Young Adults Don't Worship...etc.

By Cathy Lynn Grossman / USA TODAY (copied by Larry from Presbyweb)

Most young adults today don't pray, don't worship and don't read the Bible, a survey by a Christian research firm shows.

If the trends continue, "the Millennial generation will see churches closing as quickly as GM dealerships," says Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources. In the group's survey of 1,200 18- to 29-year-olds, 72% say they're "really more spiritual than religious."

Among the 65% who call themselves Christian, "many are either mushy Christians or Christians in name only," Rainer says. "Most are just indifferent. The more precisely you try to measure their Christianity, the fewer you find committed to the faith."

"We have dumbed down what it means to be part of the church so much that it means almost nothing, even to people who already say they are part of the church," Rainer says.

Passion to Action story

Recently I wrote briefly about a couple in Alpharetta, GA that went on a mission trip to Kenya, Africa, returned home, sold their awesome home, bought a motorcoach and are now traveling the country to seek to inspire others to missions. Here is a photo of the family, an except from their blog and their website posted at the end.

"Our journey began the summer of 2007 when we went on a life-changing mission trip to Kenya, Africa.

While in Africa, we had many conversations with our country host, Paul Omondi, who grew up in the slums of Nairobi. He described the heart wrenching challenges he faced growing up in that environment and how he saw many of his friends pay for their wrong choices with their lives. He described how some of his friends were burned or stoned to death. He told us that what kept him alive in the slums was that he had a dream to one day be the President of Kenya. He spoke of how God places a dream in all of us. What was our dream? We knew it was buried deep in our hearts, but we were too busy pursuing the “American” dream to even acknowledge it. The 5 of us (Noah, being to young to participate, stayed in Atlanta with friends) served for 10 days in Kiu, a small community outside of Nairobi, Africa. We went there to serve and bless others, but we received much more than we gave. The people of Africa changed our lives forever. Until you see them face to face, their lives are only an image on a TV screen … looking very surreal. When you hug them, talk with them, see their living conditions and pray with them, it touches your heart in a way that is indescribable. They are the most generous, joyful people we have ever met. They are clearly poor and in desperate need of so much, yet they have a richness that many Americans will never experience. Their faces and our time together will forever be etched in our hearts.

Coming home to the U.S. was difficult as we experienced a myriad of emotions. How could we have so much and yet be so discontent? We were thankful for how blessed we were, yet at the same time wondered if all that we owned added to our life, or actually stole life from us? As we allowed these questions to surface and answered them honestly, we began to pray about what to do. As a family, we wept, prayed and searched God’s Word. We needed answers and direction. We discussed our dream of traveling the country full-time. We no longer wanted to wait for “some day”, nor did we want to just travel for site seeing, adventure, or home school reasons. We knew that this mission needed to have a purpose and that it was bigger than us. Initially, we felt a little crazy. We researched, prayed, questioned and wondered. We also wrestled with the fear of the unknown and the fear of failure. Through it all, we finally came to the conclusion this was in fact what we felt God was leading us to do.

In November 2007, we put our home on the market. We waited five agonizing months and during that time we were able to detach ourselves from our home and purge our hearts of materialism.

In March 2008, we sold our home. Two weeks before we moved, God provided the perfect used RV for our family and the owner offered to drive it to our home in Atlanta all the way from Las Vegas, NV. Through this and several other events we saw specifically how God was capable of meeting all of our needs.

On April 18, 2008 the house was sold, the RV was packed and we hit the road. Although we left behind many wonderful friendships, we knew beyond a doubt that we were following what God had put so heavily on our hearts."


THEIR WEB SITE, FULL ON INFO, IS: www.passiontoaction.org

Recent Visits to Dear Friends

Helen and I recently spent an evening in the home of Dr. and Dr. (Julian & Sue)Duttera in LaGrange, GA, in their beautiful home. Took a boat ride on their lake and enjoyed a wonderful evening meal. Here are photos from that visit:

Helen and I also just returned from a visit to Darlene and Al Sprowls home in Salem, SC. Fantastic bean soup and fresh lettuce salad from their garden. Here is photo of their new home.

Also Helen and I completed a recent trip to Presbyterian College for a Scholarship Fund Patrons' event where I renewed friendships with 6 classmates from the PC class on 1960.

Alpine Cookout Photos

Donna and Manning Davis' ranch in Alpine, TX, and photo of trio at Cowboys' Cookout.

Badland Gang Plays Golf

Today, the Badland Gang attacks the Alpharetta Athletic Club golf course. The two younger members of the gang (Monster Mike and Little Buck) play the older guys (Gorgeous George and Parson Larry). Big money on the line!

