The first Linkathon of the Barack Obama era…
Church Relevance listed the top 60 church blogs.
Ed Stetzer on contextual preaching and the state of church planting.
iMonk contrasts the prayers of Rick Warren and Gene Robinson.
Piper on the economic downturn and on how Obama made Christ a minister of condemnation.
Peter-John Courson on hell.
So, who are the top preachers?
Part 3 of David Wayne's series on his cancer.
Joe Thorn recommends Pink's The Sovereignty of God (iMonk has a contrary view).
Dan Edelen on an economic homeschool meltdown and the hell birds that try to steal God's blessings in your life.
Perry Noble: God delights in you! and on the economy.
Daniel Fusco gives a state of the church address about his church.
Trevin Wax on why we are pro-life (check out the pic in the link!).
Jared Wilson quotes Lloyd-Jones on preaching the gospel to yourself.
You may be interested to know that the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation - which counts David Powlison and Ed Welch amongst its number - has started a podcast.
Francis Chan wrote for Catalyst Space on a gathering force. Also at Catalyst Space, Shawn Lovejoy and David Putnam on the best practices of the best leaders.
The links to the three-part interview between 9Marks' Michael McKinley and Total Church co-author Steve Timmis can be found here.
Darryl Dash on the emerging landscape in the church. NextWave has a retrospective of the emerging church.
A large number of D.A. Carson audio files recently were posted at The Gospel Coalition (HT: Crossway and Erik Raymond).
There's a blog based on Paul Metzger's book Consuming Jesus (HT: Dash).
Michael Patton on lack of theological discipleship: casualties by friendly fire.
J.D. Greear gives an apologetic for multi-site churches.
Shaun Groves on the darkness in Exodus 10 that can be felt.
John at ChurchCrunch isn't too impressed with GodTube/Tangle.
iMonk asks if he is truly the skeptic, the unbeliever. Also, he comments on the hole in the soul and on if this is the better world they were talking about.
Craig Groeschel on responsibility versus freedom.
Billy Graham's grandson called to preach at D.James Kennedy's church.
Terrace Crawford on the day he stopped following a big name in church leadership, and why.
Trevin Wax reviews the Orthodox Study Bible.
A sneak preview of the Lutheran Study Bible. (HT: BHT)
Jonathan Dodson on exegeting your culture.
Is Christian music dying?
Drew Goodmanson on eldering in a decentralized movement.
Challies on searching for the spiritual gifts.
Ligonier's top five commentaries on Hosea.
Craig Groeschel on intuitive leadership, part 1.
Tony Morgan: Perry Noble's four attributes of a message with impact.
FIRST!
BrianD’s “FIRST!” is under review in the booth.
BigGuy…the lengthy list of links reminds me of the old joke, “How do you eat an elephant?”
One-bite-at-a-time-fil
I object to the review!
fil, this is a small portion of what I mark during the week, and an even smaller portion of what I actually read.
So, I guess I munch throughout the week
Over-ruled, the call on the field stands, illegal proceedure, five yard penalty, still first down and fifteen.
it’s quite the smorgasbord of opinion. thanks for the effort.
de nada, phil.
I went to bed. Does this mean I forfeit first?
Christian music will never die….it will only get better, and be perfected in Heaven.
The Christian music industry may die though.
Very interesting, Pastor Warrens Prayer used the “Lord’s Prayer” when I was “ministering” in convalescent hospitals I was told more then once that the “Our Father” was way to Catholic. The fact that some folks only remember this prayer, I have always been in awe of how this Prayer transcends cognitive impairment. Of course the elderly should just get over their cognitive issues and learn sound doctrine, if you have not heard people talk like this, and really believe it, fall on your face to God and thank Him.
Imonk had a great point, if one views the ODM’s we should be hoping for President Obama’s presidency. I do think people were ogling President Obama, I saw the same looks at GW Bush’s inauguration. I understand this is most likely because I am a total rejector of God’s grace and a reprobate but I actually hope President Obama does well.
I also wish good health and safety for President Bush, again this may make me an apostate and traitor in some eyes. Hell was also another interesting topic, I think the first time it was mentioned to me that my father may well be in hell and his eternal blood would be on my hands because I did not “preach” the gospel like I should have to him. I remember truly being saddened that my father went to hell because I failed. I was not the best son in the least I will admit and I did try so hard to tell him about the Lord. I think the one issue of hell that always troubled me was that the utter vast majority of humanity will go there. I dont personally believe that but in some circles that adds to my sin. One should not be to hopeful.
I dont know if anyone else has ever had night mares of hell, the night after I was burned at six I had a horrible nightmare about hell and flesh burning, me burning, and I cried out with such a shriek. I will agree that is stark emotionalism but at six it is hard to control such irrational fears. I cried out that night and the dreams only got worse. I learned later that my prayers were answered because God gave me such wonderful doctors, insurance adjusters etc. God worked in this through people in a sort of sacramental way, but that is way to Catholic.
My “injuries” have helped me relate to my students more, if I was given the choice to not have them I would say no, because I relate much better to those I love so dearly. More then my own soul. But of course that is also way to Catholic. People wonder why the evangelical church has struggles. There is so much power in the evangelical communion, waiting to be released for God, but for fear.
All said and done, God has always and I mean always been good to me. I do not deserve it in the least, never have, and to be honest I never want to deserve it. If that makes sense.
From Mr Courson
“Poetic justice is whenever a person demands and then gets the very thing that will destroy them.
The worst thing that could ever happen to a person is this: God gives them what
their unregenerate heart demands!”
An addition I understand this is not what Mr. Courson meant but it was told me on some occasions that six year old children to rebel against God and are unregenerate. I dont know when I was laying in the emergency hospital looking back why they cut the dead skin from my legs if I was unregenerate. I do know that with all my heart I called out, unregenerate or not God met me in my need, not in the way I wanted. I wanted the pain to Go away, But God who is rich in mercy with is great love in which He loved us. Used it so many years later to make my heart tender to others in similar situations. Looking back I am in awe. Granted that is also way to Catholic and most likely suspect of being apostate. I hope people get my poorly worded point in all this.
Piper says some important stuff
Christian Music? Ha! An oxymoron
Maybe I am too cynical about stuff. I know I know, “If I am going to be a turd go lay in someone else’s lawn”
“Christian Music? Ha! An oxymoron”
Scrooge!!!!!
I made that comment to our worship leader and he looked like he saw a ghost.
I asked, how can music be Christian? He says “Lyrics that honor Christ”. I say, “what about a group of Christiand who play jazz/fusion - there are no lyrics.” *THUD*
Brian D:
You missed this wacky “lady” ODM (or, LODM):
http://surphside.blogspot.com/2009/01/rethinking-apostles-creed.html
This would make fun fodder, especially for MLD since she essentially says Luther was a heretic.
Folks….. welcome to the spawn of SoL and LHT’s.
Eric that was truly helpful.
I have heard some thuds in my seeking. I will not go into them here but they did make the Thud. Ok twist my arm, :). The thud I ran into was on the age of the Earth and the atomic clock we set our entire civilization by. I do appreciated what you posted. Brian
I had another long diatribe, All I have ever wished is God and God reaching the lost. This may well make me weak and rather pathetic, and yes I have heart such views. But I hold onto the Gospel, for Pres. Obama and others. Can I ask a question do you think it is a horrible sin and committing apostasy, rejecting Jesus and the eternal God our Father if I pray Pres. Obama does well?
Or Should I pray that God’s wrath totally engulf this nation with horrible plagues and pestilence until we repent and elect another Godly president like Pres. Bush?
the list of Hosea commentaries and Feinberg’s “The Minor Prophets” isn’t on the list even for honorable mention? Yikes.
“Church Relevance listed the top 60 church blogs.”
60 blogs that on a good day get, maybe, like, 17 comments each.
On a bad day (and he has them quite often) PP/MN gets it seems about 972 comments more or less. Mostly insightful and thought-provoking.
And if any of those other blogs were any good, I would not keep coming back here, now, would I?
Something does not seem right here.
PP should be in the top three.
What gives?
Lutheran Study Bible? I didn’t think the Lutherans needed to study because they already know.
“E”
I know you’re out there lurking…….How’s the wife?
E-Fest 3??????????????????????????? I always look forward to the drive down to So CA!
Hi Bob, I am in morning lurk mode!! My wife is recovering still but is feeling much better since coming home from the hospital. There is still a little follow-up to do to see how the meds are working.
E-Fest 3….. Maybe I’ll put out a few feelers in the near future and see if there’s interest and when would be a good to gather.
I read the contextual preaching thread and found it useful. The problem many followers of Christ have is they seem to always want what Hebrews calls milk. Easy to drink and comes packaged in those cute little bottles. But, like a babe, when the soothing and mouth watering aroma of barbecue spreads through the air they don’t know how to grab that sizzling piece of meat.
What does this have to do contextual preaching? It appears to me contextual/missional preaching is meant to be more of an evangelism type of thing; which I agree with 100%. There is a place to bring the gospel to where His people are. Listen to a nuclear physicist explain quarks and sprites and one will understand the need for context. But like the budding nuclear physicist student, a follower of Jesus must continue in his/her revelation of God and move into meat 301 sometime in their life.
Now in our house we seem to continue the contextual milk rather than offer the meat to our brothers and sisters. Milk is good but it will never build up the foundation to send our brothers and sisters out into the hostile world. The teachers of milk will always be slaying the giants and demons on behalf of their brothers and sisters.
I see the need for both Contextual/missional preaching and some hard core expository teaching. One births souls while the other equips them for life in all its context!
I listened to both inaugural prayers….Robinsons sounded more like grand standing to me… Warren’s was personal and truly seemed to implore the God of the bible’s help.
In watching the two video, apparently many of the people in the crowd felt the same way. Maybe it was just the location of the camera but there seemed to be a lot of moving around, and talking thru Robinson’s “prayer”. But during Rick’s, more seemed to be engaged and actually praying.
brian:
I heard President Obama’s speech, it sounded like a good preacher. While I don’t agree with many of his positions he may be what this nation needs, someone who inspires confidence in people and leads.
E
it’s always good to to hear from you. Glad you pop in once in a while
This hit me in David Wayne’s part 3 on dealing with cancer:
“Also, for years now I have fortified myself with the belief that God is good. I know this beyond a shadow of a doubt and it is always there. In fact, I could give you a list of many good things that have come about as a result of this illness. The trouble is, though I know that much good is coming about I don’t always feel the good. Sometimes I am quite despondent, but I think that years of believing that God is good at least enables me to do battle with my emotions in such a way that they don’t always get the upper hand.”
I’d never thought of it that way before, but continuing to believe that God is good is a spiritual discipline– a good and wise and truthful habit, if you will.
Oh, and good morning all you folks
I just read JD Grear apologetic for the Multi Campus church and had a few thoughts that might stir up some discussion here.
Under the Section concerning Why Multi-campus model is Biblical sound.
His first two points (A and B) really don’t prove that Multi-Campus is biblical, but simply clarify the biblical issues.
Point C is the first point that I take issue with. The first paragraph is an argument based upon speculation. When Paul the apostle wrote a letter it was to established churches that had elders already. The letter was not in place of the elders but rather to guide and direct the church and the elders.
Why multi-campus churches are practically wise
Point A is argued that multi-campus churches are the best way to accommodate growth in a financially responsible manner. The 3 methods are Build bigger buildings, become a multi-campus or a church plant. I’d argue church planting ought to the first solution. If a church is bursting at the seems and there is good fruit, there ought to be people in the body who would be raised up to take part of the church.
Point B is argued that this promotes church planting. One thing to note is that campus pastors need not be teachers. I’d offer 1 Tim 3:2, Heb 5:2 in defense that church should be raising up men who can teach, not simply administrators and managers.
I don’t have time to reacted and reflect upon his other statements. I’m not a fan of Multi-Campus churches, however Grear has made some points that have me thinking. Perhaps some of you have some other comments or reflections upon the same topic. I will be here hit and miss throughout the day.
Too…many…links. Will…never…get through…them…all. :0
Nice job Big Guy!
Multi_capmus churches rationalize away the call to Shepherd the flock of God and exalt the communication aspect of sermons. Rather than exhort the people of God to live amongst a church community and in their community as involved disciples; they cater to the consumeristic opinions of our culture. Same mindset. If I do not cater to the people then where will they go without me?
However, I do like J.D. Greer. Remember he runs with Driscoll and others like him. Multi sites are the hot ticket item for the neo-pastor crowd and their followers.
Multi campus video sites are ok if you look at church as you would finding a filling station with the cheapest gas.
Linnea
Amen! But it fits our consumer church mentality where the goal is to have a moderately “me” oriented, semi spiritual message, with no real commitment, in the shortest amoint of time
The filling station metaphor is perfect–”Just fill me up pastor. Don’t ask me as David did in Psalm 29 to “Give unto the Lord the glory due his Name”
I’d like my sermon to be unleaded this week. Don’t want my christianity to hurt the environment and upset the culture of ‘tolerance’”
Gotta share somethang funny (at least to me):
As I was evangelizing, a “seeker sensitive” wealthy church in town had scattered their latest fliers.
(Their last one used the abbreviation “W.T.F?!?!”, which *they* said was “worshipping, training + friends” but most of us know better)
It was a yellow street sign that said “No Perfect People Allowed”
A guy helping me, a new Christian with a very dry sense of humor looked at them and said, “I guess Jesus can’t go then.”
Daily Show: Jones - Changefest ‘09 - Obama’s Inaugural Speech
I knew this was coming
http://www.indecisionforever.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=216538
Hi PPeeps. BrianD, thanks for including the link to the review of the Orthodox Study Bible, which is the Bible I use most of the time. As the article mentions, it has illustrations of icons, one of which was painted (we say written) by the hand of our parish’s own Fr. Luke, who painted (wrote) most of the icons in our church.
And thanks once again for the Linkathon!
We need a separate blog to storehouse all of Brian’s links!
Xenia….. “Hi PPeeps” That made me smile, Hoping all is well with you. God bless!
Hi Erunner! All’s well, and may God bless you too.
Kirk,
The aforementioned church must have had an older population….like me! It took me a minute to “get it”!
The Presidential Imprimatur that was given to Gene Robinson…
…is a huge problem. I am much more concerned about what it accelerates than what Piper is trying to say… which is important to Christians but no one else cares… However, take for instance our own state…New Mexico… we are in a battle in the legislature over homosexual marriage.. it is a battle we cannot easily win. Now the government has basically said that Gene Robinson and Rick Warren are virtually the same thing in their eyes.
… that will give an impetus in our state. Last year 5 pro-homosexual senators were voted into our state house. The money behind them came from out of state. (This is via a source in the center of this controversy) Our Senate defeated gay marriage by 1 vote last year. We lost 5 votes in the election.
… New Mexico does not have a process for the people to overturn the representatives… we do not have a California type system. If it passes it will be virtually unassailable.
… My posture will be to leave the state process… in other words my posture will be to stop signing Marriage Licenses. I will take marriage out of the public square and make a Christian ceremony over against the civil one.
Praying Dread
Scott
What do you expect from an idiot like John Stewart? He and the others like him will not rest until the word or name of God is obliterated from our not only public venues, but the history books and the minds of people.
To him and other like him, they feel that religion–especially Christianity is dangerous to a culture and quite possibly a serious mental illness.
Steward and other like him are the prophets of the new culture. And they would succeed in their attempts except that God is in control of world events not Comedy Central or any one else
Dread
“… My posture will be to leave the state process… in other words my posture will be to stop signing Marriage Licenses. I will take marriage out of the public square and make a Christian ceremony over against the civil one.”
That may be a bit of brilliance on your part. Can you speak a little more on the issue of leaving the state system and how it will work. As a pastor faced with a similar issue here in Oregon, I am curious as to how it all works out
“Now the government has basically said that Gene Robinson and Rick Warren are virtually the same thing in their eyes.”
Well, in some respects, the government may be right. Warren has help facilitate this view by involving himself in other issues than preaching the gospel and equipping the saints and has invited the world to partner with him in his PEACE plan. Why should the world see a difference?
BD,”… My posture will be to leave the state process… in other words my posture will be to stop signing Marriage Licenses. I will take marriage out of the public square and make a Christian ceremony over against the civil one.”
Bravo - this was the conclusion my late husband and I came to. But a very sad one…
Steve, the disdain of God by Jon Stewart is a given. What I thought was very telling was how Stewart highlighted the Militaristic machismo and muscle flexing rhetoric employed by Obama yesterday.
However, the classic line in the skit was, “It’s just that when Obama says this stuff, I don’t think he really means it…and that gives me hope!” LOL!
Quick prayer request for George Sabolick and family.
He has come out of his coma after the heart attack.
Pray for continued recovery of both his health and all the family relationships.
