Counteracting A Disconnected Culture

Counteracting A Disconnected Culture

by | Feb 26, 2018 | Blog

 

Counteracting A Disconnected Culture

Tom Mathew

Feb 26, 2018
5 mins | Christian Living, Culture

When Dr. Twenge asked a 17-year-old high school student what differentiated his generation from others, the student gave this response without hesitation: “People stay in more often. My generation has lost interest in socializing in person-they don’t have physical get-togethers, they just text together, and they can just stay at home.” The student’s response sheds light on the new reality facing the world today.  With much of our attention given to phones, social media, and Netflix, people are unquestionably shying away from physically connecting with others. This, in turn, is creating a paradigm shift in our thinking that is both unhealthy and contrary to God’s design for us as relational beings.

We Are More Connected And More Disconnected Then Ever Before

Monitoring the Future has conducted an ongoing study since 1976 of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders examining whether they met with friends every day or nearly every day. From 1976-2000 around 50% of students reported they connected with friends this frequently. However, a significant downward trend started in 2010, and by 2014 only 25% of students reported getting together with friends daily or nearly every day.  As the number has continued decreasing each year, studies like these give us a glimpse into a rapidly growing disconnected culture that is moving people towards isolation.

However, since the beginning of mankind, God designed every person to live in relationship with others.  In Genesis 2 when God created Adam, he quickly proclaimed “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18b), which led to Eve’s creation. When we cut ourselves off from others we miss out on the life-giving relationships God intended for us.  In knowing the direction our culture is headed, here are a few ways to offset the new relational norm:

1. Avoid The Social Media Blackhole

A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so powerfully, not even light can escape. Social media may not be that intense, but it can feel that way when you open Facebook or Instagram and keep scrolling for hours on end.  The Public Library of Science conducted a study that showed adults check their phones an average of eighty-five times a day! Social media has become an integral part of our everyday lives. While a case can certainly be argued for the positive use of social media, it often produces the opposite result. Studies have found social media usage to be directly tied to feelings of unhappiness, loneliness, and depression. The more time you spend trapped on social media the more your mental, emotional, and spiritual health deteriorates. The solution to this problem is simple…take a break! Spend a few days away from all your social media outlets.  You will be surprised at how positively this will affect your mood, health, and relationships! Cultivate a healthy relationship with social media, but spend even more time growing socially, mentally, and spiritually.

2. Leave The House

As we saw earlier, staying at home is becoming very common. This is more and more true for both students and adults alike. Why go to the movie theater with friends when you can stream a movie to your room and watch it in your pajamas? People are becoming anchored to their homes because they can get everything done through the use of technology. You can deposit checks with a snap of a picture, buy anything you need online, and even have your groceries delivered directly to your doorstep. Comfort and convenience are replacing quality time devoted to building relationships. It’s important to break this cycle and create intentional time to go out with friends and family members. According to Psychology Today, a change of scenery can drastically affect productivity, reduce stress and cause you to change habits. Be deliberate about planning to leave the house and spend quality time with those in your life.

 3. Get Plugged Into A Church

Online campuses are a new avenue for ministry in the 21st-century church. It provides an incredible opportunity to minister to those who don’t have transportation, are traveling, or just feeling under the weather.  As well, it gives you the ability to minister to people around the world.  While online campuses are excellent, it’s important to remember that watching online should not become a substitute for going to church. Being at church is where connections are made and relationships are built. Reports from both Gallup and Harvard Health Publishing have shown that attending church increases positive emotions and even leads to living longer. Whether you are a Christian or not, it is essential to be connected to a local church. Make a conscious effort to get involved by joining a small group, volunteering, and going to church events.

It is critical for us to recognize the importance of living in community and relationship with others. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” As you develop new friendships and build on existing ones, you counter the new norm and bridge the gap of disconnectedness in our culture. You never know who God has waiting in your path to encourage you or be encouraged by you.

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One thing that can change your life!

One thing that can change your life!

by | Jan 15, 2018 | Uncategorized

 

One thing that can change your life!

Josh Longanecker

Jan 15, 2018
6 mins | Christian Living

The sun was high overhead, glinting off the helmets and breastplates of six Roman legions. The soldiers stood and watched as the invading Helvetii – a tribe migrating into the Roman territory from Switzerland – formed battle lines on a hill above them. As the ranks of the Helvetii began to swell and outnumber the Roman army, the men started to grow increasingly tense. For many of them, this would be their first battle. For others, this was their first sight of the enormous tribesman, who, man to man, stood taller and broader than the men of Rome.

Sensing the mounting apprehension, commander Julius Caesar rode to the front line and dismounted. He turned to address the men, choosing his words carefully. Much could have been said at that moment; Caesar could have reminded them of the battle plan, he could have criticized them for their lack of courage in the face of their opponent, he could have mocked the enemy who challenged the great Roman Empire.

Julius Caesar strode up and down the front line, looking into the eyes of the men, and then elevated his voice so even those in the rear guard could hear him, and he began to encourage the men! He praised them for their bravery, and boasted of their ability as soldiers! Then, Caesar sounded the call to battle, and with the praise of their leader ringing in their ears, the Roman army charged up the hill to meet the enemy head-on. According to historian Stephen Dando-Collins, the Roman army fought ferociously and drove back the invading tribe, winning the day.

While the glory of ancient Rome has faded, what spurred on Caesar’s legions more than 2,000 years ago is still one of the most effective tools we have today: encouragement!

Encouragement is one of the most important elements of leadership, parenting, marriage, and even personal quality of life!

According to the Harvard Business Review, teams with an encouraging environment significantly outperform other teams who are negative. In fact, this study found that the factor which made the most difference between the teams who achieved the greatest success and least success was the ratio of positive to negative comments. That does not mean there isn’t room for constructive criticism, but when the mood of the team is continuously negative, the performance of the team suffers.

Likewise, research sited in Psychology Today states that one of the most significant factors in predicting divorce is how couples talk to one another. When the positive to negative comments of a couple falls below five to one, that is a good indication that the health of the marriage is suffering. However, when a couple is encouraging to one another, the likelihood of having a long, healthy, and enjoyable marriage skyrockets!

What psychology and modern research tells us has been taught by scripture for thousands of years. The Bible says, “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences” (Proverbs 18:21 NLT). This verse has an exciting promise for us, one that is both a poignant warning and a wonderful pledge.

How do we use our words to bring good things into our lives?

1. What we say to ourselves.

For better or for worse, our thoughts are often the loudest voice we hear. Thus, what we say to ourselves has a profound effect on what we will say to others. If we are always allowing negative and self-defeating thoughts to fill our heads, then what will come out of our mouths will be negative and defeated. We cannot let our minds to be dominated by our insecurities and fears. Instead, we must stand on what the Bible says about us! For Christians, we are completely forgiven and redeemed (Col. 1:14), we are a masterpiece, made by the hands of God himself (Eph. 2:10), we are blessed (Eph. 1:3), we have nothing to fear because God is watching over us (Ps. 91), and so much more! We must allow the principles found in the Word of God to change the way we think about ourselves and others! When our internal dialogue is flowing out of the truth of Scripture, our conversations with others will follow suit.

2. What we allow to be said to us.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (NLT). A million things are competing for our attention every day, and what we allow into our hearts will ultimately determine the direction of our lives. If we allow negative media, shows, or conversations to be the most dominate external voice in our lives, then it should be no surprise when our voice is predominantly negative. The things we let occupy our idle moments, what we entertain ourselves with or the conversations we have are all within our control. There is no reason we cannot make those moments positive and beneficial!

3. What we say to others.

We have a saying at James River Church, “See something, say something.” That can be applied to encouragement: when we see something good, we should tell people! Every conversation, every interaction, is an opportunity to be life-giving, to build others up. There are very few times we will be talking to someone when there is nothing positive we can say. What would our family, work, and friendships look like if we decided that the majority of the time we open our mouths, it would be to encourage someone?

Our words have an enormous effect on the world around us. In the same way, it only takes a spark to set a forest on fire, a careless or wrongly placed word can burn down a relationship. Our speech can turn unity into chaos, or bring pain where there should be protection.

However, an encouraging word aptly placed can change someone’s entire day. You can enhance your marriage, bring success to your work, help your children, and enrich your friendships by simply letting the words of our mouths be life-giving.

