Cup-O-Joe

He Sure Loves God A Lot!

2011-08-02T21:41:00.005-05:00

It's funny how people take to different styles of preaching. Some folks view the loud preachers as condemnatory and mean. Not my daughter Moriah.

Recently we enjoyed a vacation in Tennessee with my in-laws. On Sunday we visited a Baptist church in the area (Pigeon Forge). The preacher there was one of those (as I call them) "windsuckers." They scream every word and gasp for breath between every eight or so. Moriah (5 years) was astonished at that style of preaching, having never been subjected to it before.

Later she confided in me: "Daddy, that preacher sure loves God A LOT!"

"What makes you say that? " I inquired.

"Because when he talks about Jesus, he does it really, really loud! That means he loves God a lot."

So, for all you windusckin', leather-lunged, barn-stormin' pulpiteers out there, you've got at least one person who appreciates your sermonizing style.

Drink More Coffee! Your Brain is Depending on You.

2011-06-22T11:51:00.004-05:00

This was in an e-mail from a friend. I thought other coffee lover's would find it interesting:

Mystery ingredient in coffee boosts protection against Alzheimer's disease

June 21st, 2011 in Health

A yet unidentified component of coffee interacts with the beverage's caffeine, which could be a surprising reason why daily coffee intake protects against Alzheimer's disease. A new Alzheimer's mouse study by researchers at the University of South Florida found that this interaction boosts blood levels of a critical growth factor that seems to fight off the Alzheimer's disease process.

The findings appear in the early online version of an article to be published June 28 in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Using mice bred to develop symptoms mimicking Alzheimer's disease, the USF team presents the first evidence that caffeinated coffee offers protection against the memory-robbing disease that is not possible with other caffeine-containing drinks or decaffeinated coffee.

Previous observational studies in humans reported that daily coffee/caffeine intake during mid-life and in older age decreases the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The USF researchers' earlier studies in Alzheimer's mice indicated that caffeine was likely the ingredient in coffee that provides this protection because it decreases brain production of the abnormal protein beta-amyloid, which is thought to cause the disease.

The new study does not diminish the importance of caffeine to protect against Alzheimer's. Rather it shows that caffeinated coffee induces an increase in blood levels of a growth factor called GCSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor). GCSF is a substance greatly decreased in patients with Alzheimer's disease and demonstrated to improve memory in Alzheimer's mice. A just-completed clinical trial at the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute is investigating GCSF treatment to prevent full-blown Alzheimer's in patients with mild cognitive impairment, a condition preceding the disease. The results of that trial are currently being evaluated and should be known soon.

"Caffeinated coffee provides a natural increase in blood GCSF levels," said USF neuroscientist Dr. Chuanhai Cao, lead author of the study. "The exact way that this occurs is not understood. There is a synergistic interaction between caffeine and some mystery component of coffee that provides this beneficial increase in blood GCSF levels."
The researchers would like to identify this yet unknown component so that coffee and other beverages could be enriched with it to provide long-term protection against Alzheimer's.

In their study, the researchers compared the effects of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee to those of caffeine alone. In both Alzheimer's mice and normal mice, treatment with caffeinated coffee greatly increased blood levels of GCSF; neither caffeine alone or decaffeinated coffee provided this effect. The researchers caution that, since they used only "drip" coffee in their studies, they do not know whether "instant" caffeinated coffee would provide the same GCSF response.

The boost in GCSF levels is important, because the researchers also reported that long-term treatment with coffee (but not decaffeinated coffee) enhances memory in Alzheimer's mice. Higher blood GCSF levels due to coffee intake were associated with better memory. The researchers identified three ways that GCSF seems to improve memory performance in the Alzheimer's mice. First, GCSF recruits stem cells from bone marrow to enter the brain and remove the harmful beta-amyloid protein that initiates the disease. GCSF also creates new connections between brain cells and increases the birth of new neurons in the brain.

"All three mechanisms could complement caffeine's ability to suppress beta amyloid production in the brain" Dr. Cao said, "Together these actions appear to give coffee an amazing potential to protect against Alzheimer's -- but only if you drink moderate amounts of caffeinated coffee."

Although the present study was performed in Alzheimer's mice, the researchers indicated that they've gathered clinical evidence of caffeine/coffee's ability to protect humans against Alzheimer's and will soon publish those findings.

Coffee is safe for most Americans to consume in the moderate amounts (4 to 5 cups a day) that appear necessary to protect against Alzheimer's disease. The USF researchers previously reported this level of coffee/caffeine intake was needed to counteract the brain pathology and memory impairment in Alzheimer's mice. The average American drinks 1½ to 2 cups of coffee a day, considerably less than the amount the researchers believe protects against Alzheimer's.

"No synthetic drugs have yet been developed to treat the underlying Alzheimer's disease process" said Dr. Gary Arendash, the study's other lead author. "We see no reason why an inherently natural product such as coffee cannot be more beneficial and safer than medications, especially to protect against a disease that takes decades to become apparent after it starts in the brain."

The researchers believe that moderate daily coffee intake starting at least by middle age (30s – 50s) is optimal for providing protection against Alzheimer's disease, although starting even in older age appears protective from their studies. "We are not saying that daily moderate coffee consumption will completely protect people from getting Alzheimer's disease," Dr. Cao said. "However, we do believe that moderate coffee consumption can appreciably reduce your risk of this dreaded disease or delay its onset."

The researchers conclude that coffee is the best source of caffeine to counteract the cognitive decline of Alzheimer's because its yet unidentified component synergizes with caffeine to increase blood GCSF levels. Other sources of caffeine, such as carbonated drinks, energy drinks, and tea, would not provide the same level of protection against Alzheimer's as coffee, they said.

Coffee also contains many ingredients other than caffeine that potentially offer cognitive benefits against Alzheimer's disease. "The average American gets most of their daily antioxidants intake through coffee," Dr. Cao said. "Coffee is high in anti-inflammatory compounds that also may provide protective benefits against Alzheimer's disease."
An increasing body of scientific literature indicates that moderate consumption of coffee decreases the risk of several diseases of aging, including Parkinson's disease, Type II diabetes and stroke. Just within the last few months, new studies have reported that drinking coffee in moderation may also significantly reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancers.

"Now is the time to aggressively pursue the protective benefits of coffee against Alzheimer's disease," Dr. Arendash said. "Hopefully, the coffee industry will soon become an active partner with Alzheimer's researchers to find the protective ingredient in coffee and concentrate it in dietary sources."

New Alzheimer's diagnostic guidelines, now encompassing the full continuum of the disease from no overt symptoms to mild impairment to clear cognitive decline, could double the number of Americans with some form of the disease to more than 10 million. With the baby-boomer generation entering older age, these numbers will climb even more unless an effective preventive measure is identified.

"Because Alzheimer's starts in the brain several decades before it is diagnosed, any protective therapy would obviously need to be taken for decades," Dr. Cao said. "We believe moderate daily consumption of caffeinated coffee is the best current option for long-term protection against Alzheimer's memory loss. Coffee is inexpensive, readily available, easily gets into the brain, appears to directly attack the disease process, and has few side-effects for most of us."

According to the researchers, no other Alzheimer's therapy being developed comes close to meeting all these criteria.

"Aside from coffee, two other lifestyle choices -- physical and cognitive activity -- appear to reduce the risk of dementia. Combining regular physical and mental exercise with moderate coffee consumption would seem to be an excellent multi-faceted approach to reducing risk or delaying Alzheimer's," Dr. Arendash said. "With pharmaceutical companies spending millions of dollars trying to develop drugs against Alzheimer's disease, there may very well be an effective preventive right under our noses every morning – caffeinated coffee."

More information: Caffeine Synergizes with Another Coffee Component to Increase Plasma GCSF: Linkage to Cognitive Benefits in Alzheimer's Mice; Chuanhai Cao, Li Wang, Xiaoyang Lin, Malgorzata Mamcarz, Chi Zhang, Ge Bai, Jasson Nong, Sam Sussman and Gary Arendash; Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 25(2), June 28, 2011.

Provided by University of South Florida

"Mystery ingredient in coffee boosts protection against Alzheimer's disease." June 21st, 2011. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2011-06-mystery-ingredient-coffee-boosts-alzheimer.html
Posted by
Robert Karl Stonjek

Preaching With Spiritual Vigour [A Brief Book Review]

2011-06-09T23:33:00.003-05:00

Preaching With Spiritual Vigour by Capil, M.a.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tremendous book. It took me awhile to finish simply because, after a period of neglect, I would restart the book. I did this three times, read it halfway, and then restarted it. It was worth it. In the book, Capill gives us Baxter in a contemporary perspective. If your a Richard Baxter fan, this book needs a spot on your shelf. A wonderful treatment of the intersection of pastoral ministry and expository preaching.

Preachers need to read this. Carefully. And then go read Baxter.

View all my reviews

Camping's Out

2011-05-25T11:16:00.002-05:00

I drew the above cartoon for Christian blogger Dan Phillips who writes for Teampyro and Biblical Christianity. The content was all Dan's idea. Poignant, I say, and timely.

The cartoon was meant to be understood alongside this previous post by Dan. Enjoy!

Samson Smites The Philistines

2011-05-21T18:12:00.003-05:00

Here's a Sunday school coloring sheet I drew for a friend. Enjoy!

