The Rich Young Blogger

This might be what the story of the rich young ruler would be like today:

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, shut down your blog, cancel your speaking engagements, back out of that book deal, become an anonymous nobody, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had a large amount of Twitter followers and had gained a good amount of notoriety.

And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have a large following to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a celebrity pastor to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” If the guys we go see at conferences aren’t going to make it, what hope do we have? Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:17-27, modernized just a bit)

Today in Blogworld 02.08.16

A Primer on the Ax

Here is how to pick the correct ax.

Life, Death, and Entering Mid-Life Crisis Territory

I appreciate my friend Tom’s sober reflection.

Shedding Tears For Aslan

This is an example of why the church needs stories

Eavesdropping On Two Non-Christian Deathbeds

I too have learned a great deal by reflection the deathbed experience of believers and those who are actively rejecting Christ.

This is tricksy:

Want To Read a Preaching and Preachers With US?

Martyn Lloyd-Jones is considered one of the greatest preachers of the 20th century. Lloyd-Jones believed there was no substitute for biblical preaching within a church. He called this preaching “logic on fire”. In 1969 he gave a series of lecture at Westminster Theological Seminary. Those lectures became Preaching and Preachers which has now become a classic.

I know a good portion of my audience are not in pastoral ministry. And so I understand if going through such a book might seem unnecessary for you. And it might be. But it also might be very beneficial. Throughout the work Lloyd-Jones aims at convincing us that “the most urgent need in the Christian Church today is true preaching”. I think that’s a message for not only the preacher but also those in the pews.

I’ve read through this book two or three times now and I’d like to tackle it again. This time I want to walk through this book with a group of people. Here is what it will look like.

First, if you don’t have the book you can purchase it here. I’d really suggest getting the 40th Anniversary edition, the essays are wonderful.

Second, join our Facebook group.

Third, come back here every Friday. I’ll post reflection on the chapters and a few discussion questions.

It should take us until around May to walk through this classic text on preaching. If you’ve never read the book I’m convinced you’ll be blessed by it. If you have read the book I think going through it in a group might be helpful. I know I’ve got a few thoughts as they come up that I’d like to iron out in a community of others reading through the book.

So will you join us?

Today in Blogworld 02.05.16

Having Trouble In Ministry? Just Face It. Literally.

This is solid advice.

Sex Abuse in the Church

I appreciate what Catherine Parks has to say here.

Don’t Rapture the Resurrection

This is a good warning for those of us who are no longer pre-tribbers.

How to Spot a False Teacher

Isn’t this a scary sentence? “If you’re a pastor, chances are at least a few of your church members have flirted with false teaching at some point in their spiritual journeys.”

Want to make a pizza with a waffle iron? Here is how: