Why We Fail to Pray

"If we think we can do life on our own, we will not take prayer seriously. Our failure to pray will always feel like something else- a lack of discipline or too many obligations" (Paul Miller, A Praying Life, pg. 59).

"A Response to the First Republican Senator to Support So-Called Same-Sex Marriage"

Recently, as you may have seen in the news, a republican senator, Rob Portman, came out in public support of so called "same sex marriage" by writting an editorial in which he explains why he changed his view. Here is a short podcast in which John Piper responds to the senator's arguments.

Piper points out that we, as Christians, must be aware of two things in the arguments being put forth:

1. The absolutizing of self-defined, self-determining happiness. This is the idea that a person's definition of what happiness entails is absolute and cannot be questioned, even if it is opposite to what God says brings true happiness and flourishing.1 
2. The use of general biblical themes (like love and compassion) to negate specific biblical commands (against sinful behaviors like homosexuality). 2

Take note of these and listen for them in the arguments you hear from those who would claim to be upholding the Bible and, at the same time, promoting so called "same sex marriage."

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In his Op Ed, Rob Portman says,
1As we strive as a nation to form a more perfect union, I believe all of our sons and daughters ought to have the same opportunity to experience the joy and stability of marriage.

2 "I wrestled with how to reconcile my Christian faith with my desire for Will to have the same opportunities to pursue happiness and fulfillment as his brother and sister. Ultimately, it came down to the Bible’s overarching themes of love and compassion and my belief that we are all children of God."

What Baseball Teaches Us

"Baseball means dealing with failure," says David Prince. He points out that the most successful players to ever play have only managed a .4 batting average (that is a 40% hit rate). That is to say a 60% rate of failure! Prince goes on to note that baseball as a game of "managed failure" used to be popular in American culture because it was seen as a reflection of the need to develop perseverance and to work hard. But now, he notes, "what was once seen as a part of the glory of baseball -- learning to persevere in the face of consistent failure -- is now perceived to be a reason to avoid the game."

With the start of our softball season it may be good to read this article. Not so much to become better players (that isn't the goal of his article), but to be reminded of what baseball can teach us about the Christian life. 

Missions is Not Merely about Sending People

Here is a statement that is so important for our understanding of missions. This is from HeartCry Missionary Society:

Missions is not about merely  sending people to the foreign field- the Peace Corps can do that! Missions is about communicating God's truth to the world. It is a doctrinal or theological endeavor...

Statements like that are why I love the fact that our church supports HeartCry. I love reading their magazine which gives updates of the mission work they are supporting around the globe. If you have never heard of them, you should take some time to check out their website and their magazine.

The Beards of Ministry

Thought this was a "helpful" taxonomy to help us understanding the different types of beards we've been seeing in ministry these days....or at Bible study for that matter.

http://www.outofur.com/archives/2013/02/the_beards_of_m.html

God Saves People for His Own Name's Sake

Ultimately, God saves his people for his own name's sake. Some people do not like the sound of that; but what should God value more highly than himself? What has more worth than God? For you or me to regard ourselves as the center of the world would be egotistical to the point of being delusional, not to mention rebellious against God. But for God to regard himself supremely is no more wrong than for the sun to be at the center of the solar system. Our own planet could never occupy the sun's role at the center of the solar system. It does not have the gravity for that. God is the Creator of all! He must be supreme to us and himself. Apart from the exercise of his sovereign rule in creating and judging- in holiness and love, in righteousness and compassion- the world becomes a cruelly hollow place. (Dever, The Message of the Old Testament, pg. 715).

Question and Comment Evaluation Chart

Contrary to popular folklore, there is such a thing as a bad question. Dr. Randy Stinson, at Southern Seminary, has a great flow chart to help you avoid asking such questions. Share it with your friends- "Friends don't let friends ask bad questions." You can download it here.


HT: http://fillup.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/how-to-avoid-being-that-guy-in-class/