Who, in their right mind, would eschew being praised by the public? Why wouldn’t a person desire to be lauded and applauded by the masses – even if it meant sacrificing one’s soul? This is one of the central themes promoted by secular culture. It’s most visible personalities routinely demonstrate this “morality on the sacrificial altar for fame” mentality. Why is it that Christians, who are called to adopt a more sublime mindset, fall for the trap?
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Being a youth pastor in the modern age is an almost unenviable task. Said persons are given the labor of ministering Biblical truth to a group of people who are incessantly incentivized by the world to be infantile, frivolous and profane. Additionally, adolescents are virulently indoctrinated with messaging that seeks to turn their hearts against the God of the Universe and true piety.
I write from experience, approaching almost ten years of attempting to disseminate a message of unfiltered veracity to teenagers and young adults. Other youth pastors who attempt to faithfully adhere to sound doctrine concur.
During the past decade, I’ve found the need to carefully study the Bible and to continually investigate a plethora of doctrines (including secular, quasi-religious and academic), as well as examine pop culture trends so as to help younger congregants persevere in the Lord and reject sinfulness. (2 Corinthians 10:5) Still, in this interval I’ve found that the task of aiding the youth could have been and could be easier if it weren’t for indifferent parents. Continue reading
For me, sporting a bow tie to Sunday services has been a recent development. I find myself enjoying the traditional neckwear, which some consider to be ostentatious and indicative of the pomposity of its wearer.
I believe it imperative to explain to the reader why this misconception is based on faulty, socially inspired assumptions and why those that criticize it suffer from an ill they do not recognize in themselves – the profanation of the sacred. It is with some authority that yours truly writes on the subject, due to the fact that I suffered from the same delusion. Hopefully, my story will encourage a change in the thinking of readers who are bow tie averse (or despise any kind of formalwear) and induce in them an appreciation for overall decorum. Continue reading
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
Our culture is submerged in entertainment. We are expected to consume various diversions meant to make us forget about our dreary, mundane and ordinary lives. At least, that’s what those who produce “entertainment” sell it to us as and would make us believe is the case about our own existence.
Yet, this intentional ridiculing of normal, daily living wasn’t always the case.
Consider Noah Webster’s definition of the term:
“The receiving and accommodating of guests, either with or without reward…The amusement, pleasure or instruction, derived from conversation, discourse, argument, oratory, music, dramatic performances, etc.; the pleasure which the mind receives from anything interesting, and which holds or arrests the attention. We often have rich entertainment in the conversation of a learned friend.” Continue reading
As I write this, I find myself sitting in a barbershop and with a headache that is only compounding with each passing second. Not to be mistaken, I am not here to be barbered. As evidenced by my mug shot above, I hack my own face and scalp. (I’ve been shaving my head since the age of 16. Thanks, receding hairline!) No, I’m here waiting for my son’s hair to be cut to 1950s specifications – the ever-elegant, timeless executive contour. Continue reading
Jiovanne Del Cristo 