Media may influence us more than we think

by Barrett Vanlandingham
July 30, 2013
 

            In part 4 of my 5 part series titled “Set Yourself Free”, I am focusing on negative media influences and how to take back control of our minds.

            It is no secret that the media can manipulate us without us even knowing it.  That is why companies spend billions on studies and advertising each year to appeal to specific demographics.  But it is not only advertisers who have an effect on our thinking.  It is actually all forms of media to which we are exposed that can alter our behavior, from how we dress and talk, to what we view as normal and valuable.

            That’s a scary thought when you consider who is pulling the strings in the world of media.  I once read a survey that listed the religious preferences of movie directors and producers.  It said that the majority do not believe in God or do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God.  Media content these days is consistent with that kind of belief system.

            Author James Steyer’s website www.commonsensemedia.org researches the ways we are all influenced by the media.  Steyer lists these startling statistics and information on his site.  Kids experience over 7 hour of media per day!  Also, violent content is found in 90% of movies, 68% of video games, 60% of TV shows, and 15% of music videos.  Heavy exposure to violent media can be a risk factor to violent behavior. 40% of teens and preteens said they’d recently come across nudity and pornography on the internet. 68% of TV shows have explicit sexual content.  And listening to sexual lyrics or seeing sexual images has caused early sexual activity. 

            The Culture and Media Institute is quoted on Aim.org as saying that 73% of Americans believe “the entertainment industry is having a negative impact on moral values in this country.”

            So what can we do about it?  In spite of the fact that our media along with our culture is soaked in immorality, the bottom line is that we still have choices.  We can be picky about the shows we watch, the music we listen to, the publications we read, the video games we play, and the places we go on the internet.

            In short, we can take this advice from what the apostle Paul told the Christians in Philippi.  “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-9).”

            The catch is, as Paul put it best, we must put these positive and Godly attributes into practice.  If we choose to watch, read, or take part in something, and it does not fit the description Paul wrote about, we cannot expect God’s peace to be with us.  What will your choice be?  Have a great week! 

Sins of the mouth can cause grief now and for eternity

by Barrett Vanlandingham
July 23, 2013 

            In my third article of a five part series titled “Set Yourself Free”, I want to look at one of the most difficult sins to overcome.  Sins of the mouth not only cause problems for us in this lifetime, but they can also cause us to lose our soul. 

            James 3:6 speaks of the tongue in this way, “It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

            In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus says, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken.”

            Face it, we all let things come out of our mouth, and then wish we hadn’t said it.  A split second can cause us embarrassment and damage or destroy relationships that we have spent a lot of time trying to build.    

             In Romans 1:28-32 the apostle Paul lists several sins that lead to spiritual death including slander, malice, deceit, arrogance, boastfulness, and gossip.  And then he ends the chapter by giving a warning to those who not only practice these things, but approve of those who commit such sins.

            It is important for us to consider the alternatives of letting our mouths run rampant.  Paul says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs (Ephesians 4:29).”

            Paul also reminded the Christians in Corinth that since God promised to stand by his people, they should purify themselves from everything that “contaminates body and spirit (2 Cor. 7:1).”  Paul was very well aware that evil words do not begin with the tongue or lips, but rather from a much deeper place.  Jesus made mention of this fact in Matthew 12:34 when he said, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” 

            Peter instructed young men with these words, “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5).”  That alone should be motivation for each of us to keep our attitude in check.

            While the freedom of speech in our nation protects all of our rights, it doesn’t mean that God thinks all speech is okay.  God is not a fan of complaining (Philippians 2:14-15), nor does He appreciate cursing of any kind, especially towards parents (Matthew 15:4).  Our actions and our speech should reflect an attitude of self-control (Titus 2:1-5), and our conversation should be full of grace (Colossians 4:6).   May God grant you strength to use your mouth to glorify Him always.  Have a great week!

Acceptable worship is more than following a checklist

by Barrett Vanlandingham
July 16, 2013
 

            In our culture today, there are a lot of God worshipers. But if we are not careful, the worship we offer to God may not even be what He wants from us.

            Last month, I introduced you to the first of a five part series of lessons titled “Set Yourself Free.”   The first lesson focused on freeing ourselves from negative peer pressure.

            In this issue, I would like to briefly explore a topic I have titled “Set Yourself Free from Impure Worship Practices.”  

            Matthew 28:18-19 makes it clear that Jesus wants us to teach and obey ALL of God’s commands.  And while Satan wants us to think this is an impossible task, we must remember that God’s word thoroughly equips us to be victorious in spiritual battle (ref: 2 Timothy 316).

            For those who truly love God, the Bible says we will obey His commands (1 John 5:3 and John 14:15).  God has made us the promise that if we are faithful to Him, he will be faithful to us.  And in the end, those who have lived their lives in a way that exemplifies a longing for Him, we will receive a crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8). 

            God expects us to seek him in all things, both inside and outside of the church building walls.  But just as it can be challenging to live righteously in our everyday lives, it can be just as challenging to give God what he wants on the first day of the week.         

            I will list three ways our worship can be wrong if we are not careful:    1. You can offer God something He doesn’t want, either because of plain and simple selfishness and a desire to please ourselves instead of God.  Or, we can become so reliant on God’s grace that we really don’t think about what God wants.  Either way is willful disobedience to the very One who offers salvation to all who believe in Jesus as God’s son, and obey his word. 

            2. Your attitude may not be right during worship.  Jesus made mention of this in Matthew 15:8-9 when he quoted the prophet Isaiah, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.”

            3. Your life may not match what you profess in worship.  Isaiah 1:10-17 and Amos 5:21 are haunting examples of how God feels about us when we act one way outside of the “corporate worship” while pretending to be someone else on Sunday mornings.  God told his people, “Stop bringing meaningless offerings (Isaiah 1:13).”

            Our challenge today is to take our worship seriously.  Jesus’ followers in the first century went as far as to clasp his feet and worship him (ref: Matt. 28:9).  Our attitude in worship as well as daily living should be the same as those who fell at Jesus’ feet.

             Remember to honor God in all you do, and have a great week!

Reaching out to others will change your life

by Barrett Vanlandingham

July 9, 2013

            Living in a third world country even for a short amount of time has a way of putting some things into perspective.  Our 28 member Honduras mission team (from Fort Gibson Church of Christ) landed safely back in Tulsa last Wednesday after spending nine days in southern Honduras about a mile from the border of Nicaragua (as a crow flies).

             Our job was to change lives or at least bring joy through serving people who live in extreme poverty there.  We did our best to share the love of Christ.  While some of our group poured a concrete floor for a medical clinic we help support, and a nearby place of worship, others of us conducted a four-day Vacation Bible School for about 90 children, and handed out food bags in a nearby fishing village. 

            We delivered two milk cows with money raised by young kids from our church, and delivered another milk cow with money raised by the Alpha and Omega club at Fort Gibson High School.  The cows were awarded to responsible Christian families who will use some of the milk for themselves and give some to their impoverished neighbors.

            Before leaving Honduras, we built a small wooden house (16’ x 16’) for a local preacher who is just starting out, and does not own a bed or any other furniture.

            But for as much effort as we put into changing lives, as always it was our mission team who came back changed.  Anyone who has ever been on a mission trip would say the same thing. 

            The fact is that when God says He rewards those who earnestly seek Him, He means it, whether your efforts are local or abroad.  One thing is for sure, all who went to Honduras will never again look at life here in the U.S. the same.   Have a great week!

  During our VBS in Cedeno, Honduras, we clowned around and spent time with children like Juan (2^nd from the left).  At night, he sleeps outside with animals, and he survives by eating mangos that fall from the trees.  He is one of about 100 kids who eat lunch five days a week at the church-supported nutrition site where we were working.

  Shown here are some of the officers of Fort Gibson High School’s Alpha and Omega club, Gracie Vanlandingham, Hunter Hackworth, Hayden Hackworth, and Krista Keeley. They went on the mission trip and personally awarded a milk cow to Delia Aguilar who lives in Choluteca, Honduras. This past school year, club members raised enough money ($800) to purchase and deliver  the cow with the help of Mission Lazarus, a Christian service organization there. The recipient is a Christian who raises eleven children as a single mother. 

  This is one of the locals we delivered food bags to in an effort to spread the love of Christ.  The small hut she lives in is typical for those who live in this fishing village in southern Honduras just a couple of blocks away from the Pacific Ocean.

   Mission trip leaders Glen and Robin Elliott seen here smoothing out dirt and rock floor before concrete can be poured under the medical clinic which is up on stilts because of flooding.  The concrete floor will provide a good location for children to play and eat. Most of the kids do not have shoes, which results in intestinal illnesses caused by bacteria they get from the dirt, and unclean water they drink at home.  Although a newly installed water system at this site should help alleviate some of this problem.

 Lisa Vanlandingham, Terry Hackworth, and Susan Keeley laying bricks around the worship pavilion while Gabe Laney pours cement, sand, and gravel into the mixer.

   Missionaries from Fort Gibson (alphabetical order) include:   Rachel Archer, Glen and Robin Elliott, Terry, Gean, Hunter, Hayden, and Hannah  Hackworth,  Jerry, Susan, Krista, and Kali Keeley,  Everett and Gabe Laney. Edgar Lucero,  Brittany Palmer, Sara and Hope Perry, Mona Seabolt, Roy Smith, Bree Snider, Dustin Stillwell, Zachary Taylor, Barrett, Lisa, Gracie, and Britton Vanlandingham, Kara Wallace.

  (VBS teachers) Edgar Lucero (right) is one of the ministers for South College Church of Christ’s Hispanic congregation in Tahlequah. He teamed up with Honduran preacher Siney Medina (left) to portray Kiko(Edgar) and Chavos (Siney), well-known Latin American comedy characters.  Their routine kept the attention of the children so they could teach the kids Bible stories through song.

 Round and round we go!  Playing games with children during VBS in Honduras.

Although most of us on the trip couldn't communicate well enough in Spanish to be the "out front" teachers/singers, the job of having the puppets mouth along with the songs worked just fine.  There was also plenty of crowd control that just about anyone could help with somewhat successfully.