Has anyone read the book of Revelation in the Bible lately? It is scary. It is mostly about the judgement of sin in the world and then about renewing hope and making everything right for the rest of eternity. So here is my question...Why is no one preaching about sin, judgement, end times, Christ coming back, tribulation, persecution, standing before God on the Day of Judgement, luke-warmness, true salvation, consequence for sin, proper theology, the Fear of the Lord, angels & demons, the spiritual world we actually live in, etc... This is what I see in most churches today: weak theology being preached, nice feel good messages, just believe in Jesus and everything is fine, let's not offend anyone so people don't get mad and leave (stop giving), let's be politically correct, sin isn't too big of a deal because there is grace right?, let's not talk about the judgement, sin, repentance (TRUE repentance), offensive content of the Bible, accurate biblical translations, challenging truth that gives you only two choices - conform to the bible view or conform to the world view.
I have a ground breaking announcement for Christians and people that think they are Christians. Here it is: the Bible is offensive! The gospel is offensive! Real Christianity is offensive! It is offensive because it goes against the world's view. It has always been offensive and it will always be offensive unless you do what many denominations and churches have done...ignore what the Bible says and change your "theology" to be palatable, weak, non-confrontational, non-challenging, politically correct, accepting of everything that you want to do, and basically just a social club. Which makes me ask: what is the point? Either the Bible is the whole word of God or it is fiction. All true or all lies. I have seen and experienced enough to know in my heart that is has to be all truth.
I feel we are doing people such a dis-service in our churches by not giving them the hard, honest truth. God will judge us, God cares about the sin in our lives, we will be accountable for our actions on earth, God will spit out the luke-warm, there is more to salvation then just belief, we live in a very spiritual world and need to be aware of what is going on around us, we live in the same world as biblical times and everything you read is how it is now, we have just become numb to it.
I tell you, I am extremely worried about the state of people in the church. I think there are a lot of people that think they are saved and are not. I think there are going to be a lot of pastors and leaders that are going to have to answer for the horrible doctrine and teachings they have given to their churches and will be accountable for their souls being lost. For myself, I pray that will be a speaker of truth, sound biblical doctrine and lead people to a true and real relationship with Jesus. That will live a life beyond reproach in right standing with God. That they (and I) will hear "Well done my good and faithful servant" when they stand before God. They we will live in fullness of power, strength and influence in our communities and to the people around us. I want to see miracles, signs and wonders to draw men's eyes to God. I want to see people come into repentance, transformation and relationship with God. I want to actually experience freedom from sin for myself and others around me and live in new levels of holiness. I want to have crazy Holy Spirit times and be moving in the power of the Holy Spirit in my everyday life. I want to push back the presence of evil and change the atmospheres of complete communities. I want to see the end of the tragedies we witness everyday because there is a community of people praying and breaking down strongholds and strategies of the enemy. I want to give hope and change to the younger generation who is so lost that they need to resort to then demonic attack on their generation of suicide, murder and self harm. I want to them to experience Christ and to know that there is freedom from those things and don't have to be living in a fog and numbness of depression and despair.
God, give me the strength and perseverance to walk this out in my own life.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
A New Season...
Seasons change. We all know that. But what is going to be different in THIS season? It's a great opportunity to make some changes in your life. Some different choices, some different direction, some different attitudes. The questions always is: what are you going to do to make that happen? You have to take some form of action. It doesn't have to be massive but you need to start the ball rolling and build some momentum. I am planning on making some positive changes this season. Some health, some spiritual, some relational, some dream related. Ever season of your life is like a new beginning. A fresh start, a chance to correct your course and make some adjustments. I won't say start over as we need to learn from our mistakes and continue in a better direction than when we actually first started. It's pretty much a given that we aren't in the same spot when we started and even if we are a bit off course, we are still further along then if we didn't start at all. We need to stay positive and be persistent. Strengthen your will and your fight. Be a person of action and always putting others ahead of yourself as a servant. God promotes those who humble themselves and serve others. Anchor yourself in Him and cling to His truth even when you don't understand circumstances. Live out of your spirit not out of your emotions as that is where power and authority come from. Be full of the Spirit and give Him room to move through you as you will see signs and wonders. This IS a new season...what will you do with it? I want to see people transformed, set free, saved, healed, delivered, restored, renewed and set ablaze. It's time!! I will count the cost and make the choices I need to see this come to fruition. I believe!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
A Hypocritical Thought...That's Right I Said it!!!
So I thought that I would share some thoughts that I have been processing lately. I do preface this by saying that in my thoughts, although I completely agree with them, I do recognize that they are filled with hypocritical statements....but I am ok with that and will not deny that fact. So without further ado, here are my thoughts:
OUR SOCIETY IS DUMB!!!...and continues to get dumber. Here is another statement that is a little oxymoronic. I love technology and have a big disdain for technology. Let me dive into this a little.
