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Recently I’ve had some interesting conversations with friends concerning a topic that is relatively fresh in the Christian community: posting prayers on Facebook and Twitter.

I do not mean prayer requests, but actual prayers. I’ve seen this done in two different ways:

1) The near-sarcastic prayer. i.e. “Lord, help my coworker keep her comments to herself today, because if she doesn’t I might hit her.”

2) The more traditional prayer. i.e. “Lord, help me grow in knowledge and wisdom and to treat others as you would treat them.”

From discussing this issue with friends, I’ve heard two schools of thought.

Some people approach this issue with great hesitation, citing Matthew 6:5-6 as a reason to avoid it: “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (ESV).”

The argument is that prayer is private matter between you and God. Social media is unnecessary. Since we have direct communication with the Father, posting prayers on Twitter and Facebook has no point. If we’re not careful, we fall into the same trap as the hypocrites, hoping that people will hear us and think highly of us because of our prayers.

There’s also a second perspective that I’ve come across. When you look at the book of Psalms, the entire book seems to be a collection of prayers that have been written down. As part of the Holy Scriptures, they provide us with encouragement, edification, and an insight into the life of David and others. While the prayers of people today are not considered Scripture, they might offer us encouragement as well. Also, our written prayers could be a conversation starter with an unbeliever.

I’ve listened to both sides and have been wrestling with the issue in my head. What are your thoughts? Should we post our prayers on Facebook and Twitter?

[Photo source: http://bit.ly/fp6L3x]

During the summer of 2004, I nervously walked into the doctor’s office for a checkup. I had been dreading the appointment for days, not because I was scared of having any deadly disease, but because I knew I would have to take part in a simple procedure by stepping onto a scale so a nurse could check my wait.

I made sure not to eat anything that day. An hour before the appointment, I got in my shower, turned the water as hot as it would go, and created a sauna. To try to lose even more water weight, I started jogging in the shower until I felt lightheaded. I did not even take a sip of water before that afternoon appointment because I wanted to do everything I could to minimize my weight.

I showed up to the doctor’s office wearing a t-shirt and basketball shorts, the lightest clothes I could find. Before I stepped on the scale, I emptied my pockets and took off my shoes. As the nurse announced my results, it seemed as though she was screaming it to the entire building: “264 lbs!”

In reality, I was probably over 270 lbs, but my dangerous morning routine coupled with strenuous exercise the days before helped mask my weight when I stepped on the scale.

If you’ve seen me in the last few years, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve shed most of that excess weight. I’m not skinny by any standard, but through discipline, healthy eating, and exercise I’ve been able to become much healthier by losing fat and gaining muscle. I’m not quite where I want to be right now, but at close to 60 lbs under where I once was, I feel like I’m on the right track.

Sadly, I feel like this struggle with weight is something I will always have. I’m jealous of people who get in great shape and say the thought of a McDonald’s double cheeseburger or Pizza Hut pizza makes them sick. To me, those sound delicious, and I could probably down 2 of each in minutes if given the opportunity. The temptation to overeat and eat unhealthy is still there and it’s something I still struggle with.

In order to discipline myself, I had to find out the triggers that were causing me to overeat. I was a social eater. That was pretty obvious. But the more I looked into the problem, the more triggers I found. I ate when I was bored and I ate when I was stressed. I let these two emotions take control of me and cause me to journey into an unhealthy activity that was borderline addiction.

As I’ve been thinking back on my problem, it has made me realize that every single person has certain struggles, addictions, and triggers that cause them to delve into their struggles. It’s very easy for me to point the finger at someone who cusses and wonder, “Why don’t they stop that? It has to be easy. After all, I don’t cuss. It’s not a problem for me.” Or to look at someone who struggles with alcohol and think, “Just put down the bottle. It’s as easy as that.” By the same token, the people I’m pointing the finger at can just as easily point a finger back at me and question me about my struggles and addictions.

