Life between tweets and re-tweets

This morning I spent a half-hour looking for a friend’s Facebook post about the concept of time and how we spend it ... sent to me two weeks ago. While wanting to use some of the ideas in my friend’s post for this story, nearly 90 minutes went by between the time I set out to write my post and when I actually began.

So, to get to this point right here, right now, besides finding my friend’s post I did a few other things. I perused, posted, and messaged on Facebook. In between Facebooking I perused, posted, and messaged on Twitter ... that would include tweets, re-tweets (RT) ... and some of my Facebook posts that automatically appear on Twitter.

Keep in mind that social media, which still has to be explained to many people by saying, “You know, doing things like Twitter and Facebook” to which they reply, “Oh, yeah,” but still don’t get it, is a big part of my work and volunteer life. However, it’s Sunday and I did not plan to spend the entire morning chopping and hammering on my laptop.

Driving by a church announcement sign this morning proved to be less time-consuming in the pursuit of ideas for this topic. The sign read: “The Life Between Prayers and Answers.”

Sounds like a good sermon, doesn’t it? Well, here’s my question: What is life between tweets and re-tweets?

This last week I’ve been facilitating and moderating a Facebook Fan Page for an Orange County, Calif. group that is helping to rebuild an orphanage in Haiti. It has occurred to me that “staying connected” has never been easier.

However, this connectivity poses another question. “Do we always need to be connected?”

I’ve noticed that during the administration of the MISSION HAITI page that if my idea of too much time takes place between updates from someone from the team at the orphanage, then I begin to do a little jonesing (drug culture term for craving, withdrawal). And that’s when it hit me … we don’t always need to be connected to each other.

Sure, it’s nice to know that we can Twitter and Facebook each other from the ends of the Earth. However, I believe there are times when we don’t need an update from someone. Could it be a time for something else?

Jon Varner writes in his post, Unplug, “In our modern world we do not unplug very often, we are constantly connected to the entire world. Constantly being connected has an impact on our souls. It does not allow time for reflection or for God to speak.”

The team from Haiti was giving fairly regular updates during its one-week mission still taking place. Now, with the trip just a few days from over, it seems they have broken from the regularity. By not sending a message, is the group sending a different kind of message to its “fans?” Or is God sending a message? I noticed that one of the team member’s wives recently updated her status on her Facebook profile and it simply states: “... is thankful God knows.”

Yes, indeed! God knows!

And this I know ... this particular message may have come as the result of not checking or receiving updates from friends and loved ones, and delivered by simply connecting with Him!

“Do not fret—it only causes harm.” Psalm 37:8

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Image found at Jon Varner's blog post, Unplug.

Alex Murashko is the founder of Outreach New Media.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AlexMurashko

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/amurashko

Posted via email from alexmurashko's posterous

Being God's man is worth the risk...

Being God's man is worth the risk

"For though a righteous

man falls seven times, he rises again." - Proverbs 24:16

There is something about the sport of football that helps define things like struggle, determination, loss, and victory in a nutshell seemingly more often than anything else ... at least for me.

Photo: Drew Brees and his son Baylen Brees celebrated the Saints' Super Bowl victory together on the field Sunday night. The Super Bowl MVP's son was lifted high into the air during certain moments, giving him a prime view of the festivities. (HuffPost/Getty) More photos of Brees and his son on the field.

Thank you Kenny Luck of Saddleback Church for helping me grow stronger in knowing that "being God's man is worth the risk!"

Posted via email from alexmurashko's posterous

Our Best Friend

I heard a message on joy Sunday. It was an excellent message given by Saddleback Church's Rick Warren, titled "Radical Joy," which is Part 3 of the series, Radicalis: Developing Spiritual Roots.

There was only one problem ... I didn't come away joyful ... or at least I thought I didn't. You see, my true joy has been in Jesus for the last 11 years. By His grace, after praying to accept the Lord, my life has radically changed. So, you would think I would know better than to be bummed out after Sunday's service, catching myself thinking about family "issues" that often seem to sprout around Christmas.

