Impact Pueblo

Family Ties II

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:55:00 +0000

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Family Ties I

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:54:00 +0000

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Im The Bride! V2.0

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:53:00 +0000

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Im The Bride!

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:51:00 +0000

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Aftermath III

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:50:00 +0000

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Aftermath II

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:49:00 +0000

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Aftermath I

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:47:00 +0000

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Going Green: Stature

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:58:00 +0000

Joseph Brewster

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Going Green: Wisdom

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:07:00 +0000

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Contagious Faith

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:11:00 +0000

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Waking Worship

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:44:00 +0000

A series by Kyle Bernstein

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X/Y Girls

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:21:00 +0000

God's role for women in society, family, and the church.
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Taboo: Friends

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:34:00 +0000

Does God expect us to stay away from certain people? How do we choose who we hang out with?
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Taboo: Media

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:38:00 +0000

How media such as video games, TV, and other things affect our daily lives
Joseph Brewster
August 12 2009

Purpose: Biblical perspectives on cultural issues

The affect of media: In 2009, there were nearly 115 million TV homes in the US, each averaging 2.86 TV sets, according to a new Nielsen study. That computes to nearly 329 million TV sets – more than the entire US population, estimated at 307 million by the US Census Bureau.

The art of brainwashing: Brainwashing, a term popularized during the Korean War, is a technique used to impose a psychological and behavioral change on a person through outward influences.

Defined: Brainwashing (also known as thought reform or re-education) consists of any effort aimed at instilling certain attitudes and beliefs in a person — beliefs sometimes unwelcome or in conflict with the person's prior beliefs and knowledge.[1] Motives for brainwashing may include the aim of affecting that individual's value system and subsequent thought-patterns and behaviors. - Wikipedia

Some of the techniques used in brainwashing, according to U.S. studies, are sleep deprivation, repeatedly undermining currently held views, sensory deprivation (restricting the senses), guilt, and group social pressure.

Daily dose: Whether or not you realize it, you are being brainwashed. You are being brainwashed, in a sense, right now as you read or listen to this. You are being given a point-of-view and facts to support it. This is a biased organization, and so is every other organization on the planet. Media is biased, people are biased, and every day you are having views and opinions shoved on you from different sources. By far, the main source of information and opinions we received come from media.
A few good things to remember when you are consuming media:
• It is always biased. They want to sell you a point of view.
• It is about ratings and money. They will do whatever sells.
• It is not only about getting you to watch, they want you back.
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 24 Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. 25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Prov 4:23-25 (NLT)

Content+brain=? Many people have valid concerns about how content affects you and your behavior. Do video games make people want to kill? Does television make people want to have sex? Do songs make people want to curse? The answer is not as simple as it may seem. Every action you take and word you speak is a product of your inner beliefs, thoughts, and opinions. Those opinions are formed from life experiences and exposure to information.

34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matt 12:34-37 (KJV)

Responsibility: As an individual, you are directly accountable to God for your choices in life. I don’t see much room in Scripture for laying blame on media for your choices, however, you are responsible for what you put into your mind and heart and how you allow it to affect you. It is easily provable that everything you watch and indulge in has an effect, however big, on your thoughts and opinions.

You say, “I am allowed to do anything” —but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. 24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
25 So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience.26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
27 If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience.28 (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you.29 It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? 30 If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?
31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God.33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.11:1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 1 Cor 10:23-11:1 (NLT)

Practical application: You have the freedom to do far more than you really have the need to do. You will be exposed to information and situations that will require wisdom and discretion. In many cases, your authority will have instincts on what will benefit or hurt you, and it is wise to be attentive to those things. You are directly responsible for protecting yourself as necessary against things which would harm you. You are going to be influenced by everything, but be careful what you allow.

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Taboo: Alcohol & Drugs

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:27:00 +0000

Taboo – Drugs and Alcohol
Joseph Brewster
August 5 2009

Purpose: Biblical perspectives on cultural issues

Alcohol: Debates have raged through the Christian culture about the ethical and moral ramifications of using alcohol. There are Scriptures that seemingly support both sides of the argument, but still the issue remains a point of conflict. Does the Bible advocate drinking as a recreation, a medicine, a social tool, or total abstinence? Do we have the liberty to drink if we do not get drunk? Many Christians base their views on alcohol around cultural opinion. For this reason you are likely to find older Christians advocating abstinence while younger Christians are ok with social drink. Much of this is rooted in political and national opinions. During prohibition it was widely hailed among churches that drinking, under any circumstances, was a sin against God. Is it? How can people produce arguments for both sides? Does the Bible give us conflicting directions? Let’s find out.

