According to World Magazine, 7/26-8/2, 2008, ESPN Commentator, Rick Reilly said, “It’s a Lousy Night to Be An Atheist,” after All-Star outfielder Josh Hamilton (who because of addiction dropped out of baseball for three years) set a Home Run Derby record with 28 home runs in the first round. Hamilton said, “I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me this opportunity.”
Monthly Archive for July, 2008Page 2 of 4
People often ask me for study Bible recommendations. (A study Bible is essentially a Bible that includes helpful commentary and notes). In the past, I’ve given a mixed recommendation to several different resources. But, I’ve had reservations. It is my impression that the most significant study Bible in decades will hit the shelves this October.
You can read all about it here. For instance, you can read the introduction to the Psalms.
I’ve already ordered a copy and recommend that you do the same.
It would make a great Christmas present. Just think - - you could get some Christmas shopping done this early!
In the August 2008 edition of Christianity Today, Kay Warren tells of a Cambodian area called “The Street of the Little Flowers.”
. . . Unfortunately, the lovely street name belied the wickedness that occurs there all day, 365 days a year. The dirt road was narrow, and only scraggly weeds and a few trees managed to survive the heat. We saw middle-aged Western men wearing sandals, oversized sunglasses, and ball caps sitting in the shade of small bars as they swilled beer after beer. Children were present, but they were locked behind large iron gates padlocked shut. The adults were smiling indulgently, but it was the self-indulgent smile of a predator waiting patiently for its prey.
This was a street where child prostitutes as young as seven or eight were peddled and sold in the thriving illegal sex trade. This was a place where depravity reigned. It took every bit of courage I had not to turn and run away. . .
She concludes:
As Christ-followers, let’s lead the way in dismantling the brothels that cater to pedophiles, breaking down the iron doors that keep captive children enslaved, and bringing the evildoers to justice. God expects us to fight on behalf of these little ones–the least of these–with the same fierce passion we would expend if these were our daughters, our granddaughters, our nieces, and our baby sisters. May God grant us the courage necessary to march boldly into enemy territory and set the captives free.
One of the things we talk about at our church is something called the principle of the rope. The principle of the rope is that there exists an invisible link, a figurative rope if you will, between people. Whether you realize it or not, you are strongly linked to others. We represent others in the decisions that we make. Our choices impact others. We are not islands unto ourselves.
The principle of the rope can work in either a positive way or a negative way. On the negative side, people occasionally come to a point in life where they think about jumping off a moral cliff. They are sick and tired of doing the right thing. So, they decide, “Hey, it is my business. I am going to think about myself, and do whatever I want.” They forget that there are living links between themselves and others. And, that when they plunge into a bad decision, they pull their family and friends and others over the cliff with them. Bad choices cause pain and suffering, not only for the one making the choice, but to people they pull down with them.
The ultimate principle of the rope is summarized in Romans 5:18-19. The Bible tells us that when one man, Adam, chose to sin, there was an invisible link between him and all of humanity. Adam represented us all so that now all are born into sin.
But, the Bible also tells us that just as through the disobedience the one man the many were made sinners, so also through one act of obedience, the many were made righteous. If we believe in Jesus there is between us and Him an eternal link so that we are justified or declared righteous in Him.
I am pastor Chris Brauns from the Red Brick Church in Stillman Valley. You are not an isolated individual. The decisions that you make represent and affect other people. I commend to all of you the Lord Jesus Christ. Believe in Him so that there is a rescue line between you and the Savior.
Some United Methodist pastors in California are officiating at same sex weddings on the grounds that doing so is a matter of integrity. Al Mohler points (click here) out that breaking one’s ordination vows is not a matter of integrity.
Read Justin Taylor’s post about how widely the Bible has been translated, and how this has been a wonderful contribution to the mind of many different cultures. Click here.
I don’t golf, nor do I often read SI. But, this article in which Rick Reilly describes Sir Charles’ golf swing is hilarious. (Click here).
Have you ever secretly longed to comb through airplane wreckage? Had a morbid curiosity about autopsies? Wanted to tour a torture camp?
I have. That’s why I purposely set out to play golf with Charles Barkley. Wait, don’t get mad! I’ve never met anybody in sports I admire more than Sir Charles. He is more fun than a Dubai expense account. He is unfailingly hilarious, generous and honest.
But his golf swing? Technically, it’s not even a swing. It’s a lunge. Scientists study it. He gets to the top, starts down and then—two feet from impact—just stops! Totally freezes! He looks like a man waiting for a rattlesnake to pop up so he can kill it. It’s the only swing in the world with an intermission. Me, I’d quit and take up the tuba. But not Barkley. He plays golf all the time.
Read Brian McLaughlin’s post about the Gospel shining in a dark place.
One of my points of focus this summer has been to ramp up my reading. Mr. Jolly explains why reading is so important here.
Among other books, this summer I’ve spent significant time reading:
The Doctrine of the Christian Life by John M. Frame
A Christology of Solidarity by William Kynes
A Biography of D.L. Moody also one on Tozer and another on Billy Sunday, all by Dorsett
John Adams by McCullough (I’ve read in this previously, but like returning)
Rereading The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges
