LameWorldview

That's all folks

2006-08-16T13:53:00.000-07:00

Yes, you read that right. The lameworldview train has finally jumped the tracks. A few questions: are we finished blogging and why are we doing this? First, I am putting all my blog stock in our more legitimate outfit known as "Expository Thoughts." I love the fact that lameworldview has been a mixed bag of what Alex Trebek would call in his snobby French tone "potpourri." However, we are flying to greener pastures and if I write anything these days, it needs to have somewhat of an eternal value (alert to postmoderns: please don't "deconstruct" the last sentence just take it for what it is). I love to write, share and enjoy this crazy thing called blogging which I will continue to do (just not here). Second the demands of life are more important than this blog which is also the reason my golf clubs have dust on them. An awesome church to care for, an ever growing family, a doctoral program, and a few other hard to scratch itches means I need to trim the fat in a few areas. So we will continue to blog here and post pics of my crazy family here and maybe one day we will pick up in the old lame way but now is not the season. Thanks for dropping by over the last year and a half. We hope this was one step above Hee-Haw and yet not in the clouds of the blog bourgeois. Take care, see you at "Expository Thoughts."

Now if I could just get Phil to move me from the "entertaining" category to something more "smarter". My dear mother will tell you that being "entertaining" is what got me in trouble back in the day.

A couple of things

2006-08-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

Has anyone read Richard Wurmbrand's Tortured for Christ? I'm reading it and it is excellent. I would love to hear from some of you have read it before.

Also, there are very big changes coming to our corner of the blogworld so stay tuned for the next few days. We shall return.

Peace and love

Note taking

2006-08-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

I'm asking the question over here if note taking is a good idea while the sermon is being preached. Come and join the fun.

If you love baseball . . .

2006-07-28T21:39:00.000-07:00

then you might like this. If you don't like baseball then go back to your cubicle and do something useful for your boss (like download something). My brother-in-law is one of the field managers for the Boston Redsox. If that's no big deal to you then you too need to stop reading . . . seriously. Now, as I was saying he manicures the most coveted grass in the world (with a close second being Augusta and if you don't know what I mean by "Augusta" then you too should stop reading at this point). He recently was given responsibility for the Bo-sox infield which is just about as cool as it gets and if you don't think so then you're not worthy to look at these pictures of his work below. Enjoy. . . if you can.

P.S. Notice the "Auburn" t-shirt on the infield of Fenway Park (the oldest active park in MLB since 1912). Tears come to my eyes. It's all so beautiful.

You Fill It Friday

2006-07-27T18:12:00.000-07:00

Now's your chance (or "providence" if you're a calvinist) to say what's been on your mind. This room is mostly empty. Please fill it in, via your comments, with something that improves upon emptiness. Write whatever is on your mind (unusual food combination idea, favorite color, math equation, Lost or 24 theory/insight, quote, limerick, blood type, performance art, poem, shout-out, SS#, weather report, tell us if you prefer break danceing or would rather clog, get something off your chest, ask a question, give us a word of the day or a deep thought, etc.). Keep it clean, brief, and at least semi-interesting or you'll be turned over to the "blue-denim jumper mafia." Now let's hear it.

Starbucks Use and Church loyalty

2006-07-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

I admit that I'm not a Starbucks drinker but a Starbucks user. At any rate, this article pointed out an amazing stat that is nonetheless easy to believe. 80% of Starbucks revenue comes from folks who visit the store an average of 18 times a month. Now let me draw out a conclusion that has been forged in real experience and statistical proof. Not even the American evangelical church can claim such loyalty. It has already been pointed out that Southern Baptists (I picked them because they are the largest of this group and I use to be one) can not account for well over 8 million members of their churches (see here). Other mainline denominations are no better. In fact all the mainline groups (Presbyterian, United Methodists, Episcopalians, etc.) are hemorrhaging members at an astounding pace. So what does this mean?

Some church culture hawks will look at this and say, "That's it! If we start giving away espresso at our church services then people will come" (if you don't believe churches do this see here). Others with a more agnostic frame of mind might say, "See Christians are no better than anyone else, in fact they're less loyal." However, I think something else might explain why Starbucks can keep members and many churches cannot. The problem is not one of marketing. I lived in Los Angeles and can tell you that no church can compete with the world's marketing ability. Churches in my own area run TV commercials and news ads that come off looking silly at best and pandering at worst. To be sure, if your church gives away something that the average person likes then they might be lured for a season. However they will eventually figure out that if it’s coffee you want then Starbucks makes it better (which is the same reason you don’t go to McDonalds for the fish). There is an old business axiom that goes something like this: “what you win them with is what you will keep them with.” So what happens if you attract people to your church with promises like, “let us help get your finances in order” or “feeling depressed…come and let us help you”? Do they stay after they get their checkbook balanced or no longer “feel” depressed? Statistics show they clearly do not.

I think one of the lessons that shrinking church roles teaches us is that churches have been wooing folks with everything under the Sun except the gospel. When the warm fuzzies wear-off they are left holding a cold cup of coffee while listening to a “preacher” give a humanistic motivational speech. The world is very savvy at many things but one thing it is unable to do is be “the pillar and support of the truth” which is the sole role of the church (1 Tim. 3:14). So until some pupliteers wake-up to the reality that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation they will continue to miss the forest for the trees. Now this does not mean that true needs are overlooked in an effort to get someone to pray a prayer (I’m pretty sure that the latter is never mentioned in Scripture). There are extremes on both sides of this needy fence. One says give them a cup of cold water and don’t even dream of mentioning Jesus and the other says give them the coldest water they’ve ever had and make sure the cup has John 3:16 printed in bold on the outside. The first approach leaves Jesus out of the equation altogether and the other makes the cold water look better than having your sins washed away. The call of the gospel means telling others that they have no hope outside of faith in Jesus Christ and that it won’t necessarily make their life “better”. It also means that the church has a responsibility to help those who find it difficult to follow Jesus (i.e. discipleship). Lastly, it should be a reminder that many folks churches consider as “members” are not on the heavenly role that matters. . . they just came to your church for the coffee.

#3 is a girl !

2006-07-24T20:45:00.000-07:00

We found out today that our third little blessing is a girl. After two boys this will be like starting over. . . I think I need sensitivity training.

Still Stuck in LA and missing someone

2006-07-19T22:11:00.000-07:00

My dear wife is a real trooper. She is managing the homestead while I’m here in Los Angeles. What makes this all extra-difficult is the fact that I’m missing her birthday today for the first time since we’ve been married. Happy birthday my dear and know that one day you will experience the reality of the eternal blessing: “Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates” (Prov. 31:31). See you soon!

Stuck in LA

2006-07-11T10:51:00.000-07:00

I will be out of pocket for a while. It seems I am back in the strange land of LA so you can follow the happenings here.

Right from the source

2006-07-04T20:31:00.000-07:00

In the news today: Shuttle launch, North Korea fires missles, 230th Birthday of our nation. Here are a few items you might have missed:

Anyone for some organic M & M's ?

Is your wife a burden?

Further proof that the world cup brings out the crazies.

Anchors Aweigh!

2006-07-01T18:57:00.000-07:00

Congrats Will (center) on your new life and new buzz cut. Anchors Aweigh!

Going where a few men have gone before

2006-06-30T12:30:00.000-07:00

A number of men in our congregation and among our elders have been under a lot of pressure recently with the proposed Space Shuttle launch scheduled for Saturday. I hope you all enjoy a little space nerd humor with this pic that one of our space station engineers put together. Thanks for all your hard work and making sure that my mobile phone gets good reception.

Boice on worship

2006-06-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

"Worship should not be confused with feelings. It is true that the worship of God will affect us, and one thing it will frequently affect is our emotions. At times tears will fill our eyes as we become aware of God's great love and grace toward us. Yet it is possible for our eyes to fill with tears and for there still to be no real worship simply because we have not come to a genuine awareness of God and a fuller praise of Himself in His nature and ways... True worship occurs only when that part of man, his spirit, which is akin to the divine nature (for God is spirit), actually meets with God and finds itself praising God for His love, wisdom, beauty, truth, holiness, compassion, mercy, grace, power, and all His other attributes."

Reaction to Lamott

2006-06-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

Al Mohler has posted an excellent essay in response to Lamott's morbid perspective.

She's back!

2006-06-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

You might remember that we reported back in February that postmodern darling, Anne Lamott thought abortion was a moral necessity. Now ye olde trap has flown open again and she reports how she not only agrees with assisted suicide but has helped others with killing themselves. Her reasoning is thus:

"Mel was sort of surprised that as a Christian I so staunchly agreed with him about assisted suicide: I believed that life was a kind of Earth school, so even though assisted suicide meant you were getting out early, before the term ended, you were going to be leaving anyway, so who said it wasn't OK to take an incomplete in the course?"

If your mind needs a bath after reading her article, you can go here.

It's Back! You Fill It Friday

2006-06-22T22:15:00.000-07:00

This room is mostly empty. Please fill it in, via your comments, with something that improves upon emptiness. Write whatever is on your mind (unusual food combination idea, favorite color, math equation, Lost or 24 theory/insight, quote, limerick, blood type, performance art, poem, shout-out, SS#, weather report, break dance or clog preference, get something off your chest, ask a question, word of the day, deep thought, etc.). Keep it clean, brief, and at least semi-interesting or you'll be turned over to the "blue-denim jumper mafia."

Watch your language!

2006-06-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

What do the following phrases have in common? Find out here and here.

Rainbow of Promise, our Ark of Salvation, and our Dove of Peace
Speaker, Word, and Breath
Overflowing Font, Living Water, Flowing River
Compassionate Mother, Beloved Child, and Life-giving Womb
Sun, Light, and Burning Ray
Giver, Gift, and Giving
Rock, Redeemer, Friend

"New Truth" is not God's Truth: Part Two

2006-06-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

One popular approach to the pursuit of “truth” and discovery is to examine the findings of man through what is often called “general revelation.” As we have pointed out here before, some believe that such an approach will triumph a new reformation whereby the church will become more enlightened and accepting of newer positions on issues such as homosexuality. While a rigorous debate over the biblical teaching of homosexuality has been raging for some time there is a more fundamental area that has been largely ignored. Many proponents of this new way have made the claim that discoveries being observed under the sphere of general revelation should be considered truth on par with the Truth of special revelation (i.e., the Scriptures of the OT & NT). This understanding has not been limited to more progressive views of the authority of Scripture but has been largely embraced by evangelicals on many fronts who would otherwise claim an assent to inerrancy.

We should not deny that general revelation exists. However, it is important that we understand the nature and limitations of this general revelation. There are many today who are asking the question that Pilate asked before Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). Sadly, just like Pilate, many of those who are asking the question have not waited for the answer. Worse still, they have sought answers to their questions from broken cisterns which carry only muddy water at best. The remainder of this post will focus on the audience of general revelation while subsequent posts will examine the content of this information and mankind’s response to it.

General revelation is called such because it consists of information that is universally made known to all people in all places at all times. There is no limit to the audience of general revelation because such knowledge is constant (cf. Psalm 19:2) and such knowledge is persistent in its reach to the ends of the earth (cf. Psalm 19:4). This means that there are no specialists who observe things that others do not (i.e., there are no secret or special insights required to see it). Not only is this true because of what is seen under the heavens in creation but because of how mankind is created. The Apostle Paul tells us that general revelation is self-evident within every human being (Rom. 1:19). Man and woman are created in the image of God and therefore bear in some way a conscious imprint of the Triune God that is inescapable (yes, even for the God-denying pagan).

So general revelation is exactly what its name entails, it is “general” information indiscriminately revealed to all creation without bias and without limitation in regards to its audience. For some to maintain that they have special insight or perspective that they have gleaned from general revelation has less in common with the Biblical teaching and more in common with ancient forms of Gnosticism. Furthermore, any “discoveries” made by man must be held up to the light of God’s special revelation and not seen for their supposed uniqueness but for their confirmation that sin and struggle are all common to man (cf. 1 Cor. 10:13). Robert Thomas helps us to summarize this distinction with these concluding thoughts:

“….information and discoveries originating in secular fields do not belong in the category of God’s revealed truth. They therefore have no basis for a ranking alongside God’s special revelation. They may appear to be beneficial to one or another generation and thereby earn at least temporarily the designation of truth, but they must always be tentative because they lack the certitude and authority of God’s revealed truth. They are not on a plane with the body of truth in the Bible and are therefore unworthy of being integrated with it” (Robert Thomas, “General Revelation and Biblical Hermeneutics,” The Master’s Seminary Journal, Volume 9, 1:14-15).

Father's Day Reminder

2006-06-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

This is why the travail of the daily grind is like a vapor. Few things in this life match the incomparable joy of being a father. There are many days when I groan for the new heavens and the new earth yet I am reminded that the Lord has given me a gracious responsibility to my dear boys in the here and now. May the Lord continue to shine His face upon us as fathers knowing that apart from His grace we are but dust.

A great place for a Mac

2006-06-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

The enlightened thinkers behind all things Mac have finally brought us something useful. But this begs the question: Just how long does it take to listen to 10,000 songs on an IPOD?

"New Truth" is not God's Truth: Part One

2006-06-15T11:12:00.000-07:00

As we reported here yesterday, there is a debate that is raging within some denominational circles about homosexuality. The basis of the argument has degenerated to the axiom that "all truth is God's Truth" therefore newer and more enlightened discoveries should have precedence over older and more “outdated” forms of understanding (e.g. the Bible).

The argument goes something like this (which can be seen in Bishop Griswold’s quote from the previous post): Since we are more enlightened being armed with more education and research concerning the inner workings of man’s psyche and physical well-being then we should eschew old ideas of biblical anthropology in exchange for a more biological understanding. The result being that God made a person such and such a way therefore any attempts to change such is a lack of love and an affront to the imago dei. Even N.T. Wright has reasoned that a decision concerning sexuality in the church should be left up to a “consensus”.

This argument while largely taking place outside of evangelical circles nevertheless reveals a fundamental weakness in many evangelicals’ notions of truth and the sufficiency of Scripture. I know many evangelical who look at passages like Psalm 19 and walk away thinking that God has revealed Himself in creation in such a way that general revelation provides us with something that the Bible does not. If you find it hard to believe that evangelicals would embrace such a perspective then I would invite you to visit the “counseling” department of most evangelical seminaries. When you’re done there visit the biology lectures of evangelical colleges. After you’ve listened to their lectures, visit the psychology, sociology, anthropology or physical science departments. Better yet let some of the leading evangelical scholars in this area speak for themselves:

“All truth is certainly God’s truth. The doctrine of general revelation provides warrant for going beyond the propositional revelation of Scripture into the secular world of scientific study expecting to find true and useable concepts” (Crabb, Effective Biblical Counseling, 36).

“The evangelical church has a great opportunity to combine the special revelation of God's Word with the general revelation studied by the psychological sciences and professions. The end result of this integration can be a broader (and deeper) view of human life” (Narramore, “Perspectives on Integration,” 17).

“My knowledge of special revelation—the Bible—would have been combined with my knowledge of general revelation—what God has taught me about his world through my study of psychology, physiology, counseling, rehabilitation, and other fields” (Collins, “An Integration View,” 117).

“Just as the rain falls on the just and the unjust, so too does truth, by the process that theologians call God’s common grace. Romans 1 speaks of God even revealing central truths about his nature to unbelievers (v. 19). … If we understand God’s counsel to be truth, we will be committed to pursuing truth wherever we find it. And we sometimes find it in the careful and insightful writings of unbelievers” (Jones and Butman, Modern Psychotherapies, 27-28).

"New Truth" needed says Bishop

2006-06-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

The top official leading the Episcopal Church in the United States is retiring. Bishop Frank T. Griswold reflected on the controversy surrounding the denomination and its stance on homosexuality with these words: "In the Gospels, Jesus says, 'I have many more things to say to you but you cannot bear them now,' which suggests to me that God's truth is always unfolding," he said. "If we can accept that there are new truths that science brings us, or new discoveries in medicine, why is it when it comes to sexuality, there is no new truth?"

His premise seems to be the old adage “all truth is God's Truth.” Have medicine and modern discoveries really brought us “new truth”? If so, does this extend to sexuality also, as the Bishop has suggested? What are the implications of this for ministry, preaching and the cooperative efforts of those who believe mainline denominations which embrace such ideas can still be turned around? Let us know what you think?

Vacation Blog: It never ends!

2006-06-08T21:16:00.000-07:00

On our way back from NOLA we made a detour through Waveland, Mississippi. You may remember Waveland as the small town that received little media attention after Katrina but was probably hit the hardest by the actual storm. Even after many months the town is still in a massive state of destruction. There is little evidence of reconstruction although we did notice, somewhat ironically, that a new Lowe’s Hardware was being built. Here are a few pics showing the state of things as of last week including a FEMA trailer and how one church is getting along.

Vacation Blog Part Two: Live from NOLA

2006-06-02T21:53:00.000-07:00

What should one do for the first official day of hurricane season? Go to New Orleans! I have lived through my share of hurricanes but nothing could have prepared me for what we saw. On our way into the city we were blown away by the still present devastation left by hurricane Katrina. It has been almost a year yet debris and structure damage were everywhere to be seen. We passed neighborhood after neighborhood that looked like no one has lived there in years. You would think no life was left were it not for the FEMA trailers lining the streets. The parking lots of Home Depot and Lowes were filled to overflowing while other shopping centers lie dormant. There was also a notable absence of people since over half of the city’s population has not returned after being scattered throughout the states. It as a very sobering scene yet the rebuilding effort is really taking shape, albeit slowly. Nevertheless, the wife and I were able to carve out a few days of walking around the French Quarter, eating at some awesome restaurants and oh yes, playing scrabble (question: did anyone else watch the spelling bee finals on Thursday night?). Here are some various pictures from New Orleans. The wife modeling some beignets (pronounced "ben-yays") at Cafe du Monde. Me showing proper form on how to eat a beignet, swimming with the sharks, the ever present marks of Katrina on the landscape, and after a fabulous meal at Emeril Lagassee’s French Quarter restaurant NOLA.

Vacation Blog

2006-05-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

I'm hiding out on vacation for the week. I hope to play lots of Scrabble and get reacquainted with my dear children. I will be posting some thoughts and pictures throughout the week. The wife and I will be in New Orleans at week's end and I will definitely post some pics of that little venture after we get there. I'm a curious soul so I'm wondering what the old city will look like. I am reading a fun little book, “Eat, Shoots and Leaves” for my vacation reading which has had my attention since the first comma. If you're a writer then there's something in it for you or if you like British humor (or is it humour) you'll certainly get a charge from her wit. Will check-in later.

