Proud to Not Be American (03/31/05 - 0 Comments)
There are times in life where I would love to be American. I love and admire the confidence and patriotism that are such a part of what makes Americans who they are. One recent example of a day I would have been proud to be American is September 11 and the following days and weeks, as the whole nation gathered together to mourn and to rededicate itself to the pursuit of liberty. Watching as an outsider, it was an inspiring reaction to such tragedy.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 31 (03/31/05 - 0 Comments)
This is the thirty first and final part in this study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study has been to learn wisdom and discernment from God's Word. Yesterday I learned that limited human wisdom can never compare with God's unlimited perfect wisdom. I also saw that though nature proclaims that God exists, it is only through His Word that I can really come to know Him. Finally I saw through several examples from nature, that God is able to overcome any weakness through His strength.
Michael Schiavo's Very Strange Lawyer. (03/30/05 - 0 Comments)
National Review online has an interesting article about Michael Shiavo's lawyer, George Felos. Reading through the article it would be easy to dismiss Felos as a crackpot, but this would be hasty. Instead, we should see Felos' beliefs as being consistent with the New Spirituality (formerly known as the New Age).
In his 2002 book Litigation as Spiritual Practice, Felos expresses his belief in the "cosmic law of cause and effect," in which the human mind is not limited by the constraints of reality....
Advice On Reading (03/30/05 - 0 Comments)
Darren, friend and artist extrordinaire, recently sent me a link to some writings of the great puritan pastor and theologian Richard Baxter. Baxter wrote some advice on reading that seems as appropriate for us to learn from today as it was for the men and women of the seventeenth century. Perhaps the advice is even more important today as we have access to far more books and writing than the puritans could ever have imagined. The following is drawn from an article printed in the Banner of Truth (Issue 11, June, 1958). My commentary appears italicized.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 30 (03/30/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part thirty in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn wisdom and discernment from God's Word. Yesterday I learned that I need to keep my mouth and emotions under control lest I be proven foolish by my words or actions. I also saw the importance of maintaining moral purity when in a position of leadership, where political, church or family leadership.
Chapter 30 is one of just two chapters in this book that records the wisdom of someone other than Solomon. The proverbs in this chapter were written by Agur, a man we know nothing about, except that he was probably a foreigner (and the son of Jakeh, as mentioned in the first verse).
Solomon Talks Blogging... (03/29/05 - 0 Comments)
There are many who doubt or downplay the relevance of the Old Testament to our times. Those people have probably never taken the time to read the book of Proverbs. As you may have noticed, I have been working my way through that particular book this month and have been posting a few comments on it. I have been continually amazed at just how relevant this book is. It seems that wisdom is timeless. The lessons David taught Solomon speak to myself and my children as much as they did to the men and women of ancient Israel. The wisdom of God given to Solomon continues to ring loud and clear in my heart.
In the past few days I have read chapters twenty six to twenty nine and have found so many lessons that could apply specifically to people who blog, and who participate in forums, chatrooms and the like.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 29 (03/29/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part twenty nine in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn wisdom and discernment from God's Word. Yesterday I learned that confession is a critical aspect of having a deep, intimate relationship with God. Failing to confess sin to Him will build barriers in our fellowship. I also saw the value of trusting God to guide me through life rather than depending on myself.
Chapter twenty nine is the final chapter containing Solomon’s proverbs, for chapter thirty was written by Agur and the final chapter by Lemuel. Today’s passage repeats many of the themes we have seen in previous days, so I will try to focus on a couple of other key messages.
Mark D. Roberts, Time Magazine, and Mary (03/28/05 - 0 Comments)
What an incredibly uninspiring and unimaginative title to this article. I hope you will read it regardless.
As you may know, a few weeks ago the cover of Time magazine featured a portrayal of Mary and the words "Hail, Mary: Catholics have long revered her, but now Protestants are finding their own reasons to celebrate the mother of Jesus." The thrust of the article, written by David Van Biema, is that in our day there is a resurgence of interest in Mary amongst Protestants. He offered a fair bit of proof. Among them:
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 28 (03/28/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part twenty eight in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn wisdom and discernment from God's Word. Yesterday I learned that since God is in full control of the future I need to ensure I am not presumptuous about what is to come. I also read powerful words that described the heart as being like a mirror that reflects who I really am.
"Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them." Several days ago a similar proverb made me think about the people of Hollywood and this verse did the same.
An Easter Reflection (03/27/05 - 0 Comments)
Sometimes I think my favorite moments of praise are ones where I do not say a thing. This morning in church, after the sermon while everyone was singing a song of response, I so badly wanted to just run somewhere quiet and be alone with God, just to bask in His presence. That was probably wrong of me, to wish that I was somewhere other than at the worship service. It is difficult to have time alone with little children who constantly need me, and even more difficult on an Easter Sunday that is pretty well booked from beginning to end with church and family celebrations.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 27 (03/27/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part twenty seven in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn wisdom and discernment from God’s Word. Yesterday I learned that no proverb will apply to each and every situation, so I need to be careful in their application. I also saw that I need to be wary around foolish men for they are, because of their foolishness, untrustworthy. Finally I saw examples of how folly breeds delusion so that foolish men are unable to see or understand their own folly.
