place of wonder, that quiet place of prayer where we, like Mary, can learn to treasure what you treasure.

    In Jesus’ Name.

    Find that prayer, and another one to pray specifically on behalf of your children, right here.

    May you have a blessed and merry Christmas!

    Now He Can’t Believe

    In the “deep thoughts” category, something my youngest said in reaction to a couple of bedtime stories. It was from a beautifully written and illustrated book, Tomie dePaola’s Book of Bible Stories. Zane asked me to read the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. Why he is fascinated with Christ’s death, I do not know.

    After that account, we moved onto a little book (whose title escapes me at the present) about the Ethiopian eunuch’s conversion (see Acts 8:27). When that story was finished, there was a moment of silence, and then Zane informed me that he can’t believe.

    “My bones won’t let me believe. I think I have sinful heart, and so I just can’t believe.”

    Well, there’s a pretty big admission for such a little boy. He’s only seven, after all! It led to some rather serious – and age appropriate – talk about the human condition, our need for a Savior, and my prayer that he will one day soon be able to believe.

    I surely do love that boy. And I’m praying for him a lot these days. God’s doing something in his heart and life!

    Christmas In The Air

    It’s only Monday, but this morning as I drove carpool my daughters were discussing the upcoming weekend. When reminded of a party for our Sunday school class, the oldest girl expressed surprise that “Christmas parties are already starting.” We reminded her that it IS December, and that Christmas will be here quite soon.

    In fact, this past weekend our family just celebrated our 19th annual “Christmas Tree Hunt,” driving into the mountains to search for the perfect tree. We never find it, but this year we came mighty close! After cutting and loading it, we enjoyed hot chocolate and sandwiches before coming back home. This is one of our favorite memories through the years.

    A beautiful day to be in the mountains!

    Here at Focus on the Family, we’ve got some special Christmas activities and offerings for you. One item of particular note is our “12 Days of Blessing” contest. Check here for details, and be sure you nominate a needy family you know who could use some extra help this season.

    And here’s a way to save some money on your Christmas shopping: free shipping from the Focus on the Family store at CBD.

    This site (an outreach of Focus on the Family) has suggestions you might appreciate about “shopping with purpose.”

    If you’ve appreciated the outreach of Focus on the Family, I’d like you to know that there’s a special “matching gift” opportunity, for only a short time, that effectively doubles any contribution you make to Focus. It’s an extraordinary way to maximize your contribution. Details here.

    Finally, here’s a series of short articles to help you keep your family’s holiday emphasis where it belongs.

    Odyssey Touching Lives

    Great comments affirming the decision many years ago to make a dramatic audio series for kids:

    I want to thank you for creating Adventures in Odyssey.  As a kid, the program reinforced the lessons my parents taught me.  We didn’t have a television in our house, so naturally I spent more time listening to the radio than most of my peers.  Whit and the gang made the Bible exciting for me and taught me that you don’t have to be an adult to be a Christian.

    Now, as a 20-year-old college student, I still enjoy AIO greatly and listen to it whenever I can.  Many of the things I know about the Bible, and living the Christian life, I first learned from AIO.  I even learned some words that helped me out in my first year of Biblical Hebrew!  The show is wonderful – keep up the good work.

    I wonder if YOU have an “Odyssey story” to share?

    Who Do You Love More?

    The innocent six year-old looked at her daddy and asked, “Who do you love more, Mom or me?”

    He answered thoughtfully, “Honey, I love your Mommy more than you.” Ted went on to explain about the nature of a marital love, and how it is different than a parent’s love for a child. Still, there was a bit of “wow factor” associated with the comment.

    I thought, “Well, that’ll ruffle a few feathers, but I think he’s right.”

    And when we invited listeners to weigh in on their thoughts, we received an avalanche of response! Samples:

    Listen to the program here. Reactions?

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