Monthly Archive for October, 2008

Wisdom from the Wilds of Minneapolis

Let Abraham Piper guide you through a concise tutorial on trapping gray squirrels (pestius squirrelus).

The observant preacher will find not simply one sermon illustration, but a veritable plethora of word pictures to be incorporated in this week’s homily.  Indeed, some may develop an entire sermon series oriented from either the perspective of the squirrel or that of the hunter.  

We here at, “A Brick in the Valley,” also recommend that you write down one or two vocabulary words.  Then find a place to use words like “marauder” or “recalcitrant” by the end of work today.

 

Knowing the Truth Audio Available

You can listen to Kevin Boling’s interview of me on his show, “Knowing the Truth,” here.

Christian Teenagers and Sex

Mourning Ohio State Buckeye fan, Brian McLaughlin has a very informative post regarding Christian teenagers and sex.

It is not at all uncommon to speak of “teenagers” and “sex” in the same sentence.  Let’s be honest: it’s on their minds and it is on the minds of everyone who parents a teenager!  Well, if your teen is an evangelical Christian you will be happy to know that the great majority of evangelical teens believing in abstaining from sex until marriage.  This is good news, but it is where the good news ends…

HT: Musings of a PK

Rod Dreher has provided a nice summary of a very important book, Mark Regnerus’s Forbidden Fruit: Sex and Religion in the Lives of American Teenagers.  This book has been on my radar for awhile, but I have not yet read it.  I imagine I will very soon.  So what does it say?

Read it all here.

Interview on Knowing the Truth

I’ll be interviewed about Unpacking Forgiveness today (Thursday, October 30, 2008) at 12:00PM CST on the radio program, Knowing the Truth.

You can listen live online or listen to the program after it is archived.  UPDATE: You can now listen here.

People like Ravi Zacharias, J.I. Packer, and Jerry Bridges have been guests on this show.  I am thankful for the opportunity.

Here is information about the show taken from their web site:

The “Knowing The Truth” Radio Program, originates in Greenville, SC on a 50,000 watt station covering all of South Carolina, as well as parts of North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. Additionally, the program is available nationally and internationally by means of a daily live webcast via the Internet.

The "Truth Mobile" hits the streets of Greenville

The program airs live on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00pm – 2:00pm on Christian Talk 660. During the program, you are invited to join the conversation by dialing 1-888-660-WLFJ(9535). Additionally, you can email your questions or comments to kevin@knowingthetruth.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Audio files (free MP3 downloads) of each of the programs are available in the “Audio” section of this website.

The program website currently (as of 9/1/08) has received over 500,000 pageviews. Additionally, 16,500 archived audio files have been downloaded from 30 different countries and all 50 states.

Read more here.

Where is the Power of God that Parted the Red Sea?

Do you ever wonder why you do not know more of the power of God at work in your life?  We know that God spoke all things into existence.  The Bible describes how the voice of God shakes mountains and parts the sea.  One word from God will close the mouths of lions or bring young men through a blazing furnace.  And, yet, we have a hard time not losing our temper with our spouses.

How can we know the gracious power of God at work in our lives?

The answer to that question has to do with a concept sometimes called “means of grace.”  The Bible teaches that God does graciously work in our lives.  But, he does not do this in mystical, unexpected ways.  Rather, God works through certain appointed means, or in certain ways.

These ways that God works in our lives include prayer, the study of Scripture, hearing the word preached and close friendships and fellowship with other believers.

I remember when I first really begin to understand this concept of cooperating with God’s appointed means of grace.  I was working on my MBA at the University of Northern Iowa.  I began attending a group where the Scripture was proclaimed.  I also developed some close Christian friendships and at one point made it my goal to read through the book of Philippians on a daily basis.  The results were stunning.  I suddenly found myself growing as a believer in ways I never could have expected or manufactured on my own.

Only believers who cooperate with God’s appointed means of grace – - who pray and fellowship and hear the Word preached will consistently know the power of God at work in their lives.

Will Your Pastor Go to Heaven?

Pastor Lance Ward interacts with a quote from Unpacking Forgiveness and reminds us how any of us can know God, pastors included.

Read it here.

Debt is Robbing from the Future; The Future is Here

Read a worthwhile post from Adrian Warnock on a world-wide recession here.

Virtual Integrity: Faithfully Navigating the Brave New Web

IT security expert, Dan Lohrmann, has written a book, Virtual Integrity.  If you use the Internet, then think seriously about reading this book.

In addition to the reasons Dan gives if you watch the below video clip, I’ll give you several other reasons you should read it.

  • Dan’s wife, Priscilla, is one of the sharpest theologians I know.  Seriously.  My theory is that everything Dan wrote had to first pass muster with Priscilla.  (I remember the first time I was in their home; I was excited to see all 4 volumes of John Murray’s collected works on their shelves).  To use a favorite phrase of Priscilla’s, the theology of this book will be “sound as a pound.”
  • Dan is a former state champion quarterback and college QB (Valpo).  He grew up in Baltimore during the Jim Palmer / Earl Weaver / Brooks Robinson era.  There is bound to be a couple of good sports illustrations.
  • Together, Dan and Priscilla have an extended family the size of many small countries.  It will probably outsell The Shack just because of family purchases.
  • Dan has sat under some really quality preaching over the years . . . This should also come through. . . (smile)
  • Dan will graciously blend together the best of Lutheran Missouri Synod, PCA, Sovereign Grace, and Baptist theology.
  • Dan’s daughter, Grace, used to stump me with Bible trivia.  Again, I am sure Grace had an influence on the manuscript.  She once got me to say that Jesus had only been on the continent of Asia – - then nailed me by reminding her pastor that Jesus was in Africa.


Seriously: I am confident this is a book where Truth and integrity have been brought to bear on an area that is very important to our lives.  Watch Dan explain what his book is all about.

HT: Triangular Christianity

The Business of the Church is Not The Business of the Church

“The business of the church is not the business of the church.”

First, the quote is not original to me, and I’m not sure who wants or deserves credit, so I won’t give it.

I think a double meaning is intended:

  1. The purpose of the church is not a business purpose: “the mission of the church is not to be a business.”
  2. The entire congregation does not need to know all the inner workings of the church.

Ever go through a bad congregational business meeting?

Thoughts?

How Bonhoeffer Defined Cheap Grace

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer