Monthly Archive for April, 2009

Enter the Great Book Blast

Published on April 27, 2009 in Uncategorized. 5 Comments

I’m leaving for Togo, Africa tomorrow as a part of a missions project.  So, I won’t be confirming entries.  But, if you send me an email with “book blast” in the subject line and confirm in the e-mail that you have subscribed to my blog by either RSS feed or email, you will be entered.

My e-mail is chris (at) theredbrickchurch.org

Even if you are already a subscriber, send me an e-mail with “book blast” in the subject line.

It’s a “Book Blast” because I’m giving them all out in one day.

Enter the Summer Book Blast

clip_image002Your chance to win one of 10 books including a calf-skin ESV Study Bible that retails for $239.99.

Or, 1 of:

2 signed copies of Unpacking Forgiveness

2 copies of, What He Must Be if He Wants to Marry My Daughter, Voddie Baucham,

2 copies of Don’t Waste You Life, John Piper,

2 copies of What is a Healthy Church? Mark Dever, and 2 copies of Worldliness, by C.J. Mahaney.

I will be at Parable Christian bookstore from 1-4 PM on Saturday, May 16.

You can enter the drawing either by stopping by the book signing in person, or by subscribing to Chris’s blog through either RSS feeds or e-mail.

“The End of Christian America” and “Generation Me”

Published on April 23, 2009 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

Brian McLaughlin wonders (see here)  if there is a correlation between the decline of Christianity in America and an increasing recognition that there is an epidemic of narcissism (thinking of self as central).

He’s on to something. . .

This article in Time Magazine is worth reading.

Generation Me

Raina Kelley, NEWSWEEK , From the magazine issue dated Apr 27, 2009

Growing up, my literary heroines were those who, like me, struggled to be good: Jo from "Little Women," Harriet the spy, Laura Ingalls and Pippi Longstocking. A strong-willed (and loud) child, I craved examples of unruly knuckleheads tethered to a loving family that encouraged us to be our best selves despite our natural inclinations. Precocious but naive, I thought of myself as an ugly duckling—misunderstood in my youth but destined for a beauty and stature completely impossible for my loved ones to comprehend. I shudder to think what a monster I would have become in the modern child-rearing era. Gorged on a diet of grade inflation, constant praise and materialistic entitlement, I probably would have succumbed to a life of heedless self- indulgence.

Click here for the whole thing. 

More Evidence Why Tony Dungy is One of My Heroes

Published on April 22, 2009 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

BOWLING GREEN, Fla. — In many ways, it was like hundreds of pep talks and locker room speeches he’d given in nearly three decades as an NFL coach. Tony Dungy’s message was one of responsibility, of motivation, of not letting others — and yourself — down. As always, he was pointed and analytical, yet smooth and laid-back.

This time, however, Dungy’s audience wasn’t a highly paid collection of elite athletes. On this day Dungy — a little more than two years removed from becoming the first African-American coach to win a Super Bowl and less than three months after retiring as the leader of the Indianapolis Colts — was in a prison yard, the Bible tucked under his left arm.

Click here to read the whole thing.

HT: Z

Kids 4 Truth Web Site

Published on April 22, 2009 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

If you have young children who like the Internet, check out the Kids 4 Truth Web site.

This week, the site has a special spotlight on Jamie and me and our ministry.  If nothing else, it is worth seeing the picture of me when taken at the county fair.  Click here.

We Become Like What We Worship

Published on April 20, 2009 in Chris Brauns Radio Spots. 4 Comments

When I was growing up, we didn’t have a broad range of sports in Southeast Iowa.  We played football in the fall and basketball in the winter.  The rest of the year was baseball.

We loved major league baseball players.  Consciously and unconsciously we picked up the habits of our favorite players.  Some of us twirled our bats like Willie Stargell.  Others turned towards second base before pitching, like Boston Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant.  One of my friends pumped his back elbow when he was at the plate, just like the great Cincinnati Red, Joe Morgan.

