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What You Read and Your Heart…

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Was challenged by Russell Moore’s post yesterday, Can Romance Novels Hurt Your Heart? Here’s the conclusion:

How many disappointed middle-aged women in our congregations are reading these novels as a means of comparing the “strong spiritual leaders” depicted there with what by comparison must seem to be underachieving lumps lying next to them on the couch?

This is not to equate morally “romance novels” with the grave soul destruction of pornography. But it is worth asking, “Is what I’m consuming leading me toward contentment with my spouse (or future spouse) or away from it? Is it pointing me to the other in one-flesh union or to an eroticized embodiment of my own desires? Is this the mystery or a mirage?

You really should read his entire post…

However, I recognize that my heart can easily drift toward self-righteousness when my wife or another Christian woman is reading the “fluff stuff.” Therefore, I think we would do well to ask the question, how does what I read affect my heart? For some, the newspaper might affect your heart. For guys, in particular, it might be that catalog, motorcycle or golf magazine, or sports stuff. Just ask these questions about what you read…am I able to be discerning as I read, or is this holding too much sway or influence over me? Realize that what you ingest into your heart will come out of your mouth. Therefore, be careful what you read!

A Modest Proposal…

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Ladies, there are simple ways you can serve men this summer. In this article, What Not To Wear, by Mary Kassian, she offers 3 questions to ask yourself as you dress:

Is it becoming or unbecoming?
Is it decent or indecent?
Is it moderate or excessive?

Check out this article to see the practical ways you can help serve others around you in the way you dress.

Conference Christians…

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…or, why thou shalt not love other pastors or teachers at the expense of your own…

Good counsel and words here from one Mark Driscoll on the particular perils of what he calls a “conference Christian.” The conclusion:

As I see it, conference Christians really only have one of three options. One, they can repent of attending too many conferences and pour themselves out as servants in a local church rather than consumers at yet another conference. Two, they can continue to attend conferences but mainly for the purpose of growing as a humble servant-leader with new passions and ideas to implement in their local church. Three, they can now start discussing why they disagree with this critique, which will give them something to do until conference season kicks up again in the fall.

Read the whole thing.

Weekend Recap – Jesus, the GodMAN and wisdom for parents

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…audio from our weekend is now online:

In the AM, we looked at Hebrews 2:11-16, a sermon called GodMAN, and how Jesus took on human flesh to identify with us, defeat death and deliver us from slavery.

In the PM, we sought wisdom in Proverbs 4:1-9, a sermon entitled Parental Counsel, to see the high calling we have as parents to impart wisdom, be examples and made wisdom attractive.

I hope you had a blessed Lord’s Day.

7 in ’11 – Gluttony

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This past weekend, the men of our church gathered (we’re meeting 7 times in 2011 to see how we need to gospel to fight the seven deadly sins) to study gluttony. I love it when others gifted to teach in the body can use their gifts. And last Saturday was no different. One quote I enjoyed was from Evagrius of Pontus, who, on gluttony, said,

There is gluttony then, the mother of fornication, nourishing the thoughts with words, the relaxation of fasting, the muzzling of ascesis [exercise], terror over one’s moral purpose, imagining of foods, picturer of condiments, a dissolute fawn, unbridled madness, a receptacle of disease, envy of health, an obstruction of the throat, a groaning of the innards, the extremity of insults, a fellow initiate in fornication, pollution of the intellect, weakness of the body, wearisome sleep, gloomy death.

He was tying in the sin of gluttony to the sin of lust. Really great help! So, are you struggling with gluttony. If so, run to a Savior who has put all sin, including overindulging in food, under His feet.

All I Have Is Christ Animated Video

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This coming Lord’s Day, May 15, we will show this video as our offertory…

Some things about this:
1) The song is amazing in helping us hold onto Jesus as our Righteousness
2) The setting of this video and the setting of the readers who read the book of Hebrews the first time were pretty much the same. Both were holding on Christ as their hope and both needed hope to persevere.
3) Christ is our only Hope. He is able to sustain us in that difficult hour of testing.

