Provocative Church

Six Purposes of Prayer

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:42:00 PST

Joel Beeke & Brian Najapfour in Taking Hold of God: Reformed & Puritan Perspectives on Prayer list what John Calvin (Institutes: book 3, chapter 20) sees as the six (at least) purposes of prayer.

To fly to God with every need and gain from Him what is lacking in ourselves to live the Christian life
To learn to desire wholeheartedly only what is right as we place all our petitions before God
To prepare us to receive God's benefits and responses to to our petitions with humble gratitude
To meditate on God's kindness to us as we receive what we have asked for
To instill the proper spirit of delight for God's answers in prayer
To confirm God's faithful providence so that we may glorify Him and trust in His present help more readily as we witness His regularly answering our prayers

"All of these purposes are designed to foster communion with God so that 'the promises of God should have their way with us.'" (quoting Niesel, Theology of Calvin, 157)

From Taking Hold of God, pg 31-32.

(ht: Reformissionary)

Life is Precious

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:55:00 PST

“Life is precious. Not because it is unchangeable, like a diamond, but because it is vulnerable, like a little bird. To love life means to love its vulnerability, asking for care, attention, guidance, and support. Life and death are connected by vulnerability. The newborn child and the dying elder both remind us of the preciousness of our lives. Let’s not forget the preciousness and vulnerability of life during the times we are powerful, successful, and popular.”

- Henri Nouwen

God is a Missionary God

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:37:00 PST

God is a missionary God and He has sent the Church to participate in His mission of reconciling the world to Himself. That mission is the purpose of the Church on this earth, and the message is the good news of the kingdom. Missional activity encompasses the redemptive mission of Jesus. Just as Jesus was sent to seek and to save what was lost, the Church is sent to seek and to save what was lost.

-- Dr. David DeVries

Justin Bieber on Church Attendance

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:33:00 PST

Justin Bieber on Church Attendance:

“A lot of people who are religious, I think they get lost. They go to church just to go to church. I’m not trying to disrespect them . but for me, I focus more on praying and talking to Him. I don’t have to go to church.”

So is it any surprise that those in his generation have trouble seeing the relevancy of going to church.

The Power of Vulnerability

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:26:00 PST

Brene Brown studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk at TEDxHouston, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity.

Free Resources to combat the dangers of the Internet

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:51:00 PST

The Internet has introduced unprecedented challenges, and the potential threats can change daily. Being in ministry, I see all the time, the challenges to Christians and their families. As a reader of ProvocativeChurch, I am committed to helping you be resourced in order to protect yourself and your loved ones online.

To help educate you about these Internet dangers, I am pleased to offer the latest educational resources from Covenant Eyes. All of them are completely FREE. I know you will find these informative guides valuable, and I hope you will share them with your friends and family.

Check them all out HERE!

The Man With A Golden Voice

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:41:00 PST

Here is an update on Ted Williams, 1 year later.

Jesus > Religion

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 06:01:00 PST

Thoughts?

Interview with Kent Annan

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:14:47 PST

As you know I've been to Haiti several times leading medical teams, and our Atlanta chapter has an ongoing partnership in Haiti.

Recently Patheos conducted an interview with Kent Annan who is the author of After Shock (a book about the Haitian earthquake and our faith) and of Following Jesus Through the Eye of the Needle. You can find more about his writing at www.KentAnnan.com, and you can follow him on twitter: @kentannan.

Here is an excerpt of the interview:

1. What is the status of the recovery from the earthquake? Are people still living in the camps?

About half a million people are living in some form of tent camps or temporary structures. So recovery progress is obviously far, far too slow for each of these boys, girls, women, and men. Excruciatingly slow, two years later. At the same time, many have moved out of those temporary shelters. Building is happening. Projects are underway. So absolutely, the progress is unacceptable with so many people having to accept living in circumstances nobody should have to endure. But the recovery isn’t in a vacuum. The circumstances were very hard before the earthquake. I’m asked this all the time but still struggle to answer succinctly: some progress, too much suffering still, much more progress needed. I guess that says it.