I feel with all of our advancement with technology, we have become dumber as a society and begun to default to the lowest common denominator. They way our society is celebrity obsessed and gossip/tabloid driven is repulsive to me. I love acknowledging merit, accomplishment, talent but in areas that warrant it. If someone is a good artist then they should be acknowledged. If a scientist or doctor makes a discovery, then that is noteworthy. Athletes should be acknowledged for their accomplishments too. The discipline and hard work that goes into being that elite is outstanding. But the garbage that is being pumped out by Hollywood, television, record companies, and newspapers even, is crap. I can't stand it. That being said there are a few television shows I watch religiously and some movies and albums that I enjoy. I do have guilty pleasures such as The Walking Dead, Hell's Kitchen, Master Chef, and give me sports!! Culturally speaking though, I think we have digressed. We believe we are greatly advanced from other eras that have come before and technologically we are. But culturally I believe we are not. How much time do we generally spend on growing intellectually? How much do we read as a society or study? How much do we think about philosophy or art (real art)? I feel we have dumbed down our society and spend much more time and effort on social media, television, movies and stimulation rather than building relationships, exercising our minds, edifying our souls and spirits and enjoying a simpler existence. I recognize how hypocritical this sounds from me who has 1,030 tweets, does multiple check-ins on Facebook, always has his iPhone on him, is writing this on a blog, will post it to FB after it's finished on my Macbook, etc...so this is why I prefaced this post as I did. We live in a microwave, processed food, quick and easy, internet connected society and on some level I feel we have lost something culturally and artistically as well as seeing our standards of acceptance fall. Even our entertainment I feel has been diluted and dropped in stature. "So what is the answer Vaughn?"
I may not really have an answer for everyone and definitely don't have an answer that will impact all of society! I feel like it is more of an internal dialogue to have by yourself. Do you want to be a slave to the technology and societal pressures that surround us? Do you want to find a better balance in your life that consists of goals, plans and filters that makes you feel better about what you spend your time doing and focusing on. It is a choice. I find that when I do want to watch a show or movie I tend to watch old programs from the early days. I listen to Old Radio Shows. I pick up classic literature to stimulate my mind. I try and limit my dependence on technology the best I can. I have no problem with utilizing technology and enjoying the benefits it can bring. It can be a great tool. But being dependent on it is another thing. Filling yourself and time with useless garbage that doesn't benefit you all at doesn't make sense to me. I am trying to approach things as "will this make me smarter after I am done? will this have no bearing one way or the other? or will this actually make me dumber after I am done?" That might work for you too. Anyway, these thoughts make me want to go visit the museum, library and listen to some Mozart and Coltrane. Start enjoying the best quality entertainment from every era including today, don't resort to the lowest common denominator, and exercise your brain. Enjoy fine aspects of culture not tabloid garbage. Read some history and examine human nature. Do something productive with your time. Grow as an individual and increase your knowledge. Better yourself. If everyone did that we could see amazing new and fresh artists around us (keep your eyes open because everywhere they are there you just have to look!!) and hear people with profound ideas and concepts. I want to live my life with great experiences. I want to see the pyramids of Egypt, the castles of Scotland, the art of Paris, the architecture of Europe, the countryside of Italy, stand where great historical events took place, etc...I don't want to be stuck watching the Real Housewives of Orange County or the Kardashians, or be stuck surfing Facebook and listening to some crappy music pumped out by auto-tuned talentless manufactured singers put out to saturate a weak market. Some days I wish there was no more tv, no more cellphones, no more internet for a year and see how we would all cope. How would we go about life for that year? It might be refreshing!!
Anyway, that is my somewhat hypocritical rant about the state of our culture as I see it. It is not right or wrong per say, just my opinion and perspective. Until next time, keep the rubber side down!! :)
OUR SOCIETY IS DUMB!!!...and continues to get dumber. Here is another statement that is a little oxymoronic. I love technology and have a big disdain for technology. Let me dive into this a little.
I feel with all of our advancement with technology, we have become dumber as a society and begun to default to the lowest common denominator. They way our society is celebrity obsessed and gossip/tabloid driven is repulsive to me. I love acknowledging merit, accomplishment, talent but in areas that warrant it. If someone is a good artist then they should be acknowledged. If a scientist or doctor makes a discovery, then that is noteworthy. Athletes should be acknowledged for their accomplishments too. The discipline and hard work that goes into being that elite is outstanding. But the garbage that is being pumped out by Hollywood, television, record companies, and newspapers even, is crap. I can't stand it. That being said there are a few television shows I watch religiously and some movies and albums that I enjoy. I do have guilty pleasures such as The Walking Dead, Hell's Kitchen, Master Chef, and give me sports!! Culturally speaking though, I think we have digressed. We believe we are greatly advanced from other eras that have come before and technologically we are. But culturally I believe we are not. How much time do we generally spend on growing intellectually? How much do we read as a society or study? How much do we think about philosophy or art (real art)? I feel we have dumbed down our society and spend much more time and effort on social media, television, movies and stimulation rather than building relationships, exercising our minds, edifying our souls and spirits and enjoying a simpler existence. I recognize how hypocritical this sounds from me who has 1,030 tweets, does multiple check-ins on Facebook, always has his iPhone on him, is writing this on a blog, will post it to FB after it's finished on my Macbook, etc...so this is why I prefaced this post as I did. We live in a microwave, processed food, quick and easy, internet connected society and on some level I feel we have lost something culturally and artistically as well as seeing our standards of acceptance fall. Even our entertainment I feel has been diluted and dropped in stature. "So what is the answer Vaughn?"
