By Andy Whisenant at BeDeviant

I love to read. (I guess it helps that I work at a bookstore.) It feeds my addiction.

If you walk into any bookstore and head to the Christian book section, you’ll likely find,

• A wide assortment of fiction titles (most of which are westerns or ones that take place in a Mennonite community).
• Several books guaranteeing you that God’s desire for your life is to be rich and happy all the time.
• A few books from authors that claim that they have unlocked the secret to knowing when the world is going to end.

Another group of books you’ll likely find includes books all about finding God’s will for your life, complete with formulas and fill-in-the-blanks. It’s all tied up really well in a nice package with a cool cover and a catchy title.

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Let's pretend you have a time machine!  You have the opportunity to go back in time and change some of the events of history, potentially ridding the world of some of the evils in it today.  For example, you could go back in time and tell Constantine to affix the Star of David -- rather than the Chi-Rho -- on his soldiers' shields at the Battle of the Milivian Bridge, an action which could have prevented antisemitism and the Holocaust before it even started.  But would you do it?

Would you change history if you could?

We here at Revelife like to take a moment at the beginning of each week to pray for you, the community.  We believe that a community that prays together grows together, and we would like for all of us to grow in faith and strength.  But perhaps there is something that is bringing you down, discouraging you or confusing you.  Perhaps a friend or family member is ill, or maybe you're facing illness yourself.  Whatever it is that plagues you, that discourages you or confuses you, please let us know, so that the community can pray for you.  Revelife has a prayer team that will be praying for you, and if you prefer, you may send us your prayer request privately, and it will be shared anonymously with the prayer team.

How can we pray for you?

The Beatitudes of Jesus appear in Matthew 5:3-12. But what are these cues for living anyway? Are they commands to be obeyed? Are they promises to be granted to people who somehow conform to the descriptions contained within them? Are they some sort of fanciful idealized high sounding figments of the creative imagination of a half crazed teacher/philosopher? Just what are they?

In actuality, the Beatitudes are a job description! The Beatitudes reveal the character qualities of those who dare to be Christ's disciples. These qualities (what He wants people to be, and not so much what He wants them to do) are reflected in distinct ways of behaving and living. And what did Jesus want His disciples to be? He wanted them to be like Him. Consequently, the Beatitudes are a clear reflection of who Christ is. They are neither commands nor even promises, but simply a statement of the facts as God sees them real people living out Christ's message in their own lives!! Jesus is the embodiment of the Beatitudes and those who follow Christ are the embodiment of Him.

The Beatitudes as they appear in Matthew 5:3-12 in the MSG Bible read:

"You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

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By Dave Burchett

A lot of my colleagues over at Crosswalk are great at coming up with lists of things to do. My buddy Ray Pritchard wrote a great article titled Seven Reasons Not To Speak When You Are Angry. He also came up with 25 Reasons to Give Thanks When You Don’t Feel Like It. Holy Cow. After trying two or three things on the list I start being distracted by shiny objects and squirrels. The most read articles are often 8 ways to do this or 11 ways to do that. So today I tried to come up with my own article featuring a snappy list. So far I have “Six Things I Screwed Up Yesterday Because of My Own Self-Sufficiency” and “Seven Times I Didn’t Tame My Tongue This Week”. Hmmmm. Then I saw an article at Yahoo.com about a scientific study that shows five ways you can be happier. Let’s work with that. Here is part of that article.

Some scientists have argued that happiness is largely determined by genetics, health and other factors mostly outside of our control. But recent research suggests people actually can take charge of their own happiness and boost it through certain practices.

"The billion-dollar question is, is it possible to become happier?" said psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky of the University of California, Riverside. "Despite the finding that happiness is partially genetically determined, and despite the finding that life situations have a smaller influence on our happiness than we think they do, we argue that still a large portion of happiness is in our power to change."

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A church in an upscale Phoenix neighborhood will be going to federal court because of a program they have that feeds homeless people every Saturday morning.  According to the USA Today, the city of Phoenix told CrossRoads United Methodist Church to stop the breakfast because it violates zoning laws.  Neighbors complain that the homeless people “create blight and pose a danger to them.”  The church says they’re exempt because of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act which protects church from zoning laws.

Rev. Dottie Escobedo-Frank says, “This is what it means to be a church.  We’re just trying to take care of some people who are hungry and trying to reach out to our neighborhood.”

The city says it’s glad the church is helping out, but wants them to be in an appropriately zoned area.

So what do you think?  Is the church in the right?  Should they move the breakfast outreach elsewhere?  Do they need to be good neighbors and respect the wishes of people around them?  Or is this another case of residents over-reacting?

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."-Hellen Keller

I went from being a bio major at Montclair, to taking all the prerequisites for nursing at BCC, to being left hopeless and completely lost after that. After I got kicked out from Montclair, I remember feeling like an absolute failure at life. I told myself that I'd study extra hard at the community college for 2 years to become a nurse. "Just 2 years isn't so bad, I can do it" I thought to myself. But once again, I failed. After being so close to attaining my nursing degree, I just couldn't take it anymore.

