The India I Know

This Blog Has Moved

2012-08-02T16:05:00.002-05:00

Dear Friends, Thanks for all the support over the years. I appreciate all those who read and followed this blog. I am still writing and engaging with issues, but the location for that has changed to twitter and facebook. For more information, simply follow me on twitter. Thanks!

It's Friday But Sunday's Comin!

2011-04-22T16:42:00.001-05:00

Prayer For Protection: A Meditaiton on Psalm 12:1-8

2011-04-06T16:58:00.005-05:00

Although many Psalms reflect personal struggle, problems and need, some of them reflect on the nations woes and tribulations. From the very beginning, the Israelite's maintained a community of consciousness; they looked on the entire people as a corporate personality. David reflected this feeling as he prayed for God to intervene and bring hope out of despair. That's exactly what we see in Psalm 12, where a godless society caused the psalmist to ask God for protection. All around the nation were arrogant people who spoke lies and caused people the people to fear.

What we see in Psalm 12 is that those who live close to God face pain as they feel deeply about the moral decline around them. Psalm 12 was composed by one who saw the almost universal hypocrisy that accompanied the nation's decay. Although the psalmist suffered, he was concerned more fundamentally about what such sin was doing to the nation.

When was Psalm 12 composed? Some scholars place it during David's lifetime. Some suggest that David wrote it as a young man when he was fleeing Saul's armies; others point to Absalom's rebellion when many of David's trusted friends turned against him. Either way, verses 1-4 appear be a prayer for help as evil was seemingly everywhere.

Like Elijah, the psalmist felt alone as God's servant. He singled out sins of speech as being prevalent in the land. In verse 5, God answered the sad cry and promised to give security to those who had been made to suffer. Prophecy and prose met as the psalmist addressed God and his answer to the people. God gave his instructions for the people and delivered his authoritative message. Verses 6-8 expressed confidence in God's answer.

Thankfully, unlike, peoples deceitful words, God's word can be trusted. Human speech might contain both truths and lies; but, repeatedly, God's Word had been proved to be pure. The expression of certainty ended with a prayer that God would defend his people from the evil ones who sought to exploit the weak and oppressed. Divine intervention was necessary to curb the widespread depravity in the land.

A few lessons can be learned from this Psalm:

1. God's Word Stands Firm - In spite of prolonged and severe conflict, the Word of God remains the one authoritative message to people. Blatant unbelief will seek to undermine its message, but God's Word remains fixed forever as the standard for conduct. God's Word is understood better and has spread more widely now than ever. We should hide it in our hearts so that we might not sin against God. We should wait on the Lord to fulfill his promises.

2. People usually deny God because they do not want such a God to exist - When we accept the fact of the God of the Bible, we also accept the demands that go with such a belief. When people shut their ears to the voice of obedience to this God, they must eliminate God or suffer terrible feelings of guilt. We need to keep burning in our hearts the truth that God lives; thus, life has beauty and responsibility.

3. Nations need God for survival - God is the only one who can rescue a decaying society. In the Bible Israel's ups and downs were tied to how they responded to God. When righteous individuals lead and the people follow, great rejoicing comes. However, unless a nation accepts the God of the Bible in its life, judgment will come thoroughly and perhaps quickly. No one can claim to be exempt from the moral laws that God has set up.

4. A greater age is coming for those who trust in Christ - Just as a person has moral and spiritual obligations, so does a nation. Folly and sin bring misery. We do not have power to gain God's favor by our moral achievement and effort. Only by repentance and trust in God's grace can restoration from sin become a reality. Christ frees us from sin. Being united to him gives us a future filled with hope - the hope of a new heaven and new earth where we will dwell in God's presence in restored relationship with him forever.

"I Abominate The Prosperity Gospel" - John Piper

2011-02-22T00:06:00.004-06:00

Piper continues to provide a corrective analysis of the prosperity gospel.

The Passing Pleasure of Sin

2010-12-06T18:03:00.003-06:00

Thomas Brooks has a great section on the dangers of worldly pleasure in his essay, "Apples of Gold". This summer, I preached a sermon from Mark 6, entitled "A Closing Window of Opportunity" on the sad demise of Herod the Tetrarch. John the Baptist spoke faithfully into his life, but in the end, a love for the passing pleasures of this world proved to be his ruin. In that sermon, I quoted the following section from Thomas Brooks:

"Pleasures pass away as soon as they have wearied out the body, and leave it as a bunch of grapes whose juice has been pressed out; which made one to say, ‘I see no greater pleasure in this world than the contempt of pleasure’. Pleasures seem solid in the pursuit; but are mere clouds in the enjoyment. Pleasure is a beautiful harlot sitting in her chariot, whose four wheels are pride, gluttony, lust and idleness. The two horses are prosperity and abundance, the two drivers are idleness and security. Her companions and followers are guilt, grief, late repentance (if any) and often death and ruin. Many great men, and many strong men, and many rich men, and many hopeful men, and many young men have come to their run by her. But none of them ever enjoyed full satisfaction from her".

