I think I need one of these:
(HT: Tim Challies)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
8 Tips for Talking to Kids about the Sermon
Joe Holland has some great tips for talking to your kids about the sermon:
1. Remember the outline.
2. Know the one main point.
3. How is Jesus the hero?
4. Engage your kids with open-ended questions.
5. Make sure the gospel is clear.
6. Be the first to pray and confess.
7. Chase the rabbit trails.
8. Remember the first two rules.
Read the full article here.
1. Remember the outline.
2. Know the one main point.
3. How is Jesus the hero?
4. Engage your kids with open-ended questions.
5. Make sure the gospel is clear.
6. Be the first to pray and confess.
7. Chase the rabbit trails.
8. Remember the first two rules.
Read the full article here.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Rob Bell: Heretic?
I have been concerned about Rob Bell and his theology for some time now. As Justin Taylor points out, his forthcoming book seems to show the validity of this concern. Bell is an extremely influential pastor and author, especially to the Millenial generation, making the question of heresy a very important one. Is Bell a heretic? We need to wait for the release of the book for a definitive answer, but I have to tell you it does look good.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Spurgeon on the Material and Spiritual Poverty of the City
If you have to labour in a large town I should recommend you to familiarize yourself, wherever your place of worship may be, with the poverty, ignorance, and drunkenness of the place. Go if you can with a city missionary into the poorest quarter, and you will see that which will astonish you, and the actual sight of the disease will make you eager to reveal the remedy. There is enough evil to be seen even in the best streets of our great cities, but there is an unutterable depth of horror in the condition of the slums. As a doctor walks the hospitals, so ought you to traverse the lanes and courts to behold the mischief which sin has wrought. It is enough to make a man weep tears of blood to gaze upon the desolation which sin has made in the earth… See the masses living in their sins, defiled with drinking and Sabbath-breaking, rioting and blaspheming; and see them dying sodden and hardened, or terrified and despairing: surely this will rekindle expiring zeal if anything can do it. The world is full of grinding poverty and crushing sorrow; shame and death are the portion of thousands, and it needs a great gospel to meet the dire necessities of men’s souls. Verily it is so. Do you doubt it? Go and see for yourselves. Thus will you learn to preach a great salvation, and magnify the great Saviour, not with your mouth only, but with your heart; and thus will you be married to your work beyond all possibility of deserting it.
Charles H. Spurgeon
Lectures to My Students
Weekly Reading #3
Here are the books for this week:
Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos
Missional Renaissance by Reggie McNeal
Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos
Missional Renaissance by Reggie McNeal
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Reading Update Week #2
This past week's reading held two tremendous books. Here's a quick review.
The first book was Intentional Parenting by Tad Thompson, Lead Pastor at Harvard Avenue Baptist Church in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. While the book doesn't contain any new, earth-shattering parenting revelations, it does provide something invaluable -- a simple, practical guide for how to do intentional discipleship in the home. This is a book that all Christian parents can use to improve (begin?) the discipleship of their children. As discipleship in the home is such a foundational issue and at the same time one in which most families struggle, I hope and pray that God uses this book to challenge and equip many parents in the days ahead.
The second book was When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor...and Yourself by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett. The authors both serve at the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College. This book is so powerful that I don't think a quick review will do it justice. Perhaps I can do that at another time. For now, let me say that the book was incredibly challenging both personally and professionally. It has caused me to seriously reconsider my views on poverty, short-term mission trips, and ministering to those in the community where I live. These issues deserve serious consideration and prayer, and Fikkert & Corbett are excellent guides. To get your mind thinking, and perhaps to generate interest in the book, here are three important quotes:
Defining poverty is not simply an academic exercise, for the way we define poverty -- either implicitly or explicitly -- plays a major role in determining the solutions we use in our attempts to alleviate that poverty. -- p. 54
Poverty is rooted in broken relationships, so the solution to poverty is rooted in the power of Jesus' death and resurrection to put all things into right relationship again. -- p. 77
Poverty alleviation is the ministry of reconciliation: moving people closer to glorifying God by living in right relationship with God, with self, with others, and with the rest of creation. -- p. 78
And I think in this you can find the most important point of the book: until we realize that all people (most significantly us) are poor, our efforts towards poverty alleviation will be misguided. We must come to realize that we all need to move towards glorifying God in all of our relationships -- with God, ourselves, others, and the created world. A lot to think about, isn't it?