Keillor on writing

2006-05-27T20:56:00.000-07:00

For years I have tuned-in on Saturday afternoons to listen to A Prairie Home Companion on the radio. They don't make em like that anymore. At any rate I found a couple of humorous essays from Keillor on writing and readers. Since most of our audience are avid readers I thought some of you might get some mileage from these: here and here.

Yard Work SDG!!!!

2006-05-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

After a little work in the study this morning I will return to the great outdoors and get a little yard work done primarily mowing my alloted acre. One of the many truths we constantly try to keep before our boys is to “Do all things without grumbling or disputing” (Philippians 2:14). Now this would be easy if it was not for the fact that 1) it's really hot outside, 2) it didn't cost me $3,429 to fill up my mower, and 3) I have an innate depraved craving to want to complain about the most senseless things. It's this last one that gets me the most and that I always find there ready to jump out and remind me of just how “terrible” life is. Ever since Adam, humans have this inward bent toward complaining and sharing with one another their misery. But alas, my son does something to which I remind him of our aforementioned verse and then I'm nailed in the process. I'm asking him not to complain and yet I complain all the time (at least in my heart). So what do I do? First I must stop the complaining but I also need to replace that with a more biblical vision of life that reminds me of the many blessings that surround me. I don't know about most folks but I find myself complaining when I forget that everything I have whether necessity or luxury is a gift of God and I deserve none of it. So I excise the problem with truths like Philippians 2:14 but I repair the problem with truths like Colossians 3:23 and 1 Thessalonians 4:11. So today I will hop on my tractor (not the one in the picture though it would be cool), put the sounds of Bach's St. Matthew Passion in my ears and ride to the glory of God. After all...it's yard work soli deo gloria!!!

Prayer of Confession

2006-05-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

Father, we have sinned. We confess that we do not listen to your Word. We read it and hear it, but we do not obey it. We say, “That was a great sermon!” but it doesn’t make a difference, because we are not willing to change.

We confess that we do not worship you the way you deserve to be worshiped. We are more concerned about what we get out of it than what we put it into it. We are often distracted. Our lips keep moving, but our hearts are cold and still.

We confess that we do not love one another very much. We do not want to be bothered with other people’s problems. We think the worst about others, rather than the best.

We confess that we do not always fulfill our responsibilities to one another. We are harsh when we should be gentle, and when we need to be firm, we lack the courage to say or do what is right.

We confess that we are not willing to pay the high cost of discipleship. We try to be as worldly as we think we can get away with. We prefer to squeeze our faith in around the edges of life, rather than to let you stand at the center to control everything we are and have.

We confess that we lack passion for evangelism. We think of missions as something someone else does, somewhere else, rather than something you have called us to do right here and now. We lack the courage to proclaim the gospel. We are afraid to talk about spiritual things, for fear of what others will think.

We confess that we lack compassion. We think it is important to help the poor, provided that someone else actually does the helping.

In the name of Jesus, we ask forgiveness for these and all our sins.

HT: Phil Ryken

Evangelism Linebacker

2006-05-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

This is the new summer evangelism program we're considering at our church. Do you have the "evangelism linebacker"?

What is a "reformed pastor"?

2006-05-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

This is what we're talking about at our more legitimate outfit.

Cool Lame Stuff (version 6.3.7)

2006-05-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

Grandma gets that tattoo she's always wanted.

Old parchments about Christianity are all the rage these days.

I'm trying Open Office because: 1) it's free, 2) it's neither owned by Microsoft or Mac, and 3) it's free. Has anyone else given it a go?

Update: I still love Firefox and Starbucks coffee. If you're not using either then I will pray for you.

Confession: On Monday night I made shrimp po-boys using farm raised shrimp . My father will probably disown me since I have now failed to support Bayou La Batre shrimpers with this sort of blasphemy but they were so good.

Notable blog entries that made a valuable contribution to my sanctification:

Phil Johnson makes people want to cuss. This was good even if drunken tavern types dismiss it.

Good quotes about the gospel here.

Moorhead has finally gone seeker-friendly. We all knew it was a matter of time.

Starbucks finally gets some protein.

I told you so. The boy has something to say.

Trekkies of the world unite!

2006-05-22T05:57:00.000-07:00

Reuters reports that "Trekkies will be setting their phasers to "bid" this fall when Christie's holds the first official studio auction of memorabilia from all five "Star Trek" television series and 10 movie spinoffs."

However the auction house is expecting a low turn-out since most of the prospective buyers would have to stop playing Halo in the basement of their parents house which organizers believe is a long shot. 43 year old Teddy Sitalot, who prefers to be called Lord Dragothian, said he hopes to make the once in a lifetime auction if his 65 year old mom can give him a ride (and loan him a few bucks for the cover charge). Is anyone else going?

Context and "Global Warming"

2006-05-22T05:36:00.000-07:00

Pictures like this can be deceiving. What if, contra Al Gore, you were told that Antarctica was not actually melting but gaining ice?

About Antarctica, University of Virginia climate scientist Patrick J. Michaels is direct: “What has happened is that Antarctica has been gaining ice.” He explains that there has been a cooling trend over most of Antarctica for decades. At the same time, one tiny portion of the continent — the Antarctic Peninsula — has been warming, and its ice has been melting. The peninsula constitutes only about 2 percent of Antarctica’s total area, but almost every study of melting Antarctic ice you’ve heard of focuses on it.

See full story here.

So you wanna talk about culture?

2006-05-18T14:14:00.000-07:00

I am finding some of the discussions about culture around the blog world to be out of step with the clear imagery that Jesus uses in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:27-30). Some have become so drunk (both literally and metaphorically) with "understanding culture" that they have become unbalanced in their pursuit of holiness. While I affirm the need to understand your surroundings (like duh) this should not mean that we drink from the same putrid well that Bunyan's Mr. Worldly WiseMan devoured. On the one hand it is a grievous error to confuse mutilation for sin with mortification from sin but it is equally erroneous to eat mud pies so you can relate to two year olds.

Stott keenly notes, “It is better to forgo some experiences this life offers in order to enter the life which is life indeed; it is better to accept some cultural amputation in this world than risk final destruction in the next. Of course this teaching runs clean counter to modern standards of permissiveness. It is based on the principle that eternity is more important than time and purity than culture, and that any sacrifice is worth while in this life if it is necessary to ensure our entry into the next. We have to decide, quite simply, whether to live for this world or the next, whether to follow the crowd or Jesus Christ” (John Stott commenting on Matthew 5:27-30 in The Message of the Sermon on the Mount, 91).

I need a nap

2006-05-16T21:36:00.000-07:00

It's just one of those seasons where life seems unusually busy. Even though I have not been too active here I have been keeping up with many of the interesting things happening in God's big planet. Of note to me (some old, some new):

Jaroslav Pelikan, the famed Yale church historian, died. If the name fails you then I suggest you get caught-up with this very interesting article from Mark Noll. Pelikan taught himself to read and write by age two and had mastered a number of languages by ten (including Russian).

My friend, fellow elder, and rocket scientist (which describes five of our elders) has started a new blog which should be good if he gets enough comments encouraging him to write more (hint hint).

This is an excellent essay for many reasons. If you write, speak, or read as part of your vocation then you should profit from what he has to say here. I am trying to write more these days (some by external forces and some for "fun").

Another new blog from a sharp theology prof.

I don't see a lot of movies and I don't generally recommend them but the wife and I liked Akeelah and the Bee. Lots of Scrabble references and support for bringing Latin back into the classroom. There was no "prestidigitation" to the storyline and the "pulchritude" of the plot was admirable.

Did you know there are only five Starbucks in Detroit, a city of 900,000 people. By comparison, San Jose is the same size city and has forty six stores. Let's start a Starbucks prayer chain for the folks in Detroit. Speaking of Starbucks, they seem to be getting in to everything from movie promotions to selling various forms of media (books and cds). However, my one complaint is that it is impossible to find protein in their menu items.

It was two years ago today that I found out I had a disease that makes life interesting. It is my thorn in the flesh and will never go away. However it has pushed me closer to the Savior and humbled me in ways that I would have never enjoyed otherwise. So I 'm grateful that the Lord has used this to deepen my humility and dependence upon His sovereign care. I have learned to complain a lot less and enjoy every minute of life in more responsible ways. However doctors are still in search of a cure to my lame goofiness and strange sense of humor.

Since I like to make life complicated, I will be entering a fairly rigorous doctoral program in July (prayer always appreciated). One friend told me the timing of this new venture was very lamey-like since my wife will deliver our third child in December. I guess the view is best when you live life on the edge.

Free Will and Predestination in Music

2006-05-14T21:59:00.000-07:00

From progressive rock's Rush and their hit song “Free Will”
You can choose from phantom fears
And kindness that can kill
I will choose a path that’s clear
I will choose free will

All preordained
A prisoner in chains
A victim of venomous fate
Kicked in the face
You can’t pray for a place
In heaven’s unearthly estate

From Doddridge’s “O Happy Day, That Fixed My Choice”
Tis done: the great transaction’s done!
I am the Lord’s and He is mine;
He drew me, and I followed on;
Charmed to confess the voice divine.

