Nuts and Bolts

Here is my kind of counselor.  How I wish more Christians listened to his two words in their own sin struggles.  It would make for happier Christians and happier pastors to those who counsel such Christians.   I fear that we are breeding a self-absorbed, never-my-fault, other people are the issue, don’t want to really obey the Bible, just want someone to listen to my problems kind of Christian culture.  

Another Funny Lutheran Video

This is one of my favorites.  As typical with these extreme parodies, there is always an element of truth.  I couldn’t stop laughing.  

What I am Reading-Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

If Richard Foster is the devotional guru of the spiritual disciplines, then Don Whitney is the pastor.  Indeed, he wrote Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life while serving as a pastor and his guidance as a shepherd shows throughout this book.  Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life is the first and most popular work written by Whitney that deals with spiritual formation.  Whitney’s Southern Baptist background and theologically Reformed leanings narrow his focus and influences in the arena of spiritual disciplines. 
Whitney shares many of the major themes as other authors on the subject: worship, bible study, silence and solitude, stewardship.  There are disciplines unique to Whitney that is not mentioned by the other two most notably: evangelism and journaling.  One may suggest that journaling is not a legitimate discipline (using Whitney’s logic for journaling one could argue that eating is a spiritual discipline). 
Whitney also provides perhaps the most balanced approach on this basic overview of the disciplines.  While Richard Foster leans toward a devotional approach that draws from Scripture based on experience, and Dallas Willard clearly frames most of his chapters from a philosophical context, Whitney undergirds his approach fundamentally with Scripture.  With each discipline, he begins with a Scriptural principle and unpacks that principle interspersed with other passages throughout.  He only uses historical and personal experiences to illustrate and illuminate the biblical truth.

A.W. Tozer in “The Knowledge of the Holy”

“The days of the years of our lives are few, and swifter than a weaver’s shuttle.  Life is a short and fevered rehearsal for a concert we cannot stay to give.  Just when we appear to have attained some proficiency we are forced to lay our instruments down.  There is simply not time enough to think, to become, to perform what the constitution of our natures indicates we are capable of.”

Third Sunday After Trinity Prayer

Lord, we ask you mercifully to hear us, and to us whom you have given a hearty desire to pray, grant that by your mighty aid we may be defended; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

To The Garden We Go...

With the warmer temperatures a bit earlier this season (although a few cooler nights) our tomato crop is coming on.  They are infinitely healthier than last year dismal turnout, and at least by this time probably the healthiest crop altogether of any tomatoes I have ever grown.  We shall see.  Gardening is so much like the Christian life it is scary.

I have also had good fortune with my petunias, which is probably my favorite annual.  I have several different pots and varieties which I will try to feature throughout this growing season should they all make it.

 Here Noah takes a break from his gardening chores to indulge in “Big Bertha”.

Gospel Crier

This is a website I have been working on for about three years.  I am thankful that it is up, thankful for all who are involved, and hopeful that it glorifies God.  Please check it out.

Update on Southern

Why get my PhD?  I am often asked that by people.  I was asked that by the committee that interviewed me to get into the program.  I am often asked that by nervous church members that think I am going to fatten my resume and leave into the sunset.  It is true that a guy needs to count the cost before he does this.  It is the most intense academic work ever.  There is never a break…NEVER!  You have to log about two hours a night (on the average I spend anywhere between 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on PhD work).  Your ministry and family patterns have to catch…THEY HAVE TO.  I haven’t gone on a vacation in I don’t how many years.  So why?
        1. Personal edification.
Anything that causes me to grow in Christlikeness is for my good.  If I had not been involved in this PhD process, there would be some material I would never have delved into, and I would have been weaker for it.  I can honestly say with a view toward being like Jesus is great motivation for these studies.
        2. Pastoral fruitfulness.
I will not go into all the reasons (for there are many) but being involved in this intense academic pursuit does refine your abilities and gifts as a pastor particularly in writing which I need much assistance.
        3. Ministry expansion.
Already being involved in this PhD process has “opened doors” for more opportunities to use my gifts both in teaching and in writing.  With that comes more exposure for my ministry at Calvary thus giving me more opportunity to preach to others the gospel.  
In all it has been a great task thus far.  I still wake up and can’t believe that I was chosen to be a part of this pursuit, but I thank God for the opportunity.

Ferdinand In The Tempest

“Our revels now are ended.  These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air;
And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capped towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind.  We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
”Prospero addressing his guest Ferdinand in William Shakespeare’s play ‘The Tempest’.

Second Sunday After Trinity Prayer

Lord, make us to have a perpetual fear and love of your holy name, for you never fail to help and govern those who you bring up in your steadfast love. Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen
.

Nuts and Bolts

Here are some silly human tricks.
These poor people blow up wrong building.

This lady tows her own car.

You May Be From Kansas

If you have never met any celebrities.  (Bob Dole isn’t a celebrity; he’s your neighbor).

What I am Reading-The Spirit of the Disciplines

Dallas Willard’s background is in philosophy with a bent toward spiritual formation.  He teaches philosophy at University of Southern California.  His books The Divine Conspiracy and Renovation of the Heart have each won Christianity Today’s book of the year.  Willard wrote The Spirit of the Disciplines as follow up to his In Search of Guidance.  Willard has been influenced by a variety of saints from Teresa of Avila to John Wesley.  Willard encourages his students to read Richard Foster among others as a good source on spirituality.
A bulk of The Spirit of the Disciplines is dedicated to a background given to the cause and reasons of pursuing the disciplines, rather than an actual study of the disciplines themselves.  “Christianity has not so much been tried and found wanting, as it has been found difficult and left untrained.”  This famous Chesterton quote is the frame for Willard’s book.   Like Foster, Willard does not deal with evangelism, and embraces a much wider expertise in the field of disciplines.  Willard deals explicitly with sexuality as a discipline.  While the first half of the book is helpful in answering causal questions, Willard spends comparatively few sections on the actual disciplines. 

George Bernard Shaw

“The statistics on death are impressive.  One out of one dies.”

Sunday After Trinity Prayer

God, mercifully accept our prayers, and because the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without you, please help us in your grace, that in keeping of your commandments we may please you, both in will and work; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

To the Garden We Go...

With the introduction of summer, comes “Big Bertha”.

Emma's Birthday

Happy Birthday, little Miss Emma!

Update on Southern

Just completed my second year at Southern in the PhD program.  Time has flown by.  In my recent trip, I had a seminar with Dr. Bruce Ware and a colloquium with Dr. Don Whitney.  As usual, the week was exhausting but extremely edifying.  It is always good to be with likeminded brothers from around the globe.  As usual, I am thankful to my family and church for the opportunity.

Lewis Smedes

“When you release the wrongdoer from the wrong, you cut a malignant tumor out of your inner life.  You set a prisoner free, but you discover that the real prisoner was yourself.”

Trinity Sunday Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, who has given to us your servants grace by the confession of a true faith to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the divine majesty to worship the unity; we ask you that through the steadfastness of this faith, we may evermore be defended from all adversity, who lives and reigns, one God, world without end. Amen.

Nuts and Bolts

More bizarre news from my home state.  Just when you think it can’t get any more crazy.

Apparently from this study, people who believe in Jesus are brain dead (or soon will be).




An updated version from the town I used to minister in.