onevote08.org

one.org

The ONE Campaign is an effort by Americans to rally Americans – one by one – to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. ONE is students and ministers, punk rockers and NASCAR moms, Americans of all beliefs and every walk of life, united to help make poverty history.

The ONE Campaign derives its name from the belief that allocating an additional one percent of the U.S. budget toward providing basic needs like health, education, clean water and food would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the world’s poorest countries. We also call for debt cancellation, trade reform and anti–corruption measures in a comprehensive package to help Africa and the poorest nations beat AIDS and extreme poverty.

The goal of ending poverty may seem lofty, but it is within our reach if we take action together as one. You can start now by joining the ONE Campaign and pledging your voice to the fight against extreme poverty and global AIDS.

Join the ONE Campaign:

March Mix: “Shade & Aura” Vol. 1 – Shade [Dark Mix]

We all go through dark times at one point or another in our lives, but we must make it our mission to find our way back to the light. I wanted to create a series of sets that explore this through sound, not necessarily all in one set, but in a 2 part mix. … More

Contend
Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

As Christians we ought to engage the culture with the powerful, transforming, life-changing, message of the Gospel while being faithful to the content of unchanging Biblical doctrine.

Contextualize
1 Corinthians 9:22 to the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.

“Churches and Christians should continually reform their ministry methods to most effectively reach the changing culture(s) to which they are sent by God as missionaries.”

Culture: Confront or Engage?

I am most grateful for what God is doing through the ministry of John MacArthur and have great respect for the man. About a year ago, while attending a different church, it was a lot of his teaching that led me to search out the scriptures… I was struggling with our church’s direction and its structure. (CEO model, seeker friendly, felt needs, mega church) We eventually left and sought out a new church home. With that being said, and learning more about “what it is I believe, and why I believe it” I have to disagree with MacArthur’s methodology as it pertains to “confronting culture”. Yes, I believe some parts of culture that are openly contrary to God are to be rejected, but I am also learning many parts of culture can represent Christ-likeness characteristics and are redeemable.
So… “As generations come of age, the Gospel of Jesus Christ must resurge to meet the needs of people and their continually changing cultures. The time has come for the church to move forward into the time and place for which God purposed us and to meet our day with unchanging, vibrant, unabashed truth.”
Quote from Resurgence

Read John MacArthur’s article first: How to Confront the Culture

David, the preaching elder (pastor) at our church does a much better job at a response than I do.
Read his response.
John MacArthur’s answer to culture- Confront it!

I say, engage!

Over the last six months or so, I have had some conversations with one of my friends (right of right, conservative evangelical Christian) regarding the “illegal immigrant” problem. Let me just say this, prior to about six months ago or so, we would have agreed wholeheartedly. Not anymore… Now, I’m not going to get into all that. Not the point. I will say this; yes, illegal immigration is a problem, and needs to stop. I don’t know the answer. But how can I look down on any human trying to better his/her life?

As someone who calls himself a Christian, I think a more important question I need to ask myself and discuss with other Christians is; how are we engaging this segment of our culture? The poor? Homeless? Fatherless? Motherless? Elderly? Etc. Are you doing justice? Is your Church doing justice? Does the city rejoice that your Church is there? Are you truly righteous? Is your Church filled with Biblically righteous individuals? Think about it; did you choose where you would be born? To whom? What country?

Like it or not, God in His sovereignty has chosen to place each one of us in this time and place for a purpose. What better way to truly “live out the Gospel” than to extend to these people the love mercy and grace God has so abundantly given to us?

Through the messages I have been listening to from the Reform and Resurge conference that took place back in May, my view on the subject, people, poor, illegal, etc. has radically been changed. I implore you, Christian, to listen to this talk “Doing Justice” from Tim Keller and the many other great speakers/teachers/preachers at TheResurgence.com.

This message from Dr. Tim Keller will stretch and hopefully encourage you to do justice not out of guilt but out of joy. Through faithfulness in doing justice the culture will begin to notice and hear the gospel that we preach.

“These tracks, in my opinion, represent the very essence of epic trance/house music. They demonstrate the amazing ability that electronic music has to portray all the elements of the human condition; love, tragedy, sadness, weakness, strength and hope…often through pure electronic sound alone and very few lyrics.”  neverrain

As a graphic designer, in front of a screen all day I listen to music.  Eric’s mixes inspire creativity and stir up many good memories of my days as a DJ.

And case you did not know, Eric is an awesome designer/developer/Flash guru as well… visit 2A and enjoy.