Can I enjoy movies and culture...and still be a Christian?

After a lot of persuasion, I finally consumed the latest message from Perry Noble. Perry Noble is senior pastor of, the rapid growing ministry of NewSpring Church (http://www.newspring.cc/). Pastor Noble is currently conducting a series of messages on the "question we ask." No I haven't watched them all...yet. However this one, blew me away!!!

How do we respond to today's culture?

Acts 17:16-34

1) We can Ignore it.

2) We can Fight it.

3) We can Study it.

4) We can Leverage it.

The way Pastor Nobel, examined the text was amazing. He delivered a raw Unashamed truth to the table, that would make our protestant father cringe, in shame.

I am not going to give it away. I am going to make you go watch it, as a good friend of mine did me...go and watch it for yourself! Then, you decide how you will respond to today's culture!

Temptation: "You fill in the blank"

Just some personal thoughts on temptation...maybe you can relate.

Into darkness I enter...
crumbled by shame.
I thought...
the whole world I had to gain.

I made the move...
I took the chance.
And now I pay...
because of that one glance.

I'm sick to my stomack...
right in the pit.
How will I climb out...
of this dark pitt.

Have you ever found yourself in this "pitt" I can tell you the answer isnt a ladder....or a rope. The answer is realizing that you have fallen and all you can do is look up. If you have found yourself in that pitt...look up grab the hand of Christ...and find accountability. Eccle. 4:9-12, gives an amazing look at accountability...now you have read it...now do it! Find that somone and fight the fight "back-to-back", so that you may conquer alone in Christ.

Broken Believer,
Heth ><>

Reflections on Proverbs 13: "Lifes little fortune cookies"

Reflections of: Proverbs 13

The Book of Proverbs almost reads like a “Scriptural Fortune Cookie.” I know some of you make read that and feel as if I am downplaying the Word of God or even disgracing its meaning…but I believe differently.

In many cultures the “fortune cookie” is an Item to which people look towards, to determine consequences, blessing, and even fate. Well unlike these individuals, we as believers have the ultimate source of guidance…God’s Word!

I have only been going through the Proverbs for the past two days…but just in that short time, within the pages of my bible… verses are highlighted and the margins are full. I have found many verses that have convicted me, ones that have warned me, some that have even tore my tail up, and some that have blessed and encouraged me.

With all that said I hope Proverbs convicts and blesses you as it has me. These are my reflections on Proverbs 13:

Verse 4: The Sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

Webster’s defines diligent as: showing persistent and hard working effort in doing something. This passage proposed a question in my heart… “Am I satisfied?” This question received a loud No! In reading this passage I began to develop a self-centered attitude, “Well why am I not satisfied?” And then God gave the answer loud and clear… “Because, Heth...you are not diligent.” So stop being a sluggard, stop lying in you failures or your past and become diligent in Christ…Satisfaction will soon follow!

Verse 9: The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

This passage sent me to my knees. For the past several weeks it has been as if I have been in darkness. My lamp had been snuffed out. The whole time I was sitting there questioning God why? What have I done? What am I supposed to do? We never realize how just a hint of Sin can kill the switch just like that…that was and is the case in my life. Slowly, I have been snuffing out the light that’s to shine in me. I ask you dear friends…Is there something snuffing out your light…or are you in full shine? Think about that…

Many other verses stuck out to me (vrs 20: a picture of accountability and friendship.) But these two spoke to me the most tonight. I hope soon that you too will dust of that “Fortune Cookie” we have in God’s Word and feast…thank goodness it doesn’t only come with take out! J Wow that was lame…God Bless and take care!

In Christ Alone,
Heth Cottrell

It takes Communication....

Well Hello all! The past two days have been something. But once again God has shown up...and out. I have been burdened something fierce...I thought the falls had fixed it...but I believe it just temporarily helped it.
I did however accomplish somthing today...Communication! To be there for our brothers in their time of need we must communicate with them. I can't blelieve how many arguments I could have saved if communicaion would have been present. As you Go on throughout your day please remember to communicate...a weight can and will be lifted if we remeber this simple thing. I leave you with these guidelines for communication:

1. loose the sarcasm.

2. Keep your problems within the two of you.

3. Bathe everything in prayer.

4. pray together...and for each other.

5. Dont let your past dictate your future!

I urge you again bathe every communucation within a friendship with prayer!

May God bless always!

A day that was very much needed!

Today was a much needed break...a time to think. I have been so aggravated and stressed out, that I have forgotten how amazing our God is! Stephany, Rachel, and I took a ride up to Triple Falls. We had finally reached the falls when a friend from school shows up. He proceeded to tell us of another Water Fall just on up the trail. We had no Idea what was in store. We walked forever!
This water fall was amazing. As stephany and I were taking pictures and laughing, I couldn't help but think of how great God is. I stood at a base of a great and mighty work of art that God created for anyone to enjoy. I looked up with the water spraying all over me thinking..."He can do all of this...but I cant trust Him with the trials of my life!"
I don't deserve a God like this...I don't deserve to be called a minister of the gospel...I don't deserve to sing praises to His Name. I am reminded of the Casting Crowns Song "In Me".
"When I'm weak, He makes me strong. When I am down He shines His light on me....I will never get by living on my own ability...How amazing to know you don't need me. But amazing to find you still want...I will stand for the truth and fight for the right till you bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me!"

I will leave you with this psalm...Bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!

Life's...Ocean's Waves, how they ever change.

It's so hard to sit back and listen...It's so hard to sit back and see. At times It feels that waves are crashing all around me. I fight and fight, but I cant get a breath. How long will I sink in this ocean we call life?
I thought my new venture in life was the device that I needed to survive and stay afloat. But just like the waves of the sea...things change. I know that I am still here for a reason. But how many more hits can one person take? Can one survive fighting a battle all on their own...NO! I feel that that is where I am...right know! I feel that I am reaching out and fighting for so many people...but where are they when I am in the eye of the storm. Where are they when things get rocky. So many times they are standing above me with rocks...tearing at the flesh I call my soul!
Father Teach me, Father forgive me, and father mold me into who you would have me to be...In thee I stand alone...Father Be my rock!

When the waves are crashing all around, remember

who created the storm! Stand firm, even if you

stand alone!

A New Day is Dawning!

I woke up this morning at a sorda peace. The need to conform to an underling rule, was no longer binding me. I have decided in my life...In whatever I do...I must seek to serve Him first. For so long I have tried to be of service of and to man...thinking I was doing my Christian duty...When in the end I was harming them and myself. As I begin this new outlook...I determine in my heart...to seek the face of Jesus...and everything else will fall into place.
I hope that this will encourage you as individuals to seek the approval of Jesus Christ...not the acceptance of man. May God richly bless you as you set out on this day...till we talk again!