Hear this--It's the Gospel. A different music. A different sub-culture. But it's the same Gospel. We need such little "contextualization" in our evangelism and missions! We should be amazed at how clear the words of Scripture are for every culture or sub-culture or clique to "get it".
11.17.2008
Thinking Biblically About Facebook
(Thanks to Justin Taylor for this link)
Justin Buzzard offers some wise counsel, including 9 potentially negative uses/dangers of Facebook and 6 ways to love God and love others through Facebook. Happy foddering.
Justin Buzzard offers some wise counsel, including 9 potentially negative uses/dangers of Facebook and 6 ways to love God and love others through Facebook. Happy foddering.
11.13.2008
Testimony of Justin Vold
I listened to this recently and highly recommend it. God is beginning to do some amazing things (revival!) that Christians haven't seen for years. It'll be a blessing and a challenge to you:
Justin Vold testimony
Justin Vold testimony
11.11.2008
A Riddle for the Me Generation
A riddle for all you who love Twitter type and Facebook hype:
What relation to the Me Generation
Shares Narcissus that should warn us
Of vain-glory and sin's story?
ON AN UGLY FELLOW, by William Cowper
"Beware, my friend, of crystal brook
Or fountain, lest that hideous hook,
Thy nose, thou chance to see;
Narcissus' fate would then be thine,
And self-detested thou would'st pine,
As self-enamoured he."
What relation to the Me Generation
Shares Narcissus that should warn us
Of vain-glory and sin's story?
ON AN UGLY FELLOW, by William Cowper
"Beware, my friend, of crystal brook
Or fountain, lest that hideous hook,
Thy nose, thou chance to see;
Narcissus' fate would then be thine,
And self-detested thou would'st pine,
As self-enamoured he."
An Exciting Day at Church
I'm not sure I remember ever having a day at church like this as a kid. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7718596.stm
Israeli police have arrested two clergyman after an argument between monks erupted into a brawl next to the site of Jesus' tomb.
The clash broke out between Armenian and Greek Orthodox monks in Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Six Christian sects divide control of the ancient church. They regularly fight over turf and influence, and Israeli police occasionally intervene.
10.30.2008
Oct 30 : : Leaving at 7:00
The bus leaves at 7:00 tonight. Actually 2 cars will leave b/c the "bus" is experiencing technical difficulties.
Be at our house at 6:45.
Be at our house at 6:45.
10.27.2008
?s to Ask Yourself About Your Job
Some Questions to Ask When Considering a Job
By John Piper January 14, 1997
1. Can you earnestly do all the parts of this job “to the glory of God,” that is, in a way that highlights his superior value over all other things? “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
2. Is taking this job part of a strategy to grow in personal holiness? “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
3. Will this job help or hinder your progress in esteeming the value of knowing Christ Jesus your Lord? “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:7).
4. Will this job result in inappropriate pressures on you to think or feel or act against your King, Jesus? “You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men” (1 Corinthians 7:23).
5. Will this job help establish an overall life-pattern that will yield a significant involvement in fulfilling God’s great purpose of exalting Christ among all the unreached peoples of the world? “Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
6. Will this job be worthy of your best energies? “Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
7. Will the activities and environment of this job tend to shape you or will you be able to shape it for the Christ-magnifying purposes of God? “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).
8. Will this job provide an occasion for you to be radically Christian so as to let your light shine for your Father’s sake, or will your participation in the vision of the firm tend by definition to snuff your wick? “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
9. Does the aim of this job cohere with a growing intensity in your life to be radically, publicly, fruitfully devoted to Christ at any cost? “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34).
10. Will the job feel like a good investment of your life when these “two seconds” of preparation for eternity are over? “You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:14).
11. Does this job fit with why you believe you were created and purchased by Christ? “Everyone who is called by my name…I have created for my glory” (Isaiah 43:6-7). “You have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20).
12. Does this fit together with the ultimate truth that all things exist for Christ? “For by him all…have been created by [Christ] and for him” (Colossians 1:16).
For the supremacy of God in all things,
Pastor John
By John Piper January 14, 1997
1. Can you earnestly do all the parts of this job “to the glory of God,” that is, in a way that highlights his superior value over all other things? “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
2. Is taking this job part of a strategy to grow in personal holiness? “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3).
3. Will this job help or hinder your progress in esteeming the value of knowing Christ Jesus your Lord? “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:7).
4. Will this job result in inappropriate pressures on you to think or feel or act against your King, Jesus? “You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men” (1 Corinthians 7:23).
5. Will this job help establish an overall life-pattern that will yield a significant involvement in fulfilling God’s great purpose of exalting Christ among all the unreached peoples of the world? “Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
6. Will this job be worthy of your best energies? “Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).
7. Will the activities and environment of this job tend to shape you or will you be able to shape it for the Christ-magnifying purposes of God? “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).
8. Will this job provide an occasion for you to be radically Christian so as to let your light shine for your Father’s sake, or will your participation in the vision of the firm tend by definition to snuff your wick? “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
9. Does the aim of this job cohere with a growing intensity in your life to be radically, publicly, fruitfully devoted to Christ at any cost? “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34).
