Sermon Player - Rawlinson Road Baptist Church

As you may know, I also work as a volunteer managing our church web site. That's in addition to the Tech Arts stuff I do - sound, lighting, media, video, etc. Recently, we switched how we're hosting our sermon podcasts.

We're now using Sermon.net. Below is our Sermon Player. What I really like is the ability to be really granular in the detail for each sermon or teaching session. This includes being able to add names, descriptions, scripture verses and key words. Beyond that, users have the ability to listen in the flash based player, download the sermon as an MP3, subscribe via iTunes or even listen via a mobile device. We can also upload the sermon notes / Powerpoint for download in PDF format. That's a really cool tool.

One of my favorite things? On our channel at sermon.net (http://sermon.net/RRBC), users have the ability to add or embed the player to their Facebook, MySpace, Blogspot, Wordpress or other account. To me, this is a great tool to help spread your sermons "virally".

Winning on Wednesday - What's Your Integrity Worth?

Integrity - a word that carries very little meaning in today's world. What does it mean? For all of us, I believe there are many connotations of what integrity is and what it's not. I also believe that in today's world, we apply a very flexible definition to integrity depending on the person or situation involved. Before going further, let's look at a few definitions. According, to Houghton-Mifflin, integrity is:

1. Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code. 2. The state of being unimpaired; soundness. 3. The quality or condition of being whole or undivided;

When I read those definitions, I can't help but think how many people today no longer care about their integrity. Whether it's how they interact with others or how they break promises or vows, integrity appears to be of little value.

Think of the following scenarios.

• A student allows a friend to cheat off their work or cheats themselves.
• An employee lies or changes data at a boss' request in order to keep a job.
• Someone chooses not to honor their debts in a timely manner.
• A boss takes credit for other peoples' work to benefit their career.
• A friend takes advantage of someone else's generosity.
  

I guess the statement is true, "Everything is for sale". Even our integrity seems to have a price. But, what does the Bible have to say:

8 let the LORD judge the peoples.
Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness,
according to my integrity, O Most High.

Psalm 7:8

and

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

Proverbs 10:9

and

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Titus 2:6-8

But, I wanted to save a specific passage for last:

They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are.
Matthew 22:16

The "Him" in the passage above is Jesus. Disciples that followed the Pharisees came to Jesus with a question. But, even they had to admit that Jesus' reputation preceded Him. Specifically, they noted that Jesus taught with only one thing in mind - adhering to the God's truth. My favorite part? This sentence from the last part of the verse describing Jesus' integrity: "You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are."

The challenge? Who's setting the price on my integrity - society or God?

Now Playing: "Nostalgiatopia" by Eleventyseven

Technorati: Winning on Wednesday

Obama Claims He's Visited 57 States

I guess I'm going to have to dig up my daughter's 4th grade textbook and see which SEVEN states got added to the Union since I graduated.

Sad Statement on Society

I came across this on Neal Boortz' site. Regardless of what you think of him as a talk show host, he does bring up things that make you think. The sign below was spotted in the Atlanta, GA area.



The fact that a sign like this exists, in my opinion, is a disturbing glimpse into the condition of our society today.

What do you think?

Now Playing: "Mercedes Baby" by House of Heroes

Technorati: Neal Boortz

Fireproof - The Movie...another update

As you well know, I'm a big fan of the films produced by Sherwood Pictures. Each film has had a special message and Fireproof is no different. Where the previous two films have dealt primarily with the change in a single character, this film deals with change brought about for a couple dealing with a collapsing marriage. To get an idea of what to expect later this year, check out the available video clips in the promo widget below:




Now Playing: "A Breath or Two" by Jimmy Needham

Technorati: Firepoof the movie, Sherwood Pictures, Provident Films

Winning on Wednesday - What Now?!

Higher gas prices. Higher grocery prices. Ongoing terrorism threat. Home foreclosures. Stock Market turmoil. Job losses. Threats to our children's safety. What's NOW?!?

I believe that is the question we're all asking these days. Since the terrorist attacks in 2001, we seem to be living in an era of increased fear, stress and uncertainty. As Christians, what should our response be?

The Bible gives us a few clues:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Given current events, this passage is quite a challenge. "Rejoice always" - how do I do that when life has become so stressful? Even more challenging - "give thanks in all circumstances". When I worry about my kids' safety, job security, increased cost of living, etc, it's not easy to give thanks sometimes. In my opinion, the key here is the center phrase from the passage.

Pray without ceasing

I may be reading too much into grammar here, but I think the placement of this phrase is the key to it all. Prayer should be in the middle of it all. If we aren't praying, we aren't telling Him what our fears and anxieties are. Yes, He knows - but He still wants to hear from us. God wants us to talk with Him and voice our concerns and fears. Secondly, if we aren't praying we aren't asking God for guidance in all our circumstances. If life has become so stressful and uncertain, I would think this would be a time when we should be calling on God for His guidance and peace.

I know I'm one of the most guilty when it comes to this. Life becomes so stressful and busy that, life Peter when he tried to walk to Jesus on the water, I stop looking to God and start focusing on the "storm" around me. Then, the stress becomes a feedback mechanism - to use an audio mixing analogy. Just like feedback in a sound system builds on itself, my stress builds on itself as I focus on it instead of depending on God and handing these concerns over to Him.

Lastly, the Bible also addresses our worry about the future:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:33-34

What Now? Depend on God, not myself.

Now Playing: "Escalates" by Falling Up

Technorati: Winning on Wednesday, Devotionals