Found a new place to rock your brain... to Jesus!!!

I just came across a relatively new Christian Rock internet only station that is worth a listen if you are into "head banging" like all of us 80's rockers like to do!  It's called The Blast.FM and I've been enjoying it all morning!

THE POLITICALLY CORRECT TWELVE DAYS OF C*****MAS

On the 12th day of the Eurocentrically-imposed midwinter festival, my potential acquaintance gave to me,

TWELVE males reclaiming their inner warrior through ritual drumming.

ELEVEN pipers piping (plus the 18 member pit orchestra made up of members in good standing of the Musicians Equity Union as called for in their union contract even though they will not be asked to play a note...)

TEN melanin-deprived, testosterone-poisoned scions of the patriarchal ruling class system leaping,

NINE persons engaged in rhythmic self-expression,

EIGHT economically-disadvantaged female persons stealing milk products from enslaved Bovine Americans,

SEVEN endangered swans swimming on federally-protected wetlands,

SIX enslaved fowl-Americans producing stolen, nonhuman animal products,

FIVE golden symbols of culturally-sanctioned enforced domestic incarceration, (NOTE: after a member of the Animal Liberation Front threatened to throw red paint at my computer, the calling birds, French hens and partridge have been reintroduced to their native habitat. To avoid further animal American enslavement, the remaining gift package has been revised.)

FOUR hours of recorded whale songs,

THREE deconstructionist poets,

TWO Sierra Club calendars printed on recycled, processed tree carcasses,

and a Spotted Owl activist chained to an old-growth pear tree.

Merry Christmas!! These guys are awesome!!

Just a reminder...

Preparing for Ruth and looking at the incredibly scandalous genealogy of Jesus I came across this anonymous quote:

The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...

Noah was a drunk, Abraham was too old, Isaac was a daydreamer, Jacob was a liar, Leah was ugly, Joseph was abused, Moses had a stuttering problem, Gideon was afraid, Samson had long hair and was a womanizer, Rahab was a prostitute, Jeremiah and Timothy were too young, David had an affair and was a murderer, Elijah was suicidal, Isaiah preached naked, Jonah ran from God, Naomi was a widow, Job went bankrupt, John the Baptist ate bugs, Peter denied Christ, The Disciples fell asleep while praying, Martha worried about everything, The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once, Zaccheus was too small, Paul was too religious, Timothy had an ulcer...AND Lazarus was dead!

No more excuses now. God can use you to your full potential.

Besides you aren't the MESSAGE, you are just the MESSENGER!

Another free audio book

Wow! I LOVE FREE STUFF!!!

I'm groovin' on this free audio book thing - really enjoying Edwards' "Religious Affections" and this month it is John of the Cross' "Dark Night of the Soul". Just click here for this month's freebie from christianaudio.com. Use the code DEC2007. Enjoy!!

To all my TULIP Brothers, here's a pick up line she will NOT be able to resist!

Free Audio Book!

Every month this organization gives away a free audio book. This month's is Jonathan Edward's Religious Affections, probably one of the most influential books written during the 2nd Great Awakening. Use the coupon code NOV2007 to take advantage of this freebie!!

The absolute heresy that the Prosperity Gospel gives.

I know I don't do a lot of ranting on this forum, but those of you who know me fairly well will know that I do my fair amount. In recent years I have been on the watch out for a heresy so wrong, so devestating that if IS "another gospel" like Paul said in Galatians 1. It is radically spreading all over America, but is even stronger and gaining more steam in Africa, China, Central America.It is NOT the gospel of our Lord. It is NOT the gospel of suffering for his name. It is NOT the gospel of grace. It is a gospel of health, wealth, and personal satisfaction. It is ultimately wrong, and not only wrong - it is leading people AWAY from God.

It is the Prosperity Gospel and it is very dangerous.

Romans 1:18ff say:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 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. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

You see, the definition of SIN is that we exchange the glory of God (CREATOR) for the worship (CREATION). Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:

17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

In other words, riches are a possible HINDRANCE to the kingdom, not a sign of being in it. They do not provide life. God has given us things to enjoy - but NEVER to worship or to IN ANY WAY put before him or , even worse, to say that riches and health are signs of being in God's blessing. What about Job? What about Joseph? What about Paul? What about Jesus?