10. Will the job feel like a good investment of your life when these “two seconds” of preparation for eternity are over? “You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:14).
11. Does this job fit with why you believe you were created and purchased by Christ? “Everyone who is called by my name…I have created for my glory” (Isaiah 43:6-7). “You have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20).
12. Does this fit together with the ultimate truth that all things exist for Christ? “For by him all…have been created by [Christ] and for him” (Colossians 1:16).
For the supremacy of God in all things,
Pastor John
10.20.2008
Feeding on the Word
The most basic element of your life is to feed on the Word, by your eyes and mind taking in the words on the page and thereby implanting in your soul so that it can do its transforming work.
This week we're studying Romans 4. Go to this page and open the "Truths for Life" Bible study. Use the boxes on pages 16-18 (I think) to do do your study of Romans 4. Next week, the same for Romans 5. The next week . . .
This week we're studying Romans 4. Go to this page and open the "Truths for Life" Bible study. Use the boxes on pages 16-18 (I think) to do do your study of Romans 4. Next week, the same for Romans 5. The next week . . .
10.13.2008
10.06.2008
Free ESV Study Bible
Boundless.org is giving away the new ESV Study Bible each day this week! The losers can buy them when they're officially released on Oct 15.
click here
9.30.2008
9.29.2008
9.25.2008
9.19.2008
Romans 2:1-11
Here's the points from our Bible study last night:
Romans 2:1-11
The wrath of God will be revealed.
The Judged
The Judgment
The Gospel
Romans 2:1-11
The wrath of God will be revealed.
The Judged
The Judgment
The Gospel
9.16.2008
Romans Memory Verses
Well, we haven't got these posted as a file on the website, so this will have to suffice for the moment. Here are the memory verses so everyone can get started (the list may look long, but it's only a couple verses a week when you think about how long we're going to study the book!):
Rom 1:16-17
Rom 1:18
Rom 2:13
Rom 3:21-26
Rom 4:3-5
Rom 4:16
Rom 4:24-25
Rom 5:1
Rom 5:8-10
Rom 6:16-18
Rom 7:4
Rom 8:1-4
Rom 8:13-17
Rom 8:23
Rom 8:38-39
Rom 9:16-18
Rom 10:9-10
Rom 10:13-14
Rom 11:32-36
Rom 12:1-2
Rom 13:11-14
Rom 14:11-12
Rom 14:15
Rom 14:22-23
Rom 15:14
Rom 1:16-17
Rom 1:18
Rom 2:13
Rom 3:21-26
Rom 4:3-5
Rom 4:16
Rom 4:24-25
Rom 5:1
Rom 5:8-10
Rom 6:16-18
Rom 7:4
Rom 8:1-4
Rom 8:13-17
Rom 8:23
Rom 8:38-39
Rom 9:16-18
Rom 10:9-10
Rom 10:13-14
Rom 11:32-36
Rom 12:1-2
Rom 13:11-14
Rom 14:11-12
Rom 14:15
Rom 14:22-23
Rom 15:14
9.15.2008
The Outline of Romans
Here's the big outline, with only the biggest road markers. As you're reading through it this semester, keep adding more and more details under these headings as you put the pieces together. Bring your outline to NavNite and we'll compare outlines of each section together.
1. 1:1-15 The Letter Opening
1:16-17 THESIS = The Righteousness of God Is Revealed in the Gospel
2. 1:18-4:25 The Heart of the Gospel = Justification by Faith
3. 5:1-8:39 The Assurance of the Gospel = The Hope of Salvation
4. 9:1-11:36 Justification and Election: Jews and Gentiles
5. 12:1-15:33 Life After Justification
6. 15:14-16:27 The Letter Closing
1. 1:1-15 The Letter Opening
1:16-17 THESIS = The Righteousness of God Is Revealed in the Gospel
2. 1:18-4:25 The Heart of the Gospel = Justification by Faith
3. 5:1-8:39 The Assurance of the Gospel = The Hope of Salvation
4. 9:1-11:36 Justification and Election: Jews and Gentiles
5. 12:1-15:33 Life After Justification
6. 15:14-16:27 The Letter Closing
9.12.2008
No UFOS
No Ultimate Frisbee On Saturday (Sept. 13). Come out to help at the CrossPointe work day at the church.
9.10.2008
Knock-Down Argument Against Dancing in Church
This is too funny. An awkward blend of discordant genres (kind of like a salsa-chocolate milkshake).
Thanks to Justin Taylor for the video link.
Remember, NavNite is tomorrow (Th.) in Blum 223 (or close to it).
Thanks to Justin Taylor for the video link.
Remember, NavNite is tomorrow (Th.) in Blum 223 (or close to it).
9.08.2008
College 101
John Mark Reynolds has a helpful column here offering 10 tips for college students getting ready for Fall.
What follows is the barebones outline, but if the topic is of interest, you'll want to read the whole thing.
