We give the idea lip service—the church is the family of God. When we gather and sing songs and pray, we gather with our brothers and sisters. Yet, can you claim you know the people worshiping next to you as well as you know your brother? Is your house open to share your life with them and theirs to share their life with you? One of the riches we find over and over in the Bible is that by coming to Jesus and his church we come to a new family. Hopefully our physical family can come with us as believers as well, but even if they don’t—even if they reject us for our faith—we have a new … [Read more...] about We’re Called His Brothers (and he is not ashamed)
Sometimes God is Deaf
(This post originally appeared at my blog Borrowed Light) A sure way to ensure not having an audience with me is to trash my wife. If some person decides that they want to speak ill of my wife to me (and this rarely happens) they quickly realize they made a foolish mistake. They’ll never win. You know why? Because I am decidedly on her side. In an even greater way this is the case with the Lord when Satan brings accusations against us. When he starts dogging on God’s Bride (see Zechariah 3) Satan is met with a sharp rebuke. It is the same case with believers today. Written … [Read more...] about Sometimes God is Deaf
Suffering, Comfort, and Biblical Illiteracy
Sound theology--a clear understanding of God and His Word--are bedrock foundations that answer every significant question of human existence. However, that does not mean that when tragedy strikes we should tell someone to "take two verses and call me in the morning." If you look at the circumstances of suffering Job in the Bible, the best thing his friends did after calamity struck and his life was in shambles was to sit and be silent with him for 7 days. After that they opened their mouths and began to ponder what secret sin he had committed for God to punish him as they presumed He had. … [Read more...] about Suffering, Comfort, and Biblical Illiteracy
Blogging, Networking, and Purpose
I sat at my computer today and cringed. In light of the recent (uh, hmmmn), blog competition in which I failed, I was forced to wonder about my writing. Not because I did not make it to the next round of competition. No. Actually, I received a record collection of votes for a little old grandma from the plains of Oklahoma. All the more a marvel, since my competitors are well-known, highly educated men of God in the theological and religious world. Competing in the "Madness" was more for recreation and frivolity. I knew I stood no chance. I had fun badgering my Facebook buds who had … [Read more...] about Blogging, Networking, and Purpose
Autonomy of the local church?
The Arizona Southern Baptist Convention provides sample bylaws, articles of incorporation, property deeds, and other legal documents for church plants. One of the clauses in these documents is a reverter clause which transfers all the church's assets to the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention in the case that the church ceases to be a Southern Baptist Church. My own church has such a clause in their bylaws, but they are not nearly as strict as the current templates available. This language is encouraged for all churches and is required for church plants to get support from the convention. I … [Read more...] about Autonomy of the local church?
The Bogeyman Myth of the Hateful Bigot
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Luke 23:34 I have been told the church was mostly silent on that day. Evidence of my ongoing struggle with homosexuality was presented, a vote was taken and I was declared unfit to be a member and removed for the destruction of my soul. I was not there that night, but instead was angry and alone in the darkening end of a long and frightening day, as they proclaimed me unworthy of them. Oh . . . my soul. And all that is within me. Since that fateful vote, I … [Read more...] about The Bogeyman Myth of the Hateful Bigot
Mark Driscoll: “Hell Is the Wrath of God in Effect”
I have heard people talk a lot of trash about Mark Driscoll (mostly insinuation and the rehearsal of old stories). I have to admit that I've not spent hours researching the man, but this I know. Every time I've listened to his sermons or read his teachings, I have been impressed with the theological accuracy, the uncompromising commitment to even unpopular biblical truth, and an amazing ability to communicate. Anyway, here is a clip on our topic du jour. … [Read more...] about Mark Driscoll: “Hell Is the Wrath of God in Effect”
God Does Not Answer Prayer!
Since we've all been discussing heretics recently, I thought I would rework a post I put up over at sbcIMPACT! I hope when you are done, you will forgive me the title! I would request that you put down your stones for a moment and hear what this heretic is trying to say. I do not believe that I am advocating heresy and I am certainly not recommending that we abandon prayer. The title was provocative, and intentional. I risked the wrath of my readers to make a simple point about prayer, one I feel is important. Actually, if you get a hold on this principle, it might actually be a … [Read more...] about God Does Not Answer Prayer!
What It Is to Be Offered (from John Bunyan’s Writings)
(Dr. Roger D. Duke brings us another excerpt from the writings of John Bunyan. Dr. Duke is cowriter with Phil Newton of "Venturing all on God: Piety in the Writings of John Bunyan." This volume is one of in the Profiles in Reformed Spirituality series of Reformation Heritage Press and is slated for publication sometime in 2011.) “WHAT IT IS TO BE OFFERED” A Portion of Mr. Bunyan’s Exposition of 2 Timothy 4:6-8 Taken from PAUL’S DEPARTURE AND CROWN [1] [2] Paul, by saying he was ‘to be offered,’ alludeth to some of the sacrifices that of old were under the law; and thereby signifieth … [Read more...] about What It Is to Be Offered (from John Bunyan’s Writings)
Limiting Your Audience: SBC Pastor’s Conference
This is the second part of a two-part series on how Hollywood and others limit their potential audiences. You can read part one, Limiting Your Audience: Janeane Garofalo and Criminal Minds, on Howell's blog, fromlaw2grace.com. You would think that leaders of the first GCR Era Southern Baptist Convention Pastor's Conference -- scheduled to debut in Phoenix this June -- would desire to have the biggest possible audience for this annual event. Knowing that the southwestern location would itself limit the number of pastors who could attend, one might assume that the Aspire 2011 SBCPC would … [Read more...] about Limiting Your Audience: SBC Pastor’s Conference