The Valley of Vision, the collection of Puritan prayers, is a great devotional I use from time to time. I found this prayer very convicting and applicable to my life.
Confession and Petition
Holy Lord, I have sinned times without number, and been guilty of pride and unbelief, of failure to find Thy mind in Thy Word, of neglect to seek Thee in my daily life. My transgressions and short-comings present me with a list of accusations, but I bless Thee that they will not stand against me, for all have been laid on Christ. Go on to subdue my corruptions, and grant me grace to live above them. Let not the passions of the flesh nor lustings of the mind bring my spirit into subjection, but do Thou rule over me in liberty and power.
I thank Thee that many of my prayers have been refused. I have asked amiss and do not have, I have prayed from lusts and been rejected, I have longed for Egypt and been given a wilderness. Go on with Thy patient work, answering 'no' to my wrongful prayers, and fitting me to accept it. Purge me from every false desire, every base aspiration, everything contrary to Thy rule. I thank Thee for Thy wisdom and Thy love, for all the acts of discipline to which I am subject, for sometimes putting me into the furnace to refine my gold and remove my dross.
No trial is so hard to bear as a sense of sin. If Thou shouldst give me choice to live in pleasure and keep my sins, or to have them burnt away with trial, give me sanctified affliction. Deliver me from every evil habit, every accretion of former sins, everything that dims the brightness of Thy grace in me, everything that prevents me taking delight in Thee. Then I shall bless Thee, God of jeshurun, for helping me to be upright.
Z pointed out this post on Mark Driscoll's advice for doing family devotions during dinner. Thought the list was interesting as I think through how I'll start to do this in a few years. Not sure I'll do it exactly this way, but it's good to hear how different people approach this area.
Step 1. Eat dinner with your entire family regularly. Step 2. Mom and Dad sit next to one another to lead the family discussion. Step 3. Open the meal by asking if there is anyone or anything to pray for. Step 4. Someone opens in prayer and covers any requests. This task should be rotated among family members so that different people take turns learning to pray aloud. Step 5. Start eating and discuss how everyone’s day went. Step 6.Have a Bible in front of the parents in a translation that is age-appropriate for the kids’ reading level. Have someone (parent or child) open the Bible, and assign a portion to read aloud while everyone is eating and listening. Step 7. Parents should note key words and themes in the passage and explain them to the kids on an age-appropriate level. Step 8. Ask questions about the passage. You may want to begin with having your children summarize what was read—retelling the story or passage outline. Then, ask the following questions: What does this passage teach us about God? What does it say about us or about how God sees us? What does it teach us about our relationships with others? Step 9. Let the conversation happen naturally, listen carefully to the kids, let them answer the questions, and fill in whatever they miss or lovingly and gently correct whatever they get wrong so as to help them. Step 10. If the Scriptures convict you of sin, repent as you need to your family, and share appropriately honest parts of your life story so the kids can see Jesus’ work in your life and your need for him too. This demonstrates gospel humility to them. Step 11. At the end of dinner, ask the kids if they have any questions for you. Step 12. If you miss a night, or if conversation gets off track, or if your family occasionally just wants to talk about something else, don’t stress—it’s inevitable.
I didn't watch the Oscars last night, but I read the comments made by Sean Penn during his acceptance speech for best actor for his work in Milk, a movie about the homosexual activist from the late 1970’s named Harvey Milk. Not surprisingly, Penn took the opportunity to stand up for gay rights, specifically gay marriage and Proposition 8. The relevant comments start at about 2:32 in the video below.
He said, “I think it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone.”
Obviously, I have a slightly different point of view about the topic. I found this post by Denny Burke to be particularly helpful in thinking through this multi-faceted issue.
Black and Penn’s remarks at the Oscars reveal just how much the ambient culture stands in opposition to this Christian worldview. But the response from Christians to that opposition should not simply be just to curse the darkness and to retreat from culture. Rather, what the culture needs more than anything is for the Christian church to engage the culture with proclamation and a wholesome living-out of the truth about human sexuality. The Christian church should be a counter-culture that images forth an alternative set of priorities. In other words, the church should be a place where marriage is held in high esteem both in living and in teaching and discipline, and it should be that way because of its commitment to the gospel.