"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward" - Hebrews 11:24-26.

Is Your Church Reformed or Deformed?

2010-10-20T15:44:00.009-05:00

I guess it depends on what the gravitational center of your church is. What do you orbit around? Is it the cross? Is it the gospel? Or have you made the center of your church other theological distinctives? This morning I read a word from Wayne Grudem regarding the importance of maintaining humility in our theological convictions and practices.

"It is ironic and tragic that denominational leaders (pastors/churches, addition mine) will so often give much of their lives to defending precisely the minor doctrinal points that make their denominations different from others. Is such effort really motivated by a desire to bring unity of understanding to the church, or might it stem in some measure from human pride, a desire to retain power over others, and an attempt at self-justification, which is displeasing to God and ultimately unedifying to the church?" - Wayne Grudem, Bible Doctrine p. 61-62.

That's well said. We need not only a humble orthodoxy but a humble orthopraxy. We err if we pursue one to the exclusion of the other. Moreover, to the degree that we gravitate around these distinctives and not the gospel we will be unhealthy as a church. The gravitational center of our churches must be the Gospel or we will be deformed. May God help us to hold our distinctives with humility and gravitate around the gospel. If you're interested in hearing more on this, I'd encourage you to listen to a sermon I recently preached entitled, "The Gravitational Center of Heritage Baptist Church"

When Hip Hop Meets Humility

2010-10-05T15:19:00.006-05:00

I just bought Lecrae's latest album "Rehab". I'm glad I did. In fact all the guys associated with this Reach Records have been a real encouragement. For those who don't know, Reach Records is an American based Christian hip hop record label that includes: Lecrae, Trip Lee, Tedashii, DJ Official and Sho Baraka. In 2009, the rappers completed a nationwide "Don't Waste Your Life Tour" together with fellow Christian rapper Flame who's about to become a student at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Anyway, below is a preview from Lecrae's latest Album "Rehab". The song is "Background" by Lecrae and featuring C-Lite. Lyrics below.

Lyrics:
I could play the background
I could play the background
'Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

Verse 1:
It's evident you run the show, so let me back down
You take the leading role, and I'll play the background
I know I miss my cues, know I forget my lines
I'm sticking to your script, and I'm reading all your signs (Aye)
I don't need my name in lights, (Aye) I don't need a starring role
Why gain the whole wide world, If I'm just going lose my soul?
And my ways ain't purified, I don't live according to Your Word
I can't endure this life without Your wisdom being heard
So word to every dancer for a pop star
'Cause we all play the background, but mine's a rockstar
Yeah, so if you need me I'll be staged right
Praying the whole world would start embracing stage fright
So let me fall back, stop giving my suggestions
'Cause when I follow my obsessions, I end up confessin'
That I'm not that impressive, matter of fact
I'm who I are, a trail of stardust leading to the superstar

Hook:
I could play the background
I could play the background
'Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

Verse 2:
Yo, I had a dream that I was captain of my soul
I was master of my fate, lost control, and then I sank
So I don't want to take the lead, 'cause I'm prone to make mistakes
All these folks who follow me, goin' end up in the wrong place
So just let me shadow you, just let me trace your lines
Matter of fact, just take my pen, here, you create my rhymes
'Cause if I do this by myself, I'm scared that I'll succeed
And no longer trust in You, 'cause I only trust in me
And see, that's how you end up headed to destruction
Paving a road to nowhere, pour your life out for nothin'
You pulled my card, I'm bluffin', You know what's in my hand
Me, I just roll and trust you, You cause the dice to land
I'm in control of nothing, follow You at any cost
Some call it sovereign will, all I know is you the boss
And man, I'm so at ease, I'm so content
I'll play the background, like it's an instrument

Hook:
I could play the background
I could play the background
'Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

Bridge:
I know I'm safest when I'm in Your will, and trust Your Word
I know I'm dangerous when I trust myself, my vision blurred
And I ain't got no time to play life's foolish games
Got plenty aims, but do they really Glorify Your name?
And it's a shame, the way I want to do these things for You, yeah
Don't even cling to you, take time to sit and glean from You
It seems like You were patient in my ignorance
If ignorance is bliss, it's 'cause she never heard of this

Hook:
I could play the background
I could play the background
'Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

Hook:
I could play the background
I could play the background
'Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

Parenting By The Book

2010-09-13T17:19:00.006-05:00

Tim Hoak is teaching a new series at Heritage Baptist Church entitled, "Parenting By The Book". His parenting series has been taught at a number of venues, and is back by popular demand. Thankfully, Heritage Baptist Church is providing both the audio and video of each class online. I encourage you to download or stream the entire 16 week series. I am sure you will profit from it immensely. To introduce the class to you, I am embedding the first two lectures below. For subsequent weeks, please visit the Parenting By The Book page.

