I Made This Myself

Christmas Fluff

2009-11-30T17:09:00.000-08:00

A week ago, our family celebrated Levi's "Gotcha Day" at Disneyland. We stayed long enough to watch the holiday fireworks show at Disneyland with Seth and Emily. Each year I am reminded how hollow the secular "holiday season" is. Don't get me wrong. The fireworks display was amazing to watch. It really is spectacular. It's the content that's bankrupt. Here's what you hear if you're paying attention:

(SPOKEN) "Does your heart hold the magic of the holidays? Is it filled with warm memories just waiting to be discovered again? Now is the time to open your heart, believe in that magic, and remember those treasured moments...they're still there, deep within you, waiting to touch you once more. So come along as the magic of the seasons leads the way!"

Can you remember how Christmas makes you feel?
That special magic in the air, when all your dreams were real.
Can you remember the smell of gingerbread?
Candy canes and sugar plums that dance inside your head.

Remember when the twinkling stars at night told you reindeer were in flight,
And jolly Santa Claus was on his way?
The warmth of candle glow, a kiss of mistletoe,
The magic lives when we believe. It's in our hearts to stay.

Remember the caring, a season worth sharing.
Believe in the magic in our lives, just open up your heart,
And relive the feeling, just remember the magic,
Yes remember the magic, one more time.

Treasure it again, it never has to end
Remember the magic in our lives
Just open up your hearts, embrace all those feelings
Just remember the feeling, yes remember the magic
For all time

(SPOKEN) "Cherish the holidays forever, and always believe!"

C. S. Lewis' wrote:

"If we are made for heaven, the desire for our proper place will be already in us, but not yet attached to the true object, and will even appear as the rival of that object."

I agree and think that the feeling that surges through the crowd as the fireworks explode and the music swells and the "snow" (read: tiny soap bubbles shot out by high tech "snowmakers") falls is related to this internal longing. Lewis goes on...

"Our commonest expedient is to call it beauty and behave as if that had settled the matter. Wordsworth’s (the poet) method was to identify that desire with certain moments in his own past. But all this is a cheat. If he had gone back to those moments in the past, he would not have found the thing itself, but only the reminder of it; what he remembered would turn out to be itself a remembering. The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing. These things—the beauty, the memory of our own past—are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshippers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited."

FAITH and SIGHT. I think the Disney message amounts to something like, “Remember back to a time before you had SIGHT? To a time when you innocently believed? Wasn’t that an awesome feeling? You can have it again by remembering.”

You see? SIGHT is the letdown. FAITH is where it’s at.

Christmas is not like that. When Jesus was born, the FAITH of so many became SIGHT. Like Simeon and Anna and many others who recognized that this Jesus was no ordinary man, but God in flesh appearing. He had come to turn dreams into REALITY.

This is what sets Christian faith apart from the kind of BELIEVING we hear all the time. Our faith is in something concrete. SOMEONE real. Who really lived. Who really spoke like no other man. Who really died willingly on a cross and prayed “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Our faith is in this man who came back to life and ascended into heaven and promised to come back the same way he left. VISIBLY.

There was an old light beer commercial – “Tastes great! Less Filling!” That’s the Disneyland, “who-cares-what-you-believe-in, just-believe” kind of belief. It can make your heart swell for a moment and give you a warm feeling and make you want to hold hands with someone, but it doesn’t last and it won’t ultimately satisfy you.

The Christian faith understands and is confident in God’s promise that one day, the thing our hearts ache for and that we long to experience will be SIGHT. We will see Him forever.

"There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9)."

When will we enter it?

When "the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)."

Now THERE'S something to believe in. I'll take that over sugar plums and gingerbread any day.

So Much Joy

2009-11-25T14:14:00.000-08:00

As is clearly seen by the date on the previous post, it's been a long time since I utilized this blog. I'd like to resurrect it by announcing the release of our second worship album project at Grace. So Much Joy is a Christmas album. Give it a listen via the widget to the right and buy it for friends and family this Christmas through iTunes or Amazon MP3 Downloads.

My personal favorite track: God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen

Shai Linne | Spoken Word

2008-04-11T16:14:00.000-07:00

In Case You Weren't Aware

2007-09-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

I have abandoned this blog and resurrected it as our Grace Youth Blog. It's still called BrainCud, but it's now here.

Switchfoot Bootlegs

2007-03-01T15:19:00.000-08:00

Free and legit.

I just got a Switchfoot fan email today. They've been doing something really cool on their tour these days. At each concert, they burn 100 copies of a bootleg CD from that show. Each one has 6 songs on it.

A fan created a site where people who have attended each concert can upload the songs from that bootleg. Switchfoot endorses their site. They currently have bootlegs from shows since February 13.

So go click here and start downloading. Enjoy!

Al Mohler and James Cameron on Larry King

2007-02-27T10:09:00.000-08:00

If you've read anything about James Cameron's documentary on the claim to have found the remains of Jesus, Mary his mother, and Mary Magdelene, you'll be interested in reading about Larry King Live last night.

Tim Challies blogs about it here and provides links to the transcript from the show and another response by New Testament scholar, Ben Witherington.

Walk for Life 2007

2007-02-07T11:47:00.000-08:00

I just registered for the Walk for Life on March 3rd and set up my fund raising page. As I find the time, I'd like to post some links to other helpful information about the fight to defend the rights of unborn children. If you'd like to sponsor me, the money goes to the Whittier Pregnancy Care Clinic.

Articles on Abortion from Desiring God

New Pictures from Karisa

2007-02-07T11:26:00.000-08:00

Karisa has updated her online India photo album. There are some amazing pictures in there. Go check 'em out and then pray for Karisa. Here's one of my favorite pictures.

Classic Bollywood

2007-01-30T17:40:00.000-08:00

Do you think this kind of stuff happens when there aren't cameras around? I think I could watch this and chuckle at least once a week.

HT: Pecadillo

Mouseketeer

2007-01-19T11:48:00.000-08:00

We took Lily to Disneyland for her first birthday and got her the obligatory mouse ears. Too cute not to post a picture! Click on it for full size.

India Team Update

2007-01-17T12:59:00.000-08:00

Donna Thoennes wrote this one.

It's OK. You CAN Swallow Your Gum.

2007-01-17T12:50:00.000-08:00

For anyone who still thinks chewing gum stays in your body for 7 years if you swallow it, read this. (I told you, Lexie!)

Tobias

2007-01-17T12:44:00.000-08:00

Scene from my new favorite tv show which has already been canceled after three seasons.

MySpace Alternative

2007-01-17T12:30:00.000-08:00

Just read about HisHolySpace, a Christian version of MySpace. No trashy ads. That's a plus.

(HT: Tim Challies)

Happy Birthday Lily Mei!

2007-01-17T12:18:00.000-08:00

A few noteworthy people who share(d) the same birthday-

Benjamin Franklin – 1706
Anne Bronte – 1820
Al Capone – 1899
Eartha Kitt – 1927 (singer/actress, Catwoman on the original Batman TV show)
James Earl Jones – 1931
Shari Lewis – 1934 (puppeteer, creator of Lambchop)
Muhammed Ali – 1942
Andy Kaufman – 1949
Jim Carrey - 1962 (played Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon)

Reminisce, Recycle, Repeat

2007-01-16T10:12:00.000-08:00

For those of you who still know what a floppy disk is and think they are completely useless now, here's a suggestion.

What Jesus Thought of Noah

2007-01-15T17:11:00.000-08:00

For the second week of our high school Hebrews 11 series (tomorrow night) we'll be thinking about Noah.

Hebrews 11:7
"By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."

The author of Hebrews tells us about Noah's faith because he wants us to become "imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises". My plan is not to defend the historicity of the great flood and the ark Noah built. Jesus very clearly talked about Noah and these events as historical, not mythical.

Luke 17:27
"They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all."

But if you have a hard time with stories like Noah and the Great Flood, go read (and ponder) why Frank Turk (contributor to the Team Pyro blog) believes Noah "built and arkie-arkie".

Lily's Daddy Finally Posts Again

2007-01-11T22:59:00.000-08:00

Betsy has still been posting pictures periodically and keeping the few people who still check our You Belong site updated. I got back in the posting loop tonight and added 10 new pictures. Enjoy!

India Team, Latest Post

2007-01-11T22:20:00.000-08:00

Jessy Wall writes this entry. Don't forget to leave a comment. They are such an encouragement.

Procrastina...

2007-01-11T21:39:00.000-08:00

...tion. Fellow procrastinators, someone has been studying us and the verdict is not good. A Canadian psychologist has finished a 10 year study on procrastination (it was supposed to be done in five years... that's not a joke, that's the truth). He concludes that procrastination makes people "fatter, poorer and unhappier" (no big surprise there) and it's on the rise. We live in one of the easiest places to procrastinate.

In 1978, only about 5 percent of the American public thought of themselves as chronic procrastinators. Now it's 26 percent, Steel said.
And why not? There are so many fun ways to kill time -- TVs in every room, online video, Web-surfing, cell phones, video games, iPods and Blackberries.
At work, e-mail, the Internet and games are just a click away, making procrastination effortless, Steel said.
"That stupid game Minesweeper -- that probably has cost billions of dollars for the whole society," he said.
The U.S. gross national product would probably rise by $50 billion if the icon and sound that notifies people of new e-mail suddenly disappear, he added.
And there's good reason to worry right now about the problem of procrastination.
"People who procrastinate tend to be less healthy, less wealthy and less happy," Steel said Wednesday. "You can reduce it, but I don't think you can eliminate it."

Read the whole article here.

Two Preachers Weigh In On The ESV Bible

2007-01-11T16:18:00.000-08:00

Mark Driscoll, preaching pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, explains why they have decided to use the ESV as their primary preaching translation.

John Piper and the elders of Bethlehem Baptist church submitted a similar article back in 2004.

Both are worth reading.

Memorize God's Word in 2007

2007-01-11T15:58:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of great plans to help you take memorizing Scripture more seriously this year.

The Fighter Verse Program, created by Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis. One passage a week for a year. They've got five different one-year plans. You can...

print them out yourself
subscribe to their podcast
sign up to view them on your PDA or web-enabled phone

Treasuring God's Truth In Your Heart, printed in one of the recent editions of the English Standard Bible, takes you through 52 weeks of memory verses by topics (Attributes of God's Character, the Offices of Christ, characteristics of Scripture, etc.). You can read Justin Taylor's recommendation of this memory plan here.

Got 15 Minutes?

2007-01-11T15:01:00.000-08:00

Don't spend them filling out another senseless MySpace survey or watching the YouTube video of that kid slipping on a diving board. Go watch a short film that asks you to "Stop & Think" about the most important questions out there.

Friends in India

2007-01-10T12:09:00.000-08:00

Karisa McDuff has posted a new entry at All That Is Within...

And Anna Hamner has written the latest entry to the recently resurrected India Team Xanga Page.

Back in the Saddle Again

2007-01-10T12:04:00.000-08:00

After an almost two month hiatus, I'm going to keep at least one eye on this page again. I thought it was time for a fresh look, too.

Gone to China

2006-11-12T22:37:00.000-08:00

Tuesday morning, Betsy and I fly out. While we're gone, you can follow our trip and see pictures here. Thank you for praying!

