Faughn Family of Four - Latest Comments

Re: Should Christian Teens Attend the Prom? (by Todd Clippard)

Adam Faughn — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 16:43:44 -0000

I know what you are saying, but I want you to go back to your first paragraph. "We can't" because "we aren't" just is not a good way to approach this.

I know that the stance against evil is not popular with folks, but that does not give us the right just avoid the issue altogether. We must stand against evil. Jesus did. Paul did. The early church did.

I, too, have had to "step back" during studies/conversations with people when they heard the words "Church of Christ" in the conversation. However, that will not stop me from trying to BOTH care for people AND stand against sin.

It is frustrating, I know. But I would also suggest to you that we are living in times when there are SOME (maybe not a lot, but some) people who are looking for people of principle instead of those who just go with the "whatever" attitude of our society.

Balance is the key, and must be what we go for. We must reach out to our world while not letting sin reign around us. Let's do both! Thanks again for taking the time to comment. This is a very good conversation.

Re: Should Christian Teens Attend the Prom? (by Todd Clippard)

Are we the new Pharisees? — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 16:36:37 -0000

Adam, that's my point, apparently we CAN'T be known for both. We aren't known for this at present.

COC is known for being judgmental and dogmatic. If you publish 1 article condemning prom go-ers and 10 articles on how to sustainably lift a homeless family out of poverty, sadly the message that will stick will be "That Church says the prom is for sinners" because it really seems like you're preaching at people, telling them what to do, rather than sharing love for them, or the community.

I know that may not be your intention, but when your agnostic/non-christian friend checks Facebook and they see the articles that get shared, liked, and commented on by their Church of Christ friend(s) most frequently, they notice that most of them are negative:

-Don't go to prom
-Social Drinking is a Sin
-Gay Marriage is Ruining our country
-R-rated movies are immoral people
-Miley Cyrus is the devil

I've just had too many unchurched friends and co-workers that finally discuss religion with me, only to find that I have to spend the whole time explaining, defending, and apologizing for the COC stance they've heard. It makes it incredibly hard to actually move a religious conversation beyond this, let alone, getting them to step into a brick and mortar COC on a Sunday morning.

-To your second point, I really do think we are caring for the community best by not publishing articles like this. I don't think "standing against the sins that harm lives" means publishing articles that further alienate us from the people we are trying to connect with. The only audience here you are going to have an effect on is the conservative COC mother who now tells her daughter she's not going to prom. The non-Christian mother or teen isn't going to read this and say "Great point, I've got to find my way to a pew this Sunday."

I don't mean to pick on you or this blog, there's a thousand of them out there, and I just stumbled upon yours today and started airing my ongoing concern about the ever shrinking influence that COC has in the modern day lives of people; Christian or otherwise. I wish we were known for something more.

Re: Should Christian Teens Attend the Prom? (by Todd Clippard)

Adam Faughn — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 12:46:10 -0000

"Are We,"

I understand your sentiment in such a response to this article, but may I kindly ask: why does it have to be one extreme or the other?

In other words, can we not be known BOTH for connecting and caring for our community AND for showing people specific sins that are destroying souls?

Also, I would ask you to consider this fact: if we are not standing against sins that harm lives, are we really caring for our community?

Thank you for taking the time both to read the post and to share this comment.

Re: Should Christian Teens Attend the Prom? (by Todd Clippard)

Are we the new Pharisees? — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 12:40:02 -0000

I wish fellow COC folks would spend more time writing, posting and passing articles about how to connect and care for a community, focused on drawing people in, so people would first think "You're those folks that really love your community, right?" rather than "You're those people who tell everyone not to drink and dance, right?"

Re: To My Daughter on Her 8th Birthday

Mandy — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 12:25:25 -0000

Such a sweet post. We adopted our youngest child so I easily share your sentiment. The day we brought her home from the hospital at 5 days old (we fostered to adopt), and the day we finalized her adoption are also very special days for us. What a blessing to have such “treasures” in our lives.

Happy Birthday Mary Carol.

