Babylon is both a place and an archetype of collective human pursuits set in opposition to God ... screens demand our attention, and screens disciple us whether we think they are or not. Screens promise more connectedness, but research shows that loneliness, depression, and anxiety among teens have risen alongside widespread adoption of the smartphone. #DigitalBabylon #sermons #screens #technology #socialmedia

Continuing from the Exiles in Digital Babylon workshop in Charlotte where we discuss the nature of digital Babylon and how we can live faithfully by restraining our screen time and redeeming our culture by developing intergenerational relationships. #DigitalBabylon #sermons #screens #technology #socialmedia

An interview with Dr. F LaGard Smith where we discuss the narrative of "big E" evolution in our culture, and why Darwin has a problem with sex. #evolution #culture #sex

I am jumping off a bridge in ... 3 ... 2 ... 1... I'm going to write about some very controversial things; the nation has recently been in an uproar and quickly becoming divided (perhaps the fault lines are just being exposed) over the recent deaths around the country at the hands of the police. It has been underscored by it's racial tensions, as many of the prominent deaths have been of African Americans at the hands of Caucasian police. It has incited riots, looting, and more chaos and injury throughout the country, even outside the areas that the incidents took place. I'm not here to make any commentary about what I think about the particulars of the Micheal Brown case (or any other case recently), whether the police officers were in the right or wrong or whatever. What do I know? I wasn't there, and thank God I wasn't. I'll tell you what I do know: in Christ there is neither Jew or Greek, slave or free, BLACK or WHITE, for we all one in Christ (Col 3:11; Gal 3:28). So what does that mean for you Christian? It means don't stir up further dissension! Instead we should join the One we say we follow and work toward peace and unity, while living justly with those around us (Mic 6:8). "Jesus stood up for the oppressed, but rather than retaliate, he suffered himself." [tweet] And while Christian's not stirring up further dissension, discord, envy, hatred, or fits of rage (Gal 5:19-21) may be somewhat obvious, it is quite challenging to live out. Especially when our emotions are involved. When we ourselves or someone we love are wronged or oppressed, it can be very difficult to actually live out our faith and not retaliate and leave our cause for vengeance and justice to the Lord (1 Cor 6:7; Rom 12:17-21). And how can I possibly relate to many of the oppressive things that African Americans still go through in this country, much less what they have been through historically in this country. And while hatred, racism, prejudice, and bigotry is a human trait and common to all (not just one particular person or set or persons) it is something that we must continually fight against, resist, and repent of as those of faith in Christ. For there is no room for favoritism (racism is simply a form of favoritism) in God's kingdom (Rom 2:11). And praise Him for that! But there are perhaps other questions that arise for us as Christians in these types of situations that are not as easily answered; like what is our role in society towards injustices (perceived or real), how do we help bring about the peace in individual's lives that can only come through Jesus and His Lordship, and to what extent should we go as Christians in our advocacy of the oppressed? #culture #racism

Discussing the recent cultural events of racial turmoil, protesting, and riots ... and the need to represent Jesus in all things, especially online. Midweek of Asheville Church - 6/4/20 #culture #sermons #race #diversity #protest #racism #AhmadArbury #GeorgeFloyd #BreonnaTaylor #SayTheirNames

