This Week in Blogworld 3/06/09

Mike Leake 1 Comment

Hunter Beaumont (on the Resurgence blog) thinks that “AND” might be the most important theological word. Read why he thanks that, here.

Ed Stetzer posts a discussion with Andy Stanley on communication. Be sure to read part one and part two. Jared Wilson interacts. Be sure to read what Jared has to say I think it is important.

John Piper confronts pansy dads that let their sons wrestle girls. Great interaction with a hot topic–this is about much more than wrestling.

CJ Mahaney interviews Jerry Bridges. Good stuff here.

Jay Adams discusses the emotions of God…or well, lack theirof. I have a question about this. If what Adams is saying is true–then can we really talk about God being happy and joyous?

Wow, you have to read this. It is the Eulogy that Erik Raymond’s 13 year old, Bryce, wrote for him. (Note it was a school project the Irish Calvinist is still alive and well). All I can say is this 13 year old gets the gospel. Wow!

James MacDonald preaches a very needed message. I think some of those “discernment” blogs need to forward this around. I’m sure that he’ll get “flamed” for this one…but great stuff: The Gift of Discernment Used in the Flesh

Hopefully I did not miss Part 2, but Alvin Reid and Nathan Finn have written a piece together about Calvinism and the SBC.

Even though this is a tad embarassing here is a video that I worked on with a few of our students last Fall. And it really is true–until I was married I really thought Bing Crosby was a black guy:

Theology, Relationship with God, and Prayer

Mike Leake 1 Comment

In the February ‘09 edition of “The Briefing” (Matthias Media), Andrew Barry examines Job from the perspective of theology, our relationship with God and prayer.

Job treats God as someone with whom he has a relationship….his
friends treat God as a theological debate. They may score good
theological points, but it’s Job who trusts God. Rather than being
just a book about the problem of evil, the book of Job contains a sharp
and scary message for would-be theologians. These people actually
infuriate God with their endless discussions if they are not men and
women of prayer (Job 42:7).

Far too often I find myself so enraptured with the study of God’s Word that I neglect to apply it to my life. I wonder if, at times, I am more concerned about my relationship with the Bible than I am my relationship with God. As I seek to dive deeper into God’s Word may I not become so enmeshed in the pursuit of spiritual knowledge that I fail to give equal importance to spiritual wisdom and spiritual practice.

Hump Day Humor: Church Blooper Edition

Mike Leake

I got this in e-mail the other day. Everyone and their mom has probably already seen it (probably because your mom forwarded it to you). But I have to finish up preparing for a sermon today…so I am going to be a tad lazy with this one. This are however funny. These are real sentences that have either appeared in bulletins or have been said in church:

  • The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
  • The sermon this morning: ‘Jesus Walks on the Water.’ The sermon tonight:’Searching for Jesus.’
  • Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
  • Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say ‘Hell’ to someone who doesn’t care much about you.
  • Don’t let worry kill you off – let the Church help.
  • Miss Charlene Mason sang ‘I will not pass this way again,’ giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
  • For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
  • Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
  • At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be ‘What Is Hell?’ Come early and listen to our choir practice.
  • Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
  • Scouts are saving aluminium cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
  • Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
  • Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM – prayer and medication to follow.
  • The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may beseen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
  • This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.
  • Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done.
  • The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.
  • Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.
  • The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.
  • Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
  • The Associate Minister unveiled the church’s new campaign slogan last Sunday: ‘I Upped My Pledge – Up Yours.’

Review of Worldliness by CJ Mahaney and Others

Mike Leake 8 Comments

Author: Various, C.J. Mahaney Editor

Pages: 192 pages

Publisher: Crossway

Price: 9.74

Genre: Christian Living/Personal Growth

Quick Summary:

Worldliness. We all are tempted to sin in regards to our relationship to the world. Either we sinfully disengage or we sinfully over-engage. This little book is an attempt to draw a biblical balance that culminates at the Cross.

John Piper writes the Foreword in which he rightly names the authors as “gospel-lovers”. Piper encourages us to read on and calls this book a gift to pastors (as it is). C.J. Mahaney, the editor, begins the book by outlining the discussion. He defines worldliness and sets the stage for what follows. He gets to the core of the issue at the very beginning: “Only through the power of the cross of Christ can we successfully resist the seduction of the fallen world”. What followers are the various authors making Mahaney’s chapter practical. Craig Cabaniss considers the Media, Bob Kauflin discusses Music, Dave Harvey confronts Stuff, Mahaney again joins the discussion with his chapter on Modesty, and Jeff Purswell closes up the book by offering advice on Loving the World. There are also two helpful appendixes (one a modesty check, the other about modesty on your Wedding Day). Also, to our benefit are discussion questions.

What I Liked:

Few people can walk (or write) in such a fashion that they stay on the tightrope between legalism and licentiousness. Mahaney and those that write with him in this book do just that. In each chapter, regardless of the topic, they always point you to the Cross and the glory of God. They never drift toward legalistic list making nor give you a license to sin. They get to the core of worldliness—our heart and its relationship to God.

The length of this book is perfect. The writing is catchy. The questions are probing. The appendix is helpful. The discussion questions are wonderful. That is why I will be taking our young men through a study of this book. Excellent work…much needed.

What I Disliked:

I personally was not that involved in the fifth chapter on dressing modestly. Nevertheless, it is a needed chapter and a wonderful exposition on modesty. I also disliked the fact that this book confronts my sinfulness to the core. I did not like the fact that it challenged me to unplug my television and shut down my computer. I did not like that it does not give me lists of do’s and don’ts but rather makes me ask questions that get to the core. But then again I do not like those things because I desperately needed this book. So even though I “disliked” those things that is what I love about this book—or more importantly what I love about the Holy Spirit’s work in my life.

Should You Buy It?

Our church just purchased 10 for our young men’s study. No matter what age or gender you are this book is deeply relevant. Even if you think an MP3 might be a character from Star Wars, you figure Lil’ Wayne is one of John’s children, an Eminem is something you eat, or you make an appointment at the doctor’s office because your neighbor suggest you should get an HDTV, you still need this book. We are all affected by worldliness. Buy it today!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars