Historically Informed

Fasting FAIL

2008-11-18T17:53:00.001-05:00

see more pwn and owned pictures

Sensitivity FAIL

2008-11-18T09:48:00.001-05:00

see more pwn and owned pictures

Ed Stetzer Vs. Al - Part 2

2008-11-17T07:46:00.000-05:00

Puritan Sundays

2008-11-16T13:55:00.000-05:00

The nails which pierced Christ's hands!

(William Secker, "The Consistent Christian" 1660)

Though repentance is the act of man--yet it is the gift of God. It requires the same power to melt the heart--as tomake it. As we are deeply fallen from a state of innocence, so we should rise to a state of penitence. Those sins shall never make a hell for us--which are a hell to us. Some people have sin enough for all their sorrows--but not sorrow enough for all their sins. Their eyes are windows to let in lusts--when they should be flood-gates to pour outtears!

When godly sorrow takes possession of the house--it will quickly shut sin out of doors. There must be a falling outwith our lusts--before there can be a genuine falling off from our lusts. There must be a sincere loathing of sin in ouraffections--before a true leaving of sin in our actions. It is a hearty mourning for our transgressions, which makes way for a happy funeral of our corruptions!

Sinner, you have filled the book of God with your sins--and will you not fill the bottle of God with your tears? Remember, that when Christ draws the likeness of the new creature, His first brush is dipped in water: "Unless yourepent--you shall all likewise perish!" Is it not better to repent without perishing--than to perish without repenting?Godly sorrow is such a grace, that without it--not a soul shall be saved; and with it--not a soul shall be lost! Is it not therefore better to swim in the water-works of godly repentance--than to burn in the fire-works of divine vengeance?Do not think that the tears which are shed in hell--will in the least abate the torments which are suffered in hell!

He who lives in sin, without repentance--shall die in sin, without forgiveness. There is no coming to the fair haven of glory--without sailing through the narrow strait of repentance. We must mourn for sin on earth--or burn for sin in hell!It is better traveling to heaven sadly--than to hell merrily!

It is the coldness of our hearts--which kindles the fire of God's anger. "They will look on Me whom they have pierced--and shall mourn!" Zechariah 12:10. Christians! The nails which pierced Christ's hands--should now pierce your hearts! You should now be deeply wounded with godly sorrow--for having so deeply wounded Him with your ungodly sins!

A Community of Cruciformity

2008-11-14T07:25:00.000-05:00

I want to write a book. I think I am going to go for it after I graduate from seminary next May. I want it to edify the church by using the word, "cruciformity", and how it fits within the missional framework of what the church is called to know/be/do. For me, it all started with the book by Michael Gorman called, Apostle of the Crucified Lord. In it, Gorman writes:

The inseparable interconnections of Father, Son and Spirit in Paul's experience lead to (or perhaps derive from) an important, and distinctively Pauline claim: that God is cruciform, or crosslike. (The word 'cruciform' literally means 'in the shape of a cross,' but it can be used metaphorically.) That is, we learn from Paul that the cross of Christ is not only initiated by God, it reveals God. Christ crucified is the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). (Pages 118-119).

Also Gorman writes,

For Paul the death of Jesus is not only revelatory, representative, and redemptive...but also paradigmatic. The essence of believing existence is conformity to the crucified Christ, or cruciformity. Though cruciformity may involve suffering, it is much more comprehensive than that. Paul twice refers to it as the "law of Christ," or the narrative pattern of the crucified Messiah (Galatians 6:2; 1 Corinthians 9:21). This narrative pattern refers specifically to the kind of "faith working through love" (Galatians 5:6) that is rooted in the cross, where the Son of God expressed his faith (faithfulness, obedience) by giving himself in love (Galatians 2:19-20). He did not seek his own welfare but that of others, as Paul's master story tells it (Philippians 2:1-11). This is the pattern of life for all believers: faith toward God, love toward others. Faith oriented toward the future is hope; thus Paul summarizes believing existence as a life of faith, hope, and love. (Page 140).

I wonder what the body of Christ in America could look like if we were to embrace suffering. I am not saying that we are to be stupid (God has given us brain power!); rather we ought to be living in such a way that we not only reflect Christ, but embody him as well. It would seem historically that when the Church grew the most, it was when she was persecuted. Maybe we've gotten a little too comfy here in the US of A. I want that book someday to empower churches to take risks for the sake of Christ. Try something different and pray that God would use it. Be a cruciform community of faith.

