Living Hope

Watch Me! Discipleship

2012-02-29T19:12:00.000-05:00

Talk about a discipleship strategy!

Do you ever say to a young Christian, 'Do you want to know what Christianity is like? Watch me!' If you never do you are unbiblical.

From The Resurrection to His Return: Living Faithfully in the last days by Don Carson

Watch me!
I shudder to even say it.

Yet isn't it odd, that even though we know that our lives are naked before the Lord and Judge of all the Earth, we are more intimidated by the thought of being seen by another human? Who do we think we are fooling? Yet this rebuke brings such fear. We know we should always live as though someone is watching our every move. We know that he is. Here Carson was speaking in the context of being a mentor for younger Christians, for their benefit. I'm struck by how life changing this arrangement would be for me.

So tell me, How many of you would be comfortable offering yourselves as the poster child of Christianity?

Francis Chan's Crazy Love - Book Review

2012-02-27T16:22:00.000-05:00

Do I truly grasp God's love for me?
In return, do I love God with all my heart, soul, and strength?
What does it look like to live out this love for God in our day to day lives?

If you have ever found yourself asking these questions, you are not alone. In fact, if these have never crossed your mind, maybe now would be a good time to start!

Francis Chan explores these thoughts in his book, Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God. It seems Francis experienced what most people did who grew up in the church. We learned the songs, memorized John 3:16, and tried to keep ourselves from the really bad sins, but one day (Lord willing) we woke up, looked around, and wondered if this is really the way Christianity was supposed to be. Everyone else is playing along, so why do I feel as though I'm missing something?

Somehow through all of the rules and routines, we never came to the place of a full out confrontation with the Living God. Without this face to face, none of what we have learned to mimic, becomes real.

So now that you have been awakened to the reality of God, it is essential to learn all you can about who this God is. Chan stresses the importance of finding this truth in the Bible, for this is where God has chosen to reveal himself to us. In the first chapter, Chan explains some of God's key attributes such as His Holiness and what it means to be eternal, all-knowing, all-powerful, and just. He then shares two instances from scripture where men have stood before God and their reaction to what they saw. John and Isaiah both experienced what it was like to be in God's presence. Each were driven two their knees and convicted of their sin and unworthiness. God is not to be taken lightly.

Yet we are still faced with question of whether we truly love the Lord our God with all of our heart, or do we just give him enough to try and pass the test. What else in our lives is taking the love and longing that we should have for our Savior? Are we giving him our best, or just our scraps? What does it look like to live in loving obedience to the one who has given all to us? Chan starts by showing us what it looks like to be lukewarm towards God. This section is very convicting. I saw myself and my guilt in so many of the profiles he portrayed. One thing I found especially haunting, was his explanation of the parable of the sower, he warns us not to assume that we are the good soil. Ouch!

Chapter five is devoted to showing us what it looks like to live for God. Again each profile is convicting. Oh, how I fall short. It is encouraging though to read of very practical ways to live out our faith and obedience to our great God. One thing is made perfectly clear. God isn't just asking for some of us, he expects us to give him our all.

Francis Chan shares himself and his love for God in an easy to read and understand book, which still maintains the power to convict and cut to the heart of the matter. Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God is an excellent book for new Christians and for those, like me, who need to be reminded of these truths so vital to the Christian walk and faith. His clear, heart-felt language allows the seriousness of the subject to come through, while encouraging the reader to long for renewed love and devotion to God.

Tebow Cancels Speech at Prosperity Gospel Event

2012-02-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

I've never been a huge fan of the Broncos or "Celebrity Christians," but Tim Tebow is bringing me around.

Just read this.

Tim Tebow has canceled an appearance at a revival organized by a controversial Ohio preacher, a spokesman for the star athlete said Wednesday.

The Denver Broncos quarterback and dedicated Christian had been scheduled to speak at a three-day Columbus event in March led by televangelist Rod Parsley.

Tebow’s brother Robbie said in a phone interview that he was canceling the talk. Robbie Tebow said his brother’s speakers’ bureau hadn’t researched the event before saying yes to the invitation.

“I know for a fact that Tim is not going to be a part of it,” Robbie Tebow said. “That’s being resolved.”

Parsley teaches that God wants the faithful to be rich. Last year, he asked followers to donate more than $1 million to ward off satanic attacks. In the 2008 presidential election, Republican Sen. John McCain disowned an endorsement from Parsley after learning the pastor called Islam an “anti-Christ” religion.

Parsley’s gathering is called “Contending for the Faith Weekend.” Texas televangelist Kenneth Copeland, who also preaches the prosperity gospel, is another featured speaker, according to the event website.

Mark Youngkin, a spokesman for Parsley, said the quarterback has a contract with the event organizers, who have asked Tebow to reconsider. Youngkin said national advertising for the event had just been approved Tuesday.

“The ball’s in their court at this point,” Youngkin said. (Source)

The World-Tilting Gospel

2012-01-28T19:10:00.000-05:00

The craziest thing about Christianity, is that it all centers on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, yet it is the Gospel that so many people get wrong. Shouldn't this be the one thing all Christians agree on? The sad fact is that many who claim to believe the Good News, know very little about what that Good News actually is.

It is because of this sad reality that Dan Phillips book, "The World-Tilting Gospel: Embracing a Biblical Worldview and Hanging on Tight," is of such a necessity.

How did the first century Christians turn the whole world upside down, while we accomplish nothing more than arguing with atheists on the Internet? They had, knew, and lived the Gospel. Not some watered down, culturally acceptable imitation, but the glorious truth of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This Good News put the world in a spin. Dan Phillips sets out to explain the Gospel in all of its World-Tilting power for everyone.