To download to your computer for printing, right click on the image and then choose [save image as].

Mundane Grace

2011-01-03T23:55:00.003-06:00

The dishes that really delight our taste buds are often hiding a secret ingredient that gives that particular culinary delight the extra edge it needs to go from “good food” to “this is what I want to eat before I die.” Perhaps it’s a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg laced unsuspectingly into a casserole, or maybe it’s a dash of cayenne pepper or dill that sneaks up on our after-taste to hit it over the head with a flavor we didn’t expect.

Funny thing about secret ingredients is nobody realizes their presence until they’re missing, and when we become aware of their addition, their familiarity makes the dish all the more enjoyable.

As with secret ingredients, so also with God’s benevolent grace. God is good – to everyone. The just and the unjust, the righteous and the wicked - all are recipients of God’s daily dose of common grace. His mercies are new every morning as He serves His creation a fresh batch of blessings.

A clear, star-filled night sky, brisk winter air that smells of pine and smoke, a warm bed to tuck the little one into, the loyalty of a four-legged friend, or a stout cup of coffee that massages every taste bud in your mouth – all are everyday blessings flowing from the hand of a benevolent God.

Funny thing about God’s common grace is we are often oblivious to it until God withholds a few of the blessings we have taken for granted. But when we are aware of mundane grace, its familiarity makes the day all the more enjoyable.

Spit in the Dirt and Get Back in the Fight

2011-01-01T22:40:00.007-06:00

New Year's resolutions. Passé? Silly? Self-centered? Shallow? A futile excursion into self-reliant moralism? Maybe. They certainly have become everyone's favorite holiday punching bag. Rarely is a kind word said about them.

But I like New Year's. I like do-overs. I like second, third, and thirty-seventh chances. I like trying to be better than I was.

I look at a new year's beginning like the scene in the old westerns - the one where the good guy, embroiled in a cantina throw-down, gets a chair over the head and a boot in the rear that sends him somersaulting outside into the dirt. The pugnacious crowd peers mockingly over the swinging doors and laughs at him before they return nonchalantly to their saloonish distractions. What does our man in the white hat do? Quit? Run? Cry? No. He picks up his dislodged hat, dusts himself off, spits some blood in the dirt, sets his jaw with a wipe from his sleeve, and saunters back into the den of iniquity to give the bad guys what-for.

That's New Year's to me. 2010 cleaned my clock, just like 2009 and the rest of their gang. Time to dust myself off, spit blood in the dirt, and get back in the fight. That's my New Year's resolution every year: get back in the fight.

"Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be." - Jonathan Edwards

Sermon Writing in Six (Not-So-Easy) Steps

2010-07-17T11:42:00.003-05:00

1. Determine sermon text.

2. Read sermon text.

3. Write out all the questions you have about sermon text.

4. Write out all the questions others may have about sermon text.

5. Study until you find all the answers.

6. Preach those answers.

God Save the United States of America!

2010-07-04T23:26:00.002-05:00

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

New Hampshire:

Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts:

John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island:

Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Connecticut:

Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York:

William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey:

Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania:

Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware:

Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland:

Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia:

George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina:

William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina:

Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia:

Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton

I Did That

2010-06-28T08:00:00.003-05:00

The sun had set and a cool breeze was blowing down the main drag in Maplewood. We were soul winning.

I like working the bus stops. People at bus stops are usually bored. They seem to like talking to friendly strangers. Most of them.

Bored people. Cool breezes. A good night for talking.

A young man looked at me curiously as I approached the bus stop, and then looked away quickly. I’m used to that. A white guy in a shirt and tie – people assume I’m either a Mormon or a cop. When they discover I’m a Baptist preacher they are either relieved or revolted. Usually relieved.

I gave him a tract which he accepted with grateful curiosity. We had some small talk. He looked older than he really was. Hard living will do that to you. He occasionally rubbed a tattoo on his forearm, as if his subconscious wanted to wipe it off.

He was old enough to be on his own, and probably started out sooner than he should have. Girlfriend. Baby. Small apartment. Part-time job.

I listened to his brief biography. His story was a common one today: a rough childhood that led to colossal juvenile failures, which paved the way for colossal adult misery. Always trying to pull himself up by his own bootstraps. God? He was up there somewhere, far away.

He needed the Gospel.

He was a sinner. He knew that. He was unsure of his eternal destiny. I carefully explained the Roman’s Road. He listened politely, but with a look of familiarity on his face. I know that look.

I finished my evangelistic presentation and asked him “Would you like to pray and receive Jesus as your Savior?”

“Oh, I already did that.”

“You have? When?”

“Long time ago - when I was a kid. I went to church with a friend…I don’t remember everything that happened. There was a church guy, and he took me and some of my friends to a little room, right? And he showed us some stuff from the Bible. And then we prayed. I already did that.”

Hmm. “I did that.” That was the extent of his experience with the most powerful force in the known universe: the life changing power of Christ.

I did that.

What do you say to someone who says that?

Well, were you sincere?

Did you mean it? I mean really, really, mean it?

You need to do that again.

And then what? Have him repeat another prayer so in the next ten years, after he has explored the broad horizons of sin and failure he can tell another Baptist preacher “I did that.”

No. He needed something more than a five minute dissertation and a repeated prayer. He needed more than a Baptist preacher who likes cool breezes and bus stops. He needed Christ to come to him and say, “Pick up your cross and follow me. No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

I felt useless. Inconsequential. Powerless.

His bus came.

Sometimes Baptist preachers learn more from conversations than the people they intended to inform. Sometimes we learn more about the Gospel from someone who doesn’t know the Gospel.

“It is not possible for us to accept Christ as our Savior unless he also becomes our King, for a very large part of salvation consists in our being saved from sin’s dominion over us, and the only way in which we can be delivered from the mastery of Satan is by becoming subject to the mastery of Christ.”

-Charles Spurgeon

It's Still the Blood...But Only One Drop?

2010-06-23T11:40:00.001-05:00

Back in the '80's, Baptist Fundamentalists were immeasurably irked by the "bloodless" religion of John MacArthur. John MacArthur was vociferously condemned and his name pounded in conferences and IFB college chapels by self-proclaimed champions of the blood of Christ.

That torrent of heated rhetoric has slowed to a trickle, but Baptist fundamentalists' perception of John MacArthur remains negative.

Personally, I think MacArthur was unjustly maligned and his beliefs misrepresented. I'm not going to hash-out the particulars of that controversy, as it already occupies a great deal of bandwidth in the blogosphere. Suffice it to say that a explanation of the controversy is capably handled here. Go. Read. Decide for yourself.

Here's the problem I'd like to discuss today: in their zeal to condemn MacArthur's bloodless religion, many Baptists have embraced a different form of error which could appropriately be named "hyper-bloodism." This hyper-bloodism promotes the view that only one drop of Christ's blood is needed to make atonement for sin. In an effort to exalt the value Christ's blood, many have unwittingly eliminated the need for the death of Christ.

This error is becoming more and more noticeable in the music promoted in fundamental Baptist churches. Songs about the blood of Christ have become increasingly popular in IFB churches - a sort of mucial "nyah-nyah" at MacArthur. Interestingly, many of these songs were not written by Baptist fundamentalists, but IFB churches have taken the lyrics and have been running with them at break-neck speed.

The Christian music world is replete with these kind of songs. And I think the motive behind such lyrics is admirable: a desire to show the infinite value of Christ juxtaposed to the deplorable condition of my sinful state. But what we're left with is an inaccurate view of the blood, and a diminished view of Christ's sufferings.

In short: it took more than one drop to wash my sins away; it took Christ's unimaginable suffering, pain, and death. His sacrificial death. It took his broken body and shed blood. (Luke 22:19-20)

"One drop" lyrics miss the mark and do more to steer Baptist fundamentalists towards a heretical view of the atonement than MacArthur's alleged "bloodless" Christianity.

What Happened to the New Blog Design?!

2010-02-05T07:07:00.001-06:00

Yes, folks, yet another change here at Cup-O'-Joe. The last blog design was beautiful, but I scrapped it and went for the Blogger Minima template for four reasons:

1. Readability. I loved the colors, but readability was an issue. People read dark letters on a light background faster and easier than vice versa.

2. Loading time. The last template loaded quickly...usually. Sometimes my browser would get hung on an item, though (usually the "recent comments section).

3. Third party software. The last template was a bunch of complicated code downloaded from a stranger's site. This creeped me out after while...then I read several articles about malicious software embedded in downoadable blogger templates and the paranoia set in. Though I'm sure (mostly) that the template I used was safe, I still had those nagging doubts in the back of my mind. Remeber the old saying? "When in doubt, throw it out."

4. Software updates. When Blogger releases updates, they may not work with hacked Wordpress templates or other custom templates, whereas using a customized Blogger template is a sure way to make sure your blogspot is running with the latest shoes from those fine fellows at Google.

4. Creativity. Mine, that is. I wanted to make a blogger template that was my very own - my own images, my own layout. So I started with Blogger's Minima template and I'm building up from here. Already, I've put in a third column on the left. Some joe-riginal graphics will be uploaded as soon as I get Photoshop reloaded. I'll be blogging and customizing at the same time - sort of like the guy who lives in his house while he remodels it.