Standin' in the Smoke of the Brandin' Fire

This year at the music/poetry gathering in Alpine, TX, Allan Chapman presented a new song which has not yet been recorded. It is entitled “Standin' in the Smoke of the Brandin’ Fire”.

I am writing you tonight, dear, from east New Mexico, where the grass is getting’ greener and the Rio Frio flows.

I guess you gave up on me some time ago, while I was standin’ in the smoke of the brandin’ fire.

I know this cowboy life I lead, never appealed to you.

There’s always something needin’ doin’, before another thing gets through.

Well, I hear you’re getting married and this letter’s overdue, 'cause I’ve been standin’ in the smoke of the brandin’ fire.

I’ve been keepin’ my pony fed… and stretchin’ wire.

Wish I could tell you somethin’ different, but I’m not that good a liar, ‘cause all I know is punchin’ cows and smoky brandin’ fires.

The nights are gettin’ warmer and it rained just yesterday.

I’m starting three new mares this week, the best one is the bay.

Well, I’m wishin’ you and yours a good life, that’s what I mean to say, while I’m standin’ in the smoke of the brandin’ fire.

The song tells of a cowboy who could not give up the lure of the cowboy life and culture long enough to claim the heart of his lover. ‘The smoke of the brandin’ fire’ was just too alluring for him to turn away, even for the love of his life.

Some of us have been standing in the smoke of the brandin’ fire. We have allowed the lure of our culture to pilfer our hearts while our first loves – Jesus Christ and his church – have been stolen from us by the lure of the culture. We have been seduced. Our commitment, courage and loyalty are not what they used to be. Core values are quickly eroding. Our first love is still out there. The core values which we first embraced are still out there. Jesus, church and country still call to us to come back to our first loves. Our calling is to commitment, courage and loyalty in the face of great testing. But the smoke of our culture is blinding many, even in the church.

Some of us have been blinded by the lure of today’s culture. For some the things of this world and the bottom line are more important than living by the grace of Jesus Christ. Some have given up their first loves. Some of us are standin' far too deep in the smoke of the brandin' fire. God’s grace and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit provide the only way out of the smoke.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ lead you out of the smoke and keep you clear of the brandin’ fire.

Special Young couple I Met Today

While walking Honey Rose today at Twin Lakes RV park in Cumming, GA, I met a young couple also walking their dog. I learned their interesting story. They are in their late 20's or early 30's. They had a large home in Alpharetta. After returning from a mission trip to Kenya, Africa, they sold their home, bought a motorcoach and are now full-time RVers, spending their days coordinating church mission trips. We keep meeting the most interesting people. The world is full of them. Everyday brings surprises.

Flowers from the Past

In 2007 we sold our property in Cumming and moved into an apartment. In July 2008 we began our RV travels. The property we sold is part of a 40 acre development, but though the streets, electricity, sewer, water and paved streets are in, nothing has been built. The development is dormant. Today I drove to our old property and walked down to where our three story home once stood. Picked up a vase I found in the dirt, one I used for flowers from the yard. My old grape orchard is still there, though the vines have died. Many items on the back side of the property are still there. However, they cut down most of the trees, shrubs, etc and leveled all the land. Several years ago I planted lots of dafodils and one batch was still producing. I picked what was there. Here they are. I enjoyed some good memories as I walked the property, looked at the great trees, strolled the creekside and took some pics. Life goes on.

EASTER SUNDAY, April 4

EASTER SUNDAY, April 4

“A Footrace to a Miracle”

Scripture Lesson: John 20:1-18

Reflections on the Lesson:

Finally, Easter morning! And the disciples cannot believe what the women tell them. Alive? You have to be crazy. He’s dead. We saw him die. We know he is in a grave. Peter must see for himself. So he and John take off running to the cemetery. John wins the footrace, but stands outside the tomb, peering in, staring in unbelief at the grave clothes neatly folded where a body should be. Peter arrives, panting, and races into the grave. Finally, John goes in, also, and his Gospel records these words: “He saw and believed.”

Friday was bad news. Sunday brought the Good News we have wanted to hear: HE IS ALIVE! Now everything Jesus said, taught and did comes back to us with power! What we sinners needed so desperately, God has given us in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! Praise God!

One final question:

Are you living in the resurrection power of our Christ?

Prayer;

Risen Lord, thank you for your life, death and resurrection. Thank you for my salvation. Thank you for conquering death. Grant me grace to live in the power of your Holy Spirit. This I pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.