For today’s free audio recommendation, if you’ve never listened to them, you simply must receive the gift of poetry that John Piper gives his congregation each year. All the years are collected in a handy list according to date.
If you are looking for a good place to start and you want it to be more of a holiday feel, check out The Innkeeper.
…or, as Justin Buzzard writes, How To Leave A Church. In this short post, he laments hearing of people leaving churches, but it reminded him of an article his college pastor wrote entitled, Putting Asunder: Some Thoughts on How To Quit Your Church. Among other things, three tips are given:
1) Leave deliberately
2) Leave graciously
3) Leave thankfully
This short article was so helpful and would demonstrate to the church from where you are departing the love of Christ.
Last night I got home from Elder’s meeting around 10:30 and there was nothing on the ground. Got up to 4 inches and still snowing (and a meager 9 degree temperature).
Every time I experience the first snowfall, my mind runs to that oft-quoted verse (and incredible promise given through Isaiah):
“Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be white as snow”
Therefore, I’m gleeful with the snow, but eternally grateful for the purity I know in my heart through the Gospel.
Great question, isn’t it? For most in contemporary evangelicalism, success is determined by nickels and noses (budget/people). As we come to the conclusion of our series of posts on Total Church, the authors come to our aid and define success in terms of:
two competing models of growth: larger congregations versus more congregations (urging church plants over sheer numbers)
two competing models of leadership: leadership as performance versus leadership as enabling (urging leaders to faithfulness not busyness)
two competing models of success: a church of glory versus a church of the cross (urging Cross-centered weakness as a model for demonstrating God’s power)
This was really the icing on the top of the cake for me.
This balance is further expressed in the conclusion where the authors write:
Our proposals should not be viewed as a recipe for success nor a guarantee of authentic ministry. Christianity is not a strategy or a set of principles. It is a relationship of love with the Triune God. The gospel word and the gospel community must be central to Christian practice. But our hearts should be fixed on the grace of God, the love of God, and the glory of God. The only true center of Christian existence is God himself. (p.203)
So there it is full circle. This book has really helped me as a pastor to be more God-centered and to keep my eyes on Him, while I still pursue the wise engagement of outsiders. I commend this book to you in that regard.
…for He will save His people from their sins. (Matt. 1:21) Let’s be praising the God this week for the incredible Gospel truth that Jesus was born to save us from disobeying what God has called us to be and do.
Albert Mohler has 3 simple tips (and recommends some good Bibles for you to own).
For today’s Marriage Monday segment, I thought I would allude to the theme that was to occur last Friday night at HomeWord (we ended up cancelling for a few reasons). I was struck by 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 and the outright command (“order” in the original) he gave married couples based on the authoritative word of Jesus to stick together. Wives aren’t to separate and husbands aren’t to divorce.
I’m wondering what keeps you together as a couple? I mean I’ve heard people say they are toughing it out for the kids (which is noble) or Jesus (which I have some questions about — I mean if Jesus is really the reason you are holding it together, shouldn’t you both be growing more together…anyway, I regress) or maybe even pride and ignoring public embarrassment. Paul appeals for us to stick together because it is God’s will for us. You don’t have to pray about whether or not God wants you in that marriage relationship. I think Jesus said it best: “What God has joined together, let not man separate.” Therefore, if we are seeking God’s desires above all, we will stick together. We will pursue “togetherness.” So how are you doing at this?
Just wanted to communicate where we’re headed this weekend as a church:
Friday PM @ HomeWord – We will encourage a consistent fortification of your marriage covenant and sticking together from 1 Corinthians 7:10-11.
Sunday AM – We will be encouraged to be humble under God’s mighty work by looking at Mary’s life in Luke 1.
It should be a great weekend. Ask God to bless His Word and work in our midst.
I love the preaching of Sinclair Ferguson for its clear, Gospel-saturated content. In this series of messages preached during the Christmas season of 06, he encourages us to worship and marvel at the true meaning of Christmas–Jesus Himself. (Got this sermon recommendation from Justin Taylor)
Ferguson admits that these are 3 Christmas gifts he wishes to unwrap for his listeners and I’m sure you’ll find them to be a great gift as well.
…at our local Starbucks (17th & Lorraine in Hutchinson). It isn’t very often that you can get 20% of most things in a store (including beans) and that’s what’s happening here. Come join the fun! (But hurry, the sale is only through the 15th)