Why Thorn Removal Is Not the Goal (Part 1)

Mike Leake

Take a couple of minutes and watch this guys story:

What if this man spent his entire life trying to grow arms and legs?  He sacrificed marriage.  He forfeited kids.  He never had a job.  Never had an ambition to influence others.  His whole life was swallowed up with this single lone pursuit—have arms and legs.  He will not experience joy until he experiences healing.  He’s not moving on until he is “normal” and has arms and legs.  He is passionate, determined, and unrelenting in his pursuit of this goal. 

What if on his 80th birthday the miraculous happens: he wakes up with two arms and two legs.  He is healed.  His passionate determination pays off.  Then, two days later he dies. 

What of his life?

Thus begins a series in which I make the argument that many believers spend more time trying to remove thorns than we do living in sufficient grace…

Today in Blogworld 7.24.12

Mike Leake

Does God Love Us By Sending Pain?

Tony Reinke interacts with a Slate article on spanking.  In this he not only reflects on the issue of spanking but also our view of the Lord’s discipline.  Excellent points. 

An Interview with John Piper

Tim Challies, with help from some of his readers, has interviewed John Piper.  As always Challies asks some great questions and Piper gives some great answers. 

Gay is Not the New Black

Voddie Baucham has never shied away from controversy.  His bold stance here is one example of his faithfulness in spite of opposition.  Voddie argues that the gay marriage issue is not and should not be compared to the civil rights movement. 

J.I. Packer’s Advice to Aspiring Writers

When J.I. Packer speaks—especially about writing—you listen.  Here is a 9 minute video clip that is immensely helpful.  If you don’t have time to read it then the folks at DG have summed it up nicely. 

This is an issue I have been wondering about for awhile.  Interesting discussion here on spontaneous baptisms:

5 Types of Articles Actually Worthy of Time

Mike Leake

No blogging and no feed reading last week meant I had 3,000 articles demanding my attention this morning.  You learn a valuable lesson when faced with such a daunting task; namely, unless you want to waste days reading articles you tell most of these screaming articles to hush up without even really reading their content. 

This sifting process helped me discover that there really are only 5 types of articles that I actually deem worthy of my time.  These are articles that:

  1. Might be Helpful (Ministry, Writing, Cheap books, Parenting, etc.)
  2. Might be Humorous (Everybody loves a good laugh)
  3. Might be Happening (Current Events, Music, New Inventions)
  4. Might be Historical (What can I say I’m a history nerd?)
  5. Don’t Fit the Mold (If a title has me wondering, “what in the world is this about”, I’m likely to star it and read it later). 

This has also taught me a few lessons about blogging. 

  1. If My Title Stinks So Does My Article.  Okay, not really. But to the person scanning through Google Reader, if the title doesn’t hook or make me think that it’s one of those five things above, I won’t star it and I won’t read it, no matter how good it actually was. 
  2. Controversy Only Gives Traffic for a Day.  Some controversy may be helpful.  If so, then I’ll read it.  But I found myself happily skipping over  about 200 articles on needless controversy that really doesn’t matter to me a week later.  The only way controversy really gives you steady traffic is if this becomes your identity.  And who wants that?  Not me. 
  3. Pictures Really Do Help.  It catches my eye and makes me think the article is an easier read than if it’s a lengthy block quote.
  4. So do lists and bullet points.  Again it makes me think I can peruse it quickly and think about it more later.
  5. Your name matters.  I’m more likely to give an article from a reputable author a little more play than I am a guy I’ve hardly heard of.  I’m that guy that people have hardly ever heard of.  So I better get my foot in the door quick or I’m not going to get starred and read later. 
  6. Use only what is necessary.  If I can say it in 1 word instead of 5 I should.

Today in Blogworld 7.23.12

Mike Leake

Most of these will probably be from last week as I am playing catch-up, from missing a week of blogging.

Sanctification in the Everyday

John Piper—or more accurately someone on his staff–has compiled some of his sermons on sanctification into an ebook.  As typical with DG the book is yours for free.  Just click this link and pick which format you want the book in. 

Have Our Children Forgotten How to Play Outdoors?

Taking his cues from author Richard Louv, Al Mohler wonders whether or not our children have a nature-deficit disorder.  I appreciate Mohler’s insight as well as his pointing out this interesting looking book.  You can buy Louv’s book here. 

Spare the Rod, Spoil the Church

Wes Pastor blends parenting discipline with church discipline and notes that neglecting either is deadly.  I really appreciate this piece.  Be sure to read the comments as well as they actually add to the discussion (which is unfortunately not-typical). 

Profile of an Abuser

With the Jerry Sandusky trial having been completed and the after effects now hitting Penn State I commend Steve Cornell’s work here in profiling an abuser.  The greatest damage isn’t Sandusky’s prison sentence, taking down Paterno’s statue, or the punishment meted out by the NCAA.  The greatest damage is that which Sandusky did to his victims.  Here Cornell profiles abusers so that parents will see red flags before its too late. 

Wow!  Count me as one that is impressed:

(HT:Z)