Romans 5
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Whatever happened to a good theology of suffering for the kingdom?

How did we ever let it be that we are "almost on the same page" as these people who are spreading the WRONG GOSPEL?

Why are we not "contending for the gospel (Jude 1:3) as we should to protect the church from this incredible wrong?

I don't know the answers to these question, but I do know that I have had an ilk and disdain for this theology for a long time.

Let me share with you my former mentor and friend, John Piper, as he states it much more elequantly than I can, but with the same disdain:



The uncomfort we feel by listening to this is the very reason why we need to fight for the gospel.

Think about it...kinda scary huh?

Hot Wives and Church Marketing

I'm just going to post this, and I'd love to hear your reactions!

Gonna Fly Now

I am a huge Maynard Ferguson fan, and a major Rocky fan! Maynard died in 2006, but this tribute to him rocks! Thanks to Tim LaBerge for showing me this youtube video tribute:

Happy Reformation Day!!

For those of you who might not know, today is Reformation Day. Four hundred ninety years ago, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the Wittenburg Church door, setting in motion the process that would be known as the Reformation.

Lyrics:
When I was just ein junger Mann I studied canon law,
While Erfurt was a challenge, it was just to please my Pa,
Then came the storm, the lightning struck, I called upon Saint Anne,
I shaved my head, I took my vows, and Augustinian! Oh...

Chorus:
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation
Speak your mind against them and face excommunication.
Nail your theses to the door, let’s start a Reformation.
Papal bulls, indulgences and transubstantiation.

When Tetzel came near Wittenberg, St. Peter’s profits soared,
I wrote a little notice for the All Saint’ Bull’tin board:
“You cannot purchase merits, for we’re justified by grace!
Here’s 95 more reasons, Brother Tetzel, in your face.” Oh… Chorus

They love my tracts, adored my wit, all were exempleror,
The Pope, however, hauled me up before the Emperor.
“Are these your books? Do you recant?” King Charles did demand.
“I will not change my Diet, Sir, God help me here I stand!” Oh… Chorus

Duke Frederick took the Wise approach, responding to my words,
By knighting ‘Georgre’ as hostage in the Kingdom of the Birds.
Use Brother Martin’s model if the languages you seek,
Stay locked inside a castle with your Hebrew and your Greek! Oh… Chorus

Let’s raise our steins and Concord Books while gathered in this place,
And spread the word that ‘catholic’ is spelled with lower case;
The Word remains unfettered when the Spirit gets his chance,
So come on, Katy, drop your lute, and join us in our dance! Oh… Chorus

In the beginnning God made them male and female sermon series update - Books/Articles/Website resource list available online

Here is the list I was promising of good resources about maleness, femaleness, marriage, sexual abuse, homosexuality and also on recovering some of the sanity in your sexuality that God desires. I know there are more out there, but this is a start.

It is located at hopecc.com/sundays/books.html

Finally, Ford makes a car worth considering...

I'm not much of a Ford guy, but I may switch after viewing this new ad and how it helps rid the planet of unwanted felines!

On fear, and preaching about God's design of women

Yesterday was a banner day for me. I had much anxiety about preaching on the subject:

"Is there more to being a woman that being 'hot'?" (Powerpoint is available here.

It's not that I haven't thought about the issue - I have. Even before becoming a Christian I had a strong interest in trying to figure out what is going on in the mind and hearts of women, primarily because I was very interested in girls in High School, and desired to be married someday. Since becoming a follower of Jesus in 1983, I have studied, restudied, talked, and debated many times over the issue of how God designed men and women 100% equal in value, but VERY different in design. God's 'Different by Design' pattern of maleness and femaleness is not something to be feared, maligned or rejected - but celebrated. I have thought deeply about the issue, was totally prepared for the message (in fact, I had EASILY another HOUR of material that didn't make it into the sermon!).

No, my fear was primarily because I knew how hurt and exploited women have become in our culture through body image issues, the radical feminist movement which says 'men suck' and yet forces women to disgard their femininity and become masculine in many ways, and through their own struggles with understanding their God given, graceful role as women.

I had real fear...

And it didn't get easier to preach at the second service either. I had just as much fear. I knew that no matter what I said, there would be come dear, lovely daughter of Eve out there who so drastically has been hurt by men, that what I was intending to be a healing message would instead be seen as, once again, a male dominance speech.

