This Series includes Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse (this movie is in theatres now), & Breaking Dawn

One thing everyone can agree on: the Twilight series of books and the accompanying movies have become a cultural phenomenon! (BTW: Twilight has 10.6 million Facebook fans! Also, as a consequence, there are also a number of spin-off TV series based on vampires…some very highly sexualized).

Who would have guessed 20 years ago that a book series based on vampires would be intoxicating to young tween and teen girls because of their addictive romantic elements?!

I have been involved in conversations over the last few years with Christians that I know and love on both sides of the argument about Twilight’s appropriateness for Christians. I have even heard a passionate, vigorous defense of the series because of its obvious Christian symbolism (yeah, except we’re talking about blood-sucking vampires!). The character, Edward (the handsome vampire protagonist), is praised by some Christian readers for his restraint, and is set out as an example of chastity for young men to follow. But, is it praiseworthy that he’s restraining himself from ripping out the throat of the girl he loves because he’s lusting after her blood? As one writer says, that’s like calling the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition pro-chastity because the girls are clothed!

What is important is that we form an opinion using discernment. This is done as we open our hearts and minds to God’s Word as a filter to our opinions.

Answer: It all depends what you’re evaluating! Reading the books or series isn’t necessary providing you have an accurate understanding of the origins of the book, its premise, characters, and some Scriptures that directly relate to these topics.

Please take the time and expend the effort to read the article at this website link. I think it is very thorough and scripturally-based.

Here’s one definition of culture … Culture refers to the cumulative deposit of knowledge, experience, beliefs, values, attitudes, meanings, symbols, communication, and ways of life acquired by a group of people in the course of generations through individuals and groups.

Culture is also defined to have 7 basic parts: Arts (including entertainment and sports), Business, Education, Family, Government, Religion, and Media.

Traditionally, the church has encouraged participation in 2 or 3 of these areas (religion, and family, usually), but has basically stayed out of the other areas—and thereby isolated itself. By-and-large, the reasoning has involved not becoming worldly-minded, carnal, and corrupted by the world.

Unfortunately, this mind-set has been devastating to the impact of the church in our culture—and has certainly not prevented the church from being worldly-minded and carnal! The Bible tells us,

If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. (Romans 8:6-NLT)

Jesus taught us,

They are not part of this world any more than I am. Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth. As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. (John 17:16-18-NLT)

As the next blog post indicates, to be effective in our culture as a Jesus follower, you need to be equipped with discernment! I’ve chosen one recent, cultural phenomenon (that may have more appeal for some of our youth) as an example! (Check out the blog post about Discernment/Twilight Series!)

What if we think God’s guidance for our lives isn’t the same as what our parents think?

In essence, guidance is not so much about geography (where you go) as it is about attitude—surrendering our will to God’s will.  If you think about it like that, guidance is a lot easier! If we genuinely want to be surrendered to the Lord’s will, then He will speak to us and direct us!

Consider Jesus as a 12 year old boy: God’s guidance to Jesus actually came through His natural Bethlehem parents.

Luke 2:45-52 (NLT) 
    When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. [46] Three days later they finally discovered him. He was in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, discussing deep questions with them.  And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
    His parents didn't know what to think. "Son!" his mother said to him. "Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere."
    "But why did you need to search?" he asked. "You should have known that I would be in my Father's house." But they didn't understand what he meant.
     Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them; and his mother stored all these things in her heart.  So Jesus grew both in height and in wisdom, and he was loved by God and by all who knew him.
 
In this Scripture we find Jesus (who made the universe long before the trip to Bethlehem!) submitting himself to His parents! Kind of bizarre—you’d think they should be submitted to Him!

Another interesting example of guidance is seen in the Apostle Paul’s life:

Acts 16:6-10 (NLT) 
    Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had told them not to go into the province of Asia at that time.  Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not let them go.  So instead, they went on through Mysia to the city of Troas.
    That night Paul had a vision. He saw a man from Macedonia in northern Greece, pleading with him, "Come over here and help us."  So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, for we could only conclude that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.
 
If there was anyone who knew the Holy Spirit’s guidance, it was Paul! But here are two examples of where he was going in one direction, and the Holy Spirit basically said “Hey, Paul, you’re going the wrong way!” Then, it was in a night vision that the Holy Spirit finally spoke His direction!

A third example of New Testament guidance is in the case of finding God’s will for a specific teaching concerning the Gentiles (non-Jews) entering a predominantly Jewish church. In Acts 15, the premier church leaders got together in Jerusalem and talked it all out:

Their conclusion is in Acts 15:28…
    For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us …

They agreed together through just talking, and everyone felt it was the Holy Spirit’s direction.

The conclusion about guidance from these Scriptures:
1.    It happens directly through the voice of the Holy Spirit.
2.    It happens through your parents.
3.    It happens through talks with others who are also trying to discern God’s will.

From my observations over the years, I’ll add my “2 cents”:

Since God is more interested in attitude and surrender than in geography, God’s leading for young people is very rarely in opposition to their parents suggestions. Why? Because being in submission to parents’ counsel is the first lesson in taking up our cross and surrendering to Jesus.

It’s like the Lord says through the apostle John: …for he that loves not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (1 John 4:20)  We could extend that… “How can we submit to God if we haven’t learned to submit to our parents?”

In many years of working with young people, I have never seen a young person go against his parents’ counsel, and be blessed by God. It just doesn’t happen!

Many years ago, when I was in University, I felt God was leading me to leave my math/science degree (after 3 years of study) and attend Bible College in the States to pursue a Bible degree. My Dad didn’t want me to—he wanted me to finish here (1 more year of study here in Guelph, another 1 in London in Teacher’s College). Reluctantly, I said OK—even though I thought he was definitely wrong!
 
However, because I didn’t go to the States (though I was convinced the Holy Spirit was leading me to go!), it turns out I was here when God directed me by surprise into the two most important decisions of my life! (at least up to that point in my life):

1.    Starting the ERCF Christian School
2.    Finding my life partner—Carrie Katerberg

I could have missed two of the biggest blessings of my life if I would not have followed my dad’s wishes! God had a plan for me—but didn’t tell me: instead, He prompted my dad to resist my wishes to leave and attend Bible College!

Of course, there are some legitimate exceptions to this idea of submitting to parents’ wishes. Often, however, when young people can concede to their parents they can exercise more faith because, in effect, they are saying, “Lord, I am listening to my parents--and by faith believing You will lead me through them!”

Here are three great benefits of doing this:

1.    You are applying Proverbs 21:1 (NLT)  The king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he turns it wherever he pleases.   In other words, if God can change the king’s mind…surely he can easily change your parents’     minds too!

2.    When you trust your parents’ wisdom and counsel, they feel themselves more responsible to also seek the Lord with you in order to hear from the Lord on your behalf!

3.    Don’t ever think that God might be disappointed because you’re not “by faith” stepping out independently of everyone’s opinion! You can be sure the Lord is not at all disappointed with you—He is proud of you!

He is proud that you want to serve Him! I think a young person is exhibiting great faith by saying (and believing), “Mom and Dad, I am trusting the Lord is going to lead me in this decision through your feelings too! Let’s seek the Lord together!”
 

I had a very cool opportunity two days ago! I was invited into my son, Mike’s, high school World Religions Class to speak about Christianity. The topics I chose included:

Is Faith Reasonable? We considered the philosophy of Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) and the limits of reason.

Using donuts as an object lesson (of course I brought donuts!), we examined the great philosopher of the Enlightenment Period, Kant, and his idea that reality comes to us filtered through our apparatus of perception—in the case of donuts, through our taste and smell!

He argued that it was irrational to think that our five senses would be able to give us the knowledge of every corner of the reality around us! Perhaps there are things around us that we can’t perceive!