In the midst of the #coronavirus pandemic, and its continued spread in the United States, the debate is raging about which is going to end up being worse; the death toll from the virus or the economic repercussions from rising unemployment and social distancing practices. It is in this context that I want to call disciples of Jesus, and in particular the pastors, shepherds, and leaders of his church, to rise up and point the way in faith and love. To be faithful guides, walking with people through this journey, not running away like hired hands. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep." (John 10:11-13) As death tolls increase across the globe, unemployment rates skyrocket, and the (Western) economy possibly takes a downturn the likes of which has been unseen for a hundred years, we will need spiritual leaders who hold out that ancient blood stained banner that calls hearts and minds to something far greater. People are going to need in the coming weeks and months, perhaps more than ever, men and women who will trust in the sovereign grace and love of God, whose faith is proven genuine while suffering grief in all kinds and trials. I was nearly in tears last night as I considered the suffering going on throughout the world, and the likelihood of it continuing to increase, as God was calling me to remain faithful to him. "These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Pet 1:7) As fear, confusion, uncertainty, and panic run rampant, men and women are needed whose minds are filled with peace in the middle of chaos (Phil 4:7), whose hearts are free to give and love in the midst of intense suffering (Jn 8:36), whose lives are shining brightly in a darkness so opaque that God himself is revealed (Mat 5:16; 13:34; Lk 1:76-79; 2 Cor 4:6; Phil 2:15). For some, we will be called upon to preside over more funerals than ever, perhaps not even being able to gather to tend to the deceased, as in Italy. For others, we will be called to not give way to fear but instead to show our children that we believe in Jesus and that he has in fact gone and prepared a place for us (Jn 14:1-4) and therefore our inheritance is kept in heaven where it can never spoil, perish, or fade and that we are shielded by God's power through faith (1 Pet 1:3-5). For all of us we are called to be ambassadors of our king, heralding a gospel message of eternal life, for since we know what it is to fear the Lord we try to persuade others. "Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. ... For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." (1 Cor 5:11, 14-15) In this season disciples, pastors, shepherds, teachers, evangelists, deacons, heralds, and leaders ... as in all other seasons ... let us be fully alert and sober minded as we set our hope on the grace to be brought to us when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming (1 Pet 1:13). #coronavirus #love #discipleship #culture #faith #fear #pastors #leadership

An interview with Andrew Lewis, a black minister from Toronto, Canada where we discuss race relations and conflict resolution both in and out of the church. #culture #racism #race

1 Peter 5:8-9 describes our enemy as a lion prowling around looking for someone to devour ... in these current circumstances of isolation we should heed his warnings ... #coronavirus #isolation #lions #biblestudy