Bible cited in favor of alcohol: Water into wine (john 2:10), Jesus drank (Luke 7:33-34), Paul instructs Timothy to drink for health reasons (I Tim 5:23). Many people in Scripture are cited as drinking and are not condemned. Among them Job, Esther, Abram, Daniel.

Bible cited against alcohol: Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. Prov 20:1 (NKJV) Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich. Prov 21:17 (NLT) Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit. Eph 5:18 (NLT)

Conclusion? The Bible does not outright condemn the usage of wine. Though the debate about how high the alcohol content might have been in the drinks, the fact that intoxication was possible is very evident. The Bible does, however, speak strictly and cautiously about alcohol. It is not a toy or something to be trifled with.
Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down. 32 For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper. 33 You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. 34 You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. 35 And you will say, “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it. I didn’t even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?” Prov 23:31-35 (NLT)
The implication here is that alcohol is highly addictive and entrapping

Drugs & Narcotics: Although there are bound to be more drugs discovered and abused in the future, we are going to deal shortly with the gamut of drug use as it relates to common drugs such as cocaine, heroin, weed, and such substances.

Quote: “See I think drugs have done some good things for us, I really do, and if you don't believe drugs have done good things for us, do me a favor: go home tonight and take all your albums, all your tapes, and all your cds and burn 'em. 'cause you know the musicians who made all that great music that's enhanced your lives throughout the years.... rrrrrrrrreal f**kin high on drugs.” James Maynard keenan (Tool)
“Drugs are a bet with your mind.” Jim Morrison (Doors)
“Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your self-respect and everything that goes along with with your self esteem.” Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
“Herb is the healing of a nation, alcohol is the destruction” Bob Marley

For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 1 Thess 5:5-8 (NLT)

Buying the Pharm: Does the Bible strictly refer to drugs in any passage? Actually, the word used for medication was sometimes interchanged with the word used for “sorcery”. The word is Pharmakeia, and is where we get our English word Pharmacy from. It is not used often, but when it is it seems tied to the idea that the use of such hallucinogens was incorporated in sorcery and spirit invocation. One such use of the word is in the following passage:
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19-21 (NKJV)
Is this a reference to drugs or pharmaceuticals? It would be a stretch to conclude that it was meant to be interpreted in that way, but there is historical indication to suggest that the use of such things was commonly forbidden among believers for this reason. It's not a set in stone argument, but an interesting thought nonetheless.

A proper use? Is weed wrong? Certainly not. It is a plant. A plant is not a sin. The question is really about the usage of the plant. Should we use it to cause ourselves to get “high”?

To be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. 6 Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Titus 2:5-8 (NKJV)
It is specifically stated here that you should remain “sober-minded” or clear headed. The ability to make right decisions is of extreme importance in Scripture.

Don't forget your duties:
• A duty to the culture
• The issue of authority
• A duty to conscience

Practical application: God expects you to make wise decisions. You are expected to be attentive to your actions, words, and impact on others. If you are participating in actions that decrease your ability to make wise choices, you are jeopardizing your testimony, your relationships, and your life in many cases. A believer has no business finding recreation in dulling their senses and lowering their inhibitions. We are to be alert and careful with our actions. The loss of control is never smart.

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Taboo: Piercings & Tattoos

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:10:00 +0000

Taboo – Piercings and Tattoos
Joseph Brewster
July 29 2009

Purpose: Biblical perspectives on cultural issues

Tattoos: Tattoos have been an ongoing controversy in Christian circles. Some would argue that it is a pagan practice to be avoided, and others would argue that you can honor God with your ink. Many people, not knowing what the Bible says, simply cling to their personal opinions on the matter and fight it out with others who disagree. The wise thing to do is investigate the issue.

'You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor shall you practice divination or soothsaying. 27 You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard. 28 You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord. Lev 19:26-28 (NKJV)
If you are to take this verse at face value, 2 things should be apparent: the command to abstain from tattoos was directly linked with a similar command to not shave your beard and the tattoos referred to here were also specifically referred to as those made for the dead. Does this verse give us the right to wholesale discard the use of tattoos?

