A New Fourthstream.com Video

Here's new video released by Fourthstream.com. Tons more video, resources, and discussion on the website! Check it out!

It's Been Cold Outside

It has been unusually cold in Iowa lately. I can't remember the last time we've had snow on the ground for this long, or temperatures this low (-10 the other day) for this long. Last week one morning, however, I went out with a relatively light jacket, jeans, normal shoes, and no gloves and shoveled the dusting of snow we got yesterday off my walk, the sidewalk, and part of the drive way. I then got in the SUV and, after turning it on, noticed the thermometer on the rearview mirror said it was 22 degrees outside. Kind of cold, huh? (global warming)

I wasn't a bit cold. Hands weren't cold, ears weren't cold...no problem. A few months ago I would have needed gloves and a heavier coat in that temp. I also would have needed a hat or stocking cap.

But I've become desensitized to the cold. I'm used to it.

It's made me think a lot about our culture. If it is that easy to get desensitized to something as basic and downright painful as freezing temperatures; how much easier is it to get desensitized to more subjective things like our culture, the love of money, the sex and violence in our entertainment, and other social morays and degradations that we take for granted but may break the heart of God.

I have no patience for legalism...but we must guard our hearts and listen to the Spirit within us whispering to us when we pass from culturally sensitive and passionate about evangelism to culturally desensitized.

Wanted: Artists

Are you an artist? Musician? Videographer? Submit your artwork to the Fourthstream.com gallery. You just might get your submission listed on the site!

Time And Kingdom Spirituality

I've been reading Margin by Richard A. Swenson, M.D. (NavPress) and have been impressed with how he addresses an issue we've all experienced, sat through seminars on, etc. Time. He calls it "margin." Margin is having time and energy for the things that are truly important in life. And time for leisure.

Here's a quote I like on the stresses of time:

The marginless lifestyle and its resultant chronic time pressure are particularly devastating to our relationships: to self, to family, to others, to God.

Everyone needs personal time. Those who say they don't need time for self are probably the ones who need it the most. We all need time to let the dust settle, to evaluate how life is going, to plan for the future. "Those who are caught up in the busy life have neither the time nor quite to come to understand themselves and their goals," explains Robert Banks. "Since the opportunity for inward attention hardly ever comes, many people have not head from themselves for a long, long time. Those who are always 'on the run' never meet anyone any more, not even themselves."

Fourthstream.com Relaunched

Fourthstream.com is now online! Please check out Fourthstream.com to find out more about Kingdom Spirituality and to interact with others looking to engage God and their neighbors.

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