*note this article contains details/spoilers about the movie "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" I remember watching Mr. Rogers when I was a kid in the 80's, I wasn't an ardent fan, and there was something about the show that as I grew older seemed really hokey and fake to me. That was long before I became a Christian. Now my children and I throughly enjoy Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. I didn't know much about Fred Rodgers, other than the occasional urban legend about him being a sharp shooter for the seals and having tattoos all over his arms so that he had to wear long sleeves whenever on set, until recently when I saw the documentary (2018) "Won't You Be My Neighbor" which opened my eyes, and my heart, to the kindness, passion, and legacy of this man. It was then that I learned of his attending seminary and being ordained as a Presbyterian minister (an ordination he renewed and held all of his life), as well as his study under prominent child psychologist Margaret McFarland. It was then that my culturally influenced opinion of Mr. Rogers changed dramatically. It was then that my appreciation was radically formed about what he set out to do, and actually did to a large degree, by shaping generations toward kindness and love ... via the television of all things. The newest movie, "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" (2019 - 96% on rotten tomato, I would have given it a 99%) where Tom Hanks plays Mr. Rogers (interestingly Tom and Fred are 6th cousins apparently), has undoubtedly increased my appreciation even more of Mr. Rogers. Tom Hanks, perhaps one of the greatest and most gifted actors of his generation, does a phenomenal job portraying Fred Rogers, and delivers an unforgettable performance. But the movie was not at all what I was expecting. Going into the film I knew very little about it and I suppose I was expecting something similar to the documentary that I had seen the year before. It was nothing of the sort. It was a film "inspired by the true events" (though there is much fictitious portrayal) that tells the story of journalist Tom Junod and his relationship with Fred as he was assigned to write an article about him for Esquire magazine in 1998 (you can read the powerful Esquire article here). The movie turns out to be more about him, and his relationship with his father, than it does Mr. Rogers. I found myself relating to the unexpected lead character of the movie, Lloyd Vogel (portraying the journalist Tom Junod) who has an incredibly fractured relationship with his father. I myself grew up without my biological father, and had a very difficult relationship with my step-father, and so the movie portrayal of their fractured relationship touched a massive nerve. I found myself weeping in the movie theatre ... not cute crying mind you ... embarrassingly weeping. There is an incredibly touching scene when Lloyd is sitting next to his father's death bed and his father apologizes for all the selfishness and harm that he has done to his son and tells him that he has always loved him. And after an infuriating expression is made on the face of the son, the son pauses for a moment and you can see the bitterness slough off before he slowly replies, "I love you too, Dad". I simply lost it. It forced me to once again recognize bitterness and pain in my own heart toward my father, step-father, and others in my life, and calls me to let go. Calls me to forgive. Calls me to love. In another powerful scene Fred and Lloyd are eating at a Chinese restaurant (you can catch a glimpse of the real Mrs. Rogers as an extra in the restaurant) and Fred asks Lloyd to do an exercise with him; to be silent for one minute and think of all the people that "loved him into being" (the movie depiction comes from when Fred actually did this in his 1997 acceptance speech when he received the Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award). A hush then comes over the restaurant as people overhear Fred and inadvertently join in the exercise. Hardly any eye is dry in the restaurant 60 seconds later, including Lloyds. Including mine now in the theatre. I immediately grab my phone in the middle of the theatre and text a couple of people that have loved me into being. I want to invite you to do this exercise, right now as you are reading this. Stop reading, perhaps close your eyes, and for 60 seconds think of those that have helped you become who you are, those who have cared about you and wanted only the best for you in life. As I watched the movie I found myself wanting to be like Mr. Rogers; patient, kind, empathetic, caring and an amazing prayer warrior. But instead I found that I saw much more of myself in the journalist Lloyd; broken, hurting, angry, frustrated, proud, and in need. In need of kindness. In need of love. In need of forgiveness. In need of repair and wholeness. And it is there that I find Jesus, who tells me that he comes for those that need a doctor, for those that are sick, and not those who are healthy. (Mark 2:17) I am grateful for this unexpectedly stirring film, I think it is an incredible tribute to Mr. Rogers, who was by no means a saint (I think the movie does a good job trying to minimize this saintly conception of Fred), but rather someone who fought to help make our world better by fighting against the culture of cynicism, hatred, and selfishness, teaching us a better way. A way of kindness, empathy, listening, and being a good ... even a great ... neighbor. #moviereview #review #kindness #MrRogers #neighbor

Today for most that live in the 21st century, the art of silence and solitude is something a bit strange and foreign, something perhaps nice ... but not very realistic. In fact much of the Western culture conditions us to be comfortable with noise and crowds, not with silence and solitude. When we think of Christian silence and solitude, it should always be to the glory of God and the purposes of godliness - which is distinguished from any other sort of silence & solitude. Many times when we think of silence and solitude we tend to think of a monastic lifestyle only for the few that decide to sequester themselves away from society up in the mountains or in the desert. Or perhaps the hermit types, those 'weird people' that don't go out very much. But there is plenty of biblical evidence (and extra-biblical evidence throughout church history) to lead us to learn and practice a rhythm of silence and solitude in our walk of faith. Let's start out with a couple of quick working definitions. The discipline of silence is the voluntary and temporary abstention from speaking so that certain spiritual goals might be sought. Sometimes silence is observed in order to read, write, pray, and so on. Though there is no outward speaking, there are internal dialogues with self and with God. This can be called "outward silence." Other times silence is maintained not only outwardly but also inwardly so that God's voice might be heard more clearly. Solitude is the spiritual discipline of voluntarily and temporarily withdrawing to privacy for spiritual purposes. This can often last for minutes, or perhaps even days or weeks. Silence and solitude can be distinguished from one another, but are most often practiced together. Let's just take a look at our Lord Jesus as an example of some of these disciplines: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." (Mat 4:1) "After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone," (Mat 14:23) "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." (Mark 1:35) "At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them." (Lk 4:42) Obviously we see Jesus taking time, even at the expense of other important things (and even when other people tried to stop him from doing so), to deliberately remove himself in order to connect with his Father. I believe it is vitally important that we develop and exercise this spiritual discipline as our Lord did during his days on earth. (c.f. Heb 5:17 - at least some of these fervent cries and tears were done in solitude ... though obviously not outward silence). If you have ever practiced these disciplines then undoubtedly you understand their benefits (and their difficulties to practice), but if you haven't ... here are a few of the many benefits of getting away and quieting ourselves before the Lord: To hear the voice of God better This is perhaps one of the more obvious reasons and benefits to get away from the noise and bustle of our daily lives, to intentionally put ourselves in the position to hear God's gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:11-13) To express worship to God It is not only in song and prayer that we worship our Lord, but in our silence before him as well. (Hab 2:20; Zep 1:7) To express faith in God The simple act of silence before the Lord, as opposed to coming to Him in a wordy fret can be a demonstration of faith in Him. (Ps 62:1-2) To seek salvation of the Lord Not only should we encourage those nonChristians seeking salvation from sin in Christ, but also us as believers seeking God's salvation from various circumstances. (Lam 3:25-28) To be physically and spiritually renewed Perhaps one of the most ignored and violated principles in God's people, the practice of Sabbath. Jesus taught to come away and rest. (Mark 6:31) To regain a spiritual perspective Many times we need to keep our mouths shut in order for our minds and hearts to be open. (Luke 1:20) To seek the will of God This is perhaps one of the most obvious, and most naturally practiced by believers, applications of silence and solitude - to discern God's will in various matters (especially "big" decisions in our life). Jesus seems to show this kind of solitude with the Father when he chooses the twelve, (Luke 6:12-13) To learn to control the tongue Perhaps a less obvious application to these spiritual disciples is the fact that it teaches us to control our tongues by voluntarily not speaking (much like fasting does toward our self control as well). Sometimes all we need to to be able to experience the fact that we can go a few hours (or days) without talking! (Jam 1:19, 26; 3:2; Prov 17:27-28; Ecc 3:7) With our unprecedentedly hyperconnected and busy lives, how can we actually find any time or energy to do any of this? Here are a few suggestions to help us begin to implement these spiritual disciplines and reap their benefits: The "minute retreat" Try taking one minute, perhaps during your commute to work, during a work break, as you pray before a meal ... maybe even when you have been placed on hold for a phone call! Have a goal of daily silence and solitude Doing anything consistently is extremely difficult, this is no exception. But just as the person who rarely exercises struggles with both a brief climb up the stairs and a 3 mile run, the one who jogs everyday consistently has no trouble with either. So it is with the person who has a time of daily spiritual exercises. Try getting away This is perhaps the most difficult, and for some seemingly impossible, way to practice these disciplines, but can be the most rewarding. (I personally try to do an overnight personal spiritual retreat a couple times a year). Getting away for an extended time of silence and solitude may be nothing more than finding an empty room in your home or church for a few hours. Or it could be going to a retreat center or some secluded place for several days or even weeks (if you have the life circumstances to support such an endeavor). Though these types of get aways are amazing, don't wait until the circumstances are perfect, because they never will be, but instead just go ahead and put it on your calendar. And just remember, you can sleep if you must, but try not to inadvertently misspend your time but instead come up with a plan before you go on how you will spend your time. Our enemy the devil knows the power of the spiritual disciplines of silence and solitude with our Lord, so he is constantly bombarding us with any distraction, responsibility, or other desires he can use to make sure that he keeps us busy, noisy, and generally distracted and unfocused. Let us know be unaware of his schemes. (2 Cr 2:11; Eph 6:11) *Excerpts taken from: Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life #righteousness #peace #discipleship #rest #spirituality #biblestudy #discipline #loneliness #solitude