The Rock Almighty Effect: A History of Todays Christian Songs

 

• Author Nicholas Lewis

Through the years Christian music has seen many changes. Most will tell you that modern Christian music was born of the Jesus movement. Larry Norman was an early pioneer in the genre. In the mainstream music scene there was also a movement toward featuring Christ's message in song. Some of these songs even charted on mainstream charts. One in particular was from the band Ocean.

This God song was a great way to witness to many who may have never heard the message otherwise. While one would think the biggest hurdle would've been non believers, that was not actually the case. Regrettably it was other Christians who would not accept these mainstream Christian songs. There was a belief in the community that "Rock Stars" could not deliver the message in an appropriate way. The resistance could not overpower the will of the people. The movement really began to pick up steam.

The bandwagon effect became the next problem for the genre. Christian songs were being released by bands that were not talented enough for mainstream. The record companies saw this new market and the possibilities; unfortunately there was a lack of talented artists in the genre. In a move of desperation the record companies chose to release music that was not of the greatest quality. In some ways the Christian music movement became a place for no talents to make a name for themselves. Were they truly believers? That is between the artists themselves and God.

Eventually more talented artists started to perform Christian music. Performers who formerly hid their beliefs began to deliver the message. The quality of Christian songs saw a great increase. Petra a Christian band that was an early pioneer in the genre was formed in the early seventies. This band would essentially influence Christian music for years to come. Their popularity really peaked in the eighties.

This popularity carried well into the nineties. Christian music started to branch off into many more styles. For just about every style of music there was a counterpart in Christian music. The genre was finally filled with true talents.

The nineties were time of great growth for Christian music. These artists were able to adapt and grow with mainstream trends. Gangsta rap was also big at the time. Christian rappers like Tbone had an answer for that. Nowadays Christian music is widely accepted. The genre has come a long way over the last few decades. The music was once years behind secular music. That is not the case anymore. The genre as a whole now grows right along with the mainstream.

I never would have thought that I would see a day when Christian albums debut on the Billboard secular charts. Christian songs are regularly featured in films and T.V. The people who oppose Christian music will never go away completely. It is my hope that this will not keep people from exploring this very diverse music genre.

Find out more about Christian Songs at http://godsongsblog.com/. See also this Christian songs article for both sides of the argument.

The Rock Almighty Effect: How does a Christian learn how to no longer be in subjection to the cravings and desires of their flesh?

 

• Author James Rondinone

PART 9 TESTIMONY

How Do Christians Learn to No Longer Be in Subjection to the Cravings and Desires of Their Flesh?

The person we had been referencing in the article had some spiritual avenues at his disposal. In my hometown, every so often, on a Saturday night on GOD TV, there would be a broadcast of worship, praise, and teaching service from the same church that this person was affiliated with. The staging area would be set up for many musicians to perform. The words from the songs were uplifting and impactful. In some cases, this was followed by a guest speaker, each of whom had a message that was unique and anointed. And then there was the presentation of the gospel to which many unbelievers responded.

I’m unaware of what else was going on for the rest of the week in the church assembly. In this instance, I would assume there were some outreaches and other worship, praise, and teaching services held throughout the week. Might there possibly be Bible studies available? So, here is my point. I have to believe that this church also had its own people in leadership to teach on the various doctrines of the faith, i.e., eternal security, redemption, sanctification, giving financially, eternal rewards, etc.

    

And besides learning about the tenets of the Christian faith, what else is extremely important is learning how to address the weaknesses and strengths of our sin nature. 

It appears that this might have been attempted to be handled according to some of the declarations from the article entitled, “Sex Abuse & Gay Conversion Therapy: The Dark Past of Justin Bieber’s Megachurch Hillsong” that we have mentioned on a couple of occasions. Here is some of what was said in relation to addressing gay behavior. Alex, a former member of this church, quit after a traumatic coming out where he said he was referred to his youth pastor to counseling that proposed to make him straight – the kind of conversion we now know is based on pseudoscience.112

I have never heard of pseudoscience, but what I do know is at salvation, we are made new creatures. However, the experiential realization of this positional reality (as God sees us as being a finished product) is a process. I admit that trying to grasp this and see it coming to fruition in our own lives is mysterious and painful at times. After I got saved, I still attended nightclubs, got drunk, looked for girls, said swear words, smoked cigarettes, had violent tendencies, harbored impure thoughts about others, had fears of speaking in front of people, had pornographic inclinations, and had a very bad view of myself, but the one thing I knew beyond a shadow of doubt was that God had come into my life! However, in my experience, I was an extreme mess.

How could I possibly learn how to be an overcomer in all or any of these areas of weakness?

Like this fellow believer, God provided me with spiritual guidance to attend a particular church, which likewise had a music ministry along with worship, praise, and teaching at least three times a week. It was connected to a headquarters facility located not too far away from the branch ministry I was attending. The headquarters provided live radio broadcasts Monday through Friday, varying educational degrees in Christian ministry, street witnessing outreach, a monthly newsletter, and if a branch church put in a request for a guest speaker, usually this would be granted. I loved this church. The teachings were anointed with God’s saturating presence. I was learning about my new faith. But I still had issues with the inclinations and passions of my sin nature. Old ways of thinking, feeling, speaking, and in some cases, acting remained the same. I needed a heavenly life raft.

Then, one day something dawned on me. As I listened to the pastor of the branch ministry speak, one thing that resonated with me was his expansive knowledge about who he was in Christ, as evidenced in his command of bringing forth pertinent Scripture after Scripture from his tongue without looking in the Bible. And there it was all along. The solution for my many issues was to learn, memorize, meditate, and apply God’s Word concerning each and every area of weakness of my sin nature.

And along with this, there was something else I had learned. Whenever I thought about myself, others, or the circumstances of life from a human perspective, I would lose the presence of God permeating my life. There were many times when I would hear anointed music and messages under the power of the Holy Spirit, and I was unable to be impacted by His individual and corporate ministry because I was operating in the wrong mindset. The following verses illustrate this perfectly.

Romans 8:5-6 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

What this tells us [is] that they who live under the influences of the corrupt and sinful desires113 of the sin nature are characterized as being carnally minded, and as such, they focus their thoughts on what their body wants. On the other hand, those who live after the Holy Spirit think about what the Spirit wants, and as [such,] their mind is controlled or dominated by114 Him.                                                  

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

With these thoughts in mind, we can conclude that if we are carnally minded, i.e., think only about what [our] body wants115, we will experience misery and condemnation. However, if we are spiritually minded, i.e., making His thoughts the object of the mind, the end and aim of the actions, to cultivate the graces of the Spirit, and to submit to His influence; … to seek those feelings and views which the Holy Spirit produces, and to follow His leadings,116 we will experience life (eternal resurrection life; the only path of happiness117) and peace [repose (state of being at rest) and true bliss118].

    

All this sounds great, but how do we cultivate the influences of the Spirit? 

We cultivate His influences by making them the object of our minds. You might be thinking you have some idea of what I mean, but not really. That’s ok. This idea of cultivating the Spirit’s graces is easy to say but not necessarily easy to understand.

    

In respect to the question at hand, how does a Christian learn how to no longer be in subjection to the cravings and desires of their flesh? 

Which grace of the Spirit do you think will help us in this endeavor? There are nine graces of the Spirit per Galatians 5:22-23. Any guesses?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.                                                     

The fruit of the Spirit that will help us is temperance. What is temperance? Temperance means being able to say no to one’s desires.119 It also means to have mastery over one’s desires and impulses.120 Did you hear that? God’s Word says we can have mastery over our desires and impulses, that is, if we want to have mastery over them.

If you keep on referring to yourself by saying, oh, God can’t change me. I am a lying Christian; I am a fornicating Christian; I am an adulterous Christian; I am a gay Christian; etc., and I will never change, then you won’t. You will be a new person in Christ, living as the old person you used to be. Is this how you want to continue to live as a son or daughter of God? If you are not sure whether this is what is going on in your life, then ask yourself these questions.

Do you proclaim that Jesus has changed your life, and yet you exhibit no changes in your behavior?

Do you proclaim that Jesus has changed your life, and yet you express to others, believers and unbelievers, that He condones certain sinful sexual actions?

If the answers are yes and yes, then this question remains to be answered.

Do you really want to exhibit Christ-likeness to others?

    

What is Christ-likeness?

Christ-likeness is operating in the fruit of the Spirit and exhibiting the characteristics of these nine elements toward others while amidst the circumstances of life.

Where you are at right now is where I was years ago in my walk with God, at a crossroads. Do I continue to live to gratify the sinful desires of my sin nature, or do I make the necessary decisions to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in my life? I hope your answer is the latter. If it is, then what I am going to present to you next is what I believe will help you to cultivate the spiritual grace called temperance.

While it’s true that we should learn how to cultivate each of the nine elements, we need to work on them one at a time. And with respect to this study, temperance will be the one we will focus on. Are you ready to embark on making certain decisions that will help you be an overcomer in the area of eros sexual desires or propensities? If so, the next chapter will reveal how to do this.

 

Endnotes

112 Sex Abuse & Gay Conversion Therapy.

113 UBS New Testament.       

114 Weust.

115 UBS New Testament.

116 Barnes’ Notes. 

117 Barnes’ Notes. 

118 Jamieson, Faucet, and Brown Commentary.

119 UBS New Testament.

120 Weust.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ITJ1wj

Website: https://bit.ly/3mWKJ2r             

New Covenant Ministries - Ministerios NuevoPacto - Harbor Church, Block Island                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Sunday & Thursday Worship - Domingo & Jueves 7:00PM                   

My name is James Rondinone. I am a husband, father, and spiritual leader.

I grew up in Massachusetts and began my own spiritual journey early on in life.

I attended Bible college, having completed a two-year Christian Leadership Course of Study and graduated as valedictorian (Summa Cum Laude).

Studying and teaching the Word of God has been a passion of mine for over 20 years.

The Rock Almighty Effect - Morality and Holiness. The difference, Important roles and effects, and social and spiritual benefits to a Christian.

 

Morality and Holiness. The difference, Important roles and effects, and social and spiritual benefits to a Christian.

• Author Adebamiji Aderotimi

Moral and holiness are related but distinct concepts.

Moral refers to the principles or standards of right and wrong behaviours. It involves making decisions and taking actions that align with these principles, even when it may not be easy or convenient. Morality can be influenced by cultural norms, religion, personal values, and ethical theories.

Holiness, on the other hand, refers to being pure, perfect, or spiritually perfect. It is often associated with religious or spiritual beliefs and practices and involves striving for a state of moral and ethical purity or sanctification. Holiness can involve living a life that is dedicated to a higher power or deity and following specific religious laws or practices.

Morality is focused on behaviour and decision-making; holiness is focused on spiritual purity and dedication to a higher power or belief system.

Differentiate between morality and holiness in the Christian life?

In Christianity, the concepts of morality and holiness are interconnected, but they have different connotations and applications.

Moral refers to the principles and values that guide ethical decision-making, behaviour, and relationships with others. Christians believe in moral absolutes, such as the Ten Commandments, which define right and wrong conduct. The Christian moral code also emphasizes love, forgiveness, humility, and justice as key virtues.

Holiness, on the other hand, refers to the state of being pure, set apart, and consecrated to God. Holiness is seen as a lifelong process of transformation that involves growing in faith, obedience, and spiritual maturity. Christians believe that holiness is not something that can be achieved by human effort alone but is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. Holiness also involves pursuing a life of prayer, worship, service, and devotion to God.

Morality emphasizes ethical conduct and relationships with others, holiness emphasizes the pursuit of a close relationship with God and living a life that is dedicated to His will and purpose. Both concepts are essential for Christians to live a faithful and fruitful life, but they focus on different aspects of the Christian faith.

The important roles of being morally upright in the Christian life?

Being morally upright is essential for Christians as it is a reflection of their commitment to God's will and purpose. Here are some important roles and benefits of being morally upright in the Christian life:

1. Glorifying God: As Christians, our primary goal is to bring glory and honour to God in everything we do. When we live a morally upright life, we reflect God's character of righteousness, love, and holiness to those around us, and we bring honour to His name.

2. Bearing witness to the Gospel: Our behaviour and actions can speak louder than words when it comes to sharing the message of the Gospel. When we live a life of moral integrity, we demonstrate the transformative power of God's grace and love, and we can effectively witness to others the truth and relevance of the Christian faith.

3. Building healthy relationships: Moral uprightness is the foundation for healthy and meaningful relationships with others. When we practice honesty, kindness, forgiveness, and respect, we create a culture of trust, compassion, and unity in our families, churches, and communities.

4. Resisting temptation and sin: Moral uprightness enables us to resist the temptation to sin and to live a life that is pleasing to God. It gives us the strength and courage to overcome the influences of the world, the flesh, and the devil and to pursue righteousness and godliness.

5. Growing in spiritual maturity: Being morally upright is a key component of spiritual growth and maturity. It involves a willingness to learn, obey, and follow God's word, submit to His will, and cultivate a heart of humility and gratitude. As we grow in moral uprightness, we also grow in our relationship with God and in our ability to serve Him and others.

6. Avoiding consequences: When we act in morally wrong ways, there are often negative consequences that follow. For example, lying can damage relationships and lead to loss of trust, stealing can result in legal consequences and financial ruin, and immorality can lead to physical and emotional harm. By being morally upright, we avoid the negative consequences that come with sinful behaviour.

7. Honoring God's commands: God has given us commands and principles to follow in His word, and being morally upright is an expression of our obedience to Him. It is a way to show our love and respect for God and to honour His wisdom and guidance in our lives.

8. Setting a positive example: As Christians, we are called to be salt and light in the world, and being morally upright is an important way to fulfil this role. When we live according to God's moral standards, we set a positive example for others to follow and can help to bring positive change to the world around us.

9. Improving mental and emotional health: Living a morally upright life can lead to improved mental and emotional health. When we act in ways that are consistent with our values and beliefs, we experience a sense of inner peace, purpose, and fulfilment. We also avoid the guilt, shame, and regret that can come from engaging in sinful behaviour.