For example, I can see dogs, hear them, feel them, and even smell them—but can I know what it’s like to be a dog? No! Why? I can’t know because I don’t have the ability to perceive that specific knowledge. A tape recorder is built to record only one dimension of reality—sound. It can’t pick up any other reality, only sound. As humans, we can pickup reality that our five senses perceive: sound, smell, taste, touch, sight. That’s all.

Immanuel Kant said that it was illogical to think we can know all of reality with our limited senses. His logic leads us to understand that faith in a spiritual world that can’t be perceived by our five senses, and faith in a life after death is logical, reasonable—and smart!

Pascal and a Mathematician’s Wager   The French mathematician and philosopher (and devout Christian) Blaise Pascal, said that in some ways it seems life is like a wager…like the flipping of a coin, you can’t know for sure what you’re going to get. What are the options? So, weigh the risks and then make a decision.

He argued, what if you bet that there is, in fact, a God and you live your life as if He is real? What happens if you’re right? Well, then…you win! Everything good! Yeah! On the other hand, what if you’re wrong? What if you live as if God is real, only to find that you’re wrong. What have you lost? Nothing.

Extending the reasoning…if someone bets that there is no God—and lives accordingly—and then discovers after he dies that he is wrong, what has he lost? He has lost Everything! He will experience eternal separation from God!

The famous mathematician concluded that any reasonable, intelligent person who weighs the risks of betting there is a God against the risks of betting there is no God—must conclude that the best bet is God is real!

From a logical point of view, it makes sense to believe in God!

There were a few other topics covered relating specifically to Christianity, and then I ended with the Bridge Diagram—simply outlining God’s plan of sending His Son, Jesus, to be the Bridge that connects Man with God.

The Uniqueness of Christianity as compared with all other religions of the world is that Christianity is FREE! It is all about GRACE! Every other religion expects people to work—to engage in self effort of some kind—to earn salvation, or to demonstrate sincerity, or genuine repentance, or to merit God’s mercy somehow. True Christianity requires one thing only: simple faith in the finished work of Jesus on the Cross and in the Resurrection. To gain salvation, we just believe!

Let’s keep praying for the staff and students of our local schools in Guelph, Centre Wellington, and surrounding areas—and for our own children and youth attending theses schools! God is drawing people to Himself, and providing more and more opportunities to extend influence and blessing!
 

A number of months ago, a couple of guys in our church looked into a Men’s program aimed at sexual discipleship. This Valiant Man course thoroughly examines Biblical perspectives on sexuality, common issues facing every man, and provides practical pathways to moral freedom and purity. It explores the chemical, physiological, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of sexuality; using both humour and fact, Dr. Allan Meyer brings this sensitive subject into the light!

This 10 week program is now over half-way through and involves one group of married men, and another group of single youth and young adults. All the men registered in this course are

• discovering the Holy Spirit’s power through applying God’s Word
• journaling during daily devotions
• becoming accountable and open in a group, and with individuals

Every man taking this course is benefiting—and each one of them would whole-heartedly encourage other men to sign up for the Valiant Man Program this fall!

A number of weeks ago during a particularly wet period, the site supervisor for CRD (the construction management company taking care of our building), suggested I say a prayer—supposedly so the Lord would stop the rain and more work could get done (we were all a little tired of leaky roofs!). Now, I can’t believe for a minute he was serious about his request—but I was certainly serious about my answer:

Sorry, I’m just in sales—not management!

We both shared a laugh; and we both also knew that I was right!

I can’t tell you how many times in my life things would have gone very differently, if I really was in Heaven’s Upper Management! In other words, if I was in control—and had God’s power—I would have changed many of the events of my life, other people’s lives, and even the world’s!

But, thankfully (for everybody!), I have no such power! The power we do have comes through believing the extravagant promises in the Gospel! Jesus has done so much—and His grace has made them available to all of us!  Yes, we have power in believing prayer! Nevertheless, that doesn’t change the fact—the Lord has no human management team, no partners, no decision making associates—He’s the sole proprietor, the benevolent dictator, and the supreme potentate.