Here’s what is interesting.  When my friends and I imitated big leaguers we were demonstrating a basic theological principle.  We become like what we worship.  When fix our eyes on what we love, our hearts are warm and pliable.  Consciously and unconsciously we begin to take on the shape of what we revere.

This is what Paul explained in 2 Corinthians 3:18a.

“. . .  And we all . . . beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. . . .”

As we look lovingly at Christ, we become like Him.

So, here is what you do.  Make the Lord Jesus Christ your hero.  Gaze at him intensely.  Savor his beauty and loveliness.  Hear His Word preached, and soak your minds in Scripture.  Warm your heart to the beauty of Jesus and you will be transformed into his image, from one degree of glory to another.

Pastoral Advice for Those Planning to Marry

Published on April 15, 2009 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

I recommend that everyone read this post by Andrew Ford.  It is especially important reading for parents of unmarried children and those who are single.

Andrew writes:

It bugs me (and has since I became a pastor) that engaged couples come to me after the reception hall is booked, the rings are purchased, the reception bubbles have been ordered, the bride’s maid’s dresses have been picked, and the menu has been selected.  It bugs me when I’m the last thing on the list, and they come and expect me to wave my magic wand and pronounce that they are married before God and man.

I know that the idea of entering marriage is exciting and wonderful, and it should be, but let’s make sure we do things right.  So in order to get ahead of the engagement curve,  here’s some pastoral counsel for all involved.

  1. Parents.  Its your responsibility to make sure things go well with your kids as they enter this phase of life.  You have to take the lead  early on and develop your kid’s view of marriage and the process of entering matrimony.
  2. Dads.  You have a special responsibility to help your sons and daughters end up with a spouse who is a follower of Jesus.  Don’t leave that up to me!  Don’t make me the bad guy!  You should have this all worked out before they come see me.  This is true for both girls and boys but the manner in which it is done is different for each.  For your daughter – you are the gate keeper.  For  your son – you set the direction for his life like an archer shooting an arrow.  In both cases, you must start when they are two. . .

Click here to read the whole thing.

An Emphasis on Justice and Holiness is Needed If We are to Grow in Our Understanding of God’s Love

Published on April 9, 2009 in Quotes. 0 Comments

“The more we emphasize the inflexible demands of justice and holiness the more marvelous become the love of God and its provisions.”  John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied, page 18.

Blog Interview on Unpacking Forgiveness

Published on April 7, 2009 in Forgiveness. 0 Comments

Kevin DeYoung recently interviewed me about my book, Unpacking Forgiveness.  You can read the here.

John 11 and What I Would Say This Week to the Winter and Olson Families

Published on April 7, 2009 in Forgiveness. 2 Comments

Collin Hansen’s article (see here) has me thinking about the evil that two pastor’s families have recently faced.  Pastor Fred Winter was murdered during a church service.  The man who murdered a pastor’s daughter in Minnesota was recently convicted.

What should Christians say to these families?  How should we pray?  I’ve thought considerably about it in the last few days.  I believe that if Christians are to follow the example of Christ, we should show sorrow, but also outrage, in the face of such evil.  

John 11 tells us that Jesus’s response to Martha and Mary at the loss of their brother Lazarus was that he was “deeply moved and greatly troubled,”.  In the original language, the words used to describe Jesus’s grief are raw words that don’t come through well in our English translations.  It might also be translated that Jesus was indignant or angry.  The depth of Jesus feelings was such that he literally shook under the force of it.  F.F. Bruce (246), wrote, “Not only did [Jesus] shake . . . he burst into tears.”

Not everyone agrees on why Jesus was so emotional.  Was he sad because of Martha and Mary’s grief?  Was he concerned with a lack of faith he observed and the way that Mary and Martha were being treated?  Was he righteously indignant with the pain people face in a fallen world?

I tend to think Jesus was intensely moved in spirit and greatly distressed for all those reasons.  I agree with Don Carson when he summarizes in relation to this passage:

Those who follow Jesus as his disciples today do well to learn the same tension – - that grief and compassion without outrage reduce to mere sentiment, while outrage without grief hardens into self-righteous arrogance and irascibility.  D.A. Carson, 416.

