The Read and Share File

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It’s been a while since I’ve had the chance to share.  Here’s what this writer has been reading:

9 Marks offers tips on leading the church in a healthy direction.  Read them here.

Tim Challies is doing a series on the holiness of God.

Ray Ortland suggests that small talk has a place in ministry.  While I agree, I’m not totally sure that’s what happened in Acts 10:27.  Read The Astonishing Amiability and see what you think.

Continue reading →

Asleep at the Wheel

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We hear a lot these days about texting and driving, but there’s a million ways to not pay attention to the road.  You could be talking to a person in the car with you, changing the radio dial, reading; I saw a guy on I-75  in Atlanta shaving with a cordless razor.  Have you ever driven on auto pilot?  Perhaps you’re deep in thought or just daydreaming, then suddenly realize where you are.  If you drive a route routinely you do it without really thinking about it.  That will become a problem if something non-routine happens, like a car suddenly breaking or kids running out in the road.  Drivers don’t have to be drunk or texting to be zoned out.

1 Peter 5:8 says “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  Not living in a drunken stupor is not enough, we have to watchful.  We must be vigilant.  In chapter 1 Peter tells us to prepare our minds for action.  Riding a motorcycle requires more presence of thought driving a car; a few seconds on autopilot could be the end of your trip.  Riders are trained to watch further down the road in order to anticipate problems, as well as be aware of what’s going on behind them on the road.

The Church can’t function on auto pilot.   Continue reading →

Happy Monday

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The 2012 Summer Olympics are over in London, closing ceremonies were last night.  The United States finished with 104 medals, 46 of them gold.  Opening ceremonies for the 2014 winter games will be held February 7, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

One of my pet peeves is everything that gets forwarded, reposted, retweeted etc. that was never true in the first place.  It started with email in the late 90’s and has only gotten worse with social media and 24/7 connectivity.  Neither Pepsi nor Coca-Cola are releasing a patriotic can which leaves “under God” out of the Pledge of Allegiance. Continue reading →

Auto Ichthus

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The Ichthus (also Christian fish, Jesus fish) is a symbol of Christianity from the early days of the church.  In short, “ΙΧΘΥΣ (Ichthys) is an acronym for ‘Ίησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ’, (Iēsous Christos,Theou Yios, Sōtēr), which translates into English as ‘Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior’ “.  -Wikipedia; more here.  The symbolism is still used today on everything from youth group t-shirts to church websites.  A common usage is the auto decal ichthus, and it is the pro’s and con’s of this phenomenon I wish to examine here.

Some Christian leaders do not believe a public declaration of faith is necessary.  If we live our lives as “people of the book” then others will see there is a difference in us.  If you arrive early for work, aren’t stealing the office supplies, and take responsibility for your own mistakes, then you may very well stick out like a sore thumb.  The argument is that if we as Christians conform to the image of Christ, and walk circumspectly of the world, then we don’t need Christian t-shirts, auto emblems nor anything else to announce our presence.  If we need to wear signs identifying ourselves as Christian, maybe there’s a problem.  Continue reading →

Happy Monday

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“My purpose is to glorify God, and that’s what I want to do at the Olympic Games.”  -Jennifer Nichols, archer, Team USA  Read the full story here at Baptist Press.

Michael Phelps ends his Olympic career with a record breaking 22 total medals.  This will be the week for track and field events, and basketball teams will begin knock-out rounds today as well.  Team USA had their first “close call” with Lithuania, winning by only 6 points.

Chick-fil-A set new sales records last Wednesday, courtesy of Mike Huckabee sponsored Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.  Not all Christians stand in agreement, which should come as no big surprise.  Other things Christians disagree on include infant baptism, the Lord’s Supper, the divinity of Christ and who can be saved. Continue reading →

True or False: Man Cannot See God and Live

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I’m going to consider this question in order to illustrate two important truths that should apply to other questions.  I have heard entire sermons on Exodus 33:20, in which God says to Moses “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”  Some elevate the idea of dying at the sight of God to one of the great doctrines of our Christian faith.  If your paradigm is that no man can see God and live then you run into problems with other passages of scripture when men do see the face of God.  So here come two important lessons.