It appears that God is doing a wonderful work here…
Praying for George S…
When the church tells the government and business that they are a necessary part of the three legged stool, then government and business are validated and no longer see the need for change. They see themselves as acceptable in the eyes of the church, and therefore acceptable in the eyes of God. There is no longer a crisis that precipitates conversion. And that, is the real problem with replacing the Great Commission with the mission of PEACE
Centy -
Good word.
SCott
yeah, I caught that
The thing about Stewart is that he and other like him say what other people feel and think but won’t say publicly…yet. They capture the new but deeply held sentiments of many in this country. If it were not so, people wouldn’t laugh.
But they are empowering this new culture and the godless world view.
LEAVING THE STATE PROCESS OF MARRIAGE
Ten years ago I saw this coming in New Mexico… I wondered what I could do. There was little doubt in my mind then that this day would come. When immorality rises in the public square they have learned that if they keep asking like a nagging child…the resolve of those who oppose will wane…
To make a change you must be willing to face REJECTION…then Toleration after that comes Embrace.
So here is how it will work for me.
1. I will ask young couples to get their license issued by the state… that is to ‘render to ceasar.’
2. To abstain from consummating their marriage for Christ sake and the Gospel… Which if they are unwilling to do then I will simply tell them that I cannot do a ceremony that is fraudulent.
3. To come together for a public Christian ceremony and thus Render to God what is God’s … our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
The Christian ceremony will lead to the wedding feast(reception) and then to the consummation on the honeymoon.
The state has no compelling interest in what we do according to our faith…
This would also prevent the state dictating who we marry. If I refuse to sign heterosexual licenses then I can also refuse homosexual.
This is commonly done in Latin countries.
Centy
I lost your phone number. Would you email it too me?
rasjr826@yahoo.com
This will probably put Steve and Scott in a coma for about a week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd9xU8cw1JE
MLD
I’ll give the song a 7. Easy to dance to, but the lyrics were too repetitive.
Bob,
It was like a praise song.
E-Fest 3!!!!
BTW, Andy Stanley prayed at a prayer meeting today for the new pres and vp.
… My posture will be to leave the state process… in other words my posture will be to stop signing Marriage Licenses. I will take marriage out of the public square and make a Christian ceremony over against the civil one.
Praying Dread
Dread,
PLEASE tell me more about your plans, and how it’s going in New Mexico.
What can *I* do? (as a NM resident)
MLD, that praise song for the O man made me want to kick my feet up at the beach and fire up a doobie!
ooops, missed your post, dread…sorry
dread,
What’s up with the Latin countries?
I appreciate the answers, it will help me and my mother-in-law greatly…
We need people to testify at the round house…call this number if you are a pastor or if you just want to know what to do… Below is the information.
IT IS NOW OR NEVER!
Gay marriage was defeated by one vote in the State Senate in 2007 and by one vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2008.
FIVE pro-Biblical marriage New Mexico senators were defeated with out-of-state money from national homosexual and lesbian groups this past November. The soul of New Mexico was up for sale.
THERE ARE FIVE NEW PRO-HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE SENATORS IN OUR NEW MEXICO SENATE.
If homosexual marriage passes for New Mexico, IT IS IRREVERSIBLE! New Mexico is not a referendum state like California. You and your church members will never have an opportunity to vote on this at the polls. WE MUST DEFEAT IT NOW!
The proponents of gay marriage are both confident and arrogant with regard to the bill’s passage.
To defeat this bill we need 195 pastors willing to testify when this bill comes up in committee. As of the writing of this letter only 39 pastors have committed to testify. The New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops is standing with us to defeat gay marriage. Every day at the Legislature we will have 3 Evangelical/Protestant pastors and 1 Catholic priest along with members from their churches prepared to testify. The session runs from January 20, 2009 to March 21, 2009. Please call (800) 459-3877 to schedule a day at the legislature.
Preparation materials for testimony are provided by Dr. James Dobson’s Family Research Council and can be obtained at http://www.issuesandvalues.com under the resource section.
Please know that proponents of anti-Christian legislation are well funded and well organized. (Please see http://www.nmwatchman.com.) They have always vastly outnumbered those addressing their issues from a Christian perspective. Without a concerted effort, the New Mexico Legislature will easily pass their legislative agenda.
Finally, the most important aspect of our effort is prayer. Please pray for the New Mexico State Legislature and please join us in sharing the Lord’s grace in the New Mexico State Capitol.
As a fellow pastor, I plead with you, come to the legislature, to speak the truth in love and defeat this evil legislation. We will never have a second opportunity if this passes. This cannot happen on our watch as pastors.
In the name of Jesus,
Congressman Bill Redmond, MDiv
MLD
Yes, it does sound like a worship Song to Barak Obama. Again, he captures and reflects the heart of the people toward change. that’s what folks are all hyped about. He represents Change. From the Bush Presidency yes, but it’s deeper than that. He represents the hope of peace with out God; A government who is no longer one nation under God but free to live as we want.
He represent freedom from the oppression of religion. Through him, the world has a chance (in their mind) to as John Lennon wrote “live as one”.
Obama represents that hope. But as we all know, it is a baseless hope…a dream that will remain a dream until Christ returns and establishes his kingdom of righteousness
Steve,
“He represents the hope of peace with out God; A government who is no longer one nation under God but free to live as we want.”
I still find your comments without foundation. His speech yesterday was laden with a fair amount of ‘God’ talk an he started his day today at church again.
I can’t vouch for the sincerity, but I don’t think your comments match what we have seen in action.
Steve,
“He represent freedom from the oppression of religion.”
I thought that that was the founding principle of this blog.
MlD
He is merely an icon upon which people are hanging their dreams. Since when did you believe anything that came out of the mouth of a politician. They have many backs to scratch in a pluralistic society
I’m struggling to see what’s new in all of this, but I am getting depressed anyway.
