aaronwilson.org

iSpy

2012-01-12T09:13:00.000-06:00

iSpy is a new, daily photo blog I've begun here.
The subtitle is: iPost what iSpy with iPhone

Here's my rationale:

God is sovereign over the majestic, the minute and even the mundane. We should find Him there. This simple project is my daily attempt to do just that. I will try to post one photo, each day (I hope) of some simple evidence of God's creation - something we might normally pass by without notice.

I'm not trying to get published in National Geographic, but I am trying to publish God's handiwork for others to see.

I am not trying to worship creation. I am trying to worship the Creator as prompted by His creation.

This does not come naturally for me. I am, by nature, a self-worshiper.

This is my personal attempt to put into practice such passages as these:

    The heavens declare the glory of God,
            and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
        Day to day pours out speech,
            and night to night reveals knowledge.
        There is no speech, nor are there words,
            whose voice is not heard.
        Their voice goes out through all the earth,
            and their words to the end of the world.
        In them he has set a tent for the sun,
            which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
            and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
        Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
            and its circuit to the end of them,
            and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
    (Psalm 19:1-6 ESV)

    It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
            to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
        to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
            and your faithfulness by night,
        to the music of the lute and the harp,
            to the melody of the lyre.
        For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work;
            at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
        How great are your works, O LORD!
            Your thoughts are very deep!
    (Psalm 92:1-5 ESV)

Related post here.

I was challenged to do this last year while reading John Piper's book, When I Don't Desire God. In his chapter entitled, How to Wield the World in the Fight for Joy, he listed 11 resolutions written by his mentor for the purpose of "overcoming our bent toward blindness for the wonders of the ordinary." This one in particular stood out:

I shall open my eyes and ears. Once every day I shall simply stare at a tree, a flower, a cloud, or a person. I shall not then be concerned at all to ask what they are but simply be glad that they are. I shall joyfully allow them the mystery of what [C. S.] Lewis calls their “divine, magical, terrifying and ecstatic” existence.

Read the entire book online.
View iSpy photos on Facebook.
View iSpy photos on Posterous.

You Two Work It Out

2012-01-06T09:26:00.001-06:00

In a way-back sermon from 1984, John Piper explains two of the both/and passages we find in the book of Philippians that hold in perfect tension God's work IN us and our work FOR Him.

The best commentary on Philippians 3:12 is Philippians 2:12–13: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you." Go hard after Christ, because Christ is at work in you! "Strive for . . . the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14), for the Lord is working in you what is pleasing in his sight (Hebrews 13:21).

The reason the Bible can make our salvation depend on our pursuit of holiness without turning us into self-reliant legalists who have no assurance is that it makes our pursuit of holiness depend on the sovereign work of God in our lives.

Work out your salvation, because God is at work in you.

Your work is his work for his glory when done in dependence on his power.

The most fundamental reason why you must go hard after Christ is that Christ is in you, moving you to go hard after him.

Read or listen to the entire sermon here.

Christmas Memories 1973

2011-12-19T02:00:00.000-06:00

Below is a series of pics from my 3rd Christmas as a human boy. Pardon me while I relive the moment...

[scratching chin & gazing contemplatively into nowhere ]

The year was 1973... this was the first Christmas that I had to share with a sibling, evidenced by the presence of a crib in several of the pictures.

Now, when I was 7, 8, 9 years old, I was known for getting up at unreasonable times Christmas morning & waking my parents so my sister & I could tear in to our loot. If this 3rd Christmas was like the later ones, it could've been anywhere around 4 or 5 AM when this picture was snapped.

What every parent longs for... why they charge up their credit cards each year...
to see the look on their child's face on Christmas morning.

The bunny doll was not mine - I REPEAT - the bunny doll was not mine.

Here's a good shot of my stash in '73. Santa wrote on the chalkboard desk "Merry Christmas Aaron! Ho! Ho! Ho!" Man, he writes just like my dad. And that bunny doll... not mine.

These two trucks belonged to my dad when he was my age. Dad cleaned them up, did some touch up painting & passed them on to me. It's possible he did this because money was tight (there's not a whole lot more under the tree). Regardless, I think the idea was classic. I still have these and they've been decorating my office along with other vintage toys my past. Sadly, the ladder on the firetruck is long gone.

No idea what this is. Not now. Not then.

Yessss! My new Fisher Price Little People Schoolhouse!

I'm not sure what I'm opening that could've distracted me
from the Fisher Price Little People Schoolhouse. Better be good.

Boo Yah! A chartreuse Tonka hydraulic dump truck!

Bugs Bunny puzzle! Bugs is always a hit.

I'm not sure if I'm reaching for my stocking, or I just wanted to feel the raised letters on that label made with a vintage DYMO label maker. I know this much -
I wasn't reaching for the bunny doll, 'cause it wasn't mine.

Now dressed and in my right mind - even though I'm sporting more polyester
than my Jr. high band uniform -
I try out my new desk.
Merry Christmas.
Not my bunny.

What Child is This?

2011-12-15T02:00:00.000-06:00

A couple of years ago I realized that there was another version of this sweet Christmas carol.

Try reading it....slowly. Notice the first two verses are in the forms of questions, the last verse being a command. Then the refrain gives the answer - the response. The proclamation uses such language as:

"THIS, THIS IS CHRIST THE KING...HAIL THE WORD MADE FLESH...RAISE A SONG ON HIGH"

Next time you sing it, may the chorus be your proclamation to the world - your "song on high", of the Christ child, the King, "the Babe, the son of Mary".

May your "loving heart enthrone Him."

What Child Is This?

Words: William C. Dix, The Manger Throne, 1865.

Music: “Greensleeves,” 16th Century English melody

What Child is this who, laid to rest

On Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

While shepherds watch are keeping?

REFRAIN:

This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;

Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and ass are feeding?

Good Christians, fear, for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

REFRAIN:

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

The cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail the Word made flesh,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,

Come peasant, king to own Him;

The King of kings salvation brings,

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

REFRAIN:

Raise, raise a song on high,

The virgin sings her lullaby.

Joy, joy for Christ is born,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Anything Meretricious?

2011-12-01T02:00:00.000-06:00

My Hearer, are you seeking salvation by works—by anything that is meritorious or meretricious?
You are spending your money for that which is not bread!

Are you seeking a knowledge of salvation by your own feeling? Do you consult your frames of mind, hopeful or desponding, as one marks the rise or fall of a barometer? Do you dream of being prepared for Christ and fitting yourself to receive mercy?
This is to impose on yourself and to insult the Savior!

Christ needs nothing from you—He comes to bring everything to you! Even your sense of need He gives you.

All your fitness is to be unfit!
All your preparation for washing is to be foul!
All your prerequisite for enriching is to be poor as poverty can make you!

Come as you are to your God through Christ, the Mediator, and in Him you shall find salvation!

Do notice particularly that the words are not, “Say unto my soul, I am your Savior,” but more than that—“I am your salvation.”As if God were not only the Giver of salvation, but absolutely salvation itself.

To get a hold of Christ is to get salvation!
To get God on our side is to be saved!

Salvation does not merely come from God as a gift—it absolutely involves the appropriation of God, Himself, as the portion of one’s own soul! How wonderful this is!

Who can find God?
Who can imagine, much less describe, His Infinite perfections?

Salvation proceeding from THE LORD, from JEHOVAH, from the GREAT I AM, communicates the wealth of His adorable attributes. “Say unto my soul, I”—our translation reads—“I Am.”

Ask, what are You, Lord?
The answer comes, “I Am your salvation.”

Charles Spurgeon, from the sermon, "Assurance Sought"

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

(2 Corinthians 4:1-6 ESV) Emphasis added.

Action Statements from the Love Chapter

2011-11-29T02:00:00.000-06:00

What if you took all the qualities of love found in 1 Corinthians 13 and turned them into action statements? That's what Jerry Bridges did some time ago and came up with this helpful list:

I am patient with you because I love you and want to forgive you.
I am kind to you because I love you and want to help you.
I do not envy your possessions or your gifts because I love you and want you to have the best.
I do not boast about my attainments because I love you and want to hear about yours.
I am not proud because I love you and want to esteem you before myself.
I am not rude because I love you and care about your feelings.
I am not self-seeking because I love you and want to meet your needs.
I am not easily angered by you because I love you and want to overlook your offenses.
I do not keep a record of your wrongs because I love you, and "love covers a multitude of sins.

Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace, Navpress. 38-39

Living a Doxological Life

2011-11-17T02:00:00.000-06:00

Artie Hunt is in his seventies. He is a small man with a band of solid white hair wrapped around hisbalding head and a thin, white mustache to match. He looks a bit cartoonish, which I intend asa compliment, because it fits his jovial personality. Artie Hunt loves the Word of God, but morethan that, he loves the God of the Word.

I’ve had the wonderful privilege oflistening, watching and “experiencing” Artie teach the grade-schoolers in our churchfor many years now. There is no questionthat he enjoys it. Often when he istalking about the sinfulness of man and being dead in our trespasses, Artiewill illustrate by flopping down on the floor and lying as still as acorpse. These past few years haveconcerned me though, as I’m starting to pray more for his ability to get backup! Alas, he always does! He bounces right back and continues with hislesson as if nothing happened.

When Artie is explaining theinfinite nature of God, he’ll write these words on the whiteboard, “On and onand on and on and on and on…,” then pretend to keep writing beyond the boardand onto the classroom wall, then out one door (you can still hear him out inthe hall saying, “…on and on and on and on…”) and finally back in the otherdoor, still carrying on and on. Heteaches a weekly class on the topic of God’s providence and he often voices hisonly complaint that he only has a year to teach this to his fourth grade students.

Artie is ready for Heaven. He is ready to see the Lord. He gets physically worked up each time hetalks about going to Heaven. Hesemi-jokingly tells us that he wakes up every morning a bit disappointed that he’sstill here on earth. He then trusts thatthe Lord kept him here one more day to serve him. And he does.

Artie Hunt is a contagiousChristian. His love and exuberance forthe Lord elicits from those around him one thing: a desire to praise God. His life is doxological. That is, his life is one that not only bringsglory to God, but entices others to do the same. He just cannot help himself!

This kind of doxological enticementis one we find often in our Bibles. Certainly there are plenty of passages in Scripture that commandus to worship and glorify God, but these doxologies are almost spontaneous“bonus texts” (all inspired by the Holy Spirit, of course) insertedperiodically in our New Testament epistles that do more than command us to praise God – they compelus to praise God!

The simplicity and yet difficulty with such passages is in the fact that they do not tell us to do anything—at least notgrammatically. There are no demands in these doxologies—no imperatives. What they do accomplish though - I hope - is to inundate you with waves of glorious truths about our God that should command and compelus to only one response: praise!

Our New Testaments are full of theseshort praises, particularly as they surround this one word “doxa,” from which we get ourword “doxology.”

Romans 11:33-36
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen
Romans 16:25-27
“Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.”
Galatians 1:3-5
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Philippians 4:20
“To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen”
2 Timothy 4:18
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Hebrews 13:21
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 5:11
“whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
2 Peter 3:18
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
Jude 1:24-25Now to him whois able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before thepresence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, throughJesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before alltime and now and forever. Amen.
Revelation 1:5b-6
“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The New Testament writers were doxological writers because they lived doxological lives, just like my friend Artie. How about you? Is your life an obvious doxology to the goodness and grace and mercy and kindness and patience of your God?

I hope it is.

Two Courts

2011-10-26T15:32:00.001-05:00

There are two "courts" we must deal with:
the court of God in Heaven and
the court of conscience in our souls.

When we trust in Christ for salvation, God's court is forever satisfied. Never again will acharge of guilt be brought against us in Heaven.

Our consciences, however, are continually pronouncing us guilty. That is the function of conscience. Therefore, we must by faith bring the verdict of conscience into line with the verdict of Heaven. We do this by agreeing with our conscience about our guilt, but then reminding it that our guilt has already been borne by Christ.

Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace, p. 54

Who Was Angry?

2011-10-04T09:38:00.000-05:00

Something to think about:

Our favorite passage showing that Jesus got angry is the temple cleansing. I'm not necessarily disputing that, but it's interesting to note who Matthew labels as angry.

And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”
And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read,
“‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”
And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there.

(Matthew 21:12-17 ESV, emphasis added)

Justification versus Sanctification

2011-09-11T22:57:00.000-05:00

Click here to purchase.

Many years ago, I saw this helpful comparison of the doctrines of justification and sanctification. I recently discovered that it came from J. C. Ryle in his book Holiness, published by Evangelical Press (Read it online here).

Justification and Sanctification | How are they alike?

Both proceed originally from the free grace of God.
Both are a part of the great work of salvation, at which, the root is Christ.
Both are found in the same persons and cannot be separated.
Both begin at the same time, even though a person may not feel it.
Both are necessary for salvation.

Justification and Sanctification | How are they different?

Justification is the reckoning and counting a man to be righteous for the sake of another - even Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sanctification is the actual making a man inwardly righteous, though to a very feeble degree.

The righteousness we have by our justification is not our own, but the perfect righteousness of Christ imputed to us by faith.
The righteousness we have by sanctification is our own, imparted, inherent and wrought in us by the Holy Spirit, although filled with much infirmity and imperfection.

In justification, our own works have no place of importance at all. Faith in Christ is all important.
In sanctification, our own works are of vast importance as God actually commands us to fight, watch, and pray, strive and take pains and labor

Justification is a finished and complete work, and a man is perfectly justified the moment he believes.
Sanctification is an imperfect work, comparatively, and will never be perfected until we reach heaven.

Justification in a man's life does not grow or increase.
Sanctification is a progressive work and grows continually as long as a man lives.

Justification has special reference to our persons and our standing in God's sight as well as our deliverance from guilt.
Sanctification has special reference to our natures and the moral renewal of our hearts.

Justification gives us access to heaven and the boldness to enter in.
Sanctification gives us our desire for heaven and prepares us to enjoy it when we dwell there.

Justification is the act of God about us, and is not easily discerned by others.
Sanctification is the work of God within us, and cannot be hid in its outward manifestation from the eyes of man.

You can download a pdf version of this comparison here.
I've since found a couple of other online resources that help compare and contrast the two doctrines (here and here).

Stop and Smell God's Roses

2011-09-02T14:14:00.000-05:00

There is something very biblical, very right, very holy and very worship-inducing about the old adage "Stop and smell the roses."
But only if we don't stop with the roses.

All of God's created work...

from the rose to the rhinoceros
from the leaf to the leviathan
from the rainy season to the rising sun
from the salty tear to the sounding thunder

all of God's created work is meant to point us to Him.

The heavens declare the glory of God,
        and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
    Day to day pours out speech,
        and night to night reveals knowledge.
    There is no speech, nor are there words,
        whose voice is not heard.
    Their voice goes out through all the earth,
        and their words to the end of the world.
    In them he has set a tent for the sun,
        which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
        and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
    Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
        and its circuit to the end of them,
        and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
(Psalm 19:1-6 ESV)

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
        to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
    to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
        and your faithfulness by night,
    to the music of the lute and the harp,
        to the melody of the lyre.
    For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work;
        at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
    How great are your works, O LORD!
        Your thoughts are very deep!
(Psalm 92:1-5 ESV)

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

(Romans 1:20 ESV)

Four of These Things Belong Together

2011-08-18T14:19:00.001-05:00

Four verses. All saying the same thing.

"Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour."
Matthew 27:45 (ESV)

"And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour."
Mark 15:33 (ESV)

"It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour."
Luke 23:44 (ESV)

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."
Psalm 19:1 (ESV)

The Mom Song

2011-08-12T07:03:00.000-05:00

It's really not called "The Mom Song," but that's my own name for it, because every time I hear it, I think of my wife - who is, of course, the mom to our four children. And, judging by the tears that fill my eyes when I listen to this song, it's really not just for moms, dads can benefit from it as well.

Sung by Danielle Young (Caedmon's Call), this upbeat song is about seeing the mundane tasks of home life as sacred events. It's about seeing motherhood as worship. This is described throughout the lyrics of the song, as you can read below. But it's most beautifully displayed in the short bridge, where the songwriter seamlessly weaves from a morning wake up call to a child, into a brief burst of praise in the melody of "Holy, Holy, Holy."After dialing the album, "Overdressed," into my iPod this morning and hearing this song, I prayed along with the line Teach me to run to you like [my children] run to me for every little thing.

So I commend this song to you mothers and homemakers to prompt you to worship God in the midst of laundry and spills and chores and bills and dust bunnies and runny noses.

All of it is sacred.

Sacred

This house is a good mess it’s the proof of life
No way would I trade jobs but I don’t pay overtime
I’ll get to the laundry I don’t know when
I’m saying a prayer tonight cause tomorrow it starts again

Could it be that everything is sacred
And all this time
Everything I’ve dreamed of has been right before my eyes

The children are sleeping but they’re running through my mind
The sun makes them happy and the music makes them unwind
My cup runneth over, I worry about the stain
Teach me to run to you like they run to me for every little thing

Cause everything is sacred
And all this time
Everything I’ve dreamed of has been right before my eyes

When I forget to drink from you I can feel the banks harden
Lord make me like a stream to feed the garden

Wake up little sleeper
The Lord God Almighty
Made your mama keeper
So rise and shine, rise and shine, rise and shine

Cause everything is sacred
And all this time
Everything I’ve dreamed of has been right before my eyes

Words and Music by Randall Goodgame and Andrew Osenga(c) 2007 House of Mirrors Music (ASCAP) admin. by Simpleville Music, Inc. / 2007 Mighty Molecule Music. (ASCAP) admin by Music Services

Download the song or album on Amazon or iTunes.
Also, check out this 3 minute video clip where Danielle and the band talk about how this song came about.

Salvation Bracelet and Bible Verses

2011-07-25T00:00:00.000-05:00

One of the crafts we did during a recent Backyard Bible Club with our church was the well-known salvation bracelet. These have been around for a while and are a great way to remind yourself of the Gospel as well as prepare yourself to share the Gospel.
I collected my own set of verses to go with the bracelet and to serve as a Gospel outline for those using this simple tool. I don't know that my verses are better than anything else out there, but I wanted to include a few points that I couldn't find in other examples.
If you'd like to use this half-page format, you can download a pdf version here (RIGHT CLICK then "Save As").

The Children's Bible in Sound and Pictures

2011-07-21T21:55:00.000-05:00

There is an image that has been burned in my brain ever since I was a boy. The image came from this 2 record set, which of course, I still have proudly displayed in my office.

click any image to make 'em bigger

The Children's Bible in Sound and Pictures includes about 2 dozen of the more well known Bible stories from the Old and New Testament. The illustrations are very well done, and though the stories were mostly paraphrased, they are surprisingly accurate.

The only thing I remember from reading and listening to these records, over 30 years ago now, is from the story about Noah's ark and the flood, particularly, the bottom-center frame on the page above. I've enlarged it below. This image of the ark floating away in the stormy flood waters has stuck with me all these years, primarily because of the two people in the foreground of the picture, with their hands waving helplessly in the air as they are being consumed by a violent, wrath-filled, world-destroying flood.

I probably knew that the perishing people were very bad, according to this story, but I didn't comprehend the fact that they were being punished by God for their exceeding sinfulness. Moses describes it this way:

The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.”
(Genesis 6:5-7 ESV, emphasis mine)

And so He did. He blotted them out. With a lot of water. And it is illustrated in this frame. And it is still etched in my mind.

I shared this very story and this very picture (I enlarged and printed it on a small poster) with the kids in our Backyard Bible Club this week, as we discussed the great flood. I explained how even though everything was "good" after God created it in six days, it very quickly got bad. In just the 3rd chapter of our Bible we have the Serpent entering the scene and successfully tempting Adam and Even into sin, immediately changing the whole world forever. Chapter four gets even worse with the first murder - between brothers! After a list of generations in chapter five, the stench of the fall grows even fouler, as described in the verses above.

This is why the flood was necessary. God could no longer allow sin to run its course.

I didn't understand, back then, that I was one of those people in the frame, left outside of the ark to perish. In fact, knowing what the Bible teaches about sin, mankind, and my own evil heart and life before Christ, I'd speculate that those people aren't waving and crying for help. I think they're shaking their fists and cursing Noah, his family, his boat, and his God.

I didn't understand, back then, the great act of mercy that was shown to Noah and his family. I do now, because I have been shown grace and mercy from my Creator. This grace and mercy saves me from the punishment of my sin - the flood of God's wrath that awaits those who reject Him.

I am safely hidden in the greater Ark which is Christ. I have taken refuge in Him, from Him.

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
(Psalm 2:12 ESV)

Diving Board, Patio Furniture or the Swimming Pool

2011-07-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Jim Shaddix, in his book, The Passion-Driven Sermon, explains three ways a preacher can use the text of Scripture for his sermon. He likens it to taking a swim.

1. The Diving Board

The preacher jumps off the text into the sermon, swims around for 20 to 45 minutes or so and never once returns to the diving board (the text). A passage of scripture is read and is never mentioned again in the sermon.

2. The Patio Furniture

The preacher swims around in the sermon but makes only casual and periodic visits to the patio furniture (the text). Just as the patio furniture is there to compliment the pool, the preacher's text(s) are only there to compliment his sermon in a merely supportive role.

In reality, the text simply does not happen in these sermons. The preacher announces and reads the text, assumes it to be authoritative because it comes from the Bible, and then proceeds to reduce it to a theme.... The real problem here is a lack of confidence in the sufficiency of the biblical text. [The preacher] prostitutes the potent Word of God for the observations, conjectures, and experiences of man.

There now remains only one other method. This is the right method. This is the expositor's method:

3. The Swimming Pool

The preacher jumps into the pool (the text) and swims around. He stays long. He gets wet. He goes down deep. He stays down. He stays in the water. "The text is actually the sermon."

Essentially, swimming in the text means 'exposing' the people to God's intended meaning of each text that has been covered up by language, time, culture, social setting, and many other factors. That's the responsibility of the contemporary Christian communicator. [His] primary responsibility is not to give the opinions, indirect implications, or extra-biblical principles but instead to expose the Holy Spirit's intended meaning in each passage of Scripture so that people's minds are exposed to supernatural truth and their lives are transformed into the image of Jesus Christ....

The most effective preaching pastors are those who dive into a passage of Scripture and then beckon their listeners to join them for a swim.

The Complaint Department

2011-05-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

You've seen enough courtroom dramas to be familiar with the scene. The defendant is called to the stand and the famous swearing of the oath begins. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
Now, imagine hearing this as the defendant is seated and accusations are read:

The accused is charged with the following crimes: dangerous neglect of family, failure to give child support, and family abandonment. This person is a deadbeat and a menace to society. He needs to be taken off the streets and locked up until he can get his act together. The name of the accused: God.

Can you imagine?
The nerve!
The gall!
Accusing God?!

Yet, according to Stephen Altrogge, this is exactly what we all do when we complain. In his great little book, The Greener Grass Conspiracy: Finding Contentment on Your Side of the Fence, Altrogge teaches us from Scripture (particularly, Paul's words in Philippians 4:10-19) about the missing virtue of contentment. What I found most helpful, though, was his thorough look at the sinful result of being DIScontent.

The sin: complaining.

Any book that is truly helpful in examining areas of sin, is also just as convicting. Stephen Altrogge overwhelms the reader with lists like this one to help us realize what we're actually saying when we complain:

When we complain, we’re loudly saying that the blessings of the gospel aren’t enough.
We’re saying that the death of Christ isn’t enough.
We’re saying that eternal fellowship with God, purchased at great cost to God, isn’t enough to satisfy our souls.
We’re saying that forgiveness of sins and peace with God is nice, but not that nice.
We’re saying that God “[has] not wisdom, or power, or mercy enough” to provide for us.
We’re saying that God himself, who is the very definition of goodness, isn’t good enough.
We would like a little something more, if you don’t mind. God plus [insert desire of choice] should do the trick.
When we complain, we accuse God of being stingy, of not giving us enough.
Do you see the utter sinfulness of complaining? It tramples the gospel in the mud and paints God as a cosmic Scrooge. Even though God gave up what was most precious to him to bring us to himself, it’s not enough. Even though God proved his generosity with blood, we don’t believe him. God emptied his pockets for us, and yet we complain.

Good stuff, huh?! Oh - but he's not done...

Complaining isn’t just an insignificant, minor, everyday sin. It’s a slap in the face of God.
When I complain, I’m preaching to myself and everyone else that God is helpless.
I’m saying that God doesn’t know what he’s doing when it comes to my life, that god is a new driver behind the wheel of the universe.
When I complain I inform the world that God isn’t very good at running my life.
When I complain, I’m declaring that I serve a helpless, bumbling God.
That my life is out of control.
That he hasn’t been faithful.
That he isn’t using circumstances for good.
I’m smearing God’s character and forgetting his past faithfulness.
I’m telling the world that god is a pathetic, disorganized deity who can’t seem to get my life straight.
I’m telling a lie about God.
When we complain, we portray God as a joyless Scrooge in the sky, a miserable master who has no time for happiness.
We show our neighbors and friends that followers of Jesus are scowling, joyless drips who follow a joyless master.
When we complain, we’re saying that God hasn’t been good to us.
We’re making a loud statement to ourselves and to the rest of the world that God hasn’t been a good master.
As we step back and survey our lives and our circumstances, we come to the following conclusion: God did something wrong. Sure, he’s gotten us out of some jams. Sure, he did the whole salvation thing for us. He’s thrown us a bone every now and then. And yes, he’s given us a family and a house and a car and all that stuff. But overall we’re not too happy with the way God has run things. If it was up to us, things would be a lot different. And so we complain

If you're not too ashamed by this point, I'd encourage you to pick up a copy of this book and have a good, convicting read. The author is a great writer, very humorous when appropriate, and easy to read (on the eyes, not the heart!). And just so you won't complain about the book being too long, it's a mere 144 pages.

(Excerpts from The Greener Grass Conspiracy: Finding Contentment on Your Side of the Fence) by Stephen Altrogge)

A Birthday Poem for my Wife but All About Me

2011-05-17T00:00:00.009-05:00

Of all the days that one can share
there is one day that won't compare:
the day that you - my bestest friend - were born

You see, the day you came to be
was God at work, thinking of me
and how to rescue one who was forlorn.

I worshiped self and loved me too
that is until I looked at you
your smile and beauty caught me by surprise

Your funniness and friendliness
your wittiness and godliness
were used by Him to open up my eyes

I thought the chase was mine for you
but little did I know the truth
the Maker of the world pursuing me?

He came to seek and save the lost
He found me, then at quite a cost
His Son was crushed so I would then be free

Jesus Christ is now my life
an extra bonus: you're my wife!
my former self is dead. I do not mourn.

It's all His work of sovereign grace
It's humbling to look back and trace
And praise Him for the day that you were born.

Happy birthday my love.
So glad that you were born!
I love you!

(for more detail about how God used my wife to save my life, read here)

Out of the Mouths of Babes

2011-05-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

I've had these gems documented for several years now. These are all things my son said when he was around 3 years old (he's almost 11 now!).

When Anita took Aaron Job and Abby to the park along with several other mothers & children from our church, Aaron Job noticed the absence of any men. He asked Anita, "Where are all the Daddies?" Anita explained, "Well, the daddies have to go to work to provide for their families." Aaron Job caught on quickly and added, "And the mommies go to jewelry parties!"

_______________

As we were pulling out of a gas station, Aaron Job saw some random man getting into his car.

Aaron Job: "Who's that?"
Me: "I don't know"
Aaron Job: "Is he nice?"
Me: "Well, I don't know."
Aaron Job: "If he trusts in the Lord, he can go to Heaven."

_______________

Praying before one evening meal, Aaron Job began thanking God for different people in our family (he rarely prays like this). After listing several people, he stopped and said a bit urgently, "Oh, I forgot something!" We all pause, waiting for him to perhaps mention another family member that slipped his mind... he then said,
"I don't have a drink!"

Anita: "I'll get your drink Aaron Job, but you need to finish praying first."
Aaron Job: "Otay. Amen."

_______________

As hard as it may be to believe, sometimes 3 year old boys don't like to take naps in the afternoon. So when Aaron Job would take a good nap, Anita was sure to praise him.

One afternoon, after such a good, long nap, Anita began her accolades to her son:

Anita: "Good boy, Aaron Job! You slept really good, you didn't get out of bed, you didn't make any noise..."
Aaron Job (interrupting): "And I didn't poopoo in my underwear!!"

_______________

We'd been trying to sell our house for a couple of months. We found a house we really liked, at a good price, and it happened to have one of those nice swing sets made of the heavy timbers. Aaron Job played on it while we toured the home.

So one night we were praying that God might allow us to get this house. We reminded Aaron Job of the house and the swing set - which got him excited. We suggested that he should pray and ask the Lord if He would please give us this house. So he did with a nice, simple prayer:

"Lord, would you please give us this house with the slide?"

After a few seconds, he cracked open one of his eyes and looked at me and asked: "What'd He say?"

Are You Astonished at the Difference?

2011-04-28T21:31:00.000-05:00

I'm half-way through Stephen Altrogge's book, The Greener Grass Conspiracy: Finding contentment on Your Side of the Fence. All's I can say is... My. Oh. My. It's inwardly revealing, personally convicting, and so Gospel exalting.

At the end of a chapter that discussed contentment within the context of the sin of complaining, Altrogge walks the reader through the glorious Gospel truths to remind of all we have been given in Christ. He begins concluding the chapter with these words about contentment:

The gospel of Christ is the fountainhead of contentment. In the gospel we have access to infinite blessings. But if we don't drink often we will always be thirsty. The moment I feel the saltwater-like thirst of discontentment, I need to plunge again in the gospel.

He continues with a summary of complaining:

Complaining is almost always rooted in a faulty sense of rights and privileges. Each of us has a lengthy list of things that we think we deserve....But the gospel makes it very clear that the only thing we truly deserve is hell.... God owes us nothing except justice. The fires of hell would be the right destination for ungrateful, arrogant rebels like us....On our worst days we're always doing infinitely better than we deserve.

Finally, he ends with this jaw dropping quote from The Valley of Vision (a book of Puritan prayers):

O Lord, I am astonished at the difference
between my receivings and my deservings,
between the state I am now in and my past gracelessness,
between the heaven I am bound for and the hell I merit.

O that such a crown should fit the head of such a sinner!
such high advancement be for an unfruitful person!
such joys for so vile a rebel!

Taken from The Valley of Vision, "The Mover"

Finding it difficult to be content? Finding it easy to complain about such petty things? Even significant things? Christian, remember what we deserve. And consider what we've received.

The Other Cup

2011-04-22T00:00:00.008-05:00

Two years ago I found this article by way of a link at Justin Taylor's blog. It's one of those articles and examples of biblical insight that stays with you forever. I want to strongly encourage you - yea, even beg you - to download and read this entire article. It's about 5 pages long, but it's very easy to read. And you must read to the end -it's just incredible!
For those of you who will be taking the Lord's Supper tonight during a Good Friday service, this will be a wonderful way to help prepare. I plan on reading this to my own family as we prepare.

Can we go back to Gethsemane for a few minutes? What kind of a cup was it that Jesus was praying about? What kind of a cup could cause the Son of God to have such fear? Psalm 75, the first passage that we read, said that the Lord has a cup in His hand which is reserved for the wicked. You and I recognize in our heart of hearts that we deserve our portion of that cup because we have transgressed the law of God. Not a day goes by in which each one of us does not offend God’s holiness in some way. You and I recognize that it’s entirely just for a cup which is reserved for the wicked to be our cup. But do you understand that Jesus was the one human being who has ever lived on God’s earth on whom that cup had absolutely no claim whatsoever? He had kept God’s law in its entirety, perfectly. There was no sin in Him. Perhaps we can feel something of the revulsion that Jesus felt, something of His fear. Three times: “Father, please take this away. God in heaven—anything but this!”