Well I'll Be a Monkey's Uncle

2006-11-03T11:24:00.000-08:00

Funny stuff from The Sacred Sandwich.

Free Spurgeon Audiobook

2006-11-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

I just learned about christianaudio.com. Every month they offer a free audio book. This month it is an unabridged book by Charles Spurgeon called "All of Grace".

FREE AUDIOBOOK
Each month ChristianAudio is excited to give away one free audio book download. The books we give away are free for only one month. After that they are sold at the regular price. So make sure that you check back regularly and download these great Christian Classics for FREE!

Use this coupon code - NOV2006 - to redeem the free book of the month.

(HT: Justin Taylor)

Do Something

2006-10-23T23:00:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, our high school study in 1 Timothy centered on chapter 4, verses 7 and 8. Particularly on Paul's command to "train yourself for godliness". One of our points was that this implies something fairly obvious... namely that this requires we DO SOMETHING. Or actually someTHINGS.

Godliness doesn't happen on "auto pilot." It's not like "cruise control". Otherwise Paul would never say things like, "Train yourself for godliness!"

So tonight I read this post by Dan Phillips of teampyro called "Is Spiritual Growth Automatic" and it really drives home what we only had time to touch on. Go read it. I hope it "spurs you on" toward love and good deeds. Because we all need a sharp poke in the seat meat sometimes.

Last Night at the Roxy

2006-10-19T22:45:00.000-07:00

Switchfoot News

2006-10-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

They've given their website an overhaul for the upcoming album Oh! Gravity. You can listen to entire album with their web player. I really like the song Awakening. They played it at the Pacific Amphitheater when I saw them this summer.

If you pre-order their album, you can get an an exclusive 3-song cd containing 3 unreleased tracks! Bonus CD contains the songs "c'mon, c'mon, c'mon," "sound in my mouth," and an acoustic version of "oh! gravity." And although the release date is December 26, I think if you pre-order it will arrive in the mail before Christmas.

Need to Release a Little Tension?

2006-10-16T21:19:00.000-07:00

Don't have any bubble wrap? Click here and pop away. The sheets are endless. (You need shockwave flash player installed for it to work.)

Grace High School Winter Camp 2007

2006-10-13T15:55:00.000-07:00

Go check out the flier on our high school homepage.

Both Drs. Thoennes Get Their Respective "Shouts Out" from Justin Taylor

2006-10-13T12:15:00.000-07:00

First Donna

Now Erik

Karisa in New Delhi

2006-10-13T12:12:00.000-07:00

She's there and she's already ridden in an autorickshaw like these. Check out her first post at her blog, All That Is Within. Then bookmark it and come back frequently. Then pray for the things she asks prayer for. Then post a comment and encourage her.

I'm No Slouch Myself

2006-10-11T10:03:00.000-07:00

Apparently Kim Jong-Il is the wonderboy of golf. At least that's what the North Korean press has reported. Get a load of this quote from this article.

Pyongyang media say North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il enjoys golf, having shot multiple holes-in-one during his first try at the game. He reportedly aced five holes and finished 38 under par on the golf course. The "Great Leader" routinely shoots three or four holes-in-one per round, the government-controlled media reported.

That deserves a golf clap.

(HT: Dean Barnett)

"Don't sell yourself short, Judge. Your a tremedous slouch."

Oh! Gravity

2006-10-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

You can now listen to the title track of Switchfoot's upcoming album here. A correction on an earlier post. They will start pre-selling their new album starting October 17, which means you can order and pay for it then, but it won't be shipped out until the release date (Although their MySpace page suggested they might ship out a little early AND you'll get a free 3 song LP if you pre-order).

The Only Reason I Wish I Had a Cat

2006-10-07T22:43:00.000-07:00

stuffonmycat.com

The URL really says it all. Here's a couple of samples. Now enjoy.

Use of the OT in the NT

2006-10-03T12:27:00.000-07:00

Three mp3 lectures by D. A. Carson on the subject.

Dirty Second Hands

2006-10-02T23:40:00.000-07:00

A follow up on the new Switchfoot single released this week. I really like it. Especially the electric guitar sound at 2:02 into the song. Nice effect. I hope this is characteristic of the whole album.

God Making His Appeal Through Us

2006-10-02T23:23:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians 5:17-20

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

That is exactly what this recent MySpace bulletin post is all about. It's about clearly sharing the message of reconciliation and then imploring people on behalf of Christ to respond to the message with faith and repentance so that they might be reconciled to God. I was so encouraged by reading this post that I wanted to share it with others who might read this blog. Knowing this particular minister of reconciliation, I think he'd rather me not post his name here. He'd rather you hear his words.

So, I'm kind of on a high right now. One of the girls that I tutor at my Church, she's in 3rd grade, just accepted Christ and became a Believer. Now, for those of you who don't know what this means or why I'm more excited than I have been in months at least, let me explain.

I am a Christian.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the living Son of the Most High, the only true God.

I believe that he lived on Earth, fully Man and fully God, to fulfill the demands of the Law that no man, because of their sinful nature, could fulfill.

I believe that the wages of Sin is Death, not only a natural, physical decay, but the everlasting separation from God, the source of all joy, as a result of man's disobedience and rejection of God.

I believe that Jesus died, having lived a spotless life despite temptation, to take our place as a Sin Offering to God.

I believe that He was raised to life again, in order that we who might believe and be saved, could accept Him as our sacrifice and through the resurrection of Christ, be raised with Him and through the Grace of God-apart from all works of man-live with God in Heaven, forever enjoying His company, and recieving the true joys of life to its fullest.

It is by accepting Jesus as your Savior and confessing Him to be the Son of God, that we can be saved; and it is this decision that my 3rd grade friend made tonight.

