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July 04, 2008

Russell Moore on Spiritual Warfare, the Family, and the Rule of Appetites

Either the prophetic cry regarding our lifestyle choices and pursuit of the American Dream is getting louder, or I am just paying closer attention. As our economy tanks and our culture declines, I think that more and more Christians will begin to consider how we are living. Russell Moore from Southern Seminary takes aim at Southern Baptists' acquiesance to a culture run amok in materialism and hedonism. He hits this topic much harder than I have over the past few weeks as he talks to Southern Baptists about some timely issues. He says, "both left and right in the American mainstream are captive to the ideology that the appetites are to be indulged; the heart wants what it wants, by whatever system will do it most efficiently."  Moore is at his best in this article when he exposes the spiritual warfare that is taking place in our midst and how we have been deceived as we fall in line with the materialistic pursuit of our culture. He aptly points out that our enemy is not flesh and blood.

Moore's only weakness is that he is writing from a middle-class perspective as he critiques families where both parents are working. This is the reality for many families and there is really nothing that can be done about it. Instead of making families who HAVE to do this to survive feel bad, we should help them and support them as they provide for their families. His focus, however, is rightly placed on those families who could easily make it on one income, but choose to put children in day care to pursue a lifestyle of affluence. That action does require some analysis and alternatives need to be considered.

Overall, however, his take on this subject is timely - especially his comments on spiritual warfare. 

June 30, 2008

Losing Stuff. Finding God.

Last night we had our life group meeting at our home. It was really more like a big party than it was a "meeting." That is how it works with our small group. We have anywhere from 7-9 families each week and there are a bunch of children. It is a lot of fun and we pray for one another and encourage each other in our walk with God.

Last night after life group, my six year old son, Peyton, thought he lost his wallet. Over the past year or so, he has saved up all of the money that he has been given for birthdays, Christmas, etc. for a grand total of $105. Well, in the confusion with all of the kids over last night, we thought that his little brother Caelan found it and hid it somewhere. We also heard that all of the money was gone. Suddenly, we were worried that it had been lost somewhere. Peyton was really upset. He started crying and said, "I could try and make more money, but it just wouldn't work!" This was said with a quivering bottom lip and tears running down his face.  So, instead of engaging in a lecture on the dangers of materialism and consumeristic greed, I had another thought. Maybe God wanted to reveal Himself to my son.

Continue reading "Losing Stuff. Finding God." »