The Web Site and Blog of Pastor Chris Brauns
Darryl Dash almost always has a good set of Saturday Links. He’s in Canada though. So, you’ll need your passport. (Click here).
It’s football season here, so not much happening today on my blog. My oldest son (red #77 – - note that red #47 had an impressive block) played in his first high school game last night.
An excellent sermon from Tim Keller, this one on the justice of God (Matthew 11:20-30).
Keller explains . . .
Click here to listen.
For several years UCLA’s Urban Simulation Team has been working on a virtual reconstruction of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount prior to the destruction of A.D. 70. In collaboration with the Israel Antiquities Authority they have put together a display at the Ethan and Marla Davidson Exhibition and Virtual Reconstruction Center in Jerusalem.
Below is a video clip—the model was created by Dr. Lisa M. Synder—showing what the Temple Mount and Herod’s Temple would have looked like in the time of Jesus.
Tom McMahon has a way of communicating profound truths via diagram.
Consider this one and then reflect on Philippians 4:8-9.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8-9).
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You may also appreciate his diagram on Ellis Island.
This link is pretty cool. The promising part is free shipping anywhere in the world.
The other day I was in the Christian living section of a large bookstore. The people next to me were talking about The Shack – - I desperately wanted to give some pastoral input, or at least point them to Tim Challies’ review. They next mentioned The Prayer of Jabez and it was all I could do to remain silent.
So I admit it. When I’m in a bookstore – - particularly in the Christian section – - In a subtle way – - at least I hope it is subtle – - I take note of what other people are buying. I have been known to give input.
Now, with this nifty feature, at The Book Depository, you can follow what people are buying around the world. It makes me want to buy a book from them, just to see if Stillman Valley shows up on the map.
Better yet – - why don’t you buy a copy of some random book (such as this one), and let me know if it works for you.
HT: Alan Jacobs
This video will help you picture how an engine works – - if you take three minutes to watch it, picture the amazing abilities that God has given to people created in His image so that they can create and engineer such complexity. (Genesis 1:27-28)!
Al Mohler interacts with an unfolding situation in Texas where students want “in the year of our Lord” removed from their diplomas.
Ironically, the debate takes place at “Trinity” university. You would think they if they were going to be offended that they would have started with the name of the university.
A group of students at Trinity University in San Antonio is petitioning the administration to remove the words “in the year of our Lord” from the school’s diplomas. Senior Sidra Qureshi said she started the petition in order to assure the school’s commitment to diversity. A Muslim student who presides over the “Trinity Diversity Connection,” Miss Qureshi told the media: “A diploma is a very personal item, and people want to proudly display it in their offices and homes. . . . By having the phrase ‘in the year of our Lord,’ it is directly referencing Jesus Christ, and not everyone believes in Jesus Christ.”
According to some accounts, the issue was first raised by Issac Medina, a convert to Islam who graduated in December of 2009. He told the San Antonio Express-News that he was offended by the language he found on his diploma, calling himself “a victim of a bait and switch” because he had been assured that the school no longer held to a Christian identity.
The school’s administration has sent mixed signals of its intention, but a decision by the university’s president and Board of Trustees is expected soon. Sharon Jones Schweitzer, assistant vice president for university communications told The Washington Times that the school will probably remove the phrase from all diplomas. The university’s president, Dennis Ahlburg, defended the wording as “unobtrusive.”
Many of the school’s alumni have protested the proposal, but momentum toward the change appears to be growing on the campus.
Shannon Popkin posts about Tom Hammond, a pastor who was a very significant influence in my life. I can vividly remember watching Tom share the Gospel when I thought, there is no way this will take root, yet it did.
It’s common for one eulogy to sort of stand apart from the others. Either the person is a gifted speaker or has a touching story. But Pastor Tom Hammond’s funeral, which I attended several months ago, seemed to have an endless supply of dynamic, talented speakers–pastors, evangelists, leaders–all testifying to the deep impact Tom had on their life. The stories, and the deliveries, were remarkable. And I learned later that there were many others in attendance who could’ve spoken just as eloquently, sharing stories of equal significance.
Tom was one of my parents’ close friends, and I have loved him since my childhood. He had a zest for life, and was passionate about people. But sitting in that funeral, testifying to the incredible crop of fruit that Tom’s ministry produced, I secretly wondered, “Was Tom a better preacher than I remember?” Then, one speaker came out and said it: Tom’s legacy wasn’t born out of impeccable homiletics and hermeneutics in the pulpit. In fact, he recalled Tom being quite willing to set aside sermon prep for the sake of a good conversation.
But I noticed a pattern: Tom was indiscriminate. He scattered seed absolutely everywhere. He didn’t waste time seeking out good soil. He just flung seed with all of his might! And Tom got to see huge oak trees sprout up out of cement.
Andre Sims, now a pastor and evangelist in Seattle, shared how Tom came to his dorm room late one Saturday night to ensure that Andre would finally keep his promise and come to church the next morning. "Tom didn’t care!" said Andre, recalling the embarrassment of having Tom show up while he and some friends were doing things they shouldn’t have. "Tom just said, ‘All y’all come on to church!’” Jeff Dodge, now a pastor in Iowa, said, ‘I still can’t believe that Tom Hammond was willing to love a punk like me.’
Steve Dewitt (and native of the GSOI) responds to a question about being single:
As a single pastor I often get questions related to singleness. I received some questions from a woman who went through a divorce many years ago and is struggling to be feminine and content when life demands her to assume more masculine roles. Here is part of my response:
I would like to share a few things. First of all, thanks for asking me! The fact that you are seeking dialogue tells me you are in a posture of learning and growing, which is right where God wants us.
Secondly, while I can relate in some ways to your questions about singleness, image bearing, and sexuality, there are challenges to single womanhood that certainly go beyond my experience. My heart resonates with your comments about being a woman, mom, employee, and other roles which demand a certain masculinity from you that you would rather not have to resource. This broken world holds many tensions and disparities, that is one of them.
I guess the main thing I would say is you face a decision of perspective in these matters. Will you define yourself according to how you perceive others to see you OR according to how God sees you. By some standards (perhaps your family or friends), your singleness is less than ideal (I know that feeling). You might feel that among Christians as well. You may feel that from yourself and life dreams/hopes that you had which have not materialized. All these things are very real but they are very temporary.
Read endorsements for Unpacking Forgiveness here.
Click here to order Unpacking Forgiveness.
“. . . Chris Brauns has done a magnificent job in helping us understand the true nature of biblical forgiveness. Every Christian will profit from reading and applying this book.” Jerry Bridges.
“ . . . Unpacking Forgiveness is an engaging, convicting but emphatically encouraging treatment of this hugely important (and sometimes mindbogglingly challenging) part of life. Dr. Brauns writes from the standpoint of a faithful, wise, experienced and caring pastor . . .” Ligon Duncan, First Pres, Jackson, MS
A Brick in the Valley
