Monthly Archive for June, 2011

The Titanic Band Really Did Play On

Published on June 30, 2011 in Recommended Reading. 0 Comments

The story of the Titanic summarizes so much of the pride of modern man not to mention the future as well.  Yet, even in the midst of such an awful event, some shine.

The sinking of the Titanic is primarily a story of human hubris, greed, stupidity, and selfishness. There was blame to go around—and people sensed it even at the time. It was therefore a psychological relief to latch onto the few stories of noble fortitude or self-sacrifice that also emerged from the tragedy. The greatest of these was the story of the ship’s eight musicians who chose to try to calm and console others by playing music to the end, foregoing any efforts to attempt to save their own lives.

Steve Turner’s The Band that Played On rightly celebrates the actions of these men. Their story cannot be debunked . . .

Read the rest here.

HT: Trevin Wax

Jason Wright reflects on Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel’s resignation

Published on June 28, 2011 in Sports Links. 0 Comments

Former NFL player Jason Wright offers insight on how a professing Christian got caught up in NCAA infractions and he thinks we are partly to blame:

I believe Jim Tressel loves God. I believe he has faith that Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. I also believe that he has a real personal relationship with the one true God. During my time playing for the Cleveland Browns, I was repeatedly told of the stellar job he did representing the faith at churches, parachurch fundraisers, and other Christian gatherings. I’ve heard equally positive reports from his former players. And I don’t think he was faking.

Yet his very public moral failure, culminating in his resignation late last month as head football coach at Ohio State University, has caused big headlines and, for those who championed his faith, even bigger disappointment. Before this plank-eyed sinner begins to point out the speck in Coach Tressel’s eye, however, I need to make a clear statement: Coach Tressel’s fall is our fault. Yes, the church bears responsibility for this public debacle; or, at least the portion of the church with more than a surface knowledge of college football’s inner workings.

Those of us who have been a chaplain, coach, or player at the collegiate level know that, in certain programs, players get paid. And I’m not talking about that rinky-dink stipend check for off-campus living expenses. Because many college athletes and high school prospects are unfairly denied free market value for their services (a peripheral debate better left for another time), the “corporate” arm of many major athletic departments finds a way to reimburse them. Those of us believers engaged in sports ministry know this for a fact. For some reason we have ignored it as a non-issue. For some reason we deactivate our moral compass when confronted with it. I have an idea why.”"

Signs that the sermon isn’t going well

Published on June 25, 2011 in Preaching and Stupid Stuff. 1 Comment

Now, with Mike Wittmer’s help, I know what to watch for to see that my sermon isn’t going well.  The list gets better, so you have to click through to his site.

13. Your associate pastor is warming up in the bullpen.

12. The praise band begins playing you off the stage.

11. When asked to read from the King James Version, you involuntarily blush every time you say the word “ass.”

10. The congregation is filling in the blanks of your outline before you get there.

9. You think the lyrics to a bluegrass song are really connecting with your audience.

8. When you pause for dramatic effect, several people giggle.

7. Your cell phone starts ringing, and you answer it.

Read the rest here.

Remember we are in a spiritual war?

Published on June 24, 2011 in Church. 0 Comments

Pastor Jeremy Carr reflects on the various ways Satan attacks and how we ought to respond.

Spiritual warfare comes in many forms: false teaching, divisive spirits, deception, roadblocks to the Gospel, and yes even physical attack. I’m not prone to seeing every physical discomfort as a direct attack from the enemy, but there are times when it seems like the forces of evil are pouring it on. The last couple months have been like this in our family, our church staff, and our church. I can’t remember another time when this many physical issues were taking place in the people around me.

We’ve had two different people from our church told they are “one in a million” for being so young and having serious health issues.

The rest here.

Lord, Do it Again! Keller, DeMoss, and Hansen on Revival

Published on June 24, 2011 in Holy Spirit. 0 Comments

From The Gospel Coalition:

Why isn’t there as much interest in revival among Christians today compared to former years? I posed that question to Tim Keller and Nancy Leigh DeMoss, each of whom has been inspired by reading about past revivals to aspire for such an awakening in our day.

We all agree there isn’t a lot of talk about the revival stories, a problem I’ve experienced and tried to address with John Woodbridge in A God-Sized Vision. Keller notes with appreciation the recent interest in evangelism but notes that revival leads to an ingathering of new believers. “The best way to reach people is to show them something gorgeous here,” he says.

Lord, Do It Again! from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

Is Missions Worth the Risk?

Published on June 23, 2011 in Luther and Missions. 0 Comments

Our church family looks forward to hosting a missions appointee to Togo on Sunday.

Two years ago, I made a missions trip to Togo, Africa. I went with the experienced missionaries of ABWE. I was in good hands. Still, it is a long way from Stillman Valley, IL to Mango. And, I had to ask, “Is it responsible to risk going to a remote part of Africa?”

Relative to a far riskier ministry, Martin Luther once spoke to whether or not Christians should take chances ministering to those with the bubonic plague. Though, the worst of the plague was in 1350, it was still around in Luther’s day. On August 2, 1527, it was discovered in Wittenberg. Near panic ensued. The University was closed and the city evacuated. Luther, however, stayed and busied himself with pastoral ministries and caring for the sick.

People encouraged Luther to speak to whether or not Christians should risk the plague to minister to the sick. That November, Luther summarized his thoughts for a pastor friend in Breslau. He did not think everyone needed to stay, but he did argue that those on whom the sick person is dependent should remain.

This I well know, that if it were Christ or his mother who were laid low by illness, everybody would be so solicitous and would gladly become a servant or helper. Everyone would want to be bold and fearless; nobody would flee but everyone would come running . . . If you wish to serve Christ and to wait on him, very well, you have your sick neighbor close at hand. Go to him and serve him, and you will surely find Christ in him. (Martin Luther’s Basic Theological Writings, edited by Lull. Background information also comes from Lull.

In Mango, Togo, there is scarcely any Gospel witness or medical care. I am persuaded that believers who hear God’s call to touch Togo, will one day know that they did a lot for for the least, even for our Lord himself (Matthew 25:40). The picture I frequently post of the little girl we call at our house, “Miss Mango,” is the face I have in mind. She’s worth the risk in her own right, but all the more when we remember our Lord’s words.

And the King will answer them, “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matt 25:40).

Togolese Angel


Preaching to Yourself

Published on June 22, 2011 in Recommended Reading. 0 Comments

Justin Taylor interviews Joe Thorn about his new book, Note to Self. I highly recommend this one!

Justin Taylor Interview: Joe Thorn, “Note to Self” from Crossway on Vimeo.

Confronting Idols and Making Disciples

Published on June 22, 2011 in Leadership development. 0 Comments

Well worth 5 minutes of your time.

Confronting Idols & Making Disciples from Bill Kinnon on Vimeo.

HT: Kinnon.tv

Cubs are Playing the Sox

Published on June 21, 2011 in Sports Links and Stupid Stuff. 2 Comments

Yawn.

Enter through the narrow gate

Published on June 21, 2011 in poetry. 0 Comments

Like Ruth (Ruth 1:16-17) or Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:6), choose the road not taken.  It will make all the difference.

Robert Frost (1874–1963). Mountain Interval. 1920.

1. The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth; 5

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same, 10

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back. 15

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.