If you are a Believer, praise God and rejoice with me as a precious child is today added to His Kingdom.

If you do not know Christ, I urge you- think carefully about what you have at stake- if there is nothing after this life, to what point do we exist? And if the sole purpose of our existence is to glorify our Creator by enjoying the perfect life He intended for us to have, is that not a hope worth everything you could possibly offer?

I will be praying for you all- but especially, this one precious little girl, who, tonight, made the decision I pray and hope all of you will-by the time you are called to meet God- have come to in your lives.

God bless you all.

For My Convenience & Your Benefit

2006-10-02T23:01:00.000-07:00

Justin Taylor linked to some mp3 lectures I want to go back and listen to when I have the time, so I'm linking to his list here so I can find it easily later. Michael Behe, Ravi Zacharias and Peter Kreeft are among the speakers. If they look good to you, go have a listen.

He also linked to a resource for audio and video messages that Os Guinness has given over the years. There's enough here to listen to for hours and hours. All the more reason for me to get into the fitness center everyday. Some of my best listening happens on the elliptical running machine.

HT: Justin Taylor, Between Two Worlds

"Previously on Lost"

2006-10-02T12:16:00.000-07:00

Two more days until we hear that phrase again. There's just something about that guy's voice saying his weekly line... my endorphine levels just shoot up.

The LOST season premiere is coming this Wednesday night. I'll be sitting in front of the Orrs' flat screen this Wednesday at 9pm. Where will you be?

For fans out there, "Who has become your favorite and least favorite character to date?"

1 Timothy 2:11-15

2006-10-01T13:38:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of links to additional information about the passage we discussed in high school Sunday school today.

Evangelical Feminism & Biblical Truth, by Wayne Grudem - Read the entire book here. For the section related to 1 Timothy 2:11-15, choose Chapter 2 and read pp.65-80.

Two messages on 1 Timothy 2:11-15 by John Piper, you can read the manuscripts or download the mp3 sermons. I would recommend listening! - Part 1 Part 2

Free MP3 Sermons

2006-09-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

"During his tenure as Pastor, Mark Dever has preached an overview sermon on every book of the Bible. For your listening and edification we have provided a consolidated list of links to the free mp3 files of each Old Testament overview sermon. These sermons were edited and compiled into a new book called Promises Made: The Message of the Old Testment (from Capitol Hill Baptist Church's sermon download page)."

You can download and listen to each one here.

He has done the same for each New Testament book. The download page for these is here.

Switchfoot Single

2006-09-29T09:26:00.000-07:00

Switchfoot has a new album coming down the pike. Scheduled for release on December 26 (a little too late for Christmas presents, but just in time to use the money your Grandmother sends you), the album will be called Oh! Gravity.

Apparently they couldn't wait to get something in the ears of their fans, so they just released one song from the album as a single and it's available on iTunes and the many other pay-to-download sites out there (Rhapsody, Yahoo Music, Walmart Music, etc.). The song is called Dirty Second Hands and they write, "It gives a glimpse into the raw and energetic approach we took with this new album, and we can't wait to see what you guys think."
You can give it a free listen and read more about the upcoming album release here.

I also read on this page of their website that they might start pre-selling the album at upcoming concerts. I have four tickets to see them at the Roxy on Sunset on October 18. If you'd like an early copy, I might be persuaded to bring your money with me and grab one for you if they are selling them. Let's talk.

Costume Abuse

2006-09-28T23:10:00.000-07:00

From the Pyromaniacs team blog, a image based post entitled People Hate Kids, revealing the indignities thrust upon young, defenseless children in the form of cheesy costumes. Enjoy.

My Sentiments Exactly

2006-09-28T23:03:00.000-07:00

Daniel J. Philips of the blog Biblical Christianity vents a little on a pet peeve I happen to share. It's about time.

New Chris Tomlin Album

2006-09-28T11:59:00.001-07:00

It's available on iTunes now. You can hear a couple of tracks at his site. It looks like he and his band will be playing in socal October 21 (Santa Clara) and 22 (Los Angeles).

What Jesus Demands from the World

2006-09-28T11:17:00.000-07:00

The book John Piper completed during his Spring sabbatical in Cambridge is now available. In fact, it's even available to read online for free. The whole thing. In a PDF format. For free. I can't wait to read it.

January 17, 2006

2006-09-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

...our daughter was born in the Jiangxi province of China. Betsy and I got to see her smiling face for the first time this morning. We wanted to share the picture with you.

Little Marcy?

2006-09-25T16:12:00.000-07:00

If you were one of the many this Sunday at Grace who were scratching their heads at the references to Little Marcy, here's a crash course. If you want more, go here.

Questions to Pray Through

2006-09-20T14:44:00.000-07:00

Questions From Philip Graham Ryken's City on a Hill, pp. 125-126
These would also be great questions to talk about with the close friends you are accountable to.

Am I finding deeper satisfaction with God in worship?
Do I have a growing hunger to pray and to study God's word?
Is my heart growing more tender toward others, especially people I find it hard to love?
Am I serving my family and friends in ways that can lead them closer to Christ?
Do I have an increasing desire and ability to glorify God in my daily work?
Am I standing for Christ in my community?
Do I have a growing and tangible commitment to world missions?
Am I actively pursuing friendships with people who need to hear the gospel?
Am I becoming more patient with life's difficulties and disappointments, both large and small?
Am I using my money in sacrificial ways that reflect my ultimate spiritual priorities?
Am I exercizing better judgment about my use of free time?
Am I reaching out to any one in mercy, seeking nothing in return?
Am I maintaining total sexual purity?
Am I thinking less of myself and more of others?
And most important of all, am I really growing in my love for Christ?