I may not really have an answer for everyone and definitely don't have an answer that will impact all of society! I feel like it is more of an internal dialogue to have by yourself. Do you want to be a slave to the technology and societal pressures that surround us? Do you want to find a better balance in your life that consists of goals, plans and filters that makes you feel better about what you spend your time doing and focusing on. It is a choice. I find that when I do want to watch a show or movie I tend to watch old programs from the early days. I listen to Old Radio Shows. I pick up classic literature to stimulate my mind. I try and limit my dependence on technology the best I can. I have no problem with utilizing technology and enjoying the benefits it can bring. It can be a great tool. But being dependent on it is another thing. Filling yourself and time with useless garbage that doesn't benefit you all at doesn't make sense to me. I am trying to approach things as "will this make me smarter after I am done? will this have no bearing one way or the other? or will this actually make me dumber after I am done?" That might work for you too. Anyway, these thoughts make me want to go visit the museum, library and listen to some Mozart and Coltrane. Start enjoying the best quality entertainment from every era including today, don't resort to the lowest common denominator, and exercise your brain. Enjoy fine aspects of culture not tabloid garbage. Read some history and examine human nature. Do something productive with your time. Grow as an individual and increase your knowledge. Better yourself. If everyone did that we could see amazing new and fresh artists around us (keep your eyes open because everywhere they are there you just have to look!!) and hear people with profound ideas and concepts. I want to live my life with great experiences. I want to see the pyramids of Egypt, the castles of Scotland, the art of Paris, the architecture of Europe, the countryside of Italy, stand where great historical events took place, etc...I don't want to be stuck watching the Real Housewives of Orange County or the Kardashians, or be stuck surfing Facebook and listening to some crappy music pumped out by auto-tuned talentless manufactured singers put out to saturate a weak market. Some days I wish there was no more tv, no more cellphones, no more internet for a year and see how we would all cope. How would we go about life for that year? It might be refreshing!!
Anyway, that is my somewhat hypocritical rant about the state of our culture as I see it. It is not right or wrong per say, just my opinion and perspective. Until next time, keep the rubber side down!! :)
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
TIME TO STEP IT UP!!
Been a while since I have posted. Lots going on I guess. So what is new? Not too much. I am surprised by the length of transition it has taken to feel at home here, even though for me it is "coming home". I guess I haven't moved a whole family inter-provincially before. It was quite an ordeal! But now I have settled into where I am supposed to be and want to be. I look forward to what is in front of me. There are a lot of unanswered questions but what is good I know I have some things to work on myself as I prepare for my future. I love that we are being positioned to impact the people around us in profound ways. I love the people we are meeting and hanging out with and feel like there is something massive ahead for us. So what lies ahead for me in the next days ahead including today? Time to step it up. Get my game in top shape. Refine those things in my life that need it. Count the cost and pay the price to become an "elite athlete" in the race of life. That is what I want. It is a lot of work!! It requires a ton of discipline. I do need to step it up!! Kill bad habits, create new good habits. My life is full or parallels physically, mentally, spiritually, etc...so for me I need to push forward in each area to see the maximum impact come to fruition. If I slack in one area, I tend to slack in other areas. So here we go...nose back to the grindstone. I want to live the best life I can live. I want to have the most capacity I can have. I want to have the most influence and impact I can have. I want my words to carry weight and be catalysts for change. I want to leave a legacy of honour and integrity. I want people to say "there goes a good man" when I leave a room. I want my mother to be proud of the man I have become as she spoke those words into my life beginning at a young age. She saw my potential and all I could become. I need to see it. I need to act on it. Potential is wasted without action and discipline. I want to be a true disciple. This is my year. I WILL take big steps. I WILL see change in me and the people around me. I BELIEVE. It is indeed time to step it up!! Here we go...
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Getting into the Swing of things...
So it has been one week since have been moved into our house and I have been at the new job. So far so AWESOME!! I am loving all aspects of living in the Comox Valley again. We are surrounded by great people and are so enjoying our new environment such as:
And going for walks with Oslo:
It has been great. We have so blessed by the church family at Comox Valley Community Church and are really enjoying the beginning of our journey with them to impact the Comox Valley in our own way. It's going to be absolutely awesome and it has only just started!! I feel extremely inspired and creative living here and am believing it will pour into my work, my play and my family life. I have U2's "Beautiful Day" playing in my mind as say this. That is how I feel. Very blessed, very fortunate, very happy. I will try to keep updates coming and keep sharing my life and my journey here. Hope to have many awesome stories and pictures to post. Love you all! Talk at ya soon!!
Vaughn
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