2. How is the faith of the Haitian people holding up?

Like with any group or society, there’s not just one monolithic response. On a general level, many people still go to church every Sunday, and there is lots of other continued evidence of how important faith is in so many people’s lives. I can speak a little more about my friends and colleagues, the people I work with regularly. And I see their faith still sustaining them, still central in how they understand life, receive grace and strength. This past September we started a new scholarship program, that we’re calling Micah Scholars. We’re partnering with three Haitian seminaries and providing full scholarships for five students in each, as well as extra support and mentoring. So with this question, my mind goes to these 15 students, who are all in their twenties and early thirties. They’re remarkable young men and women. They’re in circumstances as challenging as almost any in the world. They’re engaged in leadership for their churches and communities. They’re studying hard. They’re excited about the future, without any delusions about the challenges. One more thought, to play off the wording of your question, is that one thing I often find the faith of Haitian people holding up is my own faith.

3. Have American churches basically forgotten about it? Or are they still engaged?

We have great church partners with Haiti Partners — though of course we always want more because there are so many vital needs and opportunities to help. Haiti is an important focus for me, so sure, I wish the American church would be even more involved (well, maybe not always, but as long as they’re involved humbly, thoughtfully, and respectfully). Realistically, though, there are also many needs in American communities, not to mention in places all over the world. My general advice is, it’s good to help out in a crisis, but I think it benefits the people you’re trying to help, as well as your own church, to have a focus that lasts, that doesn’t just jump from place to place, from headline to headline, from trendy cause to trendy cause, every year or two. This lets a relationship develop. It means there can be back and forth. It can break us out of thinking of others as simply victims, and of ourselves as kind of saviors–and then, with a longer commitment, we start to realize how we’re all in this together. That has implications for their lives and for our own lives. That’s my pitch for staying engaged: you’ll help more, and you’ll be transformed yourself in ways that are challenging and transforming.

4. What can we do now to help?

Read the whole interview HERE

Haiti Two Years Later

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 06:12:31 PST

Today marks the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake that killed about 300,000 people. President Michel Martelly in a report from earlier this week said that 800,000 Haitians are living without electricity, 500,000 can’t read or write, and 8 out 10 live on less than $2 a day. Though half of the rubble has been cleared and reconstruction has begun, Haiti has a long way to go in its recovery effort. Please don't forget Haiti - your prayers and support.

Faith Is Not Merely A Feeling

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:22:01 PST

Faith is not an instinct. It certainly is not a feeling - feelings don't help much when you're in the lions' den or hanging on a wooden Cross. Faith is not inferred from the happy way things work. It is an act of will, a choice, based on the unbreakable Word of a God who cannot lie, and who showed us what love and obedience and sacrifice mean, in the person of Jesus Christ.

- Elisabeth Elliot

Brenna's New Haircut and Style

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:45:01 PST

Just wanted to showcase my beautiful daughter and her style. She is certainly growing up - dad is having a hard time to adjust.

The Next Billy Graham May Be Drunk Right Now

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:50:00 PST

From Russell Moore:

We asked Dr. Henry if he saw any hope in the coming generation of evangelicals. And I will never forget his reply.

“Why, you speak as though Christianity were genetic,” he said. “Of course, there is hope for the next generation of evangelicals. But the leaders of the next generation might not be coming from the current evangelical establishment. They are probably still pagans.” “Who knew that Saul of Tarsus was to be the great apostle to the Gentiles?” he asked us. “Who knew that God would raise up a C.S. Lewis, a Charles Colson? They were unbelievers who, once saved by the grace of God, were mighty warriors for the faith.”

The next Jonathan Edwards might be the man driving in front of you with the Darwin Fish bumper decal. The next Charles Wesley might be a misogynist, profanity-spewing hip-hop artist right now. The next Billy Graham might be passed out drunk in a fraternity house right now. The next Charles Spurgeon might be making posters for a Gay Pride March right now. The next Mother Teresa might be managing an abortion clinic right now. But the Spirit of God can turn all that around

Who knows what wild and obnoxious kid sitting in your youth group today will be in 20 years by the grace of God. We need to persevere and pray trusting God for the next generation.

99-year-old divorces wife after he discovered 1940s affair

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:34:11 PST

The Italian man, identified by lawyers in the case only as Antonio C, was rifling through an old chest of drawers when he made the discovery a few days before Christmas.

Notwithstanding the time that had elapsed since the betrayal, he was so upset that he immediately confronted his wife of 77 years, named as Rosa C, and demanded a divorce. Guilt-stricken, she reportedly confessed everything but was unable to persuade her husband to reconsider his decision. She wrote the letters to her lover during a secret affair in the 1940s, according to court papers released in Rome this week.