Download & read the rest of this sermon by the late Ray Dillard.

Why I'll Never Divorce My Wife

2011-04-12T18:00:00.006-05:00

Well, there's lots of reasons, actually. To name a few...

I'll never divorce my wife because I love her.
I'll never divorce my wife because I love my four children.
I'll never divorce my wife because I love God.

But John Piper suggests another reason - a more foundational reason - in his book "This Momentary Marriage." Under the section heading, "Christ Will Never Leave His Wife," he writes,

Staying married, therefore, is not mainly about staying in love. It is about keeping covenant. “Till death do us part” or “As long as we both shall live” is a sacred covenant promise—the same kind Jesus made with his bride when he died for her. Therefore, what makes divorce and remarriage so horrific in God’s eyes is not merely that it involves covenant-breaking to the spouse, but that it involves misrepresenting Christ and his covenant. Christ will never leave his wife. Ever. There may be times of painful distance and tragic backsliding on our part. But Christ keeps his covenant forever. Marriage is a display of that! That is the ultimate thing we can say about it. It puts the glory of Christ’s covenant-keeping love on display.
The most important implication of this conclusion is that keeping covenant with our spouse is as important as telling the truth about God’s covenant with us in Jesus Christ. Marriage is not mainly about being or staying in love. It’s mainly about telling the truth with our lives. It’s about portraying something true about Jesus Christ and the way he relates to his people. It is about showing in real life the glory of the gospel.
Jesus died for sinners. He forged a covenant in the white-hot heat of his suffering in our place. He made an imperfect bride his own with the price of his blood and covered her with the garments of his own righteousness. He said, “I am with you . . . to the end of the age. . . . I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5). Marriage is meant by God to put that gospel reality on display in the world. That is why we are married. That is why all married people are married, even when they don’t know and embrace this gospel.
(Page 25-26, Emphasis added)

I'll never leave my wife because I love the Gospel!

It's true that our lives and our words and our actions and our relationships are all means by which we can display the Gospel to the lost world, but it is our marriage and ONLY our marriage that is designed by God to be THE perfect illustration of the amazing and permanent love that Christ has for His Bride.

Of course, our marriages aren't perfect because we aren't perfect. In fact, if you have an imperfect marriage (and we all do), what better way to show the world how God loves sinners than to have two sinners in a marriage showing that same love to one another.

Rage Against the Icon of the Crucified

2011-04-09T00:00:00.006-05:00

I've been looking forward to reading this book, and though I've not even finished the first chapter, I know I won't be disappointed. There's already so much valuable insight from Russel Moore in his latest book, Tempted and Tried: Temptation and the Triumph of Christ.

Temptation is so strong in our lives precisely because it’s not about us. Temptation is an assault by the demonic powers on the rival empire of the Messiah. That’s why conversion to Christ doesn’t diminish the power of temptation—as we often assume—but actually, counterintuitively, ratchets it up. If you bear the Spirit of the One the powers rage against, they will seek to tear down the icon of the Crucified they see embedded in you (1 Pet. 4:14; Rev. 12:17). Ultimately, the agony of temptation is not about you or me. We’re targeted because we resemble Jesus, our firstborn brother. We all, whether believers or not, bear some resemblance to Jesus because we share with him a human nature in the image of God. As we come to find peace with God through Jesus, though, we begin a journey of being conformed more and more into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29). The demons shriek in the increasing glory of that light, and they’ll seek even more frenetically to put it out of their sight. (Pg 21, Emphasis added)

Dowload the first chapter (pdf) free here. Buy the book here.

Equal, Protected, and Near His Heart

2011-03-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.
And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said,

     “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh;
      she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”

Genesis 2:22-23 ESV

That the woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved.

~Matthew Henry, Commentary on Genesis

Filling in Empty Music (3 of 3)

2011-03-11T00:00:00.000-06:00

This will be the last of a 3 part series that started Wednesday, where I suggest some additional lyrics to some otherwise great songs. Today we'll look at a song we sing during Christmas that I first heard on my wife's Selah Christmas CD, Rose of Bethlehem. This one is called "Light of the Stable." Again, good tune, but I realized that there's just two verses repeated over and over. So, I just came up with a few others (in orange). I attempted to move Jesus beyond Bethlehem to His rightful place on the throne.

Hail, hail to the newborn King
Let our voices sing Him our praises
Hail, hail to the guiding Light
That brought us tonight to our Savior

CHORUS:
Halle, hallelujah Halle, hallelujah
Halle, hallelujah Halle, hallelujah

Come now, let it shine so bright
To the knowing Light of the stable
Kneel close to the Child so dear
Cast aside your fear and be thankful

Bow down and behold your God
In an infant’s body – He’s Immanuel!
Worship and exalt His Name
You’ll never be the same – He’s Jesus!

CHORUS

Trust Him, trust in Him alone
He now sits enthroned in the Heavens
Ruling with His power and might
He’s the holy Light of the stable.

CHORUS

So there you go. Feel free to take & use and/or re-work any of these as you see fit. They're far from perfect, but just my feeble attempt at songwriting.

Filling in Empty Music (2 of 3)

2011-03-10T00:00:00.005-06:00

Yesterday I began the first of three short posts on the subject of worship song lyrics. Today, I want to introduce you to another song & my additional lyrics. The song is Praise Adonai by Paul Baloche and it's a great song! You can get chords & sheet music here. The only weakness is that it has only one verse and the chorus. So, I've since added two extra verses (in orange).

Who is like Him
the Lion and the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Mountains bow down
Every ocean roars
To the Lord of hosts

CHORUS:

Praise Adonai
From the rising of the sun
'Til the end of every day
Praise Adonai
All the nations of the earth
All the angels and the saints
Sing praise.

Who is like Him
obedient to death
Death upon a cross
every knee shall bow
and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord!

CHORUS

Who is like Him
The Way, the Truth, the Life
The Shepherd and the Door
The true abiding Vine
The Living Bread from Heav’n
The great I AM the Lord!

CHORUS

If you're still around tomorrow, we'll look at one last song... just in time for Christmas!

Filling In Empty Music (1 of 3)

2011-03-09T00:00:00.003-06:00

I'm involved in the children's worship ministry at our church and I'm always looking for new, solid songs to teach and sing with our children. I often find some songs with a few good lyrics, but get discouraged because the rest of the song ends up being repetitious or empty or just...not great.

I remember reading Leonard Payton's chapter entitled, "HOW SHALL WE SING TO GOD?", in The Coming Evangelical Crisis, John H. Armstrong, gen. ed. (Chicago, Ill.: Moody, 1996). You can actually read it online here. He spoke of the failure to hold tighter to Scripture when writing songs. He says,

Consider the well-known chorus, Bless His Holy Name.

     Bless the Lord, 0 my soul,
     and all that is within me
     bless His holy name.
     He has done great things.
     He has done great things.
     He has done great things,
     bless His holy name..

It is true that the opening sentence of the chorus is a verbatim quote of Psalm 103:1, and that is to be applauded. Beyond that, however, the remaining twenty-one verses of Psalm 103 are compressed into a scant eight words that give the vague notion that we should bless the Lord because of the great things He has done. What those great things are is left to the imagination, not the plain teaching of Scripture. The problem is that true, biblical gratitude must have its basis in objective facts or doctrine. If it doesn’t, it is mere sentimentality.

Worship music teaches whether or not we want it to do so. It behooves us, therefore, to approach the writing of worship music texts with as much theological clarity and as much
linguistic skill as possible.

Ever since I read that over 10 years ago, I've tended to lean toward the strict side of passing judgement on songs that just didn't cut it. Since then, I've not only tried to be a bit more forgiving, but to also take the advice Isaac Watts' father gave him when he complained about the songs (Psalms) they always sang in church. His father said, in effect, "If you don't like them, write something better." And Isaac Watts did. And so did I. But his are better.

Take for example, "Thy Word", written by Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. The chorus is Psalm 119:105 verbatim. But then, even though the song is titled, "Thy Word," they choose to write something that's not necessarily unbiblical, just not as clear as the chorus.

When I feel afraid,
And think I've lost my way.
Still, you're there right beside me.
Nothing will I fear
As long as you are near;
Please be near me to the end.

I will not forget
Your love for me and yet,
My heart forever is wandering.
Jesus by my guide,
And hold me to your side,
And I will love you to the end.

Again, not bad - certainly not heretical - you could probably even find some other verses in Psalm 119 to "support" some of the lyrics (wandering heart - vs. 176; loving to the end - vs. 112 perhaps).

Well, I thought I'd tweak it a bit and so I found a few other verses in this great, 176-verse chapter of applied bibliology and wrote two replacement verses:

Verse 1
Teach me Your Commands
I will keep them to the end
Give me understanding
How can I stay pure?
By the keeping of Your Word.
All day I will meditate.

Verse 2
Open up my eyes
And make me realize
Wondrous things from Your Law, O Lord.
I have gone astray
Like a sheep and so I say,
I long for Your salvation, Lord!

It'd probably be easy to come up with several other verses if one would give it some time. After all, including the original chorus, this only covers Psalm 119:9, 18, 33-34, 97, 105, 174, and 176. There's still 168 more verses to work with!

Tomorrow & Friday I'll post a couple of other songs that I worked on.
(Edited & reposted from 2007)

1960 Boy Scout Handbook

2011-02-21T00:00:00.002-06:00

In honor of my son earning his Arrow of Light badge and crossing over into Boy Scouts tonight, I've posted below the first few pages of my dad's Boy Scout Handbook from 1960. We don't have my son's new handbook yet, but I'm guessing the content will be very much the same as this one from half a century ago. That's a good indication of a well-grounded organization. However, I'm also guessing the artwork has changed drastically, and not for the better.

Click any image to enlarge.

The cover art here was provided by Norman Rockwell. This was one of four covers featuring his iconic artwork. This cover, according to this site, was the only piece done by Rockwell specifically for the Boy Scouts, in honor of their 50 year anniversary. The main scout was painted by Rockwell but the background images were added by someone else. His art was featured on three other covers as well, but all three pieces were first published in his Brown & Bigelow Scout Calendar.
You can see every handbook cover throughout scouting history, and read a short description of them here.

Melton Wilson
Troop 60
Sheridan, Arkansas

They all look the same to me.

Here's what's left of the back cover. U.S. Royal was a prominent advertiser on the back cover of many of the scout handbooks.

This is another of my dad's handbooks. This one is from 1958.
For even larger images, see my Flickr set.

From God, By God, Through God

2011-02-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

I'm sure these aren't original with me, but I can't remember where I got them. Nonetheless, in my Bible's margin I have these things written beside each of these verses:

Romans 5:9 | Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
:: We are saved by God from God.

Romans 5:10 | For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
:: We are reconciled to God by God.

Romans 5:11 | More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
:: We rejoice in God through God.

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
(Colossians 1:16-20 ESV)

A Sinner's Prayer

2011-01-31T20:10:00.001-06:00

God, be merciful to me a sinner, and make me to know and believe in Jesus Christ. For I see that if His righteousness had not been offered, or if I have no faith in that righteousness, I am utterly cast away. Lord, I have heard that You are a merciful God and have ordained that Your Son Jesus Christ should be the Savior of the world. Moreover, You are willing to give Him for a poor sinner like me (and I am a sinner indeed). Lord, take therefore this opportunity, and magnify Your grace in the salvation of my soul, through Your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.

John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's Progress, Edited by C.J. Lovik

In Memory of Fern Kelley | January 12, 1918 - December 6, 1999

2010-12-06T00:00:00.011-06:00

In memory of her homegoing eleven years ago, I thought I'd post the brief eulogy that I was privileged to deliver during the memorial service of my wife's paternal grandmother. We all knew her affectionately as "Nanny". She was a dear lady who loved Christ and modeled His meekness better than anyone I've ever met.

Memorial Service
Fern Okla Campbell Kelley
January 21, 1918 - December 3, 1999

It is with great privilege that I stand before my family, the family of Fern Kelley, and friends and loved ones as well to share some thoughts about the life of a lady that meant so much to all of us.
But more than the privilege is the confidence and joy I have in saying this morning that Fern Kelley is in Heaven. My confidence comes not from anything that man has said, but only from what God has said:

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
(1 John 5:11-13)

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. (I Thess. 4:13-14)

And we know that Paul speaks of being “absent from the body” is being “present with the Lord.” (2 Cor. 5:8) So my confidence lies in the fact that Nanny’s only hope of salvation was in the finished work of Christ on the cross, in which she placed her full trust, and her life certainly showed evidence of this faith in Christ and repentance toward God.

The following was written by one of one of Nanny’s daughters:

Fern Okla Campbell Kelley was born on January 21, 1918, in Russellville, Arkansas when the snow was so deep, the wheels were taken off her grandfather’s buggy and replaced with sleighs so they could get down the mountain to get to a doctor.
At an early age, the Campbell’s moved their family to White Hall, AR. At this time there was said to be only 12 families living in the White Hall area. The Campbell family, along with the other families, made use of a beautiful spring of water located in the center of the community. The White Hall School, at that time, was just a white frame building. Nanny eventually graduated from Watson Chapel.
Having married during the depression, there were many hardships to bear, but Nanny never complained about anything. She always made the best of what was available and always wore the sweetest smile.
The family raised two daughters and two sons. She was very proud of her children and in her eyes they never did anything wrong. And I’m sure they didn’t! Nothing made her happier than spending time with her children. Even in these last few days of her life, she asked for her children and grandchildren.
Nanny’s life has always been devoted to doing for others, putting everyone else first and never asking for anything for herself.
When I think of the words, “smile” and “lady”, I think of Nanny. Even during the last days when her body was racked with pain, she would still try to smile at you. And she was always a true “lady”. A lady we will always miss.

To be honest, I have been thinking of things to say at this time from the moment we found out about Nanny’s cancer. I faithfully prayed that Nanny would have many more days in which to spend with her husband of 64 years and her dear children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. But I also trusted that our sovereign God, Who is the author and finisher of life, was totally and ultimately in control of her every breath, and if He chose to take her from us earlier than we would have selfishly preferred, then may His will be done. After all, for a believer, “to live is Christ”, but to die is certainly gain.

The first thought I had was a personal one, it involved the impact that Nanny had on my life, and impact that she probably wouldn’t take credit for. You see, it is God alone who draws sinners to Himself to save, but He chooses to use people as instruments in His divine plan of redemption. I fully believe that it was because Nanny and Papaw were obedient in bringing their children up in the Lord, that their son Gary was also obedient in bringing his family up in the Lord, and his daughter, Anita, through her obedience, indirectly introduced me to the Savior. Which is why, in God’s providence, I stand before you today as a minister of the Gospel.

My other thought about Nanny, was the legacy she left behind. Not only in her life, as has already been alluded to, but also in her last days with us. For any of you who were blessed to spend any time with Nanny as her body was winding down, you should have seen a perfect, biblical example of what it means to face death as a child of God. I just have to think that when Nanny heard the prognosis from her doctor that cancer had set in and she wouldn’t have much longer to live, though on the outside she simply smiled as always, on the inside I believe she eagerly anticipated the soon approaching day on which she would be ushered into glory to finally stand before the Christ that gave His life for hers.

If you spent any time around Nanny’s family over the last few days, you’ve probably heard all the stories of her selfless, humble, and modest character displayed throughout her life. Anyone who has ever had a meal with the Kelley’s, knows that Nanny will apologize for not having prepared enough to eat, when in fact she’s spread a Thanksgiving-size feast across the table. And if you could convince her that she’s made plenty (of food), she’ll modestly say, “Well, it’s probably not any good.”

Another funny story I’ve heard recently involves Nanny’s “resourcefulness”. This basically entails Nanny’s desire not to waste anything. She could often be seen washing paper cups, utensils, styrofoam meat trays, and any foil that can possibly be re-used!

