Al Mohler writes on why he signed the Manhattan declaration.  If you have not read this declaration yet, it is worth you time to swing over there and take a few minutes to read it.  The times are changeing and we must make the decision as the people of Jesus whom will serve. 

Al Mohler writes:

I believe we are facing an inevitable and culture-determining decision on the three issues centrally identified in this statement. I also believe that we will experience a significant loss of Christian churches, denominations, and institutions in this process. There is every good reason to believe that the freedom to conduct Christian ministry according to Christian conviction is being subverted and denied before our eyes. I believe that the sanctity of human life, the integrity of marriage, and religious liberty are very much in danger at this very moment....There will be Christian leaders, pastors, seminaries, colleges, universities, denominations, churches, and organizations that will abandon the faith on these issues. They will bend the knee to Caesar. Far too many already have. The signatories to The Manhattan Declaration pledge that we will not be among them.


Read his full comments here
Read The Manhattan Declaration here

I just downloaded this album from Kristi Northup that is being offered for free and love it.  Give it a listen and give a little in return for it to the mission organization of your choice.
Here is the link.

I love my books, and that includes my digital books.  If you are looking for a way to enhace your bible study I would highly recomend this digital library system calle LOGOS. They have just released version 4 and it looks to be a huge improvement over an already great system.

Al Mohler writes a great piece on the marks of manhood. Here are the main points.  Read the full article for the descriptions.

1. Spiritual maturity sufficient to lead a wife and children.

2. Personal maturity sufficient to be a responsible husband and father.

3. Economic maturity sufficient to hold an adult job and handle money.

4. Physical maturity sufficient to work and protect a family.

5. Sexual maturity sufficient to marry and fulfill God’s purposes.

6. Moral maturity sufficient to lead as example of righteousness.

7. Ethical maturity sufficient to make responsible decisions.

8. Worldview maturity sufficient to understand what is really important.

9. Relational maturity sufficient to understand and respect others.

10. Social maturity sufficient to make a contribution to society.

11. Verbal maturity sufficient to communicate and articulate as a man.

12. Character maturity sufficient to demonstrate courage under fire.

13. Biblical maturity sufficient to lead at some level in the church.

(HT Vit Z)

I am always amazed when I find myself in discussion with a believers and the topic of the resurrection comes up and the various views that I hear. This is interesting since in our confessions we state clearly the Bibles declarations concerning these matters.  Anyway, needless to say I found this blog posting at Desiring God to be another clear reminder of what we can and need to eagerly expect in the coming resurrection. 
(Read their full post for citations)

1. The Resurrection Will Be Physical.

2. The Same Body that Dies, Gets Raised

3. Our Bodies Will be Transformed

4. We Will Be With Christ Forever

Is the Church Full of Hypocrites? "The church is the only institution I know of that requires an admission of being a sinner in order to be a member."

R.C. Sproul writes a good article (Here) in relation to this charge against the church
(HT Between Two Worlds)

Chuck Swindoll, accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award at Catalyst 09, offered the following lessons he has learned:

1. It’s lonely to lead. Leadership involves tough decisions. The tougher the decision, the lonelier it is.
2. It’s dangerous to succeed. I’m most concerned for those who aren’t even 30 and are very gifted and successful. Sometimes God uses someone right out of youth, but usually he uses leaders who have been crushed.
3. It’s hardest at home. No one ever told me this in Seminary.
4. It’s essential to be real. If there’s one realm where phoniness is common, it’s among leaders. Stay real.
5. It’s painful to obey. The Lord will direct you to do some things that won’t be your choice. Invariably you will give up what you want to do for the cross.
6. Brokenness and failure are necessary.
7. Attitude is more important than actions. Your family may not have told you: some of you are hard to be around. A bad attitude overshadows good actions.
8. Integrity eclipses image. Today we highlight image. But it’s what you’re doing behind the scenes.
9. God’s way is better than my way.
10. Christlikeness begins and ends with humility.

