Church Online

The past couple of weeks we’ve been discussing the negative consequences of allowing toxic influences and relationships into our lives. And we’ve talked over some ways we can rid ourselves of these poisonous intrusions. But what about when it comes to our children?

Since starting a new grade in school you notice eight year old Guillermo losing some of his sweet, tender demeanor. For the first time in your role as a parent you are the one being educated, as your little boy introduces you to performing artists, most of whom don’t have eight year olds in mind when writing their lyrics. You wonder if your child’s bus driver is deaf when you realize the music she’s allowing to bellow through the speakers every day on the way to and from school.

Sally, on the other hand, is no longer confined to the route of a school bus. Having just obtained her driver’s license, she has discovered a newfound freedom and unfamiliar set of friends. You’ve heard from Missy’s mom, who heard from Missy’s older brother, that at least a couple of these new friends are bad news. You don’t want to lose the rare closeness you have with your daughter, nor betray your trust in her…and yet you’re concerned.

Potentially toxic influences begin to invade the lives of our children from the moment they start interacting with other kids in daycare, pick up the TV remote, or learn to navigate the web. How do we protect without sheltering? How do we establish guidelines without stifling creativity and expression?

Please share your experiences and practical suggestions for helping our children healthily avoid the damages of toxic influences and relationships.

Every now and then we come across someone whose passion is so palpable we want to share their story. Church Online friend Alece Ronzino moved to Africa at 19 and pioneered the ministry of Thrive Africa.

Thrive Africa is training indigenous leaders in the poorest area of South Africa. They are actively combating the AIDS crisis by investing in the next generation and mobilizing them to live and lead
God’s way. They always need more hands to accomplish God’s work. There are opportunities for you to serve with us for two weeks, two months, and one year. Could you be the next person to work alongside the missionary and national staff team to train local leaders and impact South Africa?

We at Church Online recognize that God loves using people from around the world to make an impact for His glory, so it’s exciting to share these wonderful opportunities with you. If you’re inspired by this ministry and want more information, click on any of the links in this blog post to explore.

Want to know more about Alece? She blogs about her faith, divorce, and personal journey at gritandglory.com.

Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character. 1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV

Share your friendly advice and warnings with your Church Online community – In what ways have toxic relationships polluted your life and your relationship with God?

Here is a post from our newest Church Online Blog Contributor, Brad Norman. He’s a distance runner and a pre-medicine student at Memorial University of Newfoundland. His website is www.bradnorman.com.

In Craig’s message on Toxic Influences, he concludes with a powerful statement about people’s neglect of God’s Word. He compares God’s word to a “white balance”, which helps us understand what is truly holy so we can properly distinguish what is good and bad for us in the world. This problem of neglecting the Word of God isn’t a new one, though it is still serious. In Jeremiah 6:10, God says about the wicked: “To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.” Again, in Isaiah 30:10-11, the rebellious people order the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things … stop confront us with the Holy One of Israel!”

People love pleasure and comfort, but we have to remember that God is more concerned with our holiness than our comfort. When people are uncomfortable with God’s commands and would rather do things their own way, they often try to silence Him or ignore Him. But God’s reason for convicting us isn’t to offend us, it’s to “speak and give warning”, as He says in Jeremiah 6:10. Shutting out God’s Word because it’s convicting you is similar to disconnecting your smoke detector because the alarm is annoying. The alarm isn’t trying to annoy you, it’s trying to save you! God sees what we don’t see and He loves more strongly than we can comprehend. When His word points us in a certain direction, it is to keep us safe from things that are toxic to us. If you are a Christ follower, I encourage you not to be offended by anything God’s Word says, but to take it as a loving gift of warning.

If you feel comfortable, please leave a comment sharing a teaching that you found difficult to swallow. Did God grant you the strength to accept the teaching, or are you still struggling you make it a part of your life?

Hands down the most memorable take away from Craig’s message this week on Toxic Influences is that a little poop goes a long way. Even a small amount of dog poo mixed in a batch of brownies makes the otherwise delightful desert repulsive. Of course, he was drawing the correlation to how even small quantities of the harmful things we allow into our hearts and minds can lead to great disaster. My thoughts almost immediately went back to the now famous last interview with serial killer Ted Bundy in 1989. You can watch a four minute edited version here.

In this horrific true life story, pornography represents the “little bit of poop”. To many, porn is benign, a harmless escape or excursion into fantasy. In fact, many may actually view it as a positive outlet compared to the alternative of actually acting out sexual desires with another person. Yet, as Bundy disturbingly described and modeled, a little bit of poison can go a very long way.

But this concept isn’t limited to pornography and it’s not just about becoming a murderer. How many novels read or soap operas watched does it take to result in an unfulfilled marriage? Would you be as discontent with life if you stopped looking at that home décor magazine every week? How many of your struggles with anger can you trace back to a certain talk radio show?

Have you seen examples of a little ingested toxin eventually leading to great destruction? What’s the “poop” in your life? What are some steps you can take to wean yourself off the poison before it leads to greater damage?

Do you or someone you love need more information on the effects of porn and how to make changes related to this addiction? Go to http://thepornevent.com.

Recently I had the special opportunity to meet one of our expert volunteers who can wear the hat of any role on the Church Online volunteer team. I asked Donna a few questions and thought you’d like the opportunity to learn more about her since you likely see her in one of our many experiences each week!

1) What led you to step forward and volunteer with the Church Online team?

Initially, I confess a bit of skepticism about Church Online. How could this really be a “real church?” I kept returning, at first not participating in chat. Very soon I WAS and the warmth and welcome atmosphere quickly won me over –and I became a “regular”. Being a long time techie, I quickly saw the potential for truly global outreach…and I wanted to be a part of it! So, I signed up and got my first assignment! Now, as a volunteer, serving at Church Online-the blessings, at times, truly overwhelm me. And the best part-serving God right here at home (and a great witness to my beloved unbeliever too!)

2) Any suggestions for people who are new to Church Online and curious (but nervous) about getting involved?

First, relax and be yourself! Get to know a few folks who are often there when you are. Ask questions-there’s no such thing as a dumb question! Trust that if you’re interested, it IS likely that God has His hand on you. If you find that it isn’t, you can always say so later, but I’m sure that once you start serving, you’ll cherish every minute! Be prepared to be challenged and blessed! Serving as a volunteer at Church Online is the highlight of my day! I’m serving God, serving others and the fellowship with other volunteers is just plain wonderful!

3) You mentioned that you’ve been in a season of having few other Christians in your local life. How have you engaged with other Christians through Church Online to create community and fellowship?

As a “regular” at Church Online, I have made so many deep and lasting connections with others around the world! I’ve gotten to really KNOW others. The transparency of these friendships never ceases to amaze me. The LifeGroups I’ve been blessed to participate in make studying the Word not only a growth experience, but also a time of fellowship and prayer for each and every person involved. It’s a daily part of my routine to check Facebook connections of my Church Online family for their needs-and build my prayer list accordingly. To say the least, it has greatly enhanced my own prayer time! The genuine sharing and caring of fellow Church Onliners is the essence of community. Community that goes beyond my immediate neighborhood and reaches around the globe!

Are you ready to give volunteering a try? Get involved!

Many of us are taking part in the new Talk It Over segment for the 15-20 minutes following all experiences each week. I wanted to post this thought-provoking Talk It Over question on the blog so those of you with opinions or ideas can share your input.

What things do you need to focus on that will help you draw closer to Christ?

Post your answer below – your suggestions can help us all. Thank you!