Parenting By The Book | Session 1

Parenting By The Book | Session 2

Words From The Wise: How to Win Your Wayward Children To Christ

2010-09-02T14:27:00.008-05:00

Recently, I had the privilege of attending the funeral of an 88 year old woman from our church. She was a godly lady who impacted hundreds and hundreds of lives. In fact, she served as a mom to many of the ladies in our church. In some senses it could be said that she was the quintessential model of Titus 2:3-5. She had three sons. One of them, Bob, spoke in honor of his mother at the service. He confessed that he was the most rebellious and troublesome son to his mother. He indicated that he had received 100's of letters from his mother. He chose to share one of them with us. As I sat and listened to the letter read, I thought to myself, "This has got to be the best example I've ever seen of how one can winsomly speak to their lost and wayward children." In honor of Dot Hoak, I want to share that letter with you now. I am sure that in reading it you will be blessed by the persistent, invincible love of a mother for her wayward son. Her labors paid off. May God help us to emulate her example. Hope in God.
_______

Psalm 91:11 Sunday 11:00pm

Dear Bob,

Just crawled into bed. It has been a good day-but full-like most Sundays. I pray that today you gave your Lord His proper place. The pastor preached on the fact that when we are saved the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us and that we need to be certain that we take Him only to places where He will not be grieved. May others see that He is your guide and companion. He is a jealous God and will not be satisfied until he has every part of your heart. Isn't it wonderful that He loves you that much. I love you too.

Hope your cold is all gone. I know how hard it is to go about your tasks when you feel punk.
Sorry about this messy writing but it is hard to write in bed. Don't forget that Dad's birthday is March 12-he will enjoy a card.

Howard Swindler (an elderly man from their church in Niles, OH) was in church today-bless his heart. He knows Jenny (his wife who had jsut passed away) is with the Lord. Hope like that is reason enough to live for the Lord.

Sorry I got carried away Dear but you are so precious to me and I only desire God's best for you. You will just have to love me as I am.

God bless you and keep you,
All my love,
Mom

Clarifying The Relationship Between Social Justice and Missions

2010-08-16T15:58:00.014-05:00

Recently, Brett McCracken wrote an article entitled: "Have Missions Become Too 'Deeds'- Centric". I found his analysis (on the relationship between social justice and missions) extremely lucid. I asked him if I could re-post his original piece here. He kindly gave me permission to do so. Please read the following. I welcome dialogue.

I really enjoyed a column by Brad Greenberg (of The God Blog) a few weeks back in the Wall Street Journal‘s “Houses of Worship” column. The piece, entitled “How Missionaries Lost Their Chariots of Fire,” took a look at the trends in Christian missions in recent years–most notably the shift among younger evangelicals from proselytizing and preaching to doing more service and social justice oriented work as mission. A shift in focus from words to deeds.

Evangelical youth now hold the term “missionary” at arm’s length, afraid of the colonialist connotations of the word. They prefer being involved in “social justice” under the auspices of a more generalized Christian sense of charity rather than operating under anything resembling (groan) “soul winning.”

Greenberg cites such popular organizations as Invisible Children, an ostensibly Christian social justice organization whose media kit states that its founders “believe in Christ, but do NOT want to limit themselves in any way.”

Greenberg, who notes that “Christians today typically travel abroad to serve others, but not necessarily to spread the gospel,” ultimately concludes that as much as abandoning the colonialist undertones and “vacationary” short-term reputation of evangelical missions is a good thing, we have to remember that both actions AND words are necessary in missions.

He writes:

Spreading Christianity through deeds alone aligns with a quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words.” But research suggests that non-Christians often miss the message without the words.

A 2006 study by Calvin College’s Kurt Ver Beek found “little or no difference” in the spiritual response between two groups of Hondurans—one which had its homes rebuilt by missionaries who did not proselytize and the other by local NGOs. Intuition would suggest as much. Unless foreigners explain that they are motivated to help by their religious beliefs, locals may be grateful for the new home but they should not be expected to connect dots that they may not even know exist.

The reality is the Church should be doing both: serving the needy and spreading the gospel. This is what makes the humanitarian work of Christians different than that of the American Red Cross. Both are motivated by the desire to help others, but Christians are spurred by that Jesus thing.

Props to Greenberg for highlighting this important point–that in our desire to move away from the ills of “old school” missions thinking we don’t throw the baby (preaching the gospel) out with the bathwater (colonialism, etc). Sadly, we pendulum-prone evangelicals have a hard time with these both/and scenarios–always inclined to correct the ills of one thing by a wholesale replacement of it with something equally full of its own ills.

I’m all for social justice. I’m passionate about it. Christians have to be serving people and loving them not just in word but in deed. But man, if I hear another well-fed, Toms-wearing evangelical kid quote St. Francis (“preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words”) one more time as a justification for their unwillingness to utter a word to anyone about Christ as the one true hope, I don’t know what I’ll do.