"The Challenge We Face."

2008-11-13T07:27:00.000-05:00

Dr. Albert Mohler posted on his blog some thoughts regarding the recent upholding of marriage between a man and a women in the state of California. Below are his remarks. VERY interesting...

The challenge of defending marriage as the union of a man and a woman was on full public display on November 4. The immediate news was very encouraging indeed. Voters in Arizona, Florida, and California all passed measures defending marriage and prohibiting same-sex marriages in their states. These three states, added to the over twenty others that had already passed similar constitutional amendments or similar provisions, have made a massive public statement in support of marriage.

Without question, that is good news. The vote in California was especially significant, as Proposition 8 allowed the citizens of the nation's most populous state to take the issue back from the state's Supreme Court, which had arrogantly usurped the authority of the people in a 4/3 decision back in May. The 52-48 vote was a clear win for marriage, and a geographical vote distribution chart shows that same-sex marriage has support mainly in the Bay area of San Francisco and neighboring communities. The win in Florida was important because the measure needed 60 percent of the votes in order to pass. It received 62 percent of the votes cast. The Arizona vote was similarly significant -- in this case because that state had been the only state to date to have turned down a similar measure in a previous election.

Nevertheless, legal challenges were quickly filed in California. The most threatening of these asks the California Supreme Court to rule the measure as unconstitutional because it "revises" rather than "amends" the state's constitution. The claim is specious, but so was the argument accepted by the court back in May. This much is clear -- any court that would overrule a mandate from the people in this manner will undermine its own legitimacy.

In other developments, statements from two prominent politicians made news on the issue. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger encouraged same-sex marriage advocates to press ahead. He even expressed hope that the state's Supreme Court would overrule the voice of the people. "It's unfortunate, obviously, but it's not the end," Schwarzenegger told CNN. "I think that we will again maybe undo that, if the court is willing to do that, and then move forward from there and again lead in that area."

As The Los Angeles Times reported:

Schwarzenegger publicly opposed Proposition 8, which amends the state Constitution to declare that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

On Sunday, he urged backers of gay marriage to follow the lesson he learned as a bodybuilder trying to lift weights that were too heavy for him at first. "I learned that you should never ever give up. . . . They should never give up. They should be on it and on it until they get it done ."

What makes this especially interesting is that Schwarzenegger had run for office opposing same-sex marriage. He is not now a candidate for re-election. As the paper observed, "With his favorable comments toward gay marriage, the governor's thinking appears to have evolved on the issue."

Meanwhile, Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi told The San Francisco Chronicle that voters just have misunderstood the measure. In a stunning demonstration of political condescension, Rep. Pelosi argued: "Unfortunately, I think people thought they were making a statement about what their view of same-sex marriage was . . . . I don't know if it was clear that this meant that we are amending the Constitution to diminish freedom in our state." If anything, the wording of the proposition, controversial in itself, makes the Speaker's point even more ludicrous. Is she seriously suggesting that the voters of her home state cannot be taken seriously when they defend marriage? It appears so.

In yet other developments, protesters marched in front of the Mormon Temple on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles and across the street from Saddleback Community Church. The Mormon church was the largest single financial contributor to the fight for Proposition 8, and major Evangelical churches were behind the effort as well, joined by many Roman Catholics.

On the other hand, as reported in The Los Angeles Times:

"We will continue to bless same-sex unions here until we can legally celebrate same-sex unions again," the Rev. Ed Bacon told 1,000 congregants during Sunday services at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, which has blessed same-sex unions for 16 years.

After the service, Bacon and other clergy members held a news conference on the church steps. They were surrounded by gay and lesbian couples, some standing with young children.

"I know these couples. I know their relationships," Bacon said, addressing a phalanx of television cameras. "They should be celebrated, rather than disparaged. . . . In the eyes of God, these people are married."

This struggle isn't over -- not even close.

Imperative or Indicative?

2008-11-12T07:38:00.002-05:00

I had to do a paper for my current class on Paul that dealt with 1 Corinthians 6:1-20. It's such daunting book alone (Corinthians 1&2), but at least we only had to focus on the one chapter. The question was to describe how Paul addresses and corrects these moral problems. The focus of answering this question was on whether or not Paul relies on imperatives or indicatives, or both and why?