The first book was Intentional Parenting by Tad Thompson, Lead Pastor at Harvard Avenue Baptist Church in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. While the book doesn't contain any new, earth-shattering parenting revelations, it does provide something invaluable -- a simple, practical guide for how to do intentional discipleship in the home. This is a book that all Christian parents can use to improve (begin?) the discipleship of their children. As discipleship in the home is such a foundational issue and at the same time one in which most families struggle, I hope and pray that God uses this book to challenge and equip many parents in the days ahead.
The second book was When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor...and Yourself by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett. The authors both serve at the Chalmers Center for Economic Development at Covenant College. This book is so powerful that I don't think a quick review will do it justice. Perhaps I can do that at another time. For now, let me say that the book was incredibly challenging both personally and professionally. It has caused me to seriously reconsider my views on poverty, short-term mission trips, and ministering to those in the community where I live. These issues deserve serious consideration and prayer, and Fikkert & Corbett are excellent guides. To get your mind thinking, and perhaps to generate interest in the book, here are three important quotes:
Defining poverty is not simply an academic exercise, for the way we define poverty -- either implicitly or explicitly -- plays a major role in determining the solutions we use in our attempts to alleviate that poverty. -- p. 54
Poverty is rooted in broken relationships, so the solution to poverty is rooted in the power of Jesus' death and resurrection to put all things into right relationship again. -- p. 77
Poverty alleviation is the ministry of reconciliation: moving people closer to glorifying God by living in right relationship with God, with self, with others, and with the rest of creation. -- p. 78
And I think in this you can find the most important point of the book: until we realize that all people (most significantly us) are poor, our efforts towards poverty alleviation will be misguided. We must come to realize that we all need to move towards glorifying God in all of our relationships -- with God, ourselves, others, and the created world. A lot to think about, isn't it?
The Next Story by Tim Challies
One of my favorite bloggers, Tim Challies, has a new book due soon that addresses the digital explosion and how to steward technology wisely. This has the potential to be an important book, and Zondervan has produced a video to promo it's release. You can pre-order the book here.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Where Have the Good Men Gone?
The Wall Street Journal nails it on the head with their recent answer to this question. It's a rather long one, but well worth the read. There are many implications for our culture and the church. Here are some of the most important parts:
Not so long ago, the average American man in his 20s had achieved most of the milestones of adulthood: a high-school diploma, financial independence, marriage and children. Today, most men in their 20s hang out in a novel sort of limbo, a hybrid state of semi-hormonal adolescence and responsible self-reliance. This "pre-adulthood" has much to recommend it, especially for the college-educated. But it's time to state what has become obvious to legions of frustrated young women: It doesn't bring out the best in men.
What also makes pre-adulthood something new is its radical reversal of the sexual hierarchy. Among pre-adults, women are the first sex. They graduate from college in greater numbers (among Americans ages 25 to 34, 34% of women now have a bachelor's degree but just 27% of men), and they have higher GPAs. As most professors tell it, they also have more confidence and drive. These strengths carry women through their 20s, when they are more likely than men to be in grad school and making strides in the workplace. In a number of cities, they are even out-earning their brothers and boyfriends.
And most significantly.....
What explains this puerile shallowness? I see it as an expression of our cultural uncertainty about the social role of men. It's been an almost universal rule of civilization that girls became women simply by reaching physical maturity, but boys had to pass a test. They needed to demonstrate courage, physical prowess or mastery of the necessary skills. The goal was to prove their competence as protectors and providers. Today, however, with women moving ahead in our advanced economy, husbands and fathers are now optional, and the qualities of character men once needed to play their roles—fortitude, stoicism, courage, fidelity—are obsolete, even a little embarrassing.
Not so long ago, the average American man in his 20s had achieved most of the milestones of adulthood: a high-school diploma, financial independence, marriage and children. Today, most men in their 20s hang out in a novel sort of limbo, a hybrid state of semi-hormonal adolescence and responsible self-reliance. This "pre-adulthood" has much to recommend it, especially for the college-educated. But it's time to state what has become obvious to legions of frustrated young women: It doesn't bring out the best in men.
What also makes pre-adulthood something new is its radical reversal of the sexual hierarchy. Among pre-adults, women are the first sex. They graduate from college in greater numbers (among Americans ages 25 to 34, 34% of women now have a bachelor's degree but just 27% of men), and they have higher GPAs. As most professors tell it, they also have more confidence and drive. These strengths carry women through their 20s, when they are more likely than men to be in grad school and making strides in the workplace. In a number of cities, they are even out-earning their brothers and boyfriends.
And most significantly.....
What explains this puerile shallowness? I see it as an expression of our cultural uncertainty about the social role of men. It's been an almost universal rule of civilization that girls became women simply by reaching physical maturity, but boys had to pass a test. They needed to demonstrate courage, physical prowess or mastery of the necessary skills. The goal was to prove their competence as protectors and providers. Today, however, with women moving ahead in our advanced economy, husbands and fathers are now optional, and the qualities of character men once needed to play their roles—fortitude, stoicism, courage, fidelity—are obsolete, even a little embarrassing.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
My Response to Rick Reilly
Rick Reilly, the acclaimed sportswriter for ESPN, wrote a scathing criticism of Joel Northrup and his parents this week (Joel is the Iowa wrestler who refused to wrestle a girl. I normally enjoy Reilly's column, but I just didn't get this one. I thought you might like to see my comment to his article. Note that I didn't go theological on this one, but I think the points I make are valid none the less.
Rick, you are unquestionably one of the best, if not the best, sportswriters of our day. I enjoy your column for its humor, poignancy and occasional provocativeness.
However, you have somehow missed it with this one. As a father of four children (two boys, two girls) who are close in age, I regularly have to remind my sons that boys and girls are different, and that there are certain things they can do with each other (like wrestle) that they can't do with their sisters. I try to teach them that there is a certain way to treat women, a way that honors, respects and protects them.
I have to believe that you have taught your sons similar things -- or am I mistaken there?
If we teach teenage boys that there isn't any difference between male and female, and that it is fine to treat a girl just like they would a boy, than they will -- not only on the wrestling mat, but in the real world as well. And is that what we want?
I, for one, don't want my daughters treated the way that my friends treated me, in high school, college, or yesterday for that matter.
You see, when we do recognize that there is a difference we are actually honoring womanhood. When we try to make everything the same we do just the opposite.
You take some shots at Joel Northrup's parents here -- but why? Because they are trying to teach him to honor and respect females? Come on, Rick, you can do better than that.
And oh, by the way, the magazine that you used to write for (SI) makes a lot of money every February by showing the world that there is a big difference between male and female.
Rick, you are unquestionably one of the best, if not the best, sportswriters of our day. I enjoy your column for its humor, poignancy and occasional provocativeness.
However, you have somehow missed it with this one. As a father of four children (two boys, two girls) who are close in age, I regularly have to remind my sons that boys and girls are different, and that there are certain things they can do with each other (like wrestle) that they can't do with their sisters. I try to teach them that there is a certain way to treat women, a way that honors, respects and protects them.
I have to believe that you have taught your sons similar things -- or am I mistaken there?
If we teach teenage boys that there isn't any difference between male and female, and that it is fine to treat a girl just like they would a boy, than they will -- not only on the wrestling mat, but in the real world as well. And is that what we want?
I, for one, don't want my daughters treated the way that my friends treated me, in high school, college, or yesterday for that matter.
You see, when we do recognize that there is a difference we are actually honoring womanhood. When we try to make everything the same we do just the opposite.
You take some shots at Joel Northrup's parents here -- but why? Because they are trying to teach him to honor and respect females? Come on, Rick, you can do better than that.
And oh, by the way, the magazine that you used to write for (SI) makes a lot of money every February by showing the world that there is a big difference between male and female.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Over My Dead Body
In light of the Iowa high school wrestler who chose to be disqualified rather than wrestle a girl, here is a post from John Piper a few years back in which he makes some great points. I couldn't agree more.
(HT: Zach Nielsen)
How to Provoke Your Children to Anger
Mark Altrogge:
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)
I was thinking about this today as I prepared for a parenting class. Here are some ways that we parents can provoke our children to anger. I’ve done many of these, and for this reason I’m grateful for the blood of Jesus and the power of the Spirit to change.
We can provoke our children to anger:
- By constantly criticizing them and not encouraging them. When they feel they can never please us enough.
- By having double standards – Do as I say, not as I do. Expecting them to do things we don’t do, e.g. ask forgiveness, humble themselves, etc.
- By anger and harshness
- By a lack of affection
- By telling them what to do or not do without giving Biblical reasons (e.g., Do it because I said to do it, or because it’s just wrong).
- By being offended at their sin because it bothers us, not because it offends God.
- By comparing them to others (Why can’t you act like your sister?)
- By hypocrisy – acting like a Christian at church but not at home
- By embarrassing them (correcting, mocking or expressing disappointment in them in front of others)
- By always lecturing them and never listening to them
- By disciplining them for childishness or weakness, not for sin
- By failing to ask their forgiveness when we sin against them
- By pride – failing to receive humble correction from our spouses or our children when we sin.