Pagan mourning rites: Tattoos, in the past, were heavily associated with religious rites and rituals. According to Jewish accounts, tattoos were first introduced to their culture in Egypt and usually involved the Egyptian deities. Later, the people returned to this practice, and not for any God-honoring reason. The reference here is to tattoos that were made specifically for the dead. The pagans believed that you could affect the dead and preserve their memory through various rituals, and tattoos were included in those.

But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Gal 3:23-25 (NKJV)
Many of the Old Testament laws were not enforced under the new covenant, including ritually unclean foods, the act of sacrificing animals, but along with that, the question could be validly posed as to whether this passage was an utter ban on tattoos, or simply those used for the dead and for pagan rituals.

Piercings: Another point of contention among believers is piercings. When, if, where, how, and why are all questions being asked by those who would judge the good/evils of piercings.
The symbolism: As with many things in Scripture, piercing is symbolic and quite important in several cases.
In Genesis 24 Abraham and Isaac send Eleazar to find a wife for Isaac. Included in the gifts which were to signify the bride was a nose ring. It was a positive and respected sign.
In Exodus 21:6 God commands ear piercing in the specific case of a slave which has been freed but chooses to voluntarily remain with his master.
On the other hand, in Genesis 35:2 Jacob commanded his household to get rid of their earrings because they were representing “strange gods”.
In Isaiah 3:18-23 God threatens to take away the ornaments of Israel, including, among other things, earrings. This action was due to their pride in themselves and their ornaments.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Cor 6:19-20 (NKJV)

A duty to the culture: An important factor in the laws God instituted and the traditions reinforced in the New Testament had to do with cultural significance. In many cases God forbid His people from engaging in things that would be perceived as pagan in nature or associated with pagan rituals. These arguments will vary across cultures, but it is important to realize how people perceive you.

Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise:3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Eph 6:1-3 (NLT)

A duty authority: An easy solution to the question is to ask what your parents allow. If they do not allow it, deal with it. If your employer doesn’t allow it, deal with it. If you don’t have a good reason for doing it, then you can endure other people’s rules. Respect your authority.

But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. Romans 14:23 (NLT)

A duty to conscience: If you can’t get peace about it, don’t do it. If you are breaking your convictions to do it, don’t do it. In a similar sense, if it breaks the conscience of your authority and damages them, don’t do it.

Practical application: In some modern debates there are liberties afforded a Christian. With those liberties and freedoms comes a responsibility to weigh the impact of your actions against the greater good. There are situations in which you will need to make those decisions based on guiding principles and a focused purpose. Work toward decisions that are neither selfish nor vain. Many things may be acceptable in the sight of God, but keep in mind that he is judging the heart. When there are no hard and fast rules for a particular subject, remember your duty to culture, conscience, and authority.

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Death: Origins

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:08:00 +0000

Death – Origins
Joseph Brewster
June 17, 2009

Focus: Why do people die?

Death: the act of dying; the end of life; the total and permanent cessation of all the vital functions of an organism.

Why do people die? People die because of sin. The Bible is very clear on that point. "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;
17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." Gen 2:16-17 (NKJV)

Death: the original appearance – From the beginning, God placed standards for His creation. Not many, just one originally. Everything God does has a method, a purpose, and a deeper meaning. Why would God even allow the possibility of death in His creation? Why would he have put a tree in the garden that they were not allowed to eat? God has always placed a high value on human choice. He created us to have a free will, and the tree allowed mankind the one and only opportunity to disobey God in the garden.

So, if Adam and Eve sinned, why did it ruin the world? Because Adam and Eve were the only humans alive, the entire human race descended from them, and were born corrupted, in the same way that a disease might be passed on through the genes. Scripture is very clear that only through the man was the sin actually passed on, and, since you cannot conceive a child without the male and female chromosomes, there is not an alternative birthing method, and all children are born into a sinful world.

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.
17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:12-17 (NLT)

Is God ok with this? God obviously knew of death, and allowed it to be an option for Adam and Eve. It was God who put the tree in the garden, not Satan. Satan merely tempted and persuaded the couple to eat the fruit. God is not a tempter, but He does allow free will, and make options, even bad ones, available to us. God will always let the choice be yours.

The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness. 21 But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. 22 All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done. 23 “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. Ezek 18:20-23 (NLT)

All have sinned, but you still have a choice
Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:20-26 (NKJV)

Practical Application: Even though evil will always be an option for you, you are not forced to follow its way. In the garden man knew only good and sought after the one speck of evil he could find, now we know much evil, and we seek for good. Just as God gave Adam the free will to sin, He gives you the free will to choose justification through Christ. Will you place your faith in Jesus? This is the message of the Gospel. Death reigns in our world. Death is everywhere we look. How can we defeat death? Through Jesus. The perfect man. The sinless sacrifice.

Pyro Life: Burning Idols

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:33:00 +0000

PyroLife – Burning your idols
Joseph Brewster
April 29 2009

Purpose: Purging your life for success.

“You must burn their idols in fire, and you must not covet the silver or gold that covers them. You must not take it or it will become a trap to you, for it is detestable to the Lord your God.26 Do not bring any detestable objects into your home, for then you will be destroyed, just like them. You must utterly detest such things, for they are set apart for destruction. Deut 7:25-26 (NLT)

Easily distracted: Passing through life, there are many things to do, and many purposes to be accomplished. God knew that as Israel ventured into new lands they would encounter new religions, be attracted by new things, and get distracted from their goals. Some things look beautiful, but in God’s eyes are absolutely worthless, and if there is one thing God always has and will hate, it is something that comes between Him and His people. We are sometimes too quickly turned away. We are too unintentional about our faith. Paul complained about this tendency in people, and God pointed that out about Israel several times:

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel Gal 1:6 (NKJV)
Yet Israel did not listen to the judges but prostituted themselves by worshiping other gods. How quickly they turned away from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the Lord’s commands. Judges 2:17 (NLT)

What is “prostitution”? In this case, the word used as “prostituted” comes from a root that implies being “highly fed and therefore wanton” or to be wasteful because of excess. An affair occurs when someone looks around and starts focusing on things outside their marriage, people outside their rightful domain, and conquests outside their accepted relationship. God’s “detest” here is the same detest a wife might have for her husband’s mistress. It steals the affection from its rightful source, and that, to God, is the ultimate unacceptable act. The actual shape or name of the idol is not important. The fact that the idol replaces God is the detestable part.

Illustration: There is a story involving Yogi Berra, the well-known catcher for the New York Yankees, and Hank Aaron, who at that time was the chief power hitter for the Milwaukee Braves. The teams were playing in the World Series, and as usual Yogi was keeping up his ceaseless chatter, intended to pep up his teammates on the one hand, and distract the Milwaukee batters on the other. As Aaron came to the plate, Yogi tried to distract him by saying, "Henry, you're holding the bat wrong. You're supposed to hold it so you can read the trademark." Aaron didn't say anything, but when the next pitch came he hit it into the left-field bleachers. After rounding the bases and tagging up at home plate, Aaron looked at Yogi Berra and said, "I didn't come up here to read."

Burning the excess: God’s instruction here was to burn the idols. Totally and utterly, He wanted those distractions gone, without exception. God did not want to risk the chance of Israel having the chance to be drawn away. He warns that it would “become a trap” to them. He points out that eventually it will destroy their lives. Why? Because their movements as a nation, their beliefs as a people, their laws, and their very national existence revolved around their God. If God was removed, the whole foundation would fall out from their way of living.

Making it real
• Determine your belief – are you a God follower? Are you committed to this? Do you want God’s leading and His blessing?
• Determine your objectives – What is it that God expects from you? What is it you should do as a follower of God?
• Identify your distractions – what things have you allowed into your life which prevent you from achieving your goals? What is it that eats away your time, sucks up your worship, and takes a higher place than God and His ways? That is your idol, and it must burn. What is the work of your hand? Is your worth in sports? Is your worth in your looks? God will cause those things to fail.

Take action: Just as you can cut a fine piece of marble into an abominable idol in God’s site, so you can take good things in life and put them in a position they do not deserve. In the following reference the king had to destroy a relic that Moses made and God commissioned because people turned it into something it was not--an idol: He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan. 2 Kings 18:4 (NKJV)

Practical application: Make a note of the things you currently are aware of that are totally useless to your purpose in life, but are consuming your time and affection. Maybe your idols are people, maybe they are sports teams, maybe they are hobbies. Good things go bad when they become idols and distractions. What is acceptable is defined by what your duty is. A soldier is held to a much different standard than a civilian, and, in the same way, good things could be holding you back from what is great. Determine your goals and your direction, then begin eliminating the things which keep you from those goals.