In part one, he explores who were created to be and what we became on account of the Fall. The Good News never appears all that good unless you first encounter the bad in all of its hopeless, condemning terror. Dan painfully lays out our desperate condition, destroying any hope of finding salvation in ourselves.

Part two describes God's Eternal and Sovereign plan for the redemption of mankind. Here we discover how that God in Christ has done everything needed to save his people.(To God alone be the Glory.) Dan lays out the predicament of our dead-ness in sin and our complete dependence upon God for our regeneration and salvation. This section details the nuts and bolts of God's plan of Salvation, which is truly an area that many have settled for nothing more than a romantic, Hallmark card understanding.

Part Three thoroughly explains how we are brought into this Salvation, through repentance and faith, and shares the definition and application for each. Again, these are terms that suffer from many conflicting and erroneous definitions. Phillip's speaks with clarity and accuracy as he navigates past the errors, and leads us straight towards biblical truth.

In part four, we learn how to live with, and apply this biblical world view. Here Dan shares some of the common obstacles to Christian growth, many of which he has personally experienced. We have a habit of making things more difficult than they need to be, and this is one of those areas. He shows from scripture that our biggest need is to simply hear the truth and to obey the truth. Mystical, higher-plane nonsense has no place in the Christian life. Our duty is to hear and obey.

The World-Tilting Gospel: Embracing a Biblical Worldview and Hanging on Tight is an excellent book for curious sinners and new believers, as they explore what the Gospel of Jesus Christ truly is. It is written in a mostly positive tone, seeking to portray the truth, yet he doesn't neglect to issue important warnings of potential dangers and distractions that unfortunately can be met with along the way. I greatly appreciate the depth to which he delves into all that the Gospel is. I can confidently recommend and share this book with others knowing that within its pages they will encounter the truth.

You can learn more about Dan Phillips, and read more of his writings at his blog Biblical Christianity and Pyromaniacs where he blogs along with Phil Johnson and Frank Turk.

Always Learning, Yet Never Knowing

2012-01-20T18:09:00.000-05:00

I recently received an email from Quora, stating that I had been requested to answer a question concerning the Trinity. I hadn't visited the site in months, but thought I would check it out. Now, I've been on forums before and one thing that I've found both heart-breaking and interesting is the number of "learned" Christians who have either left the faith or now preach their own, newly discovered, version of it.

These people will have profiles indicating a Seminary education, years of devoted Bible study, parents or even themselves, who are or were, pastors or missionaries. These should be the best of the best, wielding the sword of the Lord with grace and skill, yet they now seem to have jumped ship. What has happened to them? When does someone "learn" that the biblical faith in Jesus Christ has been explained and lived all wrong?

Truthfully, those who no longer claim Christianity disturb me less than those who now have grown passed all of the supernatural and irrational things, that they never really understood or agreed with any way. These are the ones who deny a literal Adam and Eve, the doctrine of the Trinity, the exclusive claims of salvation through Jesus Christ, the existence of Hell, a global flood, the inspiration of scripture, and anything else that doesn't suit their enlightened minds.

If they would remain silent in their error, there would be no concern, but it seems that the more they go astray the louder they become. Many of the conversations on Quora, or other discussion sites, are spent arguing against other "Christians," much to the pleasure of atheists and skeptics alike. The entire fiasco becomes a blot on the testimony of Jesus Christ and his Church.

We must pray for the grace to handle these people with truth and love, laboring that they may be turned from their error, and we must seek to maintain our faith and relationship to God through Christ in all our studies that we not end up like them.

Paul spoke of these individuals in his second letter to Timothy.

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.

Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.
(2 Timothy 3:1-6; 2 Timothy 3:7-9 ESV)

Father, increase our faith!

Follow Brandon Lehr on Quora

Free Download - John Piper's "Bloodlines"

2012-01-16T18:26:00.003-05:00

From John Piper:

Bloodlines is one of the most autobiographical books I have written. It tells my story from racism to the path of redemption. I preached on the theme of Bloodlines yesterday to mark Martin Luther King weekend. The title of the message was “From Bloodlines to Bloodline.” I argued that God is calling his people to move from the alienation of many bloodlines to the reconciliation of the single bloodline that began on the cross of Christ.

I urged my people to read the book. Not because I care about selling books, but because I want them to know my story, to be aware to the global relevance of the issue, and to feel the hope that comes from the power of the gospel.

In making the book available in a PDF version online for free we are trying to remove every obstacle that might keep you from that experience.

Word-of-Faith Doctrine: Phil Johnson Weighs In

2012-01-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here is just a snippet of Phil's thoughts on the matter. Be sure to click through and read the whole post. Too many have been lead away be these smooth talking charlatans.

Furthermore, they say, you yourself are the one who ultimately determines how much or how little of God's blessings you enjoy. You can manipulate God with your words. You have it within the power of your own heart to summon enough faith to claim whatever blessing you want. And if you are not materially prosperous; if you are sick; if you suffer in any way, you are the one to blame because you didn't have enough "faith" in your own ability to create a new reality by making a positive confession. You didn't claim your own dream by faith....

In fact, Word-of-Faith doctrine flatly contradicts everything Scripture says about faith and the promises of God; about suffering and prosperity; about contentment and covetousness; about the work of Christ and the depravity of fallen humanity. It is the religion of mammon-worship; it is not the way of the cross. In short, it is a false gospel—meaning it is no gospel at all. It is a damning and damnable lie, and those who follow such a false and materialistic religion are on the broad road that leads to destruction.

So what do you think? Is he being too harsh or just giving fair warning?

Is God a Moral Monster?

2012-01-14T16:07:00.000-05:00

If you've spent any amount of time on the web letting your light shine (Matt 5:16), you have no doubt encountered some of whom call themselves, the New Atheists. These are an angry sort, who delight in blaspheming our God and his Holy Scriptures, with emotional accusations of barbarity and injustice, which they attribute to His words and actions as recorded in the Old Testament.

This is how Dawkins describes him.

"The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully."

Needless to say, Dawkins isn't a fan!

So as Christians, how should we respond to these charges? The problem is that if we are honest with ourselves, most of us struggle with many of the same passages and ideas that the New Atheists voice. We are left wondering, yet fearing to look as though we are guilty of doubting God and his Word, we simply bury our feelings and stand behind, "Well if God said it, then that settles it." Which isn't always a bad thing, unless it's used to hide our doubts and fears. How much better would it be to seek for the answers in his word, proving to us, and them that our God is both Great and Good.

This is exactly what Paul Copan sets out to do in his book, Is God a Moral Monster?: Making Sense of the Old Testament God. This book is an excellent go-to resource for all of those challenging concepts and passages. Paul writes in a very informative, yet readable style, suitable for seekers of all levels. Here are some of the challenges he covers, that the New Atheists have presented.

Canaanite "genocide"

the binding of Isaac

a jealous, egocentric deity

ethnocentrism/racism

chattel slavery

bride-price

women as inferior to men

harsh laws in Israel

the Mosaic law as perfect and permanently binding for all nations

the irrelevance of God for morality

(page22)

I really like this book. I found it both informative and challenging. Many of the "difficulties" I thought I had all figured out, until I read his explanations. Paul states that many of the problems Christians face, stem from an overly simple, surface reading of the Old Testament, much like a children's Sunday School lesson. By looking deeper into the text, and into the historical background of the cultures of the Ancient Near East, many of these difficulties can be put into their proper perspectives. Yes, most of our problems come from trying to read an ancient text in a modern time. Things don't always translate one to one. Not that everything can be neatly packaged for everyone, but with some willingness to explore the issues thoroughly, acceptable answers can be found.

Paul Copan's Is God a Moral Monster?: Making Sense of the Old Testament God is a book that all of us would do well to have on hand while engaging in evangelism and apologetics.

The Top Ten Theologians

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

A Book Every Christian Should Read (and it's on sale!)

2012-01-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

I have always enjoyed reading to my boys each night, and it is something we have tried to maintain. At first I'd read a short book or from one of our story bibles (this one or that one) and then we would pray and say good night. One night they were having a little trouble getting themselves calmed down, so I decided to try something different. After prayer with the lights out, I decided to find a book I could read from one of my Android phone apps. I opened Google Books, and there installed along with the app was Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, perfect. So we started reading it and the kids loved it, wanting more each night. After this we moved to Pinocchio, which was another hit. If you haven't noticed, the common denominator in both of these books is the fact that each of them are free to download!

Now, I told you all that to tell you this; I then moved on to the Kindle app and read another free-be, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, before looking for something a little more edifying for the Christian life. It was then I decided to read to them one of my all time favorites, The Pilgrim's Progress: From This World to That Which Is to Come. Now this one wasn't free, but it was worth every penny.

John Bunyan's classic has been edited and published in many forms, but this one happens to be the best I've seen so far. The language and structure maintains its original beauty while being updated just enough for smoother reading and easier comprehension. The kids had no problem following along, and to my surprise came to understand the allegorical situations rather quickly. They knew poor Christian's burden that so heavily weighed him down was his sin. They understood that it was upon his seeing of the cross that it so effortlessly fell from his back. Yes, I spent little time explaining the different encounters and people he met with.

This was my third time through the book and yet I'm surprised by how much it impacts me still. This is a must read for all Christians. Bunyan so clearly reveals the wonder of Grace, the persistence of sin, and the continual struggle we face to overcome. So many of the situations Christian encounters, I have found myself in as well, but it is the people he meets that amazes me the most. Though it was first published in 1678, Bunyan brings to life so many characters, whom we continue to meet with today. Whether it's Shame, Obstinate, Formalist, Hypocrisy, or Giant Despair, we've met them all and experienced their ways.

Probably the biggest lesson I've learned from The Pilgrim's Progress, is that the Christian life is a journey and not a ride. It can be difficult, and must be purposefully walked, and if you're not battling sin or temptation, then you're not on the right path. It is a struggle. So often I forget that and fall into apathy, simply coasting along.

To reach the Celestial City, we must walk with direction.

But while your traveling, why not read something helpful? The Kindle version is on sale for $0.95

I wouldn't have done that!

2012-01-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

Photo: Paul Sakuma / AP

I'm not much of a sports guy, but I'm surrounded by many who are. Passionate sports guys (and girls : -) These people don't just watch the game, they live and die right along side each player and pass. One thing I've learned is that the best decisions are made in the recliner and not on the field.

"What were they thinking?"
"Now why didn't he run the ball?!"
"He was wide open!"

Obviously, there is a big difference between watching an event take place and that of actually being in it. In the relaxed comfort of our living rooms, along with the camera's birds eye view, we may be able to spot each little mistake, but the view from the field is another story. That quarter-back is surrounded by a flurry of activity, while trying to focus on making the play, all the while distracted by the fact that a line full of men share a single goal of pummeling him to the ground. There is quite a bit of difference between these points of view.