- By self-centered reactions to their sin (How could you do this to ME?)
- By ungracious reactions to their sin (What were you thinking? Why in the world would you do that?)
- By forgetting that we were (and are) sinners (I would NEVER have done that when I was your age).
May God give us gracious, gentle, humble, affectionate hearts toward our children.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)
I was thinking about this today as I prepared for a parenting class. Here are some ways that we parents can provoke our children to anger. I’ve done many of these, and for this reason I’m grateful for the blood of Jesus and the power of the Spirit to change.
We can provoke our children to anger:
- By constantly criticizing them and not encouraging them. When they feel they can never please us enough.
- By having double standards – Do as I say, not as I do. Expecting them to do things we don’t do, e.g. ask forgiveness, humble themselves, etc.
- By anger and harshness
- By a lack of affection
- By telling them what to do or not do without giving Biblical reasons (e.g., Do it because I said to do it, or because it’s just wrong).
- By being offended at their sin because it bothers us, not because it offends God.
- By comparing them to others (Why can’t you act like your sister?)
- By hypocrisy – acting like a Christian at church but not at home
- By embarrassing them (correcting, mocking or expressing disappointment in them in front of others)
- By always lecturing them and never listening to them
- By disciplining them for childishness or weakness, not for sin
- By failing to ask their forgiveness when we sin against them
- By pride – failing to receive humble correction from our spouses or our children when we sin.
- By self-centered reactions to their sin (How could you do this to ME?)
- By ungracious reactions to their sin (What were you thinking? Why in the world would you do that?)
- By forgetting that we were (and are) sinners (I would NEVER have done that when I was your age).
May God give us gracious, gentle, humble, affectionate hearts toward our children.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Great Post on Evangelism
If you struggle with evangelism like I do, John Starke has a great post on what he is learning about this topic on the Gospel Coalition blog. Read it here.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Weekly Reading #2
Here are the books for this week:
Intentional Parenting by Tad Thompson
When Helping Hurts by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett
Intentional Parenting by Tad Thompson
When Helping Hurts by Brian Fikkert and Steve Corbett
Monday, February 14, 2011
Reading Update Week #1
Well, I didn't quite meet my goal -- but since my Kindle says I am 70% done with my second book (which actually means I only have 10% or so left due to the appendices) I did come close enough to give a review of both.
The first book was The Intentional Church by Randy Pope. He is the Senior Pastor of Perimeter Church in Atlanta, a large church that has planted more than 30 churches in the Atlanta area over the last two decades. I picked up this book (or I guess I should say downloaded it) wanting to learn about what Perimeter calls life-on-life missional discipleship. However, while this is a major focus of the church's ministry, it wasn't a focus of the book. The book was more of a how-to manual building an impactful church. While there were many helpful things in the book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone new to this genre, many of the things that Pope covers I have read and/or learned from prior sources.
The second book, which I hope to complete in the next day or so, is To Transform a City by Eric Swanson and Sam Williams. To say the least, this book is transformational and it will take a second careful reading before I am able to give a detailed review. For those who are interested in community transformation, this is a fantastic resource and very thought-provoking. For the uninitiated however, I might suggest that you begin with Generous Justice by Tim Keller for a theological treatise on the issue, and then turn to Transform a City and A New Kind of Big by Chip Sweney for the action steps. Either way, get this book and read it soon.
The first book was The Intentional Church by Randy Pope. He is the Senior Pastor of Perimeter Church in Atlanta, a large church that has planted more than 30 churches in the Atlanta area over the last two decades. I picked up this book (or I guess I should say downloaded it) wanting to learn about what Perimeter calls life-on-life missional discipleship. However, while this is a major focus of the church's ministry, it wasn't a focus of the book. The book was more of a how-to manual building an impactful church. While there were many helpful things in the book, and I would highly recommend it to anyone new to this genre, many of the things that Pope covers I have read and/or learned from prior sources.