Book Review - Fool's Gold (03/26/05 - 0 Comments)
All that glitters is not gold. This is a lesson many thousands of men learned in the 19th century when they stormed California seeking their fortunes. While there was treasure to be found, as evidenced by the wealth many gained from their mining ventures, there was also what came to be known as fool's gold. While this looked like gold, it was in reality valueless iron pyrite. For a miner to be successful he had to learn to discern the true gold from mere fool's gold. A man's livelihood depended on this. Because it was difficult to tell one from the other only by looking at it, miners develped some simple tests. One was the hardness test, where a miner could bite a rock in question. Fool's gold was hard while real gold was much softer. A broken tooth would prove the rock to be fool's gold. For a second test a miner would scrape the rock against a white stone. True gold would leave a yellowish streak while fool's gold would leave one that was greenish-black. This is the historical backdrop against which John MacArthur and the staff of Grace Community Church compare today's church. We are in a time where the church is filled with fool's gold and only godly discernment will show what is true treasure and what is trash.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 26 (03/26/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part twenty six in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn what God has to say in this book about wisdom and discernment. Yesterday I learned the value of being humble. It is far better to begin humble and be exalted than to begin proud and be brought to shame. I also saw that wisdom will teach moderation.
There is so much wisdom in today's chapter that I hardly know where to begin! This is no doubt the funniest chapter in the whole Bible (which admittedly, does not contain a whole lot of humor) as it contains some striking statements about lazy and foolish men.
It's A Good Friday (03/25/05 - 0 Comments)
It's a good Friday. After all, this is a day off. I don't know what these days are known as in other parts of the world but in Canada we call them statuatory holidays - days that, by law, we can (and should) have off. As someone who is self-employed I rarely know what days I am supposed to have off, but I happened to remember this one.
This morning we left the house bright and early, went for a delicious, nutritious and very large breakfast at some friends' house, and then went to a local conservation area to learn how maple syrup is made. It's quite an interesting process and one that produces one of the most delightful substances known to man. Did you know that it takes forty litres of raw Maple sap to make a single litre of maple syrup? No wonder it sells for $50 per gallon.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 25 (03/25/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part twenty five in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn wisdom and discernment from God’s Word. Yesterday I learned that wise people surround themselves with trusted, godly counselors and then heed the counsel of these people during tough times. I also saw that I am to show equal love to both friends and enemies and never rejoice in anyone’s trouble.
Chapter twenty five is prefaced with the words "These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied." Hezekiah was a godly king who lived long after Solomon. During his reign there was a return to the Law of Moses and it seems that there was also a return to emphasis on wisdom. The proverbs were copied, either from existing documents or from oral tradition, so they could be widely distributed.
Seems So Long Ago, Nancy (03/24/05 - 0 Comments)
In 1969 Leonard Cohen released an album entitled Songs From A Room. The fifth song on that album is "Seems So Long Ago, Nancy." The song has become one of Cohen's more popular ones and has subsequently been recorded on one of his live albums and has also been recorded by several other artists. If you have never heard the song, you can listen to a short clip here.
It is a dark, haunting song that talks about a young woman named Nancy. The poetic words are difficult to interpret leading many fans of Cohen's music to speculate on what they mean. Here are the words to "Seems So Long Ago, Nancy."
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 24 (03/24/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part twenty four in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn wisdom and discernment from God's Word. Yesterday I learned that riches are fleeting, so to work myself to exhaustion in order to acquire them is foolish. I also learned that sin is addictive and though initially it provides joy, it always ends up bringing sorrowful consequences. I should avoid sin, trusting that with God's power I can overcome it.
Verses 5 and 6 raise a theme that we have seen before in Proverbs. "A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength; For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, And in a multitude of counselors there is safety."
But Then I Read A Book... (03/23/05 - 0 Comments)
A few days ago, browsing through a magazine, I read an article that described the importance of brand loyalty to corporations. Many companies are trying to influence children and teenagers towards their products, hoping they can make customers for life. Looking back at my years in university and high school I can see that this was true even then. There were many times when a company would come to campus and give away whole boxes of their products. During my first year at McMaster University I got more deodorant, razors, shaving cream and aftershave than I knew what to do with. The latest players in this game, apparently, are condom companies, which are always eager to sponsor giveaways and health classes in high schools and even middle schools, giving out their products to whoever wants them. There is great competition to be the company that has their condoms dispensed in vending machines in high school bathrooms. Beer companies are another example of corporations that try to target their future customers while they are still young - too young to be using their products!
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 23 (03/23/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part twenty three in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn wisdom and discernment from God’s Word. Yesterday I learned that God makes no partiality based on wealth – all men are equal in His eyes and will be judged by the same standards, regardless of their riches in this world. I also saw that if I train my children in the way of wisdom, they will learn to love it and not turn from it when they grow older.
Worship - Elements and Circumstances (03/22/05 - 0 Comments)
Last week I posted an article about the freedom God gives us in worshipping Him. In that article I suggested that there may be some merit to what is known as the Regulative Principle. I would like to comment further on this topic.
Allow me to comment first on the Regulative Principle of worship (also known as The Regulatory Principle), restating the brief definition I provided last time. This principle states that the only acceptable worship is that which is explicitly taught in the Bible. By extension then, anything that is not explicitly taught in the Bible is implicitly forbidden. The Regulatory Principle is most often applied to music in the worship service, but can also apply to the use of drama, the administration of the Lord's Supper (how is it celebrated and how often?) and any other number of situations. Churches that adhere to the Regulatory Principle will insist that God, in His wisdom, provided certain ways in which we are to worship Him. The ways in which we are to worship are outlined in Scripture. Means of worship that we may invent will not be acceptable to a perfect and holy God. We should note that this principle generally only applies to the worship service.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 22 (03/22/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part twenty two in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn wisdom and discernment from God’s Word. Yesterday I learned that God is in complete control - Every person, whether great or small, believing or unbelieving, must do God’s will, whether he realizes he is doing it or not. I also saw that the path to destruction begins with greedily desiring things but not having the motivation to acquire them. I need to set my sites on godly goals and do all I can to reach them.
