UK Trying to Ban Internet P0rn

I applaud the UK for researching the possibilities of blocking internet p0rnography, but highlt doubt it is feasable.

 

This article in BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12041063 says that the ISPs being asked to block this crude content is not possible.

 

Beyond the idea that it's not possible, we get into the realm of 'censorship' and what we here in the United States call 'liberty'. As someone that follows Christ, I don't think this kind of crude and damaging material should have any sort of Constitutional protection because I highly doubt the founders of America would have wanted this material to be protected by out laws.

 

Never-the-less I applaud the UK government for trying and hope that a similar attempt to curb this nasty medium is in the works.

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Devotion to Faith by Mormon Youth

I was always curious why Mormon youth seemed to be so much more devoted to their faith than protestant Christians of the same age. After tonight's reading of Almost Christian, I have a better idea of why that is.

To simplify what I read tonight of Kenda Creasy Dean's Almost Christian: What Faith of Out Teenagers Is Telling the American Church, the Mormon religion teaches devotion. Devotion to the practices of Mormonism are ingrained in the minds of young Mormons. It is a part of life for them, not just a mere suggestion of how things should be done.

The most telling story is that Mormon teenagers must attend Mormon Seminary which occurs at around 5:30 AM each day. This action is supported by the community, the family and the peers! Can you imagine suggesting that to the majority of Protestant youth today? Asking them to get up early in the morning so they can learn more about God's Word and why their parents do what they do and why it's important. Not only would the teenagers be opposed to this, I imagine that many parents would be as well.

 

This is obviously an oversimplification of the writing and research of Kenda revealed in her book, but it gives you the general idea.

Parent Pleasing or True Faith-based Action?

The other point drawn out by Creasy in her book is this:

Is this "commitment" to studying the scriptures and acting appropriately a way for these Mormon children to merely please their parents, or is it something they do because of the strong faith that they have?

That is a question that is obviously unanswerable, but one that must be thought through when looking at these findings. The same question can be asked of the teenage Christians that seem to be committed to studying the Bible. Typically those children come from homes where both parents have that faith and expect their children too.

These are questions we can never really have the answer to. I pose this question though,

Is the life that we live as followers of Christ worth imitating?

 

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Declaration vs. Demonstration

The title and majority of the content has been stolen from this blogpost in which the author quote J.R. Vassar. Now that you know this post is based on unoriginal content you can decide whether or not to continue reading.

You're still reading? Great.  Here is the line of text from the quote that really stuck out to me and forced me to ask myself some challenging questions:

"Christ may have been assumed in the answer, but he was not proclaimed."

 When I perform an act of service or give to someone in need who/what do I cite as my motivation for doing such a task? Do I say, "Because the love of Christ and His Gospel transformed my life, I am now free to give!" ? Or do we give the logical answer? "I have been given much so I might as well give to others."

In the first answer the Lord is glorified and in the second, not so much. So I pose this question to you and myself. Do my words and actions assume Christ in my life or do they proclaim Christ?

It's a simple thought and simple question, but one I think must be asked.

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video made me smile

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Demonstrating Strength by Seth Godin

Apologize

Defer to others

Avoid shortcuts

Tell the truth

Offer kindness

Seek alliances

Volunteer to take the short straw

Choose the long-term, sacrificing the short

Demonstrate respect to all, not just the obviously strong

Share credit and be public in your gratitude

Risking the appearance of weakness takes strength. And the market knows it.

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2010/10/demonstrating-strength.html

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Dust it off and try again

That's a line in a popular hip-hop sing, but still an appropriate and Biblical way to approach life and our day-to-day life.

How often do we pray for something one time and when we don't get the answer we want, we stop asking? Or how eager are we to stop trying something the Lord has asked us to do if it doesn't work the first time? Or what if a door is closed, but the Lord sakes us to knock one more time, do you trust Him enough to knock again?

In Luke 5 we see Peter is so ready to obey the Lord. Look at this:
v4 "And when he had left speaking, he said to Simon, Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draughts. v5 And Simon answered and said, Master, we toiled all night, and too nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets."

Despite Peter's previous experience of failure, he was ready to do exactly what the Lord asked of him even if it meant doing the same thing again. I'm sure people around thought Peter looked ridiculous when they saw him going back out to fish. They knew he was fishing all night and knew he wouldn't catch anymore just by fishing for a while longer.

Are you ready and willing to do what the Lord asks you to do, even if it's caused pain and failure in the past? Or if it makes you seem foolish in the eyes of others?

Dust yourself off and try again, because the Lord asked you to.

Sent from my iPad

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Our Daily Bread: a devotional resource

This first post is a quick informational update. I wanted to let you know about Our Daily Bread, a daily, mini-devotional that share a verse along with a small story and application. Is it meant to be an intensive Bible study? By no means, rather, a teaser to draw you into the Lord's Word.

Also, I wanted to let you know that often time thoughts and ideas that will be shared on this blog will be expanded thoughts from Our Daily Bread and other, similar devotionals.

There will be actual content in the future, but wanted to share this link in case you're looking for an introductory look at daily reading in the Bible.

 

Posted via web from Devotional Thoughts