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Pyro Life: A Consuming Fire

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:07:00 +0000

PyroLife – A consuming fire
Joseph Brewster
April 15 2009

Purpose: Encountering a dangerous God

Illustration: PROPANE EXPLOSION VIDEO

When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” 27 This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.29 For our God is a devouring fire. Heb 12:26-29 (NLT)

A moment of terror: When was the last time you had a moment of real terror? When was the last time you really were scared of something. Perhaps a situation, a person, or an animal? Have you ever been accidentally injured by something that was heavy, sharp or otherwise dangerous? Fear is sometimes a problem we must overcome, and sometimes it is a natural reaction to what our mind perceives as a threat.

Illustration: In The Chronicles of Narnia, an allegory by C.S. Lewis, the author has two girls, Susan and Lucy, getting ready to meet Aslan the lion. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver prepare the children for the encounter. "Ooh," said Susan, "I thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion." "That you will, dearie." said Mrs. Beaver. "And make no mistake, if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knee's knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly." "Then isn't he safe?" said Lucy. "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Of course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the king, I tell you!"

God is not safe: God is frequently misrepresented. We tout His love and his kindness, His willingness to forgive and His personal care for us, but this is not all God is. God is a fear-inspiring being far beyond what we can even begin to comprehend. He is a fire, a judge, an executioner, an avenger—He is not safe.

When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear. 19 And they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!” 20 “Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!” 21 As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was. Ex 20:18-21 (NLT)

• Respect His voice – When your Heavenly Father calls out your name, along with a love of hearing your maker, and a joy in His presence, there should be a fearful respect of His voice. Illustration: I can recall staying up late with friends when I was young, and all of us talking and making noise until the voice of my father boomed out of the bedroom through the hall, and I knew it was time to hush.
• Respect His presence – Coming before the Lord is a joy, a privilege, and an honor, but it also holds a great intimidation for us when we are unfaithful. We worship Him in fear because we must be pure to stand in His presence, and if we are not, we will be removed.
• Respect His judgment – We cry out about how unfair life is, and how the justice system is flawed. And yet, do we seek true justice? The absolute pure justice of an all-seeing God is a frightful thing, and standing before Him one day will be an awe-inspiring moment. Let the fear of the Lord prevent you from sinning.
For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. Deut 10:17 (NKJV)

Yaw-Ray: The Hebrew translation of “awesome” here is the same translation used in chapter 20 when Moses says “do not Fear”. There is no over-emphasizing the majestic and powerful nature of God. You will bow now, or you will bow later, but according to: For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 14:11-12 (KJV)

Practical application: God is a God of love, He is a God of forgiveness. God has made a way for us to stand before Him, a provision for coverage of our impurities through His Son Jesus. Through Christ we may say that God is our Father and our Friend. Still, as a father he chastens us and stands before us as a righteous judge. Will your fear be an awe of who He is or a terror at who you are? How will you see God? Will He be a terrifying force or will he be a strong deliverer? Either way, He will be awesome! Take a moment and consider the awesomeness of God.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:30-31
Similarly, if God be against you, who will stand for you?

LINK TO AUDIO

Pyro Life: Works that won't burn

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:46:00 +0000

PyroLife – Works that wont burn
Joseph Brewster
April 8 2009

Purpose: Living a life that survives the flames.

Illustration: “Destroyed in Seconds: House explosion”

"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames." 1 Cor 3:11-15 (NLT)

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10 (NKJV)

Building on your foundation: There is an assumption here—Paul is assuming that he is writing to people who have already installed Christ as their foundation in life. That assumption includes the idea that you have committed yourself to serving Christ and following His teachings. Once you have started in that direction, your possibilities are unlimited. We can use materials of all kinds in the process of building our futures, but not all of them are lasting.

If your house was burning, what are some things you would want to save that could not easily be replaced?

Trying by fire
• Fire strips away the excess – Gold refiners would use fire to separate Gold from dross (or impurities). Our lives are full of many things, but when we are put to the test, the non-essentials will burn. When hard times hit, we find out what is truly important.
• Fire leaves only the true valuables – When the smoke clears, only the true gems survive, only the real gold is left. When you are pressured the world will see what is important to you and what you will cling to. When we are forced to choose, we go with the big stuff in our eyes.