Can't Bear To See It Go... (03/21/05 - 0 Comments)
I am blessed to have been born into a family that has one of the greatest cottages in the world. I don't feel that I am boasting, either. Situated in Chaffey's Locks, a tiny town about 3.5 hours outside Toronto, it is close enough to be a weekend destination, but far enough away that it is a vacation. And it's certainly far enough away from the city that it promotes a rural rather than urban pace of life. The cottage is owned by my father and his two siblings. They received ownership of the cottage when their parents died, and my grandparents received it from a relative as well. My children represent the fifth generation of the family who have spent their summers at the cottage.
Chasing the Wind, Defending The Faith (03/21/05 - 0 Comments)
Tim Irvin (of The Irvins) posted some thoughts on Saturday that caught my attention. I have tremendous respect for the elder Tim and value all that he says (except, perhaps, his thoughts on horror movies). Because of my respect for him, and because I felt his comments applied to myself and my site, I wanted to respond to them. I am attempting to do so in a spirit of humility, acknowleding Tim as my elder and one who undoubtedly has wisdom far surpassing my own.
In his article Tim writes "I lost most of my vanity many years ago, about the time my chest fell into my drawers, and the thought that I could write something on a regular basis that would appeal to anybody never really crossed my mind. I'm continually amazed by the amount information some writers post on a daily basis. I'm equally amazed by some of the topics." The topics he is amazed people write about are "Rick Warren, Saddleback, The Purpose Driven Life, The Emerging Church, and Joel Osteen." He then confesses that he gets "tickled" at the amount of time, energy and space that are dedicated to these people. "I don’t find them the least bit interesting or worthy of our time and attention..."
The Value of a Link from Hugh Hewitt (03/21/05 - 0 Comments)
Hugh Hewitt is the biggest of the God-bloggers, which is to say he drives the most traffic. According to the notoriously-low SiteMeter statistics that he makes public, he has a daily average of 26,694 visitors. A visit, according to SiteMeter, is a series of page views by one person with no more than 30 minutes in between page views. SiteMeter defines a visit much more narrowly than many similar programs, and I find that I need to add 40 to 60 percent to the visits registered by SiteMeter (As an aside, it's also important to note that SiteMeter does not track RSS visitors and they comprise a very major number of visitors to many sites these days, though for some strange reason Hewitt does not offer RSS). The point is, Hewitt gets a lot of traffic.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 21 (03/21/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part twenty one in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn wisdom and discernment from God's Word. Yesterday I learned that though any fool can begin an argument it takes a wise man to know when and how to apologize and cease fighting. I also learned that discipline, though it may be painful, should serve to force me to examine my life and see where I am not following God's will. Today we turn to the twenty first chapter of Proverbs.
The chapter begins with an expression of the Lord's omnipotence. "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes." Everyone is under God's control, even kings and rulers who may not acknowledge Him. God's sovereignty extends to all people of all times and they must do his bidding whether they realize it or not. At the same time we know that God will not force anyone into doing wrong since we are wholly responsible for our own sin. So though God may use our evil for His purposes, it does not excuse our sin. We are still responsible for carefully discerning right from wrong.
Dear Paul, Love Demas (03/20/05 - 0 Comments)
I found the following letter at David Cloud's site and it tickled my funny bone. It is a fictional (obviously) letter from Demas to Paul and was written by Pastor Buddy Smith of Grace Baptist Church in Malanda, Queensland, Australia. Before you register offense, please note that it is merely satire, and hence is deliberately exaggerated in order to make a point.
Dear Paul,
As Convener of the Greater Corinth Ministers Fraternal, I have been asked to write you regarding your coming visit to our fair city. Since you were here last we have made impressive gains in many vital areas. The greatest advances are in our Ministerial Training Programme. Ten years ago the Corinth Bible Institute was upgraded to Bible College status.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 20 (03/20/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part twenty in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn what God has to say in this book about wisdom and discernment. Yesterday I learned that family relationships offer not only the greatest opportunities for blessing, but also the greatest opportunities for pain. I have to be a wise father to ensure that my children are raised in wisdom so they do not prove shameful later in life. I also learned about the natural inclination to blame God for our own sins.
"It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel." Any old fool can start a fight but it takes a real man to apologize. A mark of wisdom is having the humility and good sense to admit blame and be the one to apologize first. When I read this proverb I thought of my relationship with my wife.
Gratuitous Shout-outs (03/19/05 - 0 Comments)
There is lots of talk about Hugh Hewitt's Blog. I wrote a review, and Jolly blogger decided to affirm that blogging is not the new Reformation. There is some disagreement as to whether Hewitt meant to say that blogging is the new Reformation or whether it will just be the medium that carries it. Blogotional and SmartChristian are talking about the book too.
Shane at 2Twenty8 is giving away three good books. But you have to work for them by writing an article about "A Case For Conviction." It sounds like a challenging but rewarding task.
31 Days of Wisdom - Day 19 (03/19/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part nineteen in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn what God has to say in this book about wisdom and discernment. Yesterday I continued to learn one of the predominant themes of this book – I need to guard my lips and choose my words carefully, whether I am in a position of judgment or simply listening in order to give advice. Also, I am to put my trust in the Lord and find my refuge in Him rather than in material possessions.
One emphasis in chapter nineteen is family relationships. Verse 13 reads "A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping." A son who despises wisdom will bring grief to his family.
Your Plans This Weekend (03/18/05 - 0 Comments)
Here are my plans for this weekend:
Hmm. Come to think of it, I have no plans for this weekend, other than going to church on Sunday morning. I see before me the makings of a great weekend! I suppose this means I will spend plenty of time reading, though admittedly I haven't felt much like reading the past few days. I've been struggling my way through a book about the authority of Scripture, but have generally preferred doing other things.
Apart from what I have to do this weekend (which, as we have seen, is nothing) here are some things I hope to do this weekend:
- Write at least the first of a two-part article about The Emergent Church for a magazine. I told the editor I would try to have the first submitted by March 25, so the clock is ticking.
- Watch "The Incredibles." That shouldn't be hard to difficult to force myself into doing.
- Play with the kids.
Now you know my plans. What are you up to this weekend?
Freedom of Worship (03/18/05 - 0 Comments)
In recent days and weeks there have been some interesting discussions in the forums about worship. A couple of these were kick-started by book reviews or articles I had written while others were started by readers in the General Discussion forum. A patter began to emerge that I would like to discuss briefly. This is a pattern I have seen often in these types of discussions. It seems that many people believe that for us to have worship that is pure and free, it must be predicated by on as few rules as possible. In other words, in order for us to worship in spirit, as God commands, we must worship in ways that we have originated with us and make us feel good.
One of the first articles I ever posted on this site was called "The Rules of Freedom." In that article I discussed the Christian view towards freedom, and showed that we are only truly free when we are bound by rules. It sounds like a contradiction in terms, but allow me to bring out a few of the points I made in that article.
31 Days of Wisdom - Day 18 (03/18/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part eighteen in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn what God has to say in this book about wisdom and discernment. Yesterday I learned that God uses difficult times in my life to shape and mould my character and that during these times I need to have a peaceful soul and restrain my tongue. I also learned the value of avoiding strife at all costs.
The predominant theme of chapter eighteen is the dangerous nature of words. Verses 6 through 8 read "A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul...
March Book Giveaway Wrap-Up (03/17/05 - 0 Comments)
Thanks to all who participated in the giveaway of 20 Controversies That Almost Killed A Church by Richard Ganz and Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem.
Unfortunately, as with the previous giveaways, there can be only two winners. Before I announce their names, I would like to let you know that Grace & Truth Books, which co-sponsored this giveaway, has offered a great discount to all contest participants who purchase one of the two books we gave away this month. They are also offering several bonus items. You'll have to visit the site to read about it! The deal will not last long, so don't dawdle!
Purpose Driven Life on CNN (03/17/05 - 0 Comments)
Last night on "Newsnight" CNN featured The Purpose Driven Life, giving the book perhaps thirty or forty minutes of coverage. The book has enjoyed a resurgence of interest in the past few days because of the Brian Nichols case. Ashley Smith, the woman Nichols held hostage while he was a fugitive, read to him from The Purpose Driven Life. Since the press heard of that, the book has enjoyed plenty of press coverage.
As I mentioned previously, CNN contacted me about this story and I could sense that they were looking for miracle stories to share with their audience.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 17 (03/17/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part seventeen in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn what God has to say in this book about wisdom and discernment. Today we are looking at the seventeenth chapter of Proverbs.
"The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts."
Silver and gold are of little value or beauty before they go through the process of refining. During this time they are heated to great temperatures so the valuable metals can melt away from the worthless rock. The metaphor of refining fire is used many times in the Bible to show to us that God uses tough times in life to refine our character.
CNN on The Purpose Driven Life (It's On Tonight) (03/16/05 - 0 Comments)
According to CNN.com, there will be a one hour special edition of "Newsnight" tonight that will focus on The Purpose Driven Life. "It may have saved one woman and inspired an alleged killer to give up. What is the message in "The Purpose Driven Life"? Paula Zahn hosts a special edition of "NewsNight" at 10 p.m. ET." I'm sure it will be interesting. Because this of the combination of the subject matter and the network, you may want to take some anti-nausea medication before it begins.
Should We Pray For Forgiveness? (03/16/05 - 0 Comments)
I have had the privelege of hearing Louie Giglio speak on several occasions, both at conferences here in Toronto and in the church he ministers at in Atlanta. He is a wonderfully gifted speaker and has the rare ability to hold thousands of people at rapt attention for as long as he cares to speak. Generally I was impressed with the content of his speeches as well, as his ministry seemed to be rooted in the Bible and not in the teachings of men.
Recently Giglio spoke at the 2005 Purpose Driven Youth Conference and challenged the youth leaders in attendance to "remix" their prayer lives. He shared four remixed versions of typical cliché prayers many Christians regularly pray. They were: Instead of "Forgive me," pray "Thank you for forgiving me."; Instead of "Bless me," pray "Let us bless you.";
31 Days of Wisdom - Day 16 (03/16/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part sixteen in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of the study is to learn wisdom and discernment from this portion of God's Word. Today our passage is the sixteenth chapter of Proverbs.
A predominant theme in this chapter is God's omnipotence. Where in the previous chapter the author stressed the fact that God sees and knows everything, in this chapter he stresses the fact that God also controls everything. The first verse says "The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD." Though I may make preparations for the future and even diligently pray about it, ultimately it is God who is going to control what happens. Whatever He speaks is going to come to pass. This is reinforced in the ninth verse which reads "A man's heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." The obvious application of this knowledge is to submit my life to God, giving Him control over it. I need to seek His will so I can prepare my way for His purposes.
Book Review - With Reverence And Awe (03/15/05 - 0 Comments)
Reformed Christians are increasingly divided over how they ought to worship God. For many Reformed believers, this is an issue of great urgency. D.G. Hart and John R. Muether wrote With Reverence And Awe (Returning to the Basics of Reformed Worship) to address this topic. They call the book a primer on worship, "a brief overview of how Reformed theology informs the way we think about, put together, and participate in the worship service. Our aim is to help church officers and members gather corporately for worship and do so in ways appropriate to the God who has revealed himself in Christ Jesus" (page 13). The authors believe that good theology must produce good worship, while poor theology necessarily produces poor worship. This is something the church has understood in the past, but has lost sight of in recent years. Reformed worship, because of its distinctiveness, will worship God in ways that are distinct from other theological traditions.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 15 (03/15/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part fifteen in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of the study is to learn wisdom and discernment from this portion of God’s Word. Today we turn to chapter 15 of this book of Wisdom.
