THINKABOUTIT - The Danger of "I'm above that"

"I am tempted to think that I am now an established Christian, - that I
have overcome this or that lust so long, - that I have got into the
habit of the opposite grace, - so that there is no fear; I may venture
very near the temptation - nearer than other men.

This is a lie of Satan. One might as well speak of gunpowder getting by habit of
resisting fire, so as not to catch spark.

As long as powder is wet, it resists the spark; but when it becomes dry, it is ready to explode at the first touch.

As long as the Spirit dwells in my heart, He deadens me to sin, so that, if lawfully called through temptation, I may reckon upon God carrying me through. But when the Spirit leaves me, I am like dry gunpowder. Oh for a sense of this!


Robert Murray M'Cheyne

A Great Book For Anyone Interested in Youth Ministry

Perhaps you've been to a dare-2-share conference? Maybe you are familiar with Greg Stier. R

Regardless, if you are at all intrigued, interested, and/or involved in youth ministry, I recommend as a tremendously convicting, convincing and (maybe) confirming read. Though easy to read, it is full of practical, timeless insights into what ministry is, and what it's purpose should be.

Larry Norman - D.C. Talk- I Wish We'd All Been Ready

Okay, last one (maybe)...here's D C Talk covering Larry's I Wish We'd All Been Ready

More on Larry Norman

As mentioned in the previous post, Larry Norman died on Sunday morning. Here's a telling statement from Chris Willman, senior music writer for "Entertainment Weekly."

"His influence outweighed his sales so much that it's comical," Willman said. "He certainly had a heart for evangelism — almost to his detriment, I might say. He really could've been a star if he were singing about something other than Jesus."

Norman had bumps and ideosyncricies (read - sin) like we all do, and he made a lot of friends, and a lot of enemies...and sometimes they were the same people. Singer Randy Stonehill said, "For as brilliant and insightful as Larry was, I'm not sure that he understood himself completely. This issue became apparent in the way he consistently seemed to 'derail' relationships throughout his life."

Norman was injured in an airplace accident thirty years ago and was diagnosed with "bipolar trauma."

David DiSabatino is working on a film about Norman to be released later this year. He said, "(Larry) is like King David. The highs are higher than most and the lows are like, 'whoa.'"

In other words, Larry was like me...and like you. A redeemed, forgiven, adopted child of God; justified in His sight...but a mess...like me...like you.

I look forward to meeting Larry some day...

Death of a Trailblazer - Larry Norman

Even before "Jesus" music, before Maranatha Music...there was Larry Norman. Long-haired and in love with Jesus, he gave certain pastors a lot to preach against, and created, birthed, empowered "contemporary Christian music." Watch this video, and then google Larry and read more about this guy. A few hours before he died (Sunday morning) he said, "I feel like a prize in a box of cracker jacks with God's hand reaching down to pick me up."

Well Said re Duke Lacrosse Lawsuit

You are aware, I trust, that more than three dozen Duke Lacrosse players are suing the school and the city because they "suffered emotional distress during the furor over the now-discredited rape case against three of their teammates." Julie Ponzi writes this great observation/opinion:

Great. I’m sure they probably have a case. Much has been made of the lack of ethics involved in their prosecution. Much has been made of the girl’s lies. And I agreed with all of it. But missing--sorely missing!--from almost all discussion of this case, was any serious condemnation of the boys for engaging in behavior that was so irresponsible as to put them in an awkward and compromising position. There was plenty of unjust condemnation directed at them--about their supposed racism and imagined proclivities for sexual assault--but admitting that these guys acted like a bunch of stupid jerks who didn’t deserve a lot of sympathy would not have implied support for those moronic attacks. Team sponsored (whether "official" or not) drunken parties with strippers? I’m not so naive as to be shocked by the occurrence of these things . . . but I am offended by a call for my sympathy to be attached to the idiots who get caught with their pants down--so to speak. Boys, if you don’t want to end up in this situation here’s an idea . . . don’t go to these kind of things. Don’t hang out with drunk sluts you don’t know and can’t trust. Exercise some judgment if you can’t exercise your virtue. If you don’t, it may go badly for you. And, when it does, perhaps you’ll have a legal case if you don’t end up in jail. But so what? You’re still an idiot. And we all end up having to watch your sad spectacle and foot the bill for this kind of absurd litigation? Thanks so much for that.

