Video games in Christian homes

I still remember the day I got my PlayStation 2. It was the greatest day ever! I immediately plugged it into the television and started playing. I would play hours every day and I immediately became addicted. When I got in trouble, I would be grounded from them. That was the one thing that I loved enough to be a punishment that made me change.

Then I got my Xbox 360. The first game I ever played with it was the Kung Fu Panda that it came with. When I saw the graphics, I was amazed. I played and I played and I played. Most of my middle school and high school years were full of Call of Duty, Batman Arkham, Halo, Skyrim, and so many more games. I landed my first job and began spending  much of my paycheck buying new games and upgrades for my Xbox. I have to say, there were multiple games that I have accumulated weeks of gameplay. I was addicted to them.

Then I stayed the weekend with my girlfriends family in New York and something strange happened. There was no television or Xbox in the room and I was driven to leave the room and connect with the people outside the door. My eyes were opened to the chains that a controller had around my hands.

Because of this, I made the hardest decision in my life to leave my Xbox and television at home when I came to college this year, I've begun understanding more and more about the effects of video games in my life.

This is what I learned about video games.

Video Games Can Be Addictive

When we do not regulate our time, we can easily find ourselves addicted to video games. Video games are continuously giving young people and adults an adventure that they never want to end. Without regulation, we are setting ourselves up for many hours and days and weeks and months of lukewarmness and lifelessness.

Video Games Can Destroy Relationships

 I have accumulated many months of gameplay over the years in video games. MONTHS! And I know I'm not the worst out there. Months of time that I could have spent with my family, months that I could have spent with my friends were spent with virtual family and virtual friends. With relationships that never last longer than the story mode takes me. I spent countless hours building those relationships while neglecting the ones that last forever. I've spent hours trying to heal the broken hearts in a code of numbers while neglecting the broken people around me. I lost so many years due to video games that I wish I could get back.

Video Games Can Replace Your Reality

Sometimes video game addicts replace reality by purchasing an alternate reality. We think our real lives are so dull and meaningless compared to the lives that we can live inside a video game. I mean what is the point to the Sims video games? You do the exact same things that we do in real life, yet we choose who we love, who loves us, who to friend without conflict. Our lives within the video games become our reality and our reality become the virtual.

Video Games Can Become Your God

What do I mean? God told Moses that "you shall have no gods before me." Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, and all your strength." How can we do this when all we do is play video games? And when we are away from the console, all we think about is the video game. When I would be in school, I would daydream about video games instead of think about God. When I would go home, I would play video games and forget to spend any time with God. I talked about video games and rarely mentioned God. Video games took the top spot in my priorities. I budgeted my time around my video games. They became my God and my life was making no progress.

And my favorite principle.

PLAYING VIDEO GAMES IS NOT A SIN 

After saying this, notice I used the word "can" in all of the other principles. Video games are healthy when they are regulated. I still play video games, but not near as much as I used to. Video games are great stress relievers when the world becomes too much. They're also FUN! 

Video games only get in the way when you begin to stop progressing in your Christian walk. If video games are taking you away from your Jesus time and your relationship with God, cut off the time you spend playing. Be careful. We need to spend our lives honoring God. This means putting Him first in our lives. 

Make a difference in the real world more than in the virtual world. And have fun playing!

 

The New Drug

Have kids? Be aware of the new drug that is impacting to lives of millions upon millions of of youth and adults today.
Don't have kids? This drug has terrible effected and diminished the lives of so many people and lead to thousands upon thousands of rapes and murders.

This terrible drug industry generates $13 billion dollars in the U.S. alone. Much more, overseas.

9 out of 10 boys and 6 out of 10 girls are exposed to and experience this drug before they are 18.

50% of men in the church claim to be addicted to this drug.

56% of today's divorce cases are caused by this drug.

This drug causes the same chemical effects in the brain that drugs like cocaine can do.

This drug is causing thousands of people to seek stronger and more damaging and illegal outlets when it fails to satisfy.

This drug industry is providing the majority of funding of sex trafficking in the world.

This drug alters the brain and is extremely addicting, setting off the reward receptors in the brain.

The addiction to this drug is very hard to quit and get rid of (almost impossible.) There is always a desire for more to those who are addicted.

Oh, by the way, this drug can be accessed for FREE!!


What kind of drug can make this big of an impact in the world yet we don't treat it as an epidemic!?

Wanna know what it is?

It's PORNOGRAPHY.