All this time I’ve been thinking that we’re supposed to be set apart, a peculiar people… and now that it’s the case lots of Christians are upset.
Sometimes the hardest place to hang on to faith is the church…
Steve,
“Since when did you believe anything that came out of the mouth of a politician. They have many backs to scratch in a pluralistic society.”
Well, you got me there!
I never trust a politician - but you make it sound as if what he is saying is any different than what has been fed to us in the past.
Hey, I was born during the Truman administration, I have been through many of these guys - but none have destroyed our so called ‘Christian culture’. I am still not quite sure what that is, perhaps when we were out killing all the Indians off their land.
I like what the late California Speaker of the House Jesse Unruh said, “Money is the mother’s milk of politicians”.
The thought just came to me that you could substitute the word politician with pastor at some churches.
MLD
You’re as old as I am.
MLD
I respect you; always have. I respect your input on this issue too. I don’t think my comments are baseless. I have read several of the reports about religion in our culture just as you have. Spirituality in America remains constant but the biblical traditions–those truths handed down from one generation to the next are changing. Most believe Biblical Christianity to be judgmental and homophobic. Many profess to believe in God but that he judges no one to hell. Many love the teaching of Jesus but over look the fact he said I am the way the truth and the life no one comes to the Father but by Me.
The traditions of Christianity are changing. Do you believe that President Obama believes that Jesus is the only way to salvation? I I can’t say for sure but I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t
I feel I have a base for my comment and you may still disagree. All I can say is I am praying for my president and this country. I have chosen to preach the word as clearly and accurately as I can. I have a small sphere of influence but I am like other, doing my part.
If I am wrong in all this, and I hope that I am, then write me off as just some bible believing religious nut job shooting off his mouth. But if I am correct, then I feel I am preparing my sphere of influence to embrace a godless culture with the gospel, and not get duped by a lot of religious speak.
Either way, time will tell. I hope you are right!
Michael why be depressed! The greatest proponent of the gospel himself and one who gave himself also to the church that was raised up as a result of the gospel clearly understood the times in which he lived.
Looking at the culture especially in times of transition allows one to see the same Jesus in a fresh way still reaching out to sinners with His gospel.
Look unto the fields for they are white unto harvest! Saying that does not mean that it will like the fields of yester year.
Am I addressing what is troubling you?
Steve,
I think that much of it is the fact that we are not a homogeneous nation any longer. We were more or less kind of an inbred Christian culture - and traditions were passed down (however, they may have been just that, a Christian culture). Almost all of our immigration was from ‘Christian’ Europe, but that is no longer so.
Perhaps Christians were never meant to dominate a culture and these past 200 yrs were an anomaly.
but I don’t think that Obama is the catalyst. FYI, I voted for McCain, but I openly accept and welcome Obama - for no other reason, than I don’t have a choice.
Steve, if yur knuckles are dragging too much I will bandage them in Jesus name.
Did anyone else read the LA times article? I’ve heard of Dawkins, but have never read anything of his. He makes my brain cramp.
He states that morality is evolutionary? It existed “probably” before religion?
His statements about America’s religion factor being exaggerated makes me weep….
God help us be beacons for Christ. Help Mr. Dawson come to Christ. The damage he does is beyond knowing….
The probably on the sign should make people shudder….
My name wasn’t on the list of top preachers?!!! The seer outrage!!!
God’s gonna get em……sniff….
The seers were outraged too, but I mean’t “sheer”.
Here Tony Just for you
my top preachers
TonyP
Billy Graham
Greg Laurie
etc etc
Hi everyone.
Thanks for all the kind words.
Tony, you should have one of us go over there and nominate you
I wonder where PP measures up to those other “top 60″ blogs?
Terrance Crawford got his feelings hurt and quit following….
BIG DEAL….!!
Grow Up!!
I would not have read a blog just to hear that nonsense….sheesh either out the guy or shut your face and deal…
Dear Abby Dread
BD,
Dear Abby says shut up nicer….
Maryb,
:lol
Thing I want to know is how does BrianD have to the time to peruse all these blogs and still hold down a full-time job
BrianD,
That would be a hoot….. “Who’s THIS clown?!”
Scott,
He’s actually super-powered hero “Multiple Man”!
Scott,
Some people read books in the bathroom. I read blogs
Speaking of books, I just posted a review of part 1 of Total Church. Check it out, and reply if you like:
http://briandblog.com/?p=364
Actually, Scott, I use Google Reader and skim a lot. I’ll post stuff that I may not read word for word, but I skim it to get the point, and if I think it would be helpful for others, I star it for reference later on.
How about we go over to arment’s blog and start nominating each other?
Or Michael?
Seriously.
BrianD,
Are skim-links better for you than regular links?
BrianD,
Sounds good to me…..
Dread…anything lay people can do, besides the obvious call to prayer?
Tony, here, regular and skim links have the same calories
Michael’s on the list.
But Brian, do they taste the same? That’s the true test.
We can post under our monikers here.
BrianD: I nominate TonyP.
victorious: centorian.
centorian: Pastor Pastor
Martin Luther’s Disciple: Costco Cal
And so on
Moniker- $35 word. Good one.
Good job, Tony.
No smiley, does that mean good job I’m a loser or good job
?
Good job
Ahhh. Better. Had me worried.
BTW moniker is still a good word. Very nice.
I’ll have to use it on my scrabble game w/ sarah. 
No worries, Tony.
Dread, I think Crawford’s point was the rudeness of the assistant, and the implication that Crawford was some sort of peon.
I might not have reacted the same way Crawford did, but I would have been put off, too.
