Archive for February, 2012

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#293 – Sex Talk: Part 3

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on February 29, 2012 by scotthiga

We continued our sex series last night at our youth group. This week I had a friend come and share his testimony. He made some choices and decisions that fell outside of God’s intentions and boundaries for sex. It was extremely encouraging to hear his story and how God’s grace and redemption shone through even the darkest of moments.

I had my friend come and share because, as far as sex goes, my testimony is pretty bland. I didn’t have sex until I was married and neither did my wife. Our testimony is an example of God’s grace enabling us wait until marriage. I love sharing my testimony with our students but there are just some questions I can’t answer. Read more »

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#292 – What’s in a Sermon?

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on February 28, 2012 by scotthiga

At the end of the Battlestar Galactica miniseries, which launched the re-imagined television series, Commander Adama gives a rousing speech. Adama tells the gathered masses that, even though the human race has been pushed to the point of extinction, they will survive. They will survive by finding the fabled 13th colony, Earth, and doing whatever it takes to get there.

The speech casts a vision. The speech offers encouragement. The speech inspires those listening to form a new perspective on life.

Adama’s speech does everything a sermon should.

Yet so many sermons don’t even come close. Read more »

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#291 – Boldly Going to God’s Kingdom

Posted in Uncategorized with tags on February 27, 2012 by scotthiga

I love Star Trek.

Star Trek: The Next Generation may have been my best friend during junior high. I may not have always had that many friends with whom to hang out, but every night, Monday through Friday, at 7:00pm, the adventures of Captain Picard and the Enterprise were there to keep me company. I was fascinated by the future of the Star Trek universe and all the new life, new civilizations and new worlds “out there” in space.

Unfortunately, though, sometimes we treat the kingdom of God like one of those worlds “out there” instead of a current, active and present reality “right here”. Read more »

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#290 – Nerdy Lent

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on February 24, 2012 by scotthiga

Lent began this week and Christians all over the world are preparing for Easter. During the 40 days leading up to Easter, some Christians give up something in order to better identify with Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness. What people give up ranges from candy and soda to Facebook and television. I haven’t chosen to give anything up for Lent but below are some nerdy options.

Video Games

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#289 – Sex Talk: Part 2

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on February 23, 2012 by scotthiga

A month ago I posted about the upcoming sex series for our youth group. For years February, with its amorous nature and association with Valentine’s Day, has been ground zero for youth group sex talks. While we’ve done it at different times in the past, this year our group is tackling the topic of sex this month.

We had our first discussion about sex this past Tuesday. I shared a short message about God’s intention and design that sex is for marriage. (Last week, in preparation for this week, I shared about God’s intention and design for marriage). After sharing the message we took questions from the students via anonymous text message. Read more »

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#288 – Feeling Down

Posted in Uncategorized on February 22, 2012 by scotthiga

I love my job.

I always feel a little guilty when sharing frustrations about my job. I’ve wanted to be a pastor since I was 15 and God has blessed me with a great position at a wonderful church. I also fully realize that so many people do for free what I get paid to do.

That being said, I’m a little down and it has a lot to do with my job.

I’m in the midst of a really busy season at work and it’s starting to take a toll. I really took notice of it when Alycia, my wife, commented that I had seemed a little down lately. I don’t like being down because it makes me feel like Eeyore and no one likes being around Eeyore. Read more »

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#287 – Nerdy Gifts

Posted in Uncategorized with tags on February 21, 2012 by scotthiga

I’ve been reading through Exodus. Like Genesis, Exodus starts with a bang and quickly devolves into a lot of laws, regulations and instructions on how to build the tabernacle and all its accessories. When God gives the instructions for how to build the tabernacle, he taps Bezalel as the one to carry out the work. God says that he has filled Bezalel with his Spirit as well as the skills necessary to build the tabernacle and all its accessories.

Had I been with the Israelites I know for a fact that God would have still chosen Bezalel over me. I can’t build anything and feel accomplished when I hang a picture without making three of four extra holes. Nerds aren’t necessarily handy but it’s possible that their gifts could make an impact for God’s kingdom. Read more »

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#286 – Parenting and Social Media

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on February 20, 2012 by scotthiga

Yesterday at our church I did a seminar for parents on social media. In less than a decade social media, as well as high speed Internet access, have completely transformed the world in which we live. Working with students I have been able to see the effect of social media on children and families.

In the seminar I hoped to inform parents of some of the dangers that exist in social media and the Internet. I also wanted to offer them some practical tips to defend themselves and their families from those dangers.

Since the Internet is a dangerous place for all of us, I thought I’d share a few of those practical tips below. Read more »

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#285 – The Sorcerer’s Stone: 14-17

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on February 17, 2012 by scotthiga

I finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I actually finished it two weeks ago and have just been going back and writing up my reflections. People were right; I wasn’t able to only read four chapters at a time. Once things really got going I had a hard time putting the book down. I’m looking forward to starting the second book. Until then, though, here are some thoughts from the final four chapters of The Sorcerer’s Stone. Read more »

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#284 – The Games They’d Play

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , on February 16, 2012 by scotthiga

I haven’t played video games for over two weeks.

I’ve been busy prepping sermons, working on seminars and watching The Phantom Menace in 3D. It’s been so long that I don’t remember what I was doing in Skyrim. Hopefully I’ll find some time this weekend to fire up my Xbox and kill some dragons.

To tide me over, though, here are some biblical characters and the video games they would play.

Adam – Viva Piñata

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