The second book, which I hope to complete in the next day or so, is To Transform a City by Eric Swanson and Sam Williams. To say the least, this book is transformational and it will take a second careful reading before I am able to give a detailed review. For those who are interested in community transformation, this is a fantastic resource and very thought-provoking. For the uninitiated however, I might suggest that you begin with Generous Justice by Tim Keller for a theological treatise on the issue, and then turn to Transform a City and A New Kind of Big by Chip Sweney for the action steps. Either way, get this book and read it soon.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Remembering Kent Eloe
Today marks the two-year anniversary of the passing of my good friend and brother-in-Christ Kent Eloe. I started this blog almost exactly two years ago, and posted this about Kent on the day of this funeral:
Today I said goodbye to a good friend and fellow servant of Christ, Kent Eloe. Kent taught me many lessons, both in life and death. Here are the ten most significant:
1. To do everything (including cancer) without grumbling and complaining. (Phil. 2:14)
2. To prepare my family for when I am gone. (1 Tim. 5:8)
3. To prioritize the shepherding of my wife and children. (Eph. 5:22-32; 6:4)
4. To honor and value my parents. (Prov. 15:20)
5. To use hard things as opportunities to glorify Christ. (James 1:2-5)
6. To value the blessing of close friends. (James 17:17)
7. To be generous and willing to share. (1 Tim. 6:18)
8. To humbly serve without the need for recognition. (Mark 10:35-45)
9. To forget the past and press on toward the prize. (Phil 3:13)
10. To be slow to speak, quick to listen, slow to become angry. (James 1:19)
1. To do everything (including cancer) without grumbling and complaining. (Phil. 2:14)
2. To prepare my family for when I am gone. (1 Tim. 5:8)
3. To prioritize the shepherding of my wife and children. (Eph. 5:22-32; 6:4)
4. To honor and value my parents. (Prov. 15:20)
5. To use hard things as opportunities to glorify Christ. (James 1:2-5)
6. To value the blessing of close friends. (James 17:17)
7. To be generous and willing to share. (1 Tim. 6:18)
8. To humbly serve without the need for recognition. (Mark 10:35-45)
9. To forget the past and press on toward the prize. (Phil 3:13)
10. To be slow to speak, quick to listen, slow to become angry. (James 1:19)
Quote of the Day
I have learned that God’s silence to my questions is not a door slammed in my face. I may not have the answers—but I do have him. —Dave Dravecky
(HT: Tim Challies)
(HT: Tim Challies)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Hope in God
This morning's devotional time found me in Psalm 42. The key verse in this Psalm is repeated twice (v. 5, 11):
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
So, why do we have turmoil (and we all do, don't we)? Because most of the time we aren't hoping in God but in other things (people, our abilities, success, money, you name it.....) that can't deliver and/or are unattainable. Only God can satisfy our every need, and only He won't disappoint, only He will never let us down.
So, what does it look like to Hope in God? I think v. 1-2 give the answer:
As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
2My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
Hoping in God means wanting Him more than anything else, and continually seeking after Him with everything we are. When we do this, we will never be disappointed, and turmoil will turn into praise.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Page #'s for Kindle Users
Amazon has a new update for Kindle users that will allow you to see page numbers. Get it here.
Note: not all Kindle books have page numbers available.
Note: not all Kindle books have page numbers available.
Biblical Counseling Coalition Launch
During the past year, over two-dozen leading pastors, biblical counselors, and Christian educators have been prayerfully discussing whether the time is right to launch a new coalition of organizations, leaders, and participants in the biblical counseling movement. Those leaders are excited to announce the official launch of the Biblical Counseling Coalition (www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org).
Pastor Steve Viars, the President of the BCC Board of Directors, captures the BCC’s purpose.
“The BCC is all about promoting relationships and providing resources. There are many tremendous organizations and individuals involved in the biblical counseling movement. The BCC seeks to connect such men and women in a way that creates a natural and healthy synergy. We believe that together we can accomplish more.”
The coalition’s Mission Statement further focuses the BCC’s vision.
The BCC exists to
strengthen churches, para-church organizations, and educational institutions
by promoting excellence and unity in biblical counseling
as a means to accomplish compassionate outreach and effective discipleship.
The BCC wants to be a catalyst further strengthening and unifying already-existing biblical counseling ministries, churches, and schools committed to biblical counseling. The BCC is a bridging ministry keeping people connected to and informed about conferences, blogs, resources, and classes offered by other biblical counseling ministries.
The BCC’s Executive Director, Dr. Bob Kellemen, highlights the three-fold audience to which the BCC seeks to minister.
“We want to strengthen the biblical counseling movement by ministering to people who offer care, people who are seeking care, and people who train care-givers. For example, on our site and in links to other sites, people will find blogs, book reviews, videos, and resource articles on a topic such as depression. Some of those resources will be written for those who offer care—pastors, biblical counselors, lay spiritual friends. Some will be written to help the person who is seeking care for depression to find biblical hope and wisdom. Some will discuss depression from a theological perspective so that those who train care-givers can be stretched through the iron-sharpening-iron process.”