So, that's what's happening. What would you like to see in a blogger template?

What (and What Not) To Put in the Church Bulletin

2010-02-02T09:07:00.000-06:00

In the world of church bulletins, there seems to be two extremes: either they are so crammed full of text that reading is difficult, or they are so empty they appear half-complete. This makes one wonder what should be included in the church bulletin. I offer my opinion. Here are 4 items that should be included in a church bulletin:

1. The Sunday date. This should be a no-brainer. Some church-goers are known for hoarding months’ worth of bulletins in their Bible cover pockets. Including the date helps many discern which bulletin is the latest information. This is especially true for those who use the same bulletin shells every week.

2. Upcoming events. Be sure to include the name, date, time, and a short description of the upcoming event, otherwise you may engender more questions than you are providing information.

3. Helpful information. This is the stuff that visitors need to know – bathroom locations, nursery services, how to order sermon audio, etc. This is where you answer common questions visitors would want ask.

4. Contact information. The church’s name, address, phone number, web address, and e-mail. Additionally, the pastor may want to list his e-mail or even his mobile number if he’s so inclined.

Perhaps you have included these 4 necessary items but have noticed how “bare” your bulletin appears. Here are 3 optional items to help “bulk up” your weekly bulletin:

1. Include a quote from a famous Christian. A Plethora of quote books is available in most bookstores. Quote websites are the easiest way to find quotes for the bulletin (copy the text from the website and paste into your document). Here’s my favorite source for bulletin-worthy quotes: http://christianquotes.org/search

2. Include offering and attendance statistics. People like to know these things, especially the members. Unless you have well-attended business meeting every other week, your average church member will have no clue how strong (or weak) the church is financially. Publishing the offering totals from the previous week is a good way to show people that they need to “share the load.” Or, if the offerings are regularly substantial, it helps to sow excitement and thanksgiving in the hearts of the people. Regarding attendance statistics: I include this mostly for the benefit of visitors. I’ve noticed that visitors usually come when our attendance is low (Murphy’s Law doesn’t take Sundays off). Publishing last Sunday’s attendance helps to say to a visitor: “See? We really do have more people than this!” Of course, if last Sunday’s attendance was lower, than the message conveyed would be: “See? We’re growing!”

3. Include membership and baptism information. At my church, I put this on a perforated, tear-off tab that includes contact information of the inquirer and can be dropped into the offering plate. This gets the ball rolling on integrating regular attendees into church membership.

Here are a few more ideas for the weekly church bulletin. These are items that I currently do not put in my bulletin (every week) but may be helpful in yours:

1. An order of service. Sometimes people like to know what’s coming next. If you have a rather complicated service arrangement, perhaps this would be helpful to your people. In the more liturgical churches, this is necessary.

2. Birth, marriage, or funeral announcements. This doesn’t get listed every week in most churches, but in some very large churches this is a weekly announcement. I know of some churches that include such information in their mid-week bulletin.

3. Kids’ page. Here’s a spot where the little ones can doodle, do puzzles, or color. Chances are the little ones (below 6 years old) are going to doodle on something anyways, might as well make it a coloring page that ties into the sermon. I’ve never done this, but I think it’s a good idea. If you’re against church-sanctioned doodling during the worship service, then ignore this one.

4. Testimonials. Perhaps a short word from some of your members about what the Lord has done in their life or how the church has been a blessing.

5. Pastor’s note. Some ministers like to include a short editorial. This is definitely not for those who are averse to writing a different article every week.

6. Bible reading schedule. Whether for the week or the entire month. Many church members enjoy having one in the bulletin.

7. Advertise the Sunday evening and Wednesday evening sermons. Bulletins are normally distributed before the Sunday morning service. Drawing attention to the Sunday evening and mid-week sermons can sometimes stir up interest in those who normally do not attend evening services.

8. New Member Welcome. Post the name and picture of new church members. Sometimes even a short bio is nice.

These were simply ideas for bulletin content – something to fill up those empty spaces.

Let me share with you a few items that should not be included in the bulletin:

1. TMI. Never include the gory details of a “prayer request”. Aside from violating medical privacy issues, people may not want to read a vivid description of Aunt Bertha’s ingrown toenail.

2. Whining. Didn’t raise enough money at last week’s fund raiser? Don’t rebuke the people in the bulletin – it just sounds whiny. (i.e., “Well since we didn’t raise the ten bazillion dollars we need for the new Family Fun Amusement Center, we’ll need to have another car wash this Saturday.")

3. Bad graphics. Cheesy clipart and grainy photos make your church bulletin look cheap. Seriously.

4. Bad grammar. Quotation marks, exclamation points and capital letters are overused. Quotes should “never”, I mean never, be used for emphasis. And one exclamation point at the end of a sentence please!!!!!!!!! USING CAPITAL LETTERS FOR MORE THAN PROPER NOUNS AND THE BEGINNING OF SENTENCES WILL MAKE YOUR BULLETIN READ LIKE AN ANGRY TEENAGER’S FACEBOOK PAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh. And the spell checker? You sit. I mean use it.

I hope you will find a few of my suggestions helpful, and that your bulletin will have that beautiful balance between crammed-full and bare-bones lean.

Next time: making the bulletin look sharp.

______________________________________

Image credits: http://www.flickr.com/photos/takomabibelot/1387587933/

4 Reasons to Make a Weekly Church Bulletin

2010-01-26T08:21:00.000-06:00

I’m not sure when churches started using weekly bulletins. They probably became popular when printing costs decreased and started as a directory for worship, listing the songs and Scriptures used during a service.

In my mind, there are two types of church bulletins: the worship bulletin and the newsletter bulletin. Worship bulletins are used primarily as a means of helping the congregants follow and participate in the liturgy.(Here's a good example of a worship bulletin.) But in the more Baptistic churches, who are light on liturgy, bulletins are more of a weekly newsletter that inform the congregant of upcoming events and important information. This is how most church bulletins seem to be used today - perhaps an order of service, but mostly events and news.

As a pastor of a small church and as a person who actually enjoys dabbling in graphic design, planning and printing the weekly bulletin has been my responsibility for years. There have been numerous times over the years when a faithful church member would call me and ask “Now when is the men's prayer breakfast?” or “Where are we going bowling?” I wanted to tell them that the information they need has been in the bulletin for a month, and that they should utilize their bulletins “for such a time as this.” Instead, I cordially offer the needed details, wondering, though, why I even make a church bulletin every week. Is it worth the time and expense? Do people actually read it? Perhaps you've wondered the same thing.

Let me share with you 4 reasons for having a weekly church bulletin.

1. Because people do need the information printed and easily available. Sure, there will always be those who are oblivious to the helpfulness of the bulletin, but for the few that call the church (or the pastor’s phone) with questions that are answered in the bulletin, there are a dozen others that have found the information they needed.

2. Because it’s an opportunity to promote an event. Whether it’s an activity or a sermon series, the weekly bulletin offers a medium to advertise a special happening. To really attract attention to an upcoming event, I like to design eye-catching bulletin ads that draw peoples’ attention more so than run-of-the-mill text. (More on that later).

3. Because visitors need something to do. Newcomers feel awkward: the environment is strange, they don’t know anybody. They feel out of place. Reading the bulletin gives them something “to hide behind” until a friendly church member can chat them up. This is probably the number one reason why I print a weekly bulletin: so visitors can have something to do until the service starts. (This is also the reason I design the bulletin with the visitor in mind).

4. Because it’s a means of integrating visitors. I prefer the bulletins that have perforated, tear-off tabs. That’s where I print request forms for membership and baptism. Most people are to shy to request membership or baptism during an invitation (a.k.a. the altar call). In fact, I prefer people not request membership or baptism during the invitation so that I can interview them privately. Tear-off forms in the weekly bulletin help me with that.

So the next time a church member calls you, and asks a question that’s been answered for 8 weeks in the weekly bulletin, cordially answer their question and remember that it’s worth it to have a weekly bulletin. It may seem like an exercise in futility, but it is informing the membership. Do it especially for the visitors. They need something to occupy them until the service starts.

Next time: “What to put in the bulletin.”

New Blog Design

2010-01-23T01:11:00.000-06:00

I've never met a blog theme I didn't want to change after 6 months. I like this one though...especially the slide show at the top where I can let my more creative side have a bit of the spotlight.

I like the colors, but the white on blue seems to make the posts hard to read. Any thoughts?

This is Why I Like YouTube

2009-09-28T13:14:00.000-05:00

HT Love to Jarod Vierstra

My Favorite Scenic Pics from Summer Vacation

2009-09-09T21:21:00.001-05:00

This is a photo Kyla snapped during our anniversary daytrip to Brussells, IL:

This is a road-side photo of the Kissing Camels in beautiful Colorado Springs:

I love this freshly rained-on porch at Glen Erie Castle in CO:

This is the view from Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, CO:

Here's one from Rehoboth Beach, DE:

Folder Cover for My Horse Lover

2009-09-07T22:04:00.000-05:00

Jubilee is going into the fourth grade tomorrow, and she wanted a personalized, custom design folder cover. I played around Photoshop for a little while, and here's what I came up with:

(click image for larger size)

She's very excited! More so for her folder cover than for having to go to school.

I started with the rusty horseshoe on the old barn, then added the Victorian tack room painting (after I aged it a bit), and then put Jubilee's picture in a cool frame she picked out from some Wiki Commons photos. All the photos I used were form Wikimedia Commons. Fun place.

Hack a Vintage Book into a Custom Journal

2009-08-27T22:20:00.001-05:00

I love old books: their smell, their feel, their look. I love their secret history and all their nostalgia. I love to read the owner's name inscribed in a book that's a hundred years old and wonder about the person's life - how long ago were they born? how long did they live?

I enjoy journaling and sketching. I prefer paper and pen to digital tools - I just love the scratch of a pen on good paper, and doodling helps me think, so I'm always looking for another notebook or sketchpad.

I would love to have a Moleskine, but I have a hard time justifying $15 for a notebook. So I decided to make my own custom notebook bound with a vintage book cover. Here's how I did it:

1. Find an old book.

I chose an old hymnal. I love the color and the nostalgia. I picked this one: Tabernacle Hymns Volume 3, circa 1939.

2. Read up on DIY book binding. Here's a helpful link: http://www.diybookbinding.com/

3. Make a book binding jig.

This is the book binding jig I made from scrap lumber and a couple of wing nuts. I didn't follow any plans; I just copied the best I could from photos at the site linked above.

4. Pick your paper and trim it.

I chose some gray stationery I had left over. Nice and thick so there won't be any bleed through. I cut it so each page could be folded in half, which will make a stronger binding.

5. Clamp your paper down in the jig and glue the binding.

Bookbinders recommend PVA glue (it's still flexible when dry). Home Depot didn't have any, so I just used some Gorilla glue I already had on hand. I spread a light coat with a cotton swab.

Let the glue dry for at least a couple of hours. I let mine dry overnight. Don't be surprised when the Gorilla glue expands as it dries...doesn't make the prettiest binding - but it will hold.

6. Carefully cut the old pages out of the old cover.

This is sort of a heart breaker...but old books are usually a dime a dozen. It's not like anybody was actually using this hymnal anyways. I kept the pages. I'm not sure why. I definitely would not do this to an antique book that had value. This is just for cool looking old books that have no value at all. I have an old hand-size Bible with a fabulously decorated cover, but I couldn't bring myself to cut up a Bible, so it still decorates my desk.

Here's a picture of the inside cover with it's fragile binding:

7. You may have to reinforce the binding.

I did so with a peice of old t-shirt and some 3M spray adhesive. Nothing fancy here. NOTE: the spray adhesive is still sticky after it dries, so watch your overspay.

8. Glue the reinforced cover on to your bound pages.

I seemed to have lost the pic to this step, but it should be pretty self explanatory. I used Gorilla glue again to bind the cover to the already glue-bound pages. Let it sit overnight, clamped and weighted binding side down.

9. Enjoy your unique, customized vintage journal!

Use it however you want: journaling, planning, organizing, sketching. Right now I'm considering using mine as my planner/organizer. I'm not sure though. I did a mix of plain and graph paper for more flexibility in how I use it. (I downloaded the graph paper PDF from here: http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/

I kept some of the first pages for added nostalgia:

The label was already over the name when I got the book. It said: "Rev. K. L. Snow". I wonder who he was or what church he pastored.

Can you read the prayer typed on a scrap piece of paper and glued to the first page? It's so old that the type is really beginning to fade. I wonder how often Pastor Snow prayed that prayer. What a wonderful way to start and end your day.

The next page is stamped by:

Thos. W. Hage

"The Christian Supply House"

Muskegon, Michigan

I did some research (read: "I googled") on this bookstore and came across this article dated May 15, 2008 about Thomas Hage's son: http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2008/05/russell_a_hage_of_hages_inc_de.html

Hage Inc. is still a functioning Christian bookstore. Here's their website: http://www.hageschristian.com/

Here's some things I will do differently next time:

1. I would like to learn how to stitch binding instead of glueing. Stitch-bound books lay open better, but glueing is so much easier.

2. I don't like the color paper I chose. Next time I will pick a tan or white instead of gray. But gray is the only color of heavy weight paper I had this time around.

3. Perhaps a larger book. I dunno.

All in all, it was a fun project, and my notebook is the only one like it. If you're not into making stuff, cuttin' and pastin', then you should probably just stick with the store-bought notebook. But if you're slightly creative, have an abnormal fondness for old books, and prefer analog over digital, then this is a project I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Tall, Grande, Venti, or Tractor Trailer

2009-08-26T22:40:00.000-05:00

Looks like the coffee I ordered is ready.

(Kyla snapped this photo on our trip back from Delaware. And she did it while driving!)

Charles Spurgeon Portrait

2009-08-16T15:29:00.000-05:00

Here's a quick sketch of Spurgeon I did not long ago. It's still in the rough. Nothing fancy. Plain ol' number 2 pencil on heavy weight paper.

Starbuck's & Noble

2009-08-15T18:44:00.000-05:00

4 Practical Reasons Why A Pastor Should Blog

2009-08-08T08:01:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

1. To develop writing skills. Sermonizing is a major part of our occupation, and wordsmithing is a major part of sermonizing. Blogging is a great way to hone your skills as a writer. It helps one focus on clear articulation and argument. Most sermons are built around a one sentence propositional statement. Blogging helps us practice the summarizing skills necessary to develop clear, forceful propositional sentences.

2. Because it gives you a presence on the internet. Pastors, listen: YOU WILL BE GOOGLED. Someone out there is interested in visiting your church, or perhaps someone reads a tract and sees your name as the pastor. They’re going to do a search for your church and for you. What will be the first link listed? Don’t you want potential visitors to know more about you through a venue of your choosing? If you maintain a blog, then folks curious about you can read it for insight into your beliefs and to get to know your personality. Unless you’re some sorta lightning rod of controversy, chances are they’ll be coming to your blog to get their first impressions.

3. Because it doesn’t have to take up too much time. Most preachers have dozens of blog-worthy thoughts every week. These are often just the natural by-product of our sermon study – like molasses is a by-product sugar refinement. Simply write down these blog-worthy thoughts so you can remember them later, and the next free opportunity you have, take a few minutes and blog it. Some anti-blogging preachers accuse bloggers of wasting precious time that could be better used to serve the Lord. Listen: we all have free time. We all have hobbies. Bloggers just choose to invest some free time in blogging. Instead of watching TV before you go to bed, why not take 30 minutes to write a blog post? These same anti-blogging preachers who condemn blogging as a waste of time probably watch TV, read sports magazines, listen to conservative talk radio, surf the web, etc. At least my blogging hobby actually helps me develop skills in writing and theology (and…yes, I do have other hobbies).

4. Because it is a possible source of extra income. If there’s one thing ministers could use more of, it’s a little spending money. I haven’t made a dime off blogging, but I’m not ashamed to admit I would like to. Isn’t the American dream to make a living doing something we love? I love pastoring, I love writing, and I love drawing and being creative. Blogging is an outlet for all my interests, and if I can make a few bucks with Adsense or something, then I’m just living the American dream. More power to me – and you, too!

So whip out your laptops and share your thoughts with the world! Let others get a glimpse of your personality. Hone those writing skills. Maybe you’ll make a little scratch in the process.

Fun with Zip Lines

2009-08-04T23:00:00.000-05:00

Recently, my family enjoyed some R & R in Colorado visiting with my folks. Whenever Pa and his boys get together, there's gonna be a lot of fun, and possibly some injuries. Here's a video of our run-in with a homemade zip line.

Duct Tape, Global Warming, and Other Non-Related Stuff

2009-07-17T10:17:00.001-05:00

Before finishing my series on prayer, I wanted bring a little life into my semi-dormant blog with a post that has no central theme, and a few rants.

Bad Days: When it rains, it pours.

About 3 weeks ago, my AC broke down in the house (actually, outside the house). Five hours and $130 later, I was befuddled by a 5-wire motor that was supposed to install into a 3-wire condenser unit. Yay. Thank God for church members who have a son that has a friend that does HVAC. Pete quickly deciphered the wiring diagram, and the Cassada house was back again to the comfortable, yet frugal, 79 degrees. Of course, that AC waited until the hottest day of the year to break down.

The next week, my washer went on the fritz. Bad motor. New motor price? 180 clams. Ouch. Again, God's providence to the rescue. A family friend in a far away state just happened to have a friend who just happens to work for GE (my washer's brand) and also just happened to have the exact motor my washer needed sitting in his basement. PTL! The new motor arrived yesterday and was installed last night. I've never seen my wife so excited about doing laundry.

The next week, my family was preparing for a trip to Chicago for nephew#1's wedding. We were planning on taking the sedan instead of the mini-van (to save gas money, and because the van needs some work before a big road trip). My wife graciously offered to take the car in for an oil change to save her hard-working hubby (that's me) a little time. Long story short: oil change place fails to close the car's hood all the way, which in turn pops open like a can of biscuits on I-270. Praise God no one was hurt. I wish I could say as much for the hood of my car. It looks like Michael Flatley hosted a clogging jamboree atop it. Of course the fine fellows at the oil change shop are denying culpability. And since my best Clint Eastwood face didn't crush them into submission, I may have to shake a lawyer at 'em.