To give the answer up front would be easy. Go ahead, take a moment and read the passage. Tell me what you think. Is it mostly imperative (commands) or indicative (statements of identity and facts)? Is it both?

I concluded that it is indeed both however there are only three imperatives surrounded by a plethora of indicatives. Paul in this passage is shepherding his flock. He doesn't use a lot of forceful commands. In fact, he asks more questions (some rhetorical) than he does make statements. The three imperatives, or commands are:

"Do not be deceived" (1 Corinthians 6:9) - planao

"Flee from sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18) - pheugo

and,

"Glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:20) - doxazo .

All of these are specific commands that seem to be the crux of Paul's teaching to his children in the faith. At the center of the argument is Jesus Christ and the redemption (6:20) and justification (6:11) in him. Paul is Gospel centered! It's great. Even amongst the sexual sin and stupid lawsuits that the Corinthian church had dealt with, Paul is quick to use his best weapon...the Gospel.

Infant Baptism - An Abomination!

2008-11-11T06:40:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Adrian Warnock and his post about Charles Spurgeon and infant Baptism: Spurgeon writes,

Why, there are those who pretend to save souls by curious tricks, intricate manoeuvres, and dexterous posture-making! A basin of water, half-a-dozen drops, certain syllables—heigh, presto—the infant is made a child of God, a member of Christ, and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven! This aqueous regeneration surpasses my belief; it is a trick which I do not understand: the initiated only can perform the beautiful piece of magic, which excels anything ever attempted by the Wizard of the North. There is a way, too, of winning souls by laying hands upon heads, only the elbows of the aforesaid hands must be encased in lawn, and then the machinery acts, and there is grace conferred by blessed fingers! I must confess I do not understand the occult science, but at this I need not wonder, for the profession of saving souls by such juggling can only be carried out by certain favoured persons who have received apostolical succession direct from Judas Iscariot. This episcopal confirmation, when men pretend that it confers grace, is an infamous piece of juggling. The whole thing is an abomination. Only to think that, in this nineteenth century, there should be men who preach lip salvation by sacraments, and salvation by themselves, forsooth!

Why, sirs, it is surely too late in the day to come to us with this drivel! Priestcraft, let us hope, is an anachronism, and the sacramental theory out of date. These things might have done for those who could not read, and in the days when books were scarce; but ever since the day when the glorious Luther was helped by God to proclaim with thunder-claps the emancipating truth, "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God," there has been too much light for these Popish owls. Let them go back to their ivy-mantled towers, and complain to the moon of those who spoiled of old their kingdom of darkness. Let shaven crowns go to Bedlam, and scarlet hats to the scarlet harlot, but let not Englishmen yield them respect. Modern Tractarianism is a bastard Popery, too mean, too shifty, too double-dealing to delude men of honest minds.

If we win souls, it shall be by other arts than Jesuits and shavelings can teach us. Trust not in any man who pretends to priesthood. Priests are liars by trade, and deceivers by profession. We cannot save souls in their theatrical way, and do not want to do so, for we know that with such jugglery as that, Satan will hold the best hand, and laugh at priests as he turns the cards against them at the last.

Missional Mondays: Ed Stetzer vs. Al

2008-11-10T06:50:00.000-05:00

Puritan Sundays

2008-11-09T06:45:00.000-05:00

Were I to define a Christian

(Letters of John Newton)

Were I to define a Christian, or rather to describe him at large, I know of no text I would choose, sooner than Galatians 5:17, "The sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other--so that you do not do what you want."

A Christian has noble aims--which distinguish him from the bulk of mankind. His leading principles, motives, anddesires--are all supernatural and divine. Could he do as he desires--there is not a angel before the Eternal Throne, that would excel him in holiness, love, and obedience! He would tread in the very footsteps of his Savior, fill up every moment of time in His service, and employ every breath in His praise!

This he would do--but, alas! he cannot! Against these spiritual desires, there is a contrary desire and working of a corrupt nature, which meets him at every turn! He has a beautiful copy set before him in the Scriptures--he is enamored with it, and though he does not expect to equal it, he writes carefully after it, and longs to attain to the nearest possible imitation. But indwelling sin and Satan continually jog his hand, and spoil his strokes!