The movie “Milk” and speeches by Black and Penn are not the main problem. They are but a symptom of a larger system that is set against Christ and His purposes in the world (1 John 2:15-17). And what our friends and neighbors need more than anything is for Christians to set forth a faithful counter-witness when it comes to marriage and sexuality. The messages coming from the “Oscar culture” are clear. The church’s should be even more so.
The National Review has published their list of the Top 25 Conservative Movies of the last 25 years. It wasn't scientifically done, and I'm not 100% sure why some on the list were considered conservative, but an interesting list nonetheless. See what you think about their picks. You can go to their website to see a synopsis of each film with a little explanation about why it was chosen.
Top 25
1. The Lives of Others (2007)
2. The Incredibles (2004)
3. Metropolitan (1990)
4. Forrest Gump (1994)
5. 300 (2007)
6. Groundhog Day (1993)
7. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
8. Juno (2007)
9. Blast from the Past (1999)
10. Ghostbusters (1984)
11. The Lord of the Rings (2001, 2002, 2003)
12. The Dark Knight (2008)
13. Braveheart (1995)
14. A Simple Plan (1998)
15. Red Dawn (1984)
16. Master and Commander (2003)
17. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (2005)
18. The Edge (1997)
19. We Were Soldiers (2002)
20. Gattaca (1997)
21. Heartbreak Ridge (1986)
22. Brazil (1985)
23. United 93 (2006)
24. Team America: World Police (2004)
25. Gran Torino (2008)
Other Notables:
Air Force One, Amazing Grace, An American Carol, Barcelona, Bella, Cinderella Man, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Hamburger Hill, The Hanoi Hilton, The Hunt for Red October, The Island, Knocked Up, The Last Days of Disco, The Lost City, Miracle, The Patriot, Rocky Balboa, Serenity, Stand and Deliver, Tears of the Sun, Thank You for Smoking, Three Kings, Tin Men, The Truman Show, Witness
Here's a great visual from the Washington Post breaking down the stimulus bill. It's from February 1st, so some of it has changed since then, but the overall picture should still be pretty much the same.
Click the image below to see the entire breakout (the graphic is much bigger and wouldn't fit within the parameters of my blog). It shows where the money is going, and helps break down what parts of the bill are spending and what are actually tax cuts. Pretty interesting.
There have been many times where I've been on one side of a discussion, where I feel I am completely in the right and that the other side has no leg to stand on, and I wonder what things look like from their perspective. Do they really believe as strongly as I do that they are right? How do they view my ideas? How can they answer my arguments?
Frank Schaeffer (yes, Francis Schaeffer's son) gave me this look this morning when I read his letter to Obama about the Republicans. Now, to be fair, Republicans are just as guilty as Democrats of portraying the other side in an extremely unflattering, and in many cases, flat out false view. Rush Limbaugh, although espousing many of the values of conservatives, does not speak with the tone or tact that most would desire.
That being said, I thought the article was astounding for it's slanted view of a very large, diverse group of people. Sure, Schaeffer has some experience with some of the "conservative leaders," but to say some of these things about an entire group of people like this is flat wrong.
"[T]he Republican Party is controlled by two ideological groups. First, is the Religious Right. Second, are the neoconservatives. Both groups share one thing in common: they are driven by fear and paranoia. Between them there is no Republican "center" for you to appeal to, just two versions of hate-filled extremes."
"You will never be able to work with the Republicans because they hate you. Believe me, Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter are the norm not the exception [My voice: Again, the conservatives ideas, yes. The tone and tact, no]. James Dobson and the rest are praying for you to fail [Flat out untrue. Many conservatives are Christians and follow God's command to pray for those in leadership and respect their authority, something democrats failed to do at all during George W. Bush's administration]. The neoconservatives are gnashing their teeth and waiting for you to "sell out Israel" or "show weakness" in Afghanistan, whatever, so they can declare you a traitor."