Captivating

2006-09-20T13:59:00.000-07:00

A book that has received a lot of attention among women lately is Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John & Stasi Eldredge. If you are reading it or thinking of reading it, I want to encourage you to also read a review of it by Donna Thoennes called Who's Captivating Whom?

Recently Fred Sanders, on his blog Disjectamembra, recommends it with these words: "I especially appreciate the way Thoennes situates her... critique inside of a gracious and inviting –biblical– doctrine of God."

Memorizing Scripture as an Aid to Communing with God

2006-09-20T13:56:00.000-07:00

Fred has a good post on this at his blog, Disjectamembra.

My Many Hats

2006-09-18T12:26:00.000-07:00

My secret singer/songwriter career

My athletic pursuits

I was be-bop's first drummer

My imdb profile

Call me Sir Kenneth or Baron Clark of Saltwood

Cheer Up

2006-09-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

Since Erik said I had this picture posted on my blog, I'd better post it on my blog. The phrase actually comes from the title of a song. You can read the lyrics here if you'd like. And cheer up.

On Vacation

2006-09-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

Betsy and I are up at Los Osos this week, on the south side of Morro Bay. Just wanted to post a picture of the view from where we kayaked yesterday. It was 99 degrees in La Mirada on Sunday. The high was around 65 degrees here. Ahhh. That's my kind of weather.

Looks Like An Interesting Movie

2006-08-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

The Motel. Watch the trailer. What do you think?

The Nativity Story

2006-08-25T09:59:00.000-07:00

A feature film retelling the events leading up to the birth of Christ, The Nativity, is scheduled for a December 1 release by New Line Cinema this year. It looks like it could be good. Keisha Castle-Hughes, who played the young girl in Whalerider, will play Mary.

Put On the Full Pajamas of God

2006-08-21T11:03:00.000-07:00

Not making this up. Wish I was...

More Delhi Duo Photos

2006-07-11T14:48:00.000-07:00

Here's one of my favorite -- Mike and Anthony with a youth group in Pune (Poo-nay). Click on the picture to zoom in.

Go check out all their recent photos here.

And then pray for them.

"Be Still and Know that I Am God"

2006-07-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

Fred Sanders blogs on the oft quoted verse from Psalm 46.

New Desiring God Website

2006-07-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

Desiring God has been working toward the completion and launch of a newly designed website that sounds amazing! If you haven't explored what their current website has to offer, go browse through their free online library.

Then go read what their future plans are. They have been working for years to convert every audio sermon John Piper has preached into mp3 format to make available for free on their new site. (That's over 1800 sermons he's preached since 1980 when he came on staff at Bethlehem Baptist Church as preaching pastor!)

I believe that this website will prove to be an invaluable resource for believers around the world and have counted it a privilege to partner with them in the cost of completion. The total funds needed are $150,000 of which $98,000 has already been raised. They are almost 2/3 of the way there!

May I encourage you to go read about this ministry and pray and see if God gives you the desire to participate in this project financially? You can even make an online donation if you choose.

New Pictures from Mike and Anthony

2006-07-05T10:51:00.001-07:00

Here

Confidence in Your New Testament

2006-06-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

Grace high schoolers out there...

As we dive in to our summer series Real Questions, Real Answers, a question that will come up is "Why should we be confident that when I read my New Testament I'm reading what was originally written?" You may have even heard people ask questions like, "Aren't there all sorts of disagreements about what the New Testament actually says?"

That's where textual criticism comes in, and the reason I'm posting this entry is because I wanted to link to Justin Taylor's entry on the subject today. Hang with me for a minute... here's a simple definition of textual criticism from the book he cites.

Textual criticism "in general is the study of the copies of any written document (so in this case, think THE NEW TESTAMENT) whose original is unknown or nonexistent in order to determine the exact wording of the original"

I think Justin's summary will encourage you that your English copy of the Gospel of John or Paul's letter to the Romans are reliable and are trustworthy representations of the originals.

Response to "The Way Smith Sees It"

2006-06-23T10:23:00.000-07:00

I read further and found a post with some comments he's received. If you're interested, it's here.

Another Good Starbucks Cup

2006-06-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

...and not because of what was inside it. It was what was written on the outside, one of the recent blurbs in "The Way I See It" series.

"The morality of the 21st century will depend on how we respond to this simple but profound question: Does every human life have equal moral value simply and merely because it is human? Answer yes, and we have the chance of achieving universal human rights. Answer no, and it means that we are merely another animal in the forest."

Wesley J. Smith

A little googling and I found his blog Secondhand Smoke and read his bio. Here is an excerpt.

Award winning author and attorney Wesley J. Smith is a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute of Seattle, Washington, an attorney and consultant for the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, and a special consultant to the Center for Bioethics and Culture. He has filed amicus briefs opposing the legalization of assisted suicide and on other bioethical issues in federal and state courts, including in the United States Supreme Court. In May 2004, Smith was named by the National Journal to be one of the top expert thinkers in bioengineering in the nation because of his work in bioethics.

The Discovery Institute of Seattle is the same organization that published the book and subsequent documentary The Privileged Planet by Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay Richards. They also made the documentaries Unlocking the Mysteries of Life and The Icons of Evolution. You can watch short previews of each of these videos at these links. (The download time might be a little long depending on how fast your connection is. Consider yourself warned.)

Delhi Duo Photos

2006-06-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

The silence has been broken. Mike posted a few pictures and some veiled comments yesterday. Go look and take a few minutes to pray for them.

Brazil Team

2006-06-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

If you'd like to read updates on Lily Kehoe, Amanda Talley, Dave Talley and Kurtis Epp as they are down in Monte Verde, Brazil with the Radicals Project, set a book mark for their xanga page.

They posted their first entry today. Let's pray for them while they're gone.