The decision is yours, choose your words carefully…

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How to Set Yourself Up For Success in the New Year

How to Set Yourself Up For Success in the New Year

by | Jan 6, 2018 | Uncategorized

 

How to Set Yourself Up For Success in the New Year

Savannah Gibson

Jan 6, 2018
3 mins | Christian Living

How have you approached this new year? What have you done to make things different than the last, or you could put it this way, how have you set yourself up for your most successful year yet? Maybe you wrote down a list of resolutions and came up with a clear plan on how to make them stick (eating healthier or being more disciplined), and maybe you didn’t. Perhaps, your thinking, “I haven’t quite started the new year the way I wanted to.” Perhaps you haven’t done anything at all…

What if success is less about what you do and more about the perspective that you choose to have? What if the right perspective is all you need to have your best year yet?
Savannah Lindell

Perspective is the way in which you view life. Perspective is the lens that colors everything you look at. As you look at this year, what perspective do you have? Is it one of hope and anticipation? I hope so!

It is God’s desire to show you his goodness and to reveal himself to you. But in order for that to happen, you have to have the right perspective. A perspective of faith that says, “I cannot wait to see what God is going to do.”

A faith perspective is based on the truth of God’s Word. It is not reliant on your circumstances and does not waver even when trials and storms come.

So, how can you enter this new year with this type of perspective, with a resolve to have an unshakeable faith? The truth is, it comes from what you believe and declare about God.

Here are four simple, yet profound faith declarations that will transform the way you approach this coming year:

Faith Declaration #1 – God is enough for me

God is enough. In fact, he is more than enough. No problem, no sickness, no circumstance is a match for my God. He is bigger than anything I could every face. His power is limitless and so is his provision. God plus nothing is all that I need to be victorious this year.

Philippians 4:19: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Faith Declaration #2 -God has a plan for me

Although I do not know what the future holds, God does. The Psalmist says that, every detail of my life is recorded and that before I was ever born God had planned out every single day of my existence. No matter what happens in this coming year, I can be confident that he has a perfect plan and is working all things out for my good and his glory.

Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and give you a hope and a future.

Faith Declaration #3 -God wants to use me

God created me on purpose and for a purpose. He placed gifts and talents inside of me that he wants to use to show others His love. I do not have to be perfect or have everything together to be used by him. All I need to be is willing to give him what I have.

Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Faith Declaration #4 – God desires to do the impossible in my life

God calls me to believe for the impossible. To prayer for the miracle. To not give up on the dreams he has placed in my heart. They might seem too big for me, but they are not too big for him. He is the God of the impossible. He calls things that are not as though they are.

Ephesians 3:20 MSG: God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!

A large part of how we finish is dictated by how we start. Have you started the year with the right perspective? If not, now is the time!

Make speaking these faith declarations over your life your top priority this coming year, and if you do, you’ll see God strengthen your faith and take you further than you’ve ever been before!

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7 Simple New Year’s Resolutions

7 Simple New Year’s Resolutions

by | Dec 28, 2017 | Blog

 

7 Simple New Year’s Resolutions

James River Church

Dec 28, 2017
20 mins | Christian Living

New Year’s resolutions are an important first step to creating real, lasting change.

Of the over 133 million Americans who will make New Year’s resolutions in 2018, less than 10% will keep them.

Although resolutions do not create the change, they do allow us to have a goal. When we combine that goal with action and persistence, our lives can be transformed. Unfortunately, of the over 133 million Americans who will make New Year’s resolutions in 2018, less than 10% will keep them.

Noticing the existence of this trend, we have decided to create seven simple resolutions that we believe can both improve your life and the life of the Church. We’ve created a list of some actionable steps and resources that you can use throughout the year to achieve your goals.

1. Find Community

In his book titled The One Thing, author Gary Keller poses a question to the reader, “What’s the ONE thing you can do, such that by doing it, everything else will be easier?”

Surrounding yourself with a community of believers who will encourage and challenge you could be the “One Thing” that helps you to achieve all of your other New Year’s resolutions.

The writer of Hebrews understood the importance of community and writes this in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”

Authentic community helps us stay true to what we say and reminds us that we are not alone. One of the best ways to find great community is to get connected with a local church. Church Finder is an easy-to-use tool that will help you find a church home in your area.

2. Improve Financial Health

According to a study done by iQuanti, Google search terms relating to “Spend Less/Save More” are among the most popular every single year.

As a nation, we are infatuated with improving our financial lives. Yet, despite access to more resources than ever, if credit-card debt is any indication of our fiscal health, we are very ill. According to the Federal Reserve, U.S. households collectively have more than $1 trillion in credit-card debt, which is the most ever in U.S. history.

Unfortunately, one reason for so much debt is a lack of planning on our part.

Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”

When we partner with God and understand that we are stewarding resources He’s given us, the drive to be responsible spenders becomes great.