In the heat of my battles, when victory is still a long way off, I am learning to keep sending my praise and adoration Heavenward! After all, Jesus is still in love with me, He has already done incredible things for me, and He still holds wonderful plans for my future. He is so worthy of my love and affection, even when I don’t understand what is going on!

But anyway, I don’t have to always understand the reasons for things, because—well, I’m in sales, not management.
 

You Were Born for This, by Bruce Wilkinson, is an encouraging book teaching us how to very practically recognize and respond to the Holy Spirit as He nudges us when He wants to use us to help someone in a special way.

What a great book! I was impressed with this truth—it’s not about me, it’s about the Holy Spirit, and about the person God is leading me to. I’m just the delivery boy!

About a month ago, I received a nudge of the Spirit to talk to an elderly lady (someone I remember from 20 years ago!)—but I totally missed the opportunity and gave in to fear instead: I was very disappointed with myself. However, a few days later I saw her again! This time I did respond to the Holy Spirit and made conversation; but nothing special came from our brief talk (or so I thought). Then, just a few days ago, we met again in the parking lot of a grocery store—and this time it became clear what the Lord was doing all along in the background! She opened up, and with tears in her eyes we ended up praying together. And the story isn’t over yet!...

May the Lord help us grasp this very simple premise: the Holy Spirit will lead us to people regularly—often to people who have praying for help!—if only we are available and ready!

Are you ready?!

Whenever a group of men are willing to become honest and open with each other in the area of sexual discipleship, you can get excited because you know God is at work!

Well, actually, we now have two groups of men—and, yes, I am excited because I recognize that the Lord is indeed at work!

Here is the often-unspoken truth: when the Spirit of God has control over a man’s sexuality, awesome things will happen! Because a man’s God-given sexuality goes to the very core of his identity, developing the disciplines of the Spirit of God in the deep areas of his life allow a man to experience life changing freedom!

There will be a day (in the not-too-distant future!) when the majority of the men who call Elora Road Christian Fellowship their home will have gone through this course. The result will be a church culture developing where families, marriages—and specifically the men—experience enrichment that overflows into every area of life!

First of all, thank you for your patience during this somewhat awkward, messy time! There’s nothing like walking through a construction site while getting to church!

That being said, it has occurred to me that even as our facility is right now (construction and all!) we still are enjoying more usable space—inside and outside the actual building (acres!), better quality facilities, more BPP (Bibles per person), and certainly more up to date equipment than the majority of the churches in the entire world!

As a congregation, we are so blessed!

Last week, we had the opportunity of lending our facilities to South Side Church in Guelph for a Sunday afternoon baptism service. Their congregation came, had their service, and were extremely thankful! I was reminded that these brothers and sisters don’t have a building of their own, and must rent facilities where they can meet—like so many churches. The pastor expressed appreciation, and reminded me how fortunate we are to enjoy what we have!

All that to say this: regardless of our circumstances, we need to recognize the blessings and favour that God has bestowed on us! Often times, we tend to over exaggerate our inconveniences, and under appreciate our blessings. Counting our blessings, and gaining a new perspective, is a good thing!

More accurately, bells were ringing! A few weeks ago, our second son married his sweetheart and best friend. As parents, we're overjoyed to see their excitement as they start their new life together.

This young couple is prepared for marriage in ways my wife and I were not when we married over 27 years ago. Our son and his wife have learned to communicate about everything by being open, honest, and receptive. They both have also had a huge advantage over many other new couples by having both sets of parents with a great relationship who openly talked about marriage with its issues and challenges.

Our son and daughter-in-law went on their honeymoon and left a card behind for us to open after they were gone. The card was a personal "thank you" for the marriage modeling our son had seen while growing up within our family—despite our inconsistencies and challenges.

Of course, none of us have a perfect marriage! That being said, when a husband and wife intentionally work on making their marriage better, not only will they benefit—but their children, friends, and family will also benefit from the impact of that marriage! (Ephesians 5:15-32)

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