As we all would agree, it is these internal qualities that are what make a person, and Nanny had an endless list of internal qualities that we can only attempt to emulate. But, we certainly can’t forget her outside beauty as well. I think Papaw has told the greyhound bus story to everyone who’s come to visit recently. It seems that while taking a bus trip many years ago, one man decided to have a contest to determine the prettiest woman on the bus. Needless to say, Fern Kelley won hands down!

My wife told me just the other night, how she hopes she can be the kind of woman and wife that her Nanny was. I trust that all of you who knew Fern Kelley can be the kind of person she was. But I can certainly say, that you cannot be the kind of person she was, without a relationship with the Jesus that she had. For all of the complimentary remarks that have been and will be made about Fern Kelley aren’t a reflection of her, but of the Christ who lived in her.

To God From Anna

2010-11-01T20:19:00.000-05:00

Anita found this in the mailbox today.

I love Him He is the
lord or God who
loves us even more
then us He loves
us sooooo Much

I Love
you but
not more then
yourself.

from Anna

I Want to be a Christian

2010-10-19T15:04:00.000-05:00

Dear Daddy

I wate to be a Christian and I love you.

Love
Anna
xo
xo
xo

Give Me A Call

2010-10-04T00:00:00.043-05:00

Since my first call was past curfew and I received a gentle, but firm rebuke by her mother for calling so late, I had to figure out another way to contact Anita Kelley.

Exactly 18 years ago today, I made my move.

This is the actual note I sent to Anita through a mutual friend (she's kept every single note I've ever written).

This note represents the first time I ever communicated with her in showing my interest. This is the first time I ever wrote her name.

I was waiting at home, reading my Sam Walton biography and eagerly watching the clock. I knew she got out of church at 8:00pm and around 8:15 - just the amount of time she needed to drive home - she called.

We talked.

Four hours later I hung up the phone having just discovered my best friend. I've never been the same since.

A Brief Biblical Philosophy of Worship

2010-09-29T22:08:00.000-05:00

This was written for a summer seminary class assignment.

We believe worship to be the core activity of all peoples. The core of worship is, simply, to give glory to God. This is what we were created to do (Isaiah 43:7; Ephesians 1:5-6, 11-13; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17). We believe that all men are worshipers by nature and yet, because of sin, are bent to worship created things rather than the Creator (Romans 1:21-25). Only a supernatural, saving work of God in the heart of man can correct this worship “exchange.”

We believe worship to include the ascribing of and attributing to God the glory and worth that He is due (Psalm 115:1), but we also believe worship to be much broader. Worship is our response to God as He initiates relationships with us through His written revelation and daily providences. Worship is always by God’s initiative and on God’s terms. From the creation of the world (Psalm 148) to the culmination of world (Revelation 4; 5; 19 & 20), God is to receive praise and worship.

We believe worship can and should be expressed individually (Psalm 26; 103:1, Matthew 6:6) and also corporately (Psalm 100; Acts 2:42-47). These personal and public acts of worship can occur within two further realms: life and liturgy. The worship in life involves an ever-present acknowledgment of and submission to God’s sovereign rule over all things and rightly responding to His proactive role in revealing His character to His creation through His Son, the Christ (Hebrews 1:1-4). There is no division, as the Puritans were known to say, between the sacred and the secular. All of life is sacred (Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17). The realm of liturgy is the narrower realm of structured acts of worship found among a corporate gathering of Christians. Worship is far more than the ceremonies and rituals taking place in the church building on Sunday mornings, but it certainly includes these things.

We believe, regarding our liturgy, that there is much liberty in its corporate expressions. However, there are certain biblical mandates that must be present on a regular basis, not the least of which include the faithful exposition of God’s Word (Nehemiah 8:1-8; 2 Timothy 4:1-5), giving of one’s finances (1 Corinthians 16:2; Also cf. 2 Corinthians 9:7), the two New Testament ordinances of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) and Baptism (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 1:5; Acts 8:12-13), praying (Acts 2:42; Colossians 4:2-6) and singing (Psalm 7:17; 9:11; 13:6; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). We believe the outward mechanics of these acts of service are meaningless apart from a heart attitude of praise (Isaiah 29:13).

We believe that music is a kind gift of God and can be used for His glory (Psalm 33:3). We believe the best music to use in the worship of God is that which least distracts the worshiper from the true heart of worship – that is, his or her response to the Truth. We recognize the subjectivity of this decision and the cultural considerations necessary in using music as a means to effectively enhance corporate worship. We believe the under-shepherds of the local flock are best equipped to navigate these choices.

In conclusion, we believe the church’s gathering to offer corporate worship is one that must bring the utmost glory to God and in turn encourage others to launch beyond the local and liturgical and continue a life-orientation of worship that is global, grace-centered and God-initiated. These ongoing acts of authentic worship are what most please God (Psalm 51:17; Micah 6:8).

The Charlie Brown Dictionary

2010-09-07T00:00:00.037-05:00

I can still remember waiting for weeks at a time to receive my next installment of this 8 volume set of Charlie Brown Dictionaries. My original set was probably sold for next-to-nothing at one of Mom's garage sales on Mockingbird Lane. Drats. But, alas, the ironic circle of life for all things nostalgic finally made its round and I found the set pictured below at another garage sale last year for the meager sum of 50 cents a book!
Seems like we got the first volume or (or two) at an "introductory price" and then the remaining volumes were shipped every 4-6 weeks. The wait was brutal for this little grade school boy. The suspense of wondering what Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus and the gang could teach me about all things beginning with the letter "D" was intense to be sure.

Let's look inside, shall we? Below is the table of contents that included all 50 state maps.

And instructions on how to use the dictionary. I don't think I'd ever read this page before. I like the illustration on this page though (and another below). If ever I got to go to a summer camp, I'd want it to look just like this one.

What better page to sample than my favorite letter - A?!

A. "A" is for Arkansas. Naturally. Note the sub-title of this page reads "The Wonder State" and not "The Natural State."

Gotta have a picture of the band.

And since Walmart is already putting out the Halloween candy, I might as well include this page of the gang in their costumes.

How Sweet and Aweful

2010-08-30T20:49:00.001-05:00

How sweet and aweful is this place
With Christ within the doors,
While everlasting love displays
The choicest of her stores!

Here every bowel of our God
With soft compassion rolls;
Here peace and pardon bought with blood
Is food for dying souls.

While all our hearts and all our songs
Join to admire the feast,
Each of us cry, with thankful tongues,
“Lord, why was I a guest?

“Why was I made to hear Thy voice,
And enter while there’s room,
When thousands make a wretched choice,
And rather starve than come?”

’Twas the same love that spread the feast
That sweetly drew us in;
Else we had still refused to taste,
And perished in our sin.

Pity the nations, O our God!
Constrain the earth to come;
Send Thy victorious Word abroad,
And bring the strangers home.

We long to see Thy churches full,
That all the chosen race
May with one voice, and heart and soul,
Sing Thy redeeming grace.

Words: Isaac Watts, Hymns and Sacred Songs, 1707.
Words: , Hymns and Sacred Songs, 1707.
Music: St. Columba, ancient Irish melody.

Listen and/or purchase the mp3 here:

Bring it On!

2010-08-28T08:17:00.000-05:00

His only request to his Christian brothers & sisters in Rome before his impending martyrdom for his faith was simple: don't stop them. Believing his death to be the ultimate witness of his faith, Ignatius of Antioch (the same Antioch where believers were first called "Christians" less than a century before in Acts 11:26), would rather die for Jesus than rule over the whole world (Matthew 16:26).

I'll never again have an opportunity like this to reach God. Nor will you Romans ever again have such a chance to be credited with a finer accomplishment - provided you remain silent. For if you quietly refrain from interfering with me, I will become a crystal-clear message from God. But if you love my earthly body too much, I'll only be an incomprehensible noise. I ask you to grant me nothing but this: that my blood should be poured out as an offering to God while I still have an altar available to me. In your love, you can become the accompanying choir for my sacrifice.

Was he scared of dying? Probably. Scared of death? Not at all. Hear some of his last words as he anticipates the wild animals who will be the cause of his cruel death. It's as if he's taunting them. Bring it on!

I write to the Churches, and impress on them all, that I shall willingly die for God, unless ye hinder me. I beseech of you not to show an unseasonable good-will towards me. Suffer me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose instrumentality it will be granted me to attain to God. I am the wheat of God, and let me be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of Christ. Rather entice the wild beasts, that they may become my tomb, and may leave nothing of my body; so that when I have fallen asleep [in death], I may be no trouble to any one. Then shall I truly be a disciple of Christ, when the world shall not see so much as my body. Entreat Christ for me, that by these instruments[i.e., by the teeth of the wild beasts] I may be found a sacrifice [to God].

Bring on the fire, bring on the cross, bring on the hordes of wild animals! Let them wrench my bones out of socket and mangle my limbs and grind up my whole body! Bring on all the hideous tortures from the Devil! Just let me get to Jesus Christ. Nothing on this wide earth matters to me anymore. The kingdoms of this world are entirely meaningless. I am at the point where I would rather die for Jesus Christ than rule over the whole earth. He alone is the one I seek - the one who died for us! It is Jesus that I long for - the one who for our sake rose again from the dead!

Ignatius letter paraphrased by Bryan Litfin, Getting to Know the Church Fathers: An Evangelical Introduction

See also, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans at Christian Classics Ethereal Library.

Vintage Calendars

2010-08-23T00:42:00.001-05:00

I've had these calendars for some time now (not since the 1950's though!) I finally got them scanned & edited for the blog. The first calendar below is from 1954 and was put out by the Family Store and Beauty Shop, Phone 165. Wow. A three digit phone number!
If there's a Sheridan resident out there who knows anything about this Family Store, I'd love to hear about it.

Click to enlarge any image.

THE FAMILY STORE & BEAUTY SHOP
Phone 165
Sheridan, Ark.

The artwork on here is classic! Makes me long for Christmas!

These "Household Hints" are pretty interesting. Click on the image to enlarge and read up on some sage advise, like scratching your nails on a damp piece of soap before working in the garden. Makes them easier to clean afterward!

The calendar below comes with a handy thermometer and an attractive, faux leather-covered backboard. Makes for an attractive hanging piece. If you could just avoid thinking about death every time you checked to see what day it was...

Buie Funeral Homes
RISON - SHERIDAN - STAR CITY
ARKANSAS

"Since 1925"

Father's Deja Vu

2010-08-12T23:25:00.002-05:00

This was one of the first posts on iamchief... from over five years ago. It's still one of my favorites, so I thought I'd re-post.

April 26, 2005

Back in April, our family was in Sheridan visiting my dad. Aaron Job and I were trying out his new Sears lawnmower when I remembered a picture I had at home of me & my dad riding his dad's Sears lawnmower. I had Anita take this first picture, in almost the exact same position in which the second photo was taken over 30 years ago.

Circa 1974

Much has changed over the years...behind us is the neighbor's (Mr. Hughes) yard...his huge oak in the background is gone, the little white shed was replaced by the larger shed...and that tall metal shop in the very back was destroyed in an explosion not many years after the photo was taken. I still vaguely remember the boom and the fire. And if you're a gardener, you'll notice that Mr. Hughes is still growing winter onions in his garden!

Busy Man With Chicks to Feed

2010-07-16T14:11:00.006-05:00

Taken from The Sheridan Headlight, circa 1968, this story is a simple write-up about a simple man - my grandfather. The editor, Bill Lancaster, was (and still is) a good friend of the family.

Silas Wilson: Busy Man With Chicks to Feed
By Bill Lancaster
Headlight Editor

At Silas Wilson's house just east of Sheridan, the conversation is always pleasant, the coffee fresh, the politics an important issue and the hospitality generous. Now 51, Silas Woodrow Wilson, born June 19, 1917, at Grapevine, Arkansas, bides his time with his various creative hobbies -- his most recent: raising chickens. "Oh, I like to do woodworking, paint, raise a garden and fish," says Mr. Wilson, "but as of late, I've taken a big interest in my chickens."

Employed as a saw filer at J.L. Williams and Sons for 13 years, Mr. Wilson had to leave the work field in January of 1961 after suffering a severe heart attack. And since his recovery, he has devoted his talents to such things as wood working, gardening, etc.

The son of Silas L. and Mattie I. Wilson of Grapevine, Silas moved to Sheridan in 1935 where he worked as a carpenter. After being discharged after a brief hitch in the Navy, Mr. Wilson returned to Sheridan where he continued his carpentry. “After my heart attack, I knew I would have to take things a little easier,” he related. “But you know keeping things in shape around the house here is a full-time job.” By “keeping things in shape” Mr. Wilson takes in things like building new furniture for his living room, remodeling a china cabinet for his wife, Beulah, building picture frames, raising a garden and most importantly, feeding the chickens.

Looking forward to the political races each year, Mr. Wilson likes to discuss the candidates, both local and national, over a cup of his favorite coffee. But after each candidate is thoroughly examined as to his qualifications, the topic wanders to such interests as that mangy opossum that’s been raiding the chicken coop. “I noticed two of my chickens were gone the other morning,” Silas said while strolling through the chicken pen. “So I borrowed a steel trap from ole Joe (his neighbor Joe Lancaster) late one night and I caught the opossum the next morning.”

When he has time, Mr. Wilson likes to talk about his son, Melton, who is serving in the Air Force in London, England, and his daughter, Shirley, who lives in Little Rock. “Melton said in a letter yesterday that the weather was beginning to warm up a little over there,” he said. “But he’s had a pretty tough go of it so far… the weather I mean.” His wife, Beulah, chimes in: “When he got over there, he wrote home and said he would have to buy a completely new wardrobe. He said the clothes he had were fine for the Arkansas weather but just weren’t thick enough for the climate over there.”

And with more conversation, a few more cups of coffee, another look at the political situation, and one more stroll among the chickens, Silas Wilson’s day comes to a close. “I like the warmer nights,” he says looking at the thunderclouds gathering in the south-west. “I’m going fishing before long. If I can find somebody to feed the chickens…”

Click to enlarge.

Almost lost among the many faded photos I have of my family were these two pictures taken of Papaw's chickens. In the last photo above, you can see a ladder standing at the end of one of the coops where Papaw was probably making repairs. Those coops were around when I was growing up & remained standing until after the home place was sold in the early 90's.

See the white house in the background of the same photo? This is the house where the steel trap was borrowed from Joe Lancaster & where Bill Lancaster grew up. All this... out on the Redfield road.

It Cannot Be Done

2010-07-07T17:52:00.000-05:00

Jesus deals with us in absolute categories. Jesus promised His disciples the hatred and persecution of the world (John 15:18-23). But He also promised His disciples eternal life (John 3:16). His offer is: persecution and hatred of the world and eternal life, or the love of the world and eternal death. At this point we try to negotiate. Can’t we be popular and still be His followers? Can’t we fit in and get along and still be Christians? The answer is no. It cannot be done. Give the world and its treasures a place in your heart, and they will take over. The Apostle John writes, “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15b). Similarly James writes, “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).

Terry Johnson, The Parables of Jesus (Christian Focus)

These are my Favorite Verses

2010-06-01T22:24:00.020-05:00

On a cool Tuesday morning almost thirteen years ago, I received this envelope in my post office box in Guy, Arkansas.

The postmark reads October 14, 1997 as best I can tell. Thirteen years.

The letter was from my Mamaw. It wasn't a surprise to me, in fact I had requested it from her not long before receiving it. She had asked me at some point if I would preach her funeral service when she died. I agreed to the great privilege and asked her to share with me any favorite Bible verses. She sent this letter to fulfill my request.

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

[2] Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
John [11]:25
Jesus wept.

If Jesus wept when he was sad; then it's ok for any one to cry, when you are sad.

Last:
To my children and grandchildren; I ask you to remember one of the commandments; that you love one another as I have always loved you. [John 13:34]

Aaron you can add to or take off any of this you want to. These are my favorite verses. Maybe you know some that would be more [appropriate] to say.
Just don't leave off the last.