But wait! It gets better! In the process of wrestling down the car hood, my glasses fell off my face, landing on top of a sewer drain cover. My wife, meanwhile, lets out this traffic-stopping scream as my glasses bounce teasingly once or twice until they plummet

six feet to the bottom of the drain. Of course the grate over the top is bolted shut. I have never been so tempted to unleash a lethal barrage of profanity in my life.

As I rescued my fair damsel from her precarious situation, the noble men of MODOT came to my rescue. And with our combined intellects, we extracted my glasses by skillfully utilizing the most versatile of all pieces of equipment: duct tape. With a broom stick duct taped to a garbage sticker, which was fitted with a duct tape tip, we lifted my glasses from its dismal fate. MODOT rules!

A Big, Fat Rant

After several weeks of paper work, waiting, a few written letters, and more waiting (did I mention waiting?) we finally have a pool permit to put up our inflatable pool. Yes, I said "inflatable." And, yes, we need a permit for that. Apparently, in St. Louis County, any pool deeper than 2 feet requires a permit. I don't mind that. I'm all for safety. I just think it's ironic that now that I finally have permission to put up my pool, summer vacation is half over and we're experiencing record low temperatures. I woke up to 65 degrees this morning. This is July in Missouri? I paid good money for global warming, and now that I have a pool permit and a repaired air conditioner - I WANT MY GLOBAL WARMING! C'mon, Al Gore! Rescue me from an unseasonably mild summer!

Of course, it's my own stupid fault for procrastinating. NOTE TO SELF: "be sure to apply for summer pool permit in February." Maybe shoveling snow off the pool site will help me remember.

News that Makes Me Want to Rant

Whose fault is this mortgage crisis? Bush's? Actually, I think the blame could be spread around, but for thought-provoking perspective, rewind to 1999 and read this article from New York Times.

Last but not least, I dedicate this article to all of those who have had to cancel vacation plans because of rising taxes and gas prices ( and I know of at least one person personally).
____________________________________
HT love to Kent Brandenburg for the NYT article.

Clock Watching: The Death Knell of a Prayer Life

2009-06-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

Rethinking How We Walk with God - Part 2

Why do we struggle to pray? Why is it so hard to be faithful to the prayer closet? Why does it seem that sometimes our walk with God is characterized more by drudgery than delight? Are we just supposed to be satisfied that prayer gets done, even though our time in prayer is fraught with cold-hearted mutterings and unfocused mind-wanderings? A duty done – is that the lofty goal of the prayer warrior? These are questions I began answering in my previous post. (If you haven’t read it yet, I recommend you do so before you finish this article.)

Weakness in the prayer closet is the battle of every flesh-clothed child of God. Prayer is unnatural – because it is supernatural. It takes faith to persevere – yea - to excel in prayer. Prayer is contrary to the flesh because it is an activity dependent on the spirit. Jesus said upon discovering his slumbering, prayerless disciples, “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt. 26:41)

Weak flesh is our problem, and will be until the day of redemption. But there are bad habits we develop, and counter-productive ideas we entertain that further hamper our private devotions. In my opinion, the most egregious of all prayer-hindering ideas is a subtle legalism that I’ve noticed in my own life and in the lives of others. I think it’s a common problem that needs addressing.

Understandably, fundamental Baptists wince at the word “legalism.” We’re accused of it often enough (and sometimes the shoe fits). Legalism has been so misdefined and abused by fundamentalists and evangelicals alike for so long, that it has become nothing more than a pejorative. This is unfortunate, because legalism is a real and dangerous problem.

Legalism is not a strict code of conduct, nor is it only works-based salvation. Legalism is the idea that we can earn God’s favor through human effort. Legalism is a battle with two fronts: justification and sanctification, and the battle has spilled over into the prayer closet.

“Legalistic prayer? How could it be?” some may wonder. Simple: when we force upon ourselves some man-made requirement about our prayer life. This usually takes the shape of time allotment.

“I have to prayer for an hour, or I’m not right with God,” is the sentiment of many. And so they drag their feet to the prayer closet, and put in an hour of cold, heartless prayer – all the while watching their clocks and wondering why the hour seems to crawl at a snail’s pace. Is this how God wants us to commune with Him? Where does the Bible say that we have to prayer for one hour or we are miserable failures? Does it? No, it does not (and Matthew 26:40 is not a proof text for it).

The “sweet hour of prayer” is a wonderful thing, but it isn’t the length of the prayer that makes it sweet. On the contrary, the Bible repeatedly commends the virtue of brief, sincere prayer. Some of the greatest prayers in the Bible were only a few sentences long.

In my days at Hyles-Anderson College, Bro. Hyles often mentioned his devotional schedule: 19-21 hours of prayer a week. That’s an average of about 3 hours of prayer a day - something unfathomable to the average Bible college student. The implication to many of us was that unless we were praying for 3 hours a day, we were not walking with God as we should. Though Hyles never explicitly said it, that’s what many thought, including me.

The praise-worthy servants of God from yesteryear have many similar stories of generous portions of their day spent in sacred duties. We read of Luther, Whitefield, Calvin, and others that would pray for hours and hours a day. It’s easy to feel like a prayer failure in light of the testimonies of these giants of the Church. What we fail to see is that these men were not right with God because they prayed for lengthy periods of time. No, their lengthy devotions were manifestations of the passion they had for God. It’s something you grow into. It’s not something you can step into just because you scheduled it to be so. You can’t go from walking with God sporadically to walking with God for hours a day overnight. Try it, and you’re likely to find yourself discouraged by the lack of passion in focus in prayer.

I am not down-playing the virtue of hours in the prayer closet. I enjoy those long seasons of prayer. The Savior was known to pray through the night, but He didn’t do that every night. And I think it’s admirable that some men of God spend hours every day in prayer and meditation. I don’t. I can’t.

The prayer time requirement sucks the life out of the prayer warrior. It is a subtle form of legalism that has convinced us that we earn God’s favor like an hourly wage. Phooey on that. God is more interested in you prayerful passion and fervency than your time on the clock.

Should we schedule a time to pray? Yes, have a time. Spontaneous prayer is no more holy than scheduled prayer. But whether it is 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, or whatever, let your heart pour out its prayer with passion and fervency. If you’ve scheduled 30 minutes of prayer, but you’re done in 20, don’t feel like a failure. Take the extra 10 minutes to read more of His word, memorize a verse, or write a journal entry.

Determine that prayer will not be about filling time, but about fervent intercession. A legalistic focus on time brings death to the prayer life, but focusing on fervency, sincerity and passion brings joy and peace.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16

There’s yet another counter-productive prayer method that I’ll discus next time.

_______________________________________

image from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/joesflickr/711358450/

Duty and Dry Bones

2009-05-27T12:23:00.000-05:00

Image by Wessex Archaeology via Flickr

Rethinking How We Walk with God - Part 1

Read your Bible every day. Pray every day. These are the two rules of thumb with most Baptists for private devotional life. These devotions usually take the form of a praying over a list of prayer requests and reading a set amount of Bible verses and/or chapters. For some, it may mean reading from a devotional (i.e., Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening). There are many wonderful devotionals available. A few of the best ones are available online here.

But many experience a devolving of their private times with God into an exercise in futility - empty boringness. Their prayers seem to ascend no further than the ceiling; their minds are constantly invaded by distracting thoughts during Bible reading. At the end of their set time in the prayer closet, many emerge with only the satisfaction of a duty done. They feel no breath from God. There is no sweetness of spirit, no growth in Grace - just another checkmark for the daily task list. Even the wonderfully rich devotionals available to us can fail to lift us from the bonds of this terrestrial life and elevate us to the heavenlies.

With such leaden souls, many walk away from their private devotions completely, and not a few persevere only because of an incredible sense of duty and the will power to match. But is this how God wants us to commune with Him? Motivated by duty alone? Is this how we play with our children, or eat dinner with friends, or share intimacy with our spouses – by duty alone? God forbid.

Sure, duty is an important part of any relationship. But duty without delight is drudgery. And nobody enjoys drudgery. I am in no way dismissing our duties to family and friends – or especially to our heavenly Father. Duty is necessary and commanded. Duty in relationships is like the bones of a skeleton – it gives strength and provides a foundation. But the skeleton needs life and breath. Skeletons don’t move or interact; they don’t communicate or build. They don’t grow (by themselves). Skeletons need muscle and tendons, organs and blood. They need breath and life. Think of Ezekiel’s vision of the Valley of Dry Bones.

We all go through seasons of lifeless devotion. That is an unfortunate part of communing with our heavenly Father while we are yet dwelling in our fleshly tabernacle. We all, from time-to-time, experience that weakness of the flesh. When Jesus found his disciples sleeping instead of praying he said of them, “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt. 26:41)

Weakness in prayer is attributed to the weakness of our sin-tainted flesh. This sin-weakened condition manifests itself in specific factors that contribute to the drudgery of our walk with God, including a life-squelching legalism that is almost as common amongst fundamental Baptists as King James Bibles. This is going to take some space to “flesh out”, so stay tuned for more.

National Debt Road Trip

2009-05-21T10:59:00.000-05:00

Sunday Synopsis #3 - Jesus Loves the Little Children

2009-05-18T11:27:00.000-05:00

This is my little one, Moriah.

