Part 2: Culture's Greatest Test

Well, it has taken me a little while to follow up with the 2nd installment of the Culture Series that I started a few weeks ago, but here is part 2!  For this part, you will have to do a little reading but it will help understand the message.

Daniel 3:1-6
*In this passage, the people were commanded to worship a specific god.

Daniel 6:5-9
*In this passage, the people were commanded not to worship any other gods.

{There is a battle over worship that exists in this world.  I believe we are seeing it now more than ever.  Who will you worship?  The media, Hollywood, advertisements, etc clearly represent the battle that is raging in our world today.  Satan has taken hold of this like never before.}

Read 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 and Revelation 13:14-17.

God's motivation is LOVE.  Satan's is FEAR.

Satan's Schemes:

1. Exalt man above God.
Daniel 3:16-18:  There is only ONE worthy of worship.

2. Stop the worship of God.
Daniel 6:10-12: You have to be more intentional then ever before to where your worship goes!

Mark 12:30 "And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength."
If you break this verse down, there are 3 questions you must ask yourself.
1. Your heart and soul is your affection.  What do you love most?
2. Your mind is where your attention is.  What are you thinking about the most?
3. Your strength is your abilities.  What do I do the most?

And lastly, the title of this message, culture's greatest test.
Culture's greatest test is Satan's ultimate goal.
-Who you will not worship.
2 Chronicles 16:9

-Who you will worship.
John 4:23


{All of the installments of this series really made me think but this one seems to be the core of the matter.  You have to make a choice.  You are have to set your mind on what you will focus your life on.  Where will your money go?  What will spend your time doing?  What will you treasure and love the most?  If none of these areas are kingdom focused then what's the point of your existence?  That's a gut check for sure.}

All of these messages are available to watch on Church of the Highlands' website.  The notes are also available to download from Pastor Chris, which is what mine are taken from.  My thoughts are in brackets.

Hope you all have a fantastic rest of the week!  I hope to do a family update this week as well.  We will be at the beach next week so it will be a little while before I'm back.  Hope you are all enjoying your summer :)

Mark's Pre-K Graduation

Alyssah watching Mark.  She did great the whole time!

Mark had his Pre-K graduation ceremony on May 18, 2013.  We had a great day celebrating our sweet boy and seeing some of the things he and his classmates have learned this past year.  I'm thankful that many friends and our family could be there with us.  These are a few pictures that our friend Matthew took for us.  Thanks for making the day easier on me and bringing your camera! :)

Alyssah wasn't feeling the picture taking but at least we got these shots of us as a family :)  Love them!

Proud parents!

He is really looking forward to Kindergarten.  I'm a little nervous but excited for him to go to "big school". 

Here's to my smart, handsome, "cool", generous, loving, helpful, encouraging, loving, and fun 5 year old!  I look forward to all the things you will learn this next year and the things you will teach me as you continue to grow into the awesome little person you are.  I love you, my sweet Mark!