Here are the rest of the marks of biblical manhood as put forth by Dr. Albert Mohler:
7. Ethical maturity sufficient to make responsible decisions.
8. Worldwide maturity sufficient to understand what is really important.
9. Relational maturity sufficient to understand and respect others.
10. Social maturity sufficient to make a contribution to society.
11. Verbal maturity sufficient to communicate and articulate as a man.
12. Character maturity sufficient to demonstrate courage under fire.
13. Biblical maturity sufficient to lead to some level in the church.
Read the entire article by Dr. Mohler here:
http://www.albertmohler.com/commentary_read.php?cdate=2005-04-22
Friday, April 22, 2005
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Manhood
I have often been interested in the subject of biblical manhood. Many in today's society see a male becoming a man once he has reached a certian age or had some kind of sexual experience. Dr. Albert Mohler of Southern Seminary has published the first half of what he believes to be 13 marks of biblical manhood. The first six are as follows:
1. Spiritual maturity sufficient to lead a wife and children.
2. Personal maturity sufficient to be a responsible husband and father.
3. Economic maturity sufficient to hold an adult job and handle money.
4. Physical maturity sufficient to work and protect a family.
5. Sexual maturity sufficient to marry and fulfill God's purposes.
6. Moral maturity sufficient to lead as an example of righteousness.
These six marks of biblical manhood are very different from societies definition. Notice their is no age limit. Each mark includes a very important word 'maturity'. Maturity is the key, a man must be mature in all he does. So an adult male that is 40 or 50 years old has not necccarly entered into manhood and the opposite is true for a young adult male. You do not have to reach a certain age or have some sexual experience to be a man; manhood begins when a male starts to become a mature christian living for God.
Read Dr. Mohler's entire article at:
http://www.albertmohler.com/commentary_read.php?cdate=2005-04-21
1. Spiritual maturity sufficient to lead a wife and children.
2. Personal maturity sufficient to be a responsible husband and father.
3. Economic maturity sufficient to hold an adult job and handle money.
4. Physical maturity sufficient to work and protect a family.
5. Sexual maturity sufficient to marry and fulfill God's purposes.
6. Moral maturity sufficient to lead as an example of righteousness.
These six marks of biblical manhood are very different from societies definition. Notice their is no age limit. Each mark includes a very important word 'maturity'. Maturity is the key, a man must be mature in all he does. So an adult male that is 40 or 50 years old has not necccarly entered into manhood and the opposite is true for a young adult male. You do not have to reach a certain age or have some sexual experience to be a man; manhood begins when a male starts to become a mature christian living for God.
Read Dr. Mohler's entire article at:
http://www.albertmohler.com/commentary_read.php?cdate=2005-04-21
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Idols
Yet he cannot bring himself to ask, “Is this thing, this idol that I’m holding in my hand, a lie?” Isaiah 44:20b
Isaiah the prophet was given many messages by God. One of the main messages was for Israel to turn from worshipping idols and turn back to God. This text in Isaiah 44:14-20 tells a story of a man that cuts down a tree, uses some of the wood to cook his food and heat his house; the other part is used to carve an idol that becomes the man’s god. Isaiah points out that this idol was created by the man who is praying to it. How can a created god help the maker? This block of wood was from the same tree that cooked the food, how is it special?
In today’s time we might say this is complete foolishness, look at this idiot that creates an idol and worships it. But we should not be so quick to call him stupid; we too worship idols in our time. They are not carved out of wood, but rather other people. Today our focus is on those around us. Instead of worshiping God, our boyfriends or girlfriends receive all our praise. Students plaster their room with posters of music artist, TV and movie stars. These things take the place of God in our lives, we learn about the people, we imitate the people, and some even pray to these people. (I, know sounds far fetched, but true)
We also must listen to Isaiah’s warning and worship only God. Nothing should come before our relationship with God. Ask yourself today, “What in my life is an idol?” “Is this created thing a lie?”
Read chapter 44 of Isaiah: http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Isaiah%2044&version=51;
Isaiah the prophet was given many messages by God. One of the main messages was for Israel to turn from worshipping idols and turn back to God. This text in Isaiah 44:14-20 tells a story of a man that cuts down a tree, uses some of the wood to cook his food and heat his house; the other part is used to carve an idol that becomes the man’s god. Isaiah points out that this idol was created by the man who is praying to it. How can a created god help the maker? This block of wood was from the same tree that cooked the food, how is it special?
In today’s time we might say this is complete foolishness, look at this idiot that creates an idol and worships it. But we should not be so quick to call him stupid; we too worship idols in our time. They are not carved out of wood, but rather other people. Today our focus is on those around us. Instead of worshiping God, our boyfriends or girlfriends receive all our praise. Students plaster their room with posters of music artist, TV and movie stars. These things take the place of God in our lives, we learn about the people, we imitate the people, and some even pray to these people. (I, know sounds far fetched, but true)
We also must listen to Isaiah’s warning and worship only God. Nothing should come before our relationship with God. Ask yourself today, “What in my life is an idol?” “Is this created thing a lie?”
Read chapter 44 of Isaiah: http://bible.gospelcom.net/passage/?search=Isaiah%2044&version=51;
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
"Sin"ful Movie
The reviews for Sin City are stunning, with critics praising the edgy dark computer graphics that make up the set. They appreciate the way director Robert Rodriguez has taken the essence of the comic book, I am sorry "graphic novel", and placed it into the silver screen. While this movie is getting high praise, I have to ask the question who is this R-rated movie marketed too. (note: I have not seen the movie, but read many reviews)
Teens, of course. Who else reads these dark sadistic comic books? This movie has been promoted so heavily on networks like WB and MTV. Most of the teens are under the age of 17 which disallows them from seeing the film. However, they will find a way to get in if the movie theater even checks I.D.'s. While this movie might be visually stunning, it lack any hint of morals.