A Conversation Between Two Jacks and God:

Jack the Human: “How can nine potential buyers rave about the house as they went through it Sunday and so far we haven’t got one purchase offer?”

Jack the Adopted Child of God : “Okay, Lord, You’ve opened the door for this move; I’ll trust you to sell the house in Your timing.”

Jack the Human: “What if we have to reduce the price to the point we don’t have enough for a down-payment on a new home in Missouri?”

Jack the Adopted Child of God : “In one way or other, the Lord will provide; it may not be your way, it may not be my way; yet in His own way, the Lord will provide.”

Jack the Human: “But Jane had a perfect house picked out in Saint Joseph…and now it’s gone.”

Jack the Adopted Child of God : “I take you at Your Word, Lord, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

Jack the Human: “Yikes! It’s already almost March, and I’m done here at Family Life at the end of April. We can’t move until we sell the house!”

Jack the Adopted Child of God : “Our times are in Your hands, Lord. Thanks for Job 5:8,9:

“As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause,
Who does great things and unsearchable,
marvelous things without number.”

Absolutely no redeeming value...but fun!

Thinkaboutit - (Positional) Perfect-ness

“There are some who are always talking about corruption, and the depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of the soul. This is quite true, but why not go a little further, and remember that we are ‘perfect in Christ Jesus.’
It is no wonder that those who are dwelling upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks; but surely if we call to mind that ‘Christ is made unto us righteousness,’ we shall be of good cheer.
There is nothing wanting in my Lord; Christ hath done it all. On the cross he said, ‘It is finished!’ and if it be finished, then am I complete in him, and can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, ‘Not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.’ ”- Charles Spurgeon

E.R. discovers the flaw of post-modernisem

The patient is a doctor who did lethal injections at a prison. The woman is a prison chaplain. I don't watch much tv, but, wow, this is good, challenging, and a reminder that most people are a whole lot more willing to listen than most of us are willing to speak of the gospel.

WHY ME LORD (KRIS KRISTOFFERSON)

I've no idea where Kristofferson is regarding salvation; but I've wondered for decades how someone could write this song without an awareness of salvation. The video is worth watching for the final image...

THINKABOUTIT

Read the following - slowly - a few times...Perhaps it will be a mixture of challenge and comfort as it has been for me....

There are no shortcuts to holiness. There is no easy way to conquer the flesh. Christian character is a matter of growth, not of secrets or formulas. Growth takes time. It also takes the discipline of prayer, of study, of heart searching, of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's pleading, and of consistent obedience. It must always begin with a renewed thankfulness for the never-ending grace of God, and a sense of being set free repeatedly to a life of holiness.
John White

Iraq or American Campus?

Quick...how many school shootings have there been this week?
I won't type the answer, because it may not be accurate by the dawns early light.
"In the last days, difficult times will come..."

Why the surge in campus shootings? In some cases it's almost "suicide by cop," except the perpetrators blow themselves away after attempting...and all too often succeeding...in taking others with them.

Though I don't have too many initials after my name, and thus am assured that no one is going to call me to ask my opinion...I'll type it here anyway...

I think a major contributing factor to such things as campus shootings is Roe v Wade. If my government (and my peers, the actors/musicians I idolize, in too many cases the "reverends" I listen to at church, and, sadly, my parents) says it is okay to terminate a babies life; then it is not a leap to say it is certainly okay for me to end my life...and, if I feel like it, if it's convenient, if you are causing me a problem, it's got to be okay for me to take your life.

No, I don't think too many people consciously use the above "reasoning," but the ingrained "it's my body" argument of the prochoice folks translates to "it's my right" and becomes "I'm right, you're wrong" and can morph into, "I'm right, you're dead."

Think I'm crazy? Spend some time researching things like murder, suicide, random shootings etc. Try to find out how many such events happened in, say, 1972...and then chart the numbers from the horrific Supreme Court decision of 1973.

Oh, yes, abortion directly has slaughtered millions. But the indirect consequences add horrific numbers...