Re: The Class of ’95 and the Brevity of Life

Kris Chamberlain — Wed, 02 Oct 2013 13:43:02 -0000

Very well said Adam.

Re: Finding Margin in My Life

Eddie Parrish — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 09:59:45 -0000

Great thoughts, Adam. I'm going to post a link to it on my "Barnabas Network" blog. Dr. Richard Swenson has written several books about margin and overload. One I have found very helpful is "The Overload Syndrome." I recommend it. Keep up the good work, brother.

Re: Christian Vegetation and the TV Set

Adam Faughn — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 16:54:04 -0000

Good point, Ron. I would point out, just for thought, that just because it was on "Andy Griffith" or "Leave it to Beaver" doesn't meant it makes us better. Certain scenes in even usually very tame programs do not need to be watched by discerning Christians. That's the "mindless viewing" I was talking about in this post.

Your point is well-taken, though, in that many programs of yesteryear are much more morally acceptable. That's why we generally like "The Cosby Show," but we can't endorse everything ever said or done on the show. I think the same is true of just about every major program ever produced.

Re: Christian Vegetation and the TV Set

Ron Ryan — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 15:39:00 -0000

Ward and June Cleaver, where are you? Andy, any moral lessons to teach Opie today? What redeeming value does today's crude, coarse, corrupt "entertainment" have in our lives? The old saying is true, "If you are not getting better you are getting worse." Simple question: Does watching this show make me better?

Re: Christian Vegetation and the TV Set

Michael Chambliss — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 13:15:56 -0000

Excellent, convicting post! Something that we should all consider - especially as parents! (parents or not, we should think about this post daily!)

Re: Husbands, It’s Time to Be a Real Man: Stop the Affair Before It Starts

Adam Faughn — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 22:34:18 -0000

Ron,

Thank you for mentioning "Hedges." It is a book I have not read, but keep having recommended to me. I need to add it to my "must purchase" list!

You are so right that this is a test of commitment to Jesus first. Great reminder!

Re: Husbands, It’s Time to Be a Real Man: Stop the Affair Before It Starts

Ron Ryan — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 22:31:24 -0000

Great post. Interesting that no men have made comments so far. This topic is so important. Over twenty years ago I heard of the Jerry B. Jenkins book, "Hedges: Loving Your Marriage Enough to Protect It." I commend it. There are so many lures Satan uses to entice men (and women) to take the hook for a brief moment of mental unfaithfulness to his spouse. Most times these moments may seem benign---but they are not! Every man must be committed to his spouse and marriage. It all is a test of his commitment to Jesus first and foremost, to his spouse second. This is one place a married man should draw a "red line"--and mean it!!

Re: Husbands, It’s Time to Be a Real Man: Stop the Affair Before It Starts

Jamie — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 02:24:24 -0000

Is watching pornography (no matter what form it is in) considered adultery...due to it being lustful if you're wanting more and more? Blunt or not, this blog was very truthful, and much needed by many!

Re: Husbands, It’s Time to Be a Real Man: Stop the Affair Before It Starts

Rebecca — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 22:21:19 -0000

Thanks for writing! I know just what you're talking about and I have witnessed it in work situations before. I think, "Oh my, if I were his wife, I would want to know..." And, I may not know that anything is "officially happening." But, like you say, it has already begun with those those thoughts. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Re: 003: Making Time for Each Other: Dating as Husband and Wife

Adam Faughn — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 13:34:41 -0000

We have shared a meal a few times, and it is a great way to be able to afford a nicer place without spending a ton of money. Thanks for the tip!

Re: 003: Making Time for Each Other: Dating as Husband and Wife

David A Dixon — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 10:50:25 -0000

Here is my tip for dating on a budget: Share a meal. In "sit-down" restaurants the portions are usually large enough that a meal can easily be shared (besides, the rest of the date will be less fun if you have absolutely stuffed yourself to the gills), or the restaurant probably offers meals intended to be shared. Try these. This a way to practice your communication/negotiation skills as well. And don't forget dessert. Even if your date consists of only dessert.

