The Voice of Experience

I haven’t been blogging like I normally do. It has to be due to the fact that it is summer because I don’t see many other people blogging right now either. I am still here – alive and well with just as many post ideas as ever, but I just don’t have the motivation to write them down. I guess it is too hot or something like that. I have been writing a blog on the separation of church and state, but that won’t be ready for a while. In the meantime I might as well switch gears and talk about something else.

Quite a while ago I was reading Corinthians and I came across this passage “Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, ‘I am of Paul,’ and ‘I of Apollos,’ and ‘I of Cephas,’ and ‘I of Christ.’ Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” – 1 Corinthians 1: 12-13. What personal application does this have? Chloe’s family told Paul that the Corinthians were arguing about who they were following, so Paul set them straight.

These past few days, I’ve been thinking about how people make such a big deal about which denomination they belong to. One of the first questions people ask me when they read my blog is “What denomination are you?” Usually I just tell them, but I’ve realized that it really isn’t necessary to do that. If the denomination I belong to turns them away from hearing the truth of the gospel, then wouldn’t it be better if I wasn’t of any denomination at all? Denominations shouldn’t have anything to do with what kind of Christian you are. Has Christ been divided? Our answer should be “I am of Christ.”

July 22nd, 2008
Categories: Christian, Notes, The Bible . Author: Eric Novak . Comments: 6 Comments

Our country was not only founded on the principles of freedom, but on the values of Christianity. In 1775 John Adams wrote, “It is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. A patriot must be a religious man.”

George Washington, in his inaugural address as the first president, said, “We should no less be persuaded that the propitious smiles of heaven cannot be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself has ordained.”

Concluding his Thanksgiving Day address, he stated, “Of all the disposition that happens to lead to political prosperity, religion and morals are indispensable supports.”

Thomas Jefferson, our third president, wrote these words which remain engraved upon his memorial in Washington D.C.: “God, who gave us life, gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we remove the conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just and His justice cannot sleep forever.”

During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln urged all Americans to participate in a national day of prayer, saying, “We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which has preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended power, to confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”

These men had a great impact on history and yet we abandon the faith that made them great. They believed in God and it made our country strong, yet we have removed that God from our society. How can we expect God to protect our country. How can we say “God Bless America?”

July 13th, 2008
Categories: Christian, Notes, The Bible . Author: Eric Novak . Comments: 16 Comments

Well, I’ve been having a very productive early summer. July 1^st I went through with a merge on the Prolifeteenagers and Teenfellowshipgroup websites. Then my older sister came into town and I am currently building a website for her. To make my life a little busier, I have a rather large reading list! I’m not going to take the time to put all of the books down. However, I will list the prominent titles. You may notice that I have several books on C.S. Lewis in the group – I’m doing a massive study on his life at the moment. Don’t despair though; as Jo March would say “I have at least 10 stories (articles) in my head right now!”

I’ve crossed out the ones that I’ve already finished.

The God Conversation – Using Stories and Illustrations to explain your faith.
By J.P. Moreland & Tim Muehlhoff

The 4:8 Principle – The secret to a joy-filled life.
By Tommy Newberry

To Hell and Back – Life after Death: startling new evidence.
By Maurice S. Rawlings

C.S. Lewis’s Case for Christ – Insights from reason, imagination and faith.
By Art Lindsley

C.S. Lewis A Life
By Michael White

All My Road Before Me – The diary of C.S. Lewis
Edited by Walter Hooper

C.S. Lewis A Biography
By A.N. Wilson

The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis – Volume 1, 2 and 3
Edited by Walter Hooper

Beowulf – A new verse translation.
By: Seamus Heaney

Dreamweaver CS3 – The Missing Manual
By David Sawyer Mcfarland

(My summer reading is not limited to this list by far).

July 7th, 2008
Categories: Books, Just for Fun! . Author: Eric Novak . Comments: 10 Comments

I’ve never been interested in cars. Sure, I like them, but they really don’t hold any fascination for me. Personally, I think they are just a means for getting you from one place to another – and at four dollars a gallon!

However, twice a year Dad and I go to a local car show to take a look at the old Bellaires, Pontiacs and Firebirds. I’m not sure why I go. Maybe its just to listen to Dad reminisce about the cars he used to own, especially his old Monte Carlo – “with only a few modifications.” Maybe I go because the cars are vintage and cool looking. Or maybe I go just to post the pictures on my blog!

[Show as slideshow]

June 23rd, 2008
Categories: Just for Fun!, Pictures . Author: Eric Novak . Comments: 14 Comments

Within the past month I’ve networked with so many amazing people. I’m praising God for all the teens I’ve met that have their eyes on Him! When I started blogging in 2005 there were very few teens blogging about their faith, but suddenly we seem to have a voice! We are talking out about abortion, speaking out against sin, and reaching out to people who stumble across our blogs. We have a huge potential for God to use us.

When talking about the end times the Bible says: “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy your old men shall dream dreams your young men shall see visions” – Joel 2:28. Isn’t it amazing that we have been chosen for a time as this?

“Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” – James 1: 21-22

I encourage you to take a look at these rebelutionaries who are really making it a priority to speak out about tough topics.

Kole (and others) - http://ourlifesavior.blogspot.com/

Josiah R - http://www.teenfg.com/

Kaysie - http://crosseyedblog.com/

Tai - http://beggarlybouquet.com/

CJ - http://www.cj-meeknotweak.blogspot.com/

Carley and Courtney - http://radiantdaughters.wordpress.com/

Anika Q - http://anika-q.blogspot.com/

Nicholas Joel - http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/grelb32

Trey E - http://youthofeternity.wordpress.com/

Allison - http://letterfromchrist.blogspot.com/

Erik B - http://www.ecbrownblog.com/

Kyleigh - http://drumofadifferentbeat.wordpress.com/

There are many more bloggers that I have highlighted on this blog, but I can’t possibly get them all into one post. Just know that I am very thankful to be in such good company. Be encouraged! Keep blogging for the Lord!

June 16th, 2008
Categories: Abortion, Blogging with a Purpose, Christian, Do Hard Things, Links, Teen Posts, The Rebelution . Author: Eric Novak . Comments: 15 Comments