It’s an ongoing debate in missiology: Should missionaries in foreign countries prioritize meeting physical needs (food, water, social justice, development) before they preach the gospel, or should evangelism always be given primacy?

To me, the debate is silly. Can’t we do both simultaneously? Can’t we serve others and meet their circumstantial needs while at the same time telling them about Jesus? Yes, we should be in Africa building water wells, or in Haiti building schools, but what’s the harm in mentioning along the way that we are Christians acting as the church, loving the world because God loved it?

I’m not sure missions could ever be too focused on deeds–unless it is at the expense of the equally important words of truth that people need to hear. I hope my generation figures out a way to emphasize both.

---
Brett McCracken is the author of the new book, Hipster Christianity: When Church and Cool Collide. This post was originally published on his blog, The Search, and is used with permission.

Trash or Treasure? Lessons From The Third World

2010-08-09T14:07:00.004-05:00

"I tell you the truth", [Jesus] said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others." (Luke 21:3)

We used to call it trash. We used to throw it away. It was just stale butter, a broken shoe, an empty box. These things have little value, or at least we used to think so. My family has been given the privilege to see the world through a lens tinted with poverty. By God's grace, my family has never missed a meal because we couldn't afford food, and we have never had to wear torn clothing or sleep on a dirt floor. We don't know what poverty is really like through our experience, but we are beginning to see more clearly, ask better questions, and grow in our understanding.

Some days, we are changed by little things that carry big lessons. One day I opened a plastic bowl to the smell of stale butter, "Yuck, I guess I'll throw that out." Tamara's grimace suggested some discomfort with my intention, "Todd, our house helper spend over an hour stirring the cream from our milk to make that butter, and her own family hasn't been able to afford any milk for a long time now."

I looked down at the butter again. It was the same butter I had seen a few seconds earlier, but now I look at it differently.

Later than night after our house helper had walked the 45 minutes back to her home, I scraped the stale butter into our shimo (garbage hole) and buried it where our house helper would not see it. However, the feelings of guilt and shame were harder to bury. Would these feelings cause me to change my mind in the future? If so, how would I alter the way I eat or buy food? Some of our fundamental, daily behaviors are being shaken right down to their American foundation.

Our children are learning with us. Jacob wears some Tanzanian, plastic sandals that cost about a dollar. Due to the stress and strain of active play, a plastic strap broke on one of the sandals. We planned to throw them away and buy a new pair. However a Tanzanian friend told us she could take the sandal into the market where it could be repaired.

After a cost of four cents, Jacob was wearing his sandal again. Tamara and I took another look at our attitude the sandals. They only cost a buck. However, when an average daily salary for some of our neighbors is about a dollar, our tendency to throw away things deserves re-examination. The newly repaired sandals looked about the same, but now we looked at them differently.

Our next lesson came in a box. Fewer things are packaged professionally here, so we don't use as much paper as we used to. Still, about every week or so, I walk to the shimo (garbage hole) with some paper to burn. The paper had just started to burn when I noticed two little eyes gazing down at a small box that once was part of a cereal, snack pack. I saw the Tanzanian boy looking at the bright, blue box and the picture of Tony the Tiger. The box looked the same it had a moment ago, but now I looked at it through the eyes of the little boy next to me. To him, the box was a potential toy - part of a car he could make and race with his friends. Could I continue to burn little boxes after seeing his face?

Butter, shoes, and boxes: simple things that brought out complex issues and feelings. In my town of in Tanzania, I have seen children walking with their arms around each other's shoulders, laughing and bouncing along. At another home, a smiling father held an infant while his two other children happily played nearby in the dirt. The children wore no shoes, there were no toys made from colorful boxes, and most likely there was no butter on their table, yet the home was filled with happy sounds. Was this poverty?

It is not a simple process to know what poverty means here, and we need to continue to listen, look, and pray to understand. We know that poverty contributes to sickness, hunger and hopelessness; BUT GOD (one of my favorite phrases in the Bible) is able to do great things, even move a mountain like poverty, and even through imperfect people like you and me.

From: Todd Rasmuson's "Eating Goat Parts for the Glory of God"

I Really Want To Change. Help Me God!

2010-07-22T17:22:00.009-05:00

Hopefully you've realized by now that legalism and license are both ineffective, unbiblical motivations for the Christian life. But the question of proper motivation for Christian growth is often overlooked. Consequently, people go on motivating themselves in all kinds of ways that belittle the gospel and do nothing for the person seeking change. It's no wonder, then, that people grow sick and tired of "spinning their spiritual wheels" and going seemingly nowhere with God. They feel broken inside. They feel tired and discouraged. Moreover, they're lost, not knowing what to do or how to "fix" it. The next step is despair. But when hopelessness and despair engulf a man in his battle against sin (humanly speaking) he's only one step away from throwing in the proverbial towel.