10. Reflecting Christ's character: Ultimately, being morally upright is a way to reflect the character of Christ to the world. Jesus lived a life of perfect moral integrity, and by following His example and teachings, we can become more like Him and reflect His love and grace to others.

Note: Ultimately, being morally upright is crucial for Christians because it reflects our commitment to follow Jesus and live according to His teachings. Jesus Himself lived a life of perfect moral integrity, and He calls us to do the same. In Matthew 5:48, Jesus says, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." This does not mean that we will achieve moral perfection in this life, but it does mean that we should strive to live a life that is consistent with God's character of righteousness, love, and holiness.

As Christians, we are also called to be ambassadors of Christ to the world (2 Corinthians 5:20). This means that we are to represent Jesus to others through our words, actions, and character. Being morally upright is an important way to fulfil this role, as it helps us to reflect the character of Christ and to demonstrate the transforming power of His grace and love to those around us.

Furthermore, the Bible teaches that our moral conduct has eternal significance. In 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, the apostle Paul describes how our works will be judged at the "judgment seat of Christ." He explains that "each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done" (verse 13). In other words, our moral conduct will be evaluated by God, and we will be rewarded or disciplined accordingly.

Being morally upright is crucial for Christians because it reflects our commitment to follow Jesus, it helps us to represent Him to others, and it has eternal significance. As we seek to live a life of moral integrity, let us look to Jesus as our example and rely on the power of His grace to transform us from the inside out.

The importance of holiness in the Christian life.

Holiness is an essential aspect of Christianity, and it is important for several reasons:

1. It reflects God's nature: God is holy, and He calls His people to be holy, as well. Leviticus 19:2 says, "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.'" Pursuing holiness means striving to reflect God's character in our lives.

2. It sets us apart from the world: As Christians, we are called to be in the world but not of the world. Pursuing holiness means we are set apart from the sinful patterns of the world and are dedicated to living a life that is pleasing to God.

3. It promotes intimacy with God: Holiness involves having a close relationship with God, as we seek to live in obedience to His commands and reflect His character in our lives. James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

4. It helps us to resist temptation: Pursuing holiness involves resisting temptation and avoiding sin. By relying on God's strength and power, we can overcome temptation and live a life that is pleasing to Him.

5. It brings joy and peace: Pursuing holiness brings joy and peace to our lives, as we experience the blessings and favour of God. Psalm 16:11 says, "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

6. It enables us to fulfil our purpose: As Christians, we are called to glorify God with our lives and to fulfil the purpose for which He created us. Pursuing holiness enables us to fulfil this purpose, as we strive to live a life that is pleasing to God and reflects His character.

7. It strengthens our witness: Pursuing holiness also strengthens our witness to the world, as it demonstrates the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. When others see the way we live and the choices we make, it can draw them to Christ and inspire them to pursue holiness, as well.

8. It promotes unity in the church: Pursuing holiness promotes unity in the church, as we strive to live in harmony with one another and to love one another as Christ loved us. Ephesians 4:3 says, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

9. It prepares us for eternity: Pursuing holiness also prepares us for eternity, as we seek to live a life that is pleasing to God and to store up treasures in heaven. Matthew 6:20-21 says, "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

10. It brings glory to God: Ultimately, pursuing holiness brings glory to God, as we strive to live a life that reflects His character and brings honour to His name. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

The effects of being morally corrupt in the life of a Christian?

There are many potential effects of not being morally upright in the life of a Christian. Here are a few examples:

1. Strained relationship with God: When we knowingly engage in immoral behaviour, it can create a barrier between us and God. Sin separates us from God and hinders our ability to experience His love, peace, and guidance in our lives. Isaiah 59:2 says, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear."

2. Weakened spiritual vitality: When we compromise our moral standards, it can weaken our spiritual vitality and hinder our ability to grow in our relationship with God. We may struggle with prayer, Bible study, and other spiritual disciplines, and our faith may become stagnant. Hebrews 5:11-14 warns about the dangers of spiritual immaturity and the importance of spiritual growth.

3. Loss of credibility: When we profess to be Christians but do not live according to God's moral standards, we can lose our credibility and influence with others. We may struggle to share our faith or to lead others to Christ, and our witness may be compromised. Romans 2:24 says, "As it is written: 'God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.'"

4. Negative consequences: Immoral behaviour often has negative consequences, both for ourselves and for others. We may experience guilt, shame, and regret, and we may suffer relational, emotional, or physical harm. Galatians 6:7-8 warns that we will reap what we sow and that those who sow to please the flesh will reap destruction.

5. Hindrance to personal growth: When we engage in immoral behaviour, it can hinder our personal growth and development. We may struggle with addiction, unhealthy habits, or other patterns of behaviour that hinder our ability to live the abundant life that God desires for us. 1 Corinthians 6:12 warns that "everything is permissible for me--but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me--but I will not be mastered by anything."