Tony, Sarah’s about to clean my clock on Scrabble…
BrianD,
Not looking good for me and we just started. And I even read books and stuff! (Of course the vocabulary in Cat in the Hat isn’t so big I guess
)
It’s hard to win that game when you have a bad selection of letters and you don’t have an extensive vocabulary of obscure words that are useful only in spelling bees and Scrabble
Yeah, I had to swap on my last turn and haven’t been back yet to see what I got. I know some very obscure words, but getting the letters….there’s the rub.
Scott is on a diet…again. Looking for Facebook friends who want to join him in his “private” circle of friends network for encouragement, etc.
You know how to reach me on Facebook
That IS the rub. If you have bad letters, you might as well figure on losing.
I thought about getting the iPhone version, but between it being for free on FB, and having to pay $7 for it, I passed.
Scott,
Welcome to the club. I’ll give ya a holler later.
Oh Scott… must you remind us of the D word?
BrianD,
The other hard part is do you take the easy points, or wait for that magic set of letters that will give you the triple word/double-letter/suicide-slam/half-pike word?
Linnea,
Say it with me D-I-E-T. It’s okay, don’t scream.
Here is what helped me:
Find something you can live with.
Make the committment.
Give yourself some room to cheat, without blowing your diet.
Know you will fall off the wagon.
When you do, get back on quickly.
When you fall back off again, get back on quickly.
Repeat. Often.
MLD @10:32 - and it’s one of those pesky bill of rights things too.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion….” (leaving off the part about how it was written in the 1700’s before there was any “culture” anyway)
TonyP
BrianD….very healthy advice. I always used to get so hung up on falling off the wagon. You are right…it happens, and don’t spend time mired in shame, but hop right back on again. Good Advice, Brian!
BrianD,
VERY good advice. That has been our biggest stumbling block, once we slip once, just jumping off the wagon and watching it roll away. We’re doing really well this time. My wife has lost 12 1/2/ inches overall, and 7 lbs. I’ve lost 5 lbs and 3 1/2 inches.
Scott and Tony…hehe…you guys are too nice. I am getting killed by my dutch friend, Rini. Three games, she has swept the floor with me.
Sarah,
At least there is SOME justice. I was beginning to doubt how wonderful I am.
BTW it was me and BrianD talking about you, Scott was too busy.
Thanks, Tony and Linnea. I get to live it every day
Sorry….BRIAN! That’s what happens when you blog while building models with your 7 year old.
Sarah,
You part monkey? How can you type with your hands and build models at the same time? Dextrous feet? BTW be careful building models, they develope eating disorders.
Linnea …
call the number cause I do not know.
BrianD… I know you are right…. just me being grumpy…
That guy could no more disciple an individual than he could bake em all a cake… there is just no time… and scores of people ask that stuff… the assistant was rude…SO WHAT…
We gotta be less sensitive in the Kingdom… Paul was stoned for crying out loud… and we whine cause someone hurts our feelings…
Dreadly
Dread, I see where you’re coming from on this, too.
Remind me to look you up when I’m mired in self-pity
Brian D
DONE
Bildad Eliphaz Shuhite Dread
Anybody wanna go do street ministry at Marti Gras….
get in touch… babylonthegreatfallen@yahoo.com
Must be male…sorry…not my call… must be fearless…sorta … must be able to deal with sins of the flesh… again sorta…
must be willing to stand a post and talk to anyone….
must be willing to pull me off the jerks when they tic me off…for sure.
Party Pooper Dread
Don’t forget Job’s wife…she had a real gift of encouragement
Hey Dread…can’t go (kinda far), but can pray.
Tony…I’m a mom. nuff said.
I think it was Vance Havner who said
“The minister must have the mind of an intellect, the hide of a rhino, and the heart of a child . The problem is in how to get a tough hide and keep a soft heart”.(or something like that?)
over the years I have found most Believers to be thin skinned and hard hearted. Easily offended and all but impossible to reconcile with.
John, how are you doing? I have been praying for you and debbie. Hope to see you again in the not too distant fure.
Ron (fyi)
DMW,
“over the years I have found most Believers to be thin skinned and hard hearted. Easily offended and all but impossible to reconcile with.”
so true, so true!
Ron
it’s been a rough few weeks. Debbie has been up and down, her pain level has been off the charts.
We will see her pain specialist next Tuesday. She usually has a few bad days after all the injections then does better for a couple of months until they wear off then she has a bad month before it’s time for the next round of injections.
Her pain doctor is going to retire soon, and he is the only one who has given her any relief. So pray for his replacement.
Addressing Vic’s question from this morning…
What has me depressed is the constant stream of negativity from the brethren since the economic crash and Obamas election.
We speak of God as if He’s not there, as if things are out of His control and we are as Merle Haggard once said, “rolling like a snowball headed for hell”.
I can’t live thinking that way…especially when I’ve been to the front gate of hell and back and found Him faithful.
The naysayers almost have me convinced that I’m just whistling in the proverbial graveyard and there’s something wrong with me that I’m not up in arms and down in the dumps.
It got to me bad today…worst day I can remember in a very long time.
Michael,
It may seem like spitting in the wind…but if you proclaim God’s word and truth, I don’t believe it will return void. You may not get on Fox News, but your efforts will never be in vain.
People like me need to hear what you have to say, because we are being bombarded with the negativity.
John, I’m sorry to read that Debbie is hurting and it must be a helpless feeling that you aren’t able to make her feel better. I know where your hope lies, but being a husband and human, I know this can’t be easy for you. I pray God would visit you and Debbie in a powerful way. God bless and I look forward to a day when we can sit together and hang out. Allan
Thoughts and prayers, DMW.