Thanks for the work, Adam and Leah. I'm going to put these things into practice!

Re: Proper Online Communication for the Christian

Adam Faughn — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 12:31:35 -0000

Ron,

Good thoughts! I have heard it said that you can go ahead and type out the text, email, post, etc., but not send or publish it until you've slept on it. That may open your eyes to just how angry you are when you first typed it, but still let you send the "gist" of the message, but toned down with some time to think. Thanks for commenting.

Re: Proper Online Communication for the Christian

Adam Faughn — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 12:30:08 -0000

Wow! Thanks, brother, for your great encouragement! It was a joy to meet you at PtP a couple of weeks ago!

Re: Proper Online Communication for the Christian

Ryan Frederick — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 15:54:22 -0000

Great article and great points. It's easy for any of us to find ourselves coming across in the wrong way. There have been many times when I have typed something, only to delete it and re-word it again before I hit the send button. The most difficult thing, as you pointed out in #3, is for people to read "tone" online.

I want to encourage you to keep up the excellent work with this blog, your podcasts, your books and other work. You do so much to help and encourage others to live for Jesus and it is helpful and appreciated!

Re: Proper Online Communication for the Christian

Ron Ryan — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 15:15:45 -0000

Excellent thoughts. Thanks for addressing this issue. I was trained in face-to-face sales of products and services. When you are carrying on a conversation face to face it is easy to see the non-verbal feedback and make corrections immediately if something you say is not received well or misunderstood. Not so when texting, tweeting or on FB.

This is probably a good rule: Never text or post when you are upset. Also, don't repeat anything you don't know absolutely to be true---and if it is true and damaging to another person, don't repeat it.

Re: Cheering Miley Cyrus

Emily — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 09:59:48 -0000

Your comments are a good reminder of the truth. I enjoyed reading them! Thank you for your words :)

Re: Cheering Miley Cyrus

Dana — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 15:34:39 -0000

Good points! We need to take an honest look at our entertainment choices and question whether we are supporting sin in the process. The supporters hold responsibility, too.

Re: Cheering Miley Cyrus

Mandy — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 15:25:12 -0000

Thank you for this article Adam. I commend you for being a Christian who actually did NOT watch this kind of trash live (or otherwise), but only heard of it second hand AND then stood up firmly against it. As Christians, we should be as far removed from pop culture as possible (Eph 5:11-12). Yes, we are going to come across the junk that filters through the media (Matt. 10:16, 1 Cor. 5:10b), but we should never be caught up with the hype of Hollywood and defend it, thereby "strengthen(ing) the hands of evildoers" (Jer 23:14). Remember, "Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (Jas 4:5) That is exactly what the devil's patient plan is; to keep us invested in pop culture that we become calloused and tolerant to sin and ignorant of its lures. Satan wants us so tolerant that we "yawn" at articles that point out the error of participating (cheering or even watching) in such activities.
Thank you.

Re: Cheering Miley Cyrus

Adam Faughn — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 12:57:13 -0000

Thanks for reading and taking the time to share your perspective. By the way, I am not questioning Mr. Thicke's singing talents in the least.

Anyway, thank you for reading and taking the time to comment, and I'm glad I could give you a good nap on Labor Day! :)

Re: Cheering Miley Cyrus

Ruenell Rudy Akridge — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 12:31:22 -0000

for me, this article was a big YAWN. The "man" did not get jeered because this act did NOT go as practiced. They interviewed the man that DJ'd the awards and he said during rehearsal this was not how the act went. It was obvious, to those of us INDECENT enough to take the time to watch the act that he was constantly walking away from her and she was constantly following him to "back it up" once again. As far as the cheers from the crowd,....several cameras scanned the audience and the participants of this event were not cheering her on....the people around the stage were people who went to the show to enjoy it. They were caught up in the fact that they were out of the house, around celebrities with basically front row access. And the author of the article did not even know who the "man" was.....truly one of the most gifted singers of our time.....still amazing how some christians have to be detached from the world to walk their path.......just my perspective........YAWN. A nothing article.