For 2018, we want to help you budget and plan for the upcoming year by pointing you to some great financial resources. Dave Ramsey has a great budget planner to help you create an accurate budget. Mint is a mobile app that will help you effortlessly stay on top of bills.

3. Reduce the Noise

One of the sentiments often heard among Christians is, “I wish I had a closer relationship with God.”

Although God desires to have a better relationship with us, it does take action on our part.

This is something many people strive for. In fact, a big reason (if not the biggest reason) for attending church, spending time in prayer, delving into the Bible, and enjoying fellowship is so that we develop a more intimate relationship with God.

Although God desires to have a better relationship with us, it does take action on our part.

Matthew 6:33 urges us to “…seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” We must remember that the word ‘seek’ is a verb, and therefore requires action.

In today’s fast-paced society, where it seems like everyone and everything is begging for our attention, reducing the noise, combined with prayer, fasting, and study will take effort. But, it is worth it.

One of the best ways to focus your heart on God and to grow in your relationship with Him is through a daily devotion. Spending time with God on a daily basis will have a great impact on your spiritual walk with the Lord. Pastor Rick Warren’s online devotional, Daily Hope, will be a great way for you to get into the habit of doing a daily devotional.

4. Commit to Reading the Bible

In his book Of God and Men, A.W. Tozer writes, “The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian.”

As Christians, we base not just our lives, but our eternities on the Bible. Much of who we are is formed around the words that make up this great book that is, “alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…” as described in Hebrews 4:12.

If we desire to know more of God, to experience a more intimate relationship with him in this new year, then we must learn from Him.

Fortunately for us, understanding more of God can often be as simple as opening His Word.

If you’d like to know more about God, we want to help. We’ve created a list of Bible plans for you to follow in 2018 to help you start the year off strong.

5. Discover Your Purpose

In “The Purpose Driven Life”, Rick Warren states that, “If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.”

If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.

Whether it was when you graduated high school and had no idea what would come next, or when you finally retired and had years of blank space ahead of you, all of us have had moments of uncertainty in our lives.

Purpose is the rudder of our ship called life that helps guide all of our decisions.

A great way to begin discovering your purpose is by taking the DISC Personality Assessment. This personality test will help you better understand how God has created you. After you discover your strengths, try to find ways to use the gifts God has given you to serve your local church!

6. Improve Physical Health

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

Undoubtedly, the most common New Year’s resolution in 2018 will be to improve physical health. Every year, this same resolution crops up and is why you see workout facilities crowded and health food stores overflowing in January. Unfortunately, these same places are often left desolate in February.

As Christians, we are called to seek both spiritual and physical well-being.

To assist you in improving your diet this year, we’ve created a list of foods with the top 10 highest ANDI scores for each category. This list will be very helpful in making quick and healthy choices while grocery shopping.

In addition to the food list above, many choose to partake in a 21-Day Daniel Fast. To find more information on the fast, including a food list, prayer list, as well as a daily devotional, visit our Daniel Fast page.

7. Give & Receive Grace

Okay, so we have discussed several New Year’s resolutions, but this may be the most important of them all.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Apostle Paul writes, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Rather than expecting perfection, focus on doing your very best.

Although we don’t wish that anyone fail, the fact of the matter is pretty much all of us will have off days. There will be times we forget to read our Bible, times we veer from our budget, and times we eat food with the complete opposite nutrients that we initially planned for.

Rather than expecting perfection, focus on doing your very best. And when your very best doesn’t seem to measure up, God’s will. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

The start of a new year offers so much promise and potential. We hope that this New Year’s resolution list, as well as the accompanying resources, will help to make 2018 the best year yet.

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Developing an Eye for Opportunity

Developing an Eye for Opportunity

by | Dec 1, 2017 | Blog

 

Developing an Eye for Opportunity

James River Church

Dec 1, 2017
7 mins | Christian Living, Church

America has been called the land of opportunity. The possibility of upward mobility in this nation is what draws thousands of immigrants from all over the world each year. The truth is that opportunity is everywhere. Regardless of your position, status, income level or background, today’s opportunities are what determine tomorrow’s realities.

Today’s Opportunities Determine Tomorrow’s Realities.

Recently my wife and I were travelling for the first time with our baby girl Adelyn. We quickly discovered that upon exiting the interstate with a sleeping baby, the shift in speed immediately takes them from a deep sleep to wide awake. We applied our learning to the trip home and determined to drive as long as possible to capitalize on her sleep in the car.

