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“For God so loved the world that he  gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but  have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only  Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John  3:16

Just about the time I think I am getting “tech savvy,” I get some new electronic device to figure out. It is incredible what these things can do, but the challenge is in getting them to do it.

Toyota recently announced that two new positions are being created in every dealership across the land to assist new car buyers in figuring out how to use the electronics in their new cars. I think they are called Electronic Usability Specialists or something like that.

New gadgets are designed to make life easier, but somehow they tend to make it more complicated. I have a hard time just remembering all of my passwords, much less how to use them.

One thing that hasn’t changed over the years is the simplicity of the Gospel. It is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and will be for evermore. It isn’t complicated and doesn’t have to be.

Here’s how one of the greatest theologians of all time, Charles Haddon Spurgeon expressed it:

“God be thanked for the simplicity of the gospel. The longer I live, the more I bless God that we have not received a classical gospel, nor a mathematical gospel, nor a metaphysical gospel; it is not a gospel confined to scholars and men of genius, but a poor man s gospel, a ploughman’s gospel; for that is the kind of gospel which we can live upon and die upon. It is to us not the luxury of refinement, but the staple food of life. We want no fine words when the heart is heavy, neither do we need deep problems when we are lying upon the verge of eternity, weak in body and tempted in mind. At such times we magnify the blessed simplicity of the gospel. Jesus in the flesh made manifest becomes our soul’s bread. Jesus bleeding on the cross, a substitute for sinners, is our soul’s drink. This is the gospel for babes, and strong men want no more.”

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:9). It doesn’t get much more simple than that and  doesn’t have to be.

Questions: Have you confessed your sins lately to God? What can you bring to Him today? He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

“I will walk with integrity of heart
within my house;
 I will not set before my eyes
anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cling to me.”  (Psalm 101:2-3)

I admit it. Last night, I watched one of my favorite TV shows, even though it had a sub-plot that bristled my beliefs.  I have to ask myself why I did that. How much do I set before my eyes that is worthless?

In our visually oriented world of technology we absorb so much in a day, much of it subconsciously. How easy is it to watch a TV show that subtly slips in immorality, alternative lifestyles, casual sex, drugs, violence, selfishness – and those are the good guys!

I’m not saying we should be mentally productive 24/7, or be constantly reading our Bibles when we are not doing anything else. Vegging out is necessary now and then. But, we need to be careful what enters into our eyes, ears and brains – and into the eyes, ears and brains of our family. And, we need to remember this — integrity is what you do when no one else is around to watch you. Even though our pastor or fellow church members are not there on our couch when we choose our type of entertainment, God is.  How often do we walk with integrity of heart within our homes? Last night, I didn’t.

We must be willing to click off a show, even in the middle of a plot, if it begins to project something that is not biblically sound. Is finding out “who done it” so important that you or I can put up with a flavoring of sin and think it doesn’t affect us?

My mother used to say that idleness is the devil’s playground. Today with TV, internet, iPads and MP3s, more than ever we need to be wary of what is being “fed” to us in the process of entertaining us. And, I think we need to be more vocal when something offensive is slipped in.  We should write to the TV producers and game makers to tell them our views and objections to the material they produce. Otherwise, how will they know?

Question: What have you watched in the past 24 hours that maybe you shouldn’t have?

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“The LORD said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper” (1 King 19:11-12).

As humans we often expect the great and powerful God to appear in a majestic way, often missing the gentle quiet of His touch. When Elijah stood on the mountain waiting for God to pass by, he could have easily mistaken the powerful wind as God. The shattering of the rocks during the earthquake beside him could have made him duck into the cave for cover. But he stood firm, and recognized God in the solitude of a whisper.

In the noise and chaos of our modern technological world, how often do we hear His whisper?

Recently while on a cruise in the Caribbean, I kept thinking I should check my email. Why wasn’t my cell phone ringing? I wondered what my friends had posted to Facebook. On the third day, I awoke and went out on deck. A pink sunrise greeted me and I heard God’s whisper to relax, relax, relax.

Unplugging from technology took a few days of adjustment. When I stopped missing my cell phone and computer, I tuned into each moment God planned for me on ship and during on-shore excursions. I connected more one-on-one with my fellow cruisers. Conversations started easily and laughter increased. I marveled at sunsets, sunrises and the wonders of God’s creation in a different part of the world. I slept like a baby.

By the time I got off of the ship, I admit I felt like a bowl of Jell-O— a little jiggly (maybe from visiting the buffet line too many times), a little giggly (appreciating the time off) and a little red (too much sun). But I also felt peace.

Genesis tells us God rested, so why do we find it so hard to turn off everything and do the same? The need to silence our cell phones, iPods, televisions and computers can become a deafening shout. Choosing to stop, turn it all off, and listen is hard at first. But I learned a valuable lesson on that cruise. I’d embarked after an intense period of busyness. I fought the guilty feeling I’d be non-productive if I slowed down, breathed and enjoyed something simple. Learning to relax reminded me how often I’d miss my seventh day of rest.

Now whenever the heavy heartedness looms, over laden with to-dos, must-dos and wanna-dos, I stop, turn everything off and pray. My blood pressure lowers, calmness comes over me and I once again hear God’s quiet whisper in my soul’s ear.

Questions: When’s the last time you brought technology to a standstill in your life? Did your actions bring you a clear word from God?

