tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:58:04 +0000Pastor John student ministries pastor at The Rock of Southwest addresses issues related to theology, living in culture, church culture, and whatever else is on his mind.http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/blogger.htmnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)Blogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-5506097595419402605Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:21:00 +00002008-12-16T12:36:00.149-06:00Culture This has become somewhat of a tradition. Here it is for the third year in a row (with some minor edits): Call me scrooge, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, or your favorite Christmas villain of all time. I don't care. Christmas just gets in the way most of the time anyway. I have things to do, messages to preach, and money I would rather spend on myself (at least I would get what I wanted that http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/12/christmas-is-stupid.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-4634174822442778060Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:28:00 +00002008-12-01T11:37:19.479-06:00I know it sounds crazy, I have a three year old. He is well, he is three. Last night he threw the most severe tantrum I have seen his throw. Today he asked mommy why she was doing devotions and after some explaining and trying not to put words in his mouth he decided that he needed to ask Jesus to come into his heart. Does he understand? I don't know, but as a daddy I want one thing morehttp://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/12/three-year-old-christian.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-6424861664283586382Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:05:00 +00002008-11-04T23:45:13.747-06:00It seems like every presidential election I get asked whether a particular candidate is THE anti-christ. Let me start by saying I do not believe Obama is that guy (or gal to be fair). Jesus talked about there being many "anti-christs" not just one. Some people believe there will be one that will bring a false peace to the world, I am not so sure. In the end Obama is just another guy!! He hashttp://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/11/is-obama-anti-christ.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-4999697921768589264Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:18:00 +00002008-10-17T12:26:31.586-06:00FamilyCultureYesterday my wife was told that Catrina would not be able to sing "Jesus Loves Me" with her ventriloquist doll for the talent show. She had worked on a whole bit that included this song. I should tell you that originally she basically wanted to get up and simply share the gospel. My wife helped her figure out a little better way to tell people how much Jesus means to her. For the record http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/10/whats-offensive.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-4039846667530630513Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:46:00 +00002008-10-13T19:39:45.103-06:00PoliticsDoes it matter? It seems Christians have a tendency to go from one extreme to the other when it comes to politics. Some think it doesn't matter. What difference is one vote going to make? Still others would die on a hill for their particular issue or candidate. Politics is important. Whether we like it or not they make decisions regarding the life of unborn children, how much of our own http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/10/politics-and-faith.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-4350365731583175002Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:16:00 +00002008-10-13T13:33:51.894-06:00FamilyEvangelismCultureEducationBeing a parent is hard enough, but passionately desiring to see your daughter and your son grow up to be servants of Christ is even harder. How do you handle a situation where your child is planning on doing something that will probably cause some waves, but it is a good thing to do? My daughter is apparently an evangelist. Of this I am proud!! Still I am a little nervous. She is http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/10/be-evangelist.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-3753282003043271571Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:53:00 +00002008-09-07T15:19:30.389-06:00So what is the protesting all about? Recently we started construction on the new parking lot we will be using until the Youth Center addition to the church is built. Unfortunately there are a lot of prairie dogs in the field where the parking lot is going. We (the church) has tried repeatedly to find a new home for these animals, unfortunately we can't take them out of Jefferson County and no http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/09/some-of-you-have-been-wondering.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-976244039453276952Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:02:00 +00002008-08-06T08:12:10.120-06:00There are very few sure things in life, but there are a few. One of them is that life will end. Sooner or later. When it is sooner things hurt!! When it is later and expected it still hurts. Recently the family at The Rock of Southwest lost one of there best, Ryan Roberts. I did not know him well though I have spoken with him a couple times. By all accounts he was a man of God. He was http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/08/finding-jesus-when-life-hurts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-8826572733618551864Sat, 02 Aug 2008 05:28:00 +00002008-08-01T23:48:10.509-06:00Tonight I finished a week of speaking to Senior High students at Big Sandy Camp. I had an amazing time speaking to these students, hanging out with them, and getting to know a few of them. I have spoken at camps, retreats, and conferences all over the place, but this week I learned something new. Actually it isn't entirely new. My ego is fragile. I don't mean I am offended easily or that I http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/08/power-of-simple-message.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-3752744408481779292Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:51:00 +00002008-07-25T15:23:52.836-06:00The Dark Knight was an interesting movie. I definitely do not recommend taking young students to see this movie. Even some 13 and 14 year olds may not be ready for the kind of violence that is at times simply alluded to. I had to turn my head a couple times because of where I thought they were going to go. They didn't go to those places, but the illusion was almost too much. There are some http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/07/dark-knight.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-1749548545654158389Sun, 13 Jul 2008 03:02:00 +00002008-07-12T21:19:49.475-06:00My theology should be described as reformed or Calvinistic. I and others who believe in the five points of Calvinism: Total DepravityUnconditional ElectionLimited AtonementIrresistible GracePerseverance of the Saintsare often accused of belittling free will. Or sometimes those who appose Calvinism set up free will as if it is apposed to the five points previously listed. It dawned on me today http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/07/i-believe-in-free-will.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-2872743478824212519Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:33:00 +00002008-07-04T10:00:44.578-06:00Politics I want to warn you, this will get a little political. On this fourth of July we went out to breakfast with my dad (John Sr.) our kids and my niece. I took this opportunity to talk to my daughter about Independence Day. She did really well. She remembered that this day celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence (http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/07/independance-day-and-taxes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-1961775323481204688Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:54:00 +00002008-07-02T20:05:22.436-06:00For the past 6 months or so my family has been in transition. It finally looks like things are going to settle down for us. We have gone from closing the church plant to doing construction for my in-laws to doing decks to doing siding to finally now finding a good student ministries position. We also spent significant time living with my in-laws and my parents in Florida. We rented out our http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/07/finally-settling-down.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-7953830064872167183Mon, 19 May 2008 17:14:00 +00002008-05-19T11:52:24.848-06:00I love to watch movies, I love to see the stories that are told. What is funny is I can usually remember who the main star is of the movie I have seen, but I can rarely remember even one of the supporting actors. I certainly can't remember the characters with smaller parts. If you see a Tom Cruz, Jackie Chan, Chris Rock, or (God Forbid) something with Hannah Montana in it you remember the http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/05/who-fills-supporting-role.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-9155504514728232565Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:32:00 +00002008-04-24T18:04:29.167-06:00I got my hair cut today. I have an interview on Monday, so I thought I would make myself presentable (insert joke here). There is something you should know about me, I hate getting my hair cut. It just seems like a waist of time. I don't like sitting still, and I don't like trying to have a conversation with someone I barely know. Most of the time I don't know them at all. It alway http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/04/pestering-christians.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-3485507555748574558Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:16:00 +00002008-04-21T21:39:33.231-06:00PoliticsCultureI was recently asked a question regarding Jesus and politics. The question went something like this, "Would Jesus be a Socialist?" This is not a question that can simply be dismissed, nor can it be assumed the answer is a resounding yes. Without too much depth I think we can come to some important conclusions about this subject. Many believe that since Jesus was so concerned about helping thehttp://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/04/role-confusion.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-7444599560197932467Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:43:00 +00002008-04-14T17:35:26.729-06:00Last night was one of the coolest nights I have had in a long time. My pastor from when I was in High School was having a retirement party. He has served that church for 27 years. Not only was it fun to see him, it was also fun to see my youth pastor. I haven't seen him for almost 13 years. I was also able to see some great friends from back in the day. The day when things were simple, no http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/04/my-new-old-youth-group-picture.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-8769654761168649859Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:31:00 +00002008-04-14T16:34:23.226-06:00EvangelismCultureChurchIn the interest of full discloser, I am, by nature, a very competitive person. Over the years my competitive nature has gotten the best of me more times than I can count. My tendency is towards competition. To be honest, I hate it that I am not the best at everything I do, I have had to come to terms with this since there are probably people who are better than me at almost everything (I have http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/04/winning-is-everything.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-1288039747492070326Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:07:00 +00002008-04-05T21:46:12.497-06:00TheologyPredestination...that word evokes such emotion and it is almost entirely viewed as a word owned by those who call themselves Calvinists even though it is a biblical word. The funny thing about this word is the assumptions immediately made upon its utterance. The other funny thing is that many Calvinists would not consider this the primary doctrine on which everything else rests. I am somewhathttp://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/04/misconceptions-about-calvinism.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-4452992158217581328Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:29:00 +00002008-03-26T11:08:54.619-06:00BooksI don't often do book review, but I thought in this case I would. The book UnChristian has been selling like crazy. Perhaps most recently to me. Out of five stars I give the book three, but more important than the rating is the reasoning behind the rating. This book comes out of the Barna Group which has been a very helpful group in understanding culture overall. Their research is very goodhttp://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/03/unchristian.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-3778658768948869112Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:12:00 +00002008-03-19T08:31:02.961-06:00Youth MinistryFamilyChurchI don't know if I can remember all the child dedications I have seen or done for others. On those days the sanctuary is usually full with family and extended family. There is an energy in the room, almost as if a star had been born, the cameras are flashing people leaning out into the isles to take pictures of the beautiful baby. If your lucky the baby makes some noise (not the screaming kid http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/03/child-dedication-as-paradigm-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-3956896832539914473Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:23:00 +00002008-03-11T20:23:25.157-06:00BooksThe older I get, the older the books I read get. I am going to do something rare and recommend a book, but before I do I want to suggest something else. Read the dead guys!! So much of the time we are flooded with books to read. If I read every book recommended to me I would have to read a book every day for the rest of my life. That doesn't even count the books I see in the book store that http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/03/read-dead-guys.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-4171822775806429902Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:05:00 +00002008-04-14T16:41:14.956-06:00I am going to come out of the closet, I am an Ultimate Fighting fan. I like to watch these guys fight. On occasion I have struggled with this. Is ultimate fighting wrong? Two guys get into a ring or octagon, as the case may be, with intentions of beating the other person into submission. When I say that I pause for just a moment. There are rules in ultimate fighting. These rules are in http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/01/ultimate-fighting-and-christianity.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-8742646066148135004Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:45:00 +00002008-01-09T22:41:38.283-06:00EvangelismThere is more evangelism methods, books, and seminars than I can shake a stick at. Heck I even have my own method of evangelism. In the end evangelism is only one thing, it is telling sinners who need to repent and be forgiven the true story of Jesus death and resurrection. The gospel is the atonement, it is the cross, it is the resurrection. I have noticed that my story doesn't supply http://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2008/01/what-evangelism-isnt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32715771.post-851327385284798199Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:34:00 +00002007-12-04T13:46:04.762-06:00Last year I bloviated about Christmas. For the fun of it I will post it again as it still reflects my general feelings toward Christmas: Call me scrooge, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, or your favorite Christmas villain of all time. I don't care. Christmas just gets in the way most of the time anyway. I have things to do, messages to preach, and money I would rather spend on myself (at least Ihttp://www.pjs-web.net/blogs/2007/12/christmas-is-stupid-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (John Byrne)0