Text:

Mar 10:13-16

PROPOSITIONAL SENTENCE

Children are role models that show us how we should receive the Gospel; Christ teaches us that children should not just be tolerated, but celebrated.

SKELETAL OUTLINE

1. The Disciples were Annoyed by the Little Children (vs. 13)

2. Jesus Loved the Little Children (14-16)

A.He shows his acceptance

B. Then he teaches – “for of such is the kingdom of God.”

i. He said this by way of review – in ch. 9 he taught that we should receive little ones and learn from them.

ii.He said this because children populate heaven – I believe that children who die before they have the ability to discern the truths of the Gospel go to heaven. (2 Sam. 12:21- 23)

iii.He said this because children illustrate how the Gospel should be received

With submission to the Lordship of Christ

With faith

With humility and meekness

With gladness

C. Lastly, he gives them a blessing

CONCLUSION

What does this mean for me?

First, we need to be reminded that patience and love for all children is a Christ-like example that we should.

Second, we should praise God for the blood of Christ that makes possible the salvation of children who die under the curse of sin.

Lastly, we should examine our own faith, and see if we follow Christ as little children – submissively, faithfully, humbly, dependently.

Gospel Fail

2009-05-13T00:36:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church, recently attempted to "Twitter" the Gospel in a Christianity Today interview. The result was an embarrassingly vague paragraph that, apart from mentioning an empty tomb, talked completely around the Gospel. Bell's attempt at efficiently articulating the Good News of Jesus Christ sounded instead like the bad poetry of a beatnik. Here's what he said:

How would you present this gospel on Twitter?

I would say that history is headed somewhere. The thousands of little ways in which you are tempted to believe that hope might actually be a legitimate response to the insanity of the world actually can be trusted. And the Christian story is that a tomb is empty, and a movement has actually begun that has been present in a sense all along in creation. And all those times when your cynicism was at odds with an impulse within you that said that this little thing might be about something bigger—those tiny little slivers may in fact be connected to something really, really big.

So, why bring this up? Why nitpick a Gospel "Twitter"? Because Rob Bell is a Christian celebrity. He writes books, and makes videos, and has a large audience. He's an "emergent Christian" leader with a measure of popularity and influence, and his inability to accurately summarize the Gospel in a Christianity Today interview is a telltale sign of the anemic gospel that pervades American churches.

Am I being harsh? Probably. But this is a man whose life is lived by communicating the Gospel effectively. We expect better from a mega-church pastor, teacher, and author. I mean, c'mon, Rob, your interviewing with Christianity Today - you don't have to stroke the politically correct cat.

Perhaps my gospel-persnicketiness is a conditioned response. Maybe I'm just lashing out because I'm weary with the ever growing number of Christian celebs who, when given the opportunity to communicate truth to a wide audience, invariably blow it. Like Joel Osteen on Larry King Live - now that's a serious Gospel fail.

So how would I Twitter the Gospel? I think I would mix 1 Cor. 15:3-4 with Mark 1:15.

Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; He rose again the third day according to the scriptures: Repent. Believe the Gospel.

Not very flowery. But at least it's under 140 characters (including spaces).

Colbert Versus Ehrman: Bible Skeptic Smackdown

2009-04-15T11:06:00.000-05:00

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Bart Ehrman

colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

NASA Name Contest

I've never seen Colbert's show, but thus is funny. Not the most formal debate, but very funny.

He is Risen!

2009-04-12T08:23:00.001-05:00

Have a Great Easter!

Sunday Synopsis #2 - The Meaning of Grace

2009-04-09T18:44:00.000-05:00

Text: Ephesians 2:2-7

Propositional Sentence: Our gracious God does gracious works for a gracious purpose.

Skeletal Outline:
(My propositional sentence was divided for my main points)

1. OUR GRACIOUS GOD (verse 4)

2. DOES GRACIOUS WORKS (verse 5-6)

3. FOR A GRACIOUS PURPOSE (verse 7)

Favorite Sound Bite: "Grace is our receiving what the Father gave to the Son. We were made alive because Christ was made alive; we will be resurrected because Christ was resurrected; we will be exalted because Christ is exalted - this is grace."

My Favorite Webprank for April Fool's Day, 2009

2009-04-03T11:05:00.000-05:00

Through the deluge of comedic hoaxes that flood the web every April 1st, one rose above the all the rest (well, at least I thought it was funny): Maranatha Baptist Bible College is now offering a Master's Degree in the Bus Ministry. Check it out:

WATERTOWN, WI--Do you long for the freedom of the open road? Do you enjoy the company of loud and unruly children? Do you, for no apparent reason, notice the price of diesel fuel while driving by Speedway?

If these are the things that fuel your passion for service, consider pursuing our Master’s Degree in Bus Ministry, a new collaborative effort of Maranatha Online and Maranatha Baptist Seminary.

Save money with our Dual Degree Option—earn an MA in Bus Ministry while also completing a CDL from the state of Wisconsin. You may also be excited to participate in our Practical Driving Module, in which “Dean Oats” accompanies you during a 5 p.m. skills-sharpening session on Chicago’s Dan Ryan Expressway.

Materials required to be purchased for the course include a bag of candy and prizes, Handy-Wipes, transmission fluid, one (1) bag of vomit absorbent, and, of course, a used school bus painted in any color that can be found among the pile of half-empty cans in your garage.

MA in Bus Ministry

Course requirements

BM 102: Towing Skills and Ball Hitch Identification

BM 103: The Bus Ministry and Homeland Security

BM 204: Basic Human Hygiene

BM 205: Counseling Clueless Parents

BM 206: Is CCM Evil? An Examination of Convenient Clutch Manipulation

BM 210: Corn Crossbreeding and Home Ethanol Distillation

BM 302: Negotiation Skills and Pre-Adolescent Biting

BM 305: Petroleum Industry Futures Trading

BM 306: Long Bus Routes and The Exodus: Reformed Theology Examined

BM 406: Diesel Fumes and Our Environment

BM 407: The Physiology of Balloon Animal Construction

BM 409: Assigned Seats?: Calvinistic Thought and the Bus Ministry

_____________________________________________
Gotta love the flame job on the bus! It's not Maranatha's. It belongs to Middle Tennessee Baptist Church.

Sunday Synopsis #1 - Lil' Ol' Me

2009-03-30T13:46:00.000-05:00

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"
Psalm 8:3-4

I've been preaching on Sunday mornings through different Psalms. Yesterday my text was Psalm 8. What a beautiful passage to preach! I enjoyed meditating on it though the week. I thought I'd share a quick synopsis of my outline, more for my benefit than anything else.

Text: Psalm 8:1-9

Propositional Sentence: The 8th Psalm vividly portrays God's gracious condescension to man, and Christ's glorious exaltation over all things.

Skeletal Outline:

1. Verse 1 - GLORY OF GOD VISUALIZED

2. Verse 2 - TRUTHS OF GOD VERBALIZED

3. Verses 3-8 - CONDESCENSION OF GOD REALIZED

4. Entire psalm - EXALTATION OF CHRIST PROPHESIED

Favorite Sound Bite: "When we are confronted with the realization of God's gracious condescension, we walk away humbled in spirit. We no longer ask, 'Why won’t God answer my prayers?'; instead we wonder, 'Why would God answer my prayers?' No longer is it: 'Why does God allow such suffering in my life?' Rather, 'Why would God even take notice of me?'"

Off topic: I came across this interesting photo that shows the effects of urban light pollution on our ability to see a night sky full of stars:

Out of the Mouths of Babes

2009-03-19T21:50:00.000-05:00

It has been said that “children say the craziest things.” Children also ask the hardest questions. Recently, during family altar, I was discussing the second coming of Christ with my children. I mentioned that when God recreates the new heaven and new earth that there will be no more sorrow, sickness, or sin.

My son asked, “Why won’t there be any more sin?”

“Because we will be perfect,” I responded, hoping my son would realize his privileged status as the offspring of such theological astuteness.

“Yeah, but Adam was perfect when God made him, and Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden. Why won’t we be able to sin when we are made perfect in heaven?” It suddenly occurred to me that perhaps my son was not basking in the warm light of my brilliance.

He asked a good question. In essence, “what will be the difference between the perfect eternal state that awaits us, and the perfect state that Adam once enjoyed?” If God made everything perfect and we know God will remake everything perfect, then who’s to say somebody won’t “pull an Adam?” Further, what difference, if any, is there between the free will of Adam and the free will of the glorified saints?

I gave Noah the short answer. I’d like to hash out here the long answer in the weeks to come. In the meantime, I’d like to hear what you would’ve told Noah if he asked you that question.

Quick Rant

2009-03-18T07:24:00.000-05:00

At this time of year, when tax laws turn my brain into oatmeal, and I start making those estimated self-employment tax payments, it sure is nice to know that all that effort and money are going to benefit somebody...to the tune of 1 million dollars! I will probably never see in my lifetime the amount of money these jokers are going to make in one bonus check - a bonus check funded by folks like me you.

Didn't our ancestors fight a war over something like this?

Great Building Program Ideas

2009-03-01T22:09:00.000-06:00

(Photo credits: Stuck in Customs)

Need some inspiration for your church's building program? Check out this link.

