by Brian Hobbs | Apr 6, 2017
I’ve heard someone say, “That peppermint mocha was so good, it changed my life.” I’ve heard another say, “You need to visit this new restaurant. It will change your life.”
These days, we are bombarded with political slogans and consumer marketing promising life-changing experiences. As someone with a marketing background myself, I understand this tactic, but I have come to believe it’s overused. When everything is life-changing, then nothing is especially life-changing.
As Christians, though, we believe the Gospel is what most changes a person’s life.
Without question, becoming a born-again Christian is what most profoundly changed my life. Nothing compares to inheriting eternal life, being reconciled to God through His Son Jesus and having the Holy Spirit living in you.
Christ changes your worldview. He changes your attitude. He changes your eternal destiny. Even though in this world we will still suffer and struggle, Jesus Christ is who and what changes us most, now and always.
For me, what is the second most life changing event was when my wife and I became parents. For starters, there was an entirely new person born into the world, one whom the hospital staff released days after her birth for us—her parents—to take home and be entirely in charge of. This little baby came with many needs, round-the-clock. Whatever plans you had for any given moment of the day, we now had a little person counting on us to be there, or to make arrangements for childcare.
Beyond this, I also discovered that my protective and provider instincts kicked in overdrive. In marriage, I also felt these instincts, but becoming a father took it to a new dimension. I now looked at movies differently. I looked at life differently. I was forever changed.
Perhaps you, too, have experienced this life change or seen its dramatic effect on another person’s life. If so, rejoice in that gift. Also reflect on the fact that God gave you life, and that someone somewhere took care of you all those years up until now. Finally, take a moment to think about the fact that, as much as becoming a parent changes your life, coming to Christ in Faith will change your life even more. And that’s a life-changing promise you can count on.
by Brian Hobbs | Mar 16, 2017
The much-discussed “Beauty and the Beast” movie debut is upon us. Just before news broke about the new film rendition containing a “gay moment,” I said that I was not much looking forward to the new film because Angela Lansbury was not going to be singing the main theme song.
Therefore, I was not ever excited or never had expectations about this movie, so that may be why I did not feel as disappointed as many. That is not to say I don’t have an opinion on the matter. But I did not experience extreme emotions related to the news. Borrowing from descriptions used by a fellow blogger, I have noticed several strong reactions to the “gay moment” controversy that can be described as follows.
The Celebrators
For socially-liberal people, Disney’s adapting the plot to include a character (“LeFou”) who reportedly feels same-sex attraction to another character (“Gaston”) is only a good start. These folks would have wanted Disney to go even farther, pushing the boundaries. The actor in question, Josh Gad, seems to be beaming with pride at his moment in the sun. Nearly every person you hear celebrating this news was already on board with the sexual revolution, so we ought not to be shocked, even if we’re saddened at how misguided this perspective is.
The Critics
Many people being critical of Disney or the film’s director are simply concerned parents, who were hoping they would have a family-safe movie to enjoy. It must be said, though, that some people went too far too fast, for not having yet seen the movie. Social media sometimes invites us to be uncharitable in our words, talking past one another. It was less than 24 hours before a “Boycott Beauty and the Beast” movement was formed, after news of the reportedly gay moment. We do not know if all or some of the criticism is deserved, but we do know the movie has been tainted for many before its release.
The Conceders
“Well, I already had bought my ticket, so I’m still going;” or “I grew up watching ‘Beauty and the Beast’ nonstop. It’s my movie.” These are phrases we hear from people who, yes, they’re grieved at the thought of a gay moment in this movie. But they are so committed or emotionally attached to the plot, they’re going to see the movie anyway. When I say these people are conceding, I do not mean they have compromised their moral fiber. I mean they are desperately hoping to find a middle ground, where they oppose that one facet of the movie, while still getting to enjoy the rest. Maybe the “gay moment” is not all we’re told, they say. Time will tell if these fans of the tale as old as time are right or not.
The Commenters
You know these people. You might even be one. The commenters are the people that cannot resist chiming in on any and every issue that arises. From serious issues like abortion to frivolous issues like food, social media abounds with people who have strong opinions. News about a “gay moment” in “Beauty and the Beast” provided a field day for these folks. They typically fall into one of the aforementioned camps, but they find opportunities to comment on any and all of the perspectives.
The Concerned
These people, with whom I’d most associate, wish this Disney “gay moment” would not have ever come about. They may not join the boycott per se, but they may not see the movie either. Or at the very least, they may decide to screen the movie for themselves before allowing any youngsters to see it. This group of folks tends to withhold judgment until the full picture can be seen, but will view it with an even more skeptical eye now. They remain concerned about the rising tide of the sexual revolution, all while understanding that we live in a fallen world that needs Christ, the Redeemer.