"The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good."
There is so much truth contained in this one small verse! This verse speaks of a doctrine we know as God's omniscience which says that God sees and knows everything.
Peace, Purpose & Murderers (03/14/05 - 0 Comments)
Just as I was finishing up work for the day, I got an email from a producer at CNN wondering if I would be interested in contributing to a story they are working on. Intruiged, I said that I might just be. She called me a few minutes later and it turns out that CNN is working on a one-hour special on life's purpose. I could not tell if it was a special only on The Purpose Driven Life or on purpose in general. Either way, they were interested in knowing my views on the book, and in particular, if it had changed my life. I felt like I was letting the producer down when I told her that it did not. She asked how many people I knew who had read the book and how many had had their lives change by it. I answered hundreds and none, letting her down even further. She asked whether I agreed with the book and I told her that while the book had some valuable things to say, I had some pretty clear disagreements with many of the book's main points.
Feedback Files - On Being A Bookworm (03/14/05 - 0 Comments)
It is time, once more, to reach into the feedback files and answer a question sent to me by a reader. In fact, this question has been sent in by a lot of readers, so I thought I would answer it here once and for all! The question usually goes something like this:
How do you find time to read so much? That question is often followed by inquiries as to how I can possibly afford to purchase so many books.
This is a multi-part answer, so stick with me.
Book Review - Pursuing God (03/14/05 - 0 Comments)
Pursuing God - A Seeker's Guide is a book for those who are drawn to God and yearn to understand more about Him. Intended as a tool for evangelism, it is written in a warn and conversational style. Over sixty pages, author Jim Elliff, president of Christian Communicators Worldwide, leads the reader through the all-important questions and answers in what is a clear and biblical presentation of the gospel.
I took me only a couple of pages to realize that I was going to like this book. On page seven Elliff asks, "What does God think of me?" So many Christians are afraid to address this question from a biblical perspective for fear of driving people away...
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 14 (03/14/05 - 0 Comments)
This is the fourteenth of thirty-one articles examining the book of Proverbs. Today we come to chapter fourteen as we near the half-way mark of this study.
"A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding. Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving."
This passage reinforces what I have already learned through earlier chapters. Each of us is faced with the decision to choose wisdom over foolishness. However, if we continually reject wisdom it seems that there is a point of no return after which wisdom will forsake us permanently.
Book Review - Blog (03/13/05 - 0 Comments)
A couple of weeks ago I was browsing through my pastor’s library and remarking on the number of people who lay claim to "the next Reformation." Over twenty years ago, Robert Schuller told us it would be a Reformation of self-esteem and more recently his protégé Rick Warren that it will be one of purpose. Other books tell us the next Reformation will involve breaking the church body into small groups, essentially giving the church back to the people in the same way that the first Reformation gave the theology back to the people. And now Hugh Hewitt has entered the fray with his latest book Blog, predicting that the next Reformation will be blogging. The book is subtitled "Understanding the information Reformation that’s changing your world" and the front cover adds, "Why you must know how the blogosphere is smashing the old media monopoly and giving individuals power in the marketplace of ideas." This is a book about the power and importance of blogging. If you are looking for a "how-to" guide to get you started or a book that will explain the pros and cons of commenting or tell you what a trackback ping is, you will have to look elsewhere.
Book Review - Running Against The Wind (03/13/05 - 0 Comments)
Brian Flynn is the founder and director of One Truth Ministries and leads "Now Age" seminars before churches and groups around the United States. But long before he felt such love and concern for the church, he was a psychic medium who hated Christianity with every fiber of his being. Running Against The Wind is the story of his radical transformation.
The book begins as an autobiography. Through the first five chapters Flynn traces his life. He was born into a Roman Catholic family, but one which soon gave up on the Church. When he was a child he developed a fascination with Tarot cards and experimented with Ouija boards – his introduction to the occult.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 13 (03/13/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part thirteen in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn what God has to say in this book about wisdom and discernment. Yesterday I learned that I need to be willing to face correction and be willing to correct others. I also learned that I prove my character by how I treat God’s creation, including animals. Finally, I need to choose my friends carefully, choosing people who are wise, for I will inevitably be influenced by people I spent time with.
“The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.”
I Don't Get Sick (03/12/05 - 0 Comments)
I don't get sick. That's why it's such a surprise that I have been on my back almost the entire week. I literally don't think I did a single work-related activity this entire week. It's pathetic (and a bit scary because I am self-employed and my ability to pay the bills is directly tied to my ability to work!)
Actually, I lied. This morning I did a work-related activity. Yesterday a very important client called and asked to meet with me at 9 AM this morning. Though I didn't sleep at all last night, and was so dizzy I could barely walk, I didn't think I could cancel this meeting because I had no way of letting them know I wouldn't be able to make it.
31 Days of Wisdom - Day 12 (03/12/05 - 0 Comments)
This is part twelve in my 31-day study through the book of Proverbs. The purpose of this study is to learn what God has to say in this book about wisdom and discernment. Yesterday I learned that God is the source of wisdom and justice and in order to please Him I need to exhibit those traits. I also learned that acquiring wisdom should not lead to arrogance but to humility. Finally, I have to take responsibility for my own sin. Even if I pursue a life of wisdom I need to expect God’s rebuke and correction for those times I do choose foolishness.
“Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.”
