Video Games in America…

 

The ESA (Essential Software Association) recently released their 2007 annual report on the computer and video game industry, and the statistics are quite interesting (and very telling about our American culture). 

Here’s some of the statistics mentioned…

• 67% of American’s play computer or video games
• 33% of all homes in America have a video game console
• The average gamer is 33 years old (24% are over 50 years old)
• 62% of players are male / 38% female
• Games sold by Genre: 27% Action, 17% sports, 10% racing, 10% shooter
• Top-Selling Video Game in ‘o6 = “Madden ‘07″
• Top-Selling Computer Game in ‘06 = “World of Warcraft”
• 55% of parents believe that video games are a positive part of their children’s lives
• 51% of gamers play online (up from 19% in 2000)
• 34% of gamers play on wireless devices (handheld PDA’s, etc…)
• The Industry sold over $7.4 Billion in ‘06

You can read the full report HERE. One thing to mention, is that this report doesn’t include ALL video game companies (only some of the major ones)… so these stats are a little lower than the total average in America. 

One statistic not found in this report, is the amount of time the average collegian spends playing video games.  A consumer report given last year estimated that the average collegian spends over 21 hours a week playing video games (compared to 7.6 hours/wk for the avergae American).  

One thing for sure, we are some money-spending, time-wasting, video-playin’ junkies! Add in Television viewing, and it’s a wonder we get anything done in a given week.

Ugh.

My Mighty Men…

 

In light of my last post (which spoke of my pain over a number of people whom I know that have punted their faith), I thought it would be appropriate to list some of the most significant people whom God has used to positively shape my life to date…

In 1 Chronicles (and 2 Samuel), we see that king David had his “mighty men”; these were men that strongly supported him in his kingship… so these are my mighty men.  Some are family members, some are strong spiritual leaders, some are lay people, and some are no longer walking with the Lord today- but all have been used by God at some point in my life to help make me into the man I am today… These men are listed in the order in which they appeared in my life…

1.) Eddy Swanzy (step-father)… came into my life when I was 6 years old.  He stepped in and filled a void where my biological father had left.  He married my mom, raised my brothers and I, provided the means for my food, shelter, and education- and more than anything, provided stability to a confused little boy.

2.) Jeff Madison (high school friend)… was the first person to invite me to church.  We played basketball together all the time, and then one night he invited me to a church lock-in.  After that night, my life has never been the same.  God used him to introduce me to the body of Christ.

3.) Louis Tanner (sunday school teacher)… showed up at my door, invited me to Braums, and shared the Gospel with me.  He, along with a few other Sunday School teachers, were the first to introduce me to Christ.  They were the first to shape my understanding of Christ’s love.  (honorable mention to other Sunday School teachers & youth workers at The Heights Church: Lawson’s, Reid’s, Vanderslices’s, Edward’s, Brown’s & more I can’t remember)

4.) Chris Swanzy (step-brother)… was the first to teach and model for me what a consistent, daily devotional life with the Lord looked like.

5.) Joe Simpson (youth minister)… served as a spiritual father for me when I didn’t have one.  He counseled me through depression and suicide attempts, helped me make sense of girls, coached me in basketball, and further explained the Gospel to me.

6.) Jared Peterson (greek advisor)… taught me how to be a missionary in my own fraternity house and boldly proclaim Christ in a lost world.

7.) Brad Bell (discipler & friend)… first man to truly disciple me..  Brad taught me God’s Word, mentored me in life, equiped and mobilize me to lead others, and shaped my view of biblical manhood.

8.) John Bryson (college minister)… taught me just about everything concerning vocational ministry.  He taught me how to lead & manage people, how to run a ministry, how to be a visionary, and how to believe in a BIG GOD who can answer big prayers.  And on top of that he gave me my first, and current job as a college pastor. 

9.) Joey Kimbrough (mentor)… provided an early model for me for what a Christian home looks like.  He and his family invited me into their home and let me see Christian values in living color.  His investment provided the framework for how I would eventually lead my own family.

10.) Tom Nelson (pastor)… Truly explained the Scriptures to me.  Took me through the entire bible (cover to cover) and showed me the power that is contained within God’s Word. Most of all, he empowered me to be able to teach God’s Word to others.

There are a number of other men whom God has used to shape my life, provide accountability and encourgament, etc… -all to which I am truly grateful.  But these have to be the mightiest of men whom the Lord has used most significantly fashion me into the man I am today. 

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” - Proverbs 27:17

Long Line of Leavers…

 

Over the Christmas break, I’ve been contemplating a large number of friends and mentors I’ve had over the years who have walked away from their Christian faith. Folks who at one time or another led bible studies, were on staff at my church, stood in my wedding, counseled me through tough times, etc.; and have now rejected the very faith they demonstrated to me.  My heart has been broken over the nearly 30 people that I’ve personally known who have turned away. 

Like many of you, I have wrestled with some heart-wrenching questions, like…

• Were they really believers?
• Will they still be saved?
• How could they punt the very truth that gives life meaning?
• Are they simply a prodigal, who will one day return to the Father - or - are they nothing more than a Hebrews 6 individual- who merely “tasted” of the faith for a time, but never swallowed it?

To be honest, it seems like more and more of my Christian friends are renouncing their faith each year, or at the very least, falling into such a deep immorality that I’m scared to think of how fake their relationship to Christ really was.  I’m saddened to think that many of the folks who started out on this faith journey with me so many years ago, are no longer here with me at this point along the way.  All of this has really forced me in to a deeper wrestling in my own relationship with God.  Thankfully, it’s only made me cling tighter to my Savior, rather than questioning Him.

But in the midst of contemplating all of this, I’m reminded that this is nothing new… God told us in His Word that this would happen… It happened in Jesus’ day- and it would happen in ours as well… Consider these texts…

“For many walk, of whom I have told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things” - Philippians 3:18-19

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons…” - 1 Timothy 4:1

God promises, that to no fault of our own, there would be times when people around us(even the closest of people) will turn away from Christ and the teachings they once held.  But even so, I’m reminded in times like these that my faith is not hinging upon the obedience or disobedience of sinful men- but rather upon the character and faithfulness of Christ alone.  The reason I keep pressing on is for nothing more than the hope fixed before me, which is in Jesus.  So instead, I’m admonished by these passages…

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary” - Galatians 6:9

“It is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men…” - 1 Timothy 4:10

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” - Hebrews 6:11-12

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” - 1 Corinthians 15:58

I’m not sure about your story, but I come from a long line of leavers in my life.  And although I find myself crushed in spirit and heartbroken over their departure, I cling to my Savior in full assurance that His promises are true, and my toil is not in vain.

Wherever you’re at, keep pressing on.  Fix your eyes on Christ, and Christ alone! Keep running, keep striving, keep pushing forward in faith.  Do not lose heart.  You’re not crazy for serving the Lord! Know that the treasure we have in Christ is REAL - and worth far more than anything our temporal world can offer.

In the meantime, pray for those who have fallen away.  God never wastes pain and His grace never runs out, so I know He can still work miracles in their lives.

Pray for Jeannie

Some of you may not know, but one of our own here in College Life (Jeannie Tillman) has been battling brain cancer for the last two years.  In recent weeks she’s undergone a tremendous amount of treatment to no avail, and her situation has now worsened.  Her boyfriend (and College Lifer), Jason Schloesser, has been updating his blog with all the details. 

http://www.melodioussonnet.com/blog/

Please pray for Jeannie during this time.

Forecast of Teen Trends…

 

Here’s an article from the Christian Post that highlights some of the increasing trends and values that teens are embracing… No real shocks, but interesting none-the-less.

Click Here