The Biblical Counseling Coalition seeks to serve the entire church. Pastor Garrett Higbee, who serves as the Treasurer of the BCC Board, explains that:
“More than counseling, the vision of the BCC is for the entire church to speak God’s truth in love. We want to motivate and equip folks at the most basic levels of self-counsel, one-another ministry, small group leadership, and intentional discipleship. We want counseling with truth and love to become viral in the church and to be a foundational part of every discipleship-based ministry.”
Learn more about the BCC’s robust, relational vision of biblical counseling by visiting the Biblical Counseling Coalition (www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org).
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Autarky is Dead
Seth Godin is writing about business, but this applies just as much to the Church, if not more:
Self sufficiency appears to be a worthy goal, but it's now impossible if you want to actually get anything done.
All our productivity, leverage and insight comes from being part of a community, not apart from it.
The goal, I think, is to figure out how to become more dependent, not less.
Self sufficiency appears to be a worthy goal, but it's now impossible if you want to actually get anything done.
All our productivity, leverage and insight comes from being part of a community, not apart from it.
The goal, I think, is to figure out how to become more dependent, not less.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The King's Cross
The first chapter of Tim Keller's upcoming book (release date 2.22) -- King's Cross -- if available for free here.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Some Reading Accountability
Today I am going to start something new.....you might know that I am an avid reader. I decided today that I am going to attempt to read two books per week, and give myself some accountability by updating my progress here on the blog. Some weeks get crazier than others at the Carr house (they are all crazy, just to different degrees!) so I am sure where there will be weeks when I won't make it all the way through two. Nevertheless, its a great goal to shoot for, and I hope to give you a little review of some of the books as I complete them.
The books for this week are:
To Transform a City by Eric Swanson and Sam Williams
The Intentional Church by Randy Pope
Check back next week to see how Week 1 goes and what I will (hopefully) be reading next week.
The books for this week are:
To Transform a City by Eric Swanson and Sam Williams
The Intentional Church by Randy Pope
Check back next week to see how Week 1 goes and what I will (hopefully) be reading next week.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Praying for Egypt
The crisis in Egypt is widening with potential impact on world peace and economical stability. Two months ago, after I gave two TV interviews that were broadcasted across the Middle East and North Africa, my observation was “the situation in the Middle East is deteriorating by the hour.” I did not expect, however, that the situation will take such an unprecedented and dangerous turn as we have been watching during the last week.
I would like to share my thoughts on the current crisis in order for us to pray for this volatile situation.
The current situation:
• Egypt, the most populace country in the Middle East, with 80 million people, has been in a state of turmoil due to significant demonstrations asking President Mubarak to step down. Mubarak has been in power for 30 years. His regime is characterized with significant human rights abuses, corruption and police brutality.
• Last Tuesday, January 25, thousands of people took to the streets of Cairo and Alexandria demanding an end to the dictatorship regime. They were faced with police brutality that resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. By Friday, January 28 the protesters took over police stations and government buildings in retaliation.
• The police forces were then replaced with the army who took control over the country.
• However, the absence of security forces resulted in a state of chaos and by Saturday it was clear that the social and security order was collapsing. Now there are reports that the police forces that were dismantled were responsible for or organized the looting of shops and businesses as well as terrorizing ordinary citizens.
• By Saturday night, ordinary citizens organized themselves to protect their families and properties against such violent acts.
• Demonstrations continue despite a countrywide curfew, with the largest demonstration taking place today, Tuesday, February 1st, with over two million participants.
• Food staples and medical supplies start to run low in Egypt.
• All financial sectors including banks and Egypt stock exchange are closed to prevent a total financial collapse.
• Social media: the internet and cell phones were completely shut down (first ever in the history of social media) to prevent communication among demonstrators, however, such a move resulted in shutting down most communication systems in the country which added to the current chaos.
• All domestic transportation systems are shut down.
• Evacuation of American, Canadian and other nationalities started yesterday.
The Direct Economical Impact
• Impact on the financial stability: The Dow Jones lost 166 points last Friday. Most Middle Eastern stock exchanges lost between 5 and 7%
• The more serious impact which was immediately felt as of yesterday is the increase in oil prices worldwide. Today the price of oil is at $90 a barrel due to the fact that 4.5% of the world oil goes through Egypt, (1.8 million barrels go through Suez Canal a day &1.1 million barrels go through Summed pipelines from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean a day)
• Suez Canal is a vital artery in world trade with hundreds of commercial ships passing through the Canal on a daily basis connecting Asia to Europe.
