Weekend Preview - Ecclesiology

This weekend, we are taking a break from Colossians in the AM to address some issues in church life from Titus 2:1-8. I've entitled the sermon Ecclesiology 101. Ecclesiology is the "study of things pertaining to the church." This passage holds relevant instruction for: why we put such a priority on teaching, how men's and women's ministries should function and what kind of life we are all called to live. It really will be a good, fresh reminder of some core convictions we hold to.

In the evening, we will finish up Hosea, looking at Hosea 13:4-14:9. This book has been a great treasure for us on Sunday evenings this year. My basic outline for this sermon has to do with God's attributes of justice and love.

Hope to see you this weekend!

Shane and Shane - Everything Is Different

Shane and Shane's new CD is now available. Titled Everything Is Different, it has everything we love about these guys: soaring vocals, memorable tracks and God-exalting music. The CD is $8.99 for download on Amazon, $9.99 for download on ITunes, or at their site for $10. What struck me as I listened to this album was how the Gospel is up front and central. From the opening song, Everything Is Different, to a modern arrangement of The Lord's Prayer musically, to a song entitled "Worthy of Affection" which speaks of "[Jesus] being worthy of affection, the radiance of all of His glory, let adoration fill this place, You hold everything together by the word of your immovable power, we sing this song of praise", this album soars with praise to Jesus Christ and would be a great addition of worship music to anyone you know this Christmas (or Thanksgiving for that matter). Enjoy.

Baseball Post to Warm You This Winter...

...about a fan who has caught 3000 baseballs. Pretty fascinating.

(HT: Challies)

To Manhattan (KS)

Today, I am rolling out of the office and taking my "show" on the road up to Manhattan, KS. I am visiting with students and friends from our church attending school up at K-State. The plan is to get there, grab some lunch, and come back to Hutch.

I posted yesterday some thoughts on Facebook. My trip today is even further proof that there is a different dynamic at work when I visit these people face to face. You see if I was a friend of theirs on Facebook or sent them an email saying "I'm hoping your doing well" those would be kind gestures. However, when I actually go visit face to face with them, they feel cared for and I am able to communicate so much more effectively my love, concern, appreciation and knowledge of their lives and circumstances. These are things that Facebook can't really deliver on to this degree of depth.

Anyway, you can tell I'm still ranting away on this issue. It will probably never die as long as I'm alive, but it seems good today to be able to visit with friends and see how God is working in their lives. Pray that I have a productive visit with them all.

One more thing on Facebook...

I also saw this audio today, which is an interview between Russell Moore and a pastor on “whining” and the way Facebook and Twitter have exacerbated an ancient problem with the human heart (approx. 6:30). Take a listen.

Thoughts on Facebook...

I've had people nagging me for some time to join Facebook. For me personally, it is time consuming enough simply to get posts on a blog and I find my blog helpful in helping me catalog helpful things I've found online. It also makes it easy to recommend a site to someone to have them visit my site, where I've linked to it.

Facebook is more than these things, though. A recent report said the average user of Facebook spends 3 days messing with it over the course of a year. Couple this with a recent report from the Pew Internet and American Life Project, which says that their can be some positives in new media.

Here's the rub for me: the Bible commends the local church as the community in which life is to function. People will, for instance, get on Facebook and communicate for everyone what their struggles are or what's happening in their lives, but not even communicate those things in a small group or with the Elders or people in the local church (unless those people are "friends on Facebook"). I don't think this should be. Maybe I need to get on Facebook and become friends with all the people in the church that are on it (so I can effectively shepherd). I don't know. It just seems to be a disconnect. Sure Paul wrote letters to communicate with churches and we do have amazing gifts in technology. But there is still something unique about practicing the one anothers with, well, one another. How can these be balanced?