The couple are now preparing to split, despite the ties they forged over nearly eight decades – they have five children, a dozen grandchildren and one great-grand child. (full story HERE)

Strange that someone would throw away all those years of marriage on find reconciliation and forgiveness.

It's Not The Answer

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 17:25:00 PST

"I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer." -Jim Carrey (Reader's Digest - March 2006)

The Incarnation

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:42:19 PST

Does Grace Produce Disobedience?

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:54:59 PST

I have heard this question many times, although not so brazen as to ask it so explicitly. Here is Tullian Tchividjian's thoughts on this issue:

There seems to be a fear out there that the preaching of grace produces serial killers. Or, to put it in more theological terms, too much emphasis on the indicatives of the gospel leads to antinomianism (a heretical version of Christianity that believes there is no place for God’s law in the life of a Christian). My problem with this fear is that I’ve never actually met anyone who has been truly gripped by God’s amazing grace in the gospel who then doesn’t care about obeying him. When our hearts are genuinely grasped by God’s unconditional love, the last thing we want to ask is, “What can I get away with?” Those who conclude, “Goody, I can now continue in sin til my heart’s content” prove that they don’t get grace. As I’ve said before: antinomianism happens not when we think too much of grace. Just the opposite, actually.

Antinomianism happens when we think too little of grace. Wondering whether this common fear is valid, my dear friend Elyse Fitzpatrick (in C.S. Lewis fashion) writes an open letter to Mr. Grace-Loving Antinomian-a person she’s heard about for years but never met-asking him to please step forward and identify himself. I posted this a while back but I just read it again myself and want to share it with those who may not have seen it the first time. It’s that good. Enjoy…

Dear Mr. Antinomian,

Forgive me for writing to you in such an open forum but I’ve been trying to meet you for years and we just never seem to connect. While it’s true that I live in a little corner of the States and while it’s true that I am, well, a woman, I did assume that I would meet you at some point in my decades old counseling practice. But alas, neither you nor any of your (must be) thousands of brothers and sisters have ever shown up for my help…So again, please do pardon my writing in such a public manner but, you see, I’ve got a few things to say to you and I think it’s time I got them off my chest.

I wonder if you know how hard you’re making it for those of us who love to brag about the gospel. You say that you love the gospel and grace too, but I wonder how that can be possible since it’s been continuously reported to me that you live like such a slug. I’ve even heard that you are lazy and don’t work at obeying God at all…Rather you sit around munching on cigars and Twinkies, brewing beer and watching porn on your computer. Mr. A, really! Can this be true?

So many of my friends and acquaintances are simply up in arms about the way you act and they tell me it’s because you talk too much about grace. They suggest (and I’m almost tempted to agree) that what you need is more and more rules to live by. In fact, I’m very tempted to tell you that you need to get up off your lazy chair, pour your beer down the drain, turn off your computer and get about the business of the Kingdom.

I admit that I’m absolutely flummoxed, though, which is why I’m writing as I am. You puzzle me. How can you think about all that Christ has done for you, about your Father’s steadfast, immeasurable, extravagantly generous love and still live the way you do? Have you never considered the incarnation, about the Son leaving ineffable light to be consigned first to the darkness of Mary’s womb and then the darkness of this world? Have you never considered how He labored day-after-day in His home, obeying His parents, loving His brothers and sisters so that you could be counted righteous in the sight of His Father? Have you forgotten the bloody disgrace of the cross you deserve? Don’t you know that in the resurrection He demolished sin’s power over you? Aren’t you moved to loving action knowing that He’s now your ascended Lord Who prays for you and daily bears you on His heart? Has your heart of stone never been warmed and transformed by the Spirit? Does this grace really not impel zealous obedience? Hello…Are you there?

Honestly, even though my friends talk about you as though you were just everywhere in every church, always talking about justification but living like the devil, frankly I wonder if you even exist. I suppose you must because everyone is so afraid that talking about grace will produce more of you. So that’s why I’m writing: Will you please come forward? Will you please stand up in front of all of us and tell us that your heart has been captivated so deeply by grace that it makes you want to watch the Playboy channel?