Obligatory fundamentalist disclaimer in force...

Prefilled Communion Cup with Wafer

2008-11-12T01:07:00.000-06:00

Has it come to this?
UPDATE - For those who have come to this article by Googling "pre-filled communion cups": This was meant to be a half-serious rant, not a discussion on whether or not prefilled communion cups are biblical or not. I don't like them. I think they look tacky, and I think their convenience doesn't make up for their kitschiness. If you like them, mo power to ya. Here's my opinion:

Must we constantly whittle away at church tradition in the name of convenience? Is it such a drag to pour communion cups every time we celebrate the Lord's Table that we need prepackaged communion cups...with a matching prepackaged wafer?

An online merchant that sells this super-convenient communion kit reports that customers are raving about the time saved from not having to pass out separate trays for the cups and the wafers. Are we in that much of a hurry to get out of church? I always thought that those few moments spent while deacons distributed the elements of the Lord's table should be invested in contemplation and confession. How is that a drag on the church service? In my opinion, Christians could use a little more contemplation and confession. Besides, if your congregation is so large that that the distribution of the bread and cup take an inordinate amount of time, then simply buy more trays and recruit more passer-outers. For several years, I attended a church that celebrated the Lord's Table with 5,000 congregants. The elements were always distributed efficiently.

I know...I know - some would object with: "Jesus didn't use communion trays to institute the Lord's Supper!" True. I am also aware that communion trays were at one time a modern convenience. I'm not arguing that traditional communion trays somehow sanctify the bread and cup more than these "porta-juices", but certainly such kitschy methods of distributing the elements degrade the sanctity of the ordinance. Does it bother anyone else that communion can be observed with something that looks like it came from a gas station condiment bar?

For years now, the Lord's Supper has been under attack by those who wish to give Christianity a "relevance" makeover. From stories of youth groups partaking of a "pizza and Coke communion", to a recent commenter named Marie reporting on a Teampyro thread of "cybercommunion" participants commemorating the Saviour's death with Crystal Light and bagel chips, it seems that wherever we turn somebody somewhere is trivializing the Lord's Table. I believe Western Christianity is reaping what it has sown. For too long we've allowed convenience, "relevance", and worldly acceptance to overshadow the sacredness of the local church. Are these tacky prefilled communion cups just another telltale sign of evangelicalisms affinity for "instant-religion"? I don't know, but I just don't like them.

Perhaps I'm just an over-zealous purist stuck in his ways. Prolly.

Vowels, Voters, and Democrat Victory

2008-11-06T09:32:00.000-06:00

With the election over, the GOP finger-pointing has begun. Not surprisingly, Christian conservatives are in the cross-hairs of many Republican advisers and supporters. The leftish Republicans are calling for a thoroughgoing departure from social conservatism , blaming the creationists and anti-abortion Republicans for repelling the centrist moderates needed to win this past election. Read this post over at Little Green Footballs and you’ll know what I mean, then scan the comment section and notice the acid-laced comments unleashed on social conservatives.

Here’s the thing: Obama’s victory was not the death knell of Christian politics. Sure, he won the moderate vote, but moderates didn’t vote for Obama because he is a social liberal. Moderates, in my opinion don’t care about social issues – they care mostly about two things: the cash-factor and the cool-factor. I don’t think many moderates walked into the voting booth, clicking their heels at the opportunity to vote for the most radically pro-abortion candidate in presidential history. Moderates voted for the guy they believe will benefit them the most and that they relate to the most.

Republicans lost, not because of the “religious right”, but because of the vowels:

Afghanistan

Economic woes

Iraq

Obama is just way cooler than McCain

Uninformed voters

Here's what I mean by “U”: I think Republicans failed to inform people how our current economic troubles didn’t begin with W…they started much, much earlier. Many voters were voting for pizzazz, charisma, and a man who was just more believable than the other. And as the GOP strategists lick their wounds and stroke their chins, trying to strategize their way to a victory 4 years from now, they need to remember that issues really don’t matter to millions of voters. Don’t believe me? Just listen to these interviews by *ahem* Howard Stern and tell me that issues were the issue!

It’s the old 10/80/10 scenario. 10 percent of the country cares passionately about leftist issues; 10 percent of the country cares passionately about right wing issues; 80 percent of the country doesn’t care about issues at all. That 80 percent (or whatever the actual number is) is the moderate middle. They don’t give a hoot (pro or anti) about abortion, gun control, big government, or a host of other party plank talking-points. They care whether or not a candidate is affable, and whether or not he’s going to help their wallet.

A huge part of the right wing “10 percenters” is Christian conservatives. To depart from them in order to solicit the votes of the issues-ambivalent majority will cripple GOP efforts in the future. In essence, for Republicans to become more like Democrats in order to beat the Democrats is a stupid political strategy. Moderates don’t vote issues, they vote wallet and likability. So find a candidate that both shares the beliefs that your base is passionate about and also is appealing to the moderates who aren't issue-oriented.

'Course that's easier said than done.

_______________________________________

HT love to Teampyro for the Little Green Footballs article and to JackHammer for the Howard Stern audio.

Street Preaching: The Devil's Work?

2008-10-29T09:50:00.000-05:00

When Christ gave the Church the Great Commission, He commanded that we teach (Matt. 28:19) and preach (Mark16:15). There's a difference. Teaching is explanation; preaching is proclamation. Think of the contrast in terms of a school teacher versus a town crier. Both Gospel preaching and Gospel teaching are necessary to fulfill the Great Commission.

Street preaching is a means of Gospel proclamation. The street preacher acts as the town crier, announcing the good news of the Gospel. He bellows the King's decrees to all who will hear. Street preaching has a rich heritage and a biblical precedent.

Charles Spurgeon was a great proponent of street preaching, often termed “open air preaching.” He invests two chapters in his book Lectures to My Students to this topic. Spurgeon said:

“The great benefit of open-air preaching is that we get so many new comers to hear the gospel who otherwise would never hear it. The gospel command is, ‘Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,’ but it is so little obeyed that one would imagine it ran thus, ‘Go ye into your own place of worship and preach the gospel to the few creatures who will come inside’…We ought actually to go into the streets and lanes and highways, for there are lurkers in the hedges, tramps on the highway, street-walkers, and lane-haunters, whom we will never reach unless we pursue them into their own domains.”

Street preaching is a much needed biblical method of sharing the gospel. My church is in the process of beginning some new evangelistic ministries, and I hope to utilize open-air preaching as one arm of our evangelistic outreach. I have some experience in street preaching, and I know full well that the harvest is plenteous but laborers are few. That reason alone should motivate us to be more earnest in proclaiming God’s call to sinners.

Yet there are some zealous brethren who seem to use the open-air venue for sensationalism and controversy. The video below is a tragic example of sensationalistic and caustic street preaching.

I know that the Gospel rightly proclaimed is inherently offensive to the unbeliever, yet some preachers think that adding human antagonism to divine conviction is helping the cause – they are wrong. God doesn’t need devil costumes and “hell-phones” to get His message out.

Furthermore, if our masked minister in the above video had approached these JW’s with more sincerity and less sensationalism, with theology instead of theatrics, perhaps he could’ve gained a few listening ears. The really embarrassing part of the video is when the preacher belts out a rousing chorus of a mocked-up "Onward Christian Soldiers", singing insults and slander with the help of his cohorts.

Of course, my detractors would probably point out that if I think I could do better, than maybe I should try. I guess there’s some validity to that criticism. Perhaps in the future I’ll post my own video of street preaching (devil costume not included).

Al Gore Gives Chilling Speech at Harvard

2008-10-26T23:21:00.000-05:00

Read about it here.

HT: Frank Turk

Sermon Study Snackage

2008-10-23T09:21:00.000-05:00

During those long hours of study and preparation for weekly sermons, sometimes it's necessary to wake up the senses a little to increase one's attentiveness. Enter: the study snack - something we all became familiar with in high school, mastered in college, and we preachers have perfected in the ministry.

When I study, I sometimes need a snack that shakes me good and hard, gives me a quick kick in the desk chair, and leaves me cracking my knuckles like a grandmaster pianist before I attack my laptop's keyboard with fresh sermonizing motivation. So here's my favorite sermonizing snack and beverage:

First, of course, there's coffee. Hot. Bold. Strong. Gotta love it. Gotta wonder about those who don't. Pray for the weaker brethren.

Second, there's the ginger snap. This is the prefect sermon study snack. Crunchy enough to wake you up, sweet enough to be interesting, and bold enough to remind you it's good to be alive.

Now, I don't wish to offend my chewy, chocolate chip brethren. I'll snack on one of those if need be. But when fatigue is dragging you down like blue jeans in the swimming pool, you need a cookie that's gonna deliver.

And not just any ginger snap, but Stauffer's Original Recipe Ginger Snaps. Why these?

Well, first, they got the crunch your drowsy eyes need. Oh, yeah, bite hard and wake up.

Second, they are bite size, so no fuss over crumbs on your Bible or keyboard.

Third, you can buy them in some dollar stores. No need to pay $4.29 for a bag of cookies, and if your life's verse is Acts 3:6, then this is a big plus.

Fourth, and most importantly, Stauffer's puts chili powder and red pepper in their ginger snaps. (And all God's people said?...) These cookies are spicy! Gotta love it. It's like Tabasco Sauce for dessert. How cool is that?