Therefore, the most spiritual and gracious people confess themselves as vile and worthless! One eminent branch of our holiness, is a sense of shame and humiliation for those evils which are only known to ourselves, and to Him who searches our hearts!

In proportion as the Lord enables you to live more simply upon the blood, righteousness, and grace of the Mediator--you will possess a more stable peace. The nearer you are brought to Him--the more lively sense you will have of your vileness and worthlessness; and your continual need of Him. Thereby your admiration of His power, love, and compassion, will increase from year to year.

Christians Today:

2008-11-08T06:31:00.000-05:00

Post-Election Thoughts.

2008-11-07T06:50:00.000-05:00

This is not going to be politically focused, rather I hope it is biblically focused in the realm of politics. There is a difference! And I will be throwing in some sociological issues as well. I want this to be an honest out-pouring of my love for God and his bride, the Church.

I was not surprised by the election results just hours ago. In fact, McCain would have lost if he were running against a tree. Reason? Change. People wanted change. Barack Obama said over and over that he would be the guy to bring change. McCain had 8 years of Bush hanging over his head which did not help him at all. People got sick of the war in Iraq, sick of gas prices and most assuredly sick of the apparent 'crumbling' of the economy. Most would agree on those issues and America spoke just three days ago.

But what are we to make of Barack Obama? He has confessed his Christian faith while remaining one of the most liberal senators out there. Are they compatible? Is signing the Freedom of Choice Act a Christian value? No. But this isn't where I'm going (anyone who has read this blog before knows my passion for the abortion issue). Those things are important and I do think that this Act would be a HUGE step in the wrong direction for Abortion, but, 3 nights ago...

Barack Obama made history. He is the first Black President to be elected in the United States of America. Amazing. While I wish he were Republican, I can still have a voice. I told some of my friends at work the other day that while I pretty much disagree with everything Obama has ever said, I can respect my new President on not only this historical level, but a biblical level as well. (Romans 13:1). Which leads me to my next point.

Theology. I've seen many a people act like the world has crumbled and America is now going straight to hell. Not true. God doesn't send countries to hell; he sends unregenerate sinners to hell (to be precise, they send themselves to hell). Some people have said that God now hates America and is punishing her for electing Obama. Doubtful that God hates America, but Obama could be judgment, I'll give you that much. But we don't know because we're not God, nor do we make that call as if God was a Republican. Art Boulet posted some of his thoughts here as he evaluated some other people's remarks as well. He noted, and I will stress as well, that God is not only in control of the ends, he's in control of the means as well. God purposed this and now we must continue to be the church, preach the Gospel, take care of the orphans and live as salt and light. Easy enough right?

I will be praying for Barack Obama. Working in Philadelphia has exposed me to the African-American and Urban culture and you better believe that Philly celebrated like it was another Phillies World Series victory. It was a historic moment and I pray that racial relationships will be healed, as I often see the tension and pain in the city. I also pray that Obama supporters will not worship this man as if he were a messiah. I saw a lot of excitement in Philly, but it makes me nervous when people put their "faith" in a man. Somehow through it all, regardless of your political propensity, abortion must be stopped and biblical values need to be restored. It's time for the church to be The Church. With America slipping away, it seems, with morality, Christians must get back to the biblical program. We are still free to preach and proclaim God's message of Salvation, and therefore we must do so.

The bottom line is, it was good that Barack Obama won. I say this because God willed it to be done and God's will is perfect and always good. We must learn from this (even if it were McCain-for those who liked McCain) and continue to be about God's Kingdom in this world. Our focus is not on politics, rather it is on God and the beauty of His Gospel as it goes about in this world. Christians, let's do it.

Obama's Supporters.

2008-11-05T21:50:00.000-05:00

Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are

Election Day Prayer

2008-11-04T06:05:00.000-05:00

Father God I exalt your holy name. The name which is above all names. The name that represents your character and attributes of love, grace and long-suffering. God you are so good. We are so bad. You have been so gracious to us in America and we have chosen to throw you out and exalt ourselves. As you know today is an important day, Father. Today we vote to elect the next President of the United States of America. Today we do our best to vote with a Scriptural lens. God we know that all candidates running are fallen creatures too. We know that you are Sovereign and are in control of all things. We know that whatever happens is your will. God please guide your Church as we exercise our freedoms to vote today. May we not be silenced. May we continue to have the freedom to be about your business in the world. Let us not take those freedoms to preach the Gospel for granted, but allow us the strength to press on. Use this opportunity to make your name great in America. In the name of our Mediator and King, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Economics 101

2008-11-03T15:11:00.000-05:00

From Blog and MaBlog comes...

