Just hit the title to this post and it will forward you to the Wall Street Journal article. (sbk)
Monday, December 29, 2008
Preach the Word...
I'll be preaching in a little town outside of Wichita this coming Sunday. My friend Ed asked me to step in for him, and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity.
"...preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season;" 2 Timothy 4:2 (NASB)
"...preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season;" 2 Timothy 4:2 (NASB)
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Who was Saint Nick?
Who was Saint Nick?
Nicholas was born in the third century in Patara, a village in what is now Turkey. He was born into an affluent family, but his parents died tragically when he was quite young. His parents had raised him to be a devout Christian, which led him to spend his great inheritance on helping the poor, especially children. He was known to frequently give gifts to children, sometimes even hanging socks filled with treats and gifts.
Perhaps his most famous act of kindness was helping three sisters. Because their family was too poor to pay for their wedding dowry, three young Christian women were facing a life of prostitution until Nicholas paid their dowry, thereby saving them from a horrible life of sexual slavery.
Nicholas grew to be a well-loved Christian leader and was eventually voted the Bishop of Myra, a port city that the apostle Paul had previously visited (Acts 27:5-6). Nicholas reportedly also traveled to the legendary Council of Nicea, where he helped defend the deity of Jesus Christ in AD 325.
Following his death on December 6, 343, he was canonized as a Saint. The anniversary of his death became the St. Nicholas holiday when gifts were given in his memory. He remained a very popular saint among Catholic and Orthodox Christians, with some 2,000 churches named after him. The holiday in his honor eventually merged with Christmas as they were celebrated within weeks of one another.
Reformation Controversy
During the Reformation, however, Nicholas fell out of favor with Protestants, who did not approve of canonizing certain people as saints and venerating them with holidays. His holiday was not celebrated in any Protestant country except Holland, where his legend as Sinterklass lived on. In Germany, Martin Luther replaced him with the Christ child as the object of holiday celebration, or, in German, Christkindl. Over time, the celebration of the Christ child was simply pronounced Kriss Kingle and oddly became just another name for Santa Claus.
Santa Myths
The legends about Santa Claus are most likely a compilation of other folklore. For example, there was a myth in Nicholas’ day that a demon was entering people's homes to terrorize children and that Nicholas cast it out of a home. This myth may explain why it was eventually believed that he came down people's chimneys.
Also, there was a Siberian myth (near the North Pole) that a holy man, or shaman, entered people's homes through their chimneys to leave them mushrooms as gifts. According to the legend, he would hang them in front of the fire to dry. Reindeer would reportedly eat them and become intoxicated. This may have started the myth that the reindeer could fly, as it was believed that the shaman could also fly. This myth may have merged with the Santa Claus myth and if so, explains him traveling from the North Pole to come down the chimney and leave presents on the mantle over the fireplace before flying away with reindeer.
These stories of Santa Claus were first brought to America by Dutch immigrants. In the early 20th century, stores began having Santa Claus present for children during the Christmas season. Children also began sending letters to the North Pole as the legends surrounding an otherwise simple Christian man grew.
At the Resurgence, we keep the center of Christmas focused on Jesus; it’s probably what Nicholas would have wanted.
(thanks to Mark Driscoll, Re-Lit, Mars Hill Church Seattle)
Nicholas was born in the third century in Patara, a village in what is now Turkey. He was born into an affluent family, but his parents died tragically when he was quite young. His parents had raised him to be a devout Christian, which led him to spend his great inheritance on helping the poor, especially children. He was known to frequently give gifts to children, sometimes even hanging socks filled with treats and gifts.
Perhaps his most famous act of kindness was helping three sisters. Because their family was too poor to pay for their wedding dowry, three young Christian women were facing a life of prostitution until Nicholas paid their dowry, thereby saving them from a horrible life of sexual slavery.
Nicholas grew to be a well-loved Christian leader and was eventually voted the Bishop of Myra, a port city that the apostle Paul had previously visited (Acts 27:5-6). Nicholas reportedly also traveled to the legendary Council of Nicea, where he helped defend the deity of Jesus Christ in AD 325.
Following his death on December 6, 343, he was canonized as a Saint. The anniversary of his death became the St. Nicholas holiday when gifts were given in his memory. He remained a very popular saint among Catholic and Orthodox Christians, with some 2,000 churches named after him. The holiday in his honor eventually merged with Christmas as they were celebrated within weeks of one another.
Reformation Controversy
During the Reformation, however, Nicholas fell out of favor with Protestants, who did not approve of canonizing certain people as saints and venerating them with holidays. His holiday was not celebrated in any Protestant country except Holland, where his legend as Sinterklass lived on. In Germany, Martin Luther replaced him with the Christ child as the object of holiday celebration, or, in German, Christkindl. Over time, the celebration of the Christ child was simply pronounced Kriss Kingle and oddly became just another name for Santa Claus.
Santa Myths
The legends about Santa Claus are most likely a compilation of other folklore. For example, there was a myth in Nicholas’ day that a demon was entering people's homes to terrorize children and that Nicholas cast it out of a home. This myth may explain why it was eventually believed that he came down people's chimneys.
Also, there was a Siberian myth (near the North Pole) that a holy man, or shaman, entered people's homes through their chimneys to leave them mushrooms as gifts. According to the legend, he would hang them in front of the fire to dry. Reindeer would reportedly eat them and become intoxicated. This may have started the myth that the reindeer could fly, as it was believed that the shaman could also fly. This myth may have merged with the Santa Claus myth and if so, explains him traveling from the North Pole to come down the chimney and leave presents on the mantle over the fireplace before flying away with reindeer.
These stories of Santa Claus were first brought to America by Dutch immigrants. In the early 20th century, stores began having Santa Claus present for children during the Christmas season. Children also began sending letters to the North Pole as the legends surrounding an otherwise simple Christian man grew.
At the Resurgence, we keep the center of Christmas focused on Jesus; it’s probably what Nicholas would have wanted.
(thanks to Mark Driscoll, Re-Lit, Mars Hill Church Seattle)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Wow, that Global Warming is a bummer, huh?
This picture came off of Todd Pruitt's blog.His caption: "Pictures speak louder than a thousand bad scientists."
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Ravi's million dollar question....
"...One difficult apologetic question I live with...
"Why is it so many people who talk of a supernatural transformation show so little of the transformed life?" (Ravi Zacharias)
"Why is it so many people who talk of a supernatural transformation show so little of the transformed life?" (Ravi Zacharias)
Friday, December 5, 2008
an email response...
Following is an email response to a pastor out in Colorado with the EFCA asking about my desire/interest in being involved in church planting...
I’ve been a believer, and actively involved in ministry for about 28 years now. I’m 44, with teenaged kids. One in college at Biola University, where my wife and I met. One at a great Christian High School in town (a junior), and one in the 8th grade at a Christian school where we have been involved for about 14 years, where my wife currently works, and where I served on the board for a time.
I’ve been a serial entrepreneur for most of my adult life. Have built a few successful ventures, and have been involved with consulting etc. for others. I’ve been very involved in ministry in the business community, in the local church, in the Christian school, and have tried to use my business involvements as both platforms for and opportunities for ministry, and also for provision for ministry.
For years, I’ve been wanting to make the move to full-time vocational ministry. I have a strong desire, and I believe gifts and skill-sets for preaching, teaching, leading, that have been affirmed by those around me over the years.
A few years ago, I got involved with a terrible lawsuit with some partners. It was a very destructive thing in terms of our financial and business life, and very unjust. I’ll tell you all about it sometime.
Now, unencumbered, I am making the move to ministry. Because of my skill-set, and my desire to preach, I’ve landed in the church-planting ranks. I believe this is the clear leading of the Lord. I also believe that I have been led back to the EFCA for this next phase of life and ministry.
For about 18 of the last 28 years, I’ve been involved with the EFCA. As an undergrad, we attended Evangelical Free in Fullerton while Swindoll was there. As a grad student at TEDS, we also attended Arlington Heights Ev Free where Greg Waybright was the pastor (before he took over the presidency of Trinity). When we moved to KS in 90, we were very involved with First Ev Free in Wichita for about 12 years. There are many things that I appreciate about the EFCA…doctrine, government, organization, distinctives…the support of a denominational organization without the heavy-handedness of some…the emphasis on church planting.
My wife and I have been trying to move to Colorado for years…out of somewhat selfish motives…attracted by the mountains and all that brings to a family in terms of beauty and opportunity. We have vacationed there often, and often threatened not to go home.
The current impulse is not quite so crass. I want to be where the need is great. Oregon, California, Colorado all have a greater percentage of unchurched/lost/mal-churched people than Kansas. There are several practical considerations as a father and with a commitment to Christian schooling that will factor into our decision. As far as the interest in North Denver, that is not anything that is settled, it is just an interest because of the liberal culture in the Boulder area, and a general belief/desire to be engaged with both the business and the academic world in evangelism. Business and Academic centers are the places to have the most leverage in impacting the culture...possibly the most leverage in reaching the lost. Academic people…students are seeking answers – and we have them…professors are leading people astray and need to be refuted. In the business arena…these guys are hiring, firing, building, failing, struggling with marriage and family…I speak their language…have “street cred”. There are so many opportunities to minister to men in that environment.
The only Christian High School in Colorado with a baseball team (more on that later) is down in Colorado Springs, which I have always viewed as sort of a Christian Bulwark, but Bruce assures me that the need is great there, so honestly, I’m considering that as well.
Another strong desire I have, is to be involved in the seminary community…partly for my own continued personal growth and challenge and the fellowship of strong and godly and motivated men, and partly a desire to be involved with encouraging and equipping young men…ministers, husbands and fathers, in the faith. Long term, I hope my ministry will include teaching in the seminary environment. Denver Seminary is not my first choice. I am more drawn to Master’s, or Talbot (Biola my alma mater), or to Western. These interests have me considering those geographic areas as well. I also saw that ReachGlobal has a position at the Tyndale Seminary in the Netherlands. That also appeals to me – but would be very difficult for my youngest son at this point in his life.
Randy Littlefield allowed me to tag along on a recent trip to Dallas, where Bruce Redmond, Bruce Martin, and a couple of guys from the Trinity area were meeting with Dallas students. It was a fantastic time to spend in fellowship with those guys. Plus, it gave me a chance to get on the Dallas campus, even for a little while, and to be around some of the young men there, and also to catch up with Ray Chang, a friend from Biola. Bruce Martin wants me to come out to Oregon. Ray wants me to come to Southern California. Bruce Redmond wants me to come to Colorado. Randy Littlefield wants me to stay here. It’s great to have so many opportunities, but it also creates problems. I’ve been earnestly seeking the Lord’s direction and trying to be patient. So far…no guy from Macedonia in my dreams.
I really don’t feel a particular call to a specific zip code, Rob. I am called to the Kingdom, for the glory of Christ. The specifics of the next move are a little hazy.
I think that as far as being involved with EFCA/Church Planting goes, that I will be most effective and most useful as I equip other men plant churches….encouraging and equipping and building up. The openings in the Midwest District, and in the Rocky Mountain District to be more involved with Church Planting on a larger scale are very interesting to me, and I could see a great fit and effectiveness if they were to develop. Not sure if an opportunity to be involved in that capacity will develop or not.
My wife would prefer to just stay here. We have many close friends through our involvement in the Christian school. Many in the Body of Christ who have been ministered to by us, and who have borne our burdens in difficult days. It’s hard to leave those people without a very good reason. The Christian High school here has been a blessing to my sons. The baseball coach is a friend and former business partner, and he has invested a lot in my youngest son. It would be a blessing and a privilege for Landon to play for him. Seth still has another year in high school, so it is difficult to pull him out to do his senior year somewhere else unless there is a clear leading and opportunity.
No matter what…this is going to be a “pioneering” move. There may be some who will want to be involved at some level financially, and who will want to maintain close relationships and feel some “ownership” in the effort. But, we’ll be starting from nothing. I’m not sitting on a personal “war chest” financially. We were completely wiped out in our legal battles. I know that the Lord will provide for the work He wants to do. I am earnestly seeking His leading. I am hopeful that there are EFCA churches in each of these areas who would want to be involved in the initial stages financially, with expertise and counsel, etc. While finances are not the primary concern, it doesn’t make much sense to go where there is no support…perhaps the Lord will lead that way.
I’ve been a believer, and actively involved in ministry for about 28 years now. I’m 44, with teenaged kids. One in college at Biola University, where my wife and I met. One at a great Christian High School in town (a junior), and one in the 8th grade at a Christian school where we have been involved for about 14 years, where my wife currently works, and where I served on the board for a time.
I’ve been a serial entrepreneur for most of my adult life. Have built a few successful ventures, and have been involved with consulting etc. for others. I’ve been very involved in ministry in the business community, in the local church, in the Christian school, and have tried to use my business involvements as both platforms for and opportunities for ministry, and also for provision for ministry.
For years, I’ve been wanting to make the move to full-time vocational ministry. I have a strong desire, and I believe gifts and skill-sets for preaching, teaching, leading, that have been affirmed by those around me over the years.
A few years ago, I got involved with a terrible lawsuit with some partners. It was a very destructive thing in terms of our financial and business life, and very unjust. I’ll tell you all about it sometime.
Now, unencumbered, I am making the move to ministry. Because of my skill-set, and my desire to preach, I’ve landed in the church-planting ranks. I believe this is the clear leading of the Lord. I also believe that I have been led back to the EFCA for this next phase of life and ministry.
For about 18 of the last 28 years, I’ve been involved with the EFCA. As an undergrad, we attended Evangelical Free in Fullerton while Swindoll was there. As a grad student at TEDS, we also attended Arlington Heights Ev Free where Greg Waybright was the pastor (before he took over the presidency of Trinity). When we moved to KS in 90, we were very involved with First Ev Free in Wichita for about 12 years. There are many things that I appreciate about the EFCA…doctrine, government, organization, distinctives…the support of a denominational organization without the heavy-handedness of some…the emphasis on church planting.
My wife and I have been trying to move to Colorado for years…out of somewhat selfish motives…attracted by the mountains and all that brings to a family in terms of beauty and opportunity. We have vacationed there often, and often threatened not to go home.
The current impulse is not quite so crass. I want to be where the need is great. Oregon, California, Colorado all have a greater percentage of unchurched/lost/mal-churched people than Kansas. There are several practical considerations as a father and with a commitment to Christian schooling that will factor into our decision. As far as the interest in North Denver, that is not anything that is settled, it is just an interest because of the liberal culture in the Boulder area, and a general belief/desire to be engaged with both the business and the academic world in evangelism. Business and Academic centers are the places to have the most leverage in impacting the culture...possibly the most leverage in reaching the lost. Academic people…students are seeking answers – and we have them…professors are leading people astray and need to be refuted. In the business arena…these guys are hiring, firing, building, failing, struggling with marriage and family…I speak their language…have “street cred”. There are so many opportunities to minister to men in that environment.
The only Christian High School in Colorado with a baseball team (more on that later) is down in Colorado Springs, which I have always viewed as sort of a Christian Bulwark, but Bruce assures me that the need is great there, so honestly, I’m considering that as well.
Another strong desire I have, is to be involved in the seminary community…partly for my own continued personal growth and challenge and the fellowship of strong and godly and motivated men, and partly a desire to be involved with encouraging and equipping young men…ministers, husbands and fathers, in the faith. Long term, I hope my ministry will include teaching in the seminary environment. Denver Seminary is not my first choice. I am more drawn to Master’s, or Talbot (Biola my alma mater), or to Western. These interests have me considering those geographic areas as well. I also saw that ReachGlobal has a position at the Tyndale Seminary in the Netherlands. That also appeals to me – but would be very difficult for my youngest son at this point in his life.
Randy Littlefield allowed me to tag along on a recent trip to Dallas, where Bruce Redmond, Bruce Martin, and a couple of guys from the Trinity area were meeting with Dallas students. It was a fantastic time to spend in fellowship with those guys. Plus, it gave me a chance to get on the Dallas campus, even for a little while, and to be around some of the young men there, and also to catch up with Ray Chang, a friend from Biola. Bruce Martin wants me to come out to Oregon. Ray wants me to come to Southern California. Bruce Redmond wants me to come to Colorado. Randy Littlefield wants me to stay here. It’s great to have so many opportunities, but it also creates problems. I’ve been earnestly seeking the Lord’s direction and trying to be patient. So far…no guy from Macedonia in my dreams.
I really don’t feel a particular call to a specific zip code, Rob. I am called to the Kingdom, for the glory of Christ. The specifics of the next move are a little hazy.
I think that as far as being involved with EFCA/Church Planting goes, that I will be most effective and most useful as I equip other men plant churches….encouraging and equipping and building up. The openings in the Midwest District, and in the Rocky Mountain District to be more involved with Church Planting on a larger scale are very interesting to me, and I could see a great fit and effectiveness if they were to develop. Not sure if an opportunity to be involved in that capacity will develop or not.
My wife would prefer to just stay here. We have many close friends through our involvement in the Christian school. Many in the Body of Christ who have been ministered to by us, and who have borne our burdens in difficult days. It’s hard to leave those people without a very good reason. The Christian High school here has been a blessing to my sons. The baseball coach is a friend and former business partner, and he has invested a lot in my youngest son. It would be a blessing and a privilege for Landon to play for him. Seth still has another year in high school, so it is difficult to pull him out to do his senior year somewhere else unless there is a clear leading and opportunity.
No matter what…this is going to be a “pioneering” move. There may be some who will want to be involved at some level financially, and who will want to maintain close relationships and feel some “ownership” in the effort. But, we’ll be starting from nothing. I’m not sitting on a personal “war chest” financially. We were completely wiped out in our legal battles. I know that the Lord will provide for the work He wants to do. I am earnestly seeking His leading. I am hopeful that there are EFCA churches in each of these areas who would want to be involved in the initial stages financially, with expertise and counsel, etc. While finances are not the primary concern, it doesn’t make much sense to go where there is no support…perhaps the Lord will lead that way.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
you're called, but do you know it?
If you're an authentic believer/follower/disciple of Jesus Christ, then you have been commissioned...you have been called to make disciples...wherever you are.
I'm not talking about necessarily vocational ministry. I'm talking about engaging whoever might be around you with the Gospel.
When I was in High School, I was trying to reach my student/peers in the FCA and in evening and summer Bible studies.
When I was in College, I was involved in College ministries, and the local church...looking for opportunities to move people closer...to play my part...in moving people closer to Christ and to encourage those already in Him to grow and to engage in reaching those around them.
When I was a young family man, it was ministry in local churches, teaching and leading the young married Sunday School classes, starting men's Bible studies, meeting with men one-on-one in mentoring relationships.
In business, I used the resources I had, and the relationships I made, as a platform for ministry...to peers, employees, vendors, younger men in business, ...you get the point.
Now, it looks like I am going to make the jump to full-time vocational ministry, which will have it's own set of challenges and opportunities.
I'm not writing this here to brag about my exploits. They're really not that impressive. But, I do want to encourage you to see in practical terms, that the Lord has called you to make disciples...wherever you are. Look for the opportunities. Commit to following the Lord's commands in obedience.
If you're in college, are there opportunities to get involved with younger kids? Are there opportunities to get involved with your peers on campus? Do you need to get involved with an existing college ministry on campus or at your local church? Do you need to start something new? (I'm not talking about sitting in a large room singing some songs and listening to a speaker once a week...I'm talking about actively engaging in making disciples...being one first, and then doing your part in God's plan and effort to reach others...the lost...those who aren't going to church, etc.)
If you're in the business world, are you looking for opportunities to engage and to reach out to the people around you?
Are you actively involved in your local church? Are you being equipped for effective ministry? Are you purposefully encouraging and equipping others?
I'm not talking about necessarily vocational ministry. I'm talking about engaging whoever might be around you with the Gospel.
When I was in High School, I was trying to reach my student/peers in the FCA and in evening and summer Bible studies.