Before you begin to defend the myth that pornography is "normal" for people to engage in and be satisfied with, realize the damaging effects that this drug has on people. Yes, it is a drug! A narcotic can be defined as "a drug or other substance affecting mood and behavior and sold for non-medical purposes, especially an illegal one." The effects that pornography has on the brain or in the lives of people who indulge in it is incredible! Porn addicts end up secluding themselves from their families, spouses and friends. Why? They also live in shame and regret from their actions. But most of all,
 Because Porn Kills Love.

This is the main theme of the organization Fight the New Drug. What I am most interested in is the fact that this organization is not a Christian organization. So, to all of you who think I'm posting this to push a theological value of mine, realize this: Even the secular world is beginning to see the disastrous results of pornography and lust.

Many of the women displayed in pornographic material are sex trafficking victims or the "advertisements" of pimps. (Remember that if you are an addict.) Many of these girls are often forced to have sex at gunpoint behind the camera's. We need to realize the horrific nature of this industry and stop it!

Television shows and movies are beginning to add sex scenes to appeal to the audience of this porn-induced world because they cannot gain people's interests otherwise.

I could go on and on about the dangers of porn but I need you to remember this.
Jesus tells us that if a man were to look at a woman lustfully, he has committed adultery in his heart.
That means, if a man looks at pornography, he has gone all the way and slept with her in his heart. If that man is married or dating he has cheated on his significant other when he decided to look at porn.

Porn kills love.
Porn kills hope.
Porn kills souls.

Find help. Find accountability. Find God.
He will help you find a way out of this lifestyle. "For there is no temptation that has come upon you that is not common to mankind. But God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. And when you are tempted he will give you a way out so that you can endure it!"

It's only through God that you can conquer this. He will get you out if you call on him.

My Role as a Boyfriend

I was going through the old notes on my iPad and I stumbled across this.

Before my girlfriend and I started dating she wanted me to write out what my role as a boyfriend consisted of. I like to use this as a reminder of where my heart is in this relationship.

I believe that every man in a Christ-centered relationship with a girl should abide by these principles.
Not because I feel like it's right, but because these are all biblical principles for relationships.

I need to charge my battery...

You're Unique, Just Like Everybody Else

We all tend to battle to be unique and to be ourselves, but most of us end up like these people in this video...

(Don't ignore it because it's in Black and White. Trust me, It's worth the watch.)

We live in a world where being 'unique' is stupid. Nobody wants to be unique anymore. If you aren't doing what everyone else is doing, then you are scared, you are weak, and you are worthless. We all want to be unique deep down, but on the outside most of us live just like everybody else.

There are so many crazy trends that are going around that make absolutely no sense, but if everyone is doing it, then we feel like if we do that we will be different.

I mean think about it! What trends do you see going around your school or communities? Is there any logic behind them? 9 times out of 10 they wouldn't make any sense.

The only people trying to be unique anymore are hipsters. The only problem with that is the fact that they always burn their tongues on their coffee because they try to drink it before it's cool. Badum Tss

Now, saying that, these trends aren't always wrong. Many trends are just pointless. But as our culture begins to dive deeper and deeper into the sinful ways of this world, into drugs, into physical harm, into bullying, into partying, we see the power of conformity taking over our lives. We all have a desire to become unique, but we also are pressured by this world to do what "everyone else is doing."

Through this conformity, so many people are living in regret, shame, and rejection.
Through this conformity, so many young people find themselves stuck in addiction to drugs, alcohol, pornography, and other things.
Through this conformity, so many of your mind's are altered to believe that uniqueness, what makes you you, what makes me me, what makes us us, is extremely absurd.

THIS IS COMPLETELY MESSED UP!

God made you the way that you are. With all your unique qualities. You don't need to put on a fake personality to please people. Never forget that the person behind the mask is far more beautiful than the mask itself. Be Real. Be Genuine. Be who God made you to be.

When we start to be ourselves, be unique, and be the person whom God made us to be, we can start saying no to the pointless things and trends that the world is constantly throwing our way and finally start to understand our purpose in life and ourselves. 

BE UNIQUE! Because God made you that way.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Romans 12:2 

What Makes Homosexuality Different?

This is how many of us read the Bible...

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will enter inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Timothy 1:9-11
"For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless, rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God."

This is how the Bible was written...

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will enter inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Timothy 1:9-11
"For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless, rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God."

What's wrong with this?

I've sat in churches where, the second a preacher mentions the sinfulness of homosexuality, people would begin to applaud, cheer, shout, stand up and dance, and praise Jesus. And I HATED IT!



