I wonder if the generation I find myself in will stay the course, fight the hard battles, pay the price, and sacrifice for real justice. We seem to be willing and comfortable equating justice with raising awareness. We are content to know about the problems in the world, feel bad about it, and buy the t-shirt. The Nobel Foundation endorses this equation of activism. A guy a few years ago won an Oscar and the Nobel Peace Prize just for telling the world through a movie that humanity is supposedly destroying the globe. This year they gave it to another good man; however, his achievement was simply having the potential to do something great.

Our standard for peacemakers has dwindled to public relations campaigns and possibilities. When William Wilberforce and company brought justice to the forgotten and oppressed, they did more than that, and they endured the hard long struggle for the freedom of those who endured an even harsher reality—they changed the world for millions of its citizens. Actual change . . . hard to believe, eh? But they did it. The anti-slavery movement did not just give voice to the silenced; they were their arms, hands, feet, and actions. They were skilled, intelligent, collaborative, and hardworking. They were also passionate, idealistic, and hopeful.

I see a generation who is filled with compassion but low on resolve, and it reflects our leadership. A leadership that has been captivated by social networks, blogs, and so-called influence to the extent that they are willing to sacrifice little and suffer less. We are not willing to dedicate our lives, professions, energy, and brains to the forgotten and oppressed. And we know it. We know our actions are not enough to end sex trafficking, slavery, starvation, and homelessness. Leaders settle for bumper stickers, shoe gimmicks, and a wide assortment of twenty-something trends.

We are told we have a lot to offer: backs and pockets. But we all know we have even more than that. If only we, as leaders, dreamed bigger and called people to a bigger life. A life of literal abandonment of ourselves for the good of others. Using all that we are to bring mercy, kindness, and justice to the lives of neighbors.

This isn't about guilt, it is about knowing who we are and living like it. The numbers shouldn't make you feel guilty for what you have, they should remind you of what you are called to do, what we are capable of accomplishing, and ultimately what we are supposed to do. We are the most talented, connected and creative generation ever. What if we only settled for changing the world of millions of people:

Sex-trafficked: 2,500,000 people
Slaves: 27,000,000 people 
Living on less that $2.50 a day: 3,000,000,000 people
Homeless in United States alone: 1,600,000 people

I pray for a community of people with the resolve to go for it, and the leadership to organize, equip, and release us to do it well.

Brad Watson and his wife, Mirela, live in Portland, Oregon. You can find more of his writing at http://www.bradsstories.com.

I must admit that when I received this manuscript in the mail and read the title, I was more than slightly mortified. I have never considered myself a "fashionista," and my general feeling about shopping and clothes is usually one of keen disinterest. Don't get me wrong—I know how to dress myself. But the thought of getting together with my "BFF's" to go on a shopping spree sends me running for the hills. As a Christian woman, I have more important and earth-shattering things to worry about—like evangelizing the lost, serving the poor, and reading enough theological books to keep my mind full of new and revolutionary ideas. So a book on Christian fashion, seriously? Isn't that the realm of the utterly worldly? Not to mention, Christian modesty, especially in women, is quite the touchy subject—I'm pretty sure wars have been waged over this. But I forged ahead.

Braendel approaches the reader as a sincerely honest best friend—she loves you enough to tell you the truth, even if it hurts a little.  As I read the various chapters on body type, color, and accessorizing, I found myself getting drawn in against my own better judgment. I realized that even I could use some of this advice. The tips and tricks in the book touch on some very sacred ground for women—body image, self-esteem, and modesty. As Braendel revealed some methods to the madness, I slowly began to see fashion and clothing as more than an emotionally charged free-for-all.

Braendel covers all of the basic issues, including choosing the proper undergarments, swimwear, and even skin and hair care. I especially appreciated the chapter on purchasing jeans, as this seems to be a more pronounced problem for women. The most valuable resource is the shopping checklist in the final chapter that helps you plan out the pieces you need, and take an inventory of your wardrobe. This appealed to my Type A personality, and gave me a manageable project to work with after finishing the book. The only thing that isn't addressed is where to score the cash to afford all of these new items. Unfortunately for many women, lack of knowledge isn't the only thing keeping them from dressing to the nines every day—lack of income is a major culprit as well.

This book made me want to stash some money away, however, for that well-thought out shopping trip that could save me from hundreds of silly impulse purchases and countless hours of standing bewildered and lost in my own closet. The last chapter is a short anecdotal prescription for how to help younger women dress with more modesty, coming back to the tried and true "don't cause your brother to stumble" mantra. This book fulfills it's purpose—helping women to better understand that what they wear does make a statement, and steering them to make the right one.

I would venture to say many people can relate to such a story. The window pops up, or you get a message, or a comment, and wonder, "Why is that person talking to me? We're not even that close!" You guessed it. I'm talking about Facebook.

Facebook says their mission is to "give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected." Congratulations Facebook, you have accomplished your task. The moment I become someone's virtual friend, I am connected and can share anything I choose to share. It's a great tool. Photos, stories, games, information, music, and (my personal favorite) an update of what I am doing can be continually followed through the site.

The king of social networking claims it has over 250 million active users. Of those users, an estimated 120 million log onto Facebook every day. That's big. Really big. I remember when in college, I had a Facebook account and only connected with a few college friends from across the nation. Now, after it has spread, I have hundreds of friends (564 to be exact). It's not just college students anymore, as Facebook estimates that two-thirds of their users are outside of the college realm.

Face it. Everyone is on Facebook. Mothers, fathers, grandmothers, and grandfathers grace the Facebook world with their presence. It connects us together, but does it really foster true friendship?

