June 2011
23 posts
3 tags
God's Word
“The Word of God is not a religious binding contract, but a deeply relational giver of life.”
Apostle Paul had to invent a new Greek word for it: theopneustos, breathed out by God (2 Timothy 3:16).
Like when God spoke, lights and universes burst from His mouth (Genesis 1:1-3).
Like how God calls things that are not as though they are (Romans 4:17).
Like how God speaks lightning and...
Sin doesn’t take you hostage; it deceives you into being an accomplice. 2 Peter 3:17.
Don’t just love people for what they can do, but for who they are. It’s the difference between marrying for money and marrying in love. 1 Peter 3:3-4.
No one and nothing gets to say who you are but Christ. You are His. That’s good news. Philippians 3:20.
1 tag
Sermon Prep
From the Elephant Room DVD, seven pastors gave their sermon preparation time. I was surprised at some of the answers.
Matt Chandler: 7-8 hours.
Perry Noble: 7-8 hours.
David Platt: 20 hours.
James MacDonald: 10-12 hours.
Greg Laurie: 10-12 hours.
Steven Furtick: 8-10 hours.
Mark Driscoll: 60-90 minutes.
I’m with Platt here, it takes me around twenty hours for one sermon....
1 tag
“His Word: truth for life, the way to truth, and the only true life itself.”
2 tags
Life of pastor
Six a.m. prayer, four cups of coffee, in the office still fall asleep in chair. LIFE OF PASTOR.
Ask church people to hang out, they politely awkwardly refuse, they secretly make plans. LIFE OF PASTOR.
Crack an off-color joke to be a normal human being, everyone pulls the spiritual card. LIFE OF PASTOR.
Lunch turns into counseling session turns into public scene turns into tri-weekly two hour...
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Selfishness says
“Selfishness says, I want more. God says, Die to self. Look around.
Selfishness says, I’m number one. God says, I make the numbers.
Selfishness says, I do what I want. God says, You don’t know what you want. I do.
Selfishness says, I can do this by myself. God says, You’re not doing well, and I’m here for you.”
2 tags
3 tags
Beating addictions
Beating addictions is not as easy as 1-2-3, but here are three things to consider behaviorally as you surrender destructive habits. This was preached by Pastor James MacDonald of Harvest Bible Chapel (who may have gotten it from someone else), and I haven’t forgotten it since. While behavioral strategies cannot ultimately overcome, it’s still useful while learning to grip your...
1 tag
Old church people ask with incredulity: “You’re a nice guy, why aren’t you married yet?” Five minutes after recognizing my awkwardness and (twisted) sense of humor: “Welll I’ll pray for you. And her.” STORY OF LIFE.
“Worship is about what we love. What we live for. It’s about who we are before God.”
— Bob Kauflin
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“This isn’t your only life: eternity awaits. But you only have this life to choose it.”
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“The world calls you late, lame, broken, beaten, a failure, a foreigner, stupid, stubborn, offensive, defensive, a loser — but the world doesn’t get to say who you are.”
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They’re real people →
Extremely happy blogs paint Bible stories as success after success, full of faith and blessing and thumbs up and manly pats on the back. Because this is how real life always works, without nuance or anxiety or doubts. You’d think all the Bible people were just one-dimensional photoshopped models-playing-actors. White teeth, perfect hair, the right speech at the crucial moment. Cue the...
scripturesketches asked: Have you written before about your thoughts on ESV? I'd like to know what you think.
