Driving Notes

Today we’re back on the topic of reclaiming our core values, inspired by the book #Struggles by Craig Groeschel.  Read more about the book here.

Today, our value is integrity, which is the quality of being honest or having high moral principles. It can also be paraphrased as ‘who you are when no one is looking,’ or ‘walking your talk.’  Integrity’s root word is integer, which in Latin means ‘intact, whole or complete.’

Technology can make integrity a ‘struggle’ because it brings temptation to our fingertips every day. Those temptations can manifest themselves in explicit images, inappropriate videos with jokes, sarcasm and even materialism.

Integrity calls us to remember that our convictions should be guided by time-tested godly principles, rather than what Craig calls ever-eroding popular opinion. If we truly believe that with God, ALL things are possible, then we can believe that the Holy Spirit fuels us with the ability to resist the tide of our sometimes rude, hyper-sexualized and materialistic culture.

How can we revive integrity?  Practically, online, we can use tracking software and ask a trusted accountability partner to receive our reports on our activity.  We can delete accounts and apps that are causing us to stumble. We can also follow the advice of Proverbs 5:8 and just stay away. When we misuse technology, Craig writes, we’re sacrificing peace for a momentary escape.

Ephesians 5:3 says, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”

Those are convicting words, but also an encouragement and motivator for us to pursue integrity in our lives.

Thanks for listening!

-Joe

Today we continue our series on reclaiming core values essential to our faith, inspired by Craig Grosechel’s book, #Struggles.  Find out more by clicking here.

The value this week is compassion, which means sympathetic concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. Why is compassion threatened in 2016?  Because we live in a selfie-centered world. Because a study by the University of Michigan shows that young adults, 18-24, over the last 30 years (from 1979 to 2009) have 40% less empathy.

We can be tempted to become more obsessed with ourselves in a culture that focuses on ‘our’ social media sites and selfies.  Selfish behavior is the enemy of compassion. Now, does this mean we toss out all of our social media or YouTube channels?  No, but we MUST get control of the technology in our lives without allowing it to control us and desensitize us to the legitimate needs of others.

John 3:30 reminds us that HE must become greater and I must become less. Matthew 16:24 reminds us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him.

How do we resurrect compassion in our lives? Or at least keep it as a core value? We have to get outside of ourselves…and follow Christ’s example.  It’s okay to pray, “Lord, help me to focus more on you and less on me.”  I earnestly believe that he’ll answer that prayer. Compassion isn’t easy. Sometimes it’s messy because we’re helping someone who is in a tough situation. But it still remains a critical value of our faith.

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We’re giving away family four-packs of tickets to the Living Word Outdoor Drama in Cambridge, Ohio this summer.  Congratulations to Laura of Mount Vernon who won today. Find out more by clicking here.

Thanks for listening!

-Joe