I hope this inspires fresh courage in us all.

WatchD.O.G.S. at Lincoln Elementary…

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Here’s my column from a recent YouthFriends newsletter:

YouthFriends Guest Columnist, Phil Auxier, shares his 1st day experience at Lincoln Elementary:

On Thursday, April 28, I showed up at Lincoln Elementary for my first WatchDOG experience through YouthFriends. If you’re not familiar with WatchDOG, it is a program that encourages men, in particular, to be active role models by volunteering in schools. My day did not disappoint. Some things that stood out to me included: the support extended to me by YouthFriends staff. Everything YouthFriends did to prepare me proved so helpful and they offered encouragement to me all along the way as I “stepped out into the unknown” of my volunteering. I was also struck by the vision of Pam Bevin, principal at Lincoln. She was there to greet me, orient me to the life of Lincoln, and had a day
full of a variety of opportunities to interact with students. I also got to spend time with the teachers and staff of Lincoln who labor very hard to serve the needs of students. I mentioned to some how their difficult, selfless service was very inspiring to see. Finally, I saw students who definitely need the WatchDOG program. They responded by opening up their lives to me, which encouraged me to work hard to serve them.

Why would I recommend this? How does it help? Well, on one level, serving in this way moves us from the “air war” to the “ground war.” Instead of talking and giving opinions on what is best for our schools, by getting involved, I’m able to see what students actually need. And, the need is very great. Our children continue to need male role models. What would be the effect if students were in consistent
engagement with other positive role models in our community? We would see change, I believe. Finally, I would recommend this, because it’s easy. Everyone made my experience something that was natural and easy to do. You can do this. All I had to give was my time. The children reached out to me and I was inspired to give back to them. I believe you’ll find the same to be true for you. Benjamin Franklin said, “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” This is what we want to see in the lives of our children. Therefore, let’s step out to be involved in ways that will move us towards true change.

Phil Auxier
Pastor, Crestview Bible Church

Some other links of relevance to Lincoln Elementary:
Upcoming Staff Changes
Lincoln Reorganization
Other Links from Hutch News
Dan Deming’s Column in Hutch News (a more “conflictual” interpretation)

My Mom-The Queen (repost from 5/9/07)

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For Mother’s Day, I thought I’d post this tribute I wrote for my mom in 2007. Mom, you are still a huge blessing to me. I love you…

I was wanting to write a post thanking God for my Mom and when my Mom’s cousin, Laura, sent me this photo of my mom from back in the dizz-ay, I knew my opportunity had come. (Incidentally, this pic of my Mom is back from the days when GA’s, or Girls in Action, were alive and well in Baptist life. This is a GA coronation and a banquet would honor girls who had memorized Scripture, been involved in the local church, served others, etc. This was no small task and speaks of the active faith that has existed in my Mom since her youth.)

I can’t thank God enough for my Mom. God has used her to instill so much truth in my life, both about living and about God. Seeing the way she worked so hard for her family has helped me see what an honorable thing a wife is and given me the proper words to use in encouraging Meg’s pursuit of managing our home well. She modeled this. Growing up, my Mom worked hard. Whether it was babysitting or working as a Customer Service Rep for an HMO or her current position, she has labored hard for her family.

I think our relationship changed (understandably) when my Dad passed away. I will never forget finally arriving home early that morning when he passed and having my Mom fall in my arms. We had so many decisions to make in those few days. God was gracious, but my role changed from simply a son to someone who had to be stronger for her.

In these days, Mom continues to exemplify what a godly woman should be. Working around her yard, keeping her home tidy, serving in her local church, taking care of her parents, loving her children (and grandchildren) and seeking to work hard all the hours of the day.

I praise God for you Mom. You are a queen to me.