If that's you, you need gospel motivation - and now. You see, the standard duty-driven, religious motivation that has crept into the church and taken us by storm simply will not cut it anymore. It's destructive and it is powerless to bring about any lasting and genuine heart-felt change. Instead, it tends to produce only a facade of piety, while keeping us indifferent to our inward motivations for obedience. We need gospel-motivation. When need it because the gospel causes us to both repent of our sin and believe in God. The gospel is both something we speak and something we believe. It's both the message and the medium of redemption. In it God motivates us with his unblushing promises. We need those promises because they offer us joy, hope, strength, glory and a place in the kingdom of God - something duty-driven motivation will never give you.

Trusting in your performance is tantamount to trusting in a false functional god to change you. In order to receive the redemptive benefits of change flowing from the gospel we must repent of our trust in the false god of self-change and exercise faith in the God of the Gospel. This is not something you do once. This is a life-long endeavor. The Christian life is a constant repenting from belief in false promises and an increasing belief in the true, good promises of God.

So let's do that right now. Read these words from Paul Tripp, and see in it a gospel-motivation.

"When I come to the Lord after I’ve blown it, I’ve only one argument to make. It’s not the argument of the difficulty of the environment that I am in. It’s not the argument of the difficult people that I’m near. It’s not the argument of good intentions that were thwarted in some way. I come to the Lord with only one appeal; his mercy. I’ve no other defense. I’ve no other standing. I’ve no other hope. I can’t escape the reality of my biggest problem; me! So I appeal to the one thing in my life that’s sure and will never fail. I appeal to the one thing that guaranteed not only my acceptance with God, but the hope of new beginnings and fresh starts. I appeal on the basis of the greatest gift I ever have or ever will be given. I leave the courtroom of my own defense, I come out of hiding and I admit who I am. But I’m not afraid, because I’ve been personally and eternally blessed. Because of what Jesus has done, God looks on me with mercy. It’s my only appeal, it’s the source of my hope, it’s my life. Mercy, mercy me!” - Paul Tripp "Whiter Than Snow".

O how sweet that is! While I'm at it, let me encourage you to pick up a copy of Paul's book. He describes it's purpose in the video below. May God help you to pursue growth and change through the gospel alone from this day forward.

Killing Sin: Laziness

2010-07-08T12:58:00.008-05:00

Sloth is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. It is deadly, because it doesn't appear to be deadly and therein lies its power to destroy. Satan loves to tempt our youth with ambition and arrogance. But in the process, he lures them into beds of ease. I was thinking this week how hard it is to find a diligent work ethic among our youth. It is almost expected in America that our children will play harder than they will work. Growing up, however, means putting away childish things (1 Cor. 13:11). Those who will be useful to God must be prepared to work hard for him, which will include suffering.

Paul told Timothy, "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Tim 2:3). Paul suffered and did not expect that things should be any different for Timothy. After all, it was Jesus who said, "A servant is not above his master". If the master suffers, the servant better. In fact, it was Paul who said after he was beaten senseless and left for dead in Lystra, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."I love the book of Proverbs. I have made it a habit for years to regularly read it. It has no shortage of council for the lazy man. I was challenged in college to take laziness seriously. Though I was raised with a work ethic, laziness was still very much a part of my life. Finally, a dude discipled me for the first time and began to challenge my laziness head on. We read through the Proverbs. Many of them make the point clear. The lazy man finds is difficult to get up in the morning. He turns over and over as though hinged to his bed (Prov. 26:14). He refuses to go outside and work, insisting that there is a lion waiting for him! Ask this man, "When are you going to rise from your bed?" and he has no answer: "A little sleep a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest" (6:10).

If being confronted with that is not humbling enough, God uses an ant to rebuke us. "Go to the ant you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest" (6:6-8). The reference here to the ant is probably a reference to the type of ant found in the desert. We call them harvester ants. According to scholars, their colonies can consist of up to a millions ants, the vast majority being workers and soldiers.

What is it that these ants can teach us? Well, among other things they teach us unquestioning obedience and hard work. That's life. Life is work. When we look through the pages of church history we can find hundreds of examples of people who labored through sweat and blood their whole lives (some to be martyred) for the sake of the Gospel. One such man is Polycarp, a disciple of John (the disciple of Jesus). I have been reading about Polycarp in the Apostolic Fathers. After serving Christ for eighty-six years, he was finally burned alive for refusing to deny his Lord. He said, "How can I deny him who has never done me any harm?"

I feel motivated by that. Unfortunately, today's Christianity is about success and glamor. The "health, wealth and prosperity" gospel has made major strides and we are suffering as a result. But the "health and wealth" gospel is not just the problem of a christian t.v. evangelist, it has infiltrated itself into all streams and denominations of those who profess Christ. But it's flabby, anemic, and sickly Christianity. In fact, it's worse. At times, depending on how is it expressed, it is another gospel all together. Bonhoeffer was right when he said, "When Christ calls a man he bids him come and die." Eight years after that statement he was hanged by the Nazis.