All You Need Is Love - The Beatles

On this Valentines day I enjoy those great theologians John, Paul, George, and Ringo. In a sense, once you come (or, more scriptural, brought) to Christ, "love is all you need." As A. W. Tozer stated, "Our Lord told His disciples that love and obedience are organically united - the final test of love is obedience." As Jesus declared in John 14.21 "Whoever has My commandments, and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, adn I will love him and manifest Myself to him."

By the way, regarding human love, the best description I've heard is simple yet profound: "I want for you, what is best for you, for the longest period of time."

THINKABOUTIT

"Perhaps one reason God delays His answers to our prayers is because He knows we need to be with Him far more than we need the things we ask of Him." Ben Patterson

Two of God's Gifts to Me!

FamYet another gift, Joel, took these photos of Janelle and Jacob:

Prayer Request and Blessing out of Trial

"Selah" is an incredible trio of vocalists! Like all of us, they are not immune to trials and tribulations.

Todd and his wife Angie (who is not part of the trio) are in the midst of a trial to which most of us can not relate. Angie is carrying their fourth daughter, who has many issues that make it apparent the baby will not survive. Against some medical advice, they have determined not to end the pregnancy.

Angie is writing a blog that is simply incredible. Her ability at putting her deepest pains and joy in writing is astounding, and I recommend when you have some time you go to the blog, scroll down to the beginning, and read it consecutively.

And, obviously, join me in praying for a miracle! Here's the website: http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/

CHRISTless Christianity; RELIGIONless Religion

The February 11 issue of "Newsweek" has a "Modern Family" column on page 60 titled "Talking to Kids About God." The author, Kathleen Deveny, is a self-described "cafeteria Catholic" (I admire her honesty...come down the serving line of the Catholic faith and take want you want; pass on what you don't like...and, alas, it is not just Catholics who do so).

She thinks "it is easier to talk to (her) daughter about sex than about God. Perhaps that's because I have a pretty good idea where babies come from, but I'm still a little fuzzy on the details about God."

Well, since she is (again, by her own admission) picking-and-choosing tidbits here and there about her faith, it is no wonder she is "fuzzy on the details."

But the saddest part in her column occurs as she quotes a friend who has a nine-year-old daughter, "I kind of play down the religious aspect of church...At a recent meeting to discuss what we would like the Sunday school to teach, I got quite a few funny looks when I said I didn't want a lot of emphasis on the spiritual side of things."

Man, I sure am glad she got some "funny looks" instead of applause!

I was raised in a non-church-going family. Christ grabbed me when I was 26. These many years later I still can't understand why people (regardless of denomination) go to church if they don't believe. Obviously for some it is a cultural thing; some, I suppose, go for the "sake of the children."

But to verbalize one's belief that Sunday school should not teach spiritual things amazes me. That's not even "holding to a form of godliness..."

The Beatles Quote God?

I recall one of my drill sergeants screaming at a recruit who couldn't accomplish a task, "What do you want me to do, hold your hand?" Obviously this was not voiced in a pleasant or helpful way.
But look at Psalm 37.23,24: "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand."
What a promise of a "very present help." What a promise of security. Abba, Daddy, holds the hand of those who try to walk in His way...

Frozen Grand Central

This is rather cool!

Patriot Killers and a Thinkaboutit

My oh my. I admit I was not looking forward to the game; I thought it would be a Patriot pounding.

Instead it turns into perhaps the best Superbowl I've watched. Manning getting away from the sack, that amazing catch-on-top-of-the-helmet; the chumpy way the Patriots coach wimped off the field of play...

Here's an appropriate quotation as the Hagers wait on the Lord to see to the details of our upcoming move to Missouri:

God has a time for everything, a perfect schedule. He is never too soon, never too late. The when of His will is as important as the what and the how.
Richard C. Halverson

THINKABOUTIT

“The good news of the kingdom is not freedom from hardship, suffering, and loss. It is the news of a Redeemer who has come to rescue me from myself. His rescue produces change that fundamentally alters my response to these inescapable realities. The Redeemer turns rebels into disciples, fools into humble listeners. He makes cripples walk again. In him we can face life and respond with faith, love, and hope. And as he changes us, he allows us to be a part of what he is doing in the lives of others. As you respond to the Redeemer’s work in your life, you can learn to be an instrument in his hands.”-
Paul David Tripp
Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands
(Phillipsburg, Pa.: P & R publishing, 2002), 16.