"Their loyalty is to a fundamentalist Christian ideology on the one hand and American exceptionalism of perpetual warfare and hatred and fear of the "other" on the other hand. Between the neoconservatives and evangelical Religious Right Republicans you have no friends."
"As you showed us again at your press conference of Feb 9, you are a brilliant, articulate and decent man. Your Republican opponents are not decent people but ideologues bent on destroying you. To quote the biblical adage sir, don't cast your pearls before swine."
Wow. So much anger, hatred, vitriol. It's almost like holding up a mirror to Rush when he's in a bad mood. It is interesting to see what people who hold conservative values are up against, though. This is the picture most liberals have of us. It's false. For me, though, it's a good warning not to do the same thing to them. Schaeffer does not speak for all liberals just like Rush does not speak for all conservatives. This country is a little more interesting and complicated than that.
Well, I sat in front of a camera yesterday and was interviewed by D.L. Hughley for his show on CNN, “D.L. Hughley Breaks The News.” I could not see him, but could hear him in the earpiece and it worked out pretty well. He was a ton of fun to speak with on and off camera, and I wanted to thank him for having me on the show.
The segment will air on Valentine’s Day (Saturday) at 7 p.m. PST and also on Sunday at 8 p.m. PST. In light of Valentine’s Day, we talked about sex and ended the segment by talking about Jesus. I hope that last part makes it through the editing.
I also want to thank the people working with D.L. They were great to work with, both before and after the segment. Also, he was kind enough to allow me to patch in from Seattle rather than having to fly to New York and be away from my family. I have been gone a ton for preaching gigs the past few weeks, so I really appreciated being able to go to my kids’ open house at their school and then snuggling up with my wife. Thanks, D.L.!
A lot of people are already criticizing Driscoll for this interview. Apparently, people continue to be upset that he even mentions the "s" word...sex. Also, they apparently feel he shouldn't attempt to be funny on a show geared around comedy. I thought the interview was fun and entertaining with Mark still being able to speak the truth. I wonder how many other people would be able to pull that off in front of millions on CNN with only a few minutes to speak. I guarantee there are people whose interest in Jesus was piqued based on how Mark handled himself.
With Valentine's Day in a couple days, wanted to share this story from the New York Times. Dana Jennings has been battling prostate cancer and offers his candid observations about how his wife has thoroughly lived out her wedding vows. I thought this was great. Read the whole thing. It's worth it.
These days, I epitomize the “in sickness” part of the wedding vows that Deb and I took back in 1981. Since we learned last April that I have prostate cancer, I’ve had my prostate removed, found out that the cancer was shockingly aggressive, undergone a 33-session course of radiation and am finishing up hormone therapy.
Right now, I’m not quite what you’d call “a catch.” I wear man-pads for intermittent incontinence, I’m a bazaar of scars, and haven’t had a full erection in seven months. Most nights, I’m in bed by 10. The Lupron hormone shots, which suppress the testosterone that can fuel prostate cancer, have sent my sex drive lower than the stock market, shrunken my testicles, and given me hot flashes so fierce that I sweat outdoors when it’s 20 degrees and snowing.
Even so, Deb has taught me that love is in the details. Humid professions of undying love and tear-stained sonnets are all well and good, but they can’t compete with the earthy love of Deb helping me change and drain my catheter pouches each day when I first came home from the hospital.
Yes, in the details. She measured my urine, peered into places I couldn’t (literally and figuratively), and strategically and liberally applied baby powder, ice and Aquaphor to my raw and aching body. She battled our intractable insurer, networked, tracked down the right doctors — and took thorough notes all the while.
I was wounded. She protected me. She chose to do these things.
Deb and I have been married for 27 years, have two sons (22 and 19), and have ridden the usual Ferris wheel that comes with a long marriage. But our love for each other has deepened in this time of prostate cancer.
We talk more often about the life we’ve built together, about sex and money, about the joy we take in our sons, about the uncertain future. When cancer moves in, there’s nothing you and your spouse can’t talk about.