I was done. I wasn't being honest as I kept telling myself: "WOW, it just amazes me how the human body works. This anatomy and physiology class is so much fun!" Yeah right... Plus at the time, I was going through so much emotionally and I was spiritually dead. I just needed a break from it all. I was depressed, lifeless, and plain miserable every single day last year at school. So, I planned to take a semester off, and get my life straightened out. However, someone I knew strongly encouraged me not to do so. This person reminded me that for the first few weeks, staying at home would be great. But soon, I'd become more depressed staying at home all the time, isolating myself even more, and probably not thinking of even going back to school.  I decided to take her advice. I took advice from anyone who was a wise and real person at the time because I knew my decisions always ended up screwing me over.

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By Sam Mahlstadt

Forming a new habit takes somewhere between 21 and 28 days. That’s when, psychologically, it becomes routine, and no longer requires all the self-control you can muster. When you think about it, three to four weeks is a long time when you are battling your doubt, laziness, insecurity, forgetfulness, busy schedules and the other zillion things competing for your attention. This is what Scripture refers to as the flesh – and it’s a difficult thing to conquer.

However, not only am I convinced that it can happen, I am convinced it is necessary in order to follow Jesus purposefully and passionately. Part of it is creating new habits in our lives. At One Church, we are in a series that is centered around forming these new habits – prayer, Scripture reading, sharing and giving. These are the essentials that Jesus calls to live by, and to be honest, they don’t fit well in 21st century America. But forming these new habits are essential to our well-being, and can become a part of how we operate daily. These are known as spiritual practices, where we inject intentional moments to deal with matters of the soul into our everyday lives.

For me, the YouVersion reading plans have helped me begin to form a habit of reading Scripture everyday, because let’s be honest, we have all had those times where we look at a Bible and wonder where in the world to start.

I am reading through the Gospels in 30 days with the One Church group, and through the chronological plan which lasts a full year. I am hoping to form new habits in my life this year that will lead to a fuller understanding to what it means to follow Jesus.

Are you forming new habits? What are they and what are they teaching you?

By Brett at Godly Sheep

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “Opinions are like noses, everyone has one”, and the Internet has allowed everyone to show off just how good their’s smells. I didn’t want to discuss whether this was right or wrong (which would possibly make this one of the most ironic posts ever), but just wanted to ask what you did.

The Internet allows you the anonymity to easily confront anyone without worrying about much backlash. So what do you do when you see someone who is wrong or disagrees with you, do you find it your Christian duty to voice your opinion? Do you just pass over it all?  Or do you write up your own post as to why that person was wrong? Does much get accomplished through arguing or discussion?

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By Sharon at She Worships

Since it’s been at least a month since I’ve excerpted something from Wendy Alsup’s blog, and I’ve essentially become her blog stalker, I think it’s about time I post something else.

Wendy recently posted a blog entitled “Equipping Women for Gospel-Centered Lives” in which she examines the noticeably different messages imparted to women at various stages in their lives. While our teaching of women’s discipleship often focuses on the struggles of particular life stages, Wendy highlights a pitfall in this method. By subdividing women’s ministry by life circumstances (ie. books and conferences for singles, marrieds, women struggling with infertility, homeschooling moms, etc.) one runs the risk of emphasizing our differences rather than our unity in Christ. This is why, for instance, many single women feel so greatly divided from their married counter-parts.

It’s not that books for women on marriage and parenting are bad things. They’re not. But these resources represent the majority of books available to women. What is missing are solid books focusing on the most basic foundation of of the female identity–Christ–and the ultimate source of women’s struggles–sin. That is the big picture. The smaller picture, the details of how that theology plays out, can be found in books on marriage and singleness. More Here...

At the Cross III Religious Leaders: The Danger of Being Religious Matthew 27.32-44 Have you ever wondered why religious* people are so mean? This passage shows us that religious people have 3 things. I. Empty _________________ II. Empty _________________ III. Empty _________________ * “religious” as opposed to “spiritual” or “Christ-like” or “those who have a relationship with Christ” Living It Out Knowledge alone is NOT power—we find power when we LIVE IT OUT. For discussion 1. interestingly enough, Jesus saved his harshest rebukes for the religious people. What does it mean to be “religious” and why was Jesus so opposed to it? 2. Do people ever say that you are mean? After hearing this message, how much of it do you think is because you are “religious”? For deeper discussion 1. How have you settled for “outer things” instead of seeking true inner change? What outer forms do you use to mask an empty heart? 2. Are you using outer forms to earn a better standing in the eyes of God? How does the Gospel speak to this situation? 3. In what area (ex: prayer, humility, discipline, etc.) do you tend to look down on others? How has that become a source of pride to you? 4. We treat others the way we feel like we’ve been treated. Those who’ve tasted grace and love will dispense the same. What does your treatment of others reveal about your understanding of God’s grace?

The Devil is a liar. The Scripture tells us that he came to kill, steal, and destroy. Most Christians believe that they live a life free of the the enemy. As long as they go to church every Sunday, read the Bible in the morning, and do good deeds, they think that the Devil has left them alone. But above being a murder, a thief, and a destroy, the Devil is a deceiver. He has plenty of clever ways to fool even the most devoted Christians. After all, we are but flesh and blood. Below, you will read a poem sent to us by kayla_fersherr who would like to share this piece as a great example of divorcing the Devil from every area of your life. Excerpts from the poem are included along with some food for thought and Scripture to guide you through this compelling and heartfelt "Good-bye" to the devils that fester in the lives of unsuspecting Christians. 

[This poem was found on pc4m.com]

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I was thinking or lamenting rather on how most people consider Christianity -- and religions in general -- to be incompatible with reason. For these folks, to believe in a god of any form is heresy to logic, perversion to reason, and neglect of intellect.I disagree with them. I think Christianity, and religions in general, are compatible with a sound intellect. Also, I happen to think I have a sound mind and I also believe in Jesus Christ.

I think the mere existence of intellectually sound people such as Newton, Lewis, Milton and Pascal (to name a few) who profess allegiance to both God and reason, is substantial enough to think twice about the legitimacy of religion to the intelligent mind. Somehow, these geniuses of the past were able to find a common ground between their reason and their faith.

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Praying hands, a crucifix, Mary with baby Jesus -- we've all seen Christian tattoos and Christians with tattoos. They permanently remind ourselves of our beliefs, and they show others a glimpse of who we are and what we believe.  But does the Bible say anything about them being wrong? 

Is it okay for Christians to get tattoos?

I have always had trouble getting along with my mother. Ever since I was old enough to have an opinion and arguably before then, my mother and I have been at odds. On top of that, I never even had a great relationship with my dad but that's a topic for another post entirely. A vast majority of my friends, peers, and coworkers have a relationship with at least one parent. It has really caused me to question a lot about my faith, myself, and the fairness of not being able to choose one's parents.

The idea of a parent is a tough one. What does it take to make a parent? What is a good parent and what is a bad parent? Absentee parents fall somewhere in between because even if they live at the same address as their children, they're emotionally unavailable. According to dictionary.com, the definition for parent is: a mother or a father. I'm no expert on the etymology of words, but I think we should redefine parents a bit. A parent is someone who loves, nurtures, and cares for their young. There are plenty of "parents" in the world who may not have bore children of their body but have certainly bore children of their heart. More Here...

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."
 - 1 Peter 5:6

"In due time" it says.  God does not work on our time.  He works on perfect time.  God is never late; therefore God does not need to be earlier.  He is always on time, he is our perfect schedule, and has a right time for everything.  So when you begin to question God and wonder why he hasn't answered a prayer or why he is leaving you hanging, remember his purpose is higher than yours.  While you only need to worry about yourself, God watches all his children.  While you worry about the moment at hand, your next due time, whether it be at your job, a bill, a TV show, church service, God looks at everything. 

What is he showing you by making you wait? Could it be that he is teaching you patience? Is he waiting for you to let go of something in your heart or in your hand?  By waiting to answer your cry is he increasing his glory?

"Take away the stone," he said.  "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."  Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"  So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."  When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go.  "Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.
  - John 11:39-45
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In the documentary, many Jews and other "subversives" were being questioned in a Nazi police station in the 1930's. The Nazis decided to release them and as a farewell taken made them run along a corridor between two ranks of SS troopers. As they ran, the troopers beat them with sticks. When they hit the door at the other end of the corridor they ran out into the street. One young religious Jew walked slowly along the corridor and was beaten to a pulp. When asked by the secular Jew relaying the story why he had not run like the rest, he replied "if I had run, it would have encouraged them and they would have slipped further into darkness."

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By Sam Mahlstadt

There was a movement in the early church that drove people from the heart of the Empire to live in solitude. It was a small group of people who chose to flee to the desert in order to escape the materialism, corruption and persecution that came along with the culture of the city. They created a new culture. A culture that was founded on minimalism, connection with God and caring for the poor. These men became known as Fathers of the Desert. While the movement was recognized primarily in the third century, their roots can be traced back to Jesus’ day, where hermits (translates from the Greek to desert or uninhabited) such as John the Baptist chose a solitary life in the desert.

Living in the most connected and resourced generation in history, I have fleeting desires to go off and unplug. I told Amanda a couple days ago that I would love to take a trip to an old monastery and hang out there for a while. Walk the (what are in my imagination) dark halls that echo your footsteps. Take part in prayer time and stroll through the compound at a quiet, leisurely pace.

While I don’t think that family vacation is going to become a reality, the motivation behind it remains. Sometimes in our media-saturated culture, we need to find ways to disconnect with our social networks and favorite television show and simply spend some time in quiet, before God.

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The Christian life is riddled with temptation and sin.  Sometimes it's easy to decypher what is sinful and what isn't.  We know murder and adultery are sins for a fact; those are laid out in scripture, along with many others.  But sometimes there are gray areas that the Bible just doesn't seem to have answers for.  What do you do to know what's a sin and what isn't?

How do we know it's a sin?