This movie is filled with scene after scene of violence and this is coming from a guy whose favorite movie is Rocky. I enjoy a lot of action movies, but this is not action this is sadistic violence. I would seem that every scene is filled with violence. For instance, one of the many plot lines involves the recovery of Beneicio Del Toro's (21 Grams) characters body. Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings) play a cannibal, while Nick Stahl (Terminator 3) plays a rapist called Yellow B******. Just look at the list of characters and you will see the star studded cast playing dirty cops, "hero's", strippers, and prostitutes.
Not only is the violence bad, but even worse is the sex and nudity. There is a no less than a dozen nude or topless women and a couple of graphic sex scenes. Again, I emphasize the character list filled with prostitutes and strippers.
As you can see for yourself this movie is not a good one. While it is marketed smartly with all the commercials leaving these facts out; parents and teens should be armed with the facts before laying down eight bucks and their innocence. Teens, don't be fooled by the coolness of this movie, it my be seem cool, but will leave you empty and take you further away from God. Parents, if your teen wants to see this movie please see the links below for a detailed breakdown of the violence, sex, and language. Have a discussion about it and explain to them why they should not see it. Help them make a better movie selection by looking at the same sites.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Philippians 4:8
For a detailed moral reviews check out:
http://www.kidsinmind.com/s/sincity.htm
http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a0002109.cfm
Teens, of course. Who else reads these dark sadistic comic books? This movie has been promoted so heavily on networks like WB and MTV. Most of the teens are under the age of 17 which disallows them from seeing the film. However, they will find a way to get in if the movie theater even checks I.D.'s. While this movie might be visually stunning, it lack any hint of morals.
This movie is filled with scene after scene of violence and this is coming from a guy whose favorite movie is Rocky. I enjoy a lot of action movies, but this is not action this is sadistic violence. I would seem that every scene is filled with violence. For instance, one of the many plot lines involves the recovery of Beneicio Del Toro's (21 Grams) characters body. Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings) play a cannibal, while Nick Stahl (Terminator 3) plays a rapist called Yellow B******. Just look at the list of characters and you will see the star studded cast playing dirty cops, "hero's", strippers, and prostitutes.
Not only is the violence bad, but even worse is the sex and nudity. There is a no less than a dozen nude or topless women and a couple of graphic sex scenes. Again, I emphasize the character list filled with prostitutes and strippers.
As you can see for yourself this movie is not a good one. While it is marketed smartly with all the commercials leaving these facts out; parents and teens should be armed with the facts before laying down eight bucks and their innocence. Teens, don't be fooled by the coolness of this movie, it my be seem cool, but will leave you empty and take you further away from God. Parents, if your teen wants to see this movie please see the links below for a detailed breakdown of the violence, sex, and language. Have a discussion about it and explain to them why they should not see it. Help them make a better movie selection by looking at the same sites.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Philippians 4:8
For a detailed moral reviews check out:
http://www.kidsinmind.com/s/sincity.htm
http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/movies/a0002109.cfm
My Apologies
I am sorry for not writing last week. It was a non-stop busy week. So much happened. Things were crazy at church, home, and everywhere in between. In the world the Pope passed away and oh, some girl named Terri passed away.
The media has seemed to forgotten about Terri. They were more than happy to trade stories about the Schindler and Schiavo families for an 84 year old religious leader. The death of the Pope is a big deal, but it seems that Terri has now been forgot about. Those that were for Terri's death now breathe a sigh of relief and continue on with their lives. Those that were for Terri's life cried and mourned, but nothing in the world really changed. If all people learned out of this situation was that we all need to have a living will then we all missed the point.
Terri taught me a lot about the workings of the government. For instance it can not always stop a heinous crime and that the will of the people really doesn't matter in every instance. What really matters in government is judges. It seems that moral ground will be won and lost with judges.
Terri taught me another thing. In my short 25 years on the earth, I knew in my head that life isn't always fair. I have even experienced it in small doses, but not like I experienced last week. When Terri was killed (some say murdered) without a second chance to sort out all the facts with an impartial judge, it just didn't seem fair. Life taught us all a cruel lesson that the people that deserve death don't always receive it and vice versa.
I hope Terri will be remembered for a long time. She should be honored as a hero. My prayers still go out to the family and friends of Terri.
The media has seemed to forgotten about Terri. They were more than happy to trade stories about the Schindler and Schiavo families for an 84 year old religious leader. The death of the Pope is a big deal, but it seems that Terri has now been forgot about. Those that were for Terri's death now breathe a sigh of relief and continue on with their lives. Those that were for Terri's life cried and mourned, but nothing in the world really changed. If all people learned out of this situation was that we all need to have a living will then we all missed the point.
Terri taught me a lot about the workings of the government. For instance it can not always stop a heinous crime and that the will of the people really doesn't matter in every instance. What really matters in government is judges. It seems that moral ground will be won and lost with judges.
Terri taught me another thing. In my short 25 years on the earth, I knew in my head that life isn't always fair. I have even experienced it in small doses, but not like I experienced last week. When Terri was killed (some say murdered) without a second chance to sort out all the facts with an impartial judge, it just didn't seem fair. Life taught us all a cruel lesson that the people that deserve death don't always receive it and vice versa.
I hope Terri will be remembered for a long time. She should be honored as a hero. My prayers still go out to the family and friends of Terri.
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