Most of us will concede to this fact while judging a player's performance on the field, but when it comes to a brother or sister's performance in their Christian walk, we often aren't as accommodating. It is so easy to look upon another's situation and condemn or criticize their every move.

"How could they be so misled?"
"Is his faith that small?"
"I wouldn't have given in that easily!"

See the parallel? Watching from the distance, safely outside of the danger zone, we condemn their actions and boast of what we would have done had we been in their shoes.

Oh, how we think too much of ourselves!

We must be careful in proclaiming how we would succeed where others have failed. In doing so we forget the truth that we can do nothing on our own, and that is only through God's Sovereign Grace and Power that any of us can withstand in the day of trial. One thing is certain though, one day our trial will come, and only then will we truly know the actions we would take.

Ice Cream Sandwich on the Samsung Captivate

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

Well by now you have probably heard the news that the Galaxy S phones will not be getting an official update to Android's latest, Ice Cream Sandwich. This doesn't come as much of a surprise, considering we have yet to see the Gingerbread update AT&T promised last year. So is all hope lost?

Thankfully the Galaxy S phones, including our beloved Cappy, have a talented and eager crowd of developers supporting it. They have been providing us many great Gingerbread ROMs,and now many of them have turned their attention to bringing us ICS. At the moment there are not one, but two, ICS ROMs in development. The first is being developed by onecosmic and the other by teamhacksung, which will eventually become CM9.

Both are very impressive. They have come along way in a short amount of time. I've switched back and forth between the two and can say they are becoming quite stable. Though there are still bugs and quirks to be found and fixed, most would find either of these to be suitable for use as their daily driver.

So if your feeling adventurous, head on over and give it shot. Here are some screenshots featuring teamhacksung's build 12.

I love the new Google Reader Widget for ICS.

Free Audio Book - Knowing God by J.I. Packer

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

This month's free audio book from christianaudio is a good one, J.I. Packer's Knowing God. This is one you don't want to miss.

You can read my review here.

An Exceptional Gingerbread ROM for the Samsung Captive

2012-01-02T13:37:00.000-05:00

I've ran just about every I9000, I897, CM7, MIUI ROM that can be found at the XDA forums for the Captivate. Most are really good, but here is one that has been running excellent on my phone, [ROM]JW1[2.3.6] SAUROM Projekt 'One Rom to Rule Them All'. DAGr8 has put together a stable, fast performing build with this release. It includes tons of lock screen and toggle options, as well as a great selection of themes.

One thing that makes this ROM great is the Semaphore Kernel included in the package. I run over clocked @1200 and the responsiveness is impressive.

A Heimdall One Click is available for an easy installation as well as the usual CWM flashable zips.

I like having the option to have the weather on the lock screen. It also has the ability to launch custom apps, hence the middle ring.

This is using the stock theme and ADWLauncher EX. The clock and live wallpaper are both from Beautiful Widgets.

This Year's Bible Reading Plan

2011-12-30T10:03:00.001-05:00

I successfully completed last year's plan, so I need to pick which plan I'll follow this year. Last year I used the M’Cheyne plan through the YouVersion site and Android App. It has daily reading from four different places. I liked it, but struggled with having four different "stories" going at once. One nice thing is that by following the plan, you will have read the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice by years end.

So, this year I'm going with the Canonical plan. This plan simply starts with Genesis 1 and goes straight through till the end. I'll still read the whole Bible, and with the lighter schedule I'll be able to read some other books as well.

If you're feeling ambitious, you can join Tim Challies in attempting Professor Grant Horner's Bible Reading System. His plan is intense to say the least. Here is a little more about it.

Each day you will read one chapter from each of ten lists. That’s right — ten chapters per day!!! Use ten bookmarks or sticky notes with the individual lists on them to keep track of your locations. Or use the set of bookmarks provided on the last page of this document.

On day one, you read Matthew 1, Genesis 1, Romans 1, and so forth. On day 2, read Matthew 2, Genesis 2, etc. On day 29, you will have just finished Matthew, so go to Mark 1 on the Gospel list; you’ll also be almost to the end of 2nd Corinthians and Proverbs, you’ll be reading Psalm 29 and Genesis 29, and so forth. When you reach the last chapter of the last book in a list - start over again. Rotate all the way through all the Scriptures constantly.

Since the lists vary in length, the readings begin interweaving in constantly changing ways. You will NEVER read the same set of ten chapters together again! Every year you’ll read through all the Gospels four times, the Pentateuch twice, Paul’s letters 4-5 times each, the OTwisdom literature six times, all the Psalms at least twice, all the Proverbs as well as Acts a dozen times, and all the way through the OTHistory and Prophetic books about 1 12 times. Since the interweaving is constantly changing, you will experience the Bible commenting on itself in constantly changing ways — the Reformer’s principle of ‘scriptura interpretans scripturam’ — ‘scripture interpreting scripture’IN ACTION!

I have tried this system before. It does work, though it does take some getting used to. Prof. Horner's plan is also available through YouVersion if you're interested. Be sure to sign up with Challies, if you're going to use it, he has a Facebook page setup for those wishing to participate.

So, what plans have you used? What are you using this year?

Have You Met Shame? He's All Over the Internet.

2011-12-29T17:53:00.000-05:00

I've been reading The Pilgrim's Progress: From This World to That Which Is to Come to the boys each night and I stumbled upon this conversation where Faithful is describing to Christian his encounter with Shame. I was amazed at how well John Bunyan could describe this individual way back in 1678. I seem to meet these same enlightened, moderns arguing their secular, atheistic ideas all over the Internet using these same tactics today. I guess foolishness and self-righteousness doesn't change much over the years.

“Did you meet anyone else in the valley?” Christian inquired. Faithful answered, “Yes, I met with a man named Shame. However, of all the men that I met with in my pilgrimage, he, I think, bears the wrong name. The others would leave me after a little argumentation, but this bold-faced Shame would never have left me.”

“Why, what did he say to you?”

Faithful said, “He objected to religion itself; he said it was a pitiful, low, sneaking business for a man to consider religion. He said that a tender conscience is an unmanly thing and that I would be the object of ridicule if I watched over my words and ways and did not allow myself the liberties to which the brave spirits of the times accustom themselves. He also observed that not many mighty, rich, or wise are of my opinion. He also was quick to point out that most of the pilgrims are disreputable, powerless, and poor. He said that those who follow the way are out of step with the times in which they live, proving their ignorance and lack of understanding in all natural science.

“Yes, he railed against many things. For example, he said it was a shame to sit regretful and mournful under a sermon and a shame to come home sighing and groaning. He thought it a shame to ask my neighbor’s forgiveness for petty offenses or to make restitution when I had taken away something that belonged to another. He said that religion estranges men from the company of great men, who will tolerate vices (which he called by fine, respectable names), and makes them respect base sin because of their religious fraternity. Then he asked, ‘Is not this a shame?’”

“And what did you say to him?” Christian asked.

“At first I did not know what to say,” Faithful recounted. “He put my mind in such a spin that the blood rushed to my head. Yes, Shame almost silenced me. But then I began to consider, ‘That which is highly esteemed among men, is an abomination to God.’ And I began to consider that Shame was telling me what men were like, but nothing about what God or the Word of God is like.

“Moreover, I realized that on the Day of Judgment we will not be doomed to death or life according to the harassing spirits of the world but according to the wisdom and law of the Highest. Therefore, thought I, what God says is indeed best, though all the men in the world are against it, seeing that God prefers His religion and a tender conscience. I understood that He calls those people wise who make themselves fools for the Kingdom of Heaven and declares that the poor man who loves Christ is richer than the greatest man in the world who hates Him.

“So I said, ‘Shame, depart, for you are an enemy to my salvation! Shall I consider your arguments, Shame, against my Sovereign Lord? If so, then how can I look Him in the face at His coming? Can I now be ashamed of His ways and servants and expect the blessing?’

“Indeed, this Shame was a bold villain. I could hardly get him to leave my company. He would haunt me and continually whisper in my ear about one or another of the infirmities that attend religion. At last I told him it was useless for him to attempt to persuade me further, for those things that he disdained were the very things in which I saw the most glory. So at last I was able to leave the company of this unfortunate man. And when I had finally shaken him off, I began to sing:
“The trials that those men do meet withal, Who are obedient to the heavenly call, Are manifold, and suited to the flesh, And come, and come, and come again afresh; That now, or sometime else, we by them may Be taken, overcome, and cast away. O let the pilgrims, let the pilgrims, then, Be vigilant, and quit themselves like men.”

Bunyan, John (2009). The Pilgrim's Progress: From This World to That Which Is to Come (Kindle Locations 1239-1250). Crossway Books. Kindle Edition.

You know this Shame, don't you? He hangs in forums, threads, and comments, delighting in nothing more than engaging in arguments and attempting to cloud the faith of those whom he hopes to provoke. When you meet this man it is best to do just as our friend Faithful, seek to be rid of his influence and presence.

A Praying Life by Paul Miller

2011-12-28T21:02:00.000-05:00

OK, this has to be the best book on prayer I've read yet. Paul Miller in A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World explains everything so simply, yet biblically, taking away the awkwardness and the anxiety usually found in the practice. Often "scholars" have treated prayer with such lofty theological ideals that it lost all genuineness and actual communion with God. Just listen to the simple beauty in which he describes prayer to be.

A praying life feels like our family mealtimes because prayer is all about relationship. It’s intimate and hints at eternity. We don’t think about communication or words but about whom we are talking with. Prayer is simply the medium through which we experience and connect to God.

Oddly enough, many people struggle to learn how to pray because they are focusing on praying, not on God. Making prayer the center is like making conversation the center of a family mealtime. In prayer, focusing on the conversation is like trying to drive while looking at the windshield instead of through it. It freezes us, making us unsure of where to go. Conversation is only the vehicle through which we experience one another. Consequently, prayer is not the center of this book. Getting to know a person, God, is the center.

Miller, Paul (2009). A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World (Kindle Locations 376-382). NavPress. Kindle Edition.

One of the points Paul makes is that prayer can't be separated from life. The two must work together, a praying life.

Because prayer is all about relationship, we can’t work on prayer as an isolated part of life. That would be like going to the gym and working out just your left arm. You’d get a strong left arm, but it would look odd. Many people’s frustrations with prayer come from working on prayer as a discipline in the abstract.

We don’t learn to pray in isolation from the rest of our lives. For example, the more I love our youngest daughter, Emily, the more I pray for her. The reverse is true as well; the more I learn how to pray for her, the more I love her. Nor is faith isolated from prayer. The more my faith grows, the bolder my prayers get for Jill. Then, the more my prayers for her are answered, the more my faith grows. Likewise, if I suffer, I learn how to pray. As I learn how to pray, I learn how to endure suffering. This intertwining applies to every aspect of the Christian life.