Nevermind that Warren produced a "Saddleback Spa" type setting, replacing the pulpit with falling snow flakes in a beautiful forested setting shown in a looping video on a large screen TV behind him. Warren, who was joined by his associate pastor, worship leader and a virtuoso guitarist, and seated on comfy leather chairs, purposefully wanted his audience to relax ... and get joyful.

I knew I was in the right place at the right time Sunday ... so, it wasn't a question of wanting to be elswhere. I just found myself asking, "Where's the joy?"

Later, I went about my business, meeting with my parents for breakfast, and having an okay day ... but, I prayed a lot. Yah, sure, I intellectually know that my true joy is in the Lord, but I don't always feel joy. I was doin' a bit of the Christmas blues dance Sunday.

It wasn't until Monday morning that my spirit was really uplifted. I read from one of my daily devotionals ... and although everything certainly is not right with the world, I can again feel the joy we all so desperately want to feel. Like Warren said Sunday, "I've got news for you, life isn't fair, but there is one who can bring you joy no matter what. That one is Jesus."

Sometimes, I might add, joy comes in a simple message.

Here's the devotion that I read this morning in Charles F. Stanley's God's Way, Day by Day:

Our Best Friend

No longer do I call you servants, ... but I have called you friends. -- John 15:15

"All who call Jesus Savior and Lord are invited to be His friend.

What kind of friend is Jesus? He is the best friend you will ever have. He does for us what no one else can do, He helps us in ways no one else can help us, and He loves us as no one else can ever love us.

We may have difficulty seeing Jesus as our Friend, but Jesus doesn't have any difficulty seeing us that way."

Can I hear an "Amen"?

Merry Christmas!

--Alexander

Christian teen wins case against faith-bashing teacher

Before giving you a link to read about Chad Farnan (David) receiving an unprecedented ruling from the Court (Goliath), I want to say thanks for following me around even though I'm all over the place (speaking of the Web, not my mind! ;) )

Speaking of which you can follow me at Twitter at http://twitter.com/ScroogeReport.

Now to this breaking news, which I believe I broke first thanks to a reader!

The 'Jesus Glasses' Case


Orange County high school student, Chad Farnan, has won a lawsuit in which the court ruled Friday against a teacher who was shown to often use his classroom to attack Christian thought.

In the Farnan v. Capistrano Unified School District case, Farnan, a sophomore at Capistrano Valley High School at the time, stated that his Advanced Placement European History teacher, Dr. James Corbett spends a good portion of each lecture attacking Christianity and other religions.

Farnan, who said he often prayed for his teacher, taped a lecture by Corbett in which he stated that "when you put on your Jesus glasses, you can’t see the truth."

Please read the rest of the story, you guessed it, by clicking on here: OC student wins case against Christian-bashing teacher. By doing so, you are helping to rain down pennies from heaven!

Now, pardon me while I read John 11:45-48, verses a friend of mine said he was going to use for his youth Bible study as a result of reading the above story. Get back with you later on these verses!

ADD: Chad in his own words, and more of those Corbett-isms in this video.

Your invitation to live stream from Rock Church San Diego

You're invited! Miss USA runner-up to share today's Sunday message, live stream and archived - http://tinyurl.com/djrd7s



Pastor Miles from Rock Church talks a bit about the upcoming Sunday service with Carrie Prejean

Desperately Seeking Susan (Boyle)

We are all desperately seeking a "Susan Boyle moment."


If you are not one of those at least 50 million people who have seen the original clip of Susan turning a Britain's Got Talent judges panel and crowd from smirking fools to joy-filled, sobbing Boyle believers, here's the link.

However, the point I'd like to make is seen in the second video... The Jimmy Fallon video. Unfortunately, there is no copying allowed either from YouTube or Fallon's blog. So, I've included the link. If you've seen the Susan Boyle moment already, then you'll be up to speed before watching Fallon's piece.

How desperate are we to find inspiration? Well, one indicator is the number of online views Susan is getting...it's one of those record-breaking viral things that I think is still going strong.

The whole phenomena is a case study in the human condition...desperate for a Susan Boyle moment. Not good or bad, just always wanting to fill a need. In this case, the need for inspiration.

Jimmy Fallon: Susan Boyle Makes Everything Better

Better Education: It's Not About Government

I'm tired of hearing about it. The government saying we need better education in this country. We need to provide 21st century education to our kids in a changing world. We need to fund programs to make our schools high tech...all the buzz phrases and talking points...and yada yada yada!

No we don't. We have classrooms. We have teachers. But we need this kind of teacher...the one seen in the video above. One teacher at a time, one classroom at a time, we can rock this world. What makes this teacher so special? Her faith in Jesus Christ.

She has tapped into the transformational power of Jesus...and it has worked in her own life and now she is planting the seed in her students' lives.

This is must-see video!

It's OK to Shout the Good News

Merry Christmas!



Some people crank up their souped up stereo system in their car loud enough to make the cars next to them at a stop light vibrate. I've been to a football game where the crowd was so loud after a particular play that the luxury box glass windows shook, and the noise was comparable to a sonic boom. In my time, I've seen grown women scream over the Beatles, adults pledge their allegiance to all things Star Wars, and most recently, people killing each other to be the first to get a "Christmas bargain" at a department store.

All found to be acceptable and unoffensive behavior.

However, mention Jesus...suggest an afterschool Bible study, vote yes on Prop 8 (support for traditional marriage), call a parade or event, a Christmas Parade or Christmas Happening...and all heck breaks loose.

Enough. As for me an my house, I will serve the Lord.

It's time to shout the Good News! ...and not be concerned of the backlash. After all, sometimes the truth divides.

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." - John 1:14

There it is...Christmas in a nutshell...the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

You may not hear me shouting it right now...but, there you go, I've blogged it:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sincerely,
Alexander

Youth Group: A 50-Cent Parable

What are you worth?

I wanted to share a parable about Jesus' sacrifice for you, what it means and how valuable it is. Presented by the CICF Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Nov. 23, 2008, during the annual Thanksgiving gathering. Cast: Michael Quintans, Daniel Custodio, Krista Flores, Myles Dacio, Jimmy Aviles and Jonathan Benjamin.

Your Connection

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light. — Matthew 11:29–30



As I got out of the shower this morning I had running in my head the song lyrics "I will wait upon the Lord, I will wait upon the Lord. He reigns! He reigns forever!" Not sure of the name of the song or who wrote it, but I took a deep breath and said to myself, "there, that's better. I have connected with my Lord!"

I love it when He does that! When He reminds me that life is so much easier with Him. That's not to say that we are given a free pass on hardship or upheaval. It just means we can lean on Jesus to get us through not only the day, but the rest of our lives!

This from Greg Laurie's Harvest Daily Devotion:

The Two-Part Invitation

In Matthew 11, Jesus follows His invitation to rest with the invitation to take His yoke and learn from Him. He is telling us there is more; His invitation to rest is a package deal. If we are true followers of Jesus Christ, then we will take His yoke upon us. But what does that mean?

The concept of a yoke would have been readily understood by the people of Jesus' day. It was a steering device that was placed on animals to guide the plows or carts they were pulling.

So Jesus, in essence, is saying, "Take my steering device upon you." He is saying, "Let me be in control of your life. Let me guide your life. Let me direct your life."

You might be thinking, "Here Jesus says that He will give me rest. Now He is saying to put on His yoke and learn. That sounds like work."

I want you to know that it will be as much of a weight to you as wings are to a bird. It will be a joy, because now, instead of wasting your life serving yourself or living for pleasure or success or whatever else one lives for, you will be channeling your energies into following and serving Jesus Christ.

You may give up some things to follow the Lord. But what you give up can't begin to compare to what He has given you. It is not just a great thing to do with your life. It is the most satisfying to do with your life.

Paul Long: 'Be alert. Be watchful. Be ready.'

Associate pastor who died on Metrolink becomes the "object lesson" of Sunday message.

