Notable Clicks: Life Stages in the Church, All are Welcome, and New Books

First up, C Micheal Patton has written an interesting piece on the development of the church through out history. I've always found it interesting how things have developed. So often people what to try and "get back" to what the church was supposed to be, The church of Acts. In reality the church has grown in its understanding, progressing forward. Our articulation of foundational doctrines has improved over time. I've included his chart, click to enlarge.

“LIFE STAGES IN THE CHURCH”: A BRIEF PHILOSOPHY OF CHURCH HISTORY

Next, we have an article by Erik Raymond, about who is actually welcome in the church according to scripture. He looks through the cliche to the truth.

Is Everyone *Really* Welcome at your Church?

    

Publishers are really pushing their books here late. I've been getting lots of free books in the mail. Right now I'm reading "The Whole Bible Story: Everything That Happens in the Bible in Plain English" by Dr. William H. Marty. Should be posting a review shortly. 

Today I found "The Next Story: Life and Faith After the Digital Explosion" by Tim Challies, in my box. I've heard a lot of good things about this one. Looking forward to starting it.

          

Demanding Justice

Demanding justice for themselves, is something that I often see among Christians, especially in the workplace.

• I'm smarter than him, I should be in charge.
• Why do I get stuck doing everything?
• I'm not cleaning up after him again!

They grumble and complain, in bitterness and anger, at treatment they perceive as unfair. Often I've heard such behavior defended on the grounds of the importance God places on justice. But is this application correct? What steps should we take to ensure that we are treated justly?

Here's a text that recently stood out in regards to this issue.

Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. (1 Peter 2:18-20)

To sum it up:
We should patiently endure the injustices suffered in our employment, while remaining faithful, obedient, and diligent; with the aim of maintaining a clear conscience before God. In everything, we are ultimately serving God, and not man. We are to do everything to his glory. (Col 3:17)

But where is our justice? Peter has us look to Jesus as our example.

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1Peter 2:23)

Jesus left it in the hands of his Father to set things right. Only God can truly judge justly and see to it that the verdict is carried out. We should leave it in his hands as well.

Do you protest and complain when treated unfairly, or do you continue to trust that God is in control and knows what is best?

Limited Time Coupon for Ligonier Ministries

For a limited Ligonier is offering an additional 10% off their already low prices. Just enter the Promo code "SPRING10" when asked, to cash in on the savings. 

Details:

• Start date: April 25, 2011
• End date: May 31, 2011
• Promo code: SPRING10

Buy the respected Reformation Study Bible (ESV)


Shop now and save when you buy "Justification by Faith Alone" from Ligonier.org!

"If Only" I Were Happy - The Greener Grass Conspiracy

If only I had more money. If only I had more time. If only I knew how this would turn out. "If only" makes us miserable.

It's a dangerous game. It ruins our joy and steals our contentment. It wastes our "now" as we hope for more. Stephen Altrogge has written about the "if only" problem in his book, The Greener Grass Conspiracy, and the misery that comes from playing this game. While we are waiting and hoping for the next big thing, we allow our lives to slip past unlived and unloved.

So why aren't we content?

 
Is it our circumstances? Our genetics? Stephen answers with:

"The problem is me. I am my own worst enemy. The raging, covetous, discontented desires come from within. They're not the product of my circumstances, and the desires won't be satisfied when circumstances change." 

We create idols of our wants, even good things, and then become consumed with gaining and achieving them. When we don't get what we feel we deserve, we blame God and accuse him of not being fair or good.

This is where things get serious. Our complaining, discontented spirits, not only leave us unhappy, but are an offense against God. God loves us and works all things for our good.(Romans 8:28)  He is sovereign and has chosen every event in our lives. When we accuse God of being unfair or unkind, we attack his character. We make him out to be a liar. That he doesn't or can't keep his promises. We slander God when we don't get our way.

So how do we fix this?

We need to find our contentment in God himself. We need to constantly remind ourselves how blessed we are in Christ. We need to focus on the eternal and not the temporal. We need to encourage one another.

Stephen Altrogge has provided us valuable resource in our quest for Christian contentment. The Greener Grass Conspiracy, skillfully and clearly diagnosis the problems, and then leads us to the cure through scripture, to Christ. Sadly, unhappiness is rampant among Christians today. I pray this resource would find its way into the hands of the suffering and lead them to joy. This is one that should be read and re-read often.

I'd like to thank Crossway for sending me this free copy for review.

Here is the video trailer for The Greener Grass Conspiracy.

"Greener Grass Conspiracy" Trailer - Stephen Altrogge from Crossway on Vimeo.

Max On Life - Your Questions, His Answers

Questions?

We've all got them. Some more than others, but we all want answers.

2. Some days I doubt God. I doubt his goodness, his nearness- and that he even exists. When I doubt him does he leave me?

32. I just spent the afternoon at the hospital bedside of a dear friend. She just gave birth, and her baby was born with one foot. What purpose does this serve? How can a good God permit such deformities?

64. I've asked God to heal me from cancer. He healed my friend from cancer, but so far he hasn't helped me. My friend says I should pray with more faith. Is she right?