Barstool Economics.

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.

The fifth would pay $1.

The sixth would pay $3.

The seventh would pay $7.

The eighth would pay $12.

The ninth would pay $18.

The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. 'Since you are all such good customers, he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'

They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so:

The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).

The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).

The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).

The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).

The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).

The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

'I only got a dollar out of the $20', declared the sixth man.

He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10!'

'Yeah, that's right', exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!'

'That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!'

'Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!'

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D.

Professor of Economics, University of Georgia

For those who understand, no explanation is needed.

For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

Is America ready to go from a Democracy with limited government to a larger government called Socialism? I sure hope not.

Redistribution of Wealth

2008-11-03T05:57:00.000-05:00

I received an email the other day that was funny, so I thought I'd share.

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read

"Vote Obama, I need the money." I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I

laughed as he had given away his political preference--just imagine the

coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him

that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He

stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to

redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless

guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the

server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless

guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I

realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn,

but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn

even though the actual recipient deserved money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in

concept than in practical application.

Puritan Sundays

2008-11-02T06:53:00.000-05:00

Politics, Activism, and the Gospel

(By John MacArthur, October 19th, 2008)

With the nation focused on the November elections, we thought a post on politics might be appropriate. The point of this article is not that we should abstain from any participation in the political process, but rather that we must keep our priorities straight as Christians. After all, the gospel, not politics, is the only true solution to our nation’s moral crisis.

We can’t protect or expand the cause of Christ by human political and social activism, no matter how great or sincere the efforts. Ours is a spiritual battle waged against worldly ideologies and dogmas arrayed against God, and we achieve victory over them only with the weapon of Scripture. The apostle Paul writes: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

We must reject all that is ungodly and false and never compromise God’s standards of righteousness. We can do that in part by desiring the improvement of society’s moral standards and by approving of measures that would conform government more toward righteousness. We do grieve over the rampant indecency, vulgarity, lack of courtesy and respect for others, deceitfulness, self-indulgent materialism, and violence that is corroding society. But in our efforts to support what is good and wholesome, reject what is evil and corrupt, and make a profoundly positive impact on our culture, we must use God’s methods and maintain scriptural priorities.

God is not calling us to wage a culture war that would seek to transform our countries into “Christian nations.” To devote all, or even most, of our time, energy, money, and strategy to putting a facade of morality on the world or over our governmental and political institutions is to badly misunderstand our roles as Christians in a spiritually lost world.

God has above all else called the church to bring sinful people to salvation through Jesus Christ. Even as the apostle Paul described his mission to unbelievers, so it is the primary task of all Christians to reach out to the lost “to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me [Christ]” (Acts 26:18; cf. Ex. 19:6; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9).

If we do not evangelize the lost and make disciples of new converts, nothing else we do for people--no matter how beneficial it seems--is of any eternal consequence. Whether a person is an atheist or a theist, a criminal or a model citizen, sexually promiscuous and perverse or strictly moral and virtuous, a greedy materialist or a gracious philanthropist--if he does not have a saving relationship to Christ, he is going to hell. It makes no difference if an unsaved person is for or against abortion, a political liberal or a conservative, a prostitute or a police officer, he will spend eternity apart from God unless he repents and believes the gospel.

When the church takes a stance that emphasizes political activism and social moralizing, it always diverts energy and resources away from evangelization. Such an antagonistic position toward the established secular culture invariably leads believers to feel hostile not only to unsaved government leaders with whom they disagree, but also antagonistic toward the unsaved residents of that culture--neighbors and fellow citizens they ought to love, pray for, and share the gospel with. To me it is unthinkable that we become enemies of the very people we seek to win to Christ, our potential brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Author John Seel pens words that apply in principle to Christians everywhere and summarize well the believer’s perspective on political involvement:
A politicized faith not only blurs our priorities, but weakens our loyalties. Our primary citizenship is not on earth but in heaven. … Though few evangelicals would deny this truth in theory, the language of our spiritual citizenship frequently gets wrapped in the red, white and blue. Rather than acting as resident aliens of a heavenly kingdom, too often we sound [and act] like resident apologists for a Christian America. … Unless we reject the false reliance on the illusion of Christian America, evangelicalism will continue to distort the gospel and thwart a genuine biblical identity…..