This from the Los Angeles Times:

A sermon on the lessons of Metrolink 111

Minister delivers message on life of fellow preacher who died after being injured in train crash.

For more than 13 hours, Pastor Tony Amatangelo had prayed and watched over his friend and fellow minister as he lay in a county hospital after being pulled from the wreckage of Metrolink 111. Paul Long died, and four hours later, physically and emotionally spent, Amatangelo returned to his Moorpark home.

Sunday service was coming. What would he say? The pastor felt chances were slim that the sermon he had written for the service would be relevant after the crash.

Then he remembered....

I wanted to do one pullout quote before you go to read the full story that I highly recommend.

"We didn't see it, but as those trains collided just on the Chatsworth and Simi Valley border, Pastor Paul saw the sign of the Son of Man," the pastor told a hushed church. "We looked at a body that was bloody and bruised. Pastor Paul saw glory. He would tell us to comfort yourself with this thought: 'It didn't look to me like it looked to you.' "

Full Story

Note: The head-on collision with a Union Pacific freight train on a bend in Los Angeles County's Chatsworth punched the Metrolink's locomotive right into the first car. At least 22 of the 24 passengers killed in the Sept. 12 crash -- the engineer also died -- were riding in that car, according to the coroner's office. LA Times crash victim story.

His Open Door Policy

Now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away from God are brought near. - Ephesians 2:13

This from Max Lucado's Grace for the Moment, Volume 2:

AN OPEN DOOR

Nothing remains between you and God but an open door.

Something happened in the death of Christ that opened the door for you and me. And that something is described by the writer of Hebrews.

"So, brothers and sisters, we are completely free to enter the Most Holy Place without fear because of the blood of Jesus' death. We can enter through a new and living way that Jesus opened for us. It leads through the curtain–Christ's body" (Heb. 10:19-20).

To the original readers, those last four words were explosive: "the curtain–Christ's body." According to the writer, the curtain equals Jesus. Hence, whatever happened to the flesh of Jesus happened to the curtain. What happened to his flesh? It was torn. Torn by the whips, torn by the thorns. Torn by the weight of the cross and the point of the nails. But in the horror of his torn flesh, we find the splendor of the open door.

_______________


Reading a Max Lucado book is as comfortable as having coffee and conversation with a close friend. He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart is signature Lucado: warm, conversational storytelling blended with scripture, humor, and vulnerability. Lucado invites us to understand the symbols surrounding Christ's crucifixion and celebrate the significance of the promises they offer. From the sign in different languages tacked to the cross ("I will speak to you in your language") to the burial clothing ("I can turn your tragedy into triumph"), he speaks of each symbol as a "gift of grace" that reveals God's love for mankind... - Amazon

God's Poetry: In Different Ways

We are his workmanship. - Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

I've been hearing an awful lot of "those other" Christian churches bashing. What a waste of time! Although it's important to stay sound in God's word, the Holy Spirit works in more ways than we can understand...so it's best to let God do His thing!

This from Max Lucado's Grace for the Moment,Volume 2:

GOD'S POETRY

Scripture calls the church a poem. “We are His workmanship” (Eph. 2:10). Workmanship descends from the Greek word poeo or poetry. We are God’s poetry! What Longfellow did with pen and paper, our Maker does with us. We express his creativity best.

You aren’t God’s poetry. I’m not God’s poetry. We are God’s poetry. Poetry demands variety. “God works through different men in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all” (I Cor. 12:6 Phillips). God uses all types to type his message. Logical thinkers. Emotional worshipers. Dynamic leaders. Docile followers. The visionaries who lead, the studious who ponder, the generous who pay the bills...Alone, we are meaningless symbols on a page. But collectively, we inspire.

_______________


Reading a Max Lucado book is as comfortable as having coffee and conversation with a close friend. He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart is signature Lucado: warm, conversational storytelling blended with scripture, humor, and vulnerability. Lucado invites us to understand the symbols surrounding Christ's crucifixion and celebrate the significance of the promises they offer. From the sign in different languages tacked to the cross ("I will speak to you in your language") to the burial clothing ("I can turn your tragedy into triumph"), he speaks of each symbol as a "gift of grace" that reveals God's love for mankind... - Amazon

What Did Jesus Say About Religion?

A discussion thread titled Religion vs. Spirituality over at social networking site BlogCatalog prompted me to search the Bible...and that's always a good thing!

The author of the thread added this under his subject head: Some folks cleave to Religion. Some to Spirituality. Some say it's either/or. Some embrace both. How 'bout you?

Here's how I responded:

I'd like to answer this question with some scripture. But, first let me say "religion" has caused a lot of damage. However, "faith" or one's spirituality based on seeking truth can do more good than we can even understand sometimes. It's also important to recognize that the pursuit of truth, doesn't mean pursuing relative truth, or the truth as you know it now, but real truth.

What does the Bible say about "religion"?

Here is Jesus talking to his disciples and a crowd that gathered around Him:

"Don't set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do. No one else should carry the title of 'Father'; you have only one Father, and he's in heaven." (Matthew 23:9)

And a moment later He says:

"I've had it with you! You're hopeless, you religion scholars, you Pharisees! Frauds! Your lives are roadblocks to God's kingdom. You refuse to enter, and won't let anyone else in either. You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You go halfway around the world to make a convert, but once you get him you make him into a replica of yourselves, double-damned." (Matthew 23:13-15)

These verses are from "The Message" Bible version. I think it pretty much sums up the "importance" of religion. I'm sure that if I did some more searching, or if any of you who already know some of Jesus' own words would point out to me, there are other references to how Jesus felt about religion.

So, what do I embrace? More accurately who do I embrace? In my case, and I know many others, I "cleave" as best as I can to Jesus, not religion.

How 'bout you?

_______________

Alexander is a writer in the online spiritual battlefield. You can also find him at The Scrooge Report and TheBigRuski Goes Healthy.
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Lucado: The Intersection of Love

Though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. - 2 Corinthians 13:4 NKJV

This from Max Lucado's Grace for the Moment, Volume 2:

The cross. Can you turn any direction without seeing one? Perched atop a chapel. Carved into a graveyard headstone. Engraved in a ring or suspended on a chain. The cross is the universal symbol of Christianity. An odd choice, don’t you think? Strange that a tool of torture would come to embody a movement of hope. The symbols of other faiths are more upbeat: the six-pointed star of David, the crescent moon of Islam, a lotus blossom for Buddhism. Yet a cross for Christianity? An instrument of execution?...

Why is the cross the symbol of our faith? To find the answer look no farther than the cross itself. Its design couldn’t be simpler. One beam horizontal—the other vertical. One reaches out—like God’s love. The other reaches up—as does God’s holiness. One represents the width of his love; the other reflects the height of his holiness. The cross is the intersection. The cross is where God forgave his children without lowering his standards.

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Reading a Max Lucado book is as comfortable as having coffee and conversation with a close friend. He Chose the Nails: What God Did to Win Your Heart is signature Lucado: warm, conversational storytelling blended with scripture, humor, and vulnerability. Lucado invites us to understand the symbols surrounding Christ's crucifixion and celebrate the significance of the promises they offer. From the sign in different languages tacked to the cross ("I will speak to you in your language") to the burial clothing ("I can turn your tragedy into triumph"), he speaks of each symbol as a "gift of grace" that reveals God's love for mankind... - Amazon

Who Will You Serve?

And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. - Joshua 24:15

This from Henry Blackaby's Day by Day:

Serving God was not Joshua’s only option. He could have adopted the religious beliefs and practices of his family heritage in the pagan land of Egypt. He could have accepted the idolatrous religion of his neighbors in the region where he now lived. These options probably looked like easier choices than worshiping God. But Joshua had witnessed God’s faithfulness (Josh. 23:14). He was convinced that his Lord was the only true God and that serving Him would bring victory and blessing. Joshua decided to serve God alone. He was determined to teach his entire household to honor his Lord as well. He had trusted God for victory on the battlefield, and he knew that God could also give him spiritual victory in his home.

You, too, must decide whom you will serve. An assortment of popular religions clamors for your allegiance. If you come from a Christian heritage, you may choose to embrace the faith of your parents and grandparents. If you did not grow up in a Christian home, you can decide, as Joshua did, to reject your heritage of unbelief and begin a generation that serves the Lord.

If you set your mind wholeheartedly on serving God, your example will bring a tremendous blessing to your family. If you place your confidence in God, those around you will witness your faith, and they may decide to trust Him too. Choose, as Joshua did, to serve God unashamedly with all your heart, and then watch to see how God blesses your family.

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"Experiencing God Day-By-Day" is based on Henry Blackaby’s multi-million selling "Experiencing God" book and Bible study. Find insight and grace in this 365-day devotional focused on the divine presence in each life and around us.

Looking to Travel Light

When I first truly accepted Jesus Christ as my saviour, I remember that I felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. It was instantaneous...right after I had said a sinner's prayer. It was not only an emotional feeling, I physically felt lighter.

The feeling lasted for quite some time, not as dramatically as that day, but I was "on a cloud" like they say. Ten years later, I still feel "lighter," but the burdens of life are starting to weigh me down. Fortunately, I have Jesus to look to and give those burdens to Him. However, I can sense a need to really take a time out for God, not for wordly pursuits.

As I look for a vision for my life, I realize I need to get closer to Him...my first love. The one who makes my burdens light.

Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you. - 1 Peter 5:7

This from Max Lucado's Grace for the Moment, Volume 2:

God has a great race for you to run. Under his care you will go where you’ve never been and serve in ways you’ve never dreamed. But you have to drop some stuff. How can you share grace if you are full of guilt? How can you offer comfort if you are disheartened? How can you lift someone else’s load if your arms of full with your own?

For the sake of those you love, travel light.

For the sake of the God you serve, travel light.

For the sake of your own joy, travel light.

There are certain weights in life you simply cannot carry. Your Lord is asking you to set them down and trust him.

_______________


From award-winning author Max Lucado comes Traveling Light, refreshing words wrapped around the biblical passages of the 23rd Psalm to reenergize weary spiritual travelers. In his inimitable, pastoral voice that both soothes and exhorts, Lucado gently unpacks the verses of the psalm while helping readers lay down the burdens of doubt, anxiety, perfectionism, and fear. - Amazon.com

A Prophetic Book

Today's Evidence

Origin of the Bible, Part III - The Power of Prophecy

Our final post in this series on the origin of the Bible is a look at the book's amazing fortelling of the future. Like some of us, I have a tendency to every so often just leave my Bible on the night stand for awhile without opening it up.

In doing this series I am reminded of how powerful this book really is and that I should not leave it unopened for very long. We will beginning a new "Today's Evidence" series later this week. Again, this from AllAboutTruth.org.

Part III

The origin of the Bible is God. It is a historical book that is backed by archeology, and a prophetic book that has lived up to all of its claims thus far. The Bible is God's letter to humanity collected into 66 books written by 40 divinely inspired writers over a period of over 1,600 years. The claim of divine inspiration may seem dramatic (or unrealistic to some), but a careful and honest study of the biblical scriptures will show them to be true. Powerfully, the Bible validates its divine authorship through fulfilled prophecies. An astonishing 668 prophecies have been fulfilled and none have ever been proven false (three are unconfirmed). God decided to use prophecy as His primary test of divine authorship, and an honest study of biblical prophecy will compellingly show the supernatural origin of the Bible. Skeptics must ask themselves, "Would the gambling industry even exist if people could really tell the future?" Again, no other holy book comes even close to the Bible in the amount of evidence supporting its credibility, authenticity and divine authorship.

Source: www.allabouttruth.org/origin-of-the-bible.htm

Mary Did It

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. — Luke 1:26–27

This from Greg Laurie's Harvest Daily Devotion:

A LESSON FROM MARY

It is difficult for us to understand, 2,000 years later, the significance of the angel Gabriel's appearance to Mary in Nazareth.