Thanks to Nate Warne

2006-06-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

...for sending me that picture of Tiny Tim weeks ago. I just had a feeling it would come in handy some day.

Ukuleles Rock

2006-06-19T10:36:00.000-07:00

Tiny Tim probably had a lot to do with ukuleles getting a bad rap. But don't judge the instrument by its creepy player.

Walt Harrah sent me a link to this guy who plays a version of George Harrison's While My Guitar Gently Weeps that will make you weep. Who says the ukulele is cheesy? Watch the WHOLE THING. I promise. It's worth it.

Then you should browse around that site a bit. There are also some ukulele tracks that will make you weep with laughter. Like this one. Move over Axl Rose.

"So You'd Better Be Believing That..."

2006-06-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

"Our God is an awesome God."

A month ago, an 8-year-old student in New Jersey was told by the superintendent, Joyce Brennan, that the song she'd selected to perform in the show (an after-school show) was too religious. (No, the superintendent's name is not Simon Cowell, although rumor has it that the kid WAS a bit pitchy in parts.) The song was Our God Is an Awesome God. You can read the whole article here. The reason she was given illuminates the "line" that is not to be crossed in our postmodern culture. Suggesting that someone "ought" to believe differently than they do. The section of the song that led to the ban is this:

The Lord, He wasn't joking when He kicked 'em out of Eden
It wasn't for no reason that He shed His blood
His return is very close and so you better be believing
That our God is an awesome God.

"You'd better be believing." That was the problem. Brennan even said as much.

"I have approved many religious songs in my day," she says. "But when you cross that line and say that someone else should believe this particular thing or else ... then that is why I made the decision I made, because it did cross that line."

In Acts 17, when Paul addresses the crowd at the Areoppagus, who spent their time "in nothing except telling or hearing something new", he claimed that the "unknown god" they had built an altar for was in fact, the God who "made the world and everything in it" who is "Lord of heaven and earth". He alone is God. (Sort of like that song.)

Then he committed the same "mortal sin" this 8-year old girl committed... he went beyond simply telling them what he thought. He told them how they "ought" to think... or how they "OUGHT NOT" to think.

"We ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance (how dare you, Paul) God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead (Acts 17:29-31, italics mine)."

I am reminded that Jesus' marching orders were to "make disciples" and that is not looked upon favorably by many these days. Nevertheless, we should, like Paul, with earnestness and tears, feel compelled to bring a message of reconciliation to people. He even said that when we do, God is actually "making His appeal through us (italics mine)", namely the appeal to "be reconciled to God." In fact, he "implored" people to do this (2 Corinthians 5:20).

I have to be honest, I like to be liked. But when push comes to shove, I have to remember that the ministry of reconciliation is not ultimately about doing anything to keep the peace (not make waves or ruffle feathers), but doing all we can to help people make peace with God through Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life.

He has provided the sacrifice. He has extended the merciful hand of forgiveness. He has made the first step in His wisdom, power and love. Our God IS an awesome God!

News from Erik & Donna in Brazil

2006-06-14T12:37:00.000-07:00

I just got an email from Donna with some news about how their time with the Radicals is going. Note the relevant information and prayer request for Mike & Anthony who are now in Delhi, India.

Hi friends!

Right now Erik is teaching a room full of eager Brazilian missionaries - it's very exciting! We're loving our time here and find ourselves very encouraged by all these young people. Yesterday we got to watch the Brazil vs. Croatia World Cup match with them - it was quite a cultural, deafening experience!

Today I met a missionary who has spent 10 years starting an orphanage in India. Now he has turned it over to others to run it because he feels called to work with AIDS patients in Delhi. He speaks Portuguese, English, Chinese, and Hindi! I'm hoping we can meet up with him in January. He told us that he had to leave India right now because of his health and that people are dying in Delhi because of the heat - 130 degrees - pray for Mike and Anthony!

-Donna

Defending God's Wrath

2006-06-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

John Piper wrote an article for the most recent issue of World Magazine called "Defending My Father's Wrath: God's Son Bore God's Curse in My Place". You can read it online without a subscription to World until June 21. It's one of the only magazines I subscribe to these days and I recommend it.

The Delhi Duo

2006-06-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

For those of you who would like to keep up to date on Mike Burbidge and Anthony Cassise during their time ministering in India, set a bookmark for their blog, The Delhi Duo.

Let's remember to pray for them!

Grace Group Bhangra

2006-06-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

Jordan Wessling and Michael Good, of the Clark's grace group... superstars of the Bhangra underground. [Click picture for larger image.]

Don Carson Audio

2006-06-09T13:39:00.000-07:00

Don Carson (or D.A.) is a brilliant scholar of the Bible and a fine preacher. I recently listened to a lecture (#2 in a 3 part series on the Emergent Church) called "Evaluating A Complex Movement". It made me want to listen to more of his preaching. So after some searching, here are two great places to download free mp3 sermons by Carson.

HERE

AND HERE

By the way, he's Canadian. Go Maple Leafs!

Blog on Adoption

2006-06-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

As Betsy and I continue to wait for the day we receive the name and picture of the little girl that will be our daughter, this blog entry encouraged me today.

HT: Justin Taylor

Yet Another Good Reason to Read Our Bibles

2006-05-26T18:59:00.000-07:00

I am both encouraged and exhorted by John Piper's most recent Fresh Words article, "The Value of Learning History". He makes an observation from that tiny book just before your Bible ends, Jude. God intends for us to gain wisdom for living from the lives of people who have gone before us... to learn from others' mistakes.

Go read it and reflect on it and then go jump back on track with your daily Bible reading!