American evangelicalism is now covered by layers and layers of historically shaped attitudes that obscure our original biblical core. (The Evangelical Pulpit [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993], 106-7)
By means of faithful preaching and godly living, believers are to be the conscience of whatever nation they reside in. You can confront the culture not with the political and social activism of man’s wisdom, but with the spiritual power of God’s Word. Using temporal methods to promote legislative and judicial change, and resorting to external efforts of lobbying and intimidation to achieve some sort of “Christian morality” in society is not our calling--and has no eternal value. Only the gospel rescues sinners from sin, death, and hell.

Daddy Daycare

2008-11-01T21:13:00.001-04:00

Today was a long day. I'm always "Dad" but today was just me, no mommy. It was hard work I tell ya! We went to the mall, tried out some Phillies hats, and spent the day playing with toys. I wouldn't trade it for the world!

It taught me about spending time with God. It's hard work, but it is beautiful. It's rewarding. God speaks when I read his Word. I speak when I pray to Him. It's awesome. And convicting. You too?

Posted with LifeCast

Jesus Is My Friend

2008-11-01T06:04:00.000-04:00

Forget Halloween...

2008-10-31T06:02:00.000-04:00

...Happy Reformation Day .

Lord, PLEASE guide your Church as we seek to be about your mission to the world. Help us to fight for sound doctrine and not be afraid of studying your Word. Help us to proclaim and preach the Gospel! And thank you for Reforming your Church to be about doctrines like Justification by Faith alone, in Christ alone, for the Glory of God alone! It's all about you Lord as we seek to find our joy and contentment only in you. May you get all of the Glory. Amen.

Titus 1:9

World Series Champs!

2008-10-30T12:28:00.000-04:00

Halloween is NOT..

2008-10-30T06:29:00.000-04:00

going to be fun this year!

Nothings Free? Not True!

2008-10-29T06:36:00.000-04:00

I've actually never listened to a book in audio format before. That has all changed. ChristianAudio.com is a tremendous resource that you shouldn't pass up. Each month they give away a free download. This month was "All of Grace" by Charles H. Spurgeon . Check back each month for the free download and check out other free stuff too. And support the ministry by purchasing other things once in a while! ;)

Click here to get to the free download each month. You have until the last day each month to get it!

ESV Study Bible

2008-10-28T09:40:00.000-04:00

Bob Kauflin , author of Worship Matters, gives his top ten reasons for getting the new ESV Study Bible. Pick up Kauflin's book too.

1. It’s based on the English Standard Version, which is one of the finest and most faithful translations available today. While it’s always good to consult various translations for study, the ESV does a great job recognizing variants in translation in the footnotes.

2. The introductory notes to each book are informative and helpful, and don’t overwhelm you with interesting but non-essential background information.

3. The notes are extensive and answer questions I actually have about the text, without avoiding difficult passages.

4. The notes cover material that is not only helpful, but pastoral, aimed at helping me understand God’s Word better and loving God more.

5. The notes are well laid out. Larger section, shorter, then vs. by vs. I’ve found them easy to follow along with the text.

6. The treatment of the first few chapters of Genesis is very even-handed and well-researched. The notes aim to give us an appreciation for the interplay of science and the Bible without giving ground on the ultimate authority of Scripture.

7. The focus is always Gospel-centered. The notes seek to answer the question, “Where does this section of the Bible fit into the larger story of God sending Jesus to redeem a people for his glory?”

8. The articles in the back of the Bible are almost a book in themselves (I’d love to see Crossway publish these separately), and address many significant issues clearly, briefly, and effectively. They include Biblical Doctrine, Biblical Ethics, Reading the Bible, The Reliability of Bible Manuscripts, The Bible and World Religions, and the History of Salvation in the Old Testament.

9. The maps and illustrations actually contain the cities, areas, and details I want to know about, and are placed close to the passages they refer to.

10. The notes don’t go beyond what the text says. They affirm what is clear, and plainly present different views when a word, phrase, or passage is unclear.

Wanna Be Missional?

2008-10-27T06:21:00.000-04:00

Think Dell Computers and then take the time to read this post from Ed Stetzer dot com. Seriously. Even coming from a Mac guy, this is good.