The Blurring of Lines & Shame For The Gospel (03/11/05 - 0 Comments)
As you may know, Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Community Church and author of The Purpose Driven Life has begun to write a monthly column for Ladies Home Journal. This ought to be an exciting opportunity for a professed Christian, for this space is generally reserved for articles dealing with "spirituality" which equates to New Age (or, as it is more commonly know, New Spirituality). In fact, this month the Ladies Home Journal has an article entitled "The New Spirituality" which traces the change in American attitudes towards religion in the post-9/11 era. The article speaks of interfaith services and features an interview with John Edward (the supposed psychic medium).
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 11 (03/11/05 - 0 Comments)
This is the eleventh of thirty-one articles covering the book of Proverbs. Chapter eleven of Proverbs continues the theme of contrasting the righteous and the wicked. Though not every proverb uses these words, most of them adhere to this theme.
God is the source of all that is good, just and wise. Because he perfectly embodies all of these traits, it stands to reason that he would find delight when we seek to honor him through attempting to follow his goodness, justice and wisdom. Conversely we would expect Him to hate anything that contradicts these traits.
Book Review - Testing The Claims of Church Growth (03/10/05 - 0 Comments)
There is little reason to describe the author's purpose in writing Testing The Claims of Church Growth, for the title makes it self-evident. My initial interest in this book was based on the description which says, "For 13 years prior to entering the ministry, Rev. Rodney E. Zwonitzer was a high-level corporate marketing executive for Westinghouse, Storage Technology, and United Technologies Mostek. Now he lays bare the real basis for Church Growth, finding that it is not in the Bible but in business." I assumed this book would examine the claims of church growth through the eyes of one who is adept at studying and evaluating marketing.
The book began in a promising fashion with the author providing a primer in marketing; defining it, explaining how it works, and describing his role in it when he was working with large corporations...
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 10 (03/10/05 - 0 Comments)
This is day ten in our thirty-one day study of Proverbs, and today we reach the heart of the book. Chapters 10 through 22 of Proverbs contain mostly single-sentence proverbs and form almost half of the book. There are occasionally longer constructs, but generally verses are not interconnected. They may build on a common theme, but this appears to be an aid to memorization more than the exposition of a theme. The bulk of the proverbs in this chapter, and those that follow, contrast two ideas using the conjunction "but." The usual contrasts are righteousness and wickedness or wisdom and folly. Because each chapter contains many proverbs, often 25 or 30 of them, I will not be writing about each and every one. I will focus, rather, on only a few. I will look for recurring themes and for proverbs that really "jump out" at me.
Book Review - A Brief Account of the Life and Labors of George Muller (03/09/05 - 0 Comments)
George Muller is known as a man who lived by prayer. During the course of his life he believed he had seen some 50,000 answers to prayer. He fed, clothed and housed over 10,000 orphans during his life and distributed millions of tracts, books and Bibles. He also supported missions organizations and spoke to Christians around the world. He did all this without once asking any person for money. Instead he took his supplications to God and trusted Him to provide his every need. Never once did God let him down. Muller stands in church history as a testament to God's providence and the value of believing the promises of Scripture that God will take care of our every need.
Book Review - The Missionary Position (03/09/05 - 0 Comments)
"If there is a hell, Hitchens is going there for this book." So said the New York Press in respose to The Missionary Position, subtitled Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice. Written in 1995, during the height of Mother Teresa's popularity, this book was Hitchens' attempt to debunk the myth that was, and remains, Mother Teresa.
Written from the perspective of one who clearly is not a Christian, this book has been likened to a cruise missle. It is narrow in scope, yet devastatingly effective, for it strikes right to the heart of the matter. How are we to reconcile Mother Teresa, who cares for the sick and destitute, and Mother Teresa who holds hands and laughs with the wife of a brutal and notorious dictator? How are we to reconcile her desire to live out Christianity when she accepts million-dollar donations from the likes of Charles Keating?
Where There Is No Vision... (Proverbs 29:18) (03/09/05 - 0 Comments)
One of my greatest passions in life is for history. When I was young I was more likely to be seen reading non-fiction than fiction, and it was natural that when it came time for post-secondary education, I elected to take history as my major. One aspect of history I particularly enjoyed was examining historical figures whom we tend to vilify to see if the reality matches our perception. Often I would find myself attempting to vindicate a particular historical figure who has been given unfair treatment in history. These days I find myself doing the same with Bible passages. There are multitudes of passages in Scripture that we use in a sense that, when given proper examination, is completely foreign to the true meaning of the passage. Today I will turn to one of these.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 9 (03/09/05 - 0 Comments)
This is day nine in this thirty-one day journey through Proverbs. This chapter provides one final call for wisdom, contrasted with the call of folly, before the book turns to the Proverbs of Solomon which will extend nearly to the end of the book. Chapter ten begins to provide the short, contrasting statements for which this book is best known.
"Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says, "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight"" (1-7).
Heaven and Eternity (03/08/05 - 0 Comments)
When my son is well-rested he lives in a violent world. He dresses in armor and runs around smiting the bad guys. Because he is only five (he turned five on Saturday) and does not yet feel shame about having people watch him in his activities, so he plays loudly and energetically. I overhear the plot-lines to his stories and they often involve the strangest combinations. "Hey, dad! The Patriots just shot down the Eagle's ship with lasers. Now they have to ride from Australia to Canada on horses!"
That is my son when he is rested. When he is tired he is a whole different kid; he is a philosopher. He will lie on the couch, staring at the ceiling and then ask "Dad, what are laws?" or "When I die my body will go in a box, but where will my heart go?"
