Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Emerging No More?

I can only hope that we are seeing the end of this movement as John Piper claims

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Not Hear to Talk About the Past

Mark McGwire, known by most for his colossal home runs, was made even more famous by his infamous words "I'm not hear to talk about the past" when he appeared before Congress in 2005 to discuss the steroid issue of baseball. While it was not until recently that he came clean and confessed his history of cheating, his lack of disclosure in 2005 left little to be wondered. I was reminded of those words in a way different context today. In Bible class this week we have been watching "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." I thought it would be a good visual for the theological concept of "propitiation" that we have been discussing recently. C.S. Lewis does a masterful job of showing the satisfaction and appeasement of the wrath that one person (Edmund) deserved through the sacrifice of another (the great Aslan). There was a great line though that Aslan mentions before these events transpire that brought me such encouragement and hope for the future judgment that awaits us one day. In the movie there has definitely been frustration, worry and anger experienced by the other three siblings due to the decisions that Edmund has made. Once he is reunited with the "good guys" there is a scene with Edmund and Aslan having a pretty important discussion. One is led to believe that repentance, forgiveness and restoration is taking place through the encounter. It's the words after this discussion that really lifted me today. Aslan returns with Edmund to present him back to his siblings and makes an emphatic statement. He says, "What's done is done. There is no need to speak with Edmund of what has past." What a wonderful reminder of God's view of our sin after salvation. We have been washed, we have been sanctified, we have been justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (I Cor. 6:11) Our sins have been dealt with and forgiven, the wrath and ransom price required for our souls has been satisfied and paid in full! There is no need to speak with me about the past! My past has been emphatically dealt with at the cross. It also serves as a reminder that when someone else's sin has been dealt with at the cross it is not our job to then assume the position of judge. I'm sure Edmund's siblings may have jumped at the chance to remind him of how wrong he had been. And while Edmund's treachery had affected them, his betrayal was ultimately towards Aslan. If Aslan had forgiven and restored, it went without discussion that Edmund's siblings should do the same. Let us all be encouraged that there is no reason to speak about the past. What's done is done. Thank God "it is finished"!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

A Good Read

An article on premarital sex and future spouse

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Great Article on Babysitting and the Gospel

I know several of our youth get the opportunity to babysit on a regular basis. In fact, thanks to several and their willingness to give up their time on Thursday nights, I am able to attend my small group. I ran across this article and was encouraged how God wants us to use all kinds of opportunities to expand the Gospel and His Kingdom, even through something like babysitting.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Milkawhat?

This commercial makes me laugh and Joshua Harris's comments about it are good.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Full-Time Follower

I've been so humbled and challenged as our youth group has been keeping up with the developments of Matt Chandler, pastor of the Village Church out in Texas. For those of you who don't know, Matt was diagnosed with brain cancer back at Thanksgiving when he collapsed from a seizure. It has been unbelievable to see how God is using this trial to grow him and his church. I was especially challenged today as I was watching his latest video update when I once again heard him talking about his personal study time. It kinda hit me for the first time that this guy hasn't stopped his pursuit of God in this. I mean I knew he was praying a lot and doing a lot in all this but I mean he hasn't stopped reading the Bible. And I got to thinking how quick I will abandon Scripture when my circumstances aren't optimal, when they aren't the best. If I'm tired or busy or sick, many times my personal study will suffer. This guy is still going about his spiritual business despite the fact that unless God intervenes, he is dying. I feel like I would certainly be able to justify "slacking" a bit in my walk, by taking a break from intense Bible study while I deal with radiation and chemotherapy. Not this guy. He's full time when it comes to following Christ. My prayer is that I will move closer and closer to that for myself.