1) The Bible does not contradict itself.  The Bible is the Word of God.  At essence it conveys one single message, that of how a holy, righteous God deals with a sinful, fallen, broken humanity.  Many apparent conflicts are the result of not understanding historical or cultural context.  Bible students must learn something of history, Hebrew poetry, and the language of analogy. Continue reading →

Happy Monday

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Opening Ceremonies in London – where else can you see Queen Elizabeth II jump from a helicopter or Mr. Bean play Chariots of Fire?

9.66 million Tweets sent during the Opening Ceremonies.  That’s more than during the entire Games in Beiging, but to be fair Twitter wasn’t the “big deal” in 2008 is has become.  Media outlets actually had problems Saturday because the data networks were jammed with tweets and they couldn’t get details for broadcast.  When people watching television started tweeting about the lack of info, the problem only got worse.

James Holmes will be back in court today, but news cameras will not, Continue reading →

God Bless Chick-fil-A

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If you don’t know Tim Hawkins you’re really missing out.  All seriousness aside, let’s watch this and share a smile.  I’ll see you all next Wednesday at a Chick-fil-A near you (unless you live in Boston).

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Below is Tim’s original Chick-fil-A song, with a special Truet & Dan Cathy verse. Continue reading →

Chick-fil-A Drama Play by Play

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The Chick-fil-a saga continues, and some would argue has gotten ridiculous.  Here’s a timeline, a play by play if you will, of how we ended up where we are.  The story has been picked up by national media, who of course are reporting many facts wrongly.

  1. Dan Cathy is interviewed by Ken Coleman, a radio talk show host in Atlanta.  The link I had to the interview is longer valid, but Cathy did remark that America is inviting God’s judgement.  That broadcast was over a month ago, and there was no social media attention nor public outrage in the weeks that followed.
  2. Last week this interview was published by the Baptist Press.  Cathy says in the interview there is no such thing as a Christian company.  A company cannot be lost or saved but individuals are.  A company can however be run according to Christian principles.   Continue reading →

Happy Monday

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Happy Monday, a weekend review and a look ahead.

Let’s begin with the good news (so I can display the London Olympics icon).  Opening ceremonies for the 2012 Olympic Games are this Friday.  For over 100 years the Olympics have been an occasion for the nations of the world to put their differences aside and meet on the athletic field.  London2012.com is the official website.  I will probably provide commentary and keep a running tab of American medals on my other blog.

Box Office numbers are not being released for Dark Knight Rises out of respect for Aurora, CO shooting victims.  We have been praying for Colorado during the weeks of wildfires and home destruction, and will continue to pray for Colorado now.  James Holmes will make his first appearance in court today. UPDATE – Formal charges will be filed on Monday, July 3o.

If you read this blog and are gay (probably a small demographic) you’ll want to find and join a Chick-fil-A boycott this week.  Despite the chain’s official statement to continue serving everyone equally without discrimination, and leave the same-sex marriage debate to the politicians, Chick-fil-A is the target of GBLT boycotts and protests.  For the rest of us, Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day is August 1.  Like I said, as for me and my house…

Word of encouragement  “…God is in the business of setting us up with just what is necessary for us to get to that place where we need to be. Keep serving others. Keep putting others first. Keep using your gifts to bless others. You never know when God will open a door for you.”  More here from Walter Bright

Here’s a story I had pegged for the Read and Share File, but haven’t put together enough to publish another installment yet.  John Boyers, pictured left, will coordinate 160 chaplains serving at the summer games in London.  His regular “gig” is pastoring the players and staff of Manchester United, so he is right in his element.  Read the full story at Baptist Press.

I’m looking forward to the week ahead.  Keep my family in your prayers and have a Happy Monday :- D