Q: Day 1 David Aikman

David Aikman: The End of Christian America

Is Religion loosing influence?
A grate depth of doubt and ignorance.
Basic theology is in question. Satan, Holy Spirit, etc.

How do we respond to this?

Idea Look to the church in China.
1. Pray
2. Be willing to be pay a price
3. The Church in China is a sending church.

Church needs a renewal.
A New Charismatic movement?

We Must Influence
1. America educated
2. America cities
3. America technological generation 2010 hippies. (New Idea)

Sharing Hope: Part 1

The other day I was teaching my daughter to share. She was playing with her “best friend” who was wildly upset because my daughter would not share a toy with her.

When I asked my daughter to share she yelled “No! I can’t believe that she wants my toy. It is mine!”

One of the first things we need to learn in life is the concept of sharing. This is something that if left solely to ourselves, we will never do. But if one wants to truly thrive in this world they will have to learn how to share.

This is especially true when it comes to hope. Because hope was created to be shared.

Scripture speaks to this in 1 Peter 3. “Always be prepared to give and answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have.”

In this passage scripture tells us to be ready. Because it is when we are truly living a life of faith, a life that demonstrates our hope in God, that it often raise questions in the minds of others.

And it is in these moments that we should be ready to give an answer for our lives and the hope we have because of Jesus Christ.

Take a few moments to think about this. Maybe there was a time when a person asked you why you lived differently. How did you respond? What happened in that moment? Does your life really look any different than others?

Read 1 Peter 3:15-17

• Think of a time when a person asked you why you lived differently. How did you respond? What happened in that moment? How did this exchange feel for you?
• Does these moments happen often in your life? Why or Why not?
• Why is it important to this with gentleness and respect?

The System is Broken

This is excerpt from the book Linchpin by Seth Godin. Seth has a very interesting way at looking at life. I hope this causes you to think a little today.

The system we grew up with is a mess. It’s falling apart at the seams and a lot of people I care about are in pain because the things we thought would work don’t. Every day I meet people who have so much to give but have been bullied enough or frightened enough to hold it back. The have become victims, pawns in a senseless system that uses them up and undervalues them.

It’s time to stop complying with the system and draw your own map. Stop settling for what’s good enough and start creating art that matters. Stop asking what’s in it for you and start giving gifts that change people. Then, and only then, will you have achieved your potential.

Here’s the deal our parents signed us up for:

Our world is full of factories. Factories that make widgets and insurance and Web sites, factories that make movies and take care of sick people and answer the telephone. These factories need workers.

If you learn to be one of these workers, if you pay attention in school, follow instructions, show up on time, and try hard, we will take care of you. You won’t have to be brilliant or creative or take big risks.

We will pay you a lot of money, give you health insurance, and offer you job security. We will cherish you, or at the very least, take care of you.

It’s a pretty seductive bargain.

But in the face of competition and technology, the bargain has fallen apart.

Now. . . think.