We’re all tempted in unique and specific ways. It’s a scheme of Satan that causes even more division than we already have. When we think we’re better than someone else because we don’t share their struggle, we’ve revealed one of the deadliest struggles of all: pride.

Jesus made it very clear that we are to follow two commands: love God and love people. When a friend is struggling, we should help him overcome the struggle, not point the finger and judge him as though we are God. When a friend is swallowed by addiction, we should help rescue her out of the pit of destruction, and not leave her by herself to fight the battle alone.

We’re stronger together. No one wants to fight a battle alone.

The Super Bowl has been over for 2 days, and yet Twitter is still filled with 4 things relating to the event: Aaron Rodgers, 400 fans who missed the game because their seats were considered unsafe, Christina Aguilera’s botched version of the Star-Spangled Banner, and the Black Eyed Peas’ halftime show.

As for quick thoughts on the first three:

Aaron Rodgers: Spectacular

The NFL’s handling of the seat situation: Inexcusable

Christina Aguilera’s performance: Horrendous (Not necessarily because she messed up the words, but because she included so many runs that I almost forgot what she was singing)

That leads me to the fourth element: The Black Eyed Peas.

Despite the grand entrance, the pyro, the razzle dazzle, the cameos from Slash and Usher, the costumes from Tron, and dancers with boxes on their heads, most of the Twitter world and blogosphere felt the performance fell short of expectations and came up a bit flat.

I’ll be the first to admit that the performance was anything but spectacular. The audio was mediocre at best, the BEPs just stood in place most of the performance like a Southern Gospel quartet (you’ll never hear that comparison again), the vocals (especially Fergie) were atrocious, and the performances by Slash and Usher were forgettable.

So while the grand spectacle was not up to standard for a typical Super Bowl Halftime performance, I’ve noticed the disappointment for some has gone beyond the failed audio and flat vocals. It seems as though some have been disappointed that “nothing shocking happened.”

Ever since the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” in 2004, the NFL has tried to tame its Halftime show by bringing in artists like Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and The Who. Although these are all reputable and notable artists, none presented the threat that became apparent when MTV controlled the Halftime show in 2004.

However, this year was different. Bridgestone went out on a limb and booked the Black Eyed Peas. Even before we knew who would play in the Super Bowl, speculation was already mounting as to what crazy and shocking acts would come from their performance. In fact, on Bodog, an online gambling site, fans could even bet on what Fergie would wear for the performance, providing options that were modest, semi-modest, and not modest at all.

After 30 minutes of watching mediocre talent, many of us were left with a thought of “That’s it?” We were expecting more, both in talent and in shock value. With the exception of Fergie’s outfit, many were pleased that the Black Eyed Peas kept things somewhat PG/PG-13 despite all the weirdness that surrounded the performance.

However, while some were pleased with the tameness, others were disappointed that the BEP’s didn’t push things far enough. They wanted shock value. They wanted Monday morning water cooler material. They wanted something that would make the FCC blush. But they didn’t get it, and they were disappointed.

Our country has reached a point where very little shocks us. We’ve become so desensitized to sex, media, abuse, and a myriad of things that we no longer want normal or tame. Rather, we seek the things that push the limits and “shock” us in a new way. We want our senses to be stimulated in new ways and we want to push the envelope until the uncomfortable becomes perfectly acceptable.

And as that never ending search continues, our culture will continue to search for what is shocking, and only be disappointed when we realize it no longer is.

[Photo source: http://bit.ly/hvGMVy]

On Saturday February 19, 2011 I am jumping into Percy Priest Lake, no matter how low the temperature gets or how much snow is on the ground.

Am I crazy? Probably. But sometimes you’re allowed to be crazy for a good cause.

The reason I’m jumping into potentially icy water is to raise money and support for the Special Olympics (Tennessee) as part of the 2011 Polar Bear Plunge (Nashville).

