There is a spot on my stomach—somewhat stretched from too much McDonalds—that is a reminder of my days as an avid baseball player. I am not certain that it would classify as a scar. It’s nothing gnarly. It is not a portrait of a painful injury or anything of the sort. It is simply a discoloration of the skin that certainly belongs in the scar family but probably as a sissy third cousin. That “thing” on my stomach comes from not one play but a lifetime of aggressive baseball. It probably originally came from diving for ground balls playing shortstop or second base. It grew more … [Read more...] about Review of The Sacred Wilderness of Pastoral Ministry
An Undivided Heart
As I grow older, I understand more clearly what nostalgia is all about. I remember days when life was simpler, when I had “free time” and hobbies; when I read books for fun; when I shot hoops in the driveway and took naps on Sunday afternoons. Life today is complex. There are bills to pay, yards to landscape, tasks to accomplish, posts to post, pressures to endure. I hope that doesn’t sound like whining. I consider myself normal in this, not unique. We live in an all-out, pedal to the metal, fast-charging world. I don’t know what it was like to be king of Israel, but I imagine it had … [Read more...] about An Undivided Heart
Frank Page is “God’s Man” for THIS Moment (and…the Calvinism Committee is here!)
WARNING: Having just declared my intent to steer away from discussions of Calvinism, I'm going back to the subject less that 48 hours later, now that Frank Page has named his Calvinism Committee (or whatever they are calling it). There is a certain irony intended in the title of this post. I have written forcefully about my disdain for the "God's Man" rhetoric that has been employed by search committee chairs. You can read one of my rants here. I may have mellowed a little, but I still agree with what I said two years ago. I think it is a dangerous tactic to label someone "God's Man" to … [Read more...] about Frank Page is “God’s Man” for THIS Moment (and…the Calvinism Committee is here!)
The Bible in 300 Words: The Foundational Story of the Gospel Project
Trevin Wax posted a 311-word summary of the entire story of the Bible, the story that was at the heart of the development of the "Gospel Project" Sunday School curriculum, which is evidently blowing up! LifeWay has consistently printed the plan of salvation in materials, but in preparation for the release of the Gospel Project decided to rewrite it in story form, appropriate to the purpose of the curriculum. Here is the Bible, summarized in 311 words. Obviously, a summary like this can't be exhaustive, but my view is that is a pretty good attempt. God's Word to You: A Summary of the … [Read more...] about The Bible in 300 Words: The Foundational Story of the Gospel Project
Why Won’t the IMB Send Me Over There? Part Two
If you want to read Part One, click here. “I’ve given money,” said Applicant Joe, “scads of it. I’ve taken mission trips. I host IMB workers in my home and in my church. Why won’t the IMB honor my call? If they aren’t going to honor my call, then why is so much emphasis placed on calling?” I hear your cry. It is a fundamental philosophy that the IMB honors the calling of their missionaries. However, that is only a part of the overall picture. I want to paint that picture, as much of it as I can here, and conclude with the implications for calling. The SBC The SBC, of … [Read more...] about Why Won’t the IMB Send Me Over There? Part Two
Water on the Altar: Letting God Be God
Elijah was on Mt. Carmel facing the prophets of Baal and Asherah. He waited all day while they called to their gods to bring fire on the altar, but “no one heard, no one answered.” He taunted them, they cut themselves, they made a ruckus that would have gotten the attention of any god, if that god existed. Still, no answer came. Then, as evening drew near, it was Elijah’s turn. He prepared the altar and the bull. He stood before the people and prayed a very simple prayer. He asked God to bring fire on the sacrifice to show the people of Israel that Yahweh is God – the only living … [Read more...] about Water on the Altar: Letting God Be God
Why Won’t the IMB Send Me Over There? Part One
A few weeks ago I posted something about missionaries who face rejection from their families. At the tail end of the comment cycle, someone posted the following: I hope you’ll include a blog in this series about when plans change (like when the SBC, the denomination you’ve been a part of your whole life, can’t send you to the mission field like you’ve been praying about for 15 years because they’re just not sending people where you feel called… THAT can be a challenge, too!) I want to reply to this if I can. I can’t provide a comprehensive response for the simple reason that I am not a … [Read more...] about Why Won’t the IMB Send Me Over There? Part One
Review of “The World Tilting Gospel” by Dan Phillips
During a mission trip to inner-city Kansas City I found myself sharing the gospel with a homeless man. As his alcohol-laced breath washed over me I began wondering if this man was actually a believer. He was speaking as if he understood fundamental elements of who God is, that he understood the effects of the Cross, he seemed to understand and be convinced of the sinfulness of mankind. Just as I was beginning to encourage myself that this man was a believer he took a really strange detour. The next thing I knew we were talking about Moses being an alien and a whole host of other weird … [Read more...] about Review of “The World Tilting Gospel” by Dan Phillips
Can We Profit By Discussing Calvinism on Blogs?
A Story It was a not-uncommon snowy day in Cedar Rapids a decade ago. Several inches had piled up on the streets and the snow plows had not yet cleared First Avenue. I am a legend in my own mind at snow-driving, loving to slip-slide my way through snowy streets. I drove a small, rear-wheel-drive truck, which is about as bad as it gets in the snow. But I'd learned to handle it and I seldom let snow slow me down. I got frustrated when I got behind a real slow-poke. I mean, this lady was going no more than 10 to 15 MPH. The right lane had been informally plowed by the cars driving down the … [Read more...] about Can We Profit By Discussing Calvinism on Blogs?
Choosing Sides
Editor: This was originally published at sbcIMPACT on June 30, 2009. David gave me permission to republish it here. It is amazing to me how currently this 3-year-old post is! It is human nature to choose sides. All of us do it all of the time. We choose: between good guys and bad guys; between those with white hats and those with black hats; between red-blooded Americans and everybody else; between Republicans and Democrats; between the Moral Majority and the Immoral Minority; between Baptists and those of other denominations; between Conservatives and Liberals; or—if you please—between … [Read more...] about Choosing Sides