Since a praying life is interconnected with every part of our lives, learning to pray is almost identical to maturing over a lifetime. What does it feel like to grow up? It is a thousand feelings on a thousand different days. That is what learning to pray feels like.

Miller, Paul (2009). A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World (Kindle Locations 383-392). NavPress. Kindle Edition.

In intertwining prayer into our lives the author suggest looking for Jesus and the story God is working in and around us. Much of the book is his examples of this in his own life, showing how God was preparing and changing him in good times and bad. Seeing the big picture, so to speak, allows us to have hope in times that look bleak, and patience when the light seems as though it will never come. While trying to live in this story Paul offers these three important pieces of advice.

1. Don’t demand that the story go your way. (In other words, surrender completely.)
2. Look for the Storyteller. Look for his hand, and then pray in light of what you are seeing. (In other words, develop an eye for Jesus.)
3. Stay in the story. Don’t shut down when it goes the wrong way.

Miller, Paul (2009). A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World (Kindle Locations 2590-2593). NavPress. Kindle Edition.

Another idea that Paul Miller has implemented in his own life, and suggests to others, is the use of prayer cards. He keeps cards for different members of his family, others for friends, some for unsaved, and so. On these he lists a few things he wants to be reminded to pray for specifically and maybe a verse to meditate upon. This practice helps to keep prayers moving and personal. Having things written down and frequently reviewed allows him to see more clearly when God works and answers individual requests.

A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World is a must read. There is a wealth of encouragement and instruction contained therein that no book review can do it justice. My prayer is that I can begin to implement these practices in my life and experience the intimacy of a praying life.

I'll leave you with one last quote exposing the simplicity of prayer, and yet the difficulty in doing so.

There is nothing secret about communion with God. If we live a holy life before God, broken of our pride and self-will, crying out for grace, then we will be in communion with God. It is really that simple.

Miller, Paul (2009). A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World (Kindle Locations 3129-3131). NavPress. Kindle Edition.

It's just that easy! : )

I'm a winner! Do you enter blog contests?

2011-12-27T15:14:00.000-05:00

This Christmas time I entered just about every contest I ran across and today I received some of the fruits of my labor.

Yeah, I cleaned up pretty well! Looks like I'll have plenty to read this year. Be on the look out for some reviews.

I'd like to thank these blogs for not only their contests, but also their Christ honoring content. While we often speak of all the evils of the internet, don't miss out on all of the good that can also be found there.

Be sure to bookmark these sites or better yet subscribe to their feed. Google Reader is the reader I recommend.

You're NOT Going to Lose Weight, So...

2011-12-26T19:54:00.000-05:00

The new year is coming upon us fast and along with it those dreaded resolutions. So in that spirit, let me offer some encouraging advice.

Your're not going to lose weight

Sorry, but it hasn't worked any other year, so save your money on the gym membership and the Bowflex. With that out of the way, let's look at something a little more practical and profitable. (1 Tim 4:8)

This could be the year that you finally read your Bible. Seriously, this is possible. In fact it has never been easier. There are so many options available to read and track your performance. Below is the best way I've found to meet this goal and what I had to say about it last year.

YouVersion is a site that I just recently discovered. It is an online bible that offers many bible translations and the ability to not only select from a multitude of reading plans, but also track your individual progress. Register your free account, select your plan, and the rest is done for you.

What if I don't start January 1st?

Most plans are tailored to everyone starting January 1st, but what about those who want to start June 1st? Once you select your plan, YouVersion creates a personal calender with your own starting and ending dates

What if I fall behind?

No need to get discouraged, just keep reading. They even have a catch me up button that resets your plan, changing your end date to bring you current if you get behind. This is a great feature. So often I've fallen behind and in the disappointment of trying to catch up to the plan, I've simply given up.

Completely Mobile

YouVersion has apps for the iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and is available to any cellphone or desktop with an internet connection. No excuses! You can read anywhere.

Don't waste the New Year!

When I Don't Desire God - Free Audio Book

2011-12-23T19:50:00.000-05:00

This is straight from the Desiring God website.

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Beginning today through December 31 Christian Audio is giving away the free audio book of John Piper's When I Don't Desire God.

Four easy steps to get the book:

Go to the book's link at Christian Audio
Click "Add to Cart"
Enter the code DG1211 and "Apply Coupon"
Checkout and "Download Now"

About this book . . .

"He has written many classics, but this is my favorite book by John Piper."
— C. J. Mahaney
For over thirty years, John Piper has been trumpeting the truth that “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” He calls it Christian Hedonism.
The problem is that many people, after being persuaded, find out that this truth is both liberating and devastating. It’s liberating because it endorses our inborn desire for joy. And it’s devastating because it reveals that we don’t desire God the way we should.
When you discover the biblical truth that God commands our happiness in him, the absolutely urgent question becomes: What can I do if I don’t have it?With the heart of a pastor and with radical passion for the glory of Christ, John Piper wants to help you answer that question.

Download When I Don't Desire God (PDF).

The Gospel for Islam - James White

2011-12-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

James White powerfully explains Islam's need of the Gospel. The Muslim's need for a Savior.

Praying in whose name?

2011-12-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

I ran across this article at USA Today and it got me thinking about prayer and "Saints."

Native American is proclaimed Catholic Saint

The Vatican on Monday announced a 17th-century Mohawk-Algonquin woman will be canonized as a Catholic saint, the first Native American from North America so proclaimed.

It takes proof of two miracles to certify that a Catholic is clearly in heaven asking God to help people who pray in their name. Now, a second critical miracle has been credited to prayers in the name of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, who died in 1680 at age 24.

Jacob "Jake" Finkbonner of Ferndale, Wash., was 5 years old in 2006 when he split his lip playing baseball, developed a deadly flesh-eating strep infection and lay near death for months at Seattle Children's Hospital.

Jake's father, Don, is Native American and a member of the Lummi tribe. Its parish priest at the time, Timothy Sauer, urged Jake's parents to pray to Kateri to seek God's miracle, said Jake's mother, Elsa Finkbonner.

Sauer said he suggested Kateri because "I knew Kateri herself had been deeply disfigured by smallpox, so it seemed like she would be a good person to call on for this young boy whose face and head were infected.

"And I knew that Native American Christians have been looking forward to the church's acknowledgment of their contributions in a more public way. Kateri Tekakwitha has always been a rallying point for their faith."

Elsa Finkbonner said Jake turned the corner toward survival after a visit by a member of the Tekakwitha Conference, based in Great Falls, Mont., which evangelizes to a half-million Native American Catholics. The woman, also named Kateri, brought a small coin with an image of Blessed Kateri and a prayer card, Finkbonner said.

"I pinned that relic to his pillow and I read that prayer to him every single day," she said.

Today, Jake is training to be an altar boy at church and still playing basketball.

"I pray to Kateri now myself," Jake said Monday. "Other people have asked about my story and told me their stories, and I pray to her for other people to be healed."

The Vatican scrupulously investigates miracle claims for proof that recovery was not a result of medical or surgical attention.

OK, a couple of things I'd like to point out.

The whole Catholic Saint thing has always baffled me. I have always used the word saint as the Bible does, as the identity of one who is redeemed in the blood of Christ. For example: I am a saint in Jesus Christ. Paul addressed many of his epistles to the saints of Ephesus or Corinth or whatever place he may have been writing to. These saints were all living.

Wouldn't it be difficult to determine if someone met the requirements of Catholic Sainthood?

It takes proof of two miracles to certify that a Catholic is clearly in heaven asking God to help people who pray in their name.
So the Vatican can verify that someone is praying to a would be saint, and that "saint" is in turn in Heaven praying to God to meet that request, and then God does in fact grant that particular petition? Wow! I wouldn't want the responsibility for making these calls.

Now what bothers me most, is that people are being encouraged to pray to a saint, who can then in turn pray for them, to God. WHY?

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV)

Is there any name that gives us greater access to the Father than that of the Son? To seek any other way would be to disregard the glorious, saving work of Christ.

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5 ESV)

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. (John 14:13-14 ESV)

Why would any one ever believe that any prayer could be more readily heard and answered than that which is offered in Jesus' name?

This is the saddest line of the whole story.

"I pray to Kateri now myself," Jake said.

Jesus is never mentioned in this entire story. Jake is now praying to Kateri.

One more thing. I have an issue with this statement.

The Vatican scrupulously investigates miracle claims for proof that recovery was not a result of medical or surgical attention.

Why can't medical and surgical attention be an answer to prayer? We pray for loved ones to be healed all the time. Is the ability to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries not a gift from God? In his love, has he not provided all these things for his children?

I'm done ranting now. It's your turn. Am I defending the faith or should I be burned at the stake?

What The Bible Means to Me - Book Review

2011-12-12T18:16:00.000-05:00

What the Bible means to me?

It is a question each of us must answer for ourselves. Within it lies our view of God and man, life and death, and Heaven and Hell. It will not only direct our course in this world, but on into the next as well.

Catherine Mackenzie seeks to find this elusive answer by proposing the question to 44 people of varying backgrounds and ages and presenting their thoughts to us in her book, What The Bible Means To Me. The stories are as varied as the people petitioned, yet there are common themes present in all.

The most prevalent would be the belief that the Word of God, actually contains the very Words of God. The divine inspiration of scripture, allows us to read the Bible knowing it can be our final authority on faith and practice. That in it, God not only reveals himself to us, but also reveals to us who we are.

The testimonies of these saints are both inspiring and encouraging. Their passion for God's word only drives me to want to be in the word more myself. Many grew up in homes where the Bible was read and revered, marking the beginning of their love for God, and yet for others this love did not flame until later in life. Often they found the life saving truth of these words only after facing hardships and trials. It was in these times that they learned that this word could be trusted and that the God behind them looked on them with love. When they surrendered their lives to their Savior they then in turn submitted to his word.

What The Bible Means To Me, is a quick and encouraging read. It comes as a fresh reminder of the importance of God's Word and it's influence upon the lives of those who read and obey.

I'd like to thank Christian Focus Publications for this free review copy.

The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook: Slaying the Living Dead Within

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

I have a confession to make. I have been guilty of judging a book by its cover. When I first saw Jeff Kinley's book, The Christian Zombie Killers Handbook, I knew I wouldn't like it. It just sounded too trendy or "relevant" as everyone is fond of saying these days. Just more watered down Gospel repackaged to be palatable to non-believers and fakers.

Well, I have learned my lesson. I am pleased to report that I in fact have really enjoyed this book. Jeff has done a fantastic job weaving the Gospel and a zombie thriller together into an entertaining, yet powerful presentation of God's gracious salvation offered in Jesus Christ. Drawing the comparison between the undead and the plague of our sin nature, he is able to relate the two themes in a multitude of surprisingly accurate ways. Each portion is able to better draw out the meaning of the other.

