A novice youth minister was given the assignment of giving a little children’s message to the kids in front of the whole congregation, just before they were all released into children’s church. He was a little nervous, but he had his illustration well-prepared, and thought he was set to go. So the kids came down …
That”s So Gay
So follow this link and watch the three television commercials that are there. (HT: Frank Golubski) Okay, all set? In the first place, I am almost tempted to give my whole-hearted endorsement to such an ad campaign just for the pleasure of hearing modern adults tell teenagers to “knock it off.” No qualifications, no poor …
Some Rules for Prayer
Book 3/Chapter 20 The first rule of prayer (section 4) 1. What is the first rule for framing prayer? 2. What model should we follow in prayer? 3. What is the mind, when left to itself? Disciplining our prayers (section 5) 1. What is most contrary to reverence for God? 2. Why do we lift …
Exhilaration and Maturity
As we continue our journey into musical maturity, we have to remember something about all such journeys. The beginning of any worthwhile endeavor is always exciting. Whether it is the first day of school compared to a gray, school day three months later, or falling in love compared to faithfulness in a troubled patch of …
The First Meal
The Lord’s Supper is the first meal and it is the last meal, because it is the meal that memorializes the Lord Jesus, revealed to us as the Alpha and the Omega, the First and Last. The first food available to our parents in Eden was eaten in communion with God, particularly the tree of …
Come Let Us Reason
Confession Our Father and God, You have established Your Church as a royal priesthood in this world, and so we intercede for the nations of men now, confessing on their behalf so that the grace of Your forgiveness will soon be extended to them all. Father, You have invited us to come and reason together …
Watermelon Green
In the previous post on stewardship, one commenter asked a reasonable question. Why is it that I consistently use green as a term of contempt? And when do I, if ever, speak of the genuine demands of biblical stewardship in the environment? Consider this as a first pass in attempting to answer that question. First, …
The Privilege of Prayer
Book 3/Chapter 19 Two kingdoms (section 15) 1. What are the two kingdoms among men? 2. In which forum do we find each respectively? Conscience (section 16) 1. What is a good conscience? Book 3/Chapter 20 Faith and prayer (section 1) 1. How can the treasures of the Christian philosophy not be obtained? 2. Once …
Fair Minded Criticism
This is what fairminded criticism of the Federal Vision looks like. I have some (fairminded) quibbles here and there, but in the main I think the criticisms are accurate. FV men need to take these criticisms seriously, and if they prayerfully decide there is something to them, take them to heart.
Well Done
I have commented before on N.T. Wright’s need to be more forthright in his statements about the homosexual issue that is tearing, and now has torn, the Anglican communion apart. I was glad to see this statement from him. One could always quibble (I don’t want to involve Islam as a model for sexual ethics), …