revelife's Revelife

Is There Really A Standard "List" of Spiritual Gifts?

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:14:00 GMT

Guest post submitted by Christismyrockforalways

After reading a post on Revelife about spiritual gifts, it made me think about how many Christians I know and our different beliefs about spiritual gifts.

I believe God gives everyone special gifts and talents, but I do not believe God gives Christians a certain gift from that "list" (as many people I know call it) in the Bible. I've been put down for believing that, and a few have even questioned whether I was a Christian or not. Sure, I've held my ground saying that this is what I believe about it, but I don't focus on it. It's just a foolish debate. Still I find it odd that people get almost offended if you disagree with their stance on the issue, when it isn't really an issue.

But my question is, do you believe that each Christian receives one or more spiritual gifts from the "list", or not? Does it really matter what the spiritual gifts are?

Casting the Bible Movie: David Hasselhoff and Ellen Degeneres

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:31:00 GMT

by revelife crew

Great job, casting directors: according to the stats on the previous Casting the Bible Movie post, Zac Efron would play Joseph, while Whoopi Goldberg would play the medium Saul consulted, an angel, or Lot's wife!

Anyway, it's time to cast another Hollywood movie or two. This time, you need to cast David Hasselhoff and Ellen Degeneres (though not necessarily in the same film.) Who would they play?

Have fun! Over the weekend, we'll compile the answers to reveal Revelife's casting selections!

Listen and Vote: Make It or Break It? - Kari Jobe

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:15:00 GMT

by revelife crew

We all love Christian music here at revelife and enjoy helping rising artists out. Here's another cool artist we want to share with you all- Kari Jobe.

Out of Dallas, Kari, who's a worship leader, has been singing God's praises basically all of her life. Her parents were traveling ministers and let her sing her onstage as early as the age of 2.

After graduating from Dallas Baptist University in 2005, she now leads worship in locales around the world as well as serves as associate worship pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, TX. In February 2009, Kari will release her new album Kari Jobe on Integrity Music.

Here's her track "I'm Singing." Give it a listen and let us know what you think. Kari also has a revelife page. Please go over and say hello!

So what do you think of Kari Jobe - Make it or break it?

An Open Letter To The Christian Community

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:22:00 GMT

Guest post submitted by ChrisRusso

The Blogging Dangerously Series, Mark V
Follow-up post to the previous letter. What, did you think I was going to let you off that easily?

Dear Disciples of Jesus (and various claimants thereof),

Hello. You may know me, or you may not. Chances are, I have attended church with you. I may have gone to parachurch organization retreats with you. You've possibly seen me at CCM rock concerts: I was either the youngish guy down in the mosh pit near the speakers, or the older (and deafer) guy sitting near the back. I've collected your tithes. I've taught your children at VBS (often while dressed like a pirate/spaceranger/knight). And, depending on where we were, I was probably either the most "conservative" Christian in the room or the most "liberal" Christian in the room. (Funny how that works out, eh?) You and I may agree on almost everything, or we may not agree on very much beyond the personhood of Christ.

Either way, we need to talk, you and I. More Here...

Worship Songs With Sentimental Value

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:54:00 GMT

by miss marigold

If someone were to ask me what my current favorite worship song were, based on musical quality, I'd probably say "From the Inside Out" by Hillsong United. The lyrics are meaningful, the melody's appealing, and yet - this isn't the worship song that actually means the most to me.

That would be "I Will Offer Up My Life," by Matt Redman. While singing this song all throughout high school, I didn't really care for it, but when I was going through a tough time a couple of years ago, the lyrics, "Lord receive the sacrifice of a broken heart," and "You took all my shame away and defeated my sin/Opened up the gates of heaven and have beckoned me in" really spoke to me. More Here...

ROMOT: Favorite Thanksgiving Food?

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:02:00 GMT

by revelife crew

Yay! It's Friday again! It's time for our weekly ROMOT (Revelife Outreach Meet Others Thing), where we encourage everyone to meet each other through comments and friending.

Here's how it works - we ask a question, and after you comment, drop by the site of the commenter above you and say hi, friend or sub to them! They'll appreciate that you took the time to drop them a line.

With Thanksgiving coming up next week we want to know what's your favorite Thanksgiving food?

Despite the Cancer, My Papa Danced With Me At My Wedding

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:09:00 GMT

Guest post submitted by ilovemy2babyboys

It was April 2002. My Papa told me in a Tractor and Supply parking lot. "I have bone cancer," he said. I really didn't know how to take it. He had been complaining of aches and pains for some time now and it was hard to believe this could be anything serious. After all, he was my Papa and nothing was ever going to happen to him.

As time went on, his words became evident. He was quickly beginning to lose his battle with bone cancer. He'd still laugh and joke and do all the things he'd always done, but when I was with him the fear of losing him was always on my mind.

As my wedding day in September of that year approached, I told my Papa that I really wanted him to walk me down the aisle. I was scared he wouldn't be able to but he told me he would do it, not to worry, and that it would all be okay. My Dad and I got in a fight over me not wanting his wife there, due to the destruction of his and my Mom's marriage. My mom was not prepared to handle something like that. He told me if she couldn't come he wouldn't come. It broke my heart and I wondered how Papa could walk me down the aisle alone. Papa still said he'd do it, not to worry. He did it. On Sept 21st with a little help from another close relative he wrapped his arm in mine and with cane in the other hand, walked me down the aisle, proud as a Papa could be.

At the reception we were all smiles. Papa was so proud. I could see it in his eyes. I was so happy he was there for this big day in my life. My husband and I danced song after song. I didn't have my Dad there to dance with me and felt heartbroken over it. I still had fun but the moment that stands out was when my Papa stood up, walked over to me, took my hands into his and asked to dance. My friends were crying and I was filled with joy.

Later that day, my twin sister was proposed to on the dance floor. My Papa looked at his wife and said ,with tears flowing down his cheek, "I've seen everything I've wanted to see." He was happy and he felt complete.

Eight months later my Papa fought the last few weeks of his life. More Here...

Stuff Christians Like: Claiming Songs From the 80s for Jesus

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:33:00 GMT

Guest post by Stuff Christians Like

Cyndi Lauper once pulled a drive by on me. I had it coming because I started the whole thing, but it was memorable nonetheless.

She was performing at a Fourth of July celebration along the Charles River in Boston. It's a massive event that the Boston Symphony Orchestra does each year. They always get a celebrity performer and that year, 80s star Cyndi Lauper was performing. While walking on a side street, a van slowly pulled up beside me. I looked in the open window and there she was.

I’m not a huge Lauper fan, but I thought it'd be funny to have a fan go crazy about seeing her, so that's exactly what I did. I thrust both my arms straight out and kind of did spirit fingers and yelled, "It's Cyndi Lauper!" as loud as I could.

She locked eyes with me, leaned out the window and did a drive by yell. I prefer to think she screamed "I see your True Colors Jon Acuff!" but my wife disagrees. Then she drove away.

The whole thing took about 3 seconds and was probably one of the nicest things I've ever done for Cyndi Lauper. For at least a brief moment she got to relive those crazy days when her song “Girls just wanna have fun” was massive and she was a huge celebrity. But as kind as that was of me that's nothing compared to us finally claiming her song "True Colors" for Jesus. More Here...

An Open Letter To The Homosexual Community

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:40:00 GMT

Guest post submitted by ChrisRusso

The Blogging Dangerously Series, Episode IV: A New Hope

I bet some of you are getting sick of talking about these sort of things, but there's at least one more thing that needs to be said.

Dear Homosexual Community (and supporters thereof),

Hello. I probably don't know you, and it's unlikely that you know me. There's probably a whole mess of things that we disagree on in terms of philosophy, theology, politics... But there's something that I think we should be able to agree on, and I'd like to "reach across the aisle" to talk about it, if you're willing.

See, I know that a lot of you, as a community, are figuring out how to react to the banning of same-sex marriage in several states, such as with Proposition 8 in California. I myself believe that Prop 8 should never have passed, though probably for very different reasons than the reasons why you believe it should not have passed. More Here...

Advice Needed: I Don't Want To Evangelize With My Small Group

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:24:00 GMT

by revelife crew

We receive quite a few messages from people asking for help with certain issues, and often times, we're not sure how to relate or answer the person's question - which is where you guys come in! Every Thursday, we feature a reader's problem and leave it open for you guys to offer your two cents. Please feel free to message us here for advice! It can be about anything from family, relationships, devotional life or struggles in faith. Don't worry, we'll keep you anonymous.

Today's advice post:

I've been a part of my church and small group for nearly a year now, and so far, I like it a lot and it's really helped me grow; however, last week, my small group leader announced that we would be doing outreach and evangelism as a group for a whole Saturday. More Here...