Any engagement of culture is a corporate act. Sin came into the world through one man, and the salvation of the world comes through one man, but engaging culture is not the job of a single individual. In Luke 9.1-.6, Jesus sent the 12 disciples into various towns and villages to spread the gospel of hope. He could have sent each off on their own in 12 different directions, but He didn’t.
Today American Muslim’s celebrate the birth of their prophet, Muhammad. Some celebrate by fasting, others by feasting and many by special prayers and commemorations. Like Christians, Muslims do not know the exact date of their leader’s birth (circa 570 AD), but the occasion is intended to praise his life and message.
“Be keenly aware that just as a parent disciplines his child, the Lord your God disciplines you. 8:6 So you must keep his commandments, live according to his standards, and revere him.” — Deuteronomy 8.5 & .6
Whenever I travel to guest speak I spend time in the prayer of preparation, asking the Lord to prepare me as a messenger of His Word. At the beginning of each session I always open in a word of prayer and similarly close each session in prayer. It isn’t anything that most pastors and Christian speakers wouldn’t do, and it is entirely expected.
Culture is described in a myriad of fashions, from “American Culture” and “Cross-Culture” to “Corporate Culture” and “Class Culture” Books have been written about the difference between East coast and West coast cultures. It seems culture can be found almost anywhere. Indeed, culture is found wherever there are people!
“Be keenly aware that just as a parent disciplines his child, the Lord your God disciplines you. 8:6 So you must keep his commandments, live according to his standards, and revere him.” — Deuteronomy 8.5 & .6
Heroes are an important part of a child’s life — and of adults’ too, truth be known. Heroes are those we look up to, those with some level of personal greatness – not only someone who rushes into a burning building to rescue a toddler trapped on the top floor.
If the prayer of penitence is most important to our soul, then the prayer of praise is most important for our heart. If the prayer of penitence is hardest on the ego, then the prayer of praise restores one’s self-worth.
What does it mean to “engage culture?” Certainly it does not mean the church has any intention of wedding itself to the worldly culture around it. On the contrary, the word “engage” has many other meanings, two of which are practical in this discussion.
“Be keenly aware that just as a parent disciplines his child, the Lord your God disciplines you. 8:6 So you must keep his commandments, live according to his standards, and revere him.” — Deuteronomy 8.5 & .6
Former President Jimmy Carter makes a bold declaration about faith and politics, but is it biblical?
A life marked by prayer would be incomplete without the prayer of preparation. After confession and the forms of prayer for immediate concerns, this form focuses on the future. Throughout first and second Samuel we see David asking the Lord if he will be victorious before undertaking a battle or chase.