The Political Impact
• The situation in Egypt is creating a diplomatic dilemma for US foreign policy. This political dilemma is due to the fact that Egypt is the strongest ally of the US in the Arab World with the largest military power (Egypt is the 10th largest military power in the world).
• Egyptian military is funded by US aids, second only to Israel, with 1.3 billion a year since 1975.
• Mubarak’s regime has been supported by US and western powers for its significant role in the peace process, creating stability in the region and friendly relations with Israel.
• The current political dilemma for the US is summarized in keeping a balance between supporting a dictatorship regime that is faithful to US interests in the region or standing
by the Egyptian masses in their demand for democracy, one of the greatest principles of American diplomacy. US, Israel and Europe are watching the situation with great nervousness and anticipation: what will happen to peace treaty with Israel and the stability of the region if this democratic process resulted in an Islamic state in Egypt that is now posses one of the most sophisticate military power in the world?
• Yesterday, the US Military Central Command announced plans to interfere if necessary.
• US Marines were dispatched in Cairo a few hours ago to protect the US embassy
The Church in Egypt
Egypt has the largest Christian presence in the Middle East, with over 12 million Christians. The history of the Egyptian church goes back to the first century of Christianity. Egyptian Christianity gave to the world its first organized theological school (in Alexandria), spirituality (the birthplace of the monastic movement) and was key in defending the Christian faith through the formation of Creeds and Ecumenical Councils. Egyptian Christians kept the lamp of faith burning for 20 centuries in spite of turmoil and persecution. Last Sunday, majority of Christians could not go to Churches to worship probably for the first time in history due to the current crisis in the county.
Please pray:
• Please join Egyptian Christians across the world in a three days of fasting and prayer for Egypt, Monday, January 31 to Wednesday, February 2nd
• For wisdom for the political leaders in Egypt, US, and the EU who are directly involved in the current crisis.
• For a peaceful transition of power and for the future of the country
• For The Middle East as its countries are going through a significant period of unrest (no functioning governments in Iraq or Lebanon, transition of power in Tunisia, potential unrest in Algeria, Jordan, Sudan and Syria)
• For the safety of the people in Egypt as they are going through a very difficult time that is unprecedented in the history of the country
• For Christians and Church leaders on how to navigate such difficult terrain
• Special prayer for Ramez Attalah, the General Secretary of the Bible Society of Egypt and the Chair of the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization’s program committee for the 2010 Lausanne Congress that was held in Cape Town three month ago. Ramez had a heart attack last Friday when the largest demonstrations broke in Cairo. He is doing better today but still in the Intensive Care Unite. Ramez is one of my closest friends, whom I knew for over 35 years and one of the finest visionary Christian leaders I have ever known.
• Social media: the internet and cell phones were completely shut down (first ever in the history of social media) to prevent communication among demonstrators, however, such a move resulted in shutting down most communication systems in the country which added to the current chaos.
• All domestic transportation systems are shut down.
• Evacuation of American, Canadian and other nationalities started yesterday.
The Direct Economical Impact
• Impact on the financial stability: The Dow Jones lost 166 points last Friday. Most Middle Eastern stock exchanges lost between 5 and 7%
• The more serious impact which was immediately felt as of yesterday is the increase in oil prices worldwide. Today the price of oil is at $90 a barrel due to the fact that 4.5% of the world oil goes through Egypt, (1.8 million barrels go through Suez Canal a day &1.1 million barrels go through Summed pipelines from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean a day)
• Suez Canal is a vital artery in world trade with hundreds of commercial ships passing through the Canal on a daily basis connecting Asia to Europe.
The Political Impact
• The situation in Egypt is creating a diplomatic dilemma for US foreign policy. This political dilemma is due to the fact that Egypt is the strongest ally of the US in the Arab World with the largest military power (Egypt is the 10th largest military power in the world).
• Egyptian military is funded by US aids, second only to Israel, with 1.3 billion a year since 1975.
• Mubarak’s regime has been supported by US and western powers for its significant role in the peace process, creating stability in the region and friendly relations with Israel.
• The current political dilemma for the US is summarized in keeping a balance between supporting a dictatorship regime that is faithful to US interests in the region or standing
by the Egyptian masses in their demand for democracy, one of the greatest principles of American diplomacy. US, Israel and Europe are watching the situation with great nervousness and anticipation: what will happen to peace treaty with Israel and the stability of the region if this democratic process resulted in an Islamic state in Egypt that is now posses one of the most sophisticate military power in the world?