Where Christ’s love and indignation are perfect and holy, we are flawed saints.  Still, we are His Body and we feel in some measure that combination.  We are so deeply concerned that these families must go through such a loss.  We are outraged at the face of evil.

I have a wife and four children.  I don’t know how I would respond to someone who murdered one of them.  I cannot imagine the pain the Winters and Olson families face.  But, I do believe that the Lord will grant believers the grace to love our enemies and to pray for these who have persecuted us (Matthew 5:43-48), even as the Lord himself prayed for those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34).  He will give us the strength to avoid revenge (Romans 12:17-21), even if revenge is nothing more than a bitter and vindictive spirit.

But, persecuted believers can also rest in the justice of God.  He is just and he will pay back to those who trouble His people (2 Thess 4:6).  Vengeance belongs to Him and He will repay (Romans 12:17-21). 

It is a sobering reminder for all to consider what those who refuse the grace of Christ will face, not only killers will face his wrath, but all whose penalty is not paid by the atoning work of Christ.  Thankfully, we can look to the Cross this Good Friday where the Father, “made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21).”

But, Good Friday and Saturday are not the final word.  John 11 doesn’t end with Jesus’s raw emotions.  At Jesus’s command, Lazarus walks out of the tomb.  And, soon the Winters and Olson’s believing loved ones will have the same view of the world that our Lord had when he walked out on Easter morning.  Our Lord is the resurrection and the life.  Resurrection day will be here soon.  Very soon (Revelation 22:20). 

With a measure of such love emotion, deeply moved, troubled, outraged, and with the hope of the resurrection, I pray for the Winters and Olson families.

Come Lord Jesus!

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” . . .

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept. . .

43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”

44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Collin Hansen on Forgiveness: When Hope Feels Like a Fool’s Errand

Published on April 7, 2009 in Forgiveness. 1 Comment

How should Christians respond to murder?

Collin Hansen reflects on how two pastor’s families are interacting with the evil they have recently faced.  In so doing, he interacts with portions of my book, Unpacking Forgiveness, that have generated some discussion. 

Katherine Ann Olson packed her car’s backseat with children’s books before she drove to her babysitting job on October 27, 2007. The 24-year-old Minneapolis woman was answering a post at Craigslist.org. This wasn’t the first time she had answered an online ad. But this time, 19-year-old Michael Anderson was waiting for her. One day later, authorities found Olson’s dead body in her car’s trunk. Last week, Minnesota District Judge Mary Theisen sentenced Anderson to life in prison without parole.

Olson’s mother, Nancy, told Theisen in court that she had endured the same nightmare several times since Katherine died 17 months ago.

“She appeared to me as a 24-year-old, naked, with a bullet hole in her back and crawled into my lap,” Nancy Olson said. “I cradled her for a long time, trying to protect her from the cruel world.”

Nancy said after sentencing that Anderson is a “pathetic human being.” She does not want a relationship with him. Nor will she pray for him. She clings to a friend’s counsel. “There is in life a suffering so unspeakable, a vulnerability so extreme that it goes far beyond words, beyond explanations and even beyond healing. In the face of such suffering all we can do is bear witness so no one need suffer alone.”

Rolf Olson, Nancy’s husband and Katherine’s father, is the lead pastor of Richfield Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. He acknowledged that his daughter’s death has tested his faith. “I do that pastor thing … evil, forgiveness, God’s grace, sin.” He said the New Testament defines forgiveness as “to cut free, to let go.” Slowly, he and his family are trying to cut Anderson free. “Forgiveness is a process. There is no rush.”

Like the Olson family, Cindy Winters lost a loved one to a deranged killer. But she has responded with astonishing kindness to Terry Sedlach, who shot her husband, Fred, as he preached at First Baptist Church in Maryville, Illinois, on March 8. Little more than a week after the shooting, Cindy shared her “remarkable story of forgiveness” on CBS’s The Early Show.

Read the whole thing here.