Common Sense Parenting on Instagram

By: Charles Steiner

It may or may not shock you that many parents do not have a clue what their children are doing on social media websites like Facebook and Instagram. This can be a very bad thing, as there is much trouble that your precious children can get into on these sites. I’m going to expose some of these things, and share with you some helpful tips about how to help keep your children out of trouble on these sites.

I follow several children on the social media app Instagram. These children access this website with their IPod touches, IPads, IPhones, and other electronic devices. I first became aware of Instagram because I heard elementary age children describe it as “kind of like Facebook except for kids.” I have also heard parents make this same statement. Being the good youth minister that I am, I decided to get an Instagram account as a new way to enhance communication. Is Instagram “kind of like Facebook except for kids?” No it is not. Under the section called Terms on Instagram.com it states as rule #1 “You must be 13 years old or older to use this site.” This is the exact same rule that Facebook has. By the way, Facebook owns Instagram.

Rule #2 states “You may not post nude, partially nude, or sexually suggestive photos.” Facebook has a very similar policy. Many children and teenagers are frequently posting pictures of themselves and others in swimsuits and other revealing clothing. One of the many dangers of this is that once you put something on the Internet, it’s on the Internet. You can’t ever truly delete it. There is no telling what perverts out there have saved the pictures and what they will do with them, not to mention what sexual temptation and sin it could lead to among their peers.

Speaking of perverts, parents, please talk to your children about not allowing people to follow them on Instagram whom they do not know. Just because the middle-aged man who lives in his mother’s basement looks harmless, doesn’t mean he is. Also, just because the profile says it’s a 13-year-old girl, it could really be a sexual predator in disguise. Be careful! I would also strongly suggest making your profile page private. If you don’t make it private the whole world can see your pictures and start following you! I also suggest, not following anyone you don’t know.

You also need to be aware that your children could be looking at sexually suggestive photos on Instagram without you knowing, even if you are a good parent, and check their account often. Most celebrity accounts are not private. There is also a place where you can search for pictures using a keyword. All it takes is a quick trip to the clear search history section, and mom and dad will never know. Don’t be deceived. According to FamilySafeMedia.com, 90% of 8-16 year olds have viewed porn on the Internet. I hope that the information in this article has helped to open your eyes to things you need to be doing as a parent to keep your children out of trouble on Instagram. 

Some Thoughts About Easter

By Charles Steiner

In America we love our holidays. Don’t we? We love making a list of things we are going to change as the New Year begins. Women love being pampered by their valentine on Valentine’s Day. Kids love dressing up like something scary or fun and walking around the neighborhood to get a sack full of candy. We love feasting on lots of good food and enjoying the company of loved ones at Thanksgiving. If we have been good, Santa brings us neat stuff at Christmas. Let’s not forget those anniversaries men!

This coming Sunday's holiday is known as Easter. Easter to children means hunting eggs and the bunny comes with a basket of goodies. This is known as the social celebration of Easter. However, millions around the world celebrate Easter as a religious holiday. To them, Easter is the day Jesus was raised from the dead. Is that true? Are Christians to celebrate Easter as a religious holiday? Consider the following information as you ponder that question.

The church in New Testament times did not celebrate Easter. They formally observed the resurrection of Jesus on Sundays as they worshiped together (Acts 20:7, I Corinthians 16:2). Sunday is the day Jesus was raised from the dead (John 20:1ff). Jesus’ resurrection is the foundation upon which our faith and preaching stand (I Corinthians 15:14ff). The Catholic First Council of Nicaea established the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the full moon following the northern hemisphere’s vernal equinox in the year 325 as a compromise of Jewish and Gentile beliefs. The date ranges each year between March 22 and April 25. The word Easter (Acts 12:4) is a mistranslation in the King James Version of the Bible for the Greek word pascha. It is correctly translated as Passover (ESV, NASB, NKJV, NIV). David Roper in the Truth for Today Commentary on Acts 1-14 notes the following on page 447, “Perhaps the man-made celebration of Easter was so important in their (The KJV translators) day that they wished to include the word in the Bible.”

With all of these things in mind, I don’t want us to miss one important point. This is a day in which the world is thinking about the Resurrection of Jesus. Much like Christmas with the birth of Jesus, let’s take advantage of this time. Let’s make sure we are prepared to share with those, our faith in the resurrection of Jesus. Let’s take advantages of openings in conversations that might come up. Let’s take the initiative, and tell those we know that Jesus Christ lives today! Don’t wait for them to ask you! They probably won’t! Let’s be proactive in sharing our faith in the resurrected Jesus! 

I’ll Work Til Jesus Comes

By: Daniel Youngblood 

Wednesday, April 27^th 2011   is a day that will go down in History.  A record number of deadly tornadoes devastated the south.  I’m so thankful that my home was spared, but just a few miles away, there was total devastation. Hundreds of people lost their homes and businesses, and many lost their lives. I will never forget that day. 

Sunday, May 1^st, a few days later, is another day I’ll never forget.  It marks the day that my church came together like never before.  Everyone was so motivated and willing to pitch in and help, from the oldest members to the youngest.  We worked together and were united by a common goal, to help the tornado victims.     That morning my preacher had asked for volunteers to help sort donations sent from other churches.  That night almost everyone stayed. The fellowship hall was transformed into a distribution center, where older members sorted cans and boxes of food. Men unloaded cases of bottled water. Ladies boxed up diapers and baby supplies. And children sorted and labeled clothing. Even the little ones helped by dropping cards with the plan of salvation in the boxes. Everyone was needed, and I was a part of this team effort!  It was the first time “working til Jesus comes” became real to me.  I even caught myself humming the hymn to myself as I helped my dad rebuild a chicken coop for an elderly couple.

I could never list all that our church family did that week for our community and are still doing, but I can tell you how it felt, it was exciting, exhausting, and at times frustrating…but most of all it was fulfilling, to know that I was working with fellow Christians, like the Bible teaches us to do in Galatians 6:9-10.  “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” 

Here it is, almost a year later; and this is what I see in my town: Some new houses right next to abandoned ones that have  a big X spray painted on the front.  (I always feel relieved when the number at the bottom says ZERO.)  I see new bike lanes along the streets and brown trees that were stripped of life in fields,  where  neighborhoods  once stood. I realize there is still a lot of work to do.   

There is a lot of work left with tornado relief and there is a lot of work to do for the Lord. First Corinthians 15:58 says to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding the WORK of the Lord, knowing that your Labor is not in vain in the Lord.    It was easy those days right after the storms, when there was so much excitement.  But now, a year after the storm, how will I do it? Especially when I’m not with my church family, when I don’t feel a part of a team? I’ll just work til Jesus comes. When most of my classmates attend a party on Sunday night, I’ll work til Jesus comes. When my youth group delivers gifts to kids in the Hospital; I’ll work til Jesus comes. When I’m tired on the weekend and want to watch Sponge Bob; I’ll work til Jesus comes. When my soccer team plays a weekend tournament; I’ll work til Jesus comes. When my friends make the wrong choices; I’ll work til Jesus comes. That’s all I know to do, til Jesus comes.

About the Author: Daniel Youngblood is a 5th grade student at Faucett-Vestavia Elementary School in Northport, AL, and is a member of Cottondale Church of Christ. 

The Cure for Worry

By: Charles Steiner

If worry were a disease it would be a global pandemic. I can’t think of anyone I know who doesn’t at least struggle with it. Worry is defined in this way: feeling anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems.[1] Jesus shares the cure for worry. If you want to worry less, or better yet, not at all, consider what Jesus has to say.

“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:25b-34 NKJV)

            Jesus’ teachings on worry are clear. Followers of God should not worry. Notice Jesus doesn’t say only worry a little. Jesus doesn’t say only worry about the big stuff, you know, the stuff that could make you loose money, embarrass you, or hurt your family. Jesus says, “Do not worry”. Don’t worry about necessities, or anything else for that matter, “for after all of these things the Gentiles seek.” The Gentiles represented to the audience Jesus spoke to on this occasion, a group of people who did not seek to know God or obey God, but were consumed by worldly things. They wanted plenty of good food to eat, nice clothes to wear, a nice house to live in, and lots unnecessary fun stuff that costs lots of money. Most of us want these things, right? We worry about them. We think about them. A lot of us have all of these things, and yet we worry and dream about having more! We will have everything we need if we “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness.” Beyond what we need, we shouldn’t worry about. Let’s make sure our treasure is in the right place. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Mt. 6:19-21 NASB)

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[1] http://Oxforddictionaries.com/definition/worry

Gospel Meeting

Cottondale Church of Christ

January 22-25, 2012

Sunday: Bible Class at 9:00 a.m., Worship at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Monday - Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

Speaker: Wade Webster of Southaven, MS

Come Just As You Are. We Are All Unworthy. 

Come and Hear the Good News About Jesus.


Cottondale Church of Christ
2025 Prude Mill Road
Cottondale, AL 35453
CottondaleChurchofChrist.org
(205) 553-1444

If Tebow Wins the Super Bowl...

By: Charles Steiner

Tim Tebow has been in the news a lot lately. Have you noticed? It seems like everyone is talking about him, from national news channels like FOX to sports channels like ESPN. He seems to be a very polarizing figure. Most people seem to love him or hate him. Very few people seem to be neutral. 

I personally am a huge Tim Tebow fan, which seems strange to some since I am an Alabama football fan. Tebow battled Alabama during his years at Florida after almost committing to play for the Tide. I love his passion, intensity, physical playing style, leadership, and most of all how he will not quit talking about Jesus and finds many ways to try and bring glory to God. This is a very admirable quality, as many who would consider themselves Christians throw their faith to the sideline if they have the chance to live a glamorous life like Tim, in exchange for women, partying, and a seemingly limitless array of material possessions. Not only does Tim talk about his beliefs, but every indication is that he lives what he believes. When asked, Tim has even said that he is a 28 year old virgin, due to his Christian beliefs about the sinfulness of sex before marriage. He frequently goes on mission trips and seeks out ways to make a difference in the lives of others. These are just a few of his admirable qualities.