From Wesley’s “And Can it Be”
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Word to your mother: Part Two

2006-05-11T12:41:00.000-07:00

Do we need to repeat the oft repeated mantra that being a happy housewife is a misunderstood calling these days? I didn’t think so. I’m not talking about the “desperate” variety or even the many misconceptions of the prevailing culture. I am more concerned with some of the more prevalent trends I see among evangelical women. Let me cut right to the chase without any of the politically correct qualifiers: many evangelical women have misinterpreted, misunderstood, misapplied or mishandled what it means to be a Miss or a Mrs. from a biblical worldview. How have I assessed this problem? Not in the way or from the standpoint you may think.

Men have shown disregard for their estate as men. This does not mean that they should beat their chest by overdosing on war stories and father-son campouts. Being a man doesn’t entail one be a dictator nor does it mean he is the doormat for others to walk over. Husbands and fathers should lead with a strong sense of humility that reminds them that whatever they have is all by God’s grace through Jesus Christ. They should do nothing from selfish motives (Phil. 2) and be the first to set a loving tone and example in the home. They should teach their sons to have a high and holy view of all things feminine, cherishing what God has called good. They should teach their daughters that being God’s woman means being counter-cultural because of an encounter with indelible grace. They should love, serve, protect, adore, and honor their wives. When this doesn’t happen the picture becomes bleak with boys who act like wolves and girls who act like strange women.
Churches have failed to teach a biblical and complimentary model of the roles of men and women. God has made male and female different by design and with specific callings which are the result of his special creation (not as a result of the fall of Adam and Eve). When the average female attends a church that feeds her a steady diet of topical sermons on balancing her checkbook or twenty-one steps to true happiness it is only a matter of time before she starves for the true nourishment of the Word of God. This can be overcome by churches that will commit to preach the Word of God as it has been delivered which means throwing off cute sermons for soul satisfying passages like Proverbs 31, 1 Timothy 2:9-15, Titus 2:3-5 and many others.
Busyness is easily substituted for godliness. There are many things that can be good and fruitfully productive if held in proper balance. However when stamping, Longenberger baskets, scrap booking, schooling choices, gardening, interior decorating, sewing, and even house keeping become the mark of a “godly woman” then be sure that Mr. Legalism has paid a visit. God’s woman may struggle with such items but in the end she will be known for the imperishable gentle and quiet spirit which is precious in the sight of God. I don’t want to be a minimalist but God only requires that she love her husband and children (Titus 2:4). This can be easily missed amidst the constant beckoning of a busy schedule. Be cautious of the practice that would exchange outward conformity for inner calling.

Furthermore, we could easily point to all the problems and excesses of our culture which makes the calling of biblical femininity all the more difficult. However that would be too easy for we should only expect the world to act like the world and return to the same lower standards of the world. I am also not suggesting that godly women all be cut from the same cloth. They should not all appear as if they are a part of the blue denim jumper mafia for then they have merely exchanged one outward standard for another. I am suggesting that women who believe the gospel and have been shaped by the cross rise to the occasion of biblical feminism which understands that “charm is deceitful and beauty is vain but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” May such women have happy homes where their works praise them, their children bless them and their husbands cherish them.

Word to your mother: Part One

2006-05-11T11:15:00.000-07:00

Over the next two or three days we will celebrate the biblical calling and role of motherhood. For starters here is an interesting study as reported by kairos journal.

During January and February of 2005, “Connecticut’s Center for Survey Research and Analysis surveyed more than 2,000 mothers of children under the age of 18 to ask what they think and feel about mothering. The sample was representative of the diverse population of adult mothers across the United States in terms of income, education, age, race, ethnicity, marital status, and employment.”

Over against the popular myth that women resent the burdens of motherhood, the study found a great deal of satisfaction among mothers, though they do worry about the impact of the larger culture on their children. Below are the basic findings of the report. The full version may be found at MotherhoodProject.org

1. In contrast to much of the popular discourse that typically emphasizes the stress and strain of motherhood, mothers reported strikingly high levels of satisfaction—both with their overall lives as mothers (with 97% saying they are “very” or “somewhat” satisfied) and with more specific aspects of their lives, including the emotional support they receive, the responsibility they have for childrearing, and the childcare arrangements they use.
2. Mothers feel passionately about their children and about mothering, which they see as unique and extraordinarily important work.
3. Despite high levels of satisfaction and powerful feelings about the importance of what they do, mothers do not necessarily feel that others in society appreciate them, value them, or attend to their needs.
4. Respondents have primary responsibility for the day-to-day upbringing of children.
5. While women in today’s society are waiting longer to get married and increasingly raising children by themselves, the survey found that marriage is associated with a range of positive outcomes for mothers, including economic status and satisfaction with life as a mother.
6. Mothers want more time to spend on personal and family relationships, with nearly 61% “strongly” agreeing and 22% “somewhat” agreeing with that statement.
7. There is a striking gap between mothers’ current work status and their ideal work arrangement.
8. The report found no significant evidence to support what the media sometimes refer to as “mommy wars,” supposed tensions between mothers who are employed in the workforce and mothers who are not.
9. Mothers seem to hold values that differ in significant ways from those of the larger culture.
10. When asked to name their single biggest concern for their children, mothers most often cited education or safety and security, followed by drugs and drinking.
11. When asked about their single biggest concern for themselves, mothers most often named finances, healthcare, or safety.
12. Presented with a list of possible changes to make life better for mothers and children, respondents most often indicated as high priorities: reducing all forms of family violence (94%), promoting healthy marriages (86%), and enabling mothers to spend more time with their children (86%).
13. Mothers strongly endorsed the idea of parents uniting to reduce the negative influences on children.

Source: kairos journal

And on the eighth day...

2006-05-10T11:50:00.000-07:00

"The likeness between the religion of this period and that of the apostolic age was so small, that if St. Paul had risen from the dead he would hardly have called it Christianity at all!" (J. C. Ryle commenting on English society during the time of John Wycliffe).

Gas prices compared to other liquids we use

2006-05-05T17:45:00.000-07:00

Mr. Higgins brings about a smashing point concerning the outcry over current gas prices. Compare the following (all prices per gallon):

* Milk - $2.79 a gallon on average
* Coke - $3.33 (based on a 2-liter bottle)
* Kraft ranch dressing - $31 (based on a 16-oz. bottle)
* Pepto Bismol - $56 (based on a 16-oz. bottle)
* Deep Woods Off insect repelent - $124 (based on a 6-oz. can)
* Coppertone Sport Lotion sun block - $192 (based on an 8-oz. bottle)
* Starbucks - $33 (based on a 12-oz. cup)
* Pam Extra Virgin Olive Oil cooking spray - $123 (based on a 5-oz. can)
* Tylenol Infant Drops - $1,738 (based on a 0.5-oz. container)
* Afrin nasal spray - $1,892 (based on a 0.5-oz. containter)
* Rogaine Extra Strength - $2,176 (based on a 2-oz. package)
* Colgate Simply White Tooth-Whitening Gel - $5,643 (based on a 0.34-oz. bottle)
* Chanel No.5 perfume - $46,000 (based on a 0.25-oz. bottle)

You Fill It Friday

2006-05-05T06:21:00.000-07:00

Thinking about big fish

2006-05-03T14:21:00.000-07:00

Growing up on the Gulf of Mexico, it seems like I went fishing on average at least once a month during my childhood (sometimes once a day). I love to fish and I love to eat fish but even an oddball like me knows that it's not normal for a fish to eat a man. I will be preaching the book of Jonah as part of my series on the Minor Prophets this Sunday night. BTW: The book is not about a man who gets swallowed by a fish (which only concerns about 1.5% of the verses in Jonah). Jonah is a story that is much bigger than that. More than an amazing story about a large man-eating fish (which I believe happened as recorded) it is a reminder that "salvation is of the Lord" (Jonah 2:9). Here is a little ditty you can sing with your kids (to the tune of “I’m a Little Tea Pot”). Enjoy.

Jonah ran from God to get away
He didn’t want to hear what God had to say.
He climbed on board a boat and sailed to sea
He told the Lord to let him be.

God said to Jonah, “not so fast”,
My time with you has not yet passed.
The Lord sent a storm and rocked the boat
Jonah fell into the sea and tried to float.

A fish swam by and swallowed the man
Jonah prayed, “Lord, I’m sorry I ran”
God forgave Jonah after three days
Jonah thanked God and was on his way.

Shame, Shame, Shame

2006-04-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

I awoke this morning to a hot cup of Starbucks and a protest outside my window. I don’t know what these guys are protesting but they obviously want the Galt House to feel ashamed. So far the building has not responded to these allegations.

This reminds me that on one of my trips to Nicaragua I was once caught in the middle of a neo-Sandinista rally where Daniel Ortega was the keynote speaker. He arrived with AK-47’s in tow…not a happy rally.

Catching Up in Louisville

2006-04-26T06:29:00.000-07:00

I arrived in Louisville on Tuesday and spent the afternoon and evening with my old pal Richard Bailey. Frequent readers of this blog know that we go way back (college roommates). Richard was in somewhat of a state of euphoria since he just experienced the birth of his first child a month ago and defended his PhD dissertation last week at the University of Kentucky. We had a wonderful dinner at the Irish Rover where I had fish and chips and he had a “scotch egg” (you don’t want to know but it may make an unusual food blog in the near future). I kept my beverage Baptist (cf. Daniel 1:8) while he kept his Episcopalian (cf. Proverbs 3:10). The highlight was having a conference call with our other old roomy, Jason Thompson. He is legendary in certain parts of lower Alabama and he is banned in three states. BTW: for all house 12 alums we are planning a “House 12 reunion” (stay tuned). However Jason is not near the legend that another house groupie has become. Thanks Richard for the happy times!