So brew a pot of Joe, and eat a real cookie. Your sermon will thank you.

Feel free to share some of your favorite sermonizing snacks.

Gill's Gaffe?

2008-10-17T19:06:00.000-05:00

John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible is one of my favorite commentaries. He is detailed, scholarly, and articulate – and Baptist to boot! At times he is a bit wordy, but run-on sentences were, I think, the hallmark of 17th century English literature.

I admire Gill and his solid exegesis, but of course I don’t always agree with him. Many think he was a hyper-Calvinist. He certainly was a Calvinist, and he certainly leaned to the right, but I’ve yet to read where he denies the preaching of the Gospel to unbelievers.

Recently, during my own study, I came across Gill’s remarks on John 3:5, which reads:

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Regarding the phrase “except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,” Gill writes:

“These are, מלות שנות, "two words", which express the same thing, as Kimchi observes in many places in his commentaries, and signify the grace of the Spirit of God. The Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions read, "the Holy Spirit", and so Nonnus; and who doubtless is intended: by "water", is not meant material water, or baptismal water; for water baptism is never expressed by water only, without some additional word, which shows, that the ordinance of water baptism is intended.”

Notice that he expressly said that “water” as a word by itself never means baptism. He later goes on to explain that "water" refers metaphorically to the grace of God.

Now notice 1 John 5:6:

“This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.”

The Apostle John, who wrote both verses I’ve cited, was in 1 John 5:6 battling the seeds of Gnosticism in the first century. Part of Gnostic heresy is the belief that the Christ-spirit descended on the man Jesus at his baptism, and then later left him at his crucifixion. John is writing that the same Christ at the baptism was the same Christ that shed His blood. Gill remarks:

“The ordinance of water baptism is designed; and though Christ did not come baptizing with water, he having a greater baptism to administer, yet that he might be made manifest, John came baptizing in that way; and Christ, as the Son of God, came, or was made manifest by John as such, at the waters of Jordan, and at his baptism; there he was declared to be the Son of God by his Father's voice from heaven.”

So tell, me if I’m reading this correctly: Gill says that “water” in John 3:5 cannot mean baptism, because “water” by itself never refers to baptism, but in 1 John 5:6 “water” does refer to baptism. Am I missing something? This appears to be a contradiction on the part of my hero, John Gill. (The best of men are men at best, right?)

While we’re on the subject, how do you interpret John 3:5?

McCain Needs Better Commercials in Saint Louis

2008-10-15T09:17:00.000-05:00

I truly, honestly pray that Obama does not win the upcoming election. But unless there’s a serious turnout amongst conservative voters (many of whom, like me, don’t like McCain) then I think it’s gonna be “President” Obama before long.

What’s really frustrating is what seems like a lack of effort in the McCain campaign. Here in Saint Louis, McCain has only one commercial running – and it’s pretty lame. The commercial focuses on one snippet of a sound bite where Obama accuses our troops of air raiding villages in Afghanistan. Then the commercial links Obama with Congressional liberals. Duh.

The Obama sound bite is so brief – even sounding chopped off – that an objective minded independent voter would question whether the McCain campaign ripped the quote out of context. Besides, we all know Obama is against the war. We all know that Congressional liberals and Obama are linked at the hip. How is this commercial informative or persuasive?

This is the only commercial I’ve seen for the McCain campaign. There may be others. But I never see them. Of all the outrageous things that Obama has said and done, this is the best the McCain campaign can do?

On the other hand, in my temperate amount of time invested in watching mindless television programming, I’ve noticed about four or five different Obama commercials.

Somebody needs to notify the McCain campaign that Missouri is supposed to be a battleground state. We need some better commercials over here. Perhaps McCain’s people have written off the Saint Louis area as a total loss, leading to this colossal lack of primetime pizzazz. Or perhaps I just don’t watch enough television.
Here are a couple of suggestions for those in charge of making political commercials (Republicans, take notes!):

If you’re going to run an attack ad, pull the gloves and go for the jugular. There’s nothing as sorry as an attack ad that comes off as namby-pamby. If you’re going to hit a man, cram his teeth down his throat. A pox on these limp-wristed slaps!

Otherwise, gives us some humor. Makes us laugh. Talking babies, claymation caricatures, singing raisins, cavorting chameleons – something! There’s nothing quite as funny as the supercilious antics of politicians, so hire one of those Superbowl advertising geniuses to mine ideas from the comedic goldmine that is American politics and give the people a few chuckles.

American politics is pretty much bereft of dignity anyway, so if our beloved republic has to endure yet another presidential campaign from two of the most unappealing candidates possible, you might as well make it enjoyable.

Were the Vallenses Baptists?

2008-10-13T15:03:00.000-05:00

I believe in church perpetuity: that there has always been, since Christ’s institution of the church, a body of believers who are essentially pure in doctrine and practice. This does not deny that true churches of Christ have differed in many points of theology. It does affirm that there has always been somewhere, a body of saved, baptized believers. It does also deny that the Reformers, as blessed as they were for theological insight, did not resurrect the doctrine of grace-based salvation from millennia of obscurity.

The purpose of this article is not to immediately arrive at a dogmatic position on whether the Albigenses, Vallenses, and other primitive non-papal groups should be considered orthodox or heterodox. Rather I wish to encourage an open-minded, objective approach as I try to determine the “denominational persuasion” of the ancient Vallenses.

In 1542, the Vallenses delivered to Francis I of France, their confession of faith. An examination of their confession reveals that they differed greatly from their Roman opponents: they held to justification through the merits of Christ alone, they rejected purgatory altogether, they acknowledged the Bible as the sole rule of faith, they rejected the veneration of Mary and other saints, they denied the doctrine of transubstantiation, and they derided the adoration of images.¹As encouraging as that may sound to those who wish to identify the Vallenses as purely a Baptistic group, there is also evidence within their confession to indicate a more Protestant identity. Notice these Vallensic differences from most modern independent, fundamental, Baptists:

1. A Belief in the Universal Church – “There is one Holy Catholic Church, which is the Congregation and Assembly of all true believers faithful and elect of God, who have been from the beginning of the world, and shall be to the end; of which Church Jesus Christ is the head.”²

2. An Affirmation of Infant Baptism – “They greatly err, who deny Baptism to the children of Christians." ³

3. A Consubstantiation View of the Lord’s Supper - “Therefore, the truly faithful of Jesus Christ eat his flesh and drink his blood spiritually in their hearts.”⁴

4. A Postmillennial Eschatology – The Vallenses, as stated in the ancient document The Noble Lesson, believed the 1,000 year millennium predicted in the book of Revelation had transpired somewhere between the nativity of Christ and the year 1000 A. D. They considered their age to be the time when Satan would be let loose for an unspecified amount of time (Rev. 20:3).⁵ They seemed to believe the Millennium to be a literal 1,000 years, that the church age was the Millennium, and that Christ’s summing up of all things was night at hand. Of course, this greatly differs from contemporary postmillennialism, but it is also far removed from modern Baptist premillennial, pretribulation dispensational eschatology.

From here, though, the plot thickens. Faber, whose work thus far I have cited exclusively, depends largely on the ancient Vallensic documents brought to England from Piedmont in 1658 by Sir Samuel Morland.⁶ Modern Roman Catholic apologist Phil Porvaznik refers to Baptist historian McGoldrick’s book, Baptist Successionism: A Crucial Question in Baptist History, where McGoldrick states that Morland’s ancient Vallensic documents were actually the work of Strasbourg reformer Martin Bucer, “copied almost verbatim.”⁷

So what are we to make of all this? If Morland’s documents are faulty, then Faber’s definitions of Vallensic theology before the 16th century may be inaccurate. But certainly, what was submitted as a confession of faith in to the king of France in 1542 identifies the 16th century French Vallenses as more Protestant than Baptistic.

But questions linger: was the confession of faith submitted in 1542 the original expression of Vallensic theology, or had it changed over the years? Are Samuel Morland’s documents spurious, as McGoldrick believes?

More on this later.

___________________________

¹ George Stanley Faber, The History of the Ancient Vallenses and Albigenses, (London: R. B. Seeley and W. Burnside, 1838; reprint, Dayton, OH: Church History and Research Archive, 1990) 426-431.
² Ibid., 435-436.
³ Ibid., 439.
⁴ Ibid., 440.
⁵ Ibid., 389.
⁶ Ibid., 369
⁷ Phil Parvaznik, “Who Were the Waldenses? Early Evangelicals?”, 23 June 2007, http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/num3.htm (13 October 2008)

Did I Step Back in Time?

2008-10-10T18:46:00.000-05:00

On my way home from the office today I noticed something unusual- gas for $2.99 a gallon!

Woohoo!

But it gets weirder...

As I scanned the radio stations at the top of the hour, looking for news, I found that a local radio station has switched over to all Christmas music all the time. It's only October 10! C'mon!

Hmmm. Cheap gas. Christmas music. Did I step back in time to December, 2007?

Apparently, not only are the Feds doing what the can to bolster the economy (pfft!), so is Big Oil and local media. ('Cuz nothing makes Americans want to spend money like cheap gas in the car and "White Christmas" on the radio.)