C. S. Lewis' Message to DVC Fans

2006-05-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

I learned about this Wall Street Journal opinion article by Joseph Laconte through Justin Taylor's blog this morning. It's worth reading. Obviously Lewis never commented on the DVC, but he bases his editorial on Lewis' thoughts in an essay called Fern-Seed and Elephants.

Here's a good quote from Lewis' essay. Referring to the kind of skepticism in people that makes conspiracy theories about Christianity appealing, he wrote:

"I do not wish to reduce the skeptical element in your minds, I am only suggesting that it need not be reserved exclusively for the New Testament and the Creeds. Try doubting something else."

Running With Scissors

2006-05-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

In honor of our friends Jonathan and Mandi, here's a recent news story from their hometown or Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

This description and quote came from World magazine, but you can read a bigger article here.

"The only thing I did wrong was run with a pair of scissors."

- Tim Davis, manager of the Salt and Pepper Christian Store in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on confronting a would-be robber on May 6, chasing him, and cornering him outside the store until police arrived. The robber claimed to have a gun but didn't.

Da Vinci Impact

2006-05-17T11:21:00.000-07:00

As the barrage of emails, articles, and blogs about the Da Vinci Code continues with no sign yet of subsiding, I keep wondering if there is a Y2K factor about this among Christians. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for using opportunities that things like this provide to talk to people about Jesus, but I wonder if by the end of the summer the wave will have passed and not much will have changed.

The Barna Group posted an article a couple of days ago based on a recent national survey they conducted. You can read the whole article here, but one excerpt that stood out to me was related to questions of whether or not the book/movie caused people to change their religious beliefs.

Among the 45 million who have read The Da Vinci Code , only 5% - which represents about two million adults – said that they changed any of the beliefs or religious perspectives because of the book’s content.
“Before reading The Da Vinci Code people had a full complement of beliefs already in place, some firmly held and others loosely held,” explained George Barna, the author of numerous books about faith and culture. “Upon reading the book, many people encountered information that confirmed what they already believed. Many readers found information that served to connect some of their beliefs in new ways. But few people changed their pre-existing beliefs because of what they read in the novel. And even fewer people approached the book with a truly open mind regarding the controversial matters in question, and emerged with a new theological perspective. The book generates controversy and discussions, but it has not revolutionized the way that Americans think about Jesus, the Church or the Bible.”
“On the other hand,” the researcher continued, “any book that alters one or more theological views among two million people is not to be dismissed lightly. That’s more people than will change any of their beliefs as a result of exposure to the teaching offered at all of the nation’s Christian churches combined during a typical week.”

I think this is good to keep in mind. Let's not blow this movie and it's imagined impact on people's beliefs out of proportion, but let's not blow it off either.

MySpheres

2006-05-11T22:08:00.000-07:00

A few years ago I made a worship album called "Music of the Spheres" with some good friends I was leading worship at Forest Home with. We have long since sold the 2000 copies we made and I've never made any more. At this point, I've wanted to just make it available for free through our church website.

Recognizing that our church webpage has a fairly narrow audience, I decided to create a Music MySpace page that can direct people who stumble across it to where to download it. If you'd like to check it out, click here. If you are a member of the MySpace world and would like to help spread the word, you can do a couple of things. You can add one of the four songs to your MySpace page for a while. Maybe some of your friends will enjoy it! Or you can simply add my music page to your friends list.

I have been encouraged over the years by how many people have stumbled across it and been ministered to. I would just like to share it more broadly. Enjoy!

Al Mohler Da Vinci Code Sermon

2006-05-10T12:42:00.001-07:00

Al Mohler preached a sermon last week at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland (where Joshua Harris is the pastor). It was titled "The Bible, the Da Vinci Code and the Christian" and you can download the mp3 here.

Warning -- the file is 11.1 MB -- to listen to a streaming audio version, click here.

(HT - Justin Taylor, Between Two Worlds)

Al Mohler Da Vinci Code Sermon

2006-05-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

Al Mohler preached a sermon last week at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland (where Joshua Harris is the pastor). It was titled "The Bible, the Da Vinci Code and the Christian" and you can download the mp3 here.

Warning -- the file is 11.1 MB -- to listen to a streaming audo version, click here.

(HT - Justin Taylor, Between Two Worlds)

Separated At Birth

2006-05-08T13:52:00.000-07:00

Marc Heinrich runs a funny blog called Purgatorio. He decsribes it as a "panoply of evangelical eccentricities, unorthodox oddities, and Christian cultural curiosities. One of his regular features is "Separated at Birth". The one he posted today made me laugh out loud.

Luther's Blog

2006-05-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

The Way I See It #92

2006-05-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

For all the Americanos I've consumed at Starbucks, I must say I haven't been a fan of the "The Way I See It" quotes on their cups. So I was pleasantly surprised to see this quote recently.

"You are not an accident. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He wanted you alive and created you for a purpose. Focusing on yourself will never reveal your purpose. You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. Only in God do we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance, and our destiny."

Rick Warren

Here's a USA Today article about it.

Me Too, Lord

2006-05-04T08:39:00.000-07:00

Justin Taylor posts a beautiful quote by George Whitefield calling young men to live earnestly for Christ. Guys, this is worth some reflection and prayer.

The Da Vinci Code

2006-04-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

Here are a few resources I've come across if you want to be prepared to respond to those who may jump onboard with the DaVinci Code theories.

ARTICLE: Fred Sanders - "Art, Truth and The DaVinci Code -- Separating Fact from Fiction"

ARTICLE: Fred Sanders - "9 Art Bloopers in The DaVinci Code"

MP3 SERMON: Jonathan Morrow - "The DaVinci Code -- A Cultural Moment"

WEBSITE: Know the Truth, Share the Truth - Calling All Teens!