1. Ignore advice to “remake” yourself the first day you get to college.
2. Do something each week that puts you in contact with people older and younger than your peer group.
3. If you have a decent relationship with your parents keep it up.
4. If you are going to college, then go. You are in college to learn. In America, education often includes getting a job skill, but should also be about becoming a good, civilized citizen.
5. Find a faculty mentor during your first year.
6. Take classes that are hard from full-time professors that love to teach.
7. Secretaries and support staff are overworked, underpaid, and very powerful. You should be good to them out of virtue, but you must do it to thrive. The friendship you make with the department secretary now will pay dividends over the years. (One way I judge the character of a student is by how they treat the support staff.)
8. Books are not yet antiques. Go to the library. Talk to librarians. They are faculty members that are often under-utilized.
9. Don’t be too quick to pick a major, but try to do so by the end of the first year.
10. Live like an adult in college which includes moderating your passions.
What follows is the barebones outline, but if the topic is of interest, you'll want to read the whole thing.
1. Ignore advice to “remake” yourself the first day you get to college.
2. Do something each week that puts you in contact with people older and younger than your peer group.
3. If you have a decent relationship with your parents keep it up.
4. If you are going to college, then go. You are in college to learn. In America, education often includes getting a job skill, but should also be about becoming a good, civilized citizen.
5. Find a faculty mentor during your first year.
6. Take classes that are hard from full-time professors that love to teach.
7. Secretaries and support staff are overworked, underpaid, and very powerful. You should be good to them out of virtue, but you must do it to thrive. The friendship you make with the department secretary now will pay dividends over the years. (One way I judge the character of a student is by how they treat the support staff.)
8. Books are not yet antiques. Go to the library. Talk to librarians. They are faculty members that are often under-utilized.
9. Don’t be too quick to pick a major, but try to do so by the end of the first year.
10. Live like an adult in college which includes moderating your passions.
9.05.2008
Do Your Own Bible Study! (part 1)
Processed material? Maybe for fast food, but not Bible study! Chew on the real stuff for yourself!
Read through Romans this week and do the first phase of an "inductive Bible study".
1. Print a “blank” copy (Bible text, no headings-use biblegateway.com for example) with big margins
2. Read it over and over
3. Make your own outline of the book
4. Compare to other outlines (in your Bible or commentaries, etc.)
5. Learn the sections by heart
Read through Romans this week and do the first phase of an "inductive Bible study".
1. Print a “blank” copy (Bible text, no headings-use biblegateway.com for example) with big margins
2. Read it over and over
3. Make your own outline of the book
4. Compare to other outlines (in your Bible or commentaries, etc.)
5. Learn the sections by heart
9.02.2008
Feeling comfy?
College getting off to a good start? Classes clicking along? Not as scary as you thought some might be? Or are some really scary when you weren't expecting?
Regardless, you're a Christian. No matter what's happening in your life, there are some things that must always be on the forefront of your mind, before anything else. And those things are all about the Kingdom of God's Son, Jesus Christ. One of the greatest means God has used to keep the reality of His Kingdom fresh in my mind is the magazine Voice of the Martyrs.
It's free. You need it. GET IT HERE.
It's about your brothers and sisters in chains.
If you can read it and not be awakened from apathy or spiritual slumber, you might not be a believer in the first place!
Regardless, you're a Christian. No matter what's happening in your life, there are some things that must always be on the forefront of your mind, before anything else. And those things are all about the Kingdom of God's Son, Jesus Christ. One of the greatest means God has used to keep the reality of His Kingdom fresh in my mind is the magazine Voice of the Martyrs.
It's free. You need it. GET IT HERE.It's about your brothers and sisters in chains.
If you can read it and not be awakened from apathy or spiritual slumber, you might not be a believer in the first place!
8.27.2008
Pizza Party at the Commons : : Thurs. @ 6:00
THIS THURSDAY is the Kick-Off party at the Commons. Pizza / v-ball / b-ball / hang out at the dorms! Bring your friends. There are no door prizes, but there are some cool freebies.
8.25.2008
How to Kill Sin
I recently listened to a very helpful sermon on Romans 8:13, "A Summary of How to Kill Sin". There are several others of this topic (hence this one is the summary). You can watch the video or download the MP3 HERE.
8.12.2008
The New ESV Study Bible
Looking for a new Bible?
The new ESV Study Bible is getting the best reviews you can imagine from (it seems) every "big-wig" under the sun.
Here's a brief glimpse of why:
I've read the Intro to the Pss and looked at the whole of the book of Jonah; there was a wealth of indispensable overview, introductory, and background information distilled into these pages by God-fearing scholars.
Read details, contributors, and reviews HERE.
The new ESV Study Bible is getting the best reviews you can imagine from (it seems) every "big-wig" under the sun.
Here's a brief glimpse of why:
I've read the Intro to the Pss and looked at the whole of the book of Jonah; there was a wealth of indispensable overview, introductory, and background information distilled into these pages by God-fearing scholars.
Read details, contributors, and reviews HERE.
8.08.2008
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