So what makes Homosexuality different?
Why does it seem that Christians today think of it as the "unpardonable sin" and that homosexuals are the only people who should never set foot in a church or even contemplate God's existence?
Why does the world believe that Christianity = Homophobia?

Who is at fault here? Christians or the world?

I'd say both.
This world is embracing godlessness to a level of pride and Christians have no idea how to handle it.

But I think we should handle it the way Jesus did.
"But Jesus never mentioned homosexuality..."
I totally just read your mind.

According to John 8, Jesus was chillaxing at a temple teaching some people about God. Suddenly, a bunch of religious men brought an "adulterous woman" to him and said, "This woman has been caught in adultery! The law of Moses tells us to stone her! What do you say?"

Now, we don't know the specifics of the adultery that this woman has been a part of, and I am not saying that it is a fact of what I am about to say.

But, what if the adulterous act that she was involved in was homosexuality?

Suddenly we want to find a nice stone and throw it right?
I mean, according to the law of Moses, anyone caught in adultery should be stoned. She fits the bill.

But Jesus knew, he knew that everyone holding a stone was guilty.
"He who is without sin, cast the first stone."

I think we should treat gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transexuals, and everything in between the same way we would treat a porn addict or a compulsive liar. With love.

So, How are we to treat homosexuals in the church?

THE SAME WAY WE TREAT ANYONE ELSE!

Our churches are full of liars, drunkards, thieves, sexually immoral people, and everything else. That also includes you and me.

The church is not just a place of meeting for the righteous, it's a place of healing for the sick.

I feel like we are so quick to judge them that we forget to realize how messed up we are! 

Have you ever known that, according to the bible, Heterosexual lust is just as sinful as homosexual lust! And how many people who claim to live Christian lives are swallowed by their own lust!?

We are terrified of things we do not understand and through our fear, we become hateful bigots who judge people because they are just as bad as we are, but in a way that we cannot relate to. How much easier is it to judge a homosexual than it is to judge someone who struggles with the same things we struggle with.

The church today is slowly making me ashamed to call myself a Christian, imagine how it feels to be called Christ.

Are we living with the love of Christ?
Are we showing that love to this world?
Are we glorifying him with everything?
Or are we just the hateful hypocrites that the world says we are?

Protect Your Quarterback

Let's all just simply enjoy this big hit...

Ouch!!

Now, I don't know about you, but I am a huge fan of watching huge sacks and hard tackles in football. The same goes for soccer, hockey, rugby, boxing, MMA. Heck, I like to see any big hit in any sport, even figure skating...

But as much as I love to watch these big hits and fails by complete strangers, I'd hate to see this happen to someone close to me, someone I love, or even myself.

It's funny when we see people get sacked and tackled physically, but we hardly ever know how to prevent getting sacked spiritually and emotionally. So, I want you to know this...

Our bodies are like a football team.

As we go through life, we are constantly facing opponents. And each opponent has different defensive strategies to getting to our Quarterback.

Our Quarterback is our mind.

He's the captain of the team, the one who makes the plays, the guy who leads teams to victory.

He's also the main target of his opponents. When he has that ball in his hands, the primary directive of the defensive line is to take him out of the game. 

Our opponent is the world.

The team is comprised of lust, greed, envy, hate, jealousy, regret, fear, anxiety, depression, weakness, strife, conflict, and death!

Each of these attackers in this world are in a never ending pursuit to reach you mind and take a hold of it while you're not looking. They try to slip through your defenses and take you out, play after play. Every one of these players are coached by Satan, himself. 

How do we protect our Quarterback?

We understand that the opponents of this world are working simultaneously to take our minds out and to take control over them. But what can we do to prevent it?

1. Set Up a Strong Offensive Line

In our lives, we need to set up an offensive line. As you saw in the first video, they had a very weak offensive line. The defensive end completely totaled the QB unmatched. Without a proper and strong offensive line, our minds will be vulnerable to similar attacks.

We need to set for ourselves a strong offensive line. An impenetrable force for our mind. I line that is rooted in faith, hope, joy, peace, and love. A line that can only be created by God's hand. 

In this line we need several things:

Close, godly friends. We need people who are willing to take our burdens to God and to uplift our hearts in times of trial and pain.

Godly mentors. We need wise adults who can guide us through the steps of life. People who have been through the things we've been through and can show us the way out.

Jesus Christ. We all know that without Jesus on our side, we will fall and we will fail. We need to commit to serving him and he will protect us through all things.