The Elements and Nature of Worship (03/08/05 - 0 Comments)
In past days I have been spending quite a bit of time reading about the nature of worship. Here are some quotes that speak of worship, and more specifically, music as worship:
"Wherefore that much more ought we to take care not to abuse it, for fear of fouling and contaminating it, converting it to our condemnation, when it was dedicated to our profit and welfare. If there were no other consideration than this alone, it ought indeed to move us to moderate the use of music, to make it serve everything virtuous, and that it ought not to give occasion for our giving free reign to licentiousness, or for our making ourselves effeminate in disorderly delights, and that it ought not to become an instrument of dissipation or of any obscenity."
-John Calvin
Book Review - Prophetic Untimeliness (03/08/05 - 0 Comments)
Never have Christians tried to be so relevant, and yet never have they been so terribly irrelevant. How could this happen? It is this question that Os Guinness addresses in Prophetic Untimeliness, which claims to be "A Challenge to the Idol of Relevance." Guinness says that the goal of the book is to explore how the stupidity of relevance has come about. "How on earth have we Christians become so irrelevant when we have tried so hard to be relevant?...Never have Christians pursued relevance more strenuously; never have Christians been more relevant" (page 11, 12).
Before beginning the study in earnest, the author is careful to define relevance, which he says is "the quality of relating to a matter in hand with pertinence and appropriateness" (page 12). He says that relevance is the very heart of the gospel, for there can be no message more relevant than that of sin and salvation...
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 8 (03/08/05 - 0 Comments)
This is day eight in this thirty-one day study of the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 8 is an incredible poem that personifies wisdom as a teacher. Where in previous chapters the teacher has usually been a father instructing his children, we now see wisdom as the supreme teacher.
In the first eleven verses wisdom cries out at the top of the hills, the crossroads and the gates of the city, crying for simple people to learn prudence and fools to learn sense. She will share what is noble and right and true. She has no choice but to speak truth for foolishness is incompatible with wisdom and would be an abomination to her lips. She tells me to seek her more than gold and more than jewels, for nothing I can obtain in this world can compare to her value.
Gratuitous Shout-outs (03/07/05 - 0 Comments)
Some people call these Digests, others Blog-Abouts, Round-The-Sphere, etc. I'll just cut right to the chase and call this them gratuitous shout-outs.
First up, Reformation Art has just opened its virtual doors. It offers prints that will surely bring great pleasure to the theological geek in your life. If you have been frustrated in your inability to find a print of A.A. Hodge, Charles Hodge or any other great Reformed theologian, you will be frustrated no more! This store offers reasonably-priced prints of all your favorites.
March Book Giveaway (03/07/05 - 0 Comments)
March is upon us and it is once more time to have another giveaway. I am excited about this month's giveaway, which consists of two excellent books.
As always, two equal prizes will be awarded in March. Each winner will receive an autographed copy of 20 Controversies That Almost Killed A Church by Richard Ganz as well as a hardcover copy of Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem. Do not be scared away by the name - Grudem's book is readable, and worthy of a spot in any Christian's library. It has become the standard systematic theology text in many seminaries and Bible colleges, yet is written on a lay person's level. Each chapter explains an important aspect of Christian doctrine and closes with questions of personal application, a Scripture passage to memorize and even a hymn relevant to that chapter's topic. Richard Ganz's book breaks down 1 Corinthians into twenty topics addressed by the apostle Paul almost 2,000 years ago, and advises contemporary believers on ways to avoid those same traps. It is commended by Christian leaders such as James White, J.I. Packer and Jay Adams.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 7 (03/07/05 - 0 Comments)
This is the seventh day of this thirty-one day journey through the book of Proverbs. Due to extenuating circumstances (primarily a long night filled with sick children and hospital visits) I have not had opportunity to do as much study and writing as I would have liked. Thus I will be relying somewhat on last year's study of this passage.
Chapter seven of Proverbs is divided into three sections. The first and last of them are instructions to avoid adultery while the middle section is a narrative used to illustrate this teaching.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 6 (03/06/05 - 0 Comments)
Today is the sixth day in this thirty-one day study of Proverbs and our topic today is, as you might expect, chapter six. Because today is the Lord's Day I will write only very briefly. This chapter contains a metaphor that is one of my favorite parts of Proverbs. "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man."
Book Review - Stop Dating The Church (03/05/05 - 0 Comments)
Josh Harris is all grown up. The man who brought us I Kissed Dating Goodbye when he was just twenty-one, and who is best known for bringing courtship to a whole new generation, is now senior pastor of a large and growing church and no longer speaks at conferences. Stop Dating The Church is his first book targetted at an audience wider than merely teens and parents of teens.
Harris believes that many, and perhaps even the majority of Christians, have a fear of committment to the church. Rather than committing to a local body of believers, most Christians "date the church," refusing to commit to a long-term relationship. He says, "This is my third book on relationships, but it's unlike any of my previous books...this book is about how you should relate to the family of God" (page 12)...
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 5 (03/05/05 - 0 Comments)
This morning brings us to day five of this thirty-one day study of Proverbs, and that means that we are studying the fifth chapter. This chapter bears much resemblance to the second, for it is primarily concerned with submission to the law, and avoidance of sins of a sexual nature.
As we have seen many times already, this chapter begins as a word from a father to a son. "My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge." While Solomon does not begin with a "thus saith the Lord" statement, he still demands the listener’s attention, for he commands that he be attentive to his wisdom and diligently seek to understand. What the author will say in this chapter is worthy of meditation and will be valuable in living to the glory of God. To ignore these teachings is to ignore God-given wisdom.