Michael, I am fortunate that the economic crisis hasn’t impacted us. We are fortunate. I don’t know how I would be if I was living the life so many have been thrust into recently. I just spoke with my brother and his financial situation seems hopeless. Immediately I think of how might I help him but realize I’m in no position to.
I have been through a difficult month with my mother and wife’s health and it stressed me out taking care of so many things and realizing the role I may be playing in the future for my mother. Yet God has allowed both of these times of illness to conclude in a good way for now and I am grateful.
There are times when I believed I had been to the gates of hell and allowed to return in one piece. At other times I wonder if that day is yet to come or if in our lives there is more than one season of the darkness of the soul. I don’t know.
I do know what it’s like to feel God has gone on vacation. I have been there often. All I know to do is to live the life I believe I’m called to and seek to keep my focus on God. Otherwise, the struggles that so many are facing would be too much for me to endure.
God has placed you in a unique position and I have to believe He will give you what you need when you need it. I also believe you are sensitive enough to His Spirit to know when change is needed, be it in your heart or on this blog.
I am one of many whose life has been changed because of what God has done through this blog. He’s got your back when nobody else does. With much love, Allan
When we are weak, then He is strong.
BrianD,
I’m thinking about writing a little book on how to survive in the wilderness… maybe I’ll do it here a chapter at a time.
What if President Obama did declare Christianity to be illegal? That’s neither possible nor likely, but what if he did? Could he snatch the Holy Spirit from me? Could he drag God down from heaven?
Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Allan, Xenia…blessings and thank you.
Michael, that book would be helpful indeed.
I have many friends who have lost their jobs. Apart from the good work God is doing in their lives through these hard times, it gives me the opportunity to pray for them, show compassion on them and to practice generosity and hospitality. These are good things which will strengthen us all.
It is true that Christianity is becoming a hard sell in this new age Steve talks about. More people are openly scoffing and mocking than ever. This gives me the responsibility to demonstrate the love of Christ towards them. Maybe the old ways of proof-driven apologetics isn’t what’s needed right now, maybe what people want to see in Christians is Christlike behavior.
I see a connection between these two things. Hard times plus compassionate Christians might equal more people being brought into the Kingdom.
Slow day at PP. MN depressed. No controversial topics.
Yet, on a slow day, PP still gets 200 or so thoughtful, insightful comments.
Plus, several from me!
OK, guess: How many comments did the top 10 blogs on the alleged 60 top church blogs list - that’s right, blogs number 1 thru 10 - get total today so far?
Well, I’m not tellin’.
But the average is around 40.
“It is true that Christianity is becoming a hard sell in this new age Steve talks about. More people are openly scoffing and mocking than ever. This gives me the responsibility to demonstrate the love of Christ towards them. Maybe the old ways of proof-driven apologetics isn’t what’s needed right now, maybe what people want to see in Christians is Christlike behavior.
I see a connection between these two things. Hard times plus compassionate Christians might equal more people being brought into the Kingdom.”
Xenia,
Do you also think its possible that hard times plus the witness of those rooted and grounded in Christ, will help people to come to true saving faith in Christ, as opposed to what some might call as a vague “christianity” or easy believism, which is not saving faith?
When you say:
“maybe what people want to see in Christians is Christlike behavior.”
in like fashion to one preacher who said,
The world isnt looking for a new definition of Christianity,
Its looking for a new demonstration.
I like to argue and be rational as much as the next person.
But I think that that type of apologetics is overplayed. Too often it’s used as a plaything or worse, a battering ram to make points. The purpose of apologetics is to “clear the ground,” and then move on to the gospel.
Christians need to show the world that beauty and truth are important and not just cliches. common ground can be found with people through art, literature, and other media where we share our humanity with others. Even though the fall occurred, we are all still created in the image of God and we all, church and nonchurch, share that.
I like what Craig Parton, a Lutheran writer and apologist, who’s done apologetics for Crusade and with Josh McDowell argues for in his book The Defense Never Rests– what he calls soft apologetics, with things like literature, movies, etc. He rightly says that a lot of people aren’t reached by the old modernism with its rational arguments and reasons.
I also believe there’s a strong apologetic when Christians lead normal, everyday lives and get involved with helping others along the way. It’s not a religious exercise or event, but just part of doing things as you go along.
“It is true that Christianity is becoming a hard sell in this new age Steve talks about. More people are openly scoffing and mocking than ever. ”
-Xenia
NOT from where I sit.
There are darker people, but when presented with the pure light of the Gospel, they’re drawn.
And I’m no “seeker sensitive” humanist.
You’re last post, esp. The last paragraph is RIGHT ON
This discussion about our economy, changes in Presidency and worries along with those who are hurting financially, and all the other concerns about our faith and following Christ… it all reminds me of the Beatitudes:
The Beatitudes
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3″Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11″Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The bigger worry of the economy is yet to come. Wait a little longer when pastors start beating their flocks to give more because “we aren’t covering our budget.” “Reach down deeper if you are a ‘real’ Christian.”
We will see how many church leaders have ‘faith’. I will bet that it’s very few.
Being “poor in spirit” has been on my heart all week. In Acts 4, the Believers shared many of their possessions (voluntarily), not all, but no one went homeless or hungry and everyone was loved. These verses speak to me about spiritual unity… how this is almost (almost) lost today. God’s Word teaches us how important fellowship, commitment to one another as Believers, loyalty and our love for God truly is. Demonstrating our love for Christ and His family.
Today, most of us believe that what we have belongs to us, not God. So many in today’s world are only concerned for themselves. But when we share (voluntarily) with others and show our love and compassion toward them, they see Christ’s love demonstrated, not just words.
Poor in spirit may not have just meant being financially/materially “poor”, but “poor in spirit” meaning we realize that we own nothing, all we have belongs to God. It’s coming to realize this in our heart. When we realize how desperately we need God’s grace and forgiveness.
