Sometimes change comes through struggle, other times.....
Last night we had a potluck fellowship instead of our usual Sunday evening services. It is the second time this summer we've had an evening fellowship rather than the traditional meal following morning worship. A couple of comments I heard were significant.
"This is more relaxing than having potluck at lunch. We don't have to get up early and throw something together, get ready for church, worry about keeping the food hot, and keeping somebody in the kitchen getting everything ready."
"I like this better! Nobody is rushed to get home, we can sit and talk."
Fellowship can't be rushed!!! It takes time for people to connect - even those who have been acquainted for decades and have attended church together for forever.
D'Shon and I only counted about 6 or so folks who were in morning worship that did not come back for the 5:00 potluck, and we had some come who were not here earlier and don't normally come to church too!
Sometimes changes occur gradually when we try something different and let people see the differences - it kinda grows on you then.
Now, if my ankle would quit hurting I would be able to walk like a human rather than a duck.......
27 June 2005
Sex and the Supremacy of Christ - a review
Justin Taylor recently (longer ago than I'd like to admit) asked for bloggers to review Sex and the Supremacy of Christ and post their reviews on their respective blogs. Many other bloggers have finished their task long ago - I must be bringing up the tail end of the group!! Somebody has to be last. Anyway, my review follows:
Sex and the Supremacy of Christ was edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor and copyrighted in 2005. It has 11 chapters written by 12 contributers, 10 men and 2 women.
As a pastor, I am continually looking for good books to recommend to different people. This is one book I plan on using regularly in talking with anyone who might be vaguely interested in the topic. I suppose that anyone who is an adult, or is rapidly becoming one would benefit from this book. It is well written, very understandable, and adults who are Christ followers will benefit greatly by reading and following its suggestions.
It covers the following topics in major sections – God and Sex, Sex and Sin, Men and Sex, Women and Sex, and History and Sex.
The Introduction presents an important concept that sex is a subset of “all things.” When thought of in this vein, the Bible has much to say about sex. On page 17 Justin Taylor quotes Ben Patterson from Chapter 3 “Sex is good because the God who created sex is good. And God is glorified greatly when we receive his gift with thanksgiving and enjoy it the way he meant for it to be enjoyed.” Sheds a very different light on sex than most of us grew up seeing.
In the section God and Sex, John Piper lays out, both positively and negatively, two foundational concepts, then expounds on each (page 26):
1.Positively stated: Sexuality is designed by God as a way to know God in Christ more fully.
Negatively stated: all misuses of our sexuality distort the true knowledge of Christ.
2.Positively stated: Knowing God in Christ more fully is designed as a way of guarding and guiding our sexuality.
Negatively stated: all misuses of our sexuality derive from not having the true knowledge of Christ.
The entirety of the book serves to explain these two concepts more fully and gives each one detailed treatment.
Ben Patterson's contribution in Chapter 3 begins with a theological view of the Goodness of Sex and the Glory of God. He develops his points fully then closes the chapter with a story that many Dads can relate to only too well before praising God for his wife.
Part 2 deals with the topic Sex and Sin. The first chapter is a very well written, indepth view of Restoration of the sexually broken. It is the longest chapter in the book, and rightfully so – it has a lot of good advice for those of us who are broken. This chapter, written by David Powlison, is worth the price of the book alone.
Al Mohler writes the next chapter presenting a fresh, compassionate view of our role as Christians in the lives of people who view themselves as homosexual. It is thoroughly biblically based and culturally relevant.
The third section, Men and Sex consists of two chapters, one addressing single men and married men in the second. The first chapter is very direct and does not pull any punches with respect to what single men should and shouldn't be doing, how they should be treating women, and who they should be becoming before marriage. It presents a compelling argument for courting rather than the current cultural view and practice of dating prior to marriage. The opening sentence of the first section of the chapter sums up the rest of the chapter - “The first thing to say about sex and the single man is, there should be none!” (page 133).
The next chapter is devoted to married men and a discussion of the Song of Solomon. C.J. Mahaney presents his main idea, which he urges us married guys not to forget - “In order for romance to deepen, you must touch the heart and mind of your wife before you touch her body.” He goes on to give a variety of practical suggestions on how to carry out this idea in real life.
The fourth section is addressed to Women and Sex. I am uniquely unqualified to address the adequacy of this section. I have a wife and 4 daughters (thats right – 5 women in my house) and I still don't know how they are put together. I've asked my wife to read this section and give her two cents worth at some point.
The final section deals with History and Sex, beginning with Luther and the development of his views concerning sex. As a monk, sex was not a major activity in his life. After his conversion and subsequent change in church addresses, his views on sexuality take a drastic turn. He eventually gets married and greatly enjoys the benefits of marriage!
The ending chapter gives an overview of views the Puritans took toward sex. Puritans weren't very “puritanical” (as the word is used today) about sex after all.
If you are interested in sex - read this book! You will not think about sex the same after this experience. I know my thinking has changed for the better as a result.
Sex and the Supremacy of Christ was edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor and copyrighted in 2005. It has 11 chapters written by 12 contributers, 10 men and 2 women.
As a pastor, I am continually looking for good books to recommend to different people. This is one book I plan on using regularly in talking with anyone who might be vaguely interested in the topic. I suppose that anyone who is an adult, or is rapidly becoming one would benefit from this book. It is well written, very understandable, and adults who are Christ followers will benefit greatly by reading and following its suggestions.
It covers the following topics in major sections – God and Sex, Sex and Sin, Men and Sex, Women and Sex, and History and Sex.
The Introduction presents an important concept that sex is a subset of “all things.” When thought of in this vein, the Bible has much to say about sex. On page 17 Justin Taylor quotes Ben Patterson from Chapter 3 “Sex is good because the God who created sex is good. And God is glorified greatly when we receive his gift with thanksgiving and enjoy it the way he meant for it to be enjoyed.” Sheds a very different light on sex than most of us grew up seeing.
In the section God and Sex, John Piper lays out, both positively and negatively, two foundational concepts, then expounds on each (page 26):
1.Positively stated: Sexuality is designed by God as a way to know God in Christ more fully.
Negatively stated: all misuses of our sexuality distort the true knowledge of Christ.
2.Positively stated: Knowing God in Christ more fully is designed as a way of guarding and guiding our sexuality.
Negatively stated: all misuses of our sexuality derive from not having the true knowledge of Christ.
The entirety of the book serves to explain these two concepts more fully and gives each one detailed treatment.
Ben Patterson's contribution in Chapter 3 begins with a theological view of the Goodness of Sex and the Glory of God. He develops his points fully then closes the chapter with a story that many Dads can relate to only too well before praising God for his wife.
Part 2 deals with the topic Sex and Sin. The first chapter is a very well written, indepth view of Restoration of the sexually broken. It is the longest chapter in the book, and rightfully so – it has a lot of good advice for those of us who are broken. This chapter, written by David Powlison, is worth the price of the book alone.
Al Mohler writes the next chapter presenting a fresh, compassionate view of our role as Christians in the lives of people who view themselves as homosexual. It is thoroughly biblically based and culturally relevant.
The third section, Men and Sex consists of two chapters, one addressing single men and married men in the second. The first chapter is very direct and does not pull any punches with respect to what single men should and shouldn't be doing, how they should be treating women, and who they should be becoming before marriage. It presents a compelling argument for courting rather than the current cultural view and practice of dating prior to marriage. The opening sentence of the first section of the chapter sums up the rest of the chapter - “The first thing to say about sex and the single man is, there should be none!” (page 133).
The next chapter is devoted to married men and a discussion of the Song of Solomon. C.J. Mahaney presents his main idea, which he urges us married guys not to forget - “In order for romance to deepen, you must touch the heart and mind of your wife before you touch her body.” He goes on to give a variety of practical suggestions on how to carry out this idea in real life.
The fourth section is addressed to Women and Sex. I am uniquely unqualified to address the adequacy of this section. I have a wife and 4 daughters (thats right – 5 women in my house) and I still don't know how they are put together. I've asked my wife to read this section and give her two cents worth at some point.
The final section deals with History and Sex, beginning with Luther and the development of his views concerning sex. As a monk, sex was not a major activity in his life. After his conversion and subsequent change in church addresses, his views on sexuality take a drastic turn. He eventually gets married and greatly enjoys the benefits of marriage!
The ending chapter gives an overview of views the Puritans took toward sex. Puritans weren't very “puritanical” (as the word is used today) about sex after all.
If you are interested in sex - read this book! You will not think about sex the same after this experience. I know my thinking has changed for the better as a result.
22 June 2005
One of those weeks!
Ever have one of those weeks where you feel like you are running around like a head with your chicken cut off? Been kinda that way. Started coaching soccer last week for kids under the age of 6. I didn't even know what a soccer ball was until the first day of the season! I'm the assistant coach for the AYSO soccer team that my 5 year old is playing on. I'm glad I'm not coaching a team that actually has to think strategy. As long as the kids are going toward the other goal - life is good!!!
Our house is really different this week. One daughter is gone for the summer, another is at a friends house and camp for a couple of weeks. We don't have any teenagers - this is a very strange feeling. Feeling kinda lost.
I've been reading Steve McCoy, Joe Thorn, and Marty Duren report about the goings on of the SBC. Good reading, great reporting, check it out.
Finally finished a book that I needed to review - hope to post the review real soon.
Our house is really different this week. One daughter is gone for the summer, another is at a friends house and camp for a couple of weeks. We don't have any teenagers - this is a very strange feeling. Feeling kinda lost.
I've been reading Steve McCoy, Joe Thorn, and Marty Duren report about the goings on of the SBC. Good reading, great reporting, check it out.
Finally finished a book that I needed to review - hope to post the review real soon.
15 June 2005
Back to Work......
Ever have one of those "Vacations" that really wasn't a vacation? Spent some time at my mother-in-law's house, doing some things that she really couldn't do since she is still recovering from a broken leg. She's doing a lot better though.
Dropped Shemiah off, met some of the people she will be working with this summer, drank a bit of coffee (had some crunchies in the bottom of the cup.... still chewing on it too...) and listened to the Lords Prayer in Cajun. Cajuns must be an interesting bunch, cuz the ones I saw were scary..... not really - a lot of fun. Miah should enjoy her summer.
Got back (after having to fix the Suburban in a parking lot in Albuquerque) and for the last 2 days I've been running around like a head with it's chicken cut off. Trying to figure out which direction to go next.
My lovely bride (who many people think looks like Julia Roberts - just ask the lady who said so in Blakes in Rio Rancho) said that she was going to clean my office this morning. She did that - and rearranged it too! Looks better now - and would look even better if I'd let her at my desk. But she really doesn't understand my filing system (she calls it my piling system).
Anyway, we are home now, and Sunday is coming again. Lots of things to do, not enough time (or I'd like to think that time would help.....). Guess I'd better quit griping or just get some cheese to go with it!
God is good, and He gives us challenges to prove it!
Dropped Shemiah off, met some of the people she will be working with this summer, drank a bit of coffee (had some crunchies in the bottom of the cup.... still chewing on it too...) and listened to the Lords Prayer in Cajun. Cajuns must be an interesting bunch, cuz the ones I saw were scary..... not really - a lot of fun. Miah should enjoy her summer.
Got back (after having to fix the Suburban in a parking lot in Albuquerque) and for the last 2 days I've been running around like a head with it's chicken cut off. Trying to figure out which direction to go next.
My lovely bride (who many people think looks like Julia Roberts - just ask the lady who said so in Blakes in Rio Rancho) said that she was going to clean my office this morning. She did that - and rearranged it too! Looks better now - and would look even better if I'd let her at my desk. But she really doesn't understand my filing system (she calls it my piling system).
Anyway, we are home now, and Sunday is coming again. Lots of things to do, not enough time (or I'd like to think that time would help.....). Guess I'd better quit griping or just get some cheese to go with it!
God is good, and He gives us challenges to prove it!
07 June 2005
Vacation Time!
We are headed out tomorrow! Shemiah is going to be working at Glorieta this summer taking care of other people's kids. It'll be good for her. Shaianne is going to a camp with Brittney in the Carolinas for a couple of weeks. D'Shon and I won't know what to do with only 2 kids at home. But I'm sure we will cope.
But then again, by then Shaylyn will have finished The Lord of the Rings - she will have lots more questions than answers. Guess she might have to read The Silmarillion, or Unfinished Tales, or The Tolkien Reader or something else..... Who knows, maybe she will have to experience C.S. Lewis more deeply (beyond Aslan and company).
Maybe I can find the Grail on this trip - it's been awhile since I've experienced coffee shop coffee - perhaps a morning or 2 smelling coffee would be appropriate with a couple of good books.
But then again, by then Shaylyn will have finished The Lord of the Rings - she will have lots more questions than answers. Guess she might have to read The Silmarillion, or Unfinished Tales, or The Tolkien Reader or something else..... Who knows, maybe she will have to experience C.S. Lewis more deeply (beyond Aslan and company).
Maybe I can find the Grail on this trip - it's been awhile since I've experienced coffee shop coffee - perhaps a morning or 2 smelling coffee would be appropriate with a couple of good books.
Latest edition of Christian Counterculture
The latest edition of Christian Counter Culture Newsletter came out today. The focus this time is Good News. Asks the question - What is the Gospel? Most of the time we tend to think that the Gospel is directed at individuals, rather than at the Kingdom of God. We as individuals will benefit, but the Good News is more than individual in nature. Read it and get ready to be challenged.
05 June 2005
Spurgeon, by way of Mohler
Al Mohler has an exerpt from a message on his blog today that Charles H. Spurgeon gave on May 15, 1890. Spurgeon was talking to pastors, and Mohler addresses it to pastors today.
I really needed it today. I needed to see what only God can do - and God graciously let me see some things that He is already doing (3 that I noticed, so far). I also needed the reminder from two men I respect that it's all about Him, not me. Thank you Dr. Mohler.
I really needed it today. I needed to see what only God can do - and God graciously let me see some things that He is already doing (3 that I noticed, so far). I also needed the reminder from two men I respect that it's all about Him, not me. Thank you Dr. Mohler.
04 June 2005
Rodney - 1, Stump - 0
We had 2 stumps in our yard one month ago. My lovely bride resorted to diesel powered help to remove one of them (and I thanked her very much too!) Last night, the second one - much larger (not in my estimation, but D'Shon's and Annie's) than the one removed with hydraulic help succumbed to the shovel and crowbar! I'd been told that I would be working for a long time before that one came out of the ground and they weren't sure it would all come up - it did. I had worked one afternoon a couple of months ago and had been saving up my strength to finish the battle. I was almost disappointed - it only took another couple of hours to finish it up.
I did my best Tim the Toolman grunt and then went in the house to celebrate with generic Coke and chocolate covered graham crackers. Drug it out of the yard with my trusty Trooper II today and covered the hole like the tree never existed. The girls just smile and thank God that no one is around when I do my best Arnold imitation and grunt when someone mentions the stump that was formerly in our yard.
I did my best Tim the Toolman grunt and then went in the house to celebrate with generic Coke and chocolate covered graham crackers. Drug it out of the yard with my trusty Trooper II today and covered the hole like the tree never existed. The girls just smile and thank God that no one is around when I do my best Arnold imitation and grunt when someone mentions the stump that was formerly in our yard.
02 June 2005
Rick Warren interviews David Yonggi Cho
Found Mike and Tonya Norton from the Emerging SBC site. Mike links to an interview of David Yonggi Cho by Rick Warren. Really good stuff. Read and ponder, then do something about it (mainly for me, not you necessarily)
01 June 2005
Dr. Jimmy Draper has a blog!
Dr. Jimmy Draper recently started a blog. He has been talking to younger leaders in the SBC for the past year or so and continues to try to engage them in different ways. He originally had a series of face to face meetings in several locations across the U.S. He then started a discussion board. Now, he has a blog and has promised to continue to improve it.
I'm hopeful that his latest attempt will be beneficial for the Southern Baptist denomination as a whole.
I'm hopeful that his latest attempt will be beneficial for the Southern Baptist denomination as a whole.
Good questions, conversation to follow
Joel Rainey started a thread today that should lead to some good conversation starting next week. He pointed out some common questions that he sees being asked by younger SBC folks that have the potential to change how SB life is viewed. Go read his posting to get the full context. He did a good job laying out the situation.
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