When a document is wordled (as I understand it) the most frequent words in a document are represented graphically. The more frequent a word, the larger it appears. Below is my forthcoming book (Unpacking Forgiveness) wordled.
Monthly Archive for July, 2008
Many evangelical churches today have “baby dedication.” Of course, there are others who do infant baptism. In this post, Molly Piper describes the kind of attitude that parents should consistently cultivate regarding the future of their children. Her son Orison is three.
This afternoon Orison got a gift bag and told me he was packing his things.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“I’m going to Kenya,” he replied.
“Wow, what are you going to do there?”
“I’m going to see my friend Eli. I’ll be gone for three days.”
He proceeded to pack all kinds of essentials, like kazoos, blocks, toy cars, and a train whistle. He went in my room for a spell, told me he was getting on the airplane. All the while I’m playing along and encouraging this little game.
He came out of my room after a few minutes with a big grin on his face, proclaiming, “Mommy, I’m back in Minneapolis!”
I can only hope I’m that willing to “play along” when God really does call him to far places. I have no idea what the future holds for our firstborn son. He may be called to the hardest country in the world for the glory of God. Will I be ready for that?
Click here for the whole thing. Read his Grandma’s comments about Orison’s trip to Kenya here.
Are you willing for your children and grandchildren to go to Kenya?
Here is a quote on forgiveness worthy of reflection. And, we all need to reflect on forgiveness.
I know there are so many sermons available online, but I would encourage you to watch this one.
Ostensibly, Bethlehem Baptist has some significant disagreement about whether non-immersed people should be allowed to join the church. In this sermon, John Piper speaks to the issue but also outlines general parameters for disagreement in a church. But, there is value far beyond the issue at hand.
- He talks about how churches should be characterized by a culture of relationships and wisdom.
- He owns how some of his own weaknesses have affected the church. If you’re frustrated with your pastor (especially those in my church!) then listen to the last 5 minutes or so.
- He describes why churches should allow into membership those who are not in perfect agreement doctrinally.
- He challenges his flock that it is not enough to be involved in your church for an hour and a half a week. We must give ourselves to a relational culture where the Word of Christ dwells richly in our midst.
- Piper explains why being thankful is so important and why its antithesis is grumbling.
I have already recommended the ESV Study Bible. I will no doubt bring it up this Fall at church.
In the mean time, here is an interview with David Reimer about his process for writing the notes on Ezekiel. If you take the time to read this, then you will know something about how a study Bible is produced, but also you will get a quick introduction to Ezekiel.
On Between Two Worlds, Dr. David Reimer has posted a list of biblical metaphors that teach about our relationship with God. Click here. Pick one this Lord’s Day, read the associated Scripture, and meditate on it.
“God will forgive me. It’s his job.” Final words of German poet and writer Heinrich Heine.
I don’t know enough about Heine to know if he professed faith. But, I do know that this is a misunderstanding of God and forgiveness. We should tremble even thinking of it. And, I shudder to some degree interacting with the notion of God “having a job.” But, it can be reverently said that God is true to Himself and his attributes. In that sense, God’s job is to be holy.
Far better to say with Luther, “Let God be God.”
I read the Heine quote tonight while reading Wenham’s commentary on Leviticus. Wenham said that Heine’s sentiment has become “the unexpressed axiom of much modern theology.” Hence, Wenham wrote that God striking Nadab and Abihu dead (Leviticus 10), “Is an affront to liberal thinkers.”
When I came home from my study at church, I googled the quote, and naturally it came up on a poster. . .
He makes me nervous some times, but he is gifted. And, Mark Driscoll makes some good points here in critiquing The Shack.
HT: Mark Arant
I have been reminded this weekend, again, of Chesterton’s brilliant ways of making an argument. But, as a “clergyman,” he sometimes makes me nervous in how he advances his points.
A clergyman may be apparently as useless as a cat, but he is also fascinating for there must be some strange reason for his existence.
I am consoled remembering that Chesterton was Catholic. Hopefully, I do not appear as useless as a cat.
If you are struggling with divorce, recovering from child abuse, you are facing death, or a number of other specific counseling problems, I would recommend that you review this series of booklets from the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation (click here).
If you are part of our church family, I have ordered the whole set. You can glance at one and see if you are interested.
HT: Justin Taylor (who gives a nice summary of the booklets here).