These are just three of the one hundred and seventy-two questions, Max Lucado gently, lovingly, and biblically, answers in his latest book "Max on Life."

Everyone needs a Max in their life; a person with biblical wisdom, a loving heart, and years of experience in walking with God. We need them when life gets crazy, dreams get shattered, tragedy strikes, or all hope seems lost. We need to be able to expose ourselves without fear of rejection or condemnation. We need them to set us straight, but not without loving us.

When our problem is nothing more than a matter of focus. Max redirects our attention off of ourselves, and affixes it to our great God. Sometimes we need to be told the hard truth. Max doesn't shy away from what needs said, yet does so with grace and love. Scripture commands us to weep with those who weep.(Romans 12:15) You can hear his own heart breaking, and partaking in your grief, while he reassures you of God's goodness and sovereignty. This book isn't a list of cold, textbook answers. The author's aim is to minister to needs, not to simply hand out facts.

Max Lucado's insights into the issues and experience in ministry, allow this book to be one that I can whole-heartedly recommend. Not only will it minister to your needs, but it will also allow you to minister to the needs of others.

I'd like to thank Thomas Nelson Publishers for sending me this free copy for review as part of their BookSneeze program.

This Makes Parenting Worth It

Dear Dad,

I Love the Wii.

How about you Dad.

Your Son,

Titus James Lehr

HAQNJXDJHKBN

California's Gay History - We Can All Be Special

CA Senate Bill mandates gay history in schools

Gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people would be added to the lengthy list of social and ethnic groups that public schools must include in social studies lessons under a landmark bill passed Thursday by the California Senate.

Has the whole world gone mad? Or just the left coast? When did a persons choice of sexuality enable them to become a distinct people group? Hey, I'm Irish. I'm British. I'm Gay? What? Man, woman, confused?

Look at me, I'm special

California law already requires schools to cover the contributions to the state and nation of women, African Americans, Mexican Americans, entrepreneurs, Asian Americans, European Americans, American Indians and labor.

Everyone must be represented. But they need to try harder, they've left some out. What of the advancements in society brought forth by those with blond hair? What of those with green eyes? Don't forget those exceptional individuals who are left handed. We must be fair. Many who find themselves vertically challenged have reached great heights. Shouldn't we proclaim their greatness as well.

You will never fell special just being your self. We need to find one attribute, one preference, or one cause to exploit and classify ourselves by. Forget about individuality, I am my label!

I've got a crazy idea. If we want people to realize their self worth, and dignity, why don't we stop teaching our kids that they are nothing more than polished monkeys, the products of random occurrences, and teach them that they were individually and lovingly made by God. That our dignity and self worth comes not from our choices, but from our Maker, whose image we bear.

What happened to Abstinence?

Republican Sen. Doug La Malfa of Butte opposed the bill.

"I'm deeply troubled kids would have to contemplate at a very, very early age, when many of us are teaching abstinence ... what is sexuality," he said.

Thankfully, someone has stated what has concerned me with these issues for years. We've tried so hard to teach kids the consequences of sex, and that it is safest, and in their best interest, to have sex within the confines of marriage, and now they want kids to sit in class and think about who they would most like to sleep with. Consider the possibilities. Timmy or Tammy?

Please continue Reading

Before I'm accused of gay bashing, homophobia, or any other violation of political correctness, let me clarify a few things. Yes, homosexuality is a sin, but people who struggle with this particular sin are no worse sinners than I have ever been. We all fall short of God's glory.  All of us, at our best are deserving of nothing more than death and hell. But none of us are without hope.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17 ESV)

We can be forgiven. We can be made clean. Jesus suffered the punishment of our sins so that we could be spared. Repent. Confess your sins and your shame and ask for forgiveness in Jesus' name.

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9-10 ESV)

Coupons 4 Friends

My wife and some friends recently started a facebook page Coupons 4 Friends.

Coupons 4 Friends: Learning to be better Stewards through Couponing and helping one another find the best deal out there.

The site is only about a week old and already has 76 "likes". If your looking to save money and want to know where to look, or have questions on how to maximize your savings, this is the place for you.

And while we're talking about facebook pages, the Living Hope page has been up for about a year now and has stalled out at a whopping six "likes". I'm not bitter. If saving money is more important than saving souls, I guess I understand  :-)

Glorious Day

Living He loved me, Dying He saved me,

Buried He carried, my sins far away,

Rising He justified, freely forever,

One day He's coming, O glorious day,

O glorious day!

Casting Crowns "Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)"

God has done so much for us, and yet there is more to come. 

I praise God that he has given us those who can express the wonders of the Gospel with such beauty. You can't listen to this song without singing along.

Lessons From The Death of a Fly

A deliciously, morbid tale, portraying the deadly consequences of succumbing to temptation. Why Yes, it is a children's book.

The Spider and the Fly is interesting to say the least. Charming poetry, wonderful black and white illustrations, and an unhappy ending make for a memorable story, and an appropriate vehicle for teaching such a valuable lesson. And what a lesson it is. Our first parents failed this test, and we haven't faired any better since.

