New Domain Name
February 11, 2008 at 12:19 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a CommentTags: Domain Name
My new domain name and blog address is: www.ecbrownblog.com.
Erik
New Blog Host
January 12, 2008 at 2:10 am | In Uncategorized | Leave a CommentMy blog is moving. I will still keep this one but it will not be updated. I am going to be using a new blog host. I don’t know if this will be permanently or temporarily, but I will use it for now. The new blog site is: http://ecbrown.teenfellowship4christ.com
Erik
First Things First part 1-I Want it Back
January 9, 2008 at 2:24 am | In Christianity Today | 2 CommentsTags: First Things First, part 1
I Want It Back
I am starting a four part series (plus a re-cap) entitled, “First things First.” We will focus on what is currently important in our lives, what should be important, and how to prioritize those things which should be important.
Let me start with a short narrative here.
At a certain time in my life, I had my cd-player taken away by my parents. I was listening to my music at the wrong time and therefore lost my privileges. Well, about two and half weeks later I asked my Dad when I could have it back; I didn’t get the answer I was hoping for and got a little peeved. Outwardly I tried not to show it, but inside I was getting frustrated. I got to thinking of the “pain” it was to be without my music, all the hassle and frustration, not being able to listen to my music before I went to sleep, man I wanted it back BAD! Then I started musing–I am experiencing a strong desire for an object and a thing, what if I had the same desire to read the Bible?
While a cd-player is a rather small thing (though I thought it pretty important at the time) it illustrates the importance that we can attach to things: computer, ipod, books, hobbies, even friendships. Most anything can become important in our lives, and things should be important to us, but how important? And which things should be important? Are the things that we sink our time, money, and effort into, are they really good things that are beneficial to us?
The Bible is a very necessary and essential tool in the life of a Christian, but one that is often neglected. You can’t get along without your “thing,” but can you get along without your Bible for a week?
Having raised some questions, perhaps you can muse on them between now and the next part.
God Bless.
Erik
part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 recap
Christmas Poem- The Reason for Christmas
December 24, 2007 at 5:54 pm | In Holidays, Poetry | 1 CommentWow! The hustle and bustle of Christmas is here once again.
Presents here and presents there,
Food to cook and things to prepare.
We rush around like we’ve all lost our heads,
And we rarely have time to sleep in our beds.
But in the hustle and bustle of rushing around,
Do we stop and remember for whom this day was found?
Do we think of the Baby there lying in hay?
Or do we merely ask, “What will I get today?”
Remember the wise man who followed the star,
Who brought their gifts and came from afar.
The shepherds to whom glad tidings rang out,
Of peace and goodwill the angels did shout.
And finally, the manger in which Jesus did lay,
A manger for a cradle and all filled with hay.
Jesus was born in a meek lowly place,
Lacking wealth, finery, and curtains of lace.
His destiny? To provide a way of Salvation,
And so deliver us, His foremost creation.
To pay the price for our sin by dying one day,
On a cross and so fulfilling God’s chosen way.
And so as you go through this time of giving,
Thank God for his blessings by which you are living.
Remember the source of this time and this season,
And don’t forget that Jesus is the first and best reason.
May God Bless you this Christmas Season.
Erik
Culture and Christianity-Part 2- Is a knowledge of the Culture a Necessary Aid to Sharing the Gospel?
December 17, 2007 at 5:53 pm | In Christianity Today | Leave a CommentAn excuse that is common today among Christians is, “A knowledge of the entertainment that’s out there, helps me relate to people and possibly when them for Christ.” This is a deception of our enemy, the Devil. He loves for Christians to have their minds corrupted by the ungodliness that they see and hear.
We do not “get” people saved. It’s true, we do nothing in our own strength, our responsibility is to plant the seed and share the Word, but the Lord gives the increase. The God promises that His Word will not return void to him void. The disciples were not to go out and preach the gospel until they had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which was to equip them to preach. This was their “tool,” Jesus did not tell them to be sure and visit the “High Places” of all the towns they visited so that they would seem to be, “in the know.”
There is no real reason that you must know about the culture and media to witness to someone. The truth will not be found in the latest movie, the truth is found in God’s word so just trust God, and share the gospel.
Wrapping up, here are a few more points concerning Culture and Christianity.
The allure of the world has caused many to fall astray.
The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways,
But a good man will be satisfied from above.[a]
Proverbs 14:4
The command is given to Christian believers,
Therefore
“ Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”[a]
2 Corinthians 6:17
Also, the psalmist writes,
I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; Psalm 101:3a
These are clear-cut instructions.
The devil likes for Christians to look just like the sinners. But, do you know what will make a really big impression on unbelievers? It’s when you don’t know the latest albums by ungodly, secular, music artists, this will make an impression. We are called to be lights in the world, and how can we be lights if we look just like those around us?
I forget which pastors (probably a good thing,) but when asked which movies were their favorites they named some violent corrupt videos that were PG-13 or R-rated. These were the pastors favorite films!
I am telling you, there is a corrupting influence that is present in the entertainment industry. The people in the entertainment industry live ungodly, corrupt, self-serving lives that do not please God. And we should not be bringing their influences into our hearts and lives.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalms 1:1-2
For the Lord knows the way of the Righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalms 1:6
God bless you and give you wisdom as you chose which entertainment you take in.
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the Glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Erik B.
Intermission- Squirrel for Dinner, Anyone?
December 11, 2007 at 7:56 pm | In Day to Day, Humor | 1 CommentIntermission: Squirrel for Dinner, Anyone?
I thought I’d do an intermission between my posts on “Culture and Christianity.”
This is a rather light topic, a hunting trip.
On Saturday small game season was open here in Georgia. We went to Clay Hole Swamp, a wild life management area, which is on part of the Altamaha River. There’s a lot of clay in GA as most everyone knows. Get it? Lots of clay in a swamp = Clay Hole Swamp.
Anyway, two of my brothers, my dad, and myself went out there in the afternoon to see what we could find to eat. We had a .22 and a couple of shotguns, and we were hoping for a squirrel or two, rabbit, bird, or if we were lucky, a nice hog. You can shoot hog most anytime in GA because there are plenty and they haven’t made it to the endangered species list. Original jokes: ( At the hogs most recent convention, strategies were set forth by several senior hogs as to ways to put pork and bacon on the endangered species list. Did you know? A baby pig was almost assassinated recently when he was found eating a bag or pork rinds ( fried pork skin) that a camper had lost. Yikes.)
Well, unfortunately we didn’t get any hog but we did get a mess o’ squirrel. We are having them for dinner tonight. If you ever get to eat squirrel, yum, it is some of the most tasty meat you can eat.
Enjoy your day.
Erik
Culture and Christianity-part 1-Where is the Balance Between Culture and Christianity?
December 9, 2007 at 1:53 am | In Christianity Today | 2 CommentsThis is going to be a two part series, as far as I know. We will look at the relationship between Culture and Christianity and how the two should relate to each other.
What makes a movie, book, or music album, good or bad? I am not thinking about the quality of the acting or singing, or the skill of the writers, what I am thinking about is the content and the underlying themes. If the outcome of a book or video is good, does that give Christians the freedom to wade through all the mud to get to the “good” ending? You can’t play with fire and not get burned, and you can’t wade through the mud of secularism and not get soiled.
A quote from “Time Changer-Directed by Rich Christiano” comes to mind. The star, Russell Carlisle (D. David Morin), is going to see a movie with the church group on a weeknight. Keep in mind that he has just come from the past and everything is foreign to him. I mean, this guy has never seen a computer, car, or movie for that matter. So he shows up at the movie theater and goes in with the group. Halfway through the movie Carlisle is watching, you see Carlisle come running into the theater lobby shouting to the employees, “You must stop this movie! You must stop this movie! The man on the screen just blasphemed the name of the Lord! This is an abomination!” He then rushes out of the theater.
In the next scene he is at the home of one of the Christians and they are discussing the movie.
“ I just can’t understand why they would allow the actor to blaspheme the name of the Lord.”- Carlisle
“Look it happens all the time, it’s not that big of a deal”-speaker 1
“Yeah, I mean, it was a moral film. The guy went back to his wife at the end.” -speaker 2
This (“Yeah, I mean, it was a moral film. The guy went back to his wife at the end.” -speaker 2) illustrates my point. This attitude is becoming all too common. “As long as movie is “moral” it’s a good film. Look past the garbage and look at the gold.” However, let me mention a Bible verse.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
Is it honoring to the Lord to watch a movie that depicts evil such as witchcraft, just because the wizard uses his power for good? Witchcraft and sorcery are evils that are blatantly wrong. The bible says not to even mention what the wicked do in secret. So should the hero of a movie, a wizard, be portrayed as a good guy? In the last days men will call what is good, evil, and what is evil, good. Here is a direct fulfillment.
There is no clear cut line dividing the entertainment industry into secular and Christian segments. Many people choose their entertainment based on their personal convictions, but they often lack discernment and so fall into the snares of the enemy. Please take caution, Carlisle was in total shock when he saw what happened in the film, but to many of us, these things are not even noticed. Christians are becoming desensitized to the dangers of the entertainment industry. A level of evil that would shock people 50 years ago, is now viewed, by many, without a second thought.
Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. Romans 12:9b
God Bless.
Erik B.
Busy and Been Writing
December 3, 2007 at 9:17 pm | In Day to Day | Leave a CommentBoy the holidays sure flew by. What with vacations, visiting, and of course eating way too much (but my relatives are such good cooks you can’t stop eating). Anyway, I wont bore anyone with Thanksgiving stuff (or make you hungry 
.
Yesterday I attended Handel’s Messiah at a church near my home. It was really neat. They had nearly one hundred people in the choir and it sounded awesome. We were limited to hearing it because they were full in the main building. Sitting in the foyer was not ideal but we could still hear it.
I’ve been working quite a bit on scholarships. I’ve written four essays in the last five days. One of them which I didn’t use was on “Liberty and Freedom” I’ll share it with you.
Liberty and Freedom-The American Spirit
America is a land of opportunity. That is one reason people have traversed the planet to emigrate to America. But, what is it that draws people from such a wide diversity of nationalities, and then naturalizes them into a people united in heart and action? It is the American Spirit which brings us all into unity and arouses patriotism in hearts of each. But, what is this “American Spirit”? This driving force that was established when the colonists first braved the dangers of the unknown and landed upon the cold unfriendly shores of present day Virginia? The American Spirit is based in part upon the founding principles of our government, ie. equal representation in government, equality amongst the people of America, and a stand against unjust government. This is a diminutive list which barely scratches the tip of the ice burg of what distinguishes an American from other nationalities, however, I believe it is a basic characterization of the history of the American people.
The words of the great patriot Patrick Henry echo through the centuries, “I know not what choice others may take, but as for me: Give me liberty of give me death!” So resounded the battle cry of freedom that carried liberty and life throughout the colonies. This longing for freedom brought about a rebellion against the king of England and eventual victory for the people of America. This is one of the distinguishing factors of the American people, the pursuit of freedom and a voice in their government. I will be privileged to exercise my voice in the government through voting and possibly the pursuit of politics when I come of age. Our Declaration of Independence says in part, “But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.” This is a direct stand against encroachments upon our freedoms.
Coupled with this desire for freedom and a voice in government is the underlying resolution that Americans will resist any efforts to subjugate them under tyranny. This resistance by word and action is exemplified by many characters in history. Paul Revere, a patriot and member of the Sons of Liberty, on a dark night crossed the Charleston River by boat with oars muffled so that the English aboard their ships could not hear him. Once across the river he mounted a waiting horse and rode off to alert the militia, then known as Minute Men, that the enemy were preparing to seize valuable supplies, including munitions, from Concord. Because of his daring act to alert the colonists, the English were attacked on their march back from Concord and driven back into Boston. Paul Revere demonstrated the importance of freedom by putting his life on the line to uphold its hallowed tenets.
So Long.
Erik B.
Moral Absolutes
November 18, 2007 at 2:45 am | In Society | 1 CommentMoral Absolutes.
What’s that? Well, certain things are right and others are wrong. That’s the essence of moral absolutes. In today’s society, people are trying to ignore God and morals. Morals are vital to the continuance of any society.
After the fall of man, mankind received a sinful nature that is directly against God and morals. Morals can be traced back to ancient times when the God of the Israelites revealed His law in the Ten commandments. The Ten commandments are God’s standard and God’s law on which mankind should be rooted.
I’ll list a few of the Ten Commandments:
#3 You shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
#5 Honor your father and your mother.
#6 You shall not kill
#9 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Today the proclamation of our culture is this, “Do whatever you want. If it works for you, then that’s fine. Who am I to be a judge of another person?” There is a problem with this ideology. Everyone honestly knows in his heart that it is wrong to kill, but people abort babies ( which is murder) and it is accepted as an element of the modern society.
How about commandment number #9 which mandates honesty with one’s fellow man? It is really hard to believe most politicians because you never know when they are telling the truth. Chances are, what they are saying is only a half lie. Most people don’t even think twice about all the scandal and corruption in politics because it has come to be accepted as an element of life.
So what am I driving at? America is living without God and morals and this is contrary to the principles on which this country was founded. Only God knows where we would be right now if it were not for the men who built a firm and strong government that has lasted this long in spite of the efforts of secularists to destroy the foundation upon which our constitution was founded.
On the other hand, people can have the best morals and intentions, but apart from God, (and the work that he did by sending Jesus to pay the price for our sin) they will die in their sin because no one has lived up to the perfect standard of God’s law (the ten commandments.) America needs to return to God (which will bring back morality) and accept the principles and faith of the Founding Fathers.
Erik B.
A Close Call
November 13, 2007 at 2:41 am | In Day to Day | 1 CommentToday my family had a pretty big scare. My younger brother was in the house peeling an orange and holding an air soft pistol when the gun went off even though the safety was on. Somehow the plastic BB hit him in the side of the nose, bounced off and hit him in the eye. My brother screamed and my Mom was terrified. However, when Mom looked at his eye it was red but there was no blood and he could still see. Thankfully it did not hit him directly in the eye or he could very well have been blinded. Some would call it “good luck” however I believe that it was Divine Providence.
George Washington went through a battle during the French and Indian war in which he had two horses shot from under him. Sixty-three officers were killed or wounded out of eighty-six and Washington himself had four bullets pierce his coat but he was not hit. Washington attributed his safety to Divine Providence. He could not be killed because God had a purpose and plan for his life.
Right now, I thank God that my brother can still see.
Erik
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