I want to kill laziness in my life. I will leave you with the words of Jim Elliot to fuel your passion to rid laziness from your life. Just his example is instructive. From his journal, December 31, 1955 it reads,

"A month of temptation. Satan and the flesh have been hard on me. How God holds my soul in His life and permits one with such wretchedness to continue in His service I cannot tell. Oh, it has been hard...I have been very low inside me struggling and casting myself hourly upon Christ for help. Marriage is divorce from the privacy man loves, but there is some privacy none can share. It is the knowledge of a sinful heart."

Four days later he was speared to death by the Auca Indians. He was indeed a man of great discipline and hard work.

As Christians, we all long to be useful and yet we struggle. So what should you do? Run to Christ today for help. In him there is not only forgiveness, but power to live the way God has called you to live. The strength comes from outside yourself. Lean hard on the gospel and then work hard through the strength and power of God's Spirit.

New Children's Book: The Church History ABC's

2010-07-07T13:05:00.009-05:00

There's a new children's book out, published by Crossway. Steve Nichols and Ned Bustard have just finished their first children's book. The subject is Church History. It is entitled, The Church History ABCs. Here's the description from Crossway's website:

"The Church History ABCs is a fun way for kids to learn about great figures in Christian history. Twenty-six heroes of the faith march through the alphabet, boldly telling their stories in language children can understand. This wide range of characters—men and women from across the centuries, from all over the globe—reflects the breadth of church history and reminds children that these great figures of the past were living, breathing people who lived and died for the glory of God."

The book covers the following figures from church history:

Augustine; Anne Bradstreet; John Calvin; John Donne; Jonathan Edwards; John Foxe; Jane Grey; Hippolytus; Ignatius; Absalom Jones; John Knox; Martin Luther; Monica; John Newton; John Owen; Patrick; Queen Jeanne; Nicholas Ridley; Charles Spurgeon; Tertullian; Zacharias Ursinus; Antonia Vivaldi; The Wesleys; Francis Xavier; Florence Young; Ulrich Zwingli

USA World Cup: An Inspiring Video

2010-06-25T16:17:00.012-05:00

If you missed Wednesday's game, you need to catch the highlights.

"In one of the most stunning turnarounds in World Cup history, Landon Donovan scored on a lightning fast counterattack 45 seconds into 4 minutes of injury time. With the most amazing late-game moment in American soccer, the United States beat Algeria 1-0 and reached the World Cup's second round." - ESPN

The highlights are good, but the American reaction is amazing. Watch live video reaction of Americans watching the game from around the world when Landon Donovan scores.

J.C. Ryle & Together for the Gospel

2010-06-22T20:59:00.006-05:00

Sunday, I heard this quote from J.C. Ryle preached in an excellent sermon from my fellow pastor, Mark Redfern . I couldn't help but compare what Ryle said with the spirit and ethos of T4G and The Gospel Coalition.

"Here is a golden rule indeed, and one that human nature sorely needs, and has too often forgotten. Men of all branches of Christ's Church are apt to think that no good can be done in the world, unless it is done by their own party and denomination. They are so narrow-minded, that they cannot conceive the possibility of working on any other pattern but that which they follow. They make an idol of their own peculiar ecclesiastical machinery, and can see no merit in any other. They are like him who cried when Eldad and Medad prophesied in the camp, 'My lord Moses forbid them.' (Numbers. 11:28.)

To this intolerant spirit we owe some of the blackest pages of Church history. Christians have repeatedly persecuted Christians for no better reason than that which is here given by John. They have practically proclaimed to their brethren, 'you shall either follow us, or not work for Christ at all.'

Let us be on our guard against this feeling. It is only too near the surface of all our hearts. Let us study to realize that liberal, tolerant spirit which Jesus here recommends, and be thankful for good works wheresoever and by whomsoever done. Let us beware of the slightest inclination to stop and check others, merely because they do not choose to adopt our plans, or work by our side. We may think our fellow Christians mistaken in some points. We may fancy that more would be done for Christ, if they would join us, and if all worked in the same way. We may see many evils arising from religious dissensions and divisions. But all this must not prevent us rejoicing if the works of the devil are destroyed and souls are saved. Is our neighbour warring against Satan? Is he really trying to labour for Christ? This is the grand question. Better a thousand times that the work should be done by other hands than not done at all. Happy is he who knows something of the spirit of Moses, when he said, 'Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets;' and of Paul, when he says, 'If Christ is preached, I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.' (Numbers 11:29; Philippians 1:18.)"

- J.C. Ryle "Expository Thought on the Gospel" Vol 1. p.190-191.