Love you
Mamaw

Well, Mamaw wasn't a Bible scholar, but she couldn't have chosen a better selection of passages than she did. She went to Heaven last Tuesday, May 25. She had requested a graveside service only and of course, I honored her other request by preaching during the service. I was able to mention every one of these verses as well as preach through much of Psalm 23. Click here to read my sermon notes. These notes contain more than an outline, but they're not quite a manuscript.
What the letter above says to me more than anything is that Mamaw was a woman who was prepared - in more ways than one - to die. Her soul was right with God, her sins were forgiven, her home was Heaven, and she was ready. For the past several years on many occasions as we would talk on the phone, Heaven would become the conversation topic.
Now she's there. Now she's well. Now she is resting... in peace.
Now these verses have become a glorious reality as she enjoys the presence of her King.

Pray for Mamaw

2010-05-23T21:16:00.007-05:00

UPDATE: Thanks to those who prayed. Mamaw went to Heaven Tuesday night, May 25th. Read her obit here.

Our Mamaw is 89 years old and her health has recently made a drastic turn for the worse. She is very close to Heaven. She could be only days or weeks away from meeting her Savior.
Abby has been asking everyone to pray for Mamaw & asked me to post this note for others to see (Mrs. Johnson is her school counselor).

Visiting Mamaw, November 2009

The Only Thing That Stops Me

2010-05-17T21:20:00.003-05:00

A day in the diary of a nine year old...

Click to enlarge.

Sunday 11/1 November

I will still write in here even through the war. No battle today. I have a feeling we will win.

Today we went to Larry's Pizza, wich is my favorite resturant.

I like my PSP. If it runs out of batteries, than doesn't stop me.

The only thing that stops me

is my dad.

Now I'm bored. I'm hoping we're going to watch "America's Funniest Videos."

Ashamed of the Gospel

2010-05-13T21:04:00.000-05:00

On my list of top favorite books posted on the BCLR blog several weeks ago was John MacArthur's, Ashamed of the Gospel. This book has recently been republished by Crossway. Suffice it to say, this book has had a tremendous influence on me and my earlier ministry, revealing the worldliness I had adopted in place of godliness.

Perhaps the best explanation of why this book has been republished can be heard from the author himself. In the Preface to the 2010 Edition, John MacArthur writes,

Sometime in the summer of 2007, I picked up a copy of Ashamed of the Gospel for the first time in fourteen years and started thumbing through it. Before I put the book down again, I had devoured eight chapters. I was pleased and amazed to see the enduring relevance of the book—especially since I wrote it to critique the notion that relevance is achieved by dragging the church from fad to fad in a vain effort to stay abreast of the times.

Of course, my passion for the message of this book has not diminished since I first proposed the idea to my publisher, but I was nevertheless surprised and encouraged to see how much of what I wrote in 1991 is expressed exactly as I would want to say it today. While I am disappointed by how accurately (and speedily) the predictions I made have been fulfilled, I am not disheartened, and I intend to keep sounding the warning as long as the Lord gives me breath. In fact, before putting the book down that day, I resolved to do my best to see it released again in a new, expanded edition...

Ashamed of the Gospel is now available at Amazon . Chapter One is available online for free at the publisher's website.

Or - win a free copy here! Leave a comment here to enter and I'll choose a winner late Friday.

Thanks Mom!

2010-05-09T08:11:00.002-05:00

In honor of my mom on this Mother's Day, I'm posting a series of photos - actually the same photo, but with a slight variation. Below is a pic of my mom & me (I'm the wee one) at her home in Oxford, England. This was in the Fall of 1970 and apparently the monochromatic pallet was the thing for room decor (and still is?).

Here's the fun part. Believe it or not, one of the color pallets below is the actual one. Can you guess which color the room really is?

Retro Toy Box

2010-05-06T10:28:00.004-05:00

I've had these pics in my Facebook photos for a while now, but wanted to include them here on the blog. This slide show features a few toys & games from my 70's collection.

Blinded By Satan

2010-05-05T15:16:00.001-05:00

I'm reading Martin Luther's "Bondage of the Will" as an assignment for Dr. Zemek's theology class. Every now and then I come across a section that I actually understand! :) In this passage Luther reminds us not only of the unbeliever's wretchedness, but also Satan's work of blinding them to this wretchedness.

But the Scripture sets before us a man who is not only bound, wretched, captive, sick and dead, but who, through the operation of Satan his lord, adds to his other miseries that of blindness so that he believes himself to be free, happy, possessed of liberty and ability, whole and alive. Satan knows that if men knew their own misery he could keep no man in his kingdom; God could not fail at once to pit and succour wretchedness that knew itself and cried to Him, for God is proclaimed with mighty praise throughout the Scripture as being near to the brokenhearted. Thus Isaiah 61 bears witness that Christ was sent ‘to preach the gospel to the poor, and to heal the broken-hearted’. Hence, the work of Satan is to hold men so that they do not recognize their wretchedness, but presume that they can do everything that is stated. But the work of Moses the lawgiver is the opposite of this—namely, through the law to lay open to man his own wretchedness, so that, by thus breaking him down, and confounding him in his self-knowledge, he may make him ready for grace, and send him to Christ to be saved. Therefore, the function performed by the law is nothing to laugh at, but is most emphatically serious and necessary.
(Bondage of the Will, Martin Luther. Baker Book House, 162)

To make things worse, Satan not only blinds men to their ultimate problem he also blinds them to their only solution - the Gospel!

2 Corinthians 4:3-4
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Thanks be to God the verse doesn't end there...

2 Corinthians 4:5-6
For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

And this eye-opening work of God is not just a New Testament idea either...

Psalm 146:7b-8
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.

Have your eyes been opened? Then rejoice in bewildered amazement as the healed man did in John 9, "...though I was blind, now I see."

This post swiped from www.bclrblog.org.

The World of Silverstone

2010-04-19T21:50:00.018-05:00

Who knows how many great novels are lying unfinished in the drawers of wanna-be writers all across the land. I hope that won't be true with my son. But just in case... I've posted the first chapter of his latest novel: The World of Silverstone. If he doesn't finish, at least you'll have the first few pages.

Below you'll find the table of contents, promising 15 chapters - and a map, as well as character sketches (both illustrative on the cover & biographical after the contents). Enjoy!

The World of Silverstone

by Aaron Job Wilson
(click to enlarge any image)

Crippled Saints

2010-04-02T00:00:00.001-05:00

When new Christians are not adequately taught the Word of God, they naturally devise their own standards, their own regulations, and their own systems of religious experience. Rampant legalism and complex religiosity are but symptoms of a more severe disease called Bible anemia. Crippled saints will manufacture crooked canes on which to lean while they hobble through life. God-starved believers will sacrifice their prized possessions to forge some golden calf that they can see and worship. Blinded Christian neophytes will grope for a leader and will embrace anyone who comes along.
~J. Ronald Blue, Overcoming the World Missions Crisis

Guess Who? I'll Give You a CLUE...

2010-03-31T10:09:00.002-05:00

Well, that didn't last long. :)
These are the characters from the Parker Brothers boardgame, CLUE. These illustrated characters are from the 1963 version, which I think looks much better than the 70's version that used real people as the characters. But what do I know?

Click to enlarge image.

Guess Who?

2010-03-30T21:58:00.000-05:00

Can you guess who these characters are and what they have in common?

The Law and the Gospel

2010-03-09T21:09:00.002-06:00

Then he took him by the hand, and led him into a very large parlor that was full of dust, because never swept; the which after he had reviewed it a little while, the Interpreter called for a man to sweep. Now, when he began to sweep, the dust began so abundantly to fly about, that Christian had almost therewith been choked. Then said the Interpreter to a damsel that stood by, “Bring hither water, and sprinkle the room;” the which when she had done, it was swept and cleansed with pleasure.

Christian: Then said Christian, What means this?

Interpreter: The Interpreter answered, This parlor is the heart of a man that was never sanctified by the sweet grace of the Gospel. The dust is his original sin, and inward corruptions, that have defiled the whole man. He that began to sweep at first, is the law; but she that brought water, and did sprinkle it, is the Gospel. Now whereas thou sawest, that so soon as the first began to sweep, the dust did so fly about that the room by him could not be cleansed, but that thou wast almost choked therewith; this is to show thee, that the law, instead of cleansing the heart (by its working) from sin, doth revive, Romans 7:9, put strength into, 1 Corinthians 15:56, and increase it in the soul, Romans 5:20, even as it doth discover and forbid it; for it doth not give power to subdue. Again, as thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room with water, upon which it was cleansed with pleasure, this is to show thee, that when the Gospel comes in the sweet and precious influences thereof to the heart, then, I say, even as thou sawest the damsel lay the dust by sprinkling the floor with water, so is sin vanquished and subdued, and the soul made clean, through the faith of it, and consequently fit for the King of glory to inhabit. John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26; Acts 15:9; Romans 16:25,26.

~John Bunyan, Pilgrims Progress

The Flower :: By Abby Wilson

2010-02-17T17:39:00.007-06:00

The Flower
by Abby Wilson

Once apon a time, there was a flower with no leaves. All the other flowers made fun of her. She dicided to leave. She left all her friends. Her friends missed her and they thought. Then they knew what they did and went to go and find her. When they found her they told her they were sorry. She forgave them and they were friends agian.
The End

ps: She grew leaves. Herray

Here is Abby reading her story on the "morning news" at her elementary school:

If you have trouble viewing click here

What To Do When Church is Cancelled

2010-01-30T11:41:00.003-06:00

During the winter months in Arkansas, periodic storms of snow & ice often cause everything to shut down for a day or two - schools, businesses, dangerous roads, etc. So what do you do in the event that church is cancelled? I'd like to suggest that just because your church services are cancelled, that doesn't mean the Lord's day is cancelled. Of course, the fellowship of the body will be missed, but there is still great opportunity for men to lead their own flock in a time of meaningful worship. Here are a few simple suggestions that will take little or no preparation on your part.

Sing :: If you have any musicians in your home, great - let them help! If not, just sing a few well known hymns or choruses together. Let the children take turns choosing a song.
Pray :: Share requests with one another. Pray through your church prayer list. Pray for those still suffering in Haiti. Pray for your neighbors. Pray for your government (1 Timothy 2:1-2). I've never been around a child who couldn't think of something/someone to pray for.
Read Scripture :: An adult can lead by reading or they may let the children take turns. Pick a passage that your pastor has recently been in or one that you're currently reading on your own. Ask others for their favorite passages.
Listen to a Sermon :: One of the great blessings of technology is the incredible amount of sermon audio available online today. So take your Bibles and turn... just like you would at church, and listen to the preacher of your choice. Here are a few sites to choose from:

SermonAudio.com - You can find most any preacher that suits your theological & denominational preference here. As far as I know, these sermons are free to anyone.
Monergism - A great mp3 resource from a reformed perspective
John MacArthur - you can search for any sermon by Scripture reference here
John Piper - His sermon archives are available here
Faith By Hearing - A wide & solid assortment of mp3 sermons searchable by Scripture text, topic, preacher, etc.

I trust this will be a helpful & encouraging resource for you. Hopefully you'll see how easy this can be. However, I want to caution you regarding your expectations - especially if you have little ones with short attention spans (or older ones with short attention spans!) Don't expect this to go perfectly - because it probably won't. You do want to be training your children to sit still and quiet, but you also want to remember that this is an informal time of worship. For instance, if you're listening to a sermon and someone has a question, pause the sermon and discuss.
Have some fun with this - you might even tell the kids that they'll get to "go to church" in their PJ's tomorrow!

Have a great Lord's Day tomorrow - I'd love to hear how your family worship went!

(At least one church I know has a "come if you can" policy for inclement weather that helps avoid any confusion and lack of communication.)

They Learn by Watching You

2010-01-29T17:30:00.001-06:00

This memorable PSA from the 80's teaches a valuable & sobering lesson: kids learn from their parents. This also has biblical support as well. In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, the LORD is preparing the children of Israel before occupying the promised land. He instructs the fathers to know God, love God and keep God's Word. He also instructs them to instruct their children in the ways and works of God. The result, to use the words of Asaph from Psalm 78, "so that they should set their hope in God." Asaph goes on to express another result, negatively, "that they should not be like their fathers."
The idea in Deuteronomy 6 about binding God's Word on your hand, or between your eyes and writing them on your doorposts and your gates, isn't the OT equivalent of wearing "clever" Christian tees, WWJD bracelets (boy that's been while!), hanging Home Interior framed Scriptures all over the house and sticking a Jesus fish on your car. While none of this is inherently wrong, it misses the point. The idea is for parents to LIVE in such a way that God and His Word is a normal part of everyday life in and around the home. The goal is for children to see Monday thru Saturday Who & what their parents claim to love on Sunday. And you can be sure - the children WILL see. Hopefully our children will see our passion for the Lord and pursue the same for themselves. It's been my humble opinion - at least humanly speaking - that the main reason children walk away from the faith once they're out of the home is because they never saw it in the home.
This is a great challenge and heavy responsibility for those of us with the blessed title of parent. We should think hard on these things. I'll conclude with a quote from J.C. Ryle, a 19th century pastor from England, from his little book, Duties for Parents:

Fathers and mothers, do not forget that children learn more by the eye than they do by the ear. No school will make such deep marks on character as home…. Imitation is a far stronger principle with children than memory….Take care, then, what you do before a child. I is a true proverb, ‘Who sins before a child, sins double.’

A Quick Guide to 7 Features on Monergism.com

2010-01-22T14:43:00.017-06:00

If you've never been to www.monergism.com you need to bookmark it now. There is rarely a time when I'm preparing a sermon or lesson that I don't visit monergism to search their wonderful collection of resources. Below is an email I just received from this ministry that highlights the various features on their site:

1) Monergism Directory of Theology:

While many have been to the home page, less people know about our Directory page. Here we have easy access to links to all major categories on our website listed both topically and alphabetically. If you have not been to this page, it is probably the most important page to bookmark on the site. http://www.monergism.com/directory/

2) Theology FAQ:

A listing to frequently asked questions about a variety of essential topics and controversial issues. Read our recently updated FAQ entitled What is the Gsopel?

3) MP3 Library - New Feature!!!

This section of Monergism.com competes for first place as the most popular page(s) on the site. And it just got better. We recently upgraded the MP3 library by adding a blog-like 'recommended resources' feature on the home page which will be frequently updated to help direct you toward Christian multimedia that stands out as being worth your time. It is such a vast library that some may find it helpful to be directed toward specific resources. Bookmark this page and look at it frequently for updates.

4) Sermon Manuscripts

This is also a very popular part of the website. Look up any text of Scripture and you are likely to find writen expositions.You can also type in any Bible verse into the search box, and find a commentaries on that verse. But if you don't want to miss any, go to the page itself.

5) Hall of Contemporary Reformers

A list of biographies and resources from some recent prophetic voices which are Gospel-centered and Christ-honoring.

6) The Puritans and The Puritan Library

Perhaps the most extensive listing of Puritan resources on the web.

7) ReformedBooks.net

A ministry of Monergism.com which churns our weekly book reviews and ranks the top 3-5 books in every category.

In addition to these features, Monergism.com has begun hosting a significant number of Christ-honoring reformatted classic articles and resources. You can find some of them here.

Doctrines that Divide

2010-01-21T13:59:00.001-06:00

A quote I posted on my Facebook status prompted some good discussion over doctrine and unity. Someone asked, in essence, if there were some doctrines that practically don't matter. While the answer to this is give plainly by Paul, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16), there are doctrines that, if not held firmly, hold different consequences. In other words, all doctrine is important (i.e., profitable), but not all doctrine is equally consequential.

Here's a practical way of considering this. Would you consider a person a Christian if he/she denies the deity of Jesus Christ? What if you believe the gift of tongues is still operable today, but your friend does not? Is that a reason to break fellowship? Or what about baptism? You think it's immersion but your Prebyterian friend believes sprinkling is the proper method. Can you still consider one another Christians?

