Are you a reader? I’ve got a pile of books at my bedside and it is not unusual for me to be reading from three or four books at a time. I know some people can’t or won’t do that (and it drives my wife nuts), but it works for me. Ocasionally I’ll get caught up in one and read it straight through.

To grow spiritually requires prayer time and fellowship and action. However, reading what others share in their spiritual journey can be very beneficial. Check out our book reviews, our featured authors section and our online store and pick up a good book to go with the “Good Book”.

Tom Gilbert

Our site has been promoting awareness on Internet Evangelism Day which comes up this Sunday, April 24. I get the regular email newsletter from Internet For Christians and their latest issue has info about a site you might want to check out.

Christian Internet Apologetics is a comprehensive guide for Christians on the "do's and don'ts" of Internet communication. This extensive guide, developed by Lambert Dolphin, Elaine Stedman, and Ted Wise, is a "must-read" for anyone interested in better understanding how to effectively communicate faith over the Internet--email, chat, and online discussion boards. Visit it here.

The need for community, for a gathering of individuals, who live, work, play and grow together, is a strong one. Many of us in our struggles get offended or upset at others and often we withdraw and decide to live for ourselves. It’s hard to put love into action.

All groups of people go through the challenge of our relationships. If we decide to go it alone we soon discover what a lonely path that is. Church can, and should be, a community where we can come together and share our burdens and help each other, guided by the loving power and example of God. Jesus demonstrated this so well. He would associate with many different people and he certainly had his group who journeyed with him during his time on earth.

As religions grow and the organizational demands grow with it we can see many challenges arise. I’ve been thinking about this because the Roman Catholic Church has its new pope and the religious leadership and hierarchy has to face many challenges.

Ultimately we all have to deal with our communities. There is authority in government, religion, work and family. If there are no rules or guidelines then there is anarchy. It’s good to question authority at times, especially if we see that authority ignoring or contributing to injustice.

I find that the prophets of the Old Testament were the bravest in confronting injustice and misused authority. It cannot be easy to stand up for the oppressed in the face of intimidating odds. God’s message continues to be voiced, however, and we all have the responsibility to look at our own beliefs, actions and be willing to let God change and transform us.

Eugene Peterson, the scholar who gave us The Message translation of the Bible, says “Religion is the most dangerous energy source known to humankind. The moment a person (or government or religion or organization) is convinced that God is either ordering or sanctioning a cause or project, anything goes. The history, worldwide, of religion-fueled hate, killing, and oppression is staggering. The biblical prophets are in the front line of those doing something about it.”

So, our responsibility is to hold our leaders accountable without violating the gospel instructions. Always with love, never hate, and in search for the truth without holding on to the belief that we are always right or have all the answers.

Tom Gilbert

The GMA Music Awards, better known as the Dove Awards, acknowledge Christian music makers. The 36th Awards were just announced and some of the artists receiving awards include Jeremy Camp, Nicole C. Mullen, Casting Crowns, Switchfoot, Building 429 and Mark Hall.

Music is a way to sing praises and to “pray twice”. Despite the sometimes commercialism of the music industry I find that music can still be inspiring and help me relate to the challenges and the depth of a spiritual life. I occasionally write about songs for this site as Song Reflections.

One of my favorite writers about music, particularly faith music (both Christian and secular) is Steve Stockman. His excellent rhythms of Redemption site is worth visiting for his reviews, his thoughts and his insight into music. He’s also an author, including both Walk On (about U2) and The Rock Cries Out.

Along the theme this month of the power and potential of the Internet and the focus on Internet Evangelism Day I suggest you check out this article on the RELEVANT magazine site.

If you read what Max Hsu, a music producer and founder of the group Superchic[k], you’ll see he makes the point that the Internet can provide revolutionary ways for people to create music and other entertainment and get it in the hands of millions without going through the typical corporate channels.

Is this a good thing? That depends on the quality of the product. The Internet can give you fifteen minutes of fame. It can also create epiphanies on the rare occasion when someone reads, views or hears something that awakens and quickens their spirit.

Tom Gilbert

The recent funeral for Pope John Paul II was viewed by millions, if not billions, of people. Many have watched and prayed. Events like this can galvanize a Christian community and draw their attention to God, to Christ and to matters of faith.

Of course, we can’t help but reflect on the need to every day have the vision of God’s will in our lives. This is accomplished both through prayer and action. Faith without works is dead! I know so often my intentions are good and yet the day’s activities draw me away. I must remember that there should not be such a separation in how I live. I’m either part of the body of Christ or standing on the sidelines.

All of us need regular sources of encouragement and inspiration. April 24 is being declared Internet Evangelism Day and many Christian groups are working hard to bring to our attention the large potential the Internet holds for helping us grow spiritually. Living the Solution has had this focus since day one and part of what I strive to do is find other web site resources that can help us in this goal. Today I bring your attention to two recently discovered sites.

PrayerForce is a prayer station for intercessors or anyone who believes in the power of prayer in numbers...large numbers. PrayerForce has made it possible for all believers to pray together in one place or on the go all at once; with broadcasting services, powerful forums and chat rooms.

Bible Study Now is the place for interactive Bible studies to help you in your spiritual journey. Each online study lets you research the Bible, and answer questions from your own experience to help you grow spiritually. You can do these studies interactively online, or download the printable sheets for personal or group use. The site was developed by Tom Terry. We’ve reported many times about his ongoing work with Eagle TV in Mongolia.

Tom Gilbert

Some time back I wrote an article about the World Wide Web and the potential it holds for spreading the Gospel message. Anyone who has surfed the Internet at all knows this vast electronic resource can connect us in ways that make the global village a reality. This is a mixed bag of good and bad. The good is that we can reach out to others and share the insight of a loving God. The bad is that other less savory messages and content are also readily available.

People can take their time on the Net. You can read articles and ponder them in your own time and without the threat of peer pressure. Of course, shared stories of experience and hope have little use unless we get away from our computers and interact with others, but for those seeking a deeper spiritual experience my hope is that Internet destinations like Living the Solution can provide inspiration and even motivation to explore a belief and relationship with God. Maybe in the face of questioning and dealing with problems a web site that tackles similar problems and questions can shed some light.

Internet Evangelism Day is a day designated by a group of Christians who believe in using the web to spread the message of Jesus Christ. There is no one single organization or denomination behind this effort. The intent is to encourage churches, Bible Colleges and other Christian organizations to include within their schedules on (or near) Sunday, April 24, 2005 the message of how this powerful medium (the Internet) has a great outreach potential. Gospelcom.net is spearheading the effort with a large number of resources and readily available information. I encourage you to visit and then take the next step to spread the word to your faith organizations and ask them to be a part of it. Surely one of the ways to carry the message of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) is through this global medium.

Tom Gilbert

The statement above may reflect your feelings – or not. When there is sorrow, anguish, pain, depression and other hardships in our lives then joy fees like the furthest thing. However, real joy, the joy of knowing that we are not doomed and ultimately will experience a resurrected life is something we should carry with us always. I believe it was C.S. Lewis who remarked that true joy is only known in its association with sorrow. It seems like a paradox. Ah yes, much of God’s truth is that way. I find on the journey that life is more “both/and” than “either/or”.

The passing of Pope John Paul II and Terri Schiavo has brought their lives and deaths to the forefront of the news. As we reflect on their lives it might be prudent to consider lessons learned from them. Ultimately we are all dependent on God. People can argue either side of right-to-life and right-to-die issues. In the end God is still the Creator. We can choose to joyfully accept our lives and be an instrument of the Creator or take the lonely, and ultimately futile, path of self reliance.

Many people are in watchful prayer over the worsening health of Pope John Paul II. The key for any of us in these situations is to “let go and trust God”. Everyone dies and eventually so will the pontiff. I believe he is a loving and spiritual man who recognizes the path of Jesus Christ and tries his best to follow it.

All of us who follow the Lord are called to exhibit that in our daily lives. Not easy, but who ever said it would be? “Life is hard” opens M. Scott Peck’s The Road Less Traveled. Life is also a beautiful journey when we recognize that life is not about us, but rather we are about life.