Author: dgould77

Below is a post I wrote 2 years ago after a volunteer meeting. I am reposting it because of the the previous blog titled “MUSIC” I posted earlier today!

Yesterday, during one of my meetings the topic came up about what I and others watch on television. I don’t think it was a negative thing, I just think some people were surprised when I said that I watched MTV. In shock the next question was, “Do you watch it to learn teen culture or for entertainment?” I simply said, “I watch it for both reasons!” After I said that, it was almost as if people looked at me in a different way. Like they were shocked that I had just said that I watch MTV for entertainment purposes. Now please hear me when I say this, not everything on MTV is good, but not all of it is bad either. The question here really isn’t IS MTV OK, the question is what is the content and purpose of what you are watching on any network channel, MTV or TBN. We have become people that are more worried about what people might think instead of challenging them to think and relating to them. Yes, there are some shows on MTV and other popular, more “Christian acceptable” TV stations that my wife and I won’t watch simply because of the message or the vulgar content of the show. But at the same time there are many things that have caused us to talk though and challenged us to take our faith deeper. On the same note, I have also had countless opportunities to have spiritual conversations with people who don’t have spiritual conversations because of something that we both have seen on TV.

The truth is simply be careful what you watch, and be able to explain why you don’t watch something or you don’t listen to something. Let me give an example. When my son was first born my wife would watch a show that was designed to help women start over and get a better handle on life. The show was a great tool for those women. But for us it caused a lot of problems. After watching a few shows, my wife began to over analyze our marriage and family and look at all the negative things instead of looking at the positive things. It really became a battle for us and we began arguing about things we never use to argue about. When we sat down and talked it out, we realized that this show was creating some problems that we really didn’t have. (some of you may be thinking I was trying to cover up a problem, but there really wasn’t one. The enemy was using this show to produce doubt. He does that you know John 10:10) So we cut that show off and things amazingly got better. You see even though the show was something very good, for us it had become something that was damaging to our relationship. Now does that mean others shouldn’t watch it . . . not at all, it just isn’t something we are going to watch.

Now I understand some will try to bring out the extremes and say does that mean I should get drunk to be accepted by people who get drunk in order to share my faith with them. The answer is no, the Bible tells us not to be drunkards for one but we miss the point. I am simply saying that there has to be willingness to learn and relate to a world that desperately needs Christ. How we do that is the dying question. What makes something good and what makes it bad? What makes something Christian?

I realize that all truth is from God, and it may come from places that are least expected. Example, the death of a WWE superstar caused the gospel to be heard by several people watching a couple of weeks ago when WWE did a memorial event to recognize and celebrate the life of Eddie Guerrero.

Here are a couple of verses I think of when it comes to this topic, check them out and let me know what you think if you have the time!

Galatians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 10:5; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; 1 Corinthians 10:31-33; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 2:2-6

For some reason today I have had “Party Like A Rock Star” playing in my head. I know, the question has to be asked, Can you be a student pastor and listen to that kind of music. If you know me there is probably alot of things I do that like watching MTV that could cause some to be shocked however, I do have strong beliefs and will post a blog from a year ago later.

Anyhow back to the song, “Party Like A Rock Star”. I don’t know how I came across it but found this song redone by a christian with christian lyrics. Pretty good check it out. I also included a song that was big in August/September.

Praise Him Like a Rock Star[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEYN-POvEHU&hl=en”>

Crank Dat Holy Ghost pt2

This last week was a busy one, Spring Break, Family, The Zoo, Josiah’s 4th Birthday, and Easter. There was a lot going on, but I think I survived. I was glad to rest this afternoon!

This weekend 2 teenagers accept Christ as we held simultaneous services for teens while the Big House, had services for the adults. We have great volunteers and student leaders. We faced some technical challenges Saturday Night with our screens not working but the crew stayed late to fix the problem for this morning.

Saturday was Joe’s 4th birthday party. His first actual party where he had friends he wanted to invite. We rented a bounce house from party guyz and man can the kid jump! (all day, wanted to all night, and then again this afternoon). I wish I had that stamina and heart and legs and energy. Oh what it was like to be 4. The bounce house was great would totally do it again and use the same company!!!

Friday, the family went to the zoo. It was a great day all the animals were out and the highlight was seeing the gorllias get fed right in front of us. Way cool. We fed the birds after walking the whole place and then boarded the DART, Joe calls it a train, his favorite thing back to Plano and met the rest of the Family at Texas Road House which has become our favorite place to eat.

Great Weekend!!!!