The Grace of God

2006-04-26T10:09:00.000-07:00

I spent last Saturday with my father-in-law installing siding on my house. I borrowed a nail gun for the job. That is one powerful tool. After commenting about how dangerous it could be, my father-in-law mentioned hearing about this news story... about a guy who put 12 finishing nails into his own head with a nail gun.

My first thought was, "How stupid. I can't believe he did that." My second was, "How did he survive that?" That is the grace of God. I have no idea what that man is thinking about right now, but just maybe it will cause him to consider that he's not just lucky, but his life has graciously been spared by God.

Paradise Lost

2006-04-20T17:06:00.000-07:00

Scott Derrickson, the Biola grad who co-wrote and directed The Exorcism of Emily Rose, has been named to direct a live-action movie version of John Milton's Paradise Lost.

The Oxford Martyrs

2006-04-20T08:34:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 11:35-38
"Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two,(1 they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated - of whom the world was not worthy."

_______________

To stand where men willingly laid down their lives for the sake of the gospel of salvation by faith alone is an awesome experience. This marker is in the middle of Broad Street in Oxford. On this spot, Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley and Thomas Cranmer were burned at the stake. Latimer's last words to Ridley (as they were chained back to back at the same stake) were "Be of good cheer, Master Ridley, and play the man, for we shall this day light such a candle in England as I trust by God's grace shall never be put out."

You can read a little more about these men here and here. Or check out what Wikipedia has to say about each man: Latimer, Ridley, Cranmer

In Cambridge, we stood in St. Edwards Church, by the same wooden pulpit that Hugh Latimer preached in on many occasions. His conversion is a great story. You can read about it here.

God Speed, Little Doodle

2006-04-06T19:11:00.000-07:00

The only reason this is getting posted is because it is a life-sized sculpture made entirely of Cheese Doodles.

Psalms to Hymns

2006-04-06T12:55:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday morning in high school Sunday School, we talked about Isaac Watts and how he set all 150 Psalms into metrical hymns to sing congregationally. (By the way, if you want to download a free PDF file with the text of EVERY HYMN Watts wrote, go here, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and right click on the hyperlink "pdf" and choose "save link as". You can search the entire hymnal by word or by Psalm!)

Back to the point, as an exercise in understanding and meditating on a Psalm, we broke into groups and each one took a hymn tune and tried setting Psalm 103 to it.

Although 30 minutes was not NEARLY enough time to really do this justice, what they came up with was great! If you're a Grace high schooler and you're reading this, I'd love to see some of you keep working at this with other Psalms. I'd love to be singing things you've written.

Here are two examples:

PSALM 103
To the tune of Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Bless the LORD, my soul within me
Never cease to bless His name
He forgives all your transgressions
And He covers all your shame
He redeems you from your turning
Satisfying you once more
Crowning you with steadfast mercy
Healing every wound and sore

Yahweh’s wrath lasts not forever
He abounds in steadfast love
Yet His righteousness and justice
Always given from above
Great His love to those who fear Him
Pure compassion will He show
Far as earth is from the heavens
Such forgiveness will we know

As for man, His days are numbered
Like the flowers of the field
But the LORD is ever righteous
His dominion is our shield
Bless the LORD, O you His angels
Those who hear His mighty voice
Where e’er Yahweh has dominion
Let His servants now rejoice!

PSALM 103
To the tune of This Is My Father’s World
(Sing each verse to the first half of the tune, sing the chorus to the second half)

O bless the LORD my soul
Who saves me from my sin
Remember all that God has done
He renews my soul within

The LORD is loving still
Revealed through ages past
His mercy, grace and love abound
His anger shall not last

Chorus:
My God amazes me
O bless His holy name
Though all my rebellious ways He sees
His love remains the same

His love, it knows no bounds
A father’s heart He has
For those who fear Him, He will give
Compassion that will last

As for man, his days are few
Like weeds and grass he’ll die
Not so the LORD, His kingdom stands
He’ll reign steadfast on high

Repeat Chorus

O bless the LORD my soul!
All heav’n and earth give praise
Seek out His will and do His works
All glory to Him raise.

Repeat Chorus

What the World Needs Now

2006-04-06T10:17:00.000-07:00

Sorry, Karen Carpenter... according to Eric R. Pianka, zoology professor at Univeristy of Texas, the answer is not love but death... a lot of them. "I am convinced that the world would clearly be much better off without so many of us." Pianka believes that a 90% reduction of human beings on the earth would bring about an ecological balance.

Go read his short article What Nobody Wants to Hear, but Everyone Needs to Know.

Then read Al Mohler's blog article A Death Wish for Humanity?

Spring Forward!

2006-04-01T14:32:00.000-08:00

Hey all. Just a friendly reminder. Tonight, Saturday April 2, you need to set your clocks FORWARD one hour before you hit the sack. This way you won't show up to church an hour late tomorrow morning.

The DaVinci Challenge

2006-03-31T14:21:00.000-08:00

"The Da Vinci Code" is set to release soon, and I imagine that if you are a Christian, you may find yourself with opportunities to talk (graciously and winsomely!) about Jesus Christ. If you haven't read the book, the central "conspiracy" around which the plot revolves is that Jesus was actually married to Mary Magdalene and had children and that subsequently, the church has pulled off the most extraordinary cover-up of history. Are you prepared to talk intelligently about the issues? Here are a few good articles I'd recommend.

Mary Mary, Extraordinary
by Ben Witherington III

Why Matthew, Mark, Luke and John — and Not the Gnostic Gospels?
by Bryan Litfin

Dan Brown, Da Vinci, and the Bible
by Charles C. Ryrie

Talking in Code - How to Prepare for Da Vinci Discussions
by Hugh Hewitt

The Da Vinci Code: Threat or Opportunity?
by Darrell L. Bock