6. Diminished witness: When we engage in immoral behaviour, it can diminish our witness to the world. Our behaviour and choices may contradict the message of the gospel, and others may view us as hypocritical or insincere. As Christians, we are called to be salt and light in the world, but when we compromise our moral standards, we can lose our effectiveness in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

7. Damage to relationships: Immoral behaviour can also damage our relationships with others, including our family members, friends, and fellow believers. We may hurt or betray those who trust us, and our actions may cause long-lasting damage to our relationships. In some cases, our immoral behaviour may even lead others to stumble or fall away from the faith.

8. Consequences in the afterlife: The Bible teaches that there will be consequences for our actions in this life, as well as in the afterlife. While Christians are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we will still be held accountable for our moral choices and behaviour. In 2 Corinthians 5:10, Paul writes, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." Those who persist in immorality and unrepentance may face discipline or loss of rewards in the afterlife (see 1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

9. Damage to self-esteem: Immoral behaviour can also damage our self-esteem and sense of worth. We may feel guilt, shame, and condemnation for our actions, and we may struggle to forgive ourselves and move forward. This can lead to a cycle of self-destructive behaviour and negative thought patterns. As Christians, it is important to remember that our worth is not based on our performance or behaviour, but on our identity in Christ (see Ephesians 2:8-9).

Social, economic, and spiritual obstacles that can prevent Christians from being holy and morally upright?

Several social, economic, and spiritual obstacles can hinder Christians from becoming holy and morally upright. Here are some examples:

1. Social pressures: Christians may face pressure from society to conform to worldly standards and values that are contrary to the Bible. For example, popular culture may promote materialism, sexual immorality, and other behaviours that go against God's commands.

2. Economic challenges: Economic challenges can also be an obstacle to holiness, as Christians may be tempted to compromise their values to succeed in their careers or businesses. This can include cheating, lying, or engaging in unethical business practices.

3. Spiritual warfare: The Bible teaches that there is a spiritual battle taking place between good and evil, and Christians may face spiritual attacks that seek to undermine their faith and commitment to God. These attacks can take many forms, such as doubt, fear, or temptation.

4. Unforgiveness and bitterness: Christians may struggle with unforgiveness and bitterness towards others, which can hinder their ability to love and serve God wholeheartedly. This can also lead to conflicts and division within the church.

5. Legalism and self-righteousness: Christians may fall into the trap of legalism or self-righteousness, where they focus on external behaviours and appearances rather than the heart. This can lead to judgmental attitudes and a lack of grace towards others.

6. Lack of spiritual discipline: Finally, a lack of spiritual discipline can be an obstacle to holiness. Christians may struggle to develop habits such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers, which are essential for spiritual growth and maturity.

7. Cultural relativism: In today's increasingly pluralistic society, Christians may be challenged by the belief that morality is relative and subjective. This can lead to a lack of clarity on what is right and wrong, and make it difficult for Christians to hold fast to their convictions.

8. Pride and ego: Pride and ego can also be an obstacle to holiness, as Christians may become too focused on their achievements or status. This can lead to a lack of humility, a lack of concern for others, and a disregard for God's commands.

9. Persecution and opposition: Christians may also face persecution and opposition from those who oppose the gospel and the teachings of the Bible. This can take many forms, such as discrimination, ridicule, or even physical harm.

10. Temptation and sin: Temptation and sin can also be a significant obstacle to holiness, as Christians may struggle with addictive behaviours, sexual immorality, or other forms of sin. This can lead to a sense of guilt or shame, and make it difficult to maintain a close relationship with God.

11. Lack of accountability: Finally, a lack of accountability can be an obstacle to holiness, as Christians may not have people in their lives who can challenge and encourage them to grow in their faith. This can lead to isolation, complacency, and a lack of motivation to pursue holiness and moral uprightness.

Benefits of being holy and morally upright.

There are many benefits of being morally upright and pursuing holiness in the life of a Christian. Here are a few examples:

1. Intimacy with God: When we strive to live according to God's moral standards, we can experience a deeper level of intimacy with Him. As we draw near to God, He draws near to us (James 4:8), and we can experience His love, joy, and peace in our lives. Psalm 15:1-2 says, "Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart."

2. Spiritual growth: Pursuing holiness and moral integrity can also lead to spiritual growth and maturity. As we obey God's commands and seek to become more like Him, we can grow in our faith, knowledge, and wisdom. 1 Peter 2:2-3, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."

3. Fruitfulness: When we live a life of moral integrity and pursue holiness, we can bear fruit in our lives that bring glory to God and blesses others. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit as "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." These qualities can help us to be a blessing to those around us and to make a positive impact in our communities and the world.