“How priceless is your unfailing love!” Psalm 36:7

In this age of electronic communication, what else would one expect? We were on final approach to land and suddenly I noticed that everyone, me included, had a cell phone in hand. The minute the wheels touched down all turned off the airplane mode, or whatever they had to do to go live. Some began to text, others scrolled e-mail and most listened to voice mail and before we were near the gate almost everyone was engaged in conversation with someone not on the plane.

I couldn’t help but overhear the lady next to me…. “I love you and can’t wait to see you.” From across the aisle came the voice of another call….. “I love you and will call you in the morning before you leave for school.”

Love is a powerful force in the world. I never had thought of a cell phone as a love transmission device, but I guess it really is. People love to hear from others that they are loved and people like to tell others that they love them. Love is what gives us oneness and validation, and it makes us feel that we are somebody.

Back in 1944, a little known artist wrote a song that got picked up and over the years has been recorded by some of the biggest names in the business. ”You’re Nobody till Somebody Loves You” is one of the biggest hits of all time. It has resonated through the years because of the message it brings.

You’re nobody ’til somebody loves you You’re nobody ’til somebody cares. You may be king, you may possess the world and it’s gold, But gold won’t bring you happiness when you’re growing old. The world still is the same, you never change it, As sure as the stars shine above; You’re nobody ’til somebody loves you, So find yourself somebody to love.

Everybody needs love and as the song says, you may possess the world and it’s gold, but it won’t bring you happiness. The problem is that most people looking for love are looking in all the wrong places. The Bible has more than five hundred verses on love and is the source of true love.

Psalms tells us that God’s love is priceless. Deuteronomy tells us to love God with all our heart and soul and strength. Jesus tells us to love everyone. God’s smile is upon you. You light up his face as much as anyone has ever lit up a lover’s face. The Bible tells us that “God is Love” (1 John 4:8), so remember than when you find God, you have truly found somebody to love.

Question: How can you use what God has blessed you with as a “love transmission device”?

About the Author: John Grant

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Ten years ago, the term “cyberbullying” was virtually unknown.

A recent article on CNN explores the issue and how “children are unable to escape cyberbullying”:

Jason says he has been ostracized and was once punched in the neck at school, but the peer torment does not end when he enters the comfort of his home … Last year, he says he became a victim of cyberbullying — vicious, viral and incessant attacks through text messages, e-mails and Facebook posts that have both replaced and supplemented traditional schoolyard bullying.

The consequences of cyberbullying, like any kind of constant harassment, can be emotionally devastating. One tragic example is Ryan Halligan, a 13 year old who committed suicide in 2003 after being humiliated by schoolmates online. How can we prevent such tragedies from occurring? If you or someone you know is a victim of cyberbullying, please read our article Cyber Bullying: What it is and what to do about it. Don’t be hesitant to talk to others for help.

However, not all forms of bullying happen online, or even in school. Through her retelling of her story in Sibling Violence: My Struggle to Stop Hating My Abusive Brother, Catherine Braun explains how she came to terms with the abuse she suffered in her family, how she was able to overcome it and the difference it has made in her life. A deeper understanding of her faith, and motivation to live a Spirit-filled life, helped her eventually reconcile with her brother.

If you have faced similar family issues, hopefully these resources will be helpful for you too. If you’d prefer to speak to someone privately, please contact a mentor to talk via email.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

How should Christians seek to live out Jesus’ words when he tells us to “Sell your possessions and give to the poor”? The early church certainly sought to do so. Luke explains in Acts that the early church was “selling their possessions and goods” and “they gave to anyone as he had need.” (Acts 2:45) Does this means Christians cannot have any material possessions at all? Clearly not, since the very next verse notes that they still owned their dwelling places when Luke says that “They broke bread in their homes.” But the question remains: How much is “too much” stuff?

Digital media and ubiquitous connectivity afforded by Internet access is leading some people to become digital 21st century minimalists, as the BBC reports:

Many have begun trading in CD, DVD, and book collections for digital music, movies, and e-books. But this trend in digital technology is now influencing some to get rid of nearly all of their physical possessions – from photographs to furniture to homes altogether.

Since boxing up his physical possessions and getting rid of his home, Mr Yurista has taken to the streets with a backpack full of designer clothing, a laptop, an external hard drive, a small piano keyboard and a bicycle – an armful of goods that totals over $3,000 (£1,890) in value.

“I don’t feel a void living the way I’m living because I’ve figured out a way to use digital technology to my advantage,” Mr Yurista explained. (BBC)

My first question was: Where does Mr Yurista sleep at night? The answer is revealed slightly further down the page: “friends’ couches.” So while this style of living may work for him, it would not be sustainable if all of his friends similarly chose to live this way.

This way of living seems in a sense to obey the letter of what Jesus was talking about while skirting the real meaning behind Jesus’ words; in a sense obeying the letter of the law but not the spirit. Stuff is stuff, whether the movie is on a DVD or saved on your hard drive. So the issue isn’t how many material possessions a person has: It’s how the things we have (material or digital) serve to create barriers between us and God, between us and God’s kingdom.

As I look around my room, I wonder, do I need all this stuff? And as I browse through my computer hard drive, I’m quite certain I don’t need everything I see in the hundreds of folders. Regardless of the extreme examples given in the BBC article (which reflect greater secular society, not Christ-followers in particular) can you see a place for “living with less” in your daily life?

Have you made attempts to simplify, and not just for the purpose of “simplifying” but to provide further for those less fortunate than yourself?

Related reading: Simplifying Chaotic Lives – Maybe a barrier between you and God isn’t stuff, but doing stuff. If you’d like to talk with a mentor about it, contact us.