Good to know I’m not alone in needing a kick in the behind.

I love the line in Narnia when (someone) says “Remember he is not a tame lion”. We have to remember that God is not just smiles and roses. Sometimes he is tough and direct. Are we only to mirror his more romantic qualities, or should we strive to be uncompromising on sin?

I don’t know if these types of rallies are the best vehicle for this. But a house that is against itself can not stand. If Luce is sending the message that sex before marriage is harmful, that drugs and alchohol are binding and that there is a holy war going on where the devil wants any part of you, you’ll give him, then good on him. I just hope there is follow up when the battle gets really hot. I hope he’s plugging kids into a support network of christians. No one fights a war alone…..

You said it best when you said that only a deep love of God is going to complete the task. But I see way too many times Christians keeping God at arms length and still trying to do life without involving him more fully. I am more guilty of this than I care to admit.

For a newer Christian, I agree that this type of gathering probably isn’t appropriate unless they really trust the person who brought them along. But for us ‘veteran’ Christians, a ’smack’ accross the back of the head every now and then is definitely needed. (surely I’m not the only one like this).

You’re right in saying that God is pretty clear in what he expects of us in regards to these areas - I just don’t know if this is the best way to encourage living in the likeness of God.

Most people look at religion as a set of rules, while this is not entirely untrue - There’s a much grander and deeper truth than that. I believe that it’s only from Christ in us that we can make the change to the perfect being that He is making us into.
If you an portray God honestly and truthfully - then people can’t help but love Him. God isn’t a landlord with a stick but a being who wants to make us not mere humans but his Sons, entirely new beings.

How do you bring about that change, perhaps it’s many things, following godly rules would certainly make you closer to that person. Only a deep love of God is going to complete the task.

So, I think these Christians are saying something truthful and potentially helpful but it’s just got to be off-putting for some people. I think it’s possible they’re too busy trying to be relevant with all the shouting and the hip-thrusting and not presenting the truth of The Humble King.. another mixed bag of thoughts from me.

I personally didn’t mind the no nonsense message that seemed to delivered to those who were attending. We all too easily in todays world sugar coat our faith and Christianity so that it won’t offend anyone or get others noses out of joint. I think God would like more of us to be a little more bold and start speaking with more conviction when the time is appropriate.

When speaking to a youth based audience, real issues like sex before marriage and Drug & Alcohol use are issues that are very real and ones that todays youth are going to face several times. I don’t think there is any grey area in these types of subjects. God is pretty clear in what he expects of us in regards to these areas. Todays world will tell us that its not that bad and that a little indulgence isn’t going to hurt anyone. We seem to get more and more relaxed on those issues because thats the way todays society is determining it to be. Its on TV, in magazines and papers, billboards, internet… the list goes on. When will we as a church globally, start to really stand out as a body of people who won’t stand for the relaxed attitiude anymore. It happens at times I know, I’m just not sure it does it enough. So what if we look a bit weird for taking such a strong stand. So what if this makes us a little different than the rest of the world. Isn’t this what we’re called to do in the name of our heavenly Father? Jesus put up with a lot more stares, gossip and taunts than we ever will.

I believe that if we become successful with standing out a little better, then this will actually draw more people toward us. If we do it right and we become the light God asks us to be in an often very dark world, then I believe more people will see how much nicer the light is over the darkness.

Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. I look forward to hearing other peoples opinions.