Friday’s for Friends and Family on 10.31.08

Well in Christian circles this is known as Reformation Day, the remembrance of what Martin Luther did so many years ago when he nailed the “95 Theses” to the Wittenburg Church door.  Why October 31?  Because that was known in the Catholic Church as “Hallowed Eve,” the day before All Saints (Souls) Day…a date on the calendar each year which magnified the role of the church and the destructive nature of indulgences for dead loved ones.

To others today has come to be known by its ‘darker” counterpart, Halloween, in its current Western, especially American, manifestation.  So, since today is “Friends and Family Day,” here’s a post from Ed Stetzer about how Americans feel about haunted houses.

In other parts of the blogosphere, they are debating the “fuzzy” term missional and discussing its usefulness to the discussion it purports to address.  Check out what Frank Viola’s readers say here (look at the bottom of this post, including the comments he solicits.)

Fellow-blogger Brad Brisco has introduced many of us to a “must” church planting blog from an author and planter named Jonathan Dodson.  Checkout Church Planting Novice here.

On a lighter note, Adam Feldman, a fellow BAMA Crimson Tide fan, has updated his annual post predicting Alabama’s season with additional thoughts.  You’ll find them here.

Finally, check out this video.  For all you preachers out there, this particular church REALLY starts them out early.  Enjoy, and have a HAPPY REFORMATION DAY!

Announcing PlantLIFE

It’s exciting for me to be able to announce–first here on my blog–the arrival of a new book on church planting entitled PlantLIFE: Principles and Practices in Church Planting!  This book is a compilation of forty or so of our best and brightest church planting leaders across the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware.  These 69 short articles first appeared in our state convention’s monthly newsjournal and cover the “story of church planting” here since 2001.  During this period of time BCM/D has planted over 200 new churches across the multi-state region; the book chronicles that journey.

I have had the personal privilege of writing almost thirty of the articles myself and of editing them all, first for the paper and now for this book.  It has been exciting to see the material come together for the first comprehensive look at “why we do what we do” (principles) and “how we do what we do” (practices) here in our convention.

The 327-page book is scheduled to make it’s inaugural appearance at the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware’s Annual Meeting on November 10 in Dover, Delaware.  (We hope you’ll plan to be there for our meeting.)  For others it will be posted on Amazon.com within the coming week and you will be able to secure it there, or directly from the publisher, Missional Press.

My thanks go out to all the planters, staff and to Missional Press for working with us on this project.  My hope and prayer is that it will have great Kingdom impact for our Lord in the years to come.

Monday Morning Rewind: Refusing to Compromise

This week we started a new series of messages based on the narrative section of Daniel (chapters 1-6).  Yesterday’s message was on Daniel 1, involving the book’s namesake and the three other Hebrew leaders (we know them best as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) in a showdown over…what exactly?  If it’s over food, then it seems that Daniel has over-reacted to draw a line in the sand and put his life and the life of others at risk.  But perhaps it’s over allegience and loyalties, instead…and in that instance, it is imperative that Daniel and the three other Hebrews take a stand early, and not give in to a pagan king.

Daniel teaches us to diagnose an issue accurately. If we look only at the surface level, without seeing the spiritual nature or consequences of our actions, we will likely miss the significance of the decision.  This happens when we look only at the circumstances or situation without a biblical worldview, asking ‘what is God saying or teaching me in this matter?’

Daniel also teaches us not to “defile” ourselves. This is a strong word indeed, meaning “to pollute, to stain, to desecrate.”  Daniel sees this contest as “a king vs. THE King” and is not about to give in or give up on His God.  He is not one to ever cut corners, take shortcuts, or look for the easy way out.  He is unyielding in HIs commitment to God and maintains his integrity at all costs.

Finally, He teaches us to depend on God to honor His will in our lives. How many of us ask to be “tested” or for non-Christians to “compare” our lives to theirs, or better yet to be “treated” in the way the results show we should?  Yet, Daniel had such faith in God that He was willing to lay everything on the line, believing that his God would honor his trust and dependence upon Him.

What an inspiring and challenging example for us all!  Just think how different his life, and ours, might have been, if Daniel had not stood up for what was right from the very beginning.  Let’s all take a lesson from the prophet: refuse to compromise with the world.

Sunday Starter for 10.26.08

Well, this has been a difficult week for me in keeping up with my blogging. My apologies to you out there who’ve been looking for something new this week and haven’t found it since Monday. Next week, I’ll do better.

Tomorrow we start a new series of messages from the narrative part of the Old Testament book of Daniel. We’re in chapter one for my message and it’s dealing with the topic of compromise.

It’s easy to give up in life. Daniel refused to do so. Instead he took the initiative in challenging the Babylonian authorities with a stance over “steak and potatoes!” Not really; for when you change perspectives you begin to realize that this isn’t about vegetables; it’s about stepping up and passing the test of total reliance on God in the face of challenging circumstances.

So when was the last time you asked someone to test your commitment to God?

Monday Morning Rewind: The Rest of the Story

Often forgotten in the focus on John 3.16 is the fact that no translation concludes the paragraph of conversation with that verse.  Some end it with verse 17, others verse 18, and still others at verse 21.  Regardless, there is more to the story.

Verse 17 in particular is very important it that it adds a kind of “parallelism” to the previous verse.  This Hebraic literary device, while only suggestive here and not actual, amplifies the truths taught in verse 16 with additional theological realities not clearly pointed out there.  These theological realities are three: God “sent” His Son, “condemnation” exists but not from God, and Jesus came “to save” the world.

First, God sent His Son. The Biblical concept is INCARNATION, God in the flesh.  From the persepctive of Jesus we read often that He “came” to this earth for a purpose; He was on a mission from the Father.  This mission, the sent-ness of Jesus, makes God a “missionary” God.  Jesus is that mission becoming reality…God with us.  This sent-ness is added to the truths of God’s love and God’s gift mentioned in verse 16.

Second, we stand condemned already (again, a “default” designation true of all of us originally), if we are outside of faith in Christ. Condemnation is a legal term, indicating that the judgment has already been announced; we are guilty of the “charges” against us.  What are those charges?  SIN.  We are guilty because of our sin…IT condemns us.  In fact, we are slaves to that sin until we come to faith in Christ.  What’s important to note here is that God does NOT condemn us (the emphasis in the original text is on the “not”); rather, He sent His Son for the very opposite reason: to save us from that condemnation.  Verse 16 has already indicated that such condemnation will lead us “to perish” if not rectified.

Third, Jesus is the One who can handle our condemnation.  God sent Him for this reason; He came to SAVE us.  Salvation means “rescue,” or “deliver.”  Jesus came to earth to rescue us from condemnation.  We know from the Gospels that this happened when “He was lifted up like the serpent in the desert,” (v. 14), when He died on the cross of Calvary.  This salvation adds to what we’ve learned of “eternal life” in verse 16 already.

What incredible and valuable additions these are for each of us to consider!  And as Paul Harvey would say, “now you know the rest of the story.”

Sunday Starter for 10.19.08

Condemnation is a funny thing…nobody wants it directed at them, but way too often we’re willing to direct it at others.  Many times it’s actually Christians who do the “condemning.”  Why is that?  Because we believe the Word of God tells us “we’re right?” Because we feel compelled to point out sin when we see it?  Is it to warn others?  Could it be that it’s an attempt to make us look better than “them” (however you define “them”), thus feeding our own egos?  Or could it be we don’t trust the Spirit to do His job of convicting others of sin?

I know that sounds harsh, but when I look at John 8 starting in verse 1, with the woman caught in the very act of adultery and see Jesus’ response to her, “Woman, where are your accusers?” I find myself  wondering if He would be asking her about me?  or you?  Would we be one of her accusers? Remember, it was the “religious people” who were condemning her, after all.

When Jesus went on to say, “Neither do I condemn you…go and sin no more,” what does that say to us about how we address this whole issue as God’s children?  The verse we look at tomorrow in John 3.17 reminds us, “For God sent His Son into the world NOT to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” It’s a timely reminder for us all.

Friday is for Friends and Family #4

Today is Friday and I’m still savoring the INCREDIBLE Red Sox comeback last night! Time for “Friends and Family” once again, so take a look at what others are sharing on the web.

Troy Bush recently wrote on his blog about the difference between attractional and incarnational ministry…he argues for both, not an either/or. Check it out here.

Ed Stetzer recently spoke on the contents of his coming book Lost and Found at the Catalyst Conference. His presentation can be found here.

In his latest blog post, Bob Roberts talks about protecting your marriage and your wife as you work in a new church. This is a critical issue that most, if not all, church planters will wrestle with during those early years. Read what Bob has to say here. Bob, what’s up with those “wicked, sinful, evil women?”

Continuing the topic of ministers and wives on a somewhat lighter note, here’s a video worth watching for those of us–guys especially–in ministry.

Dan Kimball, the king of “high hair,” has uncovered another gem from the past…anybody remember Moms, wives or daughters with this fashionable look? Seems like I’ve seen this look in the Hampden area of Baltimore recently….

And finally, for all you Red Sox fans out there like me, who are living off the miraculous victory last night, you might want to read this article or check out J.D. Drew’s Christian testimony here.

T.G.I.F., right?!

End Poverty

Today is National Blog Action Day.  This year’s theme is “ending poverty.”

Don’t stop reading, please…

Every 3.5 Seconds…

…a person somewhere around the world dies of hunger. That adds up to more than 25,000 people every day.  Most of these people are in “third world” countries that don’t have the comforts and accessibilities we have here in North America.  Often these individuals are forgotten and neglected because the media on their part of the planet doesn’t even have the capacity to enable the rest of the world to see the poverty that is such a reality in their lives.

But they are not just overseas.  America lists over twelve percent of its own population as “below the poverty line,” with Mississippi leading the way at a staggering 21 percent.  While this is like comparing apples to oranges, it still spells out a grave concern.  People are suffering all around us.

This is NOT a Democratic or Republican issue; it’s a humanity issue.  And it’s time that the Body of Christ stand up and do more about it.  The Bible is very clear: we have been blessed (not because we’re entitled or better than others) so that we can be a blessing to others.

So what can we do?

There are many ways we can help.  You and I can pay attention to those around us.  In these economic times, many are hurting and could use the encouragement our assistance can provide for their lives.  Find a person or a family to help.  Live on less by simplifying your life.  In so doing you make yourself more available to God for His use when the opportunities afford themselves here or abroad.

My Southern Baptist denomination has a “World Hunger Fund,” as well.  Donations for world hunger relief can be sent to the International Mission Board World Hunger and Relief at PO Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230.  Donations for North American assistance can be sent to the North American Mission Board Hunger Relief at 4200 North Point Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30022.  ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of the money donated to these agencies is used for hunger relief.

Why not allow the blessing of God in your life to bless others?  Do what you can today.  “Touch a life…change the world.”

Monday Morning Rewind: You + Faith = In Him

The phrase in John 3.16, “…that whoever believes in Him…” is an invitation to respond to what God has done for us.  He has taken the initiative; He has made us the object of His affection; He has given us His Son; He has even told us the eternal ramifications of our decision.

This choice is for “everyone.” The word in the original language is “ALL,” and is inclusive of everyone.  God did all of this with each and every one of us in mind.

This choice is “exclusive,” too, though; the gift is found ONLY “in Him [Jesus].” There is no other means of “eternal life” offered.  Only in Christ are we able to experience this gift of eternal life from God.

The key to our response is faith. Faith is not, though, just our opinion, wish, desire, hope, or mental assent.  Society uses “faith” to mean all of these things today.  However, faith in Christ means depending on Him and what He has done at Calvary ALONE for our salvation.  We can add nothing to it or subtract anything from it.  It is complete just the way it is.

Have you responded in faith to Him?  “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” Acts 16.31

Sunday Starter for 10.12.08

Tomorrow we conclude our look at John 3.16, with our attention focused on the phrase “…that whoever believes in Him…” Easy enough, right? You would think so, but many people struggle with the simplicity of the Gospel.

“Believing” means so many things to so many people, because we use it so carelessly in conversation. We believe a team will go undefeated this year or we believe he (fill in the blank here with the person of your choice) is the greatest President we’ve ever had. We believe we’re full after a delicious meal and we believe we’ll get to our destination on time. So, are these all real faith, or something else?

What do you think genuine faith is, the kind the Bible talks about when it says we must “believe” in Jesus for salvation? Tomorrow morning we’ll explore this in detail, as we delve into this key to our relationship with Christ.