However, in spite of my anxiety, I knew this was a message the men and women of Hope needed, and so taking a line from Cor's sermon last week, I stepped out in as much courage as this guy could muster, asked God for the strength to make it through and preached what I knew God had for us yesterday.

And an amazing thing happened... Women were blessed... God showed up remarkably and I have had more emails, calls and positive comments on that message during the last 24 hours than I have ever had about any sermon in 11 years of pastoring at Hope. God met us last Sunday, September 30th, in only ways that his Spirit can. I really do think that some major healing and truth was happening in that room and I praise God for it. He is SO good to us all, men and women:

"“And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit."

~Joel 2:28-29 (ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION)

I began the message by sharing an AWESOME video off YouTube that has blown me away for about 2 weeks with God's absolute, pure, powerful love for women. If you have 5 minutes and 32 seconds, please watch it. It'll be the best spent time you have today! It can be found here as well.

Too good!

I know I've been delinquent here for quite some time. Fall has just gotten hold of me in a real way. However, a friend of mine just sent me this, and it is great. It's comedian Steve Harvey who is introducing Jesus Christ. Enjoy!

35W Bridge Collapse

Like many others, as soon as I heard the news of the collapse, I knew I needed to do something. I went to HCMC to volunteer, but was then directed to the Red Cross to help with being a pastoral counselor. I have much to write about my experiences there in the last 12 hours, and more on that later.

However, I just read the musings of my friend, John Piper as he processed the event with his 11 year old daughter. I have an 11 year old son, and just love his post. I include it here in it's entirety and it can be found at Bethelehem Baptist Church's site.

Putting My Daughter to Bed Two Hours after the Bridge Collapsed
By Pastor John Piper
August 1, 2007

At about 6 PM tonight the bridge of Interstate Highway 35W over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed. I am writing this about three hours after the bridge fell. The bridge is located within sight of Bethlehem Baptist Church. Most of us who minister at the church cross this bridge several times a week. At this point I don't know if any staff was on the bridge. Desiring God offices are about a mile from the bridge.

There are no firm facts at this point about the total number of injuries and fatalities. When we crossed the bridge Tuesday on our way out of town, there was extensive repair work happening on the surface of the bridge with single lane traffic. One speculates about the unusual stresses on the bridge with jackhammers and other surface replacement equipment. This was the fortieth anniversary of the bridge.

Tonight for our family devotions our appointed reading was Luke 13:1-9. It was not my choice. This is surely no coincidence. O that all of the Twin Cities, in shock at this major calamity, would hear what Jesus has to say about it from Luke 13:1-5. People came to Jesus with heart-wrenching news about the slaughter of worshippers by Pilate. Here is what he said.

"There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, 'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.'"

Jesus implies that those who brought him this news thought he would say that those who died, deserved to die, and that those who didn't die did not deserve to die. That is not what he said. He said, everyone deserves to die. And if you and I don't repent, we too will perish. This is a stunning response. It only makes sense from a view of reality that is radically oriented on God.

All of us have sinned against God, not just against man. This is an outrage ten thousand times worse than the collapse of the 35W bridge. That any human is breathing at this minute on this planet is sheer mercy from God. God makes the sun rise and the rain fall on those who do not treasure him above all else. He causes the heart to beat and the lungs to work for millions of people who deserve his wrath. This a view of reality that desperately needs to be taught in our churches, so that we are prepared for the calamities of the world.

The meaning of the collapse of this bridge is that John Piper is a sinner and should repent or forfeit his life for ever. That means I should turn from the silly preoccupations of my life and focus my mind's attention and my heart's affection on God and embrace Jesus Christ as my only hope for the forgiveness of my sins and for the hope of eternal life. That is God's message in the collapse of this bridge. That is his most merciful message: there is still time to turn from sin and unbelief and destruction for those of us who live. If we could see the eternal calamity from which he is offering escape we would hear this as the most precious message in the world.