Okay the intell on the "scotch egg" is as follows: A hard boiled egg is wrapped in pork sausage, thickly breaded and then dropped into a deep fryer. My computer's hard drive is slowing down just writing about it.

"A Mighty Fortress is Our Tavern"?????

2006-04-24T04:28:00.000-07:00

My wife will tell you that I have a special skill that is totally useless. I can take almost any popular tune and rewrite the lyrics in almost a split second. I especially love to take cherished love ballads and recast them into the farcical drivel that they truly deserve. Somewhat related is the common misnomer that many of the great hymns were actually pub songs from the old country rewritten with a more biblical lyric. Someone even told me once (with a straight face) that “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” was originally a bar tune. The wife and I once saw the lapsed Lutheran, Garrison Keilor, at the Hollywood Bowl where we sang the old song in German right after he repeated the same historical faux paux. Thankfully Gene Edward Veith sets the historical record straight,

“For the record, Luther did not take "bar tunes" and put biblical words to them. That legend comes from a comical misunderstanding. Someone apparently heard a music historian referring to Luther's use of the "bar form," which refers to a stanza structure, not to what drunks sing in a tavern. Luther did borrow and adapt tunes from earlier hymns, medieval chants, and contemporary composers, but a good number of his melodies were his own original compositions.”

See the full article here.

On the road with T4G

2006-04-23T20:34:00.000-07:00

Some of us will be here all week soaking up sermons, ministry insight and fellowship at the T4G Conference. I will be blogging the conference at Expository Thoughts. Be sure to check out Challies who will also be blogging the conference. You can also find the official blog of the conference here. If you're going drop us a line.

You Fill It Friday

2006-04-20T21:51:00.000-07:00

Java and Jesus?

2006-04-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

As a follow-up to our post on "Preaching Starbucks," you can read about the aftermath here. Portions of a Miami community were mailed postcards that said they would receive $10 Starbucks gift cards if they attended services on Easter Sunday at Flamingo Road Church. I don't know who was the first to say it but there is an old maxim that states, "what you win them with is what you keep them with."

William Calvin's first haircut

2006-04-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

Before...

See the after here.

Does God need a PR man?

2006-04-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

I found this article from the New York Times Magazine interesting for the fact that it sees something unusal about God needing a public relations person. The article is about PR agent Larry Ross but the author notices something about Rick Warren (one of Ross's clients) that many evangelicals fail to grasp:

"Warren's book "The Purpose-Driven Life" has sold more than 25 million copies, making it the best-selling hardcover book of nonfiction ever published in the United States, and some say Saddleback has more in common with Google or Starbucks, at least in scope, than the typical church. Warren has a public and a brand to manage."

As for Ross the article asks the obvious question:

"The Kingdom of God itself is a client of sorts. Publicity, marketing and branding are his ministry. So the real question becomes, Why does God need someone to sell him?"

Preaching Starbucks

2006-04-16T22:59:00.000-07:00

Just because I'm a pastor and a Starbucks user doesn't mean I will stoop to this level. I would suggest that the guilty party be required to read this and never be allowed to enter a Starbucks again.

Gilead and Ruth

2006-04-16T22:19:00.000-07:00

I've been reading Marilynne Robinson's novel Gilead which is about a 77 year old minister who writes an epistle-like letter to his young son detailing his life. There are many things that stick out in the prose. This one caught my attention:

"That's the strangest thing about this life, about being in the ministry. People change the subject when they see you coming. And then sometimes those very same people come into your study and tell you the most remarkable things. There's a lot under the surface of life, everyone knows that. A lot of malice and dread and guilt, and so much loneliness, where you really wouldn't expect to find it, either."

On another note, I've been preaching through the book of Ruth. I just noticed that Challies has reviewed what looks to be a good new read from Sinclair Ferguson on Ruth called Faithful God.

You Fill It Friday

2006-04-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

Strange Combinations

2006-04-13T21:29:00.000-07:00

Internet Pig Cafe...the next big thing

Let's play the riddle game: UPDATE

2006-04-11T11:52:00.000-07:00

What are my two boys looking for?

UPDATE: Thanks for all the kind thoughts. With one more child the world will become just a little more "lame".
1. One more heart to shape.
2. One more laugh in the home.
3. One more contributor to the land-fill problem (if you know what I mean).
4. One more Auburn fan to annoy red-neck, hickish, BAMA fans (it's just a game, but not really).
5. One more PK living in a glass house.
6. One more tax credit (just kidding, lighten up...but seriously it is nice...come on lighten up don't be so holy like you don't like to claim yours).
7. One more heir of a killer baseball card collection (but not much else).
8. One more blessing and gift from the Lord!

Judas is just alright with me (?)

2006-04-07T14:02:00.000-07:00

I was in Starbucks this morning minding my own business when I noticed an old Greek papyrus splashed on the front of the New York Times. Turns out it was a picture with article about the discovery of the so-called "the Gospel of Judas." It is really nothing new and the only folks really interested in such are those who will make lots of money off its exploitation (e.g. National Geographic, Jesus Seminar, etc.) through documentaries, books, lectures, and museum tours. The other group of folks who might be interested are those who think for some reason it will turn everything, we know for certain about the Bible and its message, on its head (hint: the two groups have similar interests). Numerous folks have emailed me or called me wanting my opinion of the "discovery" and my thought is the world is better off without one more opinion. However here are a few items that seem to echo some of my concerns and initial reactions to the text:

Al Mohler does a fine job here explaining what's at stake (or not).
Scot McKnight has shocked me with a rare moment of clarity here.
I suspect these guys will have a lot to say in the days to come and they'll probably get it right.

You Fill It Friday

2006-04-07T07:36:00.000-07:00

Things that don't taste like chicken

2006-04-05T07:14:00.000-07:00

Note: the following is not for people who are squeamish or from Indiana (which might be a redundancy).

On the unofficial gastronomical gross meter I would probably be somewhere around “risky eater” which is just below “suicidal eater” and right above “he's not going to really eat that is he?" eater. I will try almost anything at least once. I say “at least” because you never know if you might taste it again (if you know what I mean). A conversation was started last Friday here that has got my wheels turning about foods that you might not find demoed on the Food Network. I call it missionary eating because it usually takes place in a foreign environment, with gracious hosts who think it’s “normal” and all you can do is close your eyes and pray that it doesn’t kill you. So in an effort to educate one another on these culinary delights here are a few really out there foods that some people call “delicacies” but the rest of the world calls upchuck fodder. Feel free to share here any insights or experiences you have had with strange foods.

Haggis (pictured above) is made with the following ingredients: sheep's 'pluck' (heart, liver, windpipe and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally boiled in the animal's stomach for approximately an hour. All of which is stuffed inside sheep intestines or stomach bladders.

Balut is a fertilized duck egg with a nearly-developed embryo inside that is boiled and eaten in the shell. Do we need to describe it any further?

Durian is what one food critic described as “turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock.” It can be smelled from yards away. Despite its great local popularity, the raw fruit is forbidden from some establishments such as hotels, subways and airports, including public transportation in Southeast Asia. Phil Johnson has partaken of this luxury and refers to it as the “garbage-flavored fruit.”

Is anyone hungry? I'm available for lunch.

Quick thoughts

2006-04-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

I have been busy lately(who hasn't?) but nevertheless here are some things I have noticed recently:

Men don't listen to women. . .now we have the "science" to back it up (see here).
I continue to learn a lot from my old boss Jerry Wragg (here and here).
A goldmine of William F. Buckley, Jr. writings, videos, various and sundry (here).
My favorite beverage is coming to film. . .sort of (here).
These guys think they're funny and clever and the trick is they're neither (here).
These are almost always funny and clever (here and here).
One of my favorite social critics will be 100 this year and now has a blog showing-off his brillance (here).
Balanced thoughts on marriage (here).
April Fool's jokes abound in blogdom (here and here). Note: I have pulled some big ones off in the past few years and I took this year off but some of you should still watch your back.
My good friend, old roomy, and mutual best-man finally entered the world where poopie and other odd smells are a normal part of conversation (here).

You Fill It Friday

2006-03-30T20:09:00.000-08:00

This space has been left intentionally blank. Please fill it in, via your comments, with something that improves upon emptiness. Write whatever is on your mind (unusual food combination idea, favorite color, math equation, Lost or 24 theory/insight, quote, limerick, blood type, performance art, poem, shout-out, SS#, weather report, break dance or clog preference, get something off your chest, ask a question, word of the day, deep thought, etc.). Keep it clean, brief, and at least semi-interesting or you'll be turned over to the "blue-denim jumper mafia."

Name of the day: Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero

Meaningless drival from a "smart guy" that you can use in a conversation: "Such a metaphysic of morals, completely isolated, not mixed with any anthropology, theology, physics, or hyperphysics, and still less with occult qualities (which we might call hypophysical), is not only an indispensable substratum of all sound theoretical knowledge of duties, but is at the same time a desideratum of highest importance to the actual fulfillment of their precepts." ~Immanuel Kant

Uncle Buck and The Master's Seminary

2006-03-30T18:10:00.000-08:00

What does the Uncle Buck movie and The Master's Seminary have in common? This is just funny.

Roll the dice for "your best life now"

2006-03-30T17:49:00.000-08:00

I thought this might be too good to be true but the marketing folks behind Osteen's bestseller have turned the book into what I'm sure will be the best game since "swim with the hot toaster" or "let's play root canal."