• Yesterday, the US Military Central Command announced plans to interfere if necessary.
• US Marines were dispatched in Cairo a few hours ago to protect the US embassy
The Church in Egypt
Egypt has the largest Christian presence in the Middle East, with over 12 million Christians. The history of the Egyptian church goes back to the first century of Christianity. Egyptian Christianity gave to the world its first organized theological school (in Alexandria), spirituality (the birthplace of the monastic movement) and was key in defending the Christian faith through the formation of Creeds and Ecumenical Councils. Egyptian Christians kept the lamp of faith burning for 20 centuries in spite of turmoil and persecution. Last Sunday, majority of Christians could not go to Churches to worship probably for the first time in history due to the current crisis in the county.
Please pray:
• Please join Egyptian Christians across the world in a three days of fasting and prayer for Egypt, Monday, January 31 to Wednesday, February 2nd
• For wisdom for the political leaders in Egypt, US, and the EU who are directly involved in the current crisis.
• For a peaceful transition of power and for the future of the country
• For The Middle East as its countries are going through a significant period of unrest (no functioning governments in Iraq or Lebanon, transition of power in Tunisia, potential unrest in Algeria, Jordan, Sudan and Syria)
• For the safety of the people in Egypt as they are going through a very difficult time that is unprecedented in the history of the country
• For Christians and Church leaders on how to navigate such difficult terrain
• Special prayer for Ramez Attalah, the General Secretary of the Bible Society of Egypt and the Chair of the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization’s program committee for the 2010 Lausanne Congress that was held in Cape Town three month ago. Ramez had a heart attack last Friday when the largest demonstrations broke in Cairo. He is doing better today but still in the Intensive Care Unite. Ramez is one of my closest friends, whom I knew for over 35 years and one of the finest visionary Christian leaders I have ever known.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Verizon iPhone Reviews Are In
I went to a Verizon store today to check out the iPhone. They don't have them yet (and won't until early March). However, I found out some interesting reviews on the Verizon version here.
The Path to Joy
I love the Psalms, and I am coming to love them more all the time. They are a regular part of my private devotional time, and I almost always find something that hits me right where a need.
One of my favorites is Psalm 32, a psalm that discusses sin and how to and how not to deal with it. These are truths that everyone needs every day.
Recently I was meditating over these 11 verses, and took the time to do a simple outline, with a little commentary on a few points:
I. The Consequences of Hiding Sin (Unrepentance)
a. Physical, emotional and mental suffering (v. 3-4)
b. A heavy hand from the Lord – you are fighting against God, which is a losing proposition every time (v. 4)
c. Unable to find God when you need Him most (v. 6)
d. Many sorrows (misery?) – v. 10
II. The Blessings of Confessed Sin (Repentance)
a. Forgiveness (v. 1, 5)
b. Clear conscience (v. 2)
c. God is a refuge (v. 7)
d. Preservation (v. 7)
e. Deliverance (v. 7)
f. Instruction from the Lord (v. 8)
g. The experience of God’s steadfast love (v. 10)
h. Joy (v. 11)
III. Action Steps to Avoid the Consequences and Experience the Blessings
a. Confess our sins (v. 1, 5) – all of them (v. 2, 5)
b. Seek the Lord NOW (v. 6)
c. Listen and submit to the Lord’s instruction (v. 8-9)
d. Rejoice (v. 11)
Here’s a summary: while our normal modus operandi is to run and hide our sin from God, we are much better off in the long and short term to confess our sin and allow His mercy to heal and bring us joy.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
The Hole in Our Holiness
I share Kevin DeYoung's concern in this article:
I have a growing concern that younger evangelicals do not take seriously the Bible’s call to personal holiness. We are too at peace with worldliness in our homes, too at ease with sin in our lives, too content with spiritual immaturity in our churches.
God’s mission in the world is to save a people and sanctify his people. Christ died “that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Cor. 5:15) We were chosen in Christ “before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” (Eph. 1:4) Christ “loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her…so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Eph. 5:25-27) Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14)
I have a growing concern that younger evangelicals do not take seriously the Bible’s call to personal holiness. We are too at peace with worldliness in our homes, too at ease with sin in our lives, too content with spiritual immaturity in our churches.
God’s mission in the world is to save a people and sanctify his people. Christ died “that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Cor. 5:15) We were chosen in Christ “before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” (Eph. 1:4) Christ “loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her…so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Eph. 5:25-27) Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14)
Read the rest here.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
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