It has been said that what most reveals our character is how we react. If that’s true, then the “Beauty and the Beast” moment has reminded us that, as a society—especially we on the Internet world—we have far to go before we’re transformed from something beastly to something beautiful.
by Brian Hobbs | Mar 9, 2017
I’ve often been asked by other Christian believers, “What’s your life verse?” For the longest time, I didn’t have an answer. It’s not because I didn’t have favorite Bible verses and passages. It’s because I had too many from which to choose.
During my childhood, and when coming to faith in Christ, John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world…”) was probably the most prominent verse to me, my life verse.
Later while attending a secular university where temptations and challenges to my faith abounded, 1 Pet. 3:15 (“Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…”) became my life verse.
After getting married and having our first child, the verses within Psalm 1 (“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked…”) became a personal and family favorite.
Still later, having experienced some grief through the years, John 10:10 (“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly…”) ranks atop my list of verse favorites.
I guess you can say that I have had multiple life verses. Yet I have come to believe it’s okay not to have one singular, permanent life verse, and that God will use His Word to bless us and comfort us through every season of life. And for this, I am so thankful to the Lord.
So what is your life verse? Or if I may ask it another way, what verses of Scripture has God uniquely used to bless you?
by Brian Hobbs | Mar 2, 2017
Do recall who taught you to read? If you’re like me, there was one specific person—whether a parent or a teacher—who opened up the world of reading to you.
I have had the honor of tutoring in the public schools off and on (mostly off) for several years, and the major focus was helping kids learn to read or read even better. Also, for my own children, I have had the privilege of helping them learn to read.
Throughout these experiences, I have come across an excellent book that has helped in that journey. It’s called Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. The book uses two powerful concepts. The first is a phonics technique and the second is daily learning.
If you are going to embark on a major undertaking, it’s always a good idea to break it up into small, achievable steps. The authors of the book do a remarkable job in this area. I am sure there are other great teach-your-child-to-read programs and books out there, but this one has proven to be successful, in my experience.
In my home state, we have a major problem in which children are learning to read later and later, and many older children and adults are functionally illiterate. During one of my tutoring experiences, I discovered that the child had advanced to the fifth grade but could barely read, which broke my heart. That is why I am thankful for the many wise people who have emphasized the need for literacy and have become personally involved.
When a child can read, it opens up more than their learning. There is a link, I believe, between reading and spiritual development. Not only can the child then take in the Bible, the Word of God, when he or she can read, there is a moral dimension that seems to be opened up, through the process as well.
One of the most famous Christian conversions of all time is that of St. Augustine, who tells this story of how reading led to his rebirth. He says in his famous work, Confessions:
“So was I speaking and weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when, lo! I heard from a neighbouring house a voice, as of boy or girl, I know not, chanting, and oft repeating, ‘Take up and read; Take up and read.’ Instantly, my countenance altered, I began to think most intently whether children were wont in any kind of play to sing such words: nor could I remember ever to have heard the like. So checking the torrent of my tears, I arose; interpreting it to be no other than a command from God to open the book, and read the first chapter I should find. … I seized, opened, and in silence read that section (of St. Paul’s letter) on which my eyes first fell: ‘Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying; but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, in concupiscence.’ No further would I read; nor needed I: for instantly at the end of this sentence, by a light as it were of serenity infused into my heart, all the darkness of doubt vanished away.”
I don’t know who taught Augustine to read, but whoever did, he or she paved the way for God to use this transforming moment in his life, which forever changed the history of Christianity and the history of the world.
So the next time you want to undertake something great, teach a child to read. Only God knows the good it may do.
by Brian Hobbs | Feb 23, 2017
It’s been said that the Internet is the new Wild West. There’s rampant gambling, promotion of illicit alcohol and drugs, as well as widespread prostitution in the form of pornography.
Sadly, many young people are exposed to these dangers at a very early age. Many times the exposure happens under their parent’s roof, with their own parents paying for the digital devices that deliver the mayhem.
That is why Christian parents, now more than ever, must pay special attention to the devices that they and their children own. In fact, I highly recommend a content filter for every man, woman and child who surfs the Internet.
Two of the best content filters I have found are Covenant Eyes, which offers content filter and peer accountability, and the Qustudio App, which offers a content filter and powerful parental control options.
Jesus said, “What would it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” Inspired by our Master’s words, we can say, “What would it profit a person to gain the whole World Wide Web and lose his soul?” Likewise, the Apostle Paul, truly a man of God, said Christians must not put confidence in the flesh (Phil. 3:3).
Unlike some temptations like drugs or alcohol, the temptation toward sexual sin is common to all people. We should not be too proud to admit we need the Lord’s help in this area, as well as help from our spouse and/or a godly, trusted peer of the same sex.
So if you have a computer, get a content filter.
If you have a smartphone or Internet-device, get a filter and an app.
Even while we take great measures to protect the hearts and minds of our kids, let’s not forget to protect our own, too. As it turns out, there is an app for that.