MySpace.com is it Culture?

So my eyes have been opened more over the past 48 hours. I’ve realized that there is very little creativity or individuality. I don’t want to find myself in a place that I want to do things like the people around me or the people that came before me. I’ve asked myself a question many times during the past 24 hours. That question is “Am I being responsible with my life?” I don’t want to be guilty of accepting God for who He was yesterday for the same God that's in my life today. There is always something new to discover about God.

I can follow this with “What am I bringing to this generation?”

I want to reach today’s culture. That means I have to go to today’s culture. Part of that is the myspace.com sites. I know it’s free and there is much freedom. There is freedom to post and write anything you wish as long as it doesn’t break the law. I’m disturbed when I read and observe this part of our culture.

So am I responsible for allowing our culture to produce such things that can deteriate character and integrity? This present day finds young ladies struggling to find their integrity. Just a few years earlier it was so evident and important. Young men fight the battle of trying to be accepted and will give their heart away for attention.

I know in America there are many freedoms. I can have as much as I want of anything. Though I don’t want to indulge to the point that I become drunk with culture. I must be sober and be vigilant because I know at any time there could be a snare. I need to be aware of what I'm doing or say. If I'm intoxicated I can't make the correct choices. I know there are many sites that promote community, character and integrity. That group is very slim. I salute you. You know who you are. Continue to keep your integrity!

I know there have been times that I have selected the most conventional choice. Most of the time if that choice affected my integrity I walked away. I’m trying to teach my boys (Justin and Jarred) that it is good to find yourself and develop your thoughts. I teach them to think ahead. Every choice and every word will be judged and weighed at a later date. Hopefully I display this attitude while being the Pastor of New Faith. I don’t want to follow the popular and traditional way. Why can’t I pastor the way I see it.

I can pastor the way I see things, but I must be responsible. My choices will cause an effect. Didn’t Jesus tell me that I have the keys of the Kingdom? What I lock and unlock here on this planet will be done in heaven! If I unlock corrupt things then I will have the opportunity to experience corrupt things. If I unlock the real, good and beautiful things then I will experience the real, good and beautiful things. If I choose to unlock culture then I should be ready for the experience. Some things I’m having a hard time accepting. For the people bringing the real, good and beautiful things to myspace.com keep it up. Our culture requires you to provide it with integrity.

So now I’m thinking about New Faith. I don’t want to be like the church norm. Tara and Wayne asked “How far do we go when reaching culture?” As far as a person can without their integrity being deteriated. Integrity can’t be taken or stolen. It can only be given away. It’s a choice. It reflects God’s requirement of me. What is required of me? The same thing God requires from everyone. Do the right things, love mercy and walk humble with God (Micah 6:8). I can’t allow culture to change my integrity. Will my integrity change culture? Sure when I'm creative, think for myself, be willing to bring something new and do the right things.

For what it's worth:
“You don’t have to be like someone else
especially when your integrity is challenged!”
-chuck