2. Stay in the Pocket

If there is anywhere that a quarterback is the most vulnerable, it is outside of the pocket. The pocket is the area behind the offensive line. This is where the quarterback is most protected. The second a quarterback leaves this space, his protection is greatly decreased.

This pocket is the boundaries that we set in our lives. These are personal and biblical boundaries that we should never go outside of. The second we step over the line of our boundaries we get hit by regret, pain, depression, and anger all at once. It's a brutal place to be and we must avoid it at all costs. Stay in the pocket and keep yourself and your life and direction within the guidelines and principles that keep you safe and out of harms way.

3. Train, Practice, Win!

You can't become a five star quarterback if you never practice or train yourself. Professional football players spend hours every day physically training themselves and practicing plays to keep improving their game daily. Without training, you will be unable to be a successful quarterback.

We must continually train ourselves in spiritual disciplines. Without training ourselves spiritually through daily devotion and active living in God's word, we allow our opponents a weak spot to exploit. And trust me, as soon as we allow ourselves to become vulnerable, an onslaught will come.

4. Read the Playbook

Quarterbacks spend hours and hours studying the playbook. They know it up and down, back to front, inside and out. Without this knowledge, they will not know who is where, which way their defensive line is protecting, and what is happening in the play. Reading the playbook gives the quarterback an extra edge on the field.

We need to read God's word daily. I know it sounds cliche and we hear it all the time, but it's so so SO important. This book is full of wisdom and principles that are there to protect us from lust, greed, envy, hatred, regret, and all the other opponents. This book was crafted by the very God who created you and me and understands what you need to know, when you need to know it. It's all right there and it will help you gain the winning edge on the enemy.

When you have a strong O-Line, you can go for the goal with all of your might, strong blockers and strong will, you can do exactly what Joe Webb did here...

Stand Strong!

Go for the Ultimate Goal!

Building a star QB is not an overnight journey. It's a process. But a process that is well worth the effort. 

And we have the greatest coach on our side. Jesus Christ. He will never guide us away from the goal.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." - Philippians 4:8

" Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2

The Art of Social Ministry

Twitter, Facebook, and all other social media has become the most commonly used method of sharing our hearts, minds, and feelings. Even though a major it of the people don't really care. However, there are a select few who do get  much out of what you have to say.

We the people today use social media to express a wide variety of things:

We like to share song lyrics because people really like to know exactly what song you are listening to at that exact moment.

We like to share new things that we feel like the world deserves to know.

We like to promote our blogs. (This is a really good article btw. ;)

But one new trend I see sprouting in social media today is the art of "social ministry" I call it.

     Obviously, I'm guilty of doing all of these things, but as great as social ministry can be, there are TWO things that we need to realize in order to make a difference in todays world.

1.   It is not about you.

     I used to have one rule for my posts on Facebook, if I don't recieve any likes or comments within the first 20 minutes of the post, I take it down. And I know I'm not the only one to do this.  

   
     We homosapiens (humans) like to be recognized for our hard work and the effort we put into our posts. I mean, we took 20 minutes making sure that our grammar is perfect and our point was accurately stated in the most perfect way possible. We deserve at least a little bit of feedback, right?

     What I'm convicted of is actually believing that I'm posting these statuses or tweets for God when in reality, I'm posting them for myself. I want to be recognized for these wise words instead of giving God the glory.

     Today, before I post my statuses, tweets, or blogs, I pray that God will use this simple media ministry method to plant seeds and open blind eyes to what He, not me, wants them to see. It's about His kingdom and His glory, not my likes and my followers.

2.   Your actions speak louder than your tweets.

     I see so many people posting inspirational Bible verses or C.S. Lewis quotes on social media who don't walk out the walk. We all know that person. But we often realize that we might be that person as well. We make religious posts because it makes us feel secure in our walk and it makes our walk known to our friends and followers. And in our security, we feel like our ministry is complete. It's not.

     Ministry involved doing. When you see God one day, He won't say to you, "Well posted my good and faithful servant." No he will say, "Well DONE." 

There are Christians who need to stop posting about Christ and start being Christ.

There are Christians who need to stop complaining about life and start pouring out life in their communities.

     We get caught up in posting our heart on Facebook instead of sharing our heart in this lost and dying world.

     People can unfollow you or ignore your posts but they can't ignore your actions and kindness and love to them. Actions make a difference, not a post.

Social Ministry in itself is a great way to share what God is doing in your life, but we need to realize that it's not about us and our posts our pointless unless we live them out.

And you should totally follow me on Twitter @BuddyCrabtree