We prayed during our family devotions. Talitha (11 years old) and Noel and I prayed earnestly for the families affected by the calamity and for the others in our city. Talitha prayed "Please don't let anyone blame God for this but give thanks that they were saved." When I sat on her bed and tucked her in and blessed her and sang over her a few minutes ago, I said, "You know, Talitha, that was a good prayer, because when people 'blame' God for something, they are angry with him, and they are saying that he has done something wrong. That's what "blame" means: accuse somebody of wrongdoing. But you and I know that God did not do anything wrong. God always does what is wise. And you and I know that God could have held up that bridge with one hand." Talitha said, "With his pinky." "Yes," I said, "with his pinky. Which means that God had a purpose for not holding up that bridge, knowing all that would happen, and he is infinitely wise in all that he wills."

Talitha said, "Maybe he let it fall because he wanted all the people of Minneapolis to fear him." "Yes, Talitha," I said, "I am sure that is one of the reasons God let the bridge fall." I sang to her the song I always sing,

"Come rest your head and nestle gently
And do not fear the dark of night.
Almighty God keeps watch intently,
And guards your life with all his might.
Doubt not his love, nor power to keep,
He never fails, nor does he sleep."

I said, "You know, Talitha, that is true whether you die in a bridge collapse, or in a car accident, or from cancer, or terrorism, or old age. God always keeps you, even when you die. So you don't need to be afraid, do you." "No," she shook her head. I leaned down and kissed her. "Good night. I love you."

Tonight across the Twin Cities families are wondering if they will ever kiss a loved one good night again. Some will not. I am praying that they will find Jesus Christ to be their Rock and Refuge in these agonizing hours of uncertainty and even loss.

The word "bridge" does not occur in the Bible. There may be two reasons. One is that God doesn't build bridges, he divides seas. The other is that usually his people must pass through the deadly currents of suffering and death, not simply ride over them. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you" (Isaiah 43:2). They may drown you. But I will be with you in life and death.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, 'For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life . . . will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-38)

Killed all day long. But not separated from Christ. We go through the river. Not over it. He went before us, crucified. He came out on the other side. He knows the way through. With him we will make it. That is the message we have for the precious sinners in the Twin Cities. He died for your sins. He rose again. He saves all who trust him. We die, but because of him, we do not die.

"Jesus said, '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.'" (John 11:25)

Talitha is sleeping now. But one day she will die. I teach her this. I will not always be there to bless her. But Jesus is alive and is the same yesterday today and forever. He will be with her because she trusts him. And she will make it through the river.

Weeping with those who weep, and those who should,

Pastor John

Psalm 71:20 "You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again."

Facing your fears...

Just give me a little slice of that Jesus stuff, eh?

“I would like to buy about three dollars worth of gospel, please. Not too much—just enough to make me happy, but not so much that I get addicted. I don’t want so much gospel that I learn to really hate covetousness and lust. I certainly don’t want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate missionary service in some alien culture. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving, broad-minded people, but I myself don’t want to love those from different races—especially if they smell. I would like enough gospel to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected or my giving too greatly enlarged. I would like about three dollars worth of gospel please.” (D.A. Carson, Basics for Believers, an exposition of Philippians), pp.12-13

One of my heroes died a few minutes ago...

As a new follower of Jesus in the mid 1980's, I was desparately looking for spiritual mentors and heros to replace the ones that were after their own glory, or worshipping sports or rock starts. Billy and Ruth Graham have been, and still are, two of my absolute heroes in the faith. Ruth passed from this life into the arms of Jesus Christ at 5pm Eastern time. I never met her, but have been influenced by her life and faith in Jesus. For a good synopsis of her life and calling, go to this news report from the Charlotte Observer. God is faithful till the end!!

Shameless Plug

I am open to anyone who would love to let me ride their motorcyle. Nice day like today makes me long for the road, but my wonderful bride will not allow me to own one. Anyone got two and would like to have a riding buddy for a day?

This finally does it!!

For those of you who were unsure about the FACT that Macs are absolutely the superior maching, check this out:

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1622338_1363003,00.html

Yup, that's right. Al Gore uses a MAC. So, all you PC users, take that!

Trike

Food for thought...

Comments?

Attention all church planters (or wanna be CPs!)...

I would like to invite any of you who would like to explore church planting to an event held here in Minneapolis July 23-27th. It is being put on by some of my new friends at GCA (Global Church Advancement) and is headed up by Steve Childress of Reformed seminary. I have been very impressed with their biblical, theological and missional church planting strategies and invite you to check them out here. You may even notice that I will be leading two seminars on Leadership Development - check out the picture. I am actually impressed that they put that one online! Pretty cool.