Many of you know the Special Olympics is an incredible organization that provides sports and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. However, as a non-for-profit organization that receives no government funding, it relies on funding from individuals, corporate sponsors, special events, and grants.

By taking part in this plunge, I have been asked to raise $50 for the Special Olympics. I have also been asked to encourage people to donate, rather than simply pay the $50 out of my own pocket.

The team I am a part of is the High Hopes Team, formed by those at High Hopes Inclusive Preschool in Brentwood, TN. For those of you that know her, this is the school where Katie Peterson teaches.

If you would be interested in donating, you can click the link at the bottom of this post. Even $5 would go a long way! If just 10 people donated $5 each, the goal would be met, but I’d love to see the donations go even higher.

Since people wear crazy outfits for this, I’ve even considered allowing a donor of $30+ to choose what I wear (within reason). Still debating that one though…I have some pretty messed up friends!

So if you’d like to donate, here’s the link to the donation website:

http://www.firstgiving.com/2011-polar-bear-plunge-nashville-174516

Since all of money raised by High Hopes is collected on this page, feel free to leave me some kind of comment so I know who you are.

Thanks for all of you that help out! If you know someone who might be interested in donating to this cause, please pass on this link, RT this on Twitter, share this on Facebook, etc. Also, feel free to pray that the temperature is in the single digits. The colder the better!

[Photo source: http://bit.ly/f3cCuc]

I was recently studying John 1:35-42. This passage takes place very early on in the Jesus’ adult ministry. In fact, this was the moment when He began calling “the 12.”

As I read, I could not get past verses 35-37: “The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked by and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus (John 1:35-37, ESV).

That last statement stuck in my mind for the next few days. We know from Scripture that John the Baptist was a great man. He was a righteous man. He even had disciples that followed him. Yet when his disciples saw Jesus, they left John the Baptist to follow Jesus.

You would think this would be a huge blow to John the Baptist’s ego. Men who had been following him left and followed Christ. But nowhere in Scripture do we find John bitter, jealous, or angry. We see quite the opposite. In fact, in John 1:27, John the Baptist said he was not even worthy to untie the strap of Jesus’ sandal. He had a humble spirit. John knew Jesus was greater. John knew Jesus deserved worship and adoration. John knew Jesus should be followed.

Sadly, there’s a growing trend within many churches that is moving away from the mindset of John the Baptist and moving toward something that is self-centered and ego driven: the emergence of “rock star pastors.”

Some of today’s pastors have developed a philosophy of ministry that is based on, “How cool can I be and how popular can I get?” In our celebrity-driven culture, they’ve bought into the lie that success is determined by how popular you are, who you rub shoulders with, how much money you can bring in, and how many people know your name.

Some of these men have traded strong doctrinal teaching, humility, and a Christ-based ministry for private jets, $200 designer jeans, mansions, and “informative messages” that are more prone to use pop culture references and shock value over Scripture.

And by following the “everything in the name of cool” philosophy rooted in self-promotion, they’ve essentially created followers of themselves, not followers of Christ.

Pastors are God’s messengers. They proclaim God’s truth. They point people to Christ much like John the Baptist did. They help create disciples of Jesus while also trying to follow in Christ’s footsteps themselves.

Today’s “rock star pastors” are missing the mark when it comes to pastoring, preaching, and discipleship. The people they mentor are looking more like them than Christ.

It’s hard to stay humble. It’s hard not to let it bother us when someone leaves our church for another, or even when someone quits coming to our Sunday School class in favor or something else. But when our priorities shift, and we begin creating followings of us rather than followers of Jesus, we’ve completely missed the point.

When our ego replaces God as the fuel of our ministry, our “ministry” becomes nothing more than a show. The rock star within us cries out to be liked, loved…and maybe even worshiped.

We can’t create followers of ourselves. We must create followers of Christ. Like John the Baptist, we must point people to Jesus and proclaim Him as the only way, truth, and life.

Without Him, we’re just lonely “rock stars.”