The good burn: Not only will there be a final judgment that weeds out the good and bad deeds, but there will be trials in life as well, and it is not necessarily a bad thing. Feel the burn. When trouble comes and testing starts to strip away at the useless frills of life, allow it to burn away the excess and focus on the core of what you should be focusing on anyway.

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." James 1:2-4 (NLT)

• Test your own works – Before it’s God’s turn to check you out, do a self check. Examine your life and the purpose and direction you are pursuing. Are you working for things that will fade or things that will last?
• Welcome trouble – Trouble will make or break you depending on how you confront it. Allow for criticism. Allow for stress. These things will strip away the pretence.
• Regularly re-examine – However good our intentions are, we get jarred and lose focus. It is human nature to be a little ADHD with our priorities and it is important to put your purpose before your eyes on a daily basis. Write it down, stick a note on your head, make it important to your day.

"The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire."
Rev 20:13-15 (NKJV)

Practical application: When you stand before God and give an account for your works will they last? Will you be proud of how you spent your time? If we drop our life in the fire, what is left when the smoke clears? Make sure the essentials remain essential, and the excess does not get in the way. I’m not here to point out the works that will burn in your life, you should know that for yourself, I am here to remind you that there is fire coming.

LINK TO AUDIO

Prayer - A Prayer God Won't Ignore

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:59:00 +0000

Joseph Brewster
March 18 2009
Purpose: When to pray and when to act.

Does God ever ignore prayers? God is famous for being a loving God, a God of mercy, a God who gives second chances; is there ever even the slightest chance that my prayers are going unheard or that God would ignore my requests? Would God ever abandon me in my time of need? What if I don’t hear anything when I pray? What if God never tells me anything? What if He is silent? Is that possible?

When Saul saw the vast Philistine army, he became frantic with fear.6 He asked the Lord what he should do, but the Lord refused to answer him, either by dreams or by sacred lots or by the prophets.7 Saul then said to his advisers, “Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and ask her what to do.” 1 Sam 28:5-7 (NLT)

The Silent God
God does go silent sometimes. Saul, anointed by God, and chosen by God’s prophet to lead the nation of Israel, is now alone in his time of need. The Lord refused to answer Him. Why? Saul, in desperation, tries plan B.

“Why have you disturbed me by calling me back?” Samuel asked Saul.
“Because I am in deep trouble,” Saul replied. “The Philistines are at war with me, and God has left me and won’t reply by prophets or dreams. So I have called for you to tell me what to do.” 16 But Samuel replied, “Why ask me, since the Lord has left you and has become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done just as he said he would. He has torn the kingdom from you and given it to your rival, David.18 The Lord has done this to you today because you refused to carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites.19 What’s more, the Lord will hand you and the army of Israel over to the Philistines tomorrow, and you and your sons will be here with me. The Lord will bring down the entire army of Israel in defeat.” 1 Sam 28:15-19 (NLT)

Samuel’s Final Prophecy
Saul’s measures were not only forbidden by God, but illegal by his own decree, but He knows no other way and no one else to turn to. After all, who do you go to when God has refused you? Let's go back and find out why Saul was in this predicament...

But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” 1 Sam 15:22-23 (NLT)

Quote: Peter T. Forsythe said "The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master".

A prayer that God will ignore: A sure way to make sure that God ignores your prayer is when you constantly refuse to obey Him. There is absolutely no point in coming before God with your prayer when you have already been directly instructed to do something, yet you ignore God. In essence, God will ignore you if you begin ignoring Him. God is a just God, and He will allow you to take your own medicine so to speak. He will allow you to sleep in your own bed. Do not expect God to bail you out when you are in direct disobedience to His commands.

Examining your heart: If you want power coming before God you must deny yourself. Admit your sin. Turn your heart toward His instruction. Turn your feet toward His path.

Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idolsand never tell lies.5 They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior.6 Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob. Psalms 24:3-6 (NLT)

Flesh it out: Maybe you are getting the silent treatment. Maybe you are totally powerless in your life, and it is leaving you desperate and afraid. Maybe you sense your relationship with your Savior is at an all time low, but you keep clinging to your stubbornness and selfish desires, hoping you can have both. Your prayers will be useless if you cannot listen to the answers of an almighty God.

Link To Audio

Prayer - Function Not Form

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:32:00 +0000

Talking to God – Form vs. Function
Joseph Brewster
March 11 2009
Purpose: The importance of effective prayer.

And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, "For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed." 26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord. Gen 4:25-26 (NKJV)

Calling: The passage here implies, in the original language, that people actively were seeking God by name and with speech, attempting to contact Him. This could be translated as prayer, worship, or just trying to get in touch with God.

Passage: Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: "There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, 'Get justice for me from my adversary.' 4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.' " 6 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"
Luke 18:1-8 (NKJV)

The function of prayer: Communication is important, and when you cannot communicate, you are crippled in your relationships. Prayer is all about communication between you and God. It’s not complicated, it’s communication.

Making your request known: The woman in the story simply brings her request daily before the ruler until he finally gives in to her demand. The implication here is not that God is evil and swayed because He is annoyed by you, but that if this woman could convince an evil ruler in this way, how much more could you persuade God?

Are you getting your message across? Come before God on a regular basis, and make your request known. Keep making your request known. It may not be something God chooses to do, but you increase the likelihood of it happening if you are diligent to confront God.

Eloquent Speaking: When communicating to God, remember that it is about function, not form. God is not listening for code words or special formatting of your prayer. The Holy Spirit can translate for you, just get it out!
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few
Ecclesiastes 5:2
"When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again."
Matthew 6:7

Get heard! Cry out to God! Make it known! Get heard before God with your prayers! Speak your requests, speak your praise, be actively coming before God with your concerns!

Practical application: Bug God. Work on the function of your prayer and be concerned about what you have faith to receive from God. You want to communicate, and that is all. God is not ignorant. He understands you, and there is no need for you to be elaborate with your speech for God’s sake.

Link To Audio

2009 for Impact

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:31:00 +0000

We have a lot of exciting changes coming up in 2009, including a mission road trip for senior high, an improved mid-week service, a revamped internship program, and a renewed vision for reaching Pueblo campuses with the Message of Christ. With a new year we will inherit new students and graduate out others. Who can say what a year will bring, but I believe the sense of newness is important in life, and the echo of hope that change brings can propel people into action. 2009 will propel the Impact Student Ministry into new actions, open new doors, and expose us to more of Pueblo. My heart is in ministering to the surrounding community, beginning on our street, then to our surrounding area, and expanding as God gives us resources. The changes I am pursuing for our new year will centralize our services and focus on the church area and the surrounding community with a sharper focus and better group meeting. I look forward to having the support and involvement of parents and church members as we seek to focus and improve our ministry. Well, I need to get back to working on those plans now...talk to you later!

From the desk of the youth pastor

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:10:00 +0000

This blog has now officially become my outlet for updating all of you who are interested about myself and the Impact Student Ministry here. I want to share my heart and vision so that you have all access to what is going on. I hope that this blog will be informative and helpful, but also that it will allow me to connect with you in ways that are not always possible in and around the youth/church events. The past few months have brought on several technical difficulties with our youth site crashing, then being restored (which www.impactpueblo.com is working again), my laptop being stolen, and the loss, as a result, of many of my files, audio lessons, and more that had been hosted on the site and are now gone forever (unless the thief returns my laptop). By the way, the link below to the interview does not work because the file was destroyed. I apologize for the inconvenience. At any rate, if you are interested in my life and vision as the youth pastor here, I invite you to subscribe to this blog and follow my posts. Late happy thanksgiving!

Joseph

Interview With Rob G about speaking in tongues

impactpueblo@gmail.com — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:55:00 +0000

After being repeatedly asked about the beliefs of various denominations regarding speaking in tongues, I asked a friend of mine from the Assembly Of God church, Rob Gurule, to give his views on the doctrine of tongues and how he has experienced the practice of that doctrine in the Assembly of God church. This is obviously a very controversial doctrine and our two churches differ, but our goal in this interview was to openly discuss what the Assembly of God churches teach about tongues and what Scripture they cite for their beliefs. A big thanks goes out to Rob and Amazing Grace for kindly agreeing to this interrogation. Rob has been a blessing in my life, and I hope that this interview will be educational for anyone interested. Enjoy!

LINK TO INTERVIEW