Remember - the question isn't "Can both be right?" That's obvious - there is only one proper interpretation to any Bible passage. When two people disagree there are only two options: one is right and the other is wrong or they're both wrong. No, the question we're considering is this, "Which doctrines can you be wrong on and still be "safe?" Do you HAVE to get baptism right to be a Christian? Do you have to get the gifts right? Do you have to be right about Jesus?

I was reminded of an article written by Dr. Al Mohler that offered three helpful "categories" for doctrines and the consequences of not holding to them. He describes these as "three different levels of theological urgency, each corresponding to a set of issues and theological priorities found in current doctrinal debates."

Here are his suggested levels:

First-level theological issues would include those doctrines most central and essential to the Christian faith. Included among these most crucial doctrines would be doctrines such as the Trinity, the full deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, justification by faith, and the authority of Scripture.
These first-order doctrines represent the most fundamental truths of the Christian faith, and a denial of these doctrines represents nothing less than an eventual denial of Christianity itself.
The set of second-order doctrines is distinguished from the first-order set by the fact that believing Christians may disagree on the second-order issues, though this disagreement will create significant boundaries between believers. When Christians organize themselves into congregations and denominational forms, these boundaries become evident.
Second-order issues would include the meaning and mode of baptism. Baptists and Presbyterians, for example, fervently disagree over the most basic understanding of Christian baptism. The practice of infant baptism is inconceivable to the Baptist mind, while Presbyterians trace infant baptism to their most basic understanding of the covenant. Standing together on the first-order doctrines, Baptists and Presbyterians eagerly recognize each other as believing Christians, but recognize that disagreement on issues of this importance will prevent fellowship within the same congregation or denomination.
Christians across a vast denominational range can stand together on the first-order doctrines and recognize each other as authentic Christians, while understanding that the existence of second-order disagreements prevents the closeness of fellowship we would otherwise enjoy. A church either will recognize infant baptism, or it will not. That choice immediately creates a second-order conflict with those who take the other position by conviction.
Third-order issues are doctrines over which Christians may disagree and remain in close fellowship, even within local congregations. I would put most of the debates over eschatology, for example, in this category. Christians who affirm the bodily, historical, and victorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ may differ over timetable and sequence without rupturing the fellowship of the church. Christians may find themselves in disagreement over any number of issues related to the interpretation of difficult texts or the understanding of matters of common disagreement. Nevertheless, standing together on issues of more urgent importance, believers are able to accept one another without compromise when third-order issues are in question.
[This three-tiered classification] does not imply that Christians may take any biblical truth with less than full seriousness. We are charged to embrace and to teach the comprehensive truthfulness of the Christian faith as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. There are no insignificant doctrines revealed in the Bible, but there is an essential foundation of truth that undergirds the entire system of biblical truth.

You can read the entire article here. I trust this will help you make discerning decisions regarding our sacred Scripture and your fellowship with other believers.

The Doctrine of Salvation

2010-01-07T21:50:00.096-06:00

As part of my seminary assignments, I'm reading "The Doctrine of Salvation," a small paperback by Charles M. Horne that is no longer in print. You can probably still find a used copy on Amazon.comfor a few bucks.

By way of recommending this very readable little book, allow me to just share a few of Horne's thoughts, two of the helpful charts he includes, and a couple of great quotes he often adds to aid the reader in understanding a particular issue.

Reflecting on Paul's message and method described in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Horne concludes, "...preaching is not the proclamation of a preacher's private opinions, nor the public airing of his doubts, but rather the full authoritative proclamation of the Word of God."

As we try to understand the different aspects of our salvation in Christ, Horne considers four facets: sacrifice, propitiation, reconciliation and redemption. He says:

Sacrifice is directed to the need created by our guilt.
Propitiation is directed to the need that arises from the wrath of God.
Reconciliation is directed to the need created by God's alienation from us.
Redemption is directed to the need created by man's bondage to sin.

Horne explains justification as the restoration of our spiritual relation to God. He explains it to include 3 things:

The removal of guilt by the imputation of Christ's righteousness.
The removal of condemnation by the gift of forgiveness.
The removal of separation by the restoration to fellowship.

And here's a quote that would make a good twitter feed:

"Strictly speaking, it's not even faith in Christ that saves, but Christ who saves through faith."

Here are a couple of the charts that the author includes throughout the book that I've found very helpful & clarifying.

Lastly, here are a couple of quotes that Charles Horne includes from other theologians. I've found them to be incredibly helpful in summarizing or drawing conclusions in regards to the different aspects of soteriology.

...Fear is not faith; remorse is not repentance; nor is there sufficient power in mere terror to effect the conversion of the heart. The heart is turned by the attraction of the Saviour's love...
James Buchanan, The Office and Work of the Holy Spirit

Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our Church. We are fighting today for costly grace...Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

Reconciliation is much more than a change of feeling on man's part towards God, and must imply first of all a change of relation in God towards man.
W.H. Griffith Thomas, The Principles of Theology

So now you've had a very piece-mealed exposure to this great book by Charles M. Horne. I trust it's been helpful and that it might have encouraged you to obtain your own copy.

Can God be Known?

2009-11-30T11:44:00.002-06:00

While trying to organize my thoughts in response to a blog post I read recently, I found Wayne Grudem's chapter outline (from his Systematic Theology text) helpful. In particular, the Scripture references that he lists are most valuable in understanding how much we can truly know about our God Who is incomprehensible. Amazingly glorious is the fact that this infinite God condescends to mortal man to reveal Himself to us! But just how much does He tell us? I think Grudem's work will help answer this question.

I know, I know - I'm cheating by deferring to Dr. Grudem. But why improve on something if it works? :) Besides - I'm trying to get a Hermeneutics paper finished & this was much quicker.

Chapter 10: The Knowability of God
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology (pages 149 - 155)

(Grand Rapids: Zondervan and Leicester, England: InterVarsity, 1994)

Can we really know God? How much of God can we know?

A) The Necessity for God to Reveal Himself to Us

1) Even general revelation depends on God’s choice to reveal himself through the created
order. (Rom. 1:19)
2) If we are to know God personally in salvation, it is clearly necessary for God to reveal
himself to us. (M att. 11:27; 1 Cor. 1:21; John 1:18)
a) All human beings have a tendency to misinterpret the revelation about God found in nature. (Rom. 1:18, 21, 25)
3) We need the Bible to properly understand any revelation from God or about him (in
nature, history, our consciences).

B) We can never fully understand God.

1) Because God is infinite and we are finite, we must affirm the incomprehensibility of God or that God can never be fully understood. (Ps 145:3, 147:5; 1 Cor. 2:10-12; Rom. 11:33; Isa. 55:9; Job 26:14)
2) God’s incomprehensibility means that we can never, in this life or the next, have an
exhaustive knowledge of God. This is good! We should continue to learn more about
God and enjoy doing this – forever! (Col. 1:10)

C) Yet we can know God truly.

1) Although we cannot know God exhaustively, we can know God truly because all that
Scripture tells us about God is true. (1 John 1:5, 4:8; John 4:24; Rom. 3:26)
2) Moreover, we know God himself, not just facts about him. (Jer. 9:23-24; John 17:3; Heb. 8:11; 1 John 2:13, 5:20)

You can listen to the audio here.
Find more resources from Wayne Grudem here.

"Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 8:23-24

Questions To Ask a Pastor or Deacon Candidate: Part 4

2009-11-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

Series began here.

Sample Questions for Interview with Elder/Deacon Candidate
by Lance Quinn

The following are a sampling of what might be asked in an interview for prospective Elders. The sampling of questions could also be modified for use in a Deacon interview. These questions are not intended to be exhaustive; they are however intended to be representative of the kinds of questions churches often don’t ask before affirming men to serve in positions of leadership in the local church. You are encouraged to reproduce this sampling of questions for your church leadership interviews.

Please note: When asking these or other questions of an Elder/Deacon Candidate, I am by no means assuming that we are asking these men for perfection! We are however, seeking a direction in their life toward holiness of character which speaks of what God is doing in them and with them as they aspire to serve the body of Christ.

16. Are all music styles appropriate for public worship? What styles would be inherently inappropriate? Does the approach to musical styles in non-worship services have to match the worship/music style of corporate worship? Why or why not?

17. What is the most effective form of evangelism? Are you presently involved in personal witnessing? Have you ever had the privilege of seeing someone pray to receive Christ through you? How should evangelism take place in the church? Is evangelism synonymous with missions? Why or why not?

18. Describe your personal approach to prayer. Do you pray regularly? What has been the latest answer you have personally seen in prayer? If you are married, do you pray regularly with your wife? Where, in your opinion, does prayer rank in the various spiritual disciplines?

19. Without giving specifics, how would you rate yourself in giving? Give a quick Biblical perspective on giving. What does the Bible teach regarding the concept of tithing?

20. What questions do you have of the present Elders? What can they do to best facilitate your potential coming to serve on the board? What practical steps would be helpful to you as you begin your ministry?

See all posts in this series.
View all 20 questions in printable format here.

Questions To Ask a Pastor or Deacon Candidate: Part 3

2009-11-19T00:00:00.000-06:00

Part Two here.

Sample Questions for Interview with Elder/Deacon Candidate
by Lance Quinn

The following are a sampling of what might be asked in an interview for prospective Elders. The sampling of questions could also be modified for use in a Deacon interview. These questions are not intended to be exhaustive; they are however intended to be representative of the kinds of questions churches often don’t ask before affirming men to serve in positions of leadership in the local church. You are encouraged to reproduce this sampling of questions for your church leadership interviews.

Please note: When asking these or other questions of an Elder/Deacon Candidate, I am by no means assuming that we are asking these men for perfection! We are however, seeking a direction in their life toward holiness of character which speaks of what God is doing in them and with them as they aspire to serve the body of Christ.

11. How do you generally respond when confronted? Challenged? Questioned? Wrongly accused? Slandered? Rightly rebuked? Encouraged? Misunderstood? Mistreated?

12. What would be your counsel for young man or woman who struggles with sexual sin? Do you struggle with sexual temptation? Are you gaining victory or losing the battle? Is there anything in this particular area for which you could be disqualified from serving as an Elder?

13. How well do you work in a team-oriented ministry? Do others think of you as a “team player” or as a burden to deal with in difficult situations?

14. What is your overall philosophy of ministry and why? What are the non-negotiables in that philosophy, and in what areas would you respond with openness and charity if there were disagreements?

15. What is expository preaching and is it essential for the growth of the church? Is topical and/or textual preaching valid, and, if so, in what context?

See all posts in this series.

Questions To Ask a Pastor or Deacon Candidate: Part 2

2009-11-18T00:00:00.003-06:00

Continued from yesterday.

Sample Questions for Interview with Elder/Deacon Candidate
by Lance Quinn

The following questions are a sampling of what might be asked in an interview for prospective Elders. The sampling of questions could also be modified for use in a Deacon interview. These questions are not intended to be exhaustive; they are however intended to be representative of the kinds of questions churches often don’t ask before affirming men to serve in positions of leadership in the local church. You are encouraged to reproduce this sampling of questions for your church leadership interviews.

Please note: When asking these or other questions of an Elder/Deacon Candidate, I am by no means assuming that we are asking these men for perfection! We are however, seeking a direction in their life toward holiness of character which speaks of what God is doing in them and with them as they aspire to serve the body of Christ.

6. Tell us of your past and present relationship to your wife. Are you a one-woman man? What is your relationship to your children? Could we ask your children (if they are able) about their relationship to you? What about your relationships to your co-workers? What about your acquaintances?

7. Who might we contact in order to answer the qualification that an Elder “Have a good reputation with those outside the church?”

8. What brings you the greatest joy in ministering to others? What brings you the greatest disappointment?

9. What, in your opinion, defines shepherding within the eldership and how will you go about this task? Do you desire to meet regularly with others in the hope that they will be helped in their spiritual walk? Why is an Elder (paid or unpaid) held to a higher standard in this matter of shepherding?

10. What are your favorite doctrinal/theological topics and why? Do you hold to the absolute authority of Scripture? Describe the role of an Elder when it relates to defending the Christian faith. Why is an Elder called upon the “Refute those who contradict?” What format for the communication of the truths of the Word of God would you be most comfortable with? One on one? Small group? Bible Study? Men’s Study? Sunday School setting? Pulpit?

Questions 11 - 15 tomorrow.

Questions To Ask a Pastor or Deacon Candidate: Part 1

2009-11-17T00:00:00.015-06:00

Over the following few days I will present a series of sample questions that a search committee or board of elders might consider asking of any pastor/elder or deacon candidate. These questions were written by my pastor, Lance Quinn, of The Bible Church of Little Rock.

I'll start with the first five questions (there are 20 total) and Lance's explanation of why he made this list. I'm posting them as a series, because I think we would all do well to think about each of these (or a few at a time) to see how we measure up. Also, even if you don't think these apply to you directly - perhaps you have no aspirations for church leadership - they are still good qualities to have for anyone who claims the name of Christ.

Sample Questions for Interview with Elder/Deacon Candidate

The following questions are a sampling of what might be asked in an interview for prospective Elders. The sampling of questions could also be modified for use in a Deacon interview. These questions are not intended to be exhaustive; they are however intended to be representative of the kinds of questions churches often don’t ask before affirming men to serve in positions of leadership in the local church. You are encouraged to reproduce this sampling of questions for your church leadership interviews.

Please note: When asking these or other questions of an Elder/Deacon Candidate, I am by no means assuming that we are asking these men for perfection! We are however, seeking a direction in their life toward holiness of character which speaks of what God is doing in them and with them as they aspire to serve the body of Christ.

1. Give us the testimony of your conversion to Christ. Give us a clear gospel presentation.

2. What specific changes in your life have you seen since your conversion to Christ? Define for us the doctrine of sanctification.

3. How do you approach the shepherding of your own family? Give us an idea of your family worship. How would you rate yourself in this area? Productive and Consistent? Helpful? Struggling? Non-existent? How do you go about shepherding your family spiritually?

4. Give us a ministry profile of your involvement in the lives of people and churches, both past and present. You do not need to be exhaustive, but please provide some level of detail about your ministry experience.

5. Among the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, which are most consistently true of you and which are true of you but to a lesser degree? What is your plan to work on strengthening these lesser areas?

To be continued...

Set Your Hope in God

2009-11-07T23:18:00.001-06:00

From a sermon on Psalm 78:1-8

There is an urgent and yet ongoing process to press into the soft hearts of our children the need for putting their hope in God - of trusting Him with their very souls. It's helping them to see the sinfulness of their sin, and that it is a violation of the holiness of God, that it is punishable by death and that it cannot possibly be overlooked no matter how obedient they are. It's helping them to see the pure holiness of God, to see Him in His glory through the glory of His sinless Son, to see how this holy God hates sin - oh, how He hates sin! He hates sin so much that it "pleased the Lord to crush [His own Son]" (Isaiah 53:10). It's allowing them to see their sin in its seriousness and God in His holiness - and how the two cannot come together. It’s getting them to see as Isaiah saw in Isaiah 6 in the year that King Uzziah died and he saw the Lord high and exalted…and cried “Woe is me! I am undone!” We must bring our children to the end of themselves!

But then there's the Son! His sinless life and His sacrificial death and His supernatural resurrection have all displayed the satisfaction of the Father’s wrath against our sin. Because in His Son He has poured out all the wrath and judgment and condemnation that was due us. And so IN HIS SON we have "no condemnation" (Romans 8:1) And IN HIS SON we bow the knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11). And that IN HIS SON we have hope! (Colossians 1:27)

OUR CHILDREN MUST SET THEIR HOPE IN GOD!

We Come O Christ to You

2009-10-19T00:17:00.004-05:00

A new favorite line from hymnody:

You are the Way to God,
your blood our ransom paid;
In you we face our Judge and Maker unafraid.
Before the throne
absolved we stand,
your love has met your law’s demand.

Full lyrics here w/ midi melody sample.

Worship & Judgment in the book of the Revelation

2009-10-13T22:28:00.003-05:00

As a Christian book, the Apocalypse is characterized by song and worship. While portraying judgment upon sin, a note of joy and praise is heard repeatedly. Some twenty songs of praise and worship are recorded in it. Saints and angels, as well as all nature, are pictured as sharing in the worship of God and the Lamb. The worship is joyous and wholehearted. A number of the songs record the reactions of the witnesses to the just judgments of God being poured out upon an evil world.
It insists that the only proper object of man's worship is God (19:10; 22:9). Both men and angels joyfully unite in their worship of the Lamb of God (5:8-14). The book also shows and denounces wrong worship. It castigates all idolatry and shows that the worship of any man or of Satan will be judged. Worship of the beast and his image is a special object of warning.

D. Edmond Hiebert, An Introduction to the New Testament: Three Volume Collection. Volume 3. (Waynesboro, Georgia: Gabriel Publishing, 2003)

Church Discipline Resources

2009-10-08T14:07:00.010-05:00

I've recently been doing a bit of study & research on the topic of church discipline. As I've been locating resources, I've compiled a list of both books and online documents.

Click here to view the list of Church Discipline Resources.

As with any resource, please read with discernment. I haven't read every page of every resource listed here, but can generally recommend these to you. In the event you read something that doesn't sound biblical, use it to drive you back to the text of Scripture to find out why.

And for those who are not familiar with the biblical practice of church discipline, you might start with Matthew 18:15 - 20. And while you're there, pay attention to the context - i.e., notice the parables on each side of this passage on discipline. I think you'll be encouraged and come away with a more accurate understanding of this tough but loving passage.

HIStory of Me :: part I

2009-09-07T00:00:00.002-05:00

As part of my seminary application, I was required to write out my salvation testimony. It ended up being three pages long, but I'd still like to post it here on the blog. I'll divide it up into several pieces for easier reading, and spread it out over the next few days.

Now, I've hesitated several times to post this thinking it to be rather self-aggrandizing. But this is not my story. This is HIS story of me. This is a testimony of God's grace in me. And because of that, we should all share our own HIStory.

(All four posts here)

Growing up in a good home can sometimes be more dangerous to your soul than being in a bad home. I was in a good home and my soul was indeed in danger. My parents were good to my younger sister and me. We were well taken care of. In my eyes, mom & dad were near perfect.

We occasionally attended the Methodist church in our small town of several thousand, sometimes more frequent than others. By the time I was in seventh grade, I became active in our church youth group and was a regular attendee. I gradually took on youth leadership roles within our church and was soon gaining the respect of the adults around me... even the pastor once asked if I’d ever considered the ministry as a vocation. I had a good life… but I did not know God.

During my most formidable years at home and in this church, I cannot once remember hearing the Gospel. I cannot remember ever carrying my Bible. I can't remember ever hearing of my wretched sinful condition nor of the holy wrath of God set against me. Of course, I was taught that Jesus was God and that I needed to be good, but if I wasn’t good Jesus would forgive me anyway. He was simply Someone you believed in, not a sufficient Savior Who’s death satisfied the justice of God on my behalf.

I always figured I was doing all right with God. I figured I was safe. My good outweighed my bad. In my own mind I was better behaved than most of my peers and well thought of in my church.

I didn’t start rebelling until my last year or two of high school and on into college. And, because my sin habits were concentrated in “just” a couple of areas, I still thought I was a good guy. After all, I often thought, at least I don’t drink or do drugs. This particular area of abstinence was my self-awarded badge of moral honor.

To be continued Thursday.

HIStory of Me :: part II

2009-09-06T00:00:00.003-05:00

Continued. (All four posts here)

Several events during my late teens and early twenties pushed me farther into sin and away from God. The death of my grandfather, the senseless murder of one of my childhood friends, my parent’s divorce (after many turbulent years of separation) as well as my own failed relationships, all made me question much of what I barely knew to be true. I soon found myself living alone several hundred miles away from my family, estranged from my father, having all but flunked out of college, and barely able to pay my rent. The only thing I had to enjoy in life was my sin. I was twenty-two years old.

It was during this very low point in my life when I actually made a very mature decision. I had been living in Trumann, Arkansas for barely a month - just getting settled in when I got a phone call from my 19-year-old sister. She was living with my mother in Sheridan at the time and was several months pregnant. She had called to tell me that her boyfriend just ended their relationship. She was distraught. So, in a rare moment of reason and responsibility I made a quick choice to pack up my belongings and move back home to take care of the two women in my life. Looking back, I can only attribute this to the beginnings of God’s merciful drawing of me to Himself.

Though I was home to help these two women who had experienced broken relationships, I spent the summer in and out of several sinful relationships myself. I was enjoying my sin for a season, but there was certainly no lasting value or purpose to my life. This was the summer of 1992. Just a few months later, in the fall, I met the girl that would three years later become my wife.

I was smitten by Anita’s beauty and our personalities couldn’t have complimented each other any better. I was certain that we were a match made in Heaven. Since I knew Anita was a “religious” girl, I knew I had better watch some of my sinful habits, but I wasn’t necessarily ready to walk the straight and narrow. Nonetheless, after our very first date, I ended up inviting myself to her Baptist church the following morning. I had no idea why. Again, in hindsight I see the hand of God.

I still remember the title of the sermon that morning, “So Close and yet Lost.” The fiery, red-headed and red-faced preacher gave example after example of people who had lived good lives, done good things, served in church, etc. and yet did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He was talking about me. And when the end of the service came and the invitation was given and the question was asked, “If you died tonight do you know you would go to Heaven?” I was pierced to my soul. I knew the answer to that question. I knew I had no hope of Heaven. I knew I should walk the aisle. But I didn’t.

To be continued tomorrow...

HIStory of Me :: part III

2009-09-05T00:00:00.002-05:00

Continued. (All four posts here)

Having heard the gospel and experienced God's conviction for the first time in my life left no small impression on me. That conviction remained with me over the next few days. I wanted to pursue this Christian life. I wanted Jesus; but I also loved my sin. By God’s grace, somehow I knew that I couldn’t have both.

I think it could’ve been that following Wednesday evening when I was sitting on the patio behind my mother’s house talking to God. I could almost visualize in my mind a life with Christ on one side and my life of sin on the other. I had to choose. And I did. That night I experienced what I now know to be repentance, a gift from God, not my own, that resulted in a changed life. That night the Lord granted me repentance to turn from my sin and He gave me faith to trust in the finished cross-work of Christ. I’m confident that I didn’t understand it quite that way back then, but I did know that I was ready to leave my old life behind.

The changes that took place over the following months were obvious. I rarely missed an opportunity in the Lord’s house, I was reading my Bible and understanding it’s basic truths. I was baptized and joined the church. My life was being transformed and those around me noticed. Though I had much to learn I finally had a good life – a godward life.

Almost two years after the Lord saved me and I had been active in my local church - even serving in different capacities and sharing my faith with my co-workers - I wasn’t satisfied. After listening to many preaching tapes during my commute to work I soon realized a growing desire in my own life to teach the Bible. I was growing more and more discontent with my career because of this conflicting desire so I quit my job and the following Sunday made my desires for ministry known during the altar call at my church.

As is the custom among many Baptists, they put this new “preacher” in the pulpit the following Sunday evening and enrolled me in a nearby Bible college that same week. I spent the next four years completing my Bachelors degree in Biblical studies. During the second year of my schooling I took a position as a youth pastor at a growing church in a small rural town in central Arkansas. Anita and I were engaged to be married. Life was getting even better.

To be continued tomorrow...

HIStory of Me :: part IV

2009-09-04T00:00:00.005-05:00

Continued. (All four posts here)

During my last year of Central Baptist College I met two groups of people that were extremely instrumental in my walk with the Lord. Ray Ortlund, Jr. introduced the first group of people to me in his book, “A Passion for God.” I didn’t know anything about Ortlund, but saw that John MacArthur endorsed his book. I knew who MacArthur was and really appreciated his ministry, so I went on MacArthur’s recommendation and bought the book.

This book remains at the top of my list. In it, Pastor Ortlund gives his paraphrase of the book of Romans derived from his Greek translations. He divides the verses into small portions and after each he writes a prayer in response to the passage. Then he would quote a dead guy. This was the pattern of the book throughout. Just as I knew nothing of Ray Ortlund, Jr., I knew nothing of these men he often quoted – except for the fact that most of them were dead and they all had some profound things to say. I eventually understood these men to be our church forefathers, puritans, hymn writers and reformers. What these men (and Ortlund) had to say about God, man and the Christian life was far beyond the depth of thought I had ever given to such things. This book increased my love for God and decreased my love for self.

The second group of people I met had at least one obvious thing in common: The Bible Church of Little Rock (BCLR). I met several men from BCLR at a conference where theologian Wayne Grudem was speaking. I learned that these men were studying through Grudem's Systematic Theology text and I asked if I could join them. I did and for the next year met with these men at 6am on Friday mornings for what they called, “Doctrine and Devotion.”

I also stayed for a lunchtime study through Alexander Strauch’s, “Biblical Eldership.” It was during this year of study with these men that I came to realize that my level of ministry training was probably inadequate for a full-time, vocational pastor. For over four years the determining factor for me being in ministry was the subjective call (1 Timothy 3:1) that I had expressed when I “surrendered to preach,” and yet now I realized that there were other more objective qualifications (1 Timothy 3:2-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4) that had to be evident. These objective qualifications would eventually, in my mind, either affirm or deny the subjective calling I thought I had. Subsequently, after much prayer and counsel I stepped away from vocational ministry and moved to Little Rock to attend BCLR to experience this philosophy of ministry and hopefully to receive more training.

We’ve been at BCLR now for ten years. I’ve received several hours of formal training in class with Dr. George Zemek that include several years of Greek, Theology, Hermeneutics, Homiletics, etc. Yet, as our new family was growing, the need for me to secure a second source of income (so my wife could stay home with our 4 children), often cut my studies short. However, over these years I’ve also been given increasing opportunities at BCLR in the children’s, youth and college ministries that include both teaching and music/worship.

This brings us to today. I have recently been offered the incredible opportunity to serve alongside the BCLR pastoral team that I’ve admired for so long. I have assumed the role of Children’s Ministry Director at BCLR and given full-paid tuition to The Expositor’s Seminary. As I pursue my master’s degree I will gradually take on more pastoral responsibilities at BCLR and if the Lord wills, I’ll transition into a pastoral position.
The days ahead are exciting and also intimidating, but my wife and I are humbled and grateful for these opportunities.

Life is still good because our God is so good.

The Word

2009-07-19T15:10:00.002-05:00

We heard this Sara Groves song on the radio Sunday after church & I remembered two things:
1) Haven't heard it in quite a while, and
2) What a great song it is!

I've done every devotional
Been every place emotional
Trying to hear a new word from God
And I think it's very odd
That while I attmept to help myself
My Bible sits upon my shelf
With every promise I could ever need

CHORUS:
And the Word was
And the Word is
And the Word will be

People are getting fit for truth
Like they're buying a new tailored suit
Does it fit across the shoulders
Does it fade when it get older
We throw ideas that aren't in style
In the Salvation Army pile
And search for something more to meet our needs

CHORUS

I think it's time I rediscover
All the ground that I have covered,
Like seek ye first what a verse
We are pressed but not crushed
Perplexed but don't despair
We are persecuted but not abandoned
We are no longer slaves
We are daughters and sons
And when we are weak we are very strong
And neither death nor life nor present
Nor future nor depth nor height
Can keep us from the love of Christ
And the Word I need is the Word that was
Who put on flesh to dwell with us
In the beginning

CHORUS

Click here to preview or purchase The Word.

No Heroic Defiance

2009-06-30T21:35:00.004-05:00

"Create in me and in your church a sense of profound respect for questions of conscience. We are so lax. We have nothing of a watchman mentality. We trumpet our freedom in the gospel, but our living looks more like an easygoing indifference to matters of right and wrong. Lord, we even feel superior to previous generations of believers, who at least took moral questions seriously. We view their faith as strict and narrow. But we ourselves are so soft, so casually compliant, so unthinking and undiscerning and uncaring, we are no different from the world around us. We are the influenced, not the influential, because our faith has no moral power, no unbending resolve, no heroic defiance grounded in profoundly held personal conviction. O Lord, awaken us! Enlighten our darkness. Sensitize our dullness. Give us backbone. The world will never be won by Christians like us. "

~Ray Ortlund, Jr., A Passion for God: Prayers and Meditations on the Book of Romans

Freebie Friday

2009-06-25T23:59:00.006-05:00

This week's book giveaway is Tim Challies' "The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment." If you aren't familiar with Tim's website, go there now from some great stuff!

The random topic for this giveaway is: Gameshows.

Leave your name & your favorite gameshow (past or present) in the comments.

And, my apologies for the absence of Freebie Fridays the past couple of weeks & my apologies to my friend, Matt Henslee, who won the MacArthur book a few weeks ago & I haven't even told him yet.

Last Year's Father's Day Gift

2009-06-22T14:38:00.001-05:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Forgiveness

2009-06-19T00:00:00.002-05:00

When we forgive a debt or an offense or an injury, we don’t require a payment for settlement. That would be the opposite of forgiveness. If repayment is made to us for what we lost, there is no need for forgiveness. We have our due.
Forgiveness assumes grace. If I am injured by you, grace lets
it go. I don’t sue you. I forgive you. Grace gives what someone
doesn’t deserve. That’s why forgiveness has the word give in it.
Forgiveness is not “getting” even. It is giving away the right to
get even.

That is what God does to us when we trust Christ: “Everyone
who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name”
(Acts 10:43). If we believe in Christ, God no longer holds our sins
against us. This is God’s own testimony in the Bible: “I, I am he
who wipes out your transgressions for my own sake” (Isaiah
43:25). “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove
our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).

But this raises a problem. We all know that forgiveness is not
enough. We may only see it clearly when the injury is great—like
murder or rape. Neither society nor the universe can hold together
if judges (or God) simply say to every murderer and rapist, “Are
you sorry? Okay. The state forgives you. You may go.” In cases
like these we see that while a victim may have a forgiving spirit,
the state cannot forsake justice.

So it is with God’s justice. All sin is serious, because it is against
God (see chapter 1). He is the one whose glory is injured when we
ignore or disobey or blaspheme him. His justice will no more
allow him simply to set us free than a human judge can cancel all
the debts that criminals owe to society. The injury done to God’s
glory by our sin must be repaired so that in justice his glory shines
more brightly. And if we criminals are to go free and be forgiven,
there must be some dramatic demonstration that the honor of God
is upheld even though former blasphemers are being set free.
That is why Christ suffered and died. “In him we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses”

(Ephesians 1:7). Forgiveness costs us nothing. All our costly obedience
is the fruit, not the root, of being forgiven. That’s why we
call it grace. But it cost Jesus his life. That is why we call it just.
Oh, how precious is the news that God does not hold our sins
against us! And how beautiful is Christ, whose blood made it right
for God to do this.

From John Piper's book, Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die

Free online book here.

My Latest Logo

2009-06-17T00:00:00.001-05:00

After I first saw the logos I linked in Tuesday's post, as well as these current trends, I was better inspired a few weeks ago to design this logo for our college Bible study series this summer.

I went with the "hidden" element as I used the person's head and body as the "O" and "A" in "One Another". I had one primary inspiration for the substance of this design - the "one another's of the New Testament (notice the "other" people in the upper right). My primary inspiration for the style was this:

I love little people.

Death is not Dying

2009-06-16T15:43:00.005-05:00

Rachel Barkey is a wife, mother of two, and a Christian.

And she is dying of cancer.

I recently had the privilege to not only hear her amazing message, but to also help produce it for a Revive Our Hearts radio program.

I wouldn't ask anyone to sit & listen to a 55 minute presentation if I didn't think it would significantly benefit your life. So in this case I am.

You can listen or watch this message here or read the transcript at http://www.reviveourhearts.com/.

For now, you can hear a short clip below from the Revive Our Hearts program featuring Rachel's story.

Fun with Logos

2009-06-15T23:19:00.006-05:00

Chances are you've already seen a FedEx truck today with this bold name across it's side. But have you ever seen the hidden symbol in this well-known logo?