4. Credibility: Pursuing moral integrity and holiness can also increase our credibility and influence as Christians. When we live according to God's moral standards, others may take notice and be drawn to the truth and beauty of the gospel. Our witness can be strengthened, and we may be better able to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

5. Freedom: Living a life of moral integrity and pursuing holiness can also bring a sense of freedom and peace. When we are not bound by the chains of sin and temptation, we can experience true freedom in Christ. John 8:36 says, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

6. Protection: Pursuing holiness and moral integrity can protect us from the negative consequences of sin. When we live in obedience to God's commands, we can avoid the destructive effects of sin in our lives and the lives of those around us. Proverbs 3:7-8 says, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."

7. Clarity and direction: Pursuing holiness and moral integrity can also give us clarity and direction in life. When we seek God's will and strive to live according to His moral standards, we can have confidence that we are on the right path. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

8. Joy and fulfilment: Pursuing holiness and moral integrity can also bring joy and fulfilment to our lives. When we live in obedience to God's commands, we can experience a sense of purpose and meaning that comes from knowing that we are living for something greater than ourselves. Psalm 16:11 says, "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

9. Eternal rewards: Pursuing holiness and moral integrity can also lead to eternal rewards in heaven. While we should never strive for holiness and moral integrity simply to earn rewards, the Bible does promise that those who faithfully serve God will be rewarded in the life to come. Matthew 6:19-20 says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."

In summary, holiness and moral uprightness are essential aspects of the Christian life, as they reflect the character of God and enable believers to live in a way that honours Him. However, many social, economic, and spiritual obstacles can hinder Christians from pursuing holiness and moral uprightness. These obstacles include social pressures, economic challenges, spiritual warfare, unforgiveness and bitterness, legalism and self-righteousness, lack of spiritual discipline, cultural relativism, pride and ego, persecution and opposition, temptation and sin, and lack of accountability.

To overcome these obstacles, Christians must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, cultivate spiritual disciplines such as prayer and Bible study, and seek accountability and support from other believers. By pursuing holiness and moral uprightness, Christians can experience the social, economic, and spiritual benefits of living in obedience to God.

For further reading on this topic, here are some recommended resources:

"The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges

"Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots" by J.C. Ryle

"The Holiness of God" by R.C. Sproul

"The Discipline of Grace" by Jerry Bridges

"Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" by Donald Whitney

Additionally, the Bible contains many verses and passages that speak to the importance of holiness and moral uprightness in the Christian life. Some examples include:

1 Peter 1:15-16 - "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy because I am holy.'"

Ephesians 4:1-3 - "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Matthew 5:13-16 - "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

ADEBAMIJI ADEROTIMI

Adebamiji Aderotimi is a filmmaker, Video editor and a student of Theology at UMCA, Theological College, Ilorin Kwara State.

adebanjiaderotimi@gmail.com

US Sports Coachlab Featuring Core Basketball Principles That Dallas Mavericks Coach Sean Sweeney Teaches

 

• By Grant Young

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It takes a lot more than talent to produce a winning basketball team. There are a variety of factors that can (and will) influence a team’s win and loss record each season. And while on-court talent is certainly one of those factors, all of the talent in the world won’t mean a thing if a team doesn't have core principles to abide by.

Creating a team culture can be a daunting task; especially because each team is comprised of different personalities who require something slightly different to put their best foot forward. Although there are coaches who have developed a set of core principles and devoted basketball coaching resources to each team they’ve coached, which has allowed their team to develop, operate as a cohesive unit, and find success, on the court, in the locker room, and out in the world. 

Sean Sweeney is one of those coaches. 

Sean Sweeney is currently an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks. Prior to joining Dallas, Sweeney spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Pistons and the previous four as an assistant with Milwaukee. During his time with the Bucks, Sweeney was Antetokoumnpo’s head trainer and spent countless hours after practices to help the “Greek Freak” develop into the NBA player he is today.

In a 2018 article with The Athletic, Antetokoumpo said of Sweeney, “The killer mentality — he definitely helped me with that… Having Coach Sweeney for those years, he really helped me as a player and as a person off the court.”

In his ‘Core Principles – How We Want to Play’ course, Coach Sweeney details the main pillars he instills within his players. We will be breaking down his most pertinent points and sharing them with you so that you can get your team operating at maximum capacity. 

Core Principles For Your Program

“Some general core principles for your program that make sense to me are: we want to be the hardest working, most together, most competitive, smartest, toughest team.” 

Coach Sweeney begins his sermon by mentioning many ideals that all coaches should want from their own teams. When he mentions being the hardest working, Coach Sweeney means that he wants to see his players diving after loose balls, and otherwise create a mentality of being the hardest-playing team on the court, no matter who it is they’re up against. 

Coach Sweeney then notes a variety of other things that a player can do to be considered hard-working; none of which show up on a box score or a stat sheet. This introduces an imperative point of Coach Sweeney: that hard work isn’t always going to result in points for a player. But it will help result in wins. It will also get a player’s teammates and coaching staff to respect that, and facilitate trust in the other room. Hard sort of the byproduct of an unselfish, cohesive team culture that prioritizes “we” instead of “me”.