If you have questions about going for the week, please email me, and we'll make it happen!

Trike

Psalm 49 and what is important...

Like others at Hope, I am reading the Bible in a year through the Discipleship Journal reading program. I am behind, but what is new! I enjoy God's word, and yet, the busyness and pace of life stops me from getting all that I desire in his word. I always have the attitude that I will read more and longer if I do this Bible-in-a-year program, than if I don't. Tim in God's word is what the goal is, not to 'get through something.' It is transformative, and I am loving what I am reading.

A few days ago, I was meditating on Psalm 49:

1 Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor alike: 3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding. 4 I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle: 5 Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me-- 6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? 7 No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him-- 8 the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough-- 9 that he should live on for ever and not see decay. 10 For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their tombs will remain their houses for ever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. 12 But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. 13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Selah 14 Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. 15 But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah 16 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendour of his house increases; 17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendour will not descend with him. 18 Though while he lived he counted himself blessed--and men praise you when you prosper-- 19 he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life. 20 A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish. (Psalms 49:1-20, NIV).

The part that really stuck out to me was verses 5-12 ---> though I may live a life worthy of naming lands after me (or buildings like Amundson Hall at the U of M where my chemistry dept was housed at the U of M), the reality is that all of us are dust. We will all die. What is a life well lived? What is a legacy for the future that actually makes a difference? Only what is given to God, fully, without holding back. Every one of us fears insignificance...yet, the reality is we get that significance only when we find ourselves getting value in God and his glory alone. When I spread God's fame, when I allow him to be all, when I no longer look to get buildings named after me but seek to pursue sharing the glory of Christ with others, then (and only then) will I be satisfied and then (and only then) will I have a significant life. Lord Jesus, please make me into a man who loves you with a radical, courageous love and not look to make a name for myself. Amen.

Is this Hope Community or what? (part last one)

Is this Hope Community or what? (part tree)

Is this Hope Community or what? (part deaux)

Is this Hope Community or what? (part one)

I wish I was an artist!

This is really cool!

Dang, pretty good for a kid who went to public school!

Give it a try at Classic IQ test and see if you can only get 2 wrong!

“THE JOY OF KNOWING HOW SINFUL YOU REALLY ARE!”

One of the things I love to do is find people who say the exact same theological things that I say and cherish, but say it so much better. Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) is one of my heroes of the faith. He was an English preacher, and was powerfully used of God to draw thousands and thousands of people to faith in Jesus Christ. He was a brilliant man, not formally trained, and was a bit “rough around the edges” on a variety of fronts. I like him!

One of my favorite things to say at Hope is, “The most graceful thing I can tell you is how sinful you really are - that way you will so know your NEED for a Savior!” Listen to how my friend, Charles Spurgeon also said this:

If I be self-righteous, I need no Christ to save me in my own opinion. How, then, can I come with such a confession as this, “Nothing in my hands I bring,” when I have got my hands full. How can I say, “Wash me,” when I believe myself white? How can I say “Heal me,” when I think that I never was sick? How can I cry, “Give me freedom, give me liberty,” when I believe I never was a slave, and “never in bondage to any man?” It is only the man who knows his slavery by reason of the bondage of sin, and the man who knows himself to be sick even unto death by reason of the sense of guilt: it is only the man who feels he cannot save himself, who can with faith rely upon the Saviour. Nor can the self-righteous man renounce himself, and lay hold of Christ; because in the renunciation of himself he would at once become the very character whom Christ says he will receive. He would then put himself in the place of the sinner, when he cast away his own righteousness. Why, sirs, coming to Christ implies the taking off the polluted robe of our own righteousness, and putting on Christ’s. How can I do that, if I wittingly wrap my own garment about me? and if in order to come to Christ I must forsake my own refuge and all my own hope, how can I do it, if I believe my hope to be good, and my refuge to be secure; and if I suppose that already I am clothed sufficiently to enter into the marriage supper of the Lamb? Nay, beloved, it is the sinner, and the sinner only, who can come to Christ; the self-righteous man cannot do it; it is quite out of his way—he would not do it if he could. His very self-righteousness fetters his foot, so that he cannot come; palsies his arm, so that he cannot take hold of Christ; and blinds his eye, so that be cannot see the Saviour."