After all, he could have found the future mother of the Messiah in Rome, the capital of the greatest power on earth at the time. He could have found her in Athens, the cultural center of the world, or in Jerusalem, the spiritual center of the world.

But God chose Nazareth, an obscure but extremely wicked city that was notorious for its sin. Upon hearing that Jesus was from there, Nathanael said, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46).

What is amazing about Mary is that she lived a godly life in a godless place, and she did so as a very young teenager. Commentators believe she may have been as young as 12, but not much older than 14.

Here she was, a nobody living in a nothing town in the middle of nowhere—precisely the kind of person that God goes out of His way to call. He chose an unknown girl in a relatively unknown city to bring about the most-known event in human history, an event so significant that we actually divide human time by it.

Maybe you are trying to live out your faith in a godless place today, at work or school or among unbelieving family members. You're wondering if it can be done. It can.

Mary stands as an example for us, proving that it is possible to live a godly life in an ungodly world.

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Books by Greg Laurie can be found at Amazon.com.

The Case for a Creator and Science

I didn't think about God much until I realized that whatever I was doing for 38 years wasn't working. So, discussions about who created the universe or the "Big Bang Theory" or evolution were quite limited for me.

I'll never forget one of the first scientific alignments with the Bible I witnessed after becoming a Christian 9 years ago. I was no longer skeptical of the power of Christ, he was changing my life dramatically...that was proof enough of His existence. Still, He is so gracious by giving us these assuring treats every so often.

A film I saw about archeologists discovering the path of Moses and where, more than likely, the parting of the Red Sea took place was just such a treat.

And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. - Exodus 14:21

There it was in so many ways! An opening to the sea between mountains, an elevated underwater "land bridge" or bar from one side to the other, and coral encrusted figures in the shape of chariot wheels.

Yes, God, thank you! Thank you for lifting me out of the ooze and onto the right path! As someone young in my faith, this was exciting stuff!

Now, a movie by Ben Stein about intelligent design is about to open at theaters and I'm looking forward to that smile that comes deep inside myself whenever I know God is patting me on the back or giving me a hug...once again, I'll be reminded about that path...the one that leads to Jesus.

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Ben Stein's Expelled: No Intelligenece Allowed is scheduled to open April 18th. I want to recommend some reading material along the same lines. Author Lee Strobel gave me that "God hug" when I heard him speak. As a former atheist and journalist, I knew Strobel wasn't fooling around when it came to facts about God. He is probably best known for his book, The Case for Christ

Knowing that the topic of our and the planet's origin will be around for awhile, maybe it's time we take a closer look with the help of Strobel's The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God.

This from Amazon.com:

Are Christianity and science incompatible? If there is a God, is he only an impersonal starter force? An introductory high school biology class first propelled Lee Strobel toward a life of atheism. God and science, he reasoned, were mutually exclusive. When the former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune converted to Christianity, he decided to investigate the science he had once accepted as truth. Did science point toward or away from God? As Strobel interviews a variety of scientists on everything from debunking evolutionary icons to the implications of the Big Bang to the existence of the human soul, he builds his case: scientific evidence points toward Intelligent Design.

Although the discussion often veers into the academic, Strobel works hard to make it accessible to those without scientific training. Throughout the book, he salts interview transcript information with interesting personal stories of his own spiritual and scientific quest for knowledge, as well as sometimes over-detailed descriptions of the actual interviews (right down to the type of beverages consumed). Each chapter contains suggestions for further reading on particular issues of science and faith.

Strobel concludes that, when correctly interpreted, science and biblical teaching support each other. He quotes physicist Paul Davies, "...science offers a surer path to God than religion." Open-minded readers will find that this book, and its questions for reflection and group study, invites conversation and investigation.

The Case for a Creator is available at Amazon.com.

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Alexander is a writer in the online spiritual battlefield. You can also find him at The Scrooge Report.