Farewell: The Albert Mohler Program

2010-06-21T23:41:00.009-05:00

Dr. Mohler announced on his live radio broadcast, June 21st, that his nationally syndicated radio program be coming to an end in two weeks. He said concerning his program,

"It has been a tremendous experience in terms of developing intelligent christian conversation. This has been one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to reach, and I want you to know I do so with a very very heavy heart."

The good news is that Dr. Mohler will go on conducting his national commentary with the Salem Radio Network. Moreover, he will continue to advance intelligent christian conversation through a new platform that will be announced in a few days. It would appear from what he said that this will most likely be a television outlet from his words, "watching a new platform that will not be live radio." So we will have to wait and see. For now, you can log on and podcast past shows.

Living Our Lives In Response to God's Love

2010-06-21T13:59:00.006-05:00

Living the Christian life is not simply a matter of self-discipline, though discipline is a vital part of it; it is a life lived in response to God's love. It is as we know and appreciate this divine love that we will want to live to please him. A.W. Pink says,

"The chief spiritual employment of the Christian should be to live in consideration and admiration of the wonderful love of Christ, to dwell on it in his thoughts until his heart is warmed, until his soul overflows with praise, until his whole life is constrained or influenced."

In Ephesians 3:16-19, Paul prays asking God that we "may be filled to the measure if the fullness of God." Among other things, this means that we would be saturated with God, and that our lives will more and more be emptied of self and filled to overflowing with the presence of God. It is to have as much of God as it is possible for a redeemed sinner to have. Our thinking, understanding and affections are then captive to Christ.

The way to know more of God and his love is by knowing the spiritual strengthening that Paul speaks about in Ephesians 3:16. To be spiritual men and women is totally alien to our fallen human nature, so we need the spiritual strength that only the Holy Spirit can give. But thank God that there is a way for us to be strengthened. Take hope! However weak you may feel at this moment, however much you have failed, the Holy Spirit is ready to assist you! God is your strength. He is all-sufficient. Today, be ambitious in your expectations and seek to know more and more of God's love.

I would encourage you to watch the message below entitled, "Adoption: Knowing God as Father" as a great way to be fueled by God's love for you.

Putting the Urban Back In Suburban

2010-06-18T13:10:00.005-05:00

Speaking about my home church, the more ministry we do in urban areas of our city the more clear it becomes how much we have to learn about such work. Recently, one of our couples made a radical decision to move from the suburbs in order to incarnate the Gospel in a thoroughly urban neighborhood. I love the heart behind this move. Frankly, it encourages me. In light of that, I have been doing more thinking about what we call “urban ministry.” This week, I was challenged again, but this time by a rather unexpected source. It was something I watched.

Some of you may remember the movie “Antwone Fisher” starring Denzel Washington. It debuted, December 2002. If you’ve never seen it, you should. If you have, you’ll know what I mean when I say it’s deeply moving. But what makes it so good is that it’s based on a true story.

Watch the trailer below.

I was moved in an unexpected way by this movie. The Lord reminded me of the value and joy of participating in faithful, gospel-centered Urban Ministry. Confession: I do not understand the urban mind or life as I ought. You see, for most of us being urban-minded will only come at the expense of a self-conscious choice to dwell in the city. The reason why is because many of us grew up in the suburbs and that’s all we know. We can’t understand urban life. We don’t understand what it means to live in the Inner City. And we won’t unless we make a concerted and sustained effort. I’ve spent at least 3 years in the inner cities of both Washington DC and Minneapolis. But even at that, I have to confess that I am still far too unfamiliar with urban life. Too unfamiliar, that is, if I hope to be more useful in ministry among urban peoples; or dare I go so far as to say, too unfamiliar, if I care about the plight and condition of so many urban dwellers. The fact is, even if we have no desire to do ministry in urban areas, it would be helpful for us to expand our horizons and see how so many of our neighbors live on a day-to-day basis. In case you don’t know – it’s radically different.

Have you ever made a conscious effort to become urban-minded? Many churches speak of being urban-minded, but few are successfully engaged in urban ministry. The old adage is correct: “It takes one to know one”. If you’ve never lived an urban life, you’ll struggle to minister to urban people. My prayer for all of us is that God will raise up more urban-minded, urban-experienced individuals to lead us into new vistas of urban ministry.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not discouraged. After watching “Antwone Fisher” I’m even more desirous of pursuing urban ministry. For me, the idea of only and always pastoring a largely white, upper-middle class, suburban church is unsettling. But pressing into the inner city (no matter how small that inner city is), and laboring among its underprivileged people by giving my time, resources, and energy, is thrilling! Great things await us if we will take some conscious risks. There are a good number of churches that are doing this well already. My emphasis here are on suburban churches who know nothing else but suburbia.

So much more could be said, but let me conclude this way. Consider the following statements written by a friend of mine and ask yourself if these initiatives are agreeable to your spirit and desire.