Again, please do forgive me for calling you out like this. I really would like to meet you. I am,
Trusting in Grace Alone,

Elyse

by TULLIAN TCHIVIDJIAN and originally posted on the Gospel Coalition Website

Till Death Do Us Part

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:55:33 PST

A devoted Iowa couple married for 72 years died holding hands in the hospital last week, exactly one hour apart.

After a car crash it was evident they weren’t going to survive so were were moved to a room together where they could lay next to one another and hold hands, and then . . .

Gordon Yeager died at 3:38 p.m. He was no longer breathing, but the family was surprised by what his monitor showed.

“Someone in there said, ‘Why, then, when we look at the monitor is the heart still beating?’” Sheets recalled. “The nurse said Dad was picking up Mom’s heartbeat through Mom’s hand.”

“And we thought, ‘Oh my gosh, Mom’s heart is beating through him,’” Dennis Yeager said.Norma Yeager died exactly an hour later.
Full Article

Are You Complaining?

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:14:00 PDT

Get Drunk on Grace

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:13:12 PDT

The Reformation was a time when men went blind, staggering drunk because they had discovered, in the dusty basement of late medievalism, a whole cellarful of fifteen-hundred-year-old, two-hundred-proof grace—of bottle after bottle of pure distillate of Scripture, one sip of which would convince anyone that God saves us single-handedly. The word of the gospel—after all those centuries of trying to lift yourself into heaven by worrying about the perfection your bootstraps—suddenly turned out to be a flat announcement that the saved were home before they started…Grace has to be drunk straight: no water, no ice, and certainly no ginger ale; neither goodness, nor badness, nor flowers that bloom in the spring of super spirituality could be allowed to enter into the case.

-Robert Farrar Capon, Between Noon and Three: Romance, Law, and the Outrage of Grace

(ht: Buzzard Blog)

What Do You Pray For?

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:04:46 PDT

Kirk Docker asks a series of people in the street, from various backgrounds and religions, what they pray for - here is what he got.

The Scary Side of Halloween

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:55:11 PDT

Halloween is coming up soon, and I found this infographic interesting since it came from a store that makes it's money from selling Halloween costumes and accessories.

[Via: Halloween Express]

RIP - Steve Jobs

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:07:15 PDT

Naked Old Guys Raise Money for their Church

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 06:36:26 PDT

Not sure which of these issues is the most offensive and disturbing - seeing pictures of naked old dudes, using such pictures in a calendar as a "church" fundraiser or just all of the above? Who on their worst day would have thought that this was a good idea!?

Here is the excerpt from the news article:

Twelve First Parish men, ages 64 to 87, are showcased in individual color photographs to create the “Celebration 2012” wall calendar.

Each month highlights a color photo of one man from First Parish in Framingham engaged in an activity significant to his life, his biographical sketch, and an inspirational quote. The calendar is more than a fund-raiser. It is a monthly celebration of older men and a tribute to life, to work, to play, and to senior men everywhere.

The design, development, and sales and marketing of “Celebration 2012” are the result of dedicated First Parish volunteers who have given their time and expertise to produce this wall calendar for your enjoyment.

uuframingham.org

MetroWest Daily News Article

I can't imagine too many churches (and of course calling Unitarian Universalists a church is thoroughly misplaced - but that is another issue) ever considering such an idea. Yet I believe that similar nonsense happens in other ways and in other forms as the American church seems fixated in constantly chasing after being "hip", "relevant" or "cool".

Believing that your church is cool and hip because your pastor is doing an edgy sermon series on SEX
Feeling the need to to have over the top giveaways, door prizes and marketing gimmicks to get people to come to your church on Easter morning.
Combining the celebration of the Lord's Supper with Flash Mobs!? (these are true examples)
And the list could go on and on.......

The world and culture doesn't want us, the church, to look like them, they want...no, they expect us to be different.

(ht: Bag of Nothing)

We Are the Pharisees of the New Millennium

breichart@bigcreekchurch.com (Bill Reichart) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:22:09 PDT

"The spirituality of America is Christian in name only. We desire experience more than knowledge. We prefer choices to absolutes. We embrace preferences rather than growth, faith must come on our terms or we reject it. We have enthroned ourselves as the final arbiters of righteousness, the ultimate rulers of our own experience and destiny. We are the Pharisees of the new millennium."

~ George Barna