When I was in College, I was involved in College ministries, and the local church...looking for opportunities to move people closer...to play my part...in moving people closer to Christ and to encourage those already in Him to grow and to engage in reaching those around them.
When I was a young family man, it was ministry in local churches, teaching and leading the young married Sunday School classes, starting men's Bible studies, meeting with men one-on-one in mentoring relationships.
In business, I used the resources I had, and the relationships I made, as a platform for ministry...to peers, employees, vendors, younger men in business, ...you get the point.
Now, it looks like I am going to make the jump to full-time vocational ministry, which will have it's own set of challenges and opportunities.
I'm not writing this here to brag about my exploits. They're really not that impressive. But, I do want to encourage you to see in practical terms, that the Lord has called you to make disciples...wherever you are. Look for the opportunities. Commit to following the Lord's commands in obedience.
If you're in college, are there opportunities to get involved with younger kids? Are there opportunities to get involved with your peers on campus? Do you need to get involved with an existing college ministry on campus or at your local church? Do you need to start something new? (I'm not talking about sitting in a large room singing some songs and listening to a speaker once a week...I'm talking about actively engaging in making disciples...being one first, and then doing your part in God's plan and effort to reach others...the lost...those who aren't going to church, etc.)
If you're in the business world, are you looking for opportunities to engage and to reach out to the people around you?
Are you actively involved in your local church? Are you being equipped for effective ministry? Are you purposefully encouraging and equipping others?
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
the courage of conviction
had an email exchange today with a man who was a seminary professor at a seminary that I thought was very conservative, with a high view of Scripture, who recently resigned because the seminary is now actively promoting an egalitarian stance...women as elders, and pastors.
It is discouraging to hear that this particular institution is capitulating to the culture in this way.
It is encouraging though to hear that at least one man is willing to put himself at risk in order to stand for Biblical conviction.
It is discouraging to hear that this particular institution is capitulating to the culture in this way.
It is encouraging though to hear that at least one man is willing to put himself at risk in order to stand for Biblical conviction.
life out on the radical edge
I've just been listening to a pastor's testimony about a trip he made where he met up with several Korean Christians who had been kidnapped by the Taliban. When all these believers had all their things taken from them, and they knew that things were going to get rough, they somehow managed to hang on to one pocket Bible. They tore that Bible into 25 parts so that each of them would have a little piece of the Word to read it and get some encouragement from it. Ultimately, a couple of them lost their lives...pastors.
Man...I can hardly choke back the emotion as I even write this now. That's life out on the radical edge...following Jesus Christ...putting yourself - your life, your livelihood - completely at risk for Him, for His Gospel...willing to die...willing to be abused, ridiculed, beat up, marginalized, ignored for His sake. It's intense.
I can't explain to you what it's like to be in a place where you fully understand and have confidence in God's sovereignty, and yet, know full well that it might be His plan and His purpose for you to suffer.
I can't explain what it's like to live through things where you are pushed absolutely to your limit...and then pushed farther...where it's just you and God and the pavement...nowhere else to turn but dependence on Him.
I can't explain what it's like to know that the next bold words out of your mouth about Christ could very well bring some kind of reprisal.
I can't explain what it's like to know that your family is fully in the hands of the Lord, depending on Him, and on His Body to meet their most basic needs, and then to see the Lord provide, faithfully through these people whose love is motivated by Christ.
The boldness, the fellowship with Him that those trials bring, are fantastic. Your life is purified. So many of the things...the affections of this world...are shaken loose. The boldness and the confidence in Him, the hatred for sin...all the changes you go through are crazy. How does that happen apart from suffering?
Man...I can hardly choke back the emotion as I even write this now. That's life out on the radical edge...following Jesus Christ...putting yourself - your life, your livelihood - completely at risk for Him, for His Gospel...willing to die...willing to be abused, ridiculed, beat up, marginalized, ignored for His sake. It's intense.
I can't explain to you what it's like to be in a place where you fully understand and have confidence in God's sovereignty, and yet, know full well that it might be His plan and His purpose for you to suffer.
I can't explain what it's like to live through things where you are pushed absolutely to your limit...and then pushed farther...where it's just you and God and the pavement...nowhere else to turn but dependence on Him.
I can't explain what it's like to know that the next bold words out of your mouth about Christ could very well bring some kind of reprisal.
I can't explain what it's like to know that your family is fully in the hands of the Lord, depending on Him, and on His Body to meet their most basic needs, and then to see the Lord provide, faithfully through these people whose love is motivated by Christ.
The boldness, the fellowship with Him that those trials bring, are fantastic. Your life is purified. So many of the things...the affections of this world...are shaken loose. The boldness and the confidence in Him, the hatred for sin...all the changes you go through are crazy. How does that happen apart from suffering?
...even for Kings
"First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Tim 2:2-4 NET)
Don't have to like their policies.
Do have to pray for them.
Don't have to like their policies.
Do have to pray for them.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
read Romans 1 lately?
Rom 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts and their senseless hearts44 were darkened.
Rom 1:22 Although they claimed45 to be wise, they became fools
Rom 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings46 or birds or four-footed animals47 or reptiles.