The book itself is set up with alternating chapters, one concerning the zombie novel and the next expounding upon the realities of God's truth. I originally feared that one would possibly overpower the other, that the Gospel would be either be lost in the story or rendered in-effective due to being forced into the zombie novel framework. Thankfully, Jeff Kinley has successfully navigated the divide and kept them in their proper perspectives.

The Christian Zombie Killers Handbookwould make a great Gospel introduction for someone who may not normally be open to hearing about Jesus.

I'd like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishers for allowing me to review this free copy as a part of their BookSneeze program.

Homosexuality, Bacon, and Leviticus - Some Thoughts

2011-12-02T17:33:00.001-05:00

The misuse of scripture for the defense of one's own personal goals, desires, and agenda are nothing new, but these are overused.

Exodus & Leviticus

These two have to rank up there with the most misused and misunderstood books of the bible. What is with all of the meticulous laws, regulations, and ceremonies?

A little background.

The children of Israel had just spent 430 years in Egypt, most of which they lived as slaves. They were many years and generations removed from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. They were Hebrews by race, but their day to day life would be lived as Egyptian salves. Their identity was what their masters told them to be. They couldn't think for themselves or practice their own religion. They were nothing more than a group of related laborers.

So as God had promised Abraham so long ago, He set about to set His people free and to make of them a great nation. He raised up Moses and Aaron to display his power before Pharaoh, and to lead them to their new home, and instruct them in their new lives.

Now think about this. God is forming a nation to be his own special people and to show forth his glory to the world. These are hopeless, scared, and confused slaves. They needed some serious work. Their only concern had been for survival, now they were to form themselves into a society of God's children, obeying his commands, and reflecting his character?

Who is this God?

When Moses was told to go to his brothers in Egypt, he asked

“If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

(Exodus 3:13-14 ESV)

These people had forgotten God, probably to the point of questioning his existence.

"Where is this God now that we suffer!"

Add the fact that they lived in the midst of a culture that celebrated, worshiped, and feared many gods, and you can begin to see their confusion.

The Father teaching his children

The Hebrews had lost most of their knowledge of God and who he is. So God sets about through Moses, Aaron, ceremonies, rules, laws, and regulations to teach them. Nothing could be left to chance. A simple "Be good, and don't be bad," wasn't going to work here. They had lost their sense of right and wrong. They had lost their unique identity. They were poor, outcast Egyptians.

God had to teach his children who he was, and who they were. This is one of the reasons these two books are filled with so many tedious and detailed rules. They needed them. They didn't know any better.

Some of the rules were of a practical nature. Things that needed to be followed for them to live and interact together.

Other rules taught them God's character and nature. They were to love justice and mercy, to care for the poor, to deal honestly, and live faithfully.

Many of them served in separating the Hebrews from the other nations and in unifying them into a distinct people. You've heard the old adage "You can take the girl out of the trailer park, but not the trailer park out of the girl." (Sorry, it's the best I could think of right now : ) They may have physically left Egypt, but in many ways they were still there. Lifestyles don't change overnight. They needed to be taught how to live on every level.

So where am I going with this?

Good question. People love to quote Exodus and Leviticus in attempts to either prove their own or disprove another's point.

"How can you say homosexuality is wrong when you eat shell fish and pork!" (Amazing logic, No?)

Let's take a closer look at this masterpiece of a sentence. Yes, their are many and specific rules concerning food given to the Hebrews.

Why?

Unlike today with McDonald's on every corner and frozen dinners for the microwave, food was a big deal in times past. Much time was spent growing, harvesting, storing, and preparing it. Having regulations on food would cut back on the Hebrews eating and interacting with those of other nations. It would also help in bringing the nation closer in working together to meet these requirements on a day to day basis. (Lev. 18)

My point being, the dietary laws had a specific purpose in the forming of this new nation.

So, can I eat bacon or not?

Jesus in the New Testament declared that all foods are now clean. The whole "That which goes into the body doesn't make one unclean, but that which comes out of the body, from the heart makes one unclean." (Mark 7:14-23)

Again, with Peter's vision of the sheet let down from Heaven also reiterates this.(Acts 10:9-16)

OK, so what about gay?

Leviticus 18 gets a little raunchy. Sexual immorality is spelled out to the "T" and nothing is taken for granted. Reading through these makes me wonder just how perverted the nations were that all these situations had to be listed. It seems nothing was off limits, hence the limits God has to put on his people. It would take some direction to bring his people back to what sexuality and marriage was intended for and to be. Verse 22 gets the most attention these days.

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
(Leviticus 18:22 ESV)

The question always comes up. Why does this apply when the food doesn't? Well we already covered the dietary regulations, so we'll move on to the sex.

The New Testament again reiterates this view of homosexuality. Mostly it is referred to as sexual immorality or perversion, but it is included in that particular group of sins.

How do I know?

First of all, what do you think Paul is speaking of when he says to the Ephesians in chapter 5,

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
(Ephesians 5:3 ESV)

What would be considered sexually immoral? What standard of right and wrong would guide them? I would think they would look back to Leviticus 18.

When the New Testament speaks of the Law of Moses it doesn't proceed to list each law, it is implied that the intended audience would have knowledge of these laws. The same would be expected in the case of sexual immorality.

Conclusion

Great volumes have been written on the relationship between the Old and New Testaments. My quick thoughts are far from exhaustive, if you have questions or doubts, don't hesitate to seek further. Please don't let my word be the final say. I know enough to know that I don't know enough!