Pushback with Dr. Jonny

Dr. Jonny recaps the recent story of a man at the Mall of America being asked to remove his “Jesus Saves” shirt or to leave. This outrageous story exemplifies the hostility and offense by those toward Jesus and His gospel message. The claim that Jesus is the only way and that He requires us to be accountable for our sin, is the source of the anger. The result of the gospel and repentance is true freedom and the truth that all people are seeking!

The Old Covenant and Law was built upon external control, had an external sign (circumcision) and could never save us. The New Covenant in the Blood of Jesus, was internal and manifested by an internal sign (circumcision of the heart), based on grace and love. Dr Jonny explains that the New Covenant saves us, is greater, requires more and exceeds the old, and it is the manifestation of the Spirit in us that, in this new year, will be a witness throughout the world.

Dr. Jonny shares vision for season 4 and reasserts our role as ambassadors of heaven and apostles of His culture. When we live outside of the Spirit the best we can do is have “our thoughts” go out to someone in need. That maybe good, but it is not good enough. We are called to impact and forcibly change culture!

The holiday season is time for celebration and fun!  Family sets the culture and part of family culture is just having fun together and for the Claussens, that means playing games. Play along as Dr. Jonny invites his family to join him for some Christmas and New Years family fun.

Parental Discretion Advised. Pornography has become the easiest way for people to distort and escape reality. Porn is accessible, affordable and anonymous which makes it incredibly dangerous. Dr. Jonny continues his series on powerful parenting, by not only describing the immoral cultural that all our children face, but by reviewing the overwhelming evidence of harm and the distorted view of sex caused by pornography. Sex is not bad, harmful or shameful when in the boundaries given by a loving Father, so parents need to talk openly about sex with their children and clearly communicate those boundaries.

What comes out of our mouths matter. Swearing, cursing or vulgarity is common in our culture, but not part of the Father’s culture. Dr. Jonny continue his series on powerful parenting by explaining the importance of language. The way our children speak effects their status, respectability and influence. The word vulgar means common, but we are raising our children to be uncommon and exceptional!

Dr. Jonny continues his series on powerful parenting by exploring the culture of dating in Junior and Senior High.  Common culture emphasizes physical attraction and feelings, as well as the social status of being in a relationship. This trite and reckless culture leads to needless heartache, emotional pain, and bitterness. Prolonging the friendship stage, gives young people the time needed to mature, grow and prepare for their future. 

The culture in the western world often sees relationships as temporary and hurried. Friendships are an effective and safe way to learn and observe each other doing life, but rather than maximizing that time together, many feel pressured to rush into dating, which often leads to unnecessary pain and heartache. Dr. Jonny proposes a different paradigm where we ask ourselves specific questions, pursue personal growth and engage with our own healing before moving deeper in relationships.

At the very heart of cultural reformation and healing is thanksgiving. We can never become so distracted and disheartened by the world around us that we lose sight of the One that empowered us to actually impact and change culture.  Thanksgiving became a national holiday through the persistence and vision of a cultural reformer. Even in the darkest hour of our nation’s history, she called for unity and healing by fixing our attention on the goodness of God!

Dr. Jonny reviews the midterm results, and then continues with his series on Powerful Parenting. Video games and gaming isn’t just a fun and relaxing experience, it can have harmful effects on kids and adults physically, emotionally, psychologically and relationally. Perhaps the most sinister problem with gaming is that it is a colossal waste of time, and distracts our kids from their calling and will of the Lord for their lives.