Rom 1:24 Therefore God gave them over48 in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor49 their bodies among themselves.50
Rom 1:25 They51 exchanged the truth of God for a lie52 and worshiped and served the creation53 rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones,54
Rom 1:27 and likewise the men also abandoned natural relations with women55 and were inflamed in their passions56 for one another. Men57 committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
Rom 1:28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God,58 God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done.59
Rom 1:29 They are filled60 with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice. They are rife with61 envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility. They are gossips,
Rom 1:30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, contrivers of all sorts of evil, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 senseless, covenant-breakers,62 heartless, ruthless.
Rom 1:32 Although they fully know63 God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die,64 they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.65
Rom 1:22 Although they claimed45 to be wise, they became fools
Rom 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings46 or birds or four-footed animals47 or reptiles.
Rom 1:24 Therefore God gave them over48 in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor49 their bodies among themselves.50
Rom 1:25 They51 exchanged the truth of God for a lie52 and worshiped and served the creation53 rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones,54
Rom 1:27 and likewise the men also abandoned natural relations with women55 and were inflamed in their passions56 for one another. Men57 committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
Rom 1:28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God,58 God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done.59
Rom 1:29 They are filled60 with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice. They are rife with61 envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility. They are gossips,
Rom 1:30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, contrivers of all sorts of evil, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 senseless, covenant-breakers,62 heartless, ruthless.
Rom 1:32 Although they fully know63 God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die,64 they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.65
what's next?
Watching the election results come in.
Just keep thinking about Romans 1. We've systematically rejected God and pushed Him out of every possible place in society...education, government, the arts...even the church.
wondering what's next for our nation.
Just keep thinking about Romans 1. We've systematically rejected God and pushed Him out of every possible place in society...education, government, the arts...even the church.
wondering what's next for our nation.
Monday, November 3, 2008
pay attention to how you live and what you teach...
"Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you." 1 Ti 4:16 NET
devoted to what in ministry?
Acts 6:4
"...but we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word..."
"...but we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word..."
the pulpit
Bruce Thielman...
"...the pulpit calls those annointed to it like the sea calls it's sailors..."
"...the pulpit calls those annointed to it like the sea calls it's sailors..."
Monday, October 27, 2008
it would be naive...
...for anyone to think that our "justice" system really is one. it is more accurately a battleground where battles are fought. not all the battles are fair. some are armed with sticks and slingshots...while others are armed with missles and tanks and seemingly endless resources.
I think we are in a downward spiral where justice is going to be less and less the fruit of our justice system.
Ours is not the first society to experience this. it won't be the last either.
I need to go back and revisit history. do hard economic times generally elicit more...or less freedom...more or less abuse by the government of its citizenry?
I think we are in a downward spiral where justice is going to be less and less the fruit of our justice system.
Ours is not the first society to experience this. it won't be the last either.
I need to go back and revisit history. do hard economic times generally elicit more...or less freedom...more or less abuse by the government of its citizenry?
Thursday, October 23, 2008
ministry projects i am considering
considering
starting a bible study in my home with some young families laura and i know. starting to look around to see if there are a few couples in this area who would like to do something.
starting a college ministry effort, initially, just getting together informally with some of the college men i know on local campuses, and then maybe something more organized. starting to look around to see if there are a few men in this area who would like to do something.
starting a businessmen's bible study again. have done these a hundred times. starting to look around to see if there are a few men in this area who would like to do something.
considering a church plant. there may be an opportunity. floating the idea to see if it will develop.
starting a bible study in my home with some young families laura and i know. starting to look around to see if there are a few couples in this area who would like to do something.
starting a college ministry effort, initially, just getting together informally with some of the college men i know on local campuses, and then maybe something more organized. starting to look around to see if there are a few men in this area who would like to do something.
starting a businessmen's bible study again. have done these a hundred times. starting to look around to see if there are a few men in this area who would like to do something.
considering a church plant. there may be an opportunity. floating the idea to see if it will develop.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
on being "called" to a particular ministry
Had a brief email exchange with a friend about being "called". hit the link on the title and it will take you to the blog post. or, you can click thru down here:
http://heartofwichita.blogspot.com/2008/10/on-being-called-to-particular-ministry.html
http://heartofwichita.blogspot.com/2008/10/on-being-called-to-particular-ministry.html
"Calling"
Gotta write something here about how people use the terminology "Called". think there is much abuse here. Will have to come back to it later.
were the crusaders "called" to go try to build the Kingdom of Christ by earthly force?
if someone says they are called, and is trying to get you to fund their calling, that makes me immediately skeptical.
were the crusaders "called" to go try to build the Kingdom of Christ by earthly force?
if someone says they are called, and is trying to get you to fund their calling, that makes me immediately skeptical.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Dallas Theological Seminary Chapel podcast on Parents' rights in education
This is a podcast from Dallas Seminary. Starts out talking about the "shema" in Deut. 6.
http://www.dts.edu/media/chapel/
Discusses parental rights to influence their kids.
If you're a parent, or a teacher, or have a pulse, you really need to listen to this. Parental rights are being eroded.
http://www.dts.edu/media/chapel/
Discusses parental rights to influence their kids.
