they missed him; they stumbled over him

All those people who didn't seem interested in what God was doing actually embraced what God was doing as he straightened out their lives. And Israel, who seemed so interested in reading and talking about what God was doing, missed it. How could they miss it? Because instead of trusting God, they took over. They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their "God projects" that they didn't notice God right in front of them, like a huge rock in the middle of the road. And so they stumbled into him and went sprawling. Isaiah (again!) gives us the metaphor for pulling this together:

Careful! I've put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion,
a stone you can't get around.
But the stone is me! If you're looking for me,
you'll find me on the way, not in the way.

- from Romans 9, The Message

go, follow the world

It seems churches follow a simple strategy these days:

See what's hot in the world + add a biblical theme to it = doing church successfully!

But isn't the church supposed to be different? Aren't we supposed to stand out - and sometimes so much that we're persecuted for it? Aren't we supposed to be kind of like gypsies in a way? We're different, dance to the beat of a different drum, have different values, are good at celebrating, are not afraid to be bold at times, kind of mysterious, you get the idea...

I propose a new strategy. Let's follow what Jesus actually says in his word, and be what we are, a people set apart for God. A people that have been swept up into a grand adventure. It's not about us and our tiny little lives; it's about God and the history of the human race. The history of redemption has graciously allowed us to have bit parts. It's been playing for a while, and will continue long after we're dead. We've hopped onto this train - or rather, been pulled by our collar onto it. It's heading out of town, a town that will be totally destroyed and rebuilt. We'll head back here one day to repossess it as our own. So, in the meantime, let's be doing what our Savior says:

- preaching Christ as Lord and Savior
- administering His sacraments
- building up the flock with sound teaching
- encouraging people to share the gospel with others
- worshiping in song together
- distinguish ourselves as a people "set apart" from the world, yet still in it for several purposes - like: loving our neighbor, evangelism, discipling our families and brothers/sisters in Christ.

new men's devotional

With the emergence of TV-based bible studies (no, I'm not joking) like The Mayberry Bible Study and Lucy Show Bible Study which seem really silly to me, I thought I'd make my own. Kyle was gracious enough to be the "author". Thanks Kyle.




Chapter Headings:

Chpt 1. The Gospel according to Wesley

Chpt 2. Klingon bastards & quiet time.

Chpt 3. Fulfilling Chekov's Plan for Your Life

Chpt 4. When life gives you tribble - make tranya.

Chpt 5. Wheels within wheels - The Romulan Star Empire in OT Eschatology

Chpt 6. Love thy Neighbor - this means you, Klingons!

Chpt 7. Kirk may be a savior, but is he lord?

on mentoring

...have you considered mentoring or being mentored?

Generation to Generation
by Joshua Harris

When I turned twenty-one, my dad gave me this simple advice: “Find men that you want to be like and then sit at their feet.” As I launched into manhood, he was reminding me that the lessons I needed most wouldn’t be found in a textbook — they’d be written in the heart and life of a godly man. I needed to get close enough to this man that I could observe his character and be shaped by his example. I needed a mentor.

I didn’t realize at the time how important and prescient my dad’s counsel was. But less than a year later, God brought me across the path of C.J. Mahaney, the man who would mentor me, train me in pastoral ministry, and eventually install me as his replacement in the church he founded and led for nearly thirty years... more

hey jude

critter corner - anteaters

jeff goldblum - a little slow

What happens when you take an Apple commercial Jeff Goldblum made back in the late 90’s, and slow it down?

Glad you asked ...



Thanks Tom. iStole it from your site. ; )

sproul interviews ben stein

who am i? - casting crowns

This is a great song with great words.