Once you see it, you'll never look at this logo the same way again. Here's the answer and many other cool logo designs with hidden symbols.

More here.

Electronic products such as motorcycles

2009-06-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

As much as I hate junk mail & spam in my Inbox, every now & then I get one that's so bad, it's almost enjoyable. I've cut & pasted a recent email I received in my junk folder, and - I've altered nothing but the web address & emails

Hey
how are you doing recently?

I would like to introduce you a very good company and its website is http://www.verygoodspam.com/ It can offer you all kinds of electronic products that you may be in need,such as laptops ,gps ,TV LCD,cell phones, ps3,MP3/4,motorcycles and etc........

You can take some time to have a check ,there must be something interesting you 'd like to purchase .

The contact email: email@spam.com MSN: email@spam.com
TEL: 1-800-SPAM

Hope you can enjoy yourself in shopping from that company !
Regards

I think this spammer was using Power Translator.

Freebie Friday

2009-05-29T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today's giveaway is a 365 page devotional book by John MacArthur called "Daily Readings from the Life of Christ." If you're not familiar with the teaching/preaching ministry of Pastor MacArthur, just click here and start anywhere - it's all good!

Here's a brief description of today's book from gbibooks.com:

This devotional book by John MacArthur is meant for every believer. Jesus Christ is the climactic centerpiece of all God's work-past, present, and future-and this daily devotional focuses on Christ and His Word. With insights on the life of Jesus, thoughts to ponder, and wisdom gleaned from years of careful study, Daily Readings from the Life of Christ delivers a fresh realization of the grace of God in Christ for each day. Your hungry heart will be focused on God and His Word.

This first volume will take you through the first year of our Saviour’s public ministry.

I am so thankful for the pastors under which God has placed me in the local church. There are also men such as John MacArthur that have had a significant influence in my sanctification (i.e., growth as a believer). So, aside from your local pastor(s), tell me who your "favorite" radio or print pastor is & why. I'll randomly pick a winner from all the entries.

Again - for the record - we should be careful of this.

Congrats to last week's winner:

Gina Eggebrecht

We Retired Another Pair

2009-05-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

One month ago, our third child reached that milestone of freedom for which every child longs: losing the training wheels.

Getting a few pointers from Dad.

And she's off!
She never looks back.

Big sister is watching from the sidelines.

Congratulations Anna!

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T14:23:00.002-05:00

To those we know and to those we don't.

Thank you.

Freebie Friday

2009-05-22T00:00:00.003-05:00

Today's freebie is a book I just came across that I could really benefit from myself. It's called Clutter-Free Christianity: What God Really Desires for You. The author, Robert Jeffress, is pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas. Now, I haven't read this book, but it looks to be Gospel-centered, which is a good thing. It also has a reputable endorsement by Al Mohler:

"Robert Jeffress reminds us that the essence of the gospel is a changed life flowing from a God-transformed heart. From such a heart pours obedience, faith, contentment, service, and prayer—every facet of our continuing relationship with God. This book will ignite a passion to live wholly and holy for God as an overflow of our heart's love for Him."
– R. Albert Mohler, Jr., president, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

You want it? Here's what to do: Even though this book isn't about physical & material clutter necessarily, in the comments describe with some detail the area of your house that is consistently the most cluttered.

Go.

And now to announce the winner of last week's NLD Trilogy giveaway ...

Tami Kim of Berkley, CA

Congrats Tami! I'll admit, the Cocoa Pebbles really helped you. :)

Baboon Ball Box & Basham

2009-05-20T00:00:00.001-05:00

Vintage game box...

...or strategic piece of audio equipment?

We've been improvising by using a box of envelopes during our recording sessions with Leslie in order to elevate the scripts high enough so her neck won't be bending down when she reads. Thanks to my recent find at an estate sale, we now have a solution that's much more entertaining than a box of envelopes.

Thanks Baboon Ball!

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

2009-05-18T00:00:00.005-05:00

This continues a series on Proverbs & Money.

Proverbs 13:11

Wealth gained hastily (or by fraud) will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it..

Is anyone currently audacious enough to question the wisdom found in Proverbs 13:11? Perhaps it is possible if you’ve been in a coma for the last two years. However, it would now be disingenuous to protest post-Madoff and sub-prime, CDO’s, mortgage fraud, excessive LBO’s, and cash-out refi’s. This generation’s life verse was summed up well by the 1989 Queen lyrics “I Want it All (and I Want it Now)”:

But just give me, huh, what I know is mine
People do you hear me, just gimme the sign
It ain't much I'm asking, if you want the truth
Here's to the future for the dreams of youth

More specific evidence of the haste doctrine comes from a couple of borrowers highlighted in a recent CNBC television documentary of the precursors to our current economic turmoil. One borrower facing foreclosure indicated that “with a salary of $900 a week he knowingly signed documents claiming he made four times as much….and bought a $584,000 San Clemente, CA townhouse”. My personal favorite though is from another borrower whose puny defense went like this: "We took a little money out to build our swimming pool, you know, 'cause I have three boys and I gotta keep 'em happy." Granted, overzealous lenders and investors were plenty eager to unreel the rope that is now wringing our neck.

The urge for instant gain is not new and it is not just money. Our culture longs for everything from instant coffee to instant sex. But why is it so dangerous, and worse, such an offense to our Maker? The answer is as deep as we could ever dig, but at least on the surface we should understand that taking shortcuts to wealth, glory, or honor undercuts our need for faith. Undercutting our faith means undercutting the very foundation for pleasing and thereby enjoying God (Hebrews 11:6). Faith says “I will trust God while waiting because I know He is a just father”, while Queen says “get out of my way God and give me what is mine now. I can handle this without you”.

This, however, doesn’t sound like Jesus. He resisted the temptation to turn stones into bread in exchange for a full belly, resisted the temptation to worship Satan in exchange for his kingdom, and resisted the temptation to bypass the cross in exchange for comfort and our damnation. But his waiting and short term self-denial were not ultimate. Ultimately, He has been exalted above every name in Heaven or earth so that one day all men will bow to his Lordship. Good things really do come to those who wait; for us it is chiefly a heart that has the capacity to enjoy something more lasting than an under-water mortgage (Isaiah 40:31). Struggling with you to wait for the revealing of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.

All posts in this "Proverbs and Money" series were submitted by a friend of Aaron's who wishes to remain anonymous.

Freebie Friday

2009-05-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

I guess the cool, current trend must be to give stuff away if you're a famous blogger like Tim Challies or The Pioneer Woman. Well, I'm far from cool & even farther from famous. But - I do have free stuff to give away! So today will begin an indefinite weekly blog feature I'll call "Freebie Friday" where I'll give away some great books. How long is indefinite? It's as long as I have books to giveaway.

To kick off our first Freebie Friday, I will not just give away one book - not even two books - but three - YES THREE books from Nancy Leigh DeMoss!

But wait, there's more! All three books have been signed by Nancy!

Having worked with her & the Revive Our Hearts ministry for almost seven years now, I cannot recommend her writing enough.

Brokenness, Surrender and Holiness make up a trilogy of books that "explore key themes on coming to God. Brokenness: experiencing the deep repentance that comes before every movement of God. Surrender: submitting to God in order to have victory over stubborn habits and secret sins. Holiness: living a life of purity and having a heart set on fire for God"

So whatcha gotta do to win? Here are the rules:

Leave a comment here or on this link on my Facebook page under this blog link.
Only one entry per person.
Winner will be announced on the following Friday.
If you win, wait a few weeks before entering again - share the love people.
In your comment/entry, you must respond to my topic.

Today's topic: Kid's Cereal.
Leave your comment and tell me your 3 favorite kid's cereal.
Go.

Hooper Stars: It'll Make You Cry

2009-05-12T12:14:00.002-05:00

Remember this story:

Now, you gotta see this:

(HT:JT)

You're Not Worthy

2009-05-06T00:00:00.004-05:00

While studying to preach from Acts 13, I came across a rather difficult passage to understand.

The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles."
Acts 13: 44-46

My question was this, how did the unbelieving, Gospel reviling Jews "judge [them]selves unworthy of eternal life?" And, subsequently, can people today be guilty of judging themselves unworthy of eternal life? What does it mean to declare yourself not worthy?

The first image that came to mind (I'm sad to say) was of Wayne & Garth bowing down to their rock star gods. How I go from a study of the early church to Wayne's World, I have no idea. Thankfully, I moved on from this thought & found this explanation by Pastor MacArthur that was really helpful. Here's how he explains it:

If I take you to the Louvre in France and show you the Mona Lisa and you look at the Mona Lisa and say, "Oh, that's lousy art." I say, "My friend, the Mona Lisa is not on trial; you are. That's already been judged to be a masterpiece. You're a crummy art critic." The point is you pronounced your own sentence. You're not fit to judge art. If I take to hear one of the great masterpiece symphonies and we hear one of the great orchestras of the world play one of the greatest symphonies ever written and the music is just sweeping and moving and powerful and it's all over with and you say, "It's all right but I'll take James Brown," I'll say to you, "Listen, friend. That music's not on trial; you are. If you can't read that as glorious music, you don't know what music is. If you make a criticism of music that has been adjudged by time and men to be a masterpiece then the music's not on trial; you are." And let me say this: Jesus isn't on trial anymore either. We know who He is. But you are on trial and by what you do to and with Jesus Christ, you declare judgment on yourself. You pronounce your own sentence. (emphasis added)

Read the entire John MacArthur sermon.

So I ask you, in the words of Christ Himself in Matthew 22:42, "What do you think about the Christ?" Or to speak in the king's english, "What think ye of Christ?" That, says John Newton, is the test.

Stand By Me - Around the World

2009-05-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

Saw this on a friends blog last night - some good "happy music."

Fun Stories (to read)

2009-05-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

Among my collection of childhood memories is this folder which I decoratively titled, "Fun Stories to Read." I'm assuming this was a school project - submitted in the 3rd grade, yet there's no grade recorded anywhere in or on the folder. So, I'll let you grade it yourself.

I'll post all of the stories from this collection - a few at a time - beginning with this one, for which I have photographic illustration (lest you think I go around making up stories about me & my dad).

My Father and I

The first time I helped my father is when he buillt a shed. It was green and white. It was hard work for me. Because I was only three or four years old.

We both had fun because we got served by my mom. We worked for about 2 hours. finaly it was finished. it loooked real good.

Name two things you like to do with your father.
build models
work on the car

Name two things you like to do with your mother.
Go shopping
read of book

Name three things your family does together.
eat
drive
visit people

Me & my dad building the shed around 1973-74. That shed still stands today.

Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Doghouse

2009-04-29T00:00:00.004-05:00

Among many treasures I found at a recent estate sale was this Rand-McNally 1975 edition, Scooby-Doo children's book. The only thing missing is that famous line, "And I would've gotten away with it if it weren't for those meddling kids and their dumb dog! "

Enjoy.

Loser of Comfort... Gainer of Glory

2009-04-27T12:43:00.005-05:00

Here are some great thoughts from blogger Tim Challies on the providence of God in human affliction, considering the following passage in John:

“As [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him’ (John 9:1-3).

Tim considers this passage in a modern day context, as he reminds us of the rising numbers of abortions based on pre-natal testing for fetal abnormalities. In a world where you can easily abort and start over if everything isn't perfect, these words are much needed. I can't help but think of several people I know who have recently chosen to carry babies full-term, knowing that, apart from God's miraculous intervention, their child would have a short and/or difficult physical life here on earth. May this meditation on John 9 serve as an encouragement to such parents. (Consider Mighty Molly Mutz)

Tim quotes several Bible commentators on this passage and applies them again to this modern & murderous trend of abortion. Matthew Henry's thoughts were my favorite, including this quote:

“Those who regard [God] not in the ordinary course of things are sometimes alarmed by things extraordinary. How contentedly then may a good man be a loser in his comforts, while he is sure that thereby God will be one way or other a gainer in his glory!”

Or, as Tim applied & paraphrased, "Those who choose abortion are unwilling to lose their comforts that God may gain His glory."

Read the entire article here.

Music Changes Everything

2009-04-23T22:30:00.002-05:00

It's not often that I get to use special music in the production of Revive Our Hearts, but when I do it's usually to underscore a dramatic read or some other creative element. And when these rare opportunities come up (they wouldn't be so rare if I were more creative!) I often spend hours (literally) trying to find the right piece of music to fit the piece (we use an audio library called Killer Tracks).

The right or wrong piece of music can make or break the mood of a story - and that's just using audio. When you add video and eliminate the audio, music is even more influential to how the piece is interpreted.

Well, I just saw a fascinating post this week over at the Mental_Floss blog that showed several examples of how music can totally change the mood of piece of video. Chris Higgins posted clips from "Diff'rent Strokes" and "The Shining" to easily make his case. You can see all the clips here.

Another mental_floss reader mentioned a Mary Poppins re-mix that gives the same effect. Check it out:

Never underestimate the power of music.

Lunch Box Screen Saver

2009-04-22T18:03:00.004-05:00

There's nothing better than opening your gradeschool lunch box and smelling the remains of one of mom's PB & J sandwiches. But the next best thing is having those great metal boxes of nostalgia float around on your computer screen.

Get your free Lunch Box Pad screensaver here.

Wordle Schmurdle

2009-04-17T10:28:00.009-05:00

I found a fun online tool last week called Wordle. It's easy to use. You enter any text you want or any url that has an RSS feed, and Wordle creates a word picture. The largest words appreaing in the creation are the ones most used in the text or feed. The first image below was done using my iamchief blog feed. Apparently it uses only recent posts. (Click any image to enlarge)

This next cloud uses the feed from my 88 blog:

A Wordle from JC Ryle's great book "Holiness", this is his first chapter. Can you guess the chapter title?

Here is a Wordle I did using the entire text of the book of Romans (ESV):

A Wordle taken from the ESV text of Psalm 119:

As you can see, you can pick your own colors, fonts & layout. Here are some Wordle images made from presidential inaugural speeches. The creator of Wordle allows anyone to use these images in any way they desire, as long as credit is linked back to his site.

So, try your own Wordle and leave a link to it in the comments section - be creative with a book, poem, Bible passage, speech, whatever - I'd love to see it.

Ransom

2009-04-13T10:37:00.003-05:00

This continues a series on Proverbs & Money.

Proverbs 13:7

The ransom of a man’s life is his wealth, but a poor man hears no threat.

Be careful what you ask for. Once again we see that the answer as to who it is that lives on easy street is not as simple as it first appears. In the jungle of life, a big kill always attracts vultures. And while our society doesn’t often encounter the hostage-taking schemes of armed robbers (for which we should be thankful), deep pockets do often encounter softer shakedowns by modern day and glorified extortionist’s who try to get theirs on the backs of the wealthy. Whether it’s the politically motivated “tax-the-rich” propaganda, a contingent-fee hot coffee litigation, a well publicized “charitable” giving campaign, or a self-seeking employee, the rich are seemingly always walking around with a painted bulls-eye placed squarely between their shoulders.

The poor man is spared such trouble. Even if robbers do attack, what is there to lose. “Here take it”, they say, “it’s all I have to give; no big loss”. The poor man pillows his head without the echo of distant threats. If this is our plight, nothing but food and clothing, then with this we will be content.

There is one thing, however, that the shakedown artists of our day cannot exact. Likewise, there is one thing that our temporal wealth cannot ransom. For this hostage, our soul, there is only one method of payment. So, whether rich or poor, we being bound up in the dungeon of our own sin all come as poor beggars with open hands to the feet of our benefactor. This Jesus came not to be served, but to give his life as a ransom for many. Let us all make the pleading call to our deliverer and be set free from the tyranny of sin and death.

All posts in this "Proverbs and Money" series were submitted by a friend of Aaron's who wishes to remain anonymous.

He Croaked

2009-04-04T20:54:00.003-05:00

A death in our family, Kermit (the frog).

R.I.P.
Here lies Kermit
whom I was proud of