If you're a parent, or a teacher, or have a pulse, you really need to listen to this. Parental rights are being eroded.
update on the boys
Josh is a freshman at my alma mater...Biola University. Lives in the same room I did when I was there back in the day. wierd.
Seth is going to go to Cambodia this spring to teach English and lay the groundwork for ministry there.
Landon is so happy that the Rays are in the World Series. :)
Seth is going to go to Cambodia this spring to teach English and lay the groundwork for ministry there.
Landon is so happy that the Rays are in the World Series. :)
how to be a fool in three easy steps
First, don't ever spend time with anyone who is older than yourself. Hang around only with your peers.
Second, make certain that you are constantly pumping godless ideologies into your head via every electronic mechanism possible...waking or sleeping.
Third, don't ever crack your Bible open. (Especially don't read Psalm 1, or the book of Proverbs.)
Second, make certain that you are constantly pumping godless ideologies into your head via every electronic mechanism possible...waking or sleeping.
Third, don't ever crack your Bible open. (Especially don't read Psalm 1, or the book of Proverbs.)
Sunday, October 19, 2008
not as those who have no hope
Just thinking some more about Doyle, and our dear friend Jenny.
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of god, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, ..." (1 Thess. 4:13-17)
...and what a day that will be.
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of god, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, ..." (1 Thess. 4:13-17)
...and what a day that will be.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
sucked into the blogosphere
Hello, My name is Scott...and I'm a blogger.
I've been sucked into the blogosphere.
Is there a twelve step program for this?
I've been sucked into the blogosphere.
Is there a twelve step program for this?
inspired to eccentricity
Went to the funeral of a godly man today, an old cowboy/oilman type with an Irish heritage, a talent for clever witicisms, and a beautiful daughter with a wonderful family (our friends).
The old guys with the interesting lives...the deep scars...the quirks in their personalities...those are the guys I'm drawn to...not the bland, vanilla, never seen a battle kind of guys, but the one's who actually dodged bullets in fox holes, saw hard times, and fought a few fights, and persevered to the end with the Lord. Those are the guys I want to see. Those are the guys I want to spend my time with. That's the kind of guy I want to be when I'm 80. (got a sinkin' feelin' I'm well on my way to eccentricity.)
That old man was remembered well today, and was well-loved.
Now he's kickin' back at the table with the rest of the guys in Hebrews 11.
The old guys with the interesting lives...the deep scars...the quirks in their personalities...those are the guys I'm drawn to...not the bland, vanilla, never seen a battle kind of guys, but the one's who actually dodged bullets in fox holes, saw hard times, and fought a few fights, and persevered to the end with the Lord. Those are the guys I want to see. Those are the guys I want to spend my time with. That's the kind of guy I want to be when I'm 80. (got a sinkin' feelin' I'm well on my way to eccentricity.)
That old man was remembered well today, and was well-loved.
Now he's kickin' back at the table with the rest of the guys in Hebrews 11.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
what kind of "missional" are you, dude?
Just re-connecting with some well-loved classmates back from the Biola days. One guy's profile on a networking site uses the term "missional". Gotta be careful with that one nowadays. The term has been co-opted by those who think that truth is in flux...evolving...that everything in relative and nothing is knowable.
What kind of "Missional" are you, dude?
Are you "Mars Hill" missional?
Or are you "Brian McLaren" missional (YIKES)?
For the record. I'm a man on a mission. I believe God has revealed His absolute TRUTH to us in HIS WORD, that the Truth is objectively knowable, and that your mission, if you choose to except it, is to tell everyone around you about Him to the praise of His glorious grace.
What kind of "Missional" are you, dude?
Are you "Mars Hill" missional?
Or are you "Brian McLaren" missional (YIKES)?
For the record. I'm a man on a mission. I believe God has revealed His absolute TRUTH to us in HIS WORD, that the Truth is objectively knowable, and that your mission, if you choose to except it, is to tell everyone around you about Him to the praise of His glorious grace.
doctrine divides
Every once in a while, I hear someone say, "I don't think we should be talking about doctrine. Doctrine divides."
To which I say:
You're darn skippy doctrine divides. It divides Truth from Error, Light from Darkness, Good from Evil, and Salvation from Eternal Punishment.
I'm not out to make an enemy. Like Paul says, "As much as possible, be at peace with all men." But when you fail to tell someone the Truth, you're leaving them in error, and the consequences of that can be eternal torment. You're not doing him or her any favors, and you're not earning any credit in the Kingdom either..."Well, Lord, I didn't want to offend anyone, so I just talked about the things that made them feel better, or smoothed over conflict".
The Lord has something to say about that in His Word: "If you see people who are going to the slaughter and you don't rescue them, their blood is on your head."
That's not something I want to hear as an assessment of my life on earth. How about you?
To which I say:
You're darn skippy doctrine divides. It divides Truth from Error, Light from Darkness, Good from Evil, and Salvation from Eternal Punishment.
I'm not out to make an enemy. Like Paul says, "As much as possible, be at peace with all men." But when you fail to tell someone the Truth, you're leaving them in error, and the consequences of that can be eternal torment. You're not doing him or her any favors, and you're not earning any credit in the Kingdom either..."Well, Lord, I didn't want to offend anyone, so I just talked about the things that made them feel better, or smoothed over conflict".
The Lord has something to say about that in His Word: "If you see people who are going to the slaughter and you don't rescue them, their blood is on your head."
That's not something I want to hear as an assessment of my life on earth. How about you?
"The Fad of the Land"
Remember that Newsboys song, "The Fad of the Land"?
Why is it that every couple of years or so, the "christian" community gets so hyped up about some latest book, and then when i go read it, i find all this weak or messed up doctrine, or sometimes outright heresy?
As an aside, here, I sure get sick of all the coffee mugs and coffee table books and pens and desktop trinkets and the way the christian publishing marketing juggernaut just peddles these things ("...peddling the Word of God..."?) to a culture easily distracted by shiny objects...hungry for gimmicky, sound-bitey, shiny little trinkety stuff in stead of studying the Word.
I'm not a "throw the baby out with the bathwater" kind of guy. I occasionally read a book, knowing full well that it is coming from a skewed perspective. I've learned a thing or two from a pagan, or an immature believer occasionally, or from a Mormon (did I say that out loud?) (was remembering "Seven Habits" yesterday in a conversation with a friend.), or from some other lost person. I sometimes read or listen to something that I know is flat-out godless, because I want to engage the culture
I've been trying to teach my boys...sometimes I feel with limited success...to be discerning about the music they listen to, for example. Measure what you are hearing against the revealed Truth in Scripture, and then make some determinations...is it right? is it wrong? is it benign (not much is)? is it deceptive? is it going to make me more like Christ? is a "weaker brother's" sensibility going to be troubled by it? "Whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, think on these things..."
Why are we so undiscerning? Because we don't know what's in the Word. We'd rather have our ears tickled, or in laziness, be entertained with dancers and videos and thumping music and a pastor guy working way to hard to be "with it" trying to appeal to the culture. ( I love thumping music by the way, in the proper context.)
I think sometimes people are just sucked in by whatever emotional need, or hot button they might have, and then because they lack a solid Biblical foundation in their thinking, they miss the obvious departures from Biblical Truth.
I don't think we give people enough credit, on the other hand. I had a pastor say to me that basically they preach to the lowest common denominator (or what they think is the lowest common denominator). In other words, they think people can't grasp it if you just get the Word out and open it up for them. I disagree.
I have an idea. Like Ezra, let's just get our Bibles out and roll up our sleeves and really set our hearts on studying the Word, and doing what it says, and teaching others about it.
Remember that Pepsi commercial?: "WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!"
Why is it that every couple of years or so, the "christian" community gets so hyped up about some latest book, and then when i go read it, i find all this weak or messed up doctrine, or sometimes outright heresy?
As an aside, here, I sure get sick of all the coffee mugs and coffee table books and pens and desktop trinkets and the way the christian publishing marketing juggernaut just peddles these things ("...peddling the Word of God..."?) to a culture easily distracted by shiny objects...hungry for gimmicky, sound-bitey, shiny little trinkety stuff in stead of studying the Word.
I'm not a "throw the baby out with the bathwater" kind of guy. I occasionally read a book, knowing full well that it is coming from a skewed perspective. I've learned a thing or two from a pagan, or an immature believer occasionally, or from a Mormon (did I say that out loud?) (was remembering "Seven Habits" yesterday in a conversation with a friend.), or from some other lost person. I sometimes read or listen to something that I know is flat-out godless, because I want to engage the culture
I've been trying to teach my boys...sometimes I feel with limited success...to be discerning about the music they listen to, for example. Measure what you are hearing against the revealed Truth in Scripture, and then make some determinations...is it right? is it wrong? is it benign (not much is)? is it deceptive? is it going to make me more like Christ? is a "weaker brother's" sensibility going to be troubled by it? "Whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, think on these things..."
Why are we so undiscerning? Because we don't know what's in the Word. We'd rather have our ears tickled, or in laziness, be entertained with dancers and videos and thumping music and a pastor guy working way to hard to be "with it" trying to appeal to the culture. ( I love thumping music by the way, in the proper context.)
I think sometimes people are just sucked in by whatever emotional need, or hot button they might have, and then because they lack a solid Biblical foundation in their thinking, they miss the obvious departures from Biblical Truth.
I don't think we give people enough credit, on the other hand. I had a pastor say to me that basically they preach to the lowest common denominator (or what they think is the lowest common denominator). In other words, they think people can't grasp it if you just get the Word out and open it up for them. I disagree.
I have an idea. Like Ezra, let's just get our Bibles out and roll up our sleeves and really set our hearts on studying the Word, and doing what it says, and teaching others about it.
Remember that Pepsi commercial?: "WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!"
it's personal
just setting this up so it will be here cuz I can. might want to use it for something serious someday.
peace to all who enter here.
check out the blog where we're floating the idea of a downtown church plant in a historical old stone church: http://heartofWichita.blogspot.com
peace to all who enter here.
check out the blog where we're floating the idea of a downtown church plant in a historical old stone church: http://heartofWichita.blogspot.com
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