What baffles the mind in these failures, is that we know the outcome. We aren't blindsided. We held the answers before the tempter ever entered the scene. And when he does arrive, it is often with a question.

"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the Spider to the Fly.

You already know where this is going don't you? So does the Fly.

She steadfastly resists the Spiders innocent invitation, as she follows him through the door. Repeatedly she declines each gracious offer as she listens intently to every word. This girl has knowledge. She won't be fooled by this fellow.

But she is not only a Fly of brains, but also of beauty, which our observant and admiring Spider compliments her on. After delighting in his flattery, she kindly says goodbye.

The Spider hurriedly prepares his web, for he knows she will soon return. His wait isn't long, for he calls out to her of her beauty. Mesmerized by his words she draws near, never to leave again.

Yes, the story is a little morbid. Which is probably why I like it so much. It does a wonderful job of showing the alluring nature of sin and its inevitable consequences. The bible tells us to flee from temptation(Gen 39:12); to run from it. When we linger in the presence of temptation, sin loses its sinfulness.

• It's not that wrong. 
• I can handle it. 
• I know what I'm doing. 

These and a host of other justifications are made in defense of what we want, but know we should not have. We often do a better job of talking ourselves into sin than any tempter ever could. Our resolve weakens with each passing moment that our eyes gaze upon their desires. We will give in. We are fools to think we are strong enough.

I read this tonight to the boys, and it led into a discussion on the dangers of temptation. They immediately saw the how foolish the Fly was to stay and listen to the Spider, knowing he only wanted to eat her. I pray they learn from the Fly's mistakes, and always run before it's to late.

No One Got Up?

Our church celebrates Communion once a month, on the first Sunday. Our Pastor normally reads the standard passage from 1 Corinthians chapter 11, focusing especially on verses 28-30.

Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 1 Corinthians 11:28-30

He always makes it clear that if there is anything between you and the Savior, you can take care of the matter right there in your pew, quoting the promise stated in 1 John 1:9.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

This morning he went one step further. He said that if there is anything between us and another, we should go to that person now and make it right with them, seeking to be reconciled. Then we could partake of  the Lord's Supper, or if that person wasn't there, to go to them later and not partake now. This took me a little by surprise. Not that I thought it wasn't scriptural.

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matt 5:23-24  

The reality of it just wow'd me. Is there someone he had in mind for him to say that? Is it me? Would I go to someone if there was an issue, in plain sight of the whole congregation? I wonder if anyone is getting up? No, I didn't look around. I have some couth.

I guess he could have been trying to make the point that God does take our sins seriously, and not just those specifically against him, but also those between one another. Often we excuse or overlook the wrongs we have done to others, while seeking to be right with God. We either don't consider these to be all that serious, or we simply don't (want to) recognize them as such.

One thing I do know is that, some most all of us probably should have been leaving our seats.

Is there someone you need to talk to?

What Do We Know About the Crusades?

I've been wanting to research the Crusades for awhile now. It seems most of what we hear about is how wicked, evil Christians set out to destroy the poor peaceful Muslims. But is this true? Or is this just political propaganda?

At the Theology Facebook Page they posted a link to an article dispelling four myths about the Crusades.

1.  The crusades represented an unprovoked attack by Western Christians on the Muslim world.
2. Western Christians went on crusade because their greed led them to plunder Muslims in order to get rich.
3. Crusaders were a cynical lot who did not really believe their own religious propaganda; rather, they had ulterior, materialistic motives.
4. The crusades taught Muslims to hate and attack Christians.

Get the rest of the story here.

From the Library of A.W. Tozer by James Stuart Bell

The Pursuit of God was my introduction to A.W. Tozer, and I've been hooked ever since. Tozer wrote, preached, and lived with such passion for God and his Word. He was never satisfied with mere knowledge and facts, he desired to know his God intimately. I want this desire. How did he get it?

The first thing we notice about Tozer's life was his devotion to prayer and the reading of scripture. He spent time with God. He sought him in his word. These activities were to fulfill his longing for God, yet in the process left him with a hunger for more. It seems the closer he approached the Holy, the closer he wanted to be.

Tozer was also an avid reader. He read the works of great men who had walked in the faith before him. He learned from those who shared his desire. His library contained volumes written through out Christianity, even from the beginning of church history. These men taught, shaped, and encouraged, his extraordinary life.

From The Library of A.W. Tozer is a collection of  these writings that contributed to Tozer's life and ministry. The book is comprised of short selections from many different authors and works, whose names include Augustine, Anselm, Thomas a Kempis, Bunyan, Edwards, Spurgeon, and many more. They are arranged in eight chapters, each with its own topic. The book can be read as a devotional, a selection at time, or for research by looking to the corresponding chapters. Another helpful feature, is the inclusion of a short biography of each author, located in the back.

This is a great book, exposing the reader to many of the influences in Tozer's life. These are authors that I have always desired to read, but had never before been afforded the opportunity. Now that I've had a taste, I will definitely be seeking out more of their works.

I'd like to thank Bethany House Publishers for sending me this free copy for review.

Free ChristianAudio - The Hiding Place

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom is christianaudio's free download for the month of April. Click here to check it out.