After nearly 3 hours we needed to stop for lunch and our location resulted in a limited selection of food choices. We ended up with only two fast-food options, one being a place neither of us had visited in nearly 10 years, so we thought we’d give it a chance.

It didn’t take long for my recollections to be confirmed as little had changed from a lack in timely service to an unwelcoming environment and staff to the quality of food. While we were eating I told my wife, “Today this establishment had an opportunity to change my mind, but instead it has confirmed what I already believed.”

In that moment, I was reminded that every person and organization has a window of opportunity to make an impact on people’s assumptions, opinions and pre-conceived beliefs. Not only is this true for the marketplace, but it’s also true for the church.

Each week, the church has the opportunity to create a life-giving environment where people are encouraged and experience the love of God in a life changing way.

I love that at James River Church, we continually hear from new individuals and families who say things like “I never knew church could be so exciting” and “People are happy to be here” and the best comment, “I experience the presence of God here in a powerful way.” Each week, the church has the opportunity to create a life-giving environment where people are encouraged and experience the love of God in a life-changing way.

How do you develop an eye for opportunity?

Developing an eye for opportunity is one of the keys for growth in any business, church or even an individual’s desire for increased position and influence. An inability to identify opportunity will inevitably result in missed opportunity and lack of growth.

Certainly not every opportunity deserves our attention and pursuit, but maturity and proper discernment leads a person to both recognize and seize the best opportunities.

Great organizations and leaders understand that the best opportunities come with a time limit.

The word opportunity stems from the word opportune which refers to something that is well-timed and meets exactly the demands of the time or occasion.

Therefore, an eye for opportunity sees and identifies what needs to be done at the right time. Since opportunity is based on proper timing, great organizations and leaders understand that the best opportunities come with a time limit. Simply put, opportunity can be overlooked and even completely missed.

The question then is how does a person develop an eye for opportunity and how should a Christian know what opportunities to pursue?

Here are just two Scriptures in the New Testament that provide some direction:

Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Colossians 4:5-6 (NLT)
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

The Apostle Paul, author of both of these letters, points to some things necessary if you’re going to develop an eye for the best opportunities in life:

1. Live Carefully & Wisely

What does Paul mean when he tells us to “live carefully”? In the context of this verse, Paul is pointing to the reality that there is a constant battle taking place for good vs. evil or light vs. darkness. He provides examples in chapter 5 of what the darkness promotes versus what God’s Word teaches.

Not all opportunity is from God, and if we aren’t living carefully, we’ll make the most of the wrong opportunities.

Paul recognizes that not all opportunity is from God, and if we aren’t living carefully, we’ll make the most of the wrong opportunities. Developing an eye for opportunity begins with recognizing good and evil and choosing to align our lives with what is good, right and godly.

So an opportunity for advancement may arise in your workplace requiring decisions and actions that would compromise your faith. Paul says to be wise and recognize that not all opportunity should be pursued.

Great leaders understand the principle that making the most of every opportunity requires you to say no to some good things so you can say yes to the best things.

2. Understand the Lord’s Will

Living carefully and wisely is the gateway to understanding the Lord’s will for your life, which leads to making the best decisions. We all want to make great decisions but that only happens when we make pre-decisions. Pre-decisions are determining how we will respond to a situation before that situation forces us to respond.

If you’re unmarried, a pre-decision to honor the Lord with your relationships in order to walk in God’s favor and blessing strengthens your ability to apply that decision when faced with an opportunity to compromise that commitment.

Pre-decisions are no guarantee, but they certainly aid our seizing of great opportunities from the Lord and fleeing opportunities brought by the enemy.

Understanding the Lord’s will becomes clearer as we spend time in his presence and his word. By knowing the Lord’s will, you will position yourself to make the most of every opportunity.

The responsibility of opportunity

As we head into our James River Christmas weekend, we have an incredible opportunity. It’s one that can change a person’s perspective to what church is like and demonstrate the love of Christ in their lives in a whole new way. We have the best news on planet earth – that every human being has been created by God to know, love and worship Him.

Our responsibility is to extend the invitation and pray for God to do the transformation.

Whether the decisions you need to make are in your family, business, friendships or your church, as you seek to understand the Lord’s will and live carefully and wisely, you’ll experience the ability to identify and make the most of right opportunities that will transform your life and leadership.

Making the most of every opportunity means you’ll say no to good things so you can say yes to the best things.

It’s our responsibility to turn opportunity into reality.

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