Apologies for the weak transliteration throughout: Wordpress won't do the Greek font my computer will. Yep, the last one was in Latin and this one is in Greek. It actually started as the Facebook status the Greek Professor at Ouachita Baptist University posted yesterday, and I thought it was worth reposting. Now, I'm going to take his thought and grow it a touch. The rest of his statement was this: that this should be the response of any pastor when someone tries to put us on a pedestal:Ego autos anthropos eimi! It's from Acts 10:26 when Peter is with Cornelius. After Cornelius has … [Read more...] about “Ego autos anthropos eimi!”
Is This the Abundant Life?
I was at a conference a while ago and heard Josh Hunt speak and teach about Sunday School growth. In that conference he made a statement that has really stuck with me. He said “every day I get up, I think 'yes, this is that abundant life'”. He was referring to John 10:10. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I have had to ask myself each day, am I living the abundant life? When I wake up each day, do I feel like I am really living and I am focused and living in Christ? I admit, I get grumpy. I get moody, and I focus way … [Read more...] about Is This the Abundant Life?
A Look at Jesus Messiah
For a while now I’ve thought about doing a special discipleship group or evening presentation about some of the songs we sing and what they teach us about God, the church, and the gospel. I’ve written once or twice about what songs communicate, and I’d like to look at another one that many of us have either heard on the radio or sung in church: Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin. Video | Jesus Messiah by Chris Tomlin Verse 1 This verse is made up of just a few short statements, each of which tells a fundamental truth of the gospel. The words themselves are drawn from 2 Corinthians … [Read more...] about A Look at Jesus Messiah
Christianity and Atheism in an Age of Science
I and some other men have been talking to a young man who joins our church gatherings. Recently, he said, “I want to believe but I don’t know if I can. As I see it right now, I have a 50/50 chance that either atheism or Christianity is true, and I’m just not sure which side to believe.” He later asked if one day he decided that Christianity is wrong and atheism is right, would he still be welcomed at our church? “Of course…” We also have another young man who faces the same dilemma, though he seems closer to belief. If he rejected Christianity he would likely choose deism as opposed to … [Read more...] about Christianity and Atheism in an Age of Science
Try to be a little more supportive
I have discovered that it is so much easier to be a Pharisee than a disciple. You can probably relate, but many of you would never admit it (that was tongue and cheek, don't get mad). You see, a Pharisee makes rules and then expects everyone to abide by them. A disciple hears the rules of the Master, lives by them and encourages others to live by them. They encourage others to "follow me as I follow Christ". The difference seems to be how we approach people. We like to beat folks into submission sometimes, don't we? We have some standards and ideas, and most of them are good. The … [Read more...] about Try to be a little more supportive
Blue Collar Blog Madness: Round Two – SWEET Sixteen!
There are sixteen blogs left in our Blue Collar Blog Madness: That's SWEET! Congratulations to those who made it through to round 2. Actually, the voting was so close - a lot of blogs came within a vote or two (or three) of making the second round. It's been a great tournament so far. In this round, you only get to vote for one blog. You don't get to vote more than once, but you can certainly encourage your friends to vote! Hope you get into the spirit of things. Voting will be open all week, ending sometime Sunday. Here are your sixteen round 2 blogs... Golden Gate … [Read more...] about Blue Collar Blog Madness: Round Two – SWEET Sixteen!
The Anatomy of a Sermon
“So what was the fallen condition focus of your sermon?”—yes, I actually had a church member ask me at lunch this past Sunday. Maybe it’s my fault for giving him a copy of Bryan Chapell’s Christ-Centered Preaching. Of course, this is a man who believes God has called him to be a pastor, and I have been mentoring him in various things including building a sermon. One day, he came into my office and was looking at my book shelf. Counting Chapell’s book, I have twelve about preaching. He asked me which one was the best…I gave him a blank stare for a moment. “You know, I don’t really … [Read more...] about The Anatomy of a Sermon
Conclusions from Comments about Comment Moderation
I posted on Saturday afternoon concerning my struggles about the direction of commenting here at SBC Voices, with a wide range of responses. Thank you for your suggestions, and those I've received privately from some of our contributors who shared their wisdom. I have drawn a few conclusions from the discussion. I don't have a final plan of action, yet; I want to discuss this with our writing team. But here's what I gleaned from some of your comments and my own thoughts - sort of an opinion mishmash. 1) Quite a few people like the open commenting policy here, though most realize it … [Read more...] about Conclusions from Comments about Comment Moderation
“It Could’ve Been Me” – A Reminder from Phil Keaggy
This is a heavy day for all of us involved in blogging. No need to go back over the details. But as I was looking on Facebook, I saw this song (on Jeff Musgrave's site) from Phil Keaggy. It's an oldie, but a good reminder (if we needed one) about the dangers posed by the sin that each of us deals with and the importance of walking in Christ's power daily, not our own. Enjoy the song. Walk in Christ. Remember that we stand in his strength and not in our own. … [Read more...] about “It Could’ve Been Me” – A Reminder from Phil Keaggy
The Lord’s Prayer, part 3: The Requests Concerning Us and Conclusion
This is part three of a study on prayer I wrote for my church. You can read part one here, and part two at this other here. Part Three :: The Requests Concerning Us (6:11-15) As with all things in life, prayer is primarily about God. Yet, prayer also has benefit for us. After establishing the first set of three requests concerning God, his name, kingdom, and will; Jesus gave a second set of requests concerning God’s work in our lives. In these requests we do not merely ask for things to happen or go well in vague and general terms, rather we ask God to work in our lives in particular … [Read more...] about The Lord’s Prayer, part 3: The Requests Concerning Us and Conclusion