HT: The mighty purgatorio

"me" church?

2006-03-29T14:37:00.000-08:00

Do you attend a "me" church? See the short video here.

America's favorite drug

2006-03-27T20:16:00.000-08:00

USA Today food and wine critic Jerry Shriver's ranks popular morning brews:

1. Starbucks House Blend (4½ slurps out of five)
2. McDonald's Premium Roast (3½ slurps out of five)
3. Burger King BK Joe (2½ slurps out of five)
4. 7-Eleven Regular Exclusive Blend and Dunkin' Donuts Original Blend (2 slurps out of five)

Source:USA Today
HT: Starbucks Gossip

Taking the day off with the boys...

2006-03-27T06:54:00.000-08:00

Today is "memorization Monday." I have a few suggestions for you: 1)since I've been preaching through the Sermon on the Mount why not give it a try (Matthew 5-7)? Start off with the first part and build over time. 2)Work on some of the prayers that are recorded in Scripture like Daniel 9 or Philippians 1. 3)Review something you've worked on before which is what I will be doing today. Blessings!

Free Time

2006-03-25T18:30:00.000-08:00

When I get a free moment all to myself this is what I do with my free time.

(ht: Pecadillo)

Preview Saturday

2006-03-25T07:39:00.000-08:00

This is where I post a quote from tomorrow's sermon. Sunday's sermon will be on Matthew 5:17-20.

Walter Kaiser has rightly stated, “ It is possible to attend some churches for months without ever hearing a sermon from the older testament, which represents well over three-fourths of what our Lord had to say to us. This vacuum is unconscionable for those who claim that the whole Bible is the authoritative Word of God to mankind.”

Porcupine follow-up

2006-03-24T22:13:00.000-08:00

I think we struck a nerve with our porcupine post so in the same spirit I offer the following helpful blogs for moms and women folk. May the Lord keep you and bless you and may all your porcupines be soft! Enjoy.

Girl Talk
Solo Femininity
Amy's Humble Musings
Ladies Against Feminism

You Fill It Friday

2006-03-23T19:43:00.000-08:00

It's that time again:

This space has been left intentionally blank. Please fill it in, via your comments, with something that improves upon emptiness. Write whatever is on your mind (unusual food combination idea, favorite color, math equation, Lost or 24 theory/insight, quote, limerick, blood type, performance art, poem, shout-out, SS#, weather report, break dance or clog, get something off your chest, question, word of the day, deep thought, etc.). Keep it clean, brief, and at least semi-interesting or you'll be turned over to the "blue-denim jumper mafia."

Quote of the day: "I'd rather have a bible in front of me than a frontal lobotomy."

Word of the day: BRAZIERS (no jokes please) which was the highest single play in Scrabble tourney history. T. A. Sanders who played the word received 311 points for the one play. That's about my average score for a whole game!

Childbirth, porcupines and other things that don't belong in the same sentence

2006-03-22T14:43:00.000-08:00

Ladies,

Can we talk? I don't have a clue what giving birth to a child feels like but I think I have come close with a few of these. At any rate, I know some young moms in our congregation and some of my friends around the globe are about to experience this miracle first-hand. One thing the wife and I have noticed is that when something really good is happening to you people like to bring you down to their level of misery and throw water on your parade. This happened to me when I got married, when I moved away out of state, when I moved back, when I started new ministry, when my first son was born, when my second son was born, and you get the picture. It seems no matter how good things are going there's always someone there to remind you of the worse-case scenario. However, Christians in particular have a responsibility to encourage others who might be stepping out into a new arena of experience (see 1 Thess 5:14). One area where I see a great need is with new moms. Ladies, don't tell expecting moms how horrible you had it, or how you regretted the day your husband was born when you were giving birth to what felt like a watermelon that received first-place at the county 4-H Fair. Tell them that God is faithful and that all that he ordains is right. Remind them of the blessings of having children, caring for them, and raising them for the glory of Christ. If you have a difficult time getting this message through to an expecting mom, ask her to lunch, draw her in close, take her by the hand, and say, "honey at least you're not giving birth to porcupines."

God bless!

More Irony

2006-03-22T13:59:00.000-08:00

More irony but this time it's from the Mayor of Toledo who tells of his "inspiration." What's wrong with this picture? (HT: Pulpit Live)

What's that "expository" stuff all about?

2006-03-20T15:22:00.000-08:00

Someone who is new to our church or this blog might have wondered at some point, just "what's this expository preaching stuff all about?" Today, Phil Ryken gave an excellent post that moves us in that direction with this offering from Reformation 21, see here. What do you think about this definition?

How can kids serve at church?

2006-03-20T09:34:00.000-08:00

C. J. Manhey has posted some nice thoughts on communicating the importance of church-life to his young son. I found some of his ideas refreshingly simple yet meaningful. Some of which were:

* Greeting--I want Chad to serve others by cheerfully greeting them. This also helps him put to death selfishness and overcome the fear of man.

* Serving--Chad’s love for the church will grow as he serves in the church. At present, he serves on the children’s ministry administrative team, and together we hand out bulletins and greet folks as they arrive on Sunday.

* Encouraging--I want Chad to take special note of the army of folks joyfully serving each Sunday and express his appreciation to them. The Savior defines true greatness as humbly serving others for the glory of God. True greatness in the form of humility and servanthood is on display each Sunday at CLC, and I want Chad to discern and acknowledge true greatness. So, each Sunday I help Chad to be intentional about thanking folks for the different ways they serve. And I have him encourage whoever has preached that day. Yesterday, he thanked and encouraged Joshua Harris (my favorite Senior Pastor) for the outstanding message he preached from Luke 15.

* Singing--I want Chad to sing sincerely and passionately during worship. Singing is an appropriate response to the Savior for His amazing grace. Through singing, Chad is loving God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. A parent can discern a lot about their child’s heart by the presence or absence of participation and passion in worship.

* Learning--I believe in the importance of hearing expository preaching as a primary means of grace for the Christian. The preaching event must be a priority for our children. Therefore, listening carefully and responding appropriately to the sermon is very important. Both Chad and I take notes during the sermon. This helps us to listen carefully and is invaluable as we review the sermon together during the week. Yesterday, Chad told me he took seven pages of notes on Joshua’s sermon (his notebook paper is small).

So what do you think? You can read the full article here.

What about symbolism in Scripture?

2006-03-20T09:20:00.000-08:00

One of the comments I often get from some of my hard-core Presby friends, is how can you really interpret Scripture in a literal way? They ask, "don't you believe there is symbolism in Scripture?" Along thosse lines my old chum, Matt Waymeyer, has posted a nice article called "How to Recognize Symbolic Language." Many struggle with those portions of Scripture where the figures of speech may be hard to discern. Matt has pointed us in the right direction. See his article here.

The Krispy Kreme Burger

2006-03-18T14:36:00.000-08:00

Just when you think the burger has reached it's creative limit, they come up with this.

Christian counter-culture

2006-03-18T07:37:00.000-08:00

“The Sermon [on the Mount] is built on the assumption that Christians are different, and it issues a call to us to be different. Probably the greatest tragedy of the church throughout its long and chequered history has been its constant tendency to conform to the prevailing culture instead of developing a Christian counter-culture” (John R. W. Stott, The Message of the Sermon on the Mount, p.63).

Irish Reformation

2006-03-17T14:00:00.000-08:00

Since many Americans are celebrating what they're not today (St. Patrick's Day) I thought I would try to redeem the drunken festival of endless parades with a green hat tip to our brothers at Irish Reformation Blog. They are some of the sharpest cookies in Christianity and wisdom flows there much better than that nasty green river in Chicago.

Al Mohler on O'Reilly tonight

2006-03-17T11:54:00.000-08:00

For those interested:

Dr. Al Mohler is scheduled to appear tonight on Fox News Channel’s “O’Reilly Factor.” Mohler will discuss how evangelical Christians should talk about and relate to Islam, in light of recent comments by evangelist Franklin Graham. In an interview, Graham stood by an earlier statement that Islam is an “evil and wicked religion.” Graham’s comments sparked controversy in the national media, but Mohler has said that Christians have no choice but to speak the truth about other religions, including Islam, which he has said represents a false gospel, a false god and a false salvation

You Fill It Friday

2006-03-16T18:29:00.001-08:00

It's that time again:

New Rule for the day: If you leave a comment you must use at least one of the words from the list below. Cheers to all the feckful bloggers!

This space has been left intentionally blank. Please fill it in, via your comments, with something that improves upon emptiness. Write whatever is on your mind (unusual food combination idea, favorite color, math equation, Lost or 24 theory/insight, quote, limerick, blood type, performance art, poem, shout-out, SS#, weather report, break dance or clog, get something off your chest, question, word of the day, deep thought, etc.). Keep it clean, brief, and at least semi-interesting or you'll be turned over to the "blue-denim jumper mafia."