Feedback Files - The Primacy of the Mind (03/04/05 - 0 Comments)
It is time once more to reach into the Feedback Files, which is where I answer questions sent to me by readers. This question comes from a person who may just be wanting to have me do his homework for him. A quick check of my university transcript would prove this to be an exceptionally poor idea. While I did graduate with a degree in history (summa cum averaga) my real major was euchre. I became an absolute master at euchre and at playing all sorts of the antiquated online computer games popular in the infancy of the Internet. But I digress. Here is the question:
I am reading a book called "God in The Wasteland" for my Christian Perspectives class. I have been thinking about you as I read it because you are doing so much work on the church. Check out this question from my professor.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 4 (03/04/05 - 0 Comments)
Today, in this thirty-one day journey through the book of Proverbs, we move to chapter four. This chapter is nicely divided into three sections, each of which takes the form of instruction from father to son. This is an often-used construct within Proverbs, and one we have already seen several times. Each of the sections today begins with "hear, O sons," "hear, my son," or simply "my son." Interestingly, this chapter contains no mention of God or any other facet of religion. This shows that wisdom is not merely spiritual, but is practical as well. As we have seen in previous chapters, there is no distinction made between head knowledge and heart knowledge. Hence all pursuit of wisdom, whether it contains the name of God or not, is equally spiritual and practical.
An Authoritative Word from God (03/03/05 - 0 Comments)
As you may know if you are a regular reader of this site, I have been devoting a lot of thought and study to the church - her nature, purpose and future. As I searched for a topic to write about today, my thoughts turned to an article I wrote last year entitled "Minister of the Word." It seemed to speak to many of my feelings about the church, so I have returned to that article, have edited it, changed it, reworked it and added to it.
J.A. Wylie was a pastor and author who lived in the nineteenth century whose greatest work is the three volume masterpiece The History of Protestantism. The first book spends a small amount of time examining early Christian history and how the purity of the original church gave way to the corruption of the Catholic system. Wylie says "This change [making God less free in His gift of salvation] brought a multitude of others in its train.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 3 (03/03/05 - 0 Comments)
This is the third article in this thirty-one day series in which we will examine the book of Proverbs. Today our text is the third chapter and it opens with an exhortation which continues through the first twelve verses. As with many passages in this book, they are framed in the context of a father providing instruction to his son. “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you” (1,2). The word given here as “teaching” is otherwise translated “law” and while it is not to be confused with the Mosaic Law, yet we see that wisdom’s instruction holds the same authority. When God provides His wisdom to us, we are not to shrug it off or to regard it as optional. Rather we are to keep His commands with our hearts, meaning we are to store them in our hearts, to treasure them, and to let that wisdom show itself in our actions. As we learned previously, Proverbs acknowledges no difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge.
Unity At What Cost? (03/02/05 - 0 Comments)
"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me" (John 17: 20-23).
These words were spoken by Jesus mere moments after celebrating the first Lord's Supper with his disciples. Jesus pours out His heart to the Father, praying for Himself, His disciples, and finally, for all believers. In his prayer for His disciples and for all believers he prays specifically for unity, asking that all men may experience the perfect unity enjoyed by the Godhead.
Book Review - Evangelicalism Divided (03/02/05 - 0 Comments)
If evangelicals wish to take stock of where they are now and what the future of the church holds, they must look to the past and understand from where it is they have come. Evangelicalism Divided by Iain Murray, would be a perfect place to start, for it is a record of the changes that took place in the American and British churches in the years 1950 to 2000. It records the rise of influences and influencers that ultimately changed the course of evangelicalism.
The book begins with an examination of Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834) and the theology of experience that influenced so many. The God of Schleiermacher was a mere man, and one who bore little resemblance to the God of the Bible.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 2 (03/02/05 - 0 Comments)
This is the second article in a 31-day study of Proverbs and our chapter today is Proverbs 2. This chapter is a gold mine of information regarding why we must seek wisdom, how we can do so, and what benefits it will bring. First, let’s look at how we can seek and find God’s wisdom.
We must read God's Word. "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding..." (1,2). To gain wisdom, we must first and primarily turn to the source of all wisdom, which is the God as He has revealed Himself in the Bible. To begin anywhere else is to ignore the most obvious means God has given us to learn about Him and, hence, to grow in wisdom. Notice here also that the author does not distinguish between head knowledge and heart knowledge. Rather, he assumes that what we learn intellectually will necessarily become heart knowledge as well, impacting not just the mind, but the life.
Korn Guitarist Professes Christ (03/01/05 - 0 Comments)
As you may have read, the band Korn recently made the following unusual announcement on their web site:
Korn has parted ways with guitarist Brian 'Head' Welch, who has chosen the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior, and will be dedicating his musical pursuits to that end. Korn respects Brian's wishes, and hopes he finds the happiness he's searching for.
The press release goes on to say that the band is holding together and is hard-at-work at their next project. Korn is a hard rock band which represents all we have come to expect from such groups. Lyrics from the song "Deep Inside" seem to adequately represent the band.
31 Days of Wisdom (2005) - Day 1 (03/01/05 - 0 Comments)
In March of 2004 I began a 31-day study in Proverbs I entitled "31 Days of Wisdom." I thoroughly enjoyed this study and benefited from it tremendously. Having been challenged recently to do more writing of an expository nature, I have decided to begin this study anew, and will perhaps even make it a March tradition. Thus I present to you, "31 Days of Wisdom 2005." I trust that we will be edified together as we wade through this book of wisdom. If you are not currently engaged in other Bible study in your personal study time, I would invite you to join in.
In terms of "ground rules," there are few. I will be reading one chapter per day from the English Standard Version for the next thirty-one days and will be posting some reflections right here. You are more than welcome to join in on the forums and to share what the Holy Spirit has been teaching you through His Word. I will be posting a separate "introduction to Proverbs" which will introduce the author and major themes of the book.