Due to his devout faith and selfless lifestyle, one of the main topics of interest by those in the media has been "Is God on Tebow's side?", and "Is God going to help Tebow win the super bowl?" These questions indicate a curiosity on the part of many, wondering if God will, or already is, intervening in Tebow's NFL games to reward Tim for his faithfulness, or to increase his popularity, so that God and Jesus can continue to be talked about by Tim, on a national and global platform, that a star NFL quarterback has. In fact, this discussion has sparked so much controversy that a Jewish rabbi, Joshua Hammerman in an article for TheJewishWeek.com, on December 14th, argued that if Tim Tebow leads the Denver Broncos to win the Super Bowl that it will lead to violent behavior on the part of Christians such as Masque burnings. For the remainder of this article, I would like to give an answer to what exactly it will mean if Tim Tebow wins the super bowl according to the teachings of the Bible.

In our world today, many who call themselves Christians and revere the Bible as the Holy book from God, are under a false impression that bad things do not happen to good people. They believe that if a Christian is obedient to God with their thoughts, words, and actions that God will bless that person to the extent that bad things will not happen to them and they will be successful in everything that they do. This idea is not consistent with the teachings of scripture on the subject.

In II Timothy 3:12 the Apostle Paul wrote "All who desire to live Godly, will suffer persecution." Jesus is quoted in John 15:20 as saying "A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you."

The apostle Peter said "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation, anyone who fears him, and does what is right, is acceptable to him." (Acts 10:34-35). Notice, Peter gives no indication that him who "does what is right" and "fears him (God)" will receive incredible material blessings or will be successful in everything they do. He simply says,  that this person by doing such is acceptable to God, implying that this person has been made right with God and upon death will receive eternal life in heaven. Peter lived a very modest life financially. He was severely persecuted by unbelievers, and was executed by the Romans by means of an upside down crucifixion. If bad things happened to this devout Apostle and leader in the church of Christ, then shouldn't 21st century believers, expect the same.

Jesus in the midst of teaching people to love and do good to those who do evil things to them, says in Matthew 5:45 "For he (God) makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust." This is an illustration showing that good and bad things happen to everyone, whether they are followers of God or not. The degree to which we are blessed by God is different from person to person, but God is allowed to make those decisions, and we must understand that there is a big picture reason for why things happen (good or bad). 

Paul after talking about how Isaac was more blessed than his brother Esau writes the following in Romans 9:14-24, "What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”  Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?”  But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”  Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory, even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?"

Paul's argument is clear. God has the whole world in his hands. He knows the past, the present, and the future. He has very distinct purposes for everyone. God knew that Pharaoh was going to make key decisions that would lead to God being glorified, even though they were evil decisions. In fact, Paul even indicates that God made Pharaoh like he did, because he knew he would do what he did (Don't drink a big gulp from the 7-Eleven, or your brain might freeze while trying to comprehend this. :) )

Now, does this mean that Pharaoh was doomed from birth, and never had a chance to do right? No, it does not mean that. Why? Because even though God knew Pharaoh would do what he did, it was still Pharaoh making the decisions. Pharaoh had the choice to do right, or do wrong, God just knew all along he would do wrong.

The reverse is also true. God as the potter (creator of human beings) makes pieces of clay (us) knowing that we will make good and right decisions as well, because that is his plan in certain instances. For example, consider what Mordecai said to a woman named Esther who went from being a peasant to becoming a queen and delivering her people from danger and death, "Who knows if you haven't come to your royal position for such a time as this." (Esther 4:14) Obviously God chose to bless Esther and provide her with the opportunity to become a queen, because of the good he knew she would bring.

Which brings us back to TIm Tebow. Is God a Tim Tebow fan? Is God going to help Tim Tebow win the super bowl? Maybe. Honestly, I have no idea. Here is what I do know, based upon the teachings of the Bible. Is it possible that God could be lifting up Tim Tebow on a national stage as a star NFL quarterback because he knows Tim is going to glorify God and his son Jesus Christ by talking about them and living a Godly life, much like he did Esther as Queen and countless others? Yes, it absolutely is possible. Is it for certain? We can't know for sure. What will it mean if Tim Tebow doesn't win the super bowl, or stops being a fan favorite NFL player? All that will mean is that God has a different plan for Tebow, and a different plan for how God will be glorified, and shared with the world. God has a plan for Tebow. God has a plan for you. God has a plan for me. Some plans are more exciting than others. Some pieces of clay that the potter makes are more glamorous than others. The best thing for us all to do, is to study the scriptures and obey the teachings found there in, so that we will follow God's plan for our lives, no matter what path he has decided is ahead for us. I can promise you this, that will be a decision you, nor I, nor anyone will ever regret.