Words of the day: Words that are rarely used in their positive form
Advertent
Biotic
Canny
Clement
Conscionable
Consolate
Corrigible
Couth
Descript
Domitable
Evitable
Feckful
Furl
Gruntle
Gust
Odorant
Pervious
Ruthful
Vincible

Wisdom from on high

2006-03-15T20:27:00.000-08:00

I never got around to posting my "Memorization Monday" article because the day just got away from me and I was having too much fun with my family. In order to make up for lost time let me make a suggestion. Why don't you just stop whatever it is you're doing right now and read a chapter from Proverbs. Or take a break and pray for your pastor who should be preparing for his Sunday message right about now. Pray that he will deliver the best sermon you've ever heard; one where Christ is set forth in a way that stops you in your tracks. Pray that your desire to apply it will be contagious and that your strength will be renewed and your affections challenged. Pray that God will change the hearts of the lost (you can do this even if you're Arminian) through the preaching of His Word and that the congregation will be encouraged. Let us seek the Lord and as Calvin said of the one who would pray "let him take the person and disposition of a beggar" (Institutes,2:859). Blessings to you as you labor for the Lord today!

Marketing Irony

2006-03-15T14:50:00.000-08:00

Think about it:

Not so deep thought of the day

2006-03-14T19:13:00.000-08:00

In depth comment: No he wasn't

Know-it-alls vs. Know-a-littles

2006-03-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

One complaint I hear in various circles is that "such and such is above my head." The one uttering the statement usually repeats this mantra before explaining their giving up a particular pursuit (e.g. like serious Bible study). Sometimes such a sentiment is brought on by “elites” who see their unstated life goal as shaming the less learned back to their illiterate holes. I promise not to unload my thoughts at this point on the state of the modern educational system but one thing it has produced is a bunch of "experts" who often fail at getting the big picture of life. They are experts in their discipline but useless in real life. So when you or I talk to such individuals there can be a sense of shame because we cannot follow "their" conversation. We are not "in" and we don't share their affinity for what they conceive of as hip. The result of this can be the fear of man for one while the other may be guilty of intellectual pride. Both are ugly and both are selfish. Let's rid ourselves of this stench (especially in the blogworld). For encouragement in this area, Mortimer Adler leaves us this simple proverb:

"We do not have to know everything about something in order to understand it; too many facts are often as much of an obstacle to understanding as too few. There is a sense in which we moderns are inundated with facts to the detriment of understanding."

Geek Free Time

2006-03-14T11:56:00.000-08:00

In my free time I like to play with my kids or go for a walk with my wife or if I'm feeling really crazy I'll read a book. Not so in geekdom. They do things like this.

Obscuring the glory of God

2006-03-10T21:51:00.000-08:00

"God cannot bear with seeing his glory appropriated by the creature in even the smallest degree, so intolerable to him is the sacrilegious arrogance of those who, by praising themselves, obscure his glory as far as they can" (John Calvin, Commentary on Psalm 9).

Our "Mother" who art in heaven

2006-03-10T14:23:00.000-08:00

I think this short video speaks for itself. This also reminds me that it's a good time to plug the new book Evangelical Feminism & Biblical Truth by Wayne Grudem. Feminism is not merely a socio-political concept but it is a religious worldview and commitment that exchanges the glory of Christ for the glory of the created (BTW: just like male chauvinism).

"We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5)

You Fill It Friday

2006-03-09T19:17:00.000-08:00

It's that time again:

This space has been left intentionally blank. Please fill it in, via your comments, with something that improves upon emptiness. Write whatever is on your mind (unusual food combination idea, favorite color, math equation, Lost or 24 theory/insight, quote, limerick, blood type, performance art, poem, shout-out, SS#, weather report, break dance or clog, get something off your chest, question, word of the day, deep thought, etc.). Keep it clean, brief, and at least semi-interesting or you'll be turned over to the "blue-denim jumper mafia."

Words of the day: All the words that have "q" without an adjoined "u" (It's time to polish those Scrabble skills)

qat
qaid
qats
faqir
faqirs
sheqel
suqs
suq
tranq
umiaq
tranqs
umiaqs
buqsha
buqshas
qoph
qaids
qanat
qophs
qanats
qindar
qintar
qiviut
qwerty
qindars
qintars
qiviuts
qwertys

Too Much Free Time (with Legos)

2006-03-09T17:12:00.000-08:00

Made by Andy Carroll, this difference engine is able to solve mathematical problems (2nd/3rd-order polynomials) and calculate the answers to 3 or 4 digits

One of these things is not like the other

2006-03-09T08:18:00.000-08:00

I love baseball!!!! In case you don't follow baseball there is a "little" discussion going on about steroid use in the sport. When Congress gets involved (which they have) you know the situation is ugly and going nowhere. Here is a little arm-chair research where a picture is worth a thousand juiced muscles. BTW: These pics do not represent father and son or two brothers. Both pics are of Barry Bonds at opposite stages of metabolic hormonal supplementation (steroids).

Barefoot and Pregnant

2006-03-08T19:29:00.000-08:00

I just read an interesting interview over at National Review as to why many wives/moms do not consider themsleves as "desperate" as the media and writing feminists wish they were. Reading this, I thought I would give a little encourgament to all the women folk out there (starting with my wife) who are constantly told by the "intelligentsia" that wifery and motherhood are less than noble tasks. The Reformer Martin Luther is credited with the following thought:

Our natural reason looks at marriage and turns up its nose and says, “Alas! Must I rock the baby? Wash its diapers? Make its bed? Smell its stench? Stay at nights with it? Take care of it when it cries? Heal its rashes and sores? And on top of that care for my spouse, provide labor at my trade, take care of this and take care of that? Do this and do that? And endure this and endure that? Why should I make such a prisoner of myself?”

What then does Christian faith say to this? It opens its eyes, looks upon all these insignificant, distasteful and despised duties in the spirit, and is aware that they are all adorned with divine approval as with the costliest gold and jewels.

It says, “O God, I confess I am not worthy to rock that little babe or wash its diapers, or to be entrusted with the care of a child and its mother. How is it that I without any merit have come to this distinction of being certain that I am serving thy creature and thy most precious will? Oh, how gladly will I do so. Though the duty should be even more insignificant and despised, neither frost nor heat, neither drudgery nor labor will distress me for I am certain that it is thus pleasing in thy sight.

Spurgeon let me down

2006-03-08T12:28:00.000-08:00

Those who know me, know that I am a fan of all things Spurgeon. I have read everything about him and by him that I can 1) afford and 2) obtain. There are so many things about his ministry and life that help to inspire, encourage, and refine my own ministry of the Word. For most people these days, when they talk about their heros they often give a qualifier like "I don't agree with him on everything but I sure do like____________." I hear this about some of my favorite preachers all the time. I have rarely if ever given that sort of qualifier to C.H. Spurgeon. I never thought such a thing suited him well, that is until now. For the rest of my life, I will begin all my Spurgeon conversations with "Eventhough he had a clock on his pulpit, I sure admire Spurgeon for_________."

Don't misunderstand my pain here. I don't think preachers should drone on all day long but it is very difficult to put a time limit on preaching. Granted some preachers are just boring (and I work like mad not to be) but most modern-day time constraints have more to do with "felt-needs" than the need to hear the Word of God expounded which takes more than a twenty minute homily. So needless to say I was shocked when one fellow Christian made the pilgrimage to Spurgeon's old church and posted these pics of Spurgeon's old pulpit. I offer this all with tongue in cheek but I was shocked.

Memorization Monday (late edition)

2006-03-07T04:53:00.000-08:00

It's Tuesday morning and I'm "stuck inside of Mobile with those Memphis blues again"(Bob Dylan tune). Seriously, I'm in Mobile, AL where I preached a funeral for a family friend yesterday at Christ Fellowship Baptist Church. I delivered the eulogy and charge to the family and my friend Tom Gibson, who is an elder at Christ Fellowship, delivered the gospel message. I began the service with the call to worship from 1 Chronicles 16:23-31. What a great reminder that regardless of what we face or what the unknown has for us, our Lord reigns! Not a bad passage to tuck away in our memories. If you're interested, here are a few notes from the remarks I made at the funeral:

• Lloyd Lee Bryan, Jr. was a lifelong resident of Mobile, AL.
• He passed from this life on Thursday, March 2nd.
• He was a 1949 graduate of Murphy High School and 1953 graduate of the University of Alabama.
• He served this country through the United States Air Force
• And spent a large portion of his career working with Principle Financial Group.
• Many others have preceded his passing, his mother and father and his little brother Fred.
• He is survived by many friends and the dearest of family.
• Six grandchildren, two great grandchildren,
• His two daughters Betty and Mary and their families.
• And most of all his precious wife of 46 years, Nancy Bryan.
• If you have been around Lloyd recently you might have been invited by him to his 100th birthday party which he has been planning for some time.
• One thing was true of being in Lloyd’s company, you would never be bored.
• He was entertaining (sometimes too much), he was gracious and hospitable.
• Nancy and Lloyd were married on his birthday 46 years ago.
• When news of their engagement reached his mother she passed out on the floor (I’m told she eventually recovered).
• First time Nancy saw him she knew that they would be married (Nancy you know that doesn’t always work but in your case it more than worked).
• His dad Lloyd Senior ran a gas station but such knowledge didn’t prevent Lloyd from running out of gas wherever Lloyd went (on dates with Nancy, on vacations, going to the store, wherever, Lloyd would run out of gas).
• Some of you have known Lloyd for most of your lives.
• My family’s history goes back to 1969 when my father went to work with Lloyd.
• Some of my earliest memories are seeing the two of them at their office on the belt-line here in Mobile.
• He and Dad went on a health food kick back in the 70’s that was about as short-lived as disco. They would go to some local restaurant and eat only salads. But I think that they discovered later than there was very little nutritional value in iceberg lettuce smothered by gobs of Thousand Island dressing.
• His daughter Mary would baby-sit my sister and I and we still managed to turn out alright.
• So some of us go way back with Lloyd in various ways some of you much further.
• But, it was the last few years and really the last few months that many would say have shown a different portrait of Lloyd than what many of you may have seen before.
• The best way I can describe it is that Lloyd has become a sponge for God and His Word.
• He told my mother recently that he regretted waiting so long to get serious about eternal things. He told her and others that he wished he could hear more preaching.
• He loved the body of Christ here at Christ Fellowship Baptist Church.
• When the doors were open and he was able he wanted to be here.
• He was not looking for another endless church program or meaningless ritual but he desired to hear the Word of God opened and expounded.
• Over the last few years, he developed a hunger and thirst for God and His Word.
• He loved his men’s SS class with Bud Barr and Ed Ahrens.
• He loved Dr. Steve Lawson’s early morning men’s Bible Study on Fridays.
• He loved the people of this church because he saw how much they loved him.
• Men like Tom Gibson who has constantly ministered the Word to Lloyd.
• Men like Earl Harrison who has served Lloyd in ways that will only be measured by eternity.
• And many, many others.
• One thing we can say for sure about Lloyd, he had seen it all and done it all and recently he has seen that the things that truly matter are those things of eternal importance.
• What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and yet looses his soul?
• I say this with all the love of my heart for you and with all humility before the Lord of heaven and earth:
• If we let this moment pass without thinking deeply and reflecting greatly upon eternal lessons then in some ways we could waste this time of memorial.
• A little over a month ago a well-known pastor by the name of John Piper was diagnosed with cancer.
• After reflecting on this news he wrote a letter to his congregation and he entitled it, “Don’t Waste Your Cancer.”
• He gave his congregation ten ways that the news of his cancer could be wasted if not placed in biblical perspective.
• I want to repeat his points here but in the context of Lloyd’s passing:

We will waste this time if we do not believe that it was designed for us by God.
We will waste this time if we believe that his suffering was a curse and not a gift.
We will waste this time if we seek comfort in some human device rather than from God.
We will waste this time if we refuse to think about death
We will waste this time if we think that beating illness means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ.
We will waste this time if we spend too much time reading about this life and not enough time reading about God.
We will waste this time if we let his passing drive you into solitude instead of deepen your relationships with others.
We will waste this time if we grieve as those who have no hope.
We will waste this time if you treat sin as casually as you did before.
We will waste this time if we fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.

Separated at Birth?

2006-03-04T19:55:00.000-08:00

You Fill It Friday

2006-03-03T06:02:00.000-08:00

You know what to do:

This space has been left intentionally blank. Please fill it in, via your comments, with something that improves upon emptiness. Write whatever is on your mind (unusual food combination idea, favorite color, math equation, Lost or 24 theory/insight, quote, limerick, blood type, performance art, poem, shout-out, SS#, weather report, break dance or clog, get something off your chest, question, word of the day, deep thought, etc.). Keep it clean, brief, and at least semi-interesting or you'll be turned over to the "blue-denim jumper mafia."

I crashed

2006-03-02T09:45:00.000-08:00

I pulled into my driveway in Huntsville at about 2 am this morning. . .let's just say it was a long day. However, I was glad I could peek my head in to the start of the Shepherd's Conference in L.A. and see some old pals. If you want to follow the events of the conference that are going on this week you can check Tim Challies blog where he is blogging the whole conference and doing a fantastic job. You can also see the Together for the Gospel blog where Al, Lig, CJ, and Mr. D. C. Talk ("Dever") are speaking at or attending the Shep. Conf. and they are chatting up a storm.

The whole purpose of my trip was missions related and it was highly productive. I will be reporting on some new opportunities to our congregation this Sunday evening at our "Vision Meeting." This meeting is where me and my fellow elders report to the congregation on the fruit of our elder's retreat. These are exciting times for our church and we have identified many new opportunites to minister as well as new steps for us to take as a church. If your in the area and want to see what our church is about and what new directions we plan to take, this meeting would be a great place to start. See you then and thanks for your prayers.

Final day in L.A.

2006-03-01T13:26:00.000-08:00

The whole reason for my trip to Los Angeles came to fulfillment this morning at 7A.M. when I gathered with a number of men to discuss the work of the Lord in Russia. I may blog about it later but suffice to say it was an awesome meeting. The highlight was hearing Victor Pusnokov(sp?) deliver a jet-tour of the history of biblical preaching in Russia. He reminded us that less than 1.5% of the Russian population would be consider "evangelical." There are about 400 baptist churches that we are working with that are without a pastor. Needless to say the need is great.

The reason why we are meeting in L.A. is that most of the Samara Theological Seminary Advisory Council I serve with is here for the Shepherd's Conference. There are over 3,500 pastors and church leaders here to worship and fellowship together. The downside is that the conference is getting under way while I'm a few miles away at the Burbank airport writing this blog entry. So I got to be a part of the meetings associated with Russia and now I'm off to Huntsville. However, I managed to see some old friends before getting away. I was especially glad to see my old Aussie mate from Down Under, John Baker. We haven't seen each other in about five years and boy did we use to have fun. . .too much fun! He told me he frequently drops by the blog. Here are a few other shots from the day.

Jonathan Moorhead getting introduced to some of the Samara Russia opportunities. He is finishing his Ph.D at DTS although he is first and foremost a TMS man.

A few thousand men singing "A Mighty Fortress." You just have to be there to hear it.

My old boss from Grace Community Church and fellow "Expository Thoughts" blogger Jerry Wragg. Jerry is a faithful pastor down in south Florida.

Catching up with my good friend Jimmy Stitzinger (local missions pastor at GCC).

Phat Tuesday

2006-02-28T21:57:00.000-08:00

Busy day here in L.A. After a few meetings we got out a bit to survey the landscape. Here are a few highlights from Tuesday.

This is the world famous Archives Bookshop in Pasadena where I showed great restraint and purchased a mere four books. I should receive some sort of public recognition for showing such self-control around so great a pastoral temptation. (note to self: you will be going to the Grace Book Shack on Wednesday so don't get too proud just yet).
Chris Pixley, my friend and "Expository Thoughts" blog partner, was spotted in the Archives parking lot.
Here's Chris showing off one of the largest collections of used theological books in the US. I think he's facing John Calvin with his back to Karl Barth (think of it as a metaphor).
Our old stomping grounds, the great land of Montrose.
This was where you would find me and the wife on Saturday mornings after a long week of seminary.

Our old seminary apartment. . . many memories.

Wonderful lunch at the home of our friends Burt and Gabriela Anderson. Awesome steaks Burt!

Memorization Monday

2006-02-27T21:22:00.000-08:00

I’m in L.A. tonight looking out over the very wet suburb of Burbank. The rainy season has definitely come to southern California. I had dinner tonight with my good friend Eric Bancroft who serves as the high school pastor at Grace Community Church. He has always been such an encouragement to me and a constant friend…and he has less hair than yours truly (I just wanted to point that out). Also you can see in the picture that we have only made it to level 3 in our spiritual journey.

It has been an eventful day. As I mentioned earlier and will repeat here again, I sat next to Steve Forbes at breakfast. If you see our picture below that is what a half a billion dollars and some change looks like. By the way: I’m the “change” part of that equation. He really is an interesting fellow who has done a lot of good and has plenty of insightful ideas on everything from flat tax rates to school prayer and abortion. The problem is that smart guys are not heeded these days and he is definitely a smart guy.

I had one other “star” sighting this evening. When I was checking in to my hotel, I was practically run over by an emaciated guy who looked awful and had the longest cigarette just hanging from his lip like a climber hanging off a cliff. It was none other than Tom Sizemore who has starred in movies like Saving Private Ryan. He was a visible reminder that Hollywood life has a grotesque underbelly that you rarely see on television or in the movies. This town is filled with people who pretend for a living all the while chasing an elusive fame that is meaningless at best. Seeing Sizemore was a good yet sad reminder of just how important the gospel is. These people have no hope without Christ (just like everyone else for that matter).

I didn’t forget that today is our new “Memorization Monday” post. Today and this week I will be working on Deuteronomy 6:4-9. This might be the most important statement in all of Scripture as to the heart of true worship. I talked briefly about this passage in my sermon on Sunday while speaking on “blessed are the pure in heart…” (Matt. 5). These verses remind us that true worship is not some perfunctory exercise; it is not some trite repetition of words whether they are song or creed. Worship is a way of life that encompasses all your daily pursuits from the time you rise up to the time you rest your body from the labors of the day. What a great passage to commit to memory and hide in our hearts so that our conscience will be pricked when we drift away from a Godward view of all things. Blessings to all!

Who did you eat breakfast with this morning?

2006-02-27T07:26:00.000-08:00

Who did you have breakfast with this morning? I needed some tax advice so I summoned Steve Forbes who willingly met me here in the Birmingham airport. He understands I'm a busy man so he didn't keep me long. He was truly a nice fellow. Moving on to my next meeting.

He also said he is an avid reader of lameworldview.

Archives it is!

2006-02-27T07:03:00.000-08:00

That's right kids, the largest used theological bookstore west of the mighty Mississippi River is the Archives on Washington Street in Pasadena (the one to the east is in Grand Rapids). The world famous Archives is worth a trip to Pasadena where I will probably blow my book budget in about an hour. Gamblers have Vegas, pastors have the Archives.

I'm currently in the Birmingham airport. Next stop is Vegas but don't worry I'm saving my coins for the books.Then we'll be on to Burbank.