(Vit Z)

Here is what I have been waiting for from Desiring God.  This eschatology discussion took place the Sunday evening of the Conference "Calving in the Theater of God."  Represented here are three men who love the Lord Jesus but all hold to three different views of the Millennium.  The three views include Pre-Mil, Post-Mil, and A-Mil.  As I said I am going to show the first half one of this during an evening service because it is the first half of this video that really lays out clearly what these three views represent.  The second half is more debate about the views.  I would encourage you to watch this and give me your feedback.  My seminary training definitely took us the path of Sam Storms and an A-Mil approach to the book of Revelation, but I have since been convinced more to the Post-Mil understanding which Doug Wilson represents here.  These of course are secondary issues behind the gospel message.  However what you believe about this stuff will ultimately have an effect on how you live awaiting the fullness of the kingdom of God and Christ's coming physical rule and reign.

(For reference the pre-mil view is what is pro-ported by the "Left Behind" book series of which I believe to be a very umbilical view or more accurately an non biblical one.  However the pre mil view is also the most popular current evangelical understanding of Christ's coming.)

So check it out here and let me know what you think, or just wait until we view it together on an upcoming evening.

A very good and encouraging video about kingdom transformation that takes us from the backyard to the front porch.



(HT Vit Z)

I'm looking forward to getting my copy of the DVD Collision.  This is a debate between Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson.  Hitchens is a well known atheist intelctual and Doug Wilson is a Reformed pastor whom I have come to really appreciate.  Here are a couple of clips of the DVD, and when I get it come on over and we will watch it togehter. 

I just listened to another great sermon by Tim Keller, author of "The Prodigal God" which we will be studying in a few weeks.  Here is a quote that struck me like a ton of bricks this morning.

"You cant stay upset with someone unless you feel superior to them." Forgiveness is absorbing the debt (pain) against you instead of returning and inflicting it. That is the power of the gospel. Forgiveness towards others in Christ is saying I'm no better than you. -Tim Keller

Here is all the video from this past weekend Desiring God National Conference, except what I would say was the highlight, the Sunday evening discussion, I will get into that in a second.  This year being John Calvin's 500th birhtday the conference focused on Calvin and the effect he and his teaching have had on the rest of the world since.  It was a very good conference, but for me the best part came on Sunday evening at Bethlehem Baptist Church where some of the speakers stuck around to discuss eschatology.  The whole conference lead to this Sunday evening event as it almost seemed liked a missing element in their conference talks, particularly in regards to Christ's return and what that looks like here on earth until then.  Represented for Sunday evenings discussion were three prominent views of the end times (Pre-Millennial, Post-Millennial, and A-Mil).  When that video is made available I will post it as well, but until then enjoy the video (or audio) postings of this worth while conference this past weekend.

Here is a link to all the video and audio (Calving in the Theater of God)

A very disturbing and powerful three minutes from Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill church about the wine offered to Jesus on the cross:




(HT Vit Z)

Three Views of the same barn. Fall, Winter, and Summer:

 

 

This past week "John Piper, Collin Hansen, and Carolyn James discussed "the New Calvinists" on September 11 at the Religious Newswriters Association's annual convention. The panel was hosted by Julia Duin of the Washington Times."

This centers around the upcoming conference this weekend in Minneapolis on John Calvin and the resurgence of Calvinism.  I will be there and am looking forward to it.  the messages, both video and audio, I assume will be posted at the Desiring God web site.  Go check it out, it will be worth you time.  One of my favorite speakers/author/pastor, Doug Wilson, will also be there.  I look forward to hearing him especially on Sunday evening when they discuss various views of Revelation and the Millennium. 

Here is the link to watch all the footage.  It is well worth it.  One thing that hit me is John Piper's fearlessness to speak the Word of God unhindered and unashamed to a crowd of which I would assume were mostly un-believers.  I love that....

I heard one pastor say at his instillation service yesterday that he learned a long time ago that the ministry is not for wimps.  Tullian Tchividjian, whom I have come to appreciate this last year, knows this far too well.  Just this last week Tchividjian wrote an article for the Florida Sun-Sentinel about some controversy that is swirling around his new call to Coral Ridge Presbyterian church as he has replaced the late D James Kennedy. It appears the controversy swirls around his decision on Robes and Politics from the pulpit among a few others things, but we know that at a deeper level it is a spiritual matter for those in his church.  I appreciate Tchividjian's response here to this storm he is in and the biblical conclusions he is looking for.

Here is an excerpt:

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel newspaper today printed an op-ed by Tullian Tchividjian regarding the conflict at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church--which some of the members unfortunately took to the media--and the congregational vote this Sunday regarding him as senior pastor. An excerpt:

You may have read, in this paper or elsewhere, six members of our church recently circulated unsolicited letters and a petition voicing their opposition to my leadership and requesting a congregational meeting to vote on whether to keep me as their pastor. Citing things like my desire not to wear a robe when I preach, not honoring the legacy and preferences of Dr. Kennedy to the degree that I should, making personnel changes (bringing in my staff from New City), and not preaching political sermons, these six members have been working to remove me as pastor.

The saddest thing about all of this is that, because of the visibility of both Coral Ridge and my family, this conflict has taken on a national interest. The reason this grieves me so deeply is because the Bible says God wants the church to be a visual model of the gospel. He wants us, in other words, to live our lives together in such a way that we demonstrate the good news of reconciliation before the watching world.

The late Francis Schaeffer once noted that bitter divisions among Christians give the world the justification they're looking for to disbelieve the gospel. But when reconciliation, peacemaking, and unity are on display inside the church, that becomes a powerful witness to this fractured world. "Just as I have loved you," Jesus commanded, "you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35).

To get this matter behind us once and for all, the elders and I have called this congregational meeting and a vote will take place on Sunday. You will no doubt read about the result, but whatever it is, I want to say three things to the South Florida community that I love so much and have called home for 37 years. . . .

Read the full thing here


(HT JT)

I am a slow reader. I'm not sure if that is because I highlight with a pencil and have to re-read each section as I highlight it.  I sometimes even end up with highlights covering whole pages. Regardless my wife can fly through a book in a couple of days, and it takes me a month.  I like to think that I savor the flavor of the books, but I might just be a slow reader.

With that said here is what I have read this month, and am currently working on:






Leading with Limp: Dan B. Allender

This book was great.  I have read other books by Dr. Allender and they have never failed to show me something new about leadership and the importance of who we rest upon for our strength to lead.   This was one book that I highlighted full pages in.  Hey they are my books I can do that.







I'm currently about half way through this book.  At first it made me made, like a grumpy elder was complaining about the pastor for 100pgs.  But then I read the reviews of it from people I respect and began to read it in a different light.  So its getting better, or maybe I'm getting better.







Can't go wrong with Tim Keller.  Buy this one and his other book "The Prodigal God."  Totally different books, each very timely and important reads.  We are reading this one in our pastors Group so we are only through chapter one at this point.





Just got this one from Amazon, informative for technique for my hobby of photography.  Looking forward to digging in.





Wow, that is all I can say about this book. But let me try to say some more.  Wow. This book is not about tecnique it is about the character of the photographer.  This guy is a Christain and I feel like I am reading somehthing off my theology shelf but mixed with my other love for photography.  Here is one excerpt:

"Anyone can take a picture of poverty; its easy to focus on the dirt and hurt of the poor:  It's much harder - and more needful - to pry under the dirt and reveal the beauty and dignity of people that, but for their birth into a place and circumstance different from our own, are just like ourselves.  I want my images to tell the story of those people and to move us beyond pity to justice and mercy."

Thats what this book is like all the way through, with some great photo's of his vision applied doing just what the quote above stated.  Wow.






Just started this one.  So far so good.




In the typical fashion of Jerry Bridges this book has been refreshing as it makes me hear the gospel again and again.  I need to hear it too, and I love the freedom and call to action it brings.


So that is where I am at this month. 

I'm not going to tell my friends in Wisconsin, but I think Favre makes the Vikes a great team, and I loved watching the Packers last night as well?  Can't I have both? 

I guess Joel Osteen has put out fourteen free pages to read from his forth coming book "It's Your Time."  I know some of you enjoy his stuff, and let me say I hope you get something from it, but when you read it as if he is speaking the Words of God or preaching the Bible as a pastor then we have some real problems. 

Below I am re listing a post form the White Horse Inn, a radio broadcast I hope some of you tune into on Sunday evenings around here.  Here is what they had to say about this new book from Joel Osteen.


From White Horse Inn: (Read the full blog post here)

Some Initial Thoughts on Osteen’s Latest

So, Joel Osteen sent us an email yesterday to let us know about his new book, It’s Your Time. Joel wanted us to know that we could achieve our dreams with his new book. That was the subject line, seriously.