Elder's Meeting Help

Jim Elliff writes an excellent post on Elder's Meeting That Do Something. His tips:
1. Plan for meeting together more often and for a longer period of time.
2. Challenge each other spiritually.
3. Discuss the state of the flock.
4. Have an agenda.
5. Actually pray for individuals and issues being faced.
6. Study together toward a unified position on difficult issues.
7. Make these meetings non-optional.

Are You Rocking Or Rowing the Boat?

From Ed Stetzer:

In church life, the people that are rocking the boat are hardly ever the ones rowing it.

I think this has generally been my experience, although we can even get insight and learn from those who are doing the rocking. A godly view of Biblical criticism is a must for church life.

Recap - Will of God

Today's sermon from Colossians 1:10 entitled "Walking in the Will of God" is up and online. Continuing the thought he began in 1:9, Paul elaborates and unpacks what walking in God's will looks like. This morning, specifically, the characteristics of those walking in God's will are:
1) They live to please the Lord
2) They are blossoming in good deeds
3) They are growing in their knowledge of God

I thought these principles can be applied in many ways...

These are great things to pray for another believer.
They are great characteristics to pursue.
We can have confidence that, as we practice them, we are "walking in God's will."

Any thoughts?

Scripture Wallpapers:

From the Resurgence...

Help For Young Families...

I also found this post by Zach Nielsen helpful...

He's asked by a young married guy with kids how he organizes his life.
The summary:

1. As you do, I have a rockstar, off the chart, amazing wife.

2. We don’t watch much T.V.

3. We are very intentional about doing things WITH the kids.

4. One of the things we have learned from another family is the idea of “special dates” with the kids individually.

5. Your stage is really hard. Having a toddler and a new baby is very physically demanding.

6. As our kids get older, I’m sure we’ll limit their activities.

7. In the end, I think you just sort of get used to the chaos.

8. There certainly are times when we feel like we are losing it.

9. I think your feelings of “insanity” are somewhat relative (which isn't to dismiss them).

Read the entire post for elaboration.

So good we miss it...

I agree with this recent post from Abraham Piper:

If you’re persnickety, people learn to ignore you.

Which means they won’t even heed the reasonable things you occasionally come up with.

Tending the Flock (Humor)

Sent to my from one of the elders...
What to do when you've got a bunch of sheep, a lot of space and too much time on your hands...

Must Work for Pastors

I recently was skimming through an old book on pastoral ministry that alluded to an article by Tim Keller and David Powlison entitled "The Pastor's Self-Evaluation Questionnaire". One of my peeves about typical pastors (and a frustrating thing for myself) is that there aren't too many people who open themselves up for, let's call it, constructive criticism. Sure we have critics, but often they want to lob a complaint and not help you be a better pastor down the road. The frustrating thing for myself is that people are almost too kind. I need feedback to see my weaknesses clearly. The Bible has pretty tall standards for ministers. Far too many conduct ministry as if they are in a different social strata than the people to whom they have been called. I worked through this tool yesterday and thought it to be a very helpful exercise. We are going to discuss it at next Elder's Meeting. Also, I plan to work through it again, this time not allowing my mind to wonder about who I know that these things apply to and focus more on myself. Enjoy.

Marks of the Mature Man

Thabiti tipped me off to these marks adapted from an article by Al Mohler:

1. Spiritual maturity sufficient to lead a wife and children.

2. Personal maturity sufficient to be a responsible husband and father.

3. Economic maturity sufficient to hold an adult job and handle money.

4. Physical maturity sufficient to work and protect a family.

5. Sexual maturity sufficient to marry and fulfill God’s purposes.

6. Moral maturity sufficient to lead as example of righteousness.

7. Ethical maturity sufficient to make responsible decisions.

8. Worldview maturity sufficient to understand what is really important.

9. Relational maturity sufficient to understand and respect others.

10. Social maturity sufficient to make a contribution to society.

11. Verbal maturity sufficient to communicate and articulate as a man.

12. Character maturity sufficient to demonstrate courage under fire.

13. Biblical maturity sufficient to lead at some level in the church.