As a church,

1. We will strive to forge a mutually enriching urban-suburban partnership, in which a significant range of racially, educationally, and economically diverse people feel at home, as they grow in their passion for the supremacy of God.

2. Concerning interracial reconciliation: Against the rising spirit of indifference, alienation and hostility in our land, we will embrace the supremacy of God's love to take new steps personally and corporately toward racial reconciliation, expressed visibly in our community and in our church.

3. Concerning good news to the poor: We will develop new strategies for proclaiming the all-satisfying supremacy of God's love and justice to the poor through a) personal involvement; b) a more welcoming atmosphere; c) local missionary strategies of urban disciple making; and d) equipping missionaries for unreached urban peoples.

I would love to hear more reflections on this matter. For example, many will say, "Look we're a suburban church and that's who God has called us to be." Others will say, "We are indeed a suburban church but we think we should be at work among a more urban population for the Gospel." Are we to suppose the first church is not as spiritual or biblical as the second? Is it just a matter of calling? And what is that calling? Is it the same for everyone? Assuming it's not, how is it different? What should the relationship be, then, between the suburban church and the urban neighborhood? Should there be a relationship at all? If so, on what grounds? If not, why? There are not easy answers here, but what are your thoughts? I welcome your input.

PLNTD - A New Church Planting Network

2010-06-17T11:00:00.008-05:00

There is a new church planting network that is both distinctly baptist and missional in its focus. You can read more about it from Tim Brister who is currently doing a blog series entitled "Bring it Back" on church planting with the launch of this new endeavor. You can check out PLNTD for yourself. Here are a few ways to get in touch with PLNTD:

1. Follow PLNTD on Twitter
2. Visit the PLNTD Facebook page
3. Sign up for the PLNTD e-newsletter

The Gospel According to Mark

2010-05-14T13:25:00.011-05:00

This spring at Heritage Baptist Church we've been walking through the Gospel of Mark as a church family. It has been a very encouraging study so far. It, has been even more rewarding for me since I am one of the men responsible for teaching in this series. I wanted to do it because I knew how much I would learn from doing a careful analysis of the Gospel. I have also been greatly helped by the other men who are preparing and teaching. Below, you'll see some of the sermons from this series. I encourage you to listen in and catch the rest of the series. Each week we live stream. So, if you are sick or at home with the kids wherever you may be you can catch us online @10:30 AM every Sunday morning. The series will continue throughout the summer.

Did You Stop Praying For Haiti?

2010-04-24T11:36:00.007-05:00

I hope not. This is a strategic time in the life of Haiti. God will use the aftermath of this massive disaster to get a people for himself. He will be glorified. But as the old saying goes, "out of sight, out of mind" for so many. If you're not there, if you don't have any close ties in Haiti, you may have already forgotten. It is human nature to be self-bent, self-interested, and miss what's right in our face. Use this as a reminder. This is a rap for Haiti written by "Lecrae" Moore. Lecrae is a Hip/Hop artist from Atlanta. May God bring revival to this nation. The single is entitled, "Far Away".

Did Jesus Preach Paul's Gospel?

2010-04-16T13:37:00.009-05:00

I just came back from T4G. I have mentioned the following message to many. The manuscript is here. This is a classic example of why am so thankful for John Piper. The rigor of his thinking is almost unparalleled among his contemporaries. I am indebted to John (and in a large way Tom Steller) who taught me how to read the Greek NT, do careful/disciplined exegesis, and frankly, how to think. This message is a classical example of those skills at work. Not only that, but the following message is massively important. It should be listened to by all, and taken to heart. I encourage you to click play when you have an hour. In my opinion, this will be the best hour you will spend all week. Piper argues, He argued from Luke 18:9-14 that Jesus taught the imputation of His righteousness by grace alone through faith alone.

Postmodernism and the Emerging Church: Ravi Zacharias, Al Mohler & R.C. Sproul

2010-04-07T15:30:00.006-05:00

This is a heavy-hitter panel if I've ever seen one. I love to see men of this caliber discuss such significant issues. Below you'll see Ravi Zacharias, Al Mohler & R.C. Sproul discuss Postmodernism and the Emerging Church.

Idolatry Can Be Extremely Subtle

2010-03-31T16:48:00.005-05:00

"An idol is something that we look to for things that only God can give. Idolatry functions widely inside religious communities when doctrinal truth is elevated to the position of a false god. This occurs when people rely on the rightness of their doctrine for their standing with God rather than on God himself and his grace. It is a subtle but deadly mistake. The sign that you have fallen into this form of self-justification is that you become what the book of Proverbs calls a “scoffer”. Scoffers always show contempt and disdain for opponents rather than graciousness. This is a sign that they do not see themselves as sinners saved by grace. Instead, their trust in the rightness of their views makes them feel superior." - Counterfeit Gods (p.131)