Archives for December 2013

At the center of this and every Christian season is the baby Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  This mysterious bundle of joy is none other than the eternal Son of God who took on flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).  That’s the very thing we celebrate here at Christmas—the enfleshing of the Son of God, the incarnation.  He was sent on a mission from the Father to save sinners, and one of the absolutely necessary things Jesus had to do to complete His mission was take on a flesh and blood body just like we have.  But, why was that so crucial?  Why did Jesus take on … [Read more...] about Why Did Jesus Take on Flesh?

A seminary class taught by Dr. Howard Hendricks was a treasure trove of one-liners. If you are around another disciple of the Prof, you can start one of these cherished cherries and they will finish it for you. Not only were they memorable, but also biblical and powerful. He told a story about a friend of his who was complaining about preachers and their tendency to try to amaze the congregation with their Greek proficiency and exegetical mastery. He told Dr. Hendricks, “You preachers are long on exhortation; short on explanation.” We tell people what they are supposed to do, but we often fail … [Read more...] about Anger: A Growth-killing, Soul-Chilling Sin (Pt. 3) “Biblical Strategies for Dealing with Anger”

As Christians, we have an obligation to examine all aspects of our lives in order to ensure that we honor God daily.  However, not every issue of life falls into neat, easily-evaluated categories. One such problem is that of cochlear implants. In essence, a cochlear implant is a surgically-implanted device that doctors thread directly into the cochleas of deaf children/infants in hopes of restoring some auditory abilities.  An external component collects the sound and communicates it to the internal portion.  However, even the most ardent advocates for cochlear implants admit that it is … [Read more...] about Cochlear Implants: A Christian Issue?

While teaching my Contemporary Worldviews class, we wrapped up the semester with Postmodernism. While Postmodernism may not necessarily be considered a worldview, as it is the absence of any absolutes, it is a common approach to life in 21st century America. With each successive worldview I sought to help the students think about engaging others with the Gospel. I think each class we teach should have a missiological bent. In concluding the course with postmodernity, we dove into the discussion on taking the Gospel to the postmodern generation. The one idea we all agreed upon was TIME. It … [Read more...] about Postmodern Evangelism

Mixed-up sexuality is a pretty big thing in the Deaf community here in Ecuador.  We have men dressing as girls, entering beauty pageants with glittering dresses and fabulous hair.  Lesbians abound as well, forming their own soccer teams and voting blocks in the Deaf clubs and associations.  We’ve even got a small pocket of folks who have gone so far as to have surgery and injections and counseling in order to acquire a new gender that they prefer more than the one they had at birth. About six months ago, I became aware of a man who had become a woman through the surgical/hormonal route.  He … [Read more...] about Practical Theology: Sex Changes and the Post-Salvation Life

A buddy of mine, Oswald, married a terrible woman many years ago.  Oswald was young and dumb and probably lacked chest hair, so he wasn’t the greatest find, either.  Over the last 20 years, Oswald has tired of her antics, her verbal abuse of the children, her affairs.  He walked out about 18 months ago and other than periodic visits to the child, he’s been out of her life. In the last 8 months, Oswald has found a God-sized hole in his heart and has successfully filled that void.  He drops by the house once or twice a week for coffee and sugar-free pastries (he’s diabetic).  Recently, he … [Read more...] about Practical Theology: Marital Hostages

Well, they've done it again. One more time, a body of Baptists has gone and done something I disagree with. In fact, they've done something that qualifies as downright foolish. One could easily question the ethics of their actions, the righteousness of their thought processes, and perhaps doubt the salvation of the people involved. Who has done what now? Oh, any number of things: Brewton-Parker College hired somebody. Louisiana College fired somebody. Southern Seminary didn't fire anybody, Southwestern Seminary did. The KBC voted for this and the Florida Convention did not vote on it … [Read more...] about Conflict and Me

"The Promised One of Old Is Finally Here" by Ben Simpson   Welcome one and welcome all! Gather round, sit down, and hear Of the baby born in a manger stall, Who conquered death, sin, and fear. It's a story ancient old, But some still fail to know it. So I bring it bold This morning afresh as a preacher poet. The beginning of that babe was not the beginning. The story actually began long, long before When our first father Adam in the Garden introduced sinning And God in mercy pushed them out and closed the door. But in grace before that, He promised a child, meek in mind Yet determined … [Read more...] about A Christmas Poem: “The Promised One of Old Is Finally Here”

Leadership is big new, big business and a pretty popular topic these days.  I have not been on the leadership bandwagon for one reason, we have a leader and our job is to follow Him.  I have written about being a lead follower in several places, so I won't rehash that soap box.  Today, I want to cover a few things that will keep you from being an effective leader, or lead follower or whatever you call yourself. Now great men who I highly respect often write about leadership and I don't want to take away from that.  I read Dr. Rainer's blog on leadership often, and my goal is not to make light … [Read more...] about Habits of a Less than Effective Leader

In late September of 1993 I attended an associational pastors’ conference out in the sticks somewhere in Eastern Iowa, where we watched the “Fresh Encounter” Series by Henry Blackaby. It was a night of personal revival for me. The Spirit of God held a mirror up to my heart and soul and showed me who I really was. It was not a pretty sight, but it was life-changing, as God called me to a life of holiness and spiritual passion. I went home with great expectations as to what God might do at Northbrook Baptist, assuming that if he brought me a personal revival he was going to do something … [Read more...] about Anger: A Growth-Killing, Soul-Chilling Sin, Part 2 “Anger’s Deadly Effects”