These Believers in Acts were probably part of a home church and everyone was immediate family members and/or very close friends, so taking care of one another was more acceptable and easier, perhaps.
It always comes back to loving one another.
MLD,
There’s a big butt megachurch near our town that just went up about a year ago. Will be interesting to see what happens there if/when the economy tanks worse. I mean, the place is a cavern.
Maybe the early Christians had it right — keep it simple!
Luthern,
Exactly, the money raised went to feed/shelter the poor, not kingdom building.
Remember the first crisis/division in the early church was over them trying to have everything in common. Once the crisis was dealt with, we hear no more of them having all things in common. It seems it was a short lived season.
As a pastor, I realize I stepped into the body of Christ, which had many problems, and it had somehow survived for 2000 years without my help, and will continue to survive and have the same basic problems long after I am gone. I never fixed anything in 30 years. All I did was try to be faithful to what God put in front of me. Of course it took me 10 year to realize I couldn’t fix anything. It took longer for me to realize I wasn’t called to fix the Church, I was called to Love the People God called me to serve.
The only thing we can do is to be faithful to what God puts in front of us TODAY.. let tomorrow take care of itself.
Today all I need to do is be faithful to caring for my wife. I have been relived of all my other duties.
Remember he will say well done thou good and faithful servant, not well done thou good and successful servant.
Faithfulness if our duty, success is God’s business.
Immediately after 9/11, remember how our nation pulled together; including our government, prayers were prayed, flags draped every home in America, neighborhoods made plans together in case a disaster occurred (on how to pull together), parents made arrangements with others so children would be tended properly… communities would help one another God forbid something terrible happened. Believers would not stay alone and tend to their own needs in such a case, we would help one another and try to share God’s Word with all those who would listen. The same will happen with our economy.
We have to have faith in God. Trust Him.
“Remember the first crisis/division in the early church was over them trying to have everything in common.”
I think what we find is a short time later, the Jerusalem church was in bankruptcy.
Deadmanwalking,
As I was reading your post, before getting to the love part… I thought about love, and sharing God’s Word.
Yes, that’s what you have been doing most of your life, loving people and sharing God’s Word with them. Now, loving the love of your life… God bless you.
Amazing how an entire world of people can go through their entire life and believe one thing about “living” and acquiring “stuff” when it was really about loving one another and sharing God’s Word.
MLD,
Spiritual bankruptcy?
The sins of Ananias and Sapphira (financial/spiritual).
Solus,
Financial.
Spiritual Bankruptcy has also been on my mind because when Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” Those who recognize their own spiritual bankruptcy and how we are nothing without him. All we have is his to begin with. Our true treasure is in Heaven with Him.
Just some thoughts that I have been pondering this week…
3?Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘The bigger worry of the economy is yet to come. Wait a little longer when pastors start beating their flocks to give more because “we aren’t covering our budget.” “Reach down deeper if you are a ‘real’ Christian.””
thanks for the sermon material, mld. perhaps I’ll used this instead of showing a movie……….
so far God is providing…. and we don’t pass a plate
Obama took the oath of office again
The last 36 hours are very suspicious
The O man got a do over, eh?
Jesus is not lookinng for a new kind of Christian. He is seeking out in love the same kind of sinnners and transforming them into disciples.
Bush’s Chief Justice could not even read the thing… or figure out how to start over when he botched it…
….from all enemies domestic and international…
President Obama gave a smile …Ole Dread would have said… “Hey, let’s take it from the top.”
A pastor who does weddings has lots of lost lines redone…no problem.
Now we have …and I kid you not… a wide open hole of 36 hours for conspiracy nuts to comb over… no telling what dark things were done while we had a ’semi-pres’ under no oath to defend us from our enemies…
Domestic and International Dread
Personally, I’m glad President Obama took the oath again.
(1) It’ll hopefully put a stop to any conspiracy theories before they start. Our last president was dogged with “selected/not elected” for his entire 1st term, and the last thing we need as a nation is to go through that junk again.
(2) It’s a small demonstration of the respect he has for the Constitution. The presidential oath of office is actually written into the document, and it showed he wanted to ensure that things were done properly.
As for Chief Justice Roberts messing up…people on all sides should give the guy a break. How many of us have screwed up in public before? I’ve read all sorts of comments (not here) about how he must have been stupid, etc…all kinds of name calling. Please. Roberts has more smarts in his pinky than most of us do in our entire body. So the guy misspoke…it’s happened to all of us. He’s just unlucky enough to have his screw-up written in the history books.
For all those who missed the news, this is the second time a President did the oath twice because the flubbed the first one. It’s no big deal!!!
What Drew said.
This is a complete nonissue.
I heard this is the third time it’s happened. Whatever, it’s not
the first.
Solus:
Blessed are the…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Read an interesting commentary from a Scholar on Hebrew and 1st Century Jewish Rabbinic thought. The beatitudes in Hebrew would translate to English as, “Blessed are the …. for these make up the kingdom of heaven.
The poor in spirit don’t own the kingdom they are the type of people who dwell in the kingdom.
What a small idea which is so powerful!
Of course the legalistic will come up with a way to prove who is the most poor in spirit and such.
New blog post - first in a series on the subject of Christianese:
http://briandblog.com/?p=389
Michael, you write it…I’ll read it. Can I get an autographed copy?
Thank you for continuing to feature links from my blog, Cerulean Sanctum. It is a great blessing to me that you should see fit to include my writings among heavy hitters like Piper, Challies, and iMonk.
Blessings.
Glad to do it, Dan. Your posts are well-written and a great blessing. Whenever I read your stuff, I can tell that God, in some way, has His hand on it.