Paul Blog 20100305 from FaithBridge Church on Vimeo.

Calling all parents!  The challenge of parenting in a cyber world just became a little more difficult.  If you haven't heard of Chat Roulette, then let this be a lesson.  It is an online experience without restraint, monitoring, social propriety or decency.

Participants log in and are randomly paired with someone by webcam from somewhere else in the globe ... often doing or asking for lewd and bizarre things.  For the same reasons that you would never toss your child into the lion's pen at the zoo (or, for that matter, the pedophile ward at the local penitentiary) you should not allow any minor you care about to be involved.  For that matter, no Jesus loving, serious minded disciple has any business on the site either.  Click here to read more about it.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.   Philippians 4:8

Much of what is done on these webcams is, apparently (I have read about it but deliberately not participated myself), illicit and often would be illegal and prosecutable if it happened in your neighborhood ... instead, it goes both uncensored and unreported..

The appeal of this voyeuristic and exhibitionist experience is that it caters to the curious, banal and self absorbed side of us all. Once logged on, the rotating cast of possible "chat" partners suddenly appear on screen feeding the desire to be shocked and scintillated.  To call it a social networking site is misleading.  Some apparently do meet and converse with others from around the world ... but it is not until after they have exposed themselves to (pardon the pun) to all sorts of perverted behavior.

MY RECOMMENDATION: Stay away and take precautions to protect your children. There is no redeeming value to Chatroulette that makes it worth what it welcomes into your life, heart and home.

View From the Bridge 02/26/2010 from FaithBridge Church on Vimeo.

I am struggling to read the news lately … the stories of brutality and violence, of brokenness and heartbreak are almost too much to stand.  At the same time, I am reading through the book of Judges and have had a similar experience … the tragedy, war, betrayal, murder and the like are so raw and brutal it is hard to take it all.  Hardly the stuff of Children’s Sunday School.

I used to find comfort in the idea that ‘the safest place to be is the center of God’s will.”  However, I have come to realize that my personal comfort and safety aren’t God’s top priority.  I mean, try explaining that the many first century Christians who died martyr’s deaths! As a matter of fact, when God was telling Ananias about why he and the early church should receive the murderous Saul of Tarsus into their church as a brother in Christ he said of him, I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. (Acts 9:16).

Pain, suffering and tragedy are a part of life … but they do not have to exist without purpose.  Saul (later known as Paul) went on to reflect on his suffering when he said, we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance (Romans 15:4). Perseverance is one of many ways that God is glorified when we remain focused on Him during the hard times and derive our hope from his sovereign rule over all things, joy and strength from His presence and comfort from His limitless and unchanging love.  Scriptures describes giving God a sacrifice of praise … sometimes that sacrifice means handing over our dreams, plans, comforts and desires to praise Him … anyway.

One comfort in the dark days of trial is to remember that God understands.  In human form, Jesus suffered more greatly than we can imagine.  Hebrews 2:20 says, In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. When you cry out to the Lord in a dark time, know He understands. Peter explains that the way in which Jesus dealt with suffering serves us today: To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21).  How did he suffer?  Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT) describes it this way: And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

My dear friends, if you are suffering … choose to trust the Lord, lay your burden before Him knowing of His great love for you and ask for His power and presence.  Finally, ask Him to use your trial to build His glory and your faith and to accomplish His perfect will in your life.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Paul

View from the Bridge 2010-02-12 from FaithBridge Church on Vimeo.