The tag line for this Bible study is Others before self. Christ above all. It will address surrendering our stuff, our status, our sin and ultimately our self.  Our culture tells us that we should only look out for ourselves.  The idea of surrendering is usually only talked about when a bad guy surrenders to the good guys in the movies or on the news.  But as Christians isn’t that what we are called to do too? We are the “bad guys” (sinners) and we can continue to try to fight our way through … or we can surrender to the “good Guy” and let him take over.

We hope the Surrender Bible study is a great resource for pastors to inspire and encourage the students in their youth ministry.  It will be released this August.

The night before our filming with Francis is when news broke of Osama Bin Laden’s assassination.  Twitter and Facebook exploded with comments both rejoicing the death of this tyrant and warning Christians against getting smug.  I have always appreciated Francis’ attention to scripture and living Biblically … so I asked him for his thoughts on recent news events.

Here’s what he had to say …

Americans have this collective ideal that we creatively call the American Dream.  It’s worth pointing out that there is no Ukrainian Dream or Kenyan Dream … but we have labeled this unique dream the American Dream and it’s built into every aspect of our culture.  I am convinced that most of the time we aren’t even aware of the American Dream because it’s a part of our life like breathing is a part of our life.

I just re-read a fascinating article called Rethinking the American Dream.  As I was reading, I was powerfully reminded of how events that unfolded over the past 200 years have an impact on my attitude towards life today.

Consider these handful of events in our American history …

• Our Declaration of Independence states that we have the “right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness” as citizens.  This was a radically different philosophy of life and government than any other place in the world and in history.  From the beginning our collective dream includes the promise of freedom and happiness.

• Our 1800′s are marked by wild west expansion that promises land and gold.

• In 1931 a book coins the phrase “American Dream” to describe a better, richer, and happier life for all our citizens of every rank.

• Social Security Act of 1935 set in motion the idea of retirement at age 65.  Our collective dream now includes the goal of retirement.

• In 1940 Norman Rockwell paints 4 famous paintings in a series called Freedoms …. Freedom from Want is most popular.  This painting depicts the ultimate dream … to never want again.

• GI Bill in 1944 offers affordable loans for homes – new home business skyrockets from 124k in 1944 to 1 million in 1946 to nearly 2 million by 1950.  Home ownership is now a part of our collective dream.

• GI Bill also offers tuition money to returning vets … college degrees doubled between 1940 and 1965 … college became attainable and not elitist.  A college education is now a part of the dream.

• As early as 1958 economist John Kenneth Galbraith declares that America had reached an almost unsurpassable and unsustainable degree of mass affluence because the average family owned a home, one car, and one TV

• 1958 is also the year the credit card is introduced.  Consumer credit shot from $2.5 billion in 1945 to $105 billion in 1970.

• In 1982 the average household saved 11% of its disposable income.  By 2007 that number was less that 1%.

As I wrote last week, I have a new appreciation for the history of our country. Specifically the dedication and commitment our founding leaders had in creating a new system of government.  I am thankful for my home.  I am thankful for my college degree.  I am thankful for my freedoms.

But I am scared about what our new American Dream has become. Look at the TV lineup.  Shows like Jersey Shore, the Bachelor, American Idol, Deal or No Deal and many others  … we are a culture that wants to get rich quick, find love instantly and stretch our 15 minutes of fame into a lifetime of fame.  Homer Simspon is the caricature of our country (doh!).

Something as honorable as the rights outlined in our Declaration of Independence birthed an attitude of entitlement.  From the beginning we were taught that being human gave us these rights instead of acknowledging that life is a gift from God given to us to steward.

If you are living in America you can’t escape it.  Our collective dream has accelerated to this point in history.  Entitlement and consumerism permeates every aspect of our lives.

We all need a place to live and a way to make money. Having a home isn’t wrong.  Having a job isn’t wrong.  Being wealthy isn’t a sin.

At the end of the day we all have a choice to make.  What will be the ultimate pursuit of our life?  Some place hope in a home.  Others place hope in a job.  But it seems that deep down we know that there’s more to life than the pursuit of temporary things.

As Paul says in 1 Timothy, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

1. How is the American Dream impacting you?
2. What other events in our history are shaping the way American’s view life today?

I love it when scripture comes alive.

Julie and I are now in Exodus in our read-thru-the-Bible plan. We are in the middle of Moses and the plagues. It’s an incredible story that can lose some oomph because of familiarity.

A family movie night watching the animated film The Prince of Egypt was a blast. The kids were riveted and a little fearful of the burning bush and the plagues.  The film is for the most part accurate which is amazing for a Hollywood movie based on the Bible.  I was surprised that Val Kilmer, Sandra Bullock, Steve Martin, Michelle Pfeiffer and several other big-name actors were involved.

Julie and I loved seeing visuals for the scripture that we’ve been reading.  The depiction of the Passover was harrowing and  the parting of the Red Sea was inspiring.  It’s given us a great mental picture of the epic journey of the Hebrews as we read through the rest of Exodus and further into the Old Testament.

Watching the movie also made me thankful for the creativity on our Bluefish TV production team.   They’ve produced some phenomenal short films about Noah, Abraham, Joseph, the birth of Jesus and others.

We are such a visual culture … once you see Biblical stories brought to life on the screen it will change the way you read Scripture.