As a point in favor of Facebook, I am thankful for the real-life friends I can keep up with on the king of social networking sites. I have friends from high school who are straightening out their lives and finding answers from God—it's a joy to keep up with them. Other friends are in other countries, enabling me to easily track their every move (but not in a stalker sort of way). There is an element of the site that does enable me to continue friendships with some I would rarely see in person.

I do have a negative (or two) against the site. It is estimated the average user has about 120 friends. I have seen some who have well over 1,000 friends. The problem with this is that people throw the word friend around like a ragdoll. "Friends" from Facebook are really just connections, acquaintances, or in some cases, people you don't know at all. The shallow use of "friend" has become a reflection of our culture.

Here's an example. When I log onto Facebook, one of the first things I find myself doing is scrolling down the page to check everyone's status. I enjoy reading spiritual updates, humorous updates, and especially frivolous stuff. I realized recently I have many "friends" whose updates I really don't care to read (be honest, you do too). My point is not that we're all big jerks, but that if we were really friends with the people we follow, then we would care what they have to say. "Friend" is an overstatement.

I'm not advocating ridding yourself of Facebook by any means. Instead, I'm advocating that we as Christians understand that the social networking world is not a valid replacement of true friendship.

The Bible speaks clearly of friendship. "A friend loveth at all times" is found in Proverbs 17:17. Proverbs 18:24 says a man who has friends has to be friendly. Proverbs 27:10 tells us friends should be cherished and not forsaken. Outside of Proverbs are many stories about deep friendship as well, such as David and Jonathan. Not to mention the relationship Christ had with His disciples.

Christ and His disciples show us great aspects of true friendship. Many times we confine Christ's ministry to a little box, but it has to be realized Christ and His disciples had a deep and common bond. They met in person and worked together. They saw many sad sights together. They rejoiced together. They ministered together.  He constantly looked out for them spiritually. The spiritual bond they had was greater than most of us might ever experience with another human being.

Simply put, Facebook is a great tool for friendship, but some might have allowed it to replace what true friendship is. True friendship is not just typing a funny message or word of encouragement. It's much deeper than that. Nothing can ever replace face-to-face contact. Nothing can beat someone's voice lifting us up. So don't get lost in substituting the two. Facebook is great, but face-to-face is unparalleled.

Ryan Akers is a youth pastor in Indiana. He raises money for Mountain Faith Mission, a Haitian mission, by running marathons. You can support him by visiting http://run4haiti.wordpress.com/

Christmas time is awesome. It's also right around the corner. I can feel it. In fact, I start anticipating Christmas a littler earlier every year. I've tried to figure out why that is and I haven't come to any definite answers. Sure, I love the season, the traditions, the family time, the gifts, the music, the movies, and most everything else that is connected with this time of year, but those things don't seem to be enough to turn me into the sentimental sap that I'm becoming. And it's getting worse. For crying out loud, I got teary eyed watching The Santa Clause with my family the other day! What does it say about me that not only did that actually happen, but that I am willing to admit it to everyone I know? Don't answer that.

Sadly though, many of the people that I am around on a daily basis don't view Christmas like I do. For them, it's not very awesome. Most people I know are more depressed, more exhausted, more frustrated, and more hopeless this time of year than at any other time. It can prove difficult to keep my spirits high when I am around these miniature Scrooges, but I press on. Nothing can bring me down when Christmas is close at hand.

            (Abrupt shift in tone ahead. You have been warned. I promise this is going to make sense.)

I don't over spiritualize the stuff that happens in my life. Too often, I fail to see God at work even though I completely believe that to be true. I also believe that He intervenes in my life for my benefit. But I don't discern it like I should. I am prone to overlooking God's hand, to my detriment. One of my chief failings is that I shy away from outward expressions of gratitude and recognition when God is working in my life. I get uncomfortable talking about "spiritual" things around others, and I really don't get that. It's not that I am ashamed, but perhaps it's that I don't want to come across as one of those "Praise God!" people. You know what I'm talking about. These are the people that sound like they have one foot in heaven and one foot in a revival service. They don't seem to be part of the same world as the rest of us struggling believers. They never seem to have any problems and God is always talking to them and clearly guiding them. I'm not knocking these people, it's just that I don't understand them and perhaps that is entirely my fault. That's not my world or my life and perhaps it never will be. Where I live, things are not always easy or rose-colored. My life is full of questions and uncertainties. And I have a really good life from any viewpoint so I can only imagine what it's like for some people that have had a much more difficult journey through life.

            (...and we're back!)

That's a long way to get to my point. What were we talking about anyway? Oh yes, Christmas. That previous paragraph. . . that is why I love Christmas. Not making sense yet? Ok, I'll try to explain. I am very willing this time of the year to be vocal about God, spirituality, and all the rest. It's the meaning of the season, after all. Most people lower their defenses this time of year and that makes it much easier for me to be honest and truly express what God is doing for me, to me, and with me. I don't have to hide behind my well designed façade; I can let it all hang out in a manner of speaking. For most of the year I am a very reserved fellow, but you get me close to Christmas and I sort of lose my mind. Food tastes better. The air is purer. Life is richer. There is a feeling of rebirth or starting over that is intoxicating and it is impossible for me to ignore it or hide it. I have a light and it must and shall shine! 

Perhaps you are in love with the Christmas season as well. If so, I challenge you to put those good feelings to work. It can be daunting when so many people around you are discouraged and miserable, but isn't that a good enough reason to tell them why Christmas makes you so happy? During this time they might just need a little good news and you have the best news in the world. Share it.

Now, I just need to figure out how to do that the rest of the year.

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world—stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death—and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas. —Henry Van Dyke

Phill Lytle is a father of 3 and husband of 1, living in Nashville, TN.