“To play with great effort, to be the hardest working team, you have to be in shape.”

Coach Sweeney stresses conditioning as one of the core pillars that he has instilled in every team he has coached for. And while there are multiple different tests and metrics with which conditioning can be evaluated by a basketball coach Coach Sweeney has also devised his own unique method of assessing how fit his players are: Can they play the way he needs them to play for six consecutive minutes? 

The way that NBA games (and the sport of basketball as a whole) are structured, Coach Sweeney doesn’t need his players to have the endurance of marathon runners. Rather, he needs them to be in good enough shape so that they can give 100% effort, 100% of the time, until the next timeout occurs or until they get taken out of the game. If they can do that without exception, then they are conditioned enough.

Offensive Principles

In terms of offensive principles, Coach Sweeney has one overarching rule that he believes is the difference between success in failure on modern basketball: that you want to get a great shot as soon as you can. 

This is going to mean something different for every team. In fact, it’s going to mean something different for every player, considering what their strengths and weaknesses are. But once those “great shots” are defined by each player and their coaching staff, then the goal should become that a team gets one of those shots for one of their players during every offensive possession.

Defensive Principles

“We want to allow one contested, long two-point shot.”

Coach Sweeney is very clear about what he wants his teams to allow on defense. In order to do that, he wants his players to sprint back on defense, ahead of the ball. He also wants his players to play defense late into the clock, because a shot that occurs early in the shot clock typically means that it’s a great shot for the other team. 

Coach Sweeney also speaks about not letting other teams out in transition as much as possible. A big part of this is limiting turnovers. But, as all coaches know, turnovers are inevitable (as are great shots for the other team, on occasion). So Coach Sweeney emphasizes that sprinting back on defense and protecting the paint once his players get there is paramount to limiting the amount of great shots that an opposing team can have. 

Instilling these core principles into your team will have them playing like a cohesive (and coachable) unit in no time.

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The Rock Almighty: Politics at Trinity High School

 

Politics at Trinity High School

• Author Larry Farmer

Politics at Trinity High School

Those who know me realize I am a very conservative person politically. When I attended a teacher In-Service after being hired by Trinity High School in 1985 at age 39, I realized I was entering a liberal environment. A couple of my new colleagues were talking about how horrible the South African government was. Shortly afterwards in teacher conferences, the principal (Sr. Stephanie Warren) subjected us to some women’s liberation theories. Some revolved around spouse abuse and how it was caused by a patriarchal society. Others concerned language and its sexist nature. I talked to my dad about these developments, and he advised me to go about my job and keep my mouth shut. Since I needed the job, I decided to take his advice.

In looking back, Sr. Stephanie was in many ways ahead of her time. In 1985, most of her beliefs were considered off the rails; now, they are the norm. She was also very much an advocate of the nuclear freeze movement. The year before, when she was just a teacher, she went to the Trinity Board and asked it to take a stand on this issue. Tom Isbill, one of the Board members, told her to come back when the Soviet Union no longer posed a threat.

Anthony Scola was the assistant principal at Trinity. Anthony was what one might call an old hippie with an effeminate personality and a keen sense of humor. He was also an intellectual type who could be very aggressive. You didn’t want to disagree with Anthony; he could cut you down to size in no time flat. He was a former priest who in his younger years had opposed the war in Vietnam. Eventually he left the priesthood and the Catholic Church altogether. He married a former nun (Margaret) who also left the church, and they both became Quakers. The simple and pacifist lifestyle of the Brotherhood appealed to their sense of right and wrong.

Margaret taught at St. Mary’s, one of the grade schools connected to Trinity. She was also an old hippie who supposedly went so far as refusing to shave her legs or under her arms. Originally the Scolas were from Milwaukee, but they wanted to get away from the fast paced urban life. When they were hired to teach at Trinity and St. Mary’s in Whitesville, Kentucky; the town was too big for them so they settled in Deanefield, a smaller community to the southeast. Whitesville contains about 600 people while Deanefield has less than 100.

I discovered there was a divide between the administrators and clergy of Trinity on the one hand and the parents and students on the others. In 1988 the Evansville Bosse basketball team, mostly Black, traveled to face a mostly White Heritage Hills team. There had been a history of bad blood between the two schools. On their journey, the Bosse team noticed burning crosses along the side of the highway. Sr. Stephanie and some of her fellow sisters who taught at Trinity expressed horror over the situation. Later I overheard some Trinity parents laughing and hee-hawing about the same incident.

Sr. Stephanie left Trinity after four years as principal. Despite my disagreement with her ideology, I had no problem with her as a person or a superior. She gave me a job when I needed one, promoted me to athletic director after just one year, and always treated me with respect. Several times she went to bat for me in disciplinary and personality clash situations. Her replacement was Dan Fuller, a well traveled school administrator who came to Trinity from Florida. At first glance he appeared to be more of the same. In a document he submitted to the Board explaining his philosophy, he used feminine pronouns to refer to non-gender antecedents.

Dan was a unique individual. The students loved him and he commanded their respect. They called him ‘Dan the Man.’ From an academic standpoint, he and W. A. Franklin (an Ohio County assistant principal) were the most scholarly and well read administrators with whom I have ever been associated. However, he gave the students an inordinate amount of freedom, and after one year the teachers were a bit upset. On her principal evaluation form, one teacher included the statement, “Less ‘Dan the Man’ and more Mr. Fuller.” Some concerned teachers led by Anthony Scola and Sr. Lorraine Lauter (a religion instructor) tried to have Dan fired. When the attempt failed, Anthony took a one year sabbatical at the University of Kentucky in order to work on a degree in Spanish.

During Dan’s first year, Sr. Dianna Ortiz (a friend of Sr. Lorraine) claimed she was kidnapped, tortured, and raped by America’s allies in Guatemala. Sr. Lorraine arranged for the school to have a special assembly to address the issue. She turned the assembly into an America bashing session in which United States foreign policy was depicted as evil and sinister. I sat in the back, and as the negativity toward the United States became intense, I shook my head in disbelief and disgust. At one point I looked over at Dan who was sitting across from me, and he was cracking up with laughter at my response. I interpreted this as meaning I had a friend and ally. It turned out that I was correct because next year he promoted me to dean of students.

Margaret Scola, Anthony’s wife, got involved in a running debate with a grade school colleague over the Gulf War of 1991. She said we needed to give sanctions more time before going to war. Jamie Clark, her colleague, challenged her by saying, “I can’t think of a worse way to die than starving.” When Anthony returned from his sabbatical, Dan saddled him with the worst possible classes; they were chock full of troublemakers. Anthony challenged the scheduling, but the Board upheld Dan. A few years later, Anthony and Margaret resigned to become African missionaries. They were stationed in Sudan, and I feared for their safety. Nothing bad happened; however, as they both attended a Trinity graduation in the mid-90’s. Also leaving were Sr. Lorraine and Sr. Theresa Henry (another liberation theology advocate). With these departures, liberalism at Trinity pretty much ceased to exist.

Shortly after his third year began, Dan himself resigned to take a principal’s position in Maine. As chief disciplinarian I basically had the run of the school for the remainder of the year. Another teacher (Katie Williams) was appointed interim principal, but she gave me the freedom to operate as I saw fit. In 1992 John Calhoun was hired as principal. He was a Ross Perot type of conservative, and we were off to the races.

There was a bit of backsliding in 2000 when Mike Clark became principal. Even though Mike was liberal, he did not make a point of advancing a political agenda. However, one of his hires as a religion teacher did. One day I noticed a document in my mailbox which was full of propaganda about how military spending was ruining America. When I complained to the secretary about such items being placed in our personal spaces, she told me it was done by Bob Nicodemus, the religion instructor. I then confronted Bob, and we became involved in a ferocious argument. He defended the propaganda and his actions by comparing it to sending a Christmas card. The argument went on and on, and we ended up yelling at each other. Anyway, Bob left after one year, and Mike was gone as principal after two. Afterwards, we returned to normal.

It is appropriate in light of current tendencies that I end with a story about the national anthem. In 1992 Trinity’s girls’ basketball team was playing in a Christmas Tournament at Brescia University. As athletic director I was always looking to schedule our teams in such tournaments. Barry McArdle, a public relations and recruitment specialist at Brescia, organized the event; and we played in it for a couple of years. Shortly before our first game in the 1992 tournament, Barry came to me and said they would not be playing the national anthem. Instead, a Brescia student would sing “God Bless America.” He said, “After all, Larry, the national anthem glorifies violence.” He then asked if what they were doing was okay with me. I simply responded, “It’s your tournament!” A short time later, a young Brescia student came to the scorers’ table visibly upset. She said Mr. McArdle had just ordered her to sing both “God Bless America” and the national anthem even though she had not practiced the “Star Spangled Banner.” This was probably my most satisfying point in the political wars at Trinity High School.

I received a bachelors degree in 1967 and a masters degree in 1971 from Western Kentucky University. I taught school for 44 years. One year was spent at Fordsville High School, 17 at Ohio County High School, and 26 at Trinity High School in Whitesville. The subjects I taught were government, history, and English. At Trinity I also served as coach, athletic director, and dean of students. I fancy myself a fairly good writer, and my main interests are sports and politics.

US Sports Football Feat. #10 Florida State vs Georgia Tech (AMAZING!) 2024 College Football

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