Here’s more encouragement from Joel O.:

Get your hopes up. Raise your expectations. Expect the unexpected. In challenging times, it may be hard to see better days ahead.

You may feel as though your struggles will never end, that things won’t ever turn around.

This is exactly the moment when you should seek and expect God’s blessings.

It’s your time to declare your faith, to look for God’s favor and to give control of your life to Him so that you can find fulfillment in His plans for you!

One of our stalwart staffers actually read through the little teaser that’s posted online and wondered how some of the following pick-me-ups would sound to believers in Africa, right before they are martyred for their faith.

God wants to breathe new life into your dreams. He wants to breathe new hope into your heart. You may be about to give up on a marriage, on a troubled child, on a lifelong goal. But God wants you to hold on. He says if you’ll get your second wind, if you’ll put on a new attitude and press forward like you’ll headed down the final stretch, you’ll see Him begin to do amazing things.

Tune out the negative messages. Quit telling yourself: I’m never landing back on my feet financially. I’m never breaking this addiction. I’m never landing a better job.

Instead, your declarations should be: I am closer than I think. I can raise this child. I can overcome this sickness. I can make this business work. I know I can find a new job.

Take your dreams and the promises God has put in your heart, and every day declare that they will come to pass. Just say something like, “Father, I want to thank you that my payday is coming. You said no good thing will You withhold because I walk uprightly. And I believe even right now you’re arranging things in my favor.”

When you’re tempted to get down and things are not going your way, you need to keep telling yourself “This may be hard. It may be taking a long time. But I know God is a faithful God. And I will believe knowing that my payday is on its way.”

Whenever life grows difficult, and the pressure is turned up, that’s a sign that your time is near. When lies bombard your mind. When you are most tempted to get discouraged. And when you feel like throwing in the towel. That’s not the time to give up. That’s not the time to back down. That’s the time to dig in your heels. Put on a new attitude. You are closer than you think.

God promises your payday is on its way. If you’ll learn to be a prisoner of hope and get up every day expecting God’s favor, you’ll see God do amazing things. You’ll overcome every obstacle. You’ll defeat every enemy. And I believe and declare you’ll see every dream, every promise God has put in your heart. It will come to pass....

Just for the record, out of the fourteen free pages of teaser text about “faith, favor, and fulfillment,” there isn’t one, not one mention of Jesus.

If you have any questions regarding Joel Osteen and his books and why he does not fit under the title of Christian pastor and why his message, while possibly helpful in its own regards, is destructive if seen as being biblical please call or e-mail me and we can talk more about this.

"The world’s idea that everyone, from childhood up, should be able at all times to succeed in measurable ways, and that it is a great disgrace not to, hangs over the Christian community like a pall of acrid smoke.”

--J.I. Packer, A Passion for Faithfulness: Wisdom From the Book of Nehemiah, p. 206.

-Your Pastor

(HT Vit Z; Between Two Worlds)

If you are looking for some free and good music check out "Come and Live."  Here is the description I read this morning over at the Desiring God Blog:

God has used Don't Waste Your Life to change the course of many lives since 2003. In the Spring of 2006, I had a chance to interview Chad Johnson about how it was impacting him. Little did he know that God would call him to leave his successful position at Tooth & Nail Records and start a non-profit music label called Come & Live! this year.

Come & Live! is an expression of the major themes of Don't Waste Your Life (radical generosity, risk taking love, making others glad in God, missions, living simply for the sake of giving, etc). The basic idea is that the label is like a missions agency, the musicians are like missionaries, and you do not have to pay for the music. I am encouraged by how God calls men and women in different industries and cultures to find ways to make others glad in God within their context.

You can download for free without registration their first music sampler I Am Living Vol. 01. If you enjoy indie rock, hardcore, and alternative music styles you will find some tracks you will appreciate (there is a great variety). Also included is a sermon excerpt from John Piper.

Thanks "Desiring God" for pointing us to this, and thanks Come and Live for this new venture.

Here is the link to the sideshow of the Hubble Telescopes new images.  I just love this stuff, that God would create such a vast universe and then tiny us on this tiny planet He would come in the person of Christ to redeem us back to a right relationship to Himself through Christs death and resurrection.  Then He would allow us to see these pictures to tell us more about Himself.   Thanks God for using NASA to strengthen my faith.