Our love has been seasoned with a bitter pinch of mortality, and the classic quarrels of marriage hold little power over us anymore. When I say to Deb, “I love you,” I mean it. And when she responds, “I love you more,” she means it, too. We understand that time, perhaps, is not on our side.
Time, we are told, will give us our sex life back. As I said, the hormone shots have shut down my sex drive. And my poor penis is still in recovery — from the surgery and the radiation. But as we wait, I’ll tell you this: Love abides.
Yes, yes and yes — lust is essential. But right now, sex seems quaint, old-fashioned. Oddly enough, it can’t compete with the depth and gravity of a light touch, a sly glance. I’m in the mood for the Beatles and “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” not Grace Jones growling, “Pull up to my bumper, baby.”
Don’t get me wrong. I really, really like sex. But given a choice between the mere biology of lust and the deep soul of love, I’ll take love. My body has changed — but my doctors say my libido will be warming up again before I know it. Deb understands, and we’ve adapted.
Deb’s love is one to live up to, one to reciprocate. Who else is going to snuggle up to me on the couch, smile, listen — and nod knowingly — as I complain about my hot flashes?
In the long shadow of prostate cancer, I’ve learned that I married the right woman.
On his blog, C.J. Mahaney has been "introducing" several prominent pastors/theologians. He's already done Wayne Grudem and Mark Dever. Today, he posted a short Q&A with John Piper. Piper's answer are pretty short, but I found some of them very interesting.
Please describe your morning devotions. What time do you wake up in the morning? How much time do you spend reading, meditating, praying, etc.? What are you presently reading?
I get up two mornings at 5:15, four mornings at 6:15 and one morning at 6:00.
I set aside one hour for prayer and Bible reading using the Discipleship Journal read through the Bible reading plan. That puts me now (February 2009) in Exodus, Psalms, Matthew, and Acts. On the five free days when there are no assignments I focus on memorization.
If you could study under any theologian in church history (excluding those men in Scripture), who would it be and why?
Jonathan Edwards because he saw the grandeur of God and experienced a great awakening and ran a happy family.
What single bit of counsel has made the most significant difference in your effective use of time?
A great tree will fall with many small chops. Pray for daily grace to keep chopping. [I LOVE that analogy.]
What single bit of counsel has made the most significant difference in your leadership?
Lead by helping people see the same truth in the Bible you do so that commonly perceived truth is the fabric that binds together. When truth is not the bond, power moves are inevitable.
Also, while I'm talking a little about C.J. Mahaney, wanted to share this video someone did from clips of a sermon of his. Very powerful.
So he's admitted it...at least part of it. Sounding much more like Andy Pettite than Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez said that he used performance enhancing drugs from 2001-2003 when he was in Texas. This was a very interesting interview to watch. You can almost see the battle going on inside him.
He has moments where his enormous pride shows through (saying he's "proud of himself" for coming clean is a little ridiculous since he has no choice really at this point). He also has moments of true humility, though. Gammons gave him an opportunity to be bitter at the Union for not keeping the "anonymous" tests anonymous. Rodriguez quickly pointed out that there was no one to blame but him.
I've never been an A-Rod fan. His ego was just too huge for me. I'm not sure he told the complete truth yesterday, and his pride is still overly inflated, but he seems to actually be trying to fight that. He said more than once that "the truth will set you free."
I couldn't help but think as I watched this, what would have happened had he made these admissions without being caught first? What kind of example would that have been to kids that "confessing" something doesn't mean you fess up once you're cornered? You put things out there because it's the right thing to do, regardless of consequences. I would have really been impressed had he done that.
Al Mohler almost never fails to disappoint me. He has a great post today on Facebook and social networking with some great tips for utilizing these technologies without being mastered by them. Nice to have an older person with a good perspective on these other than, "They're evil, a complete waste of time, and you're sinning just by using them."
It's a little more complex than that, and Mohler seems to understand that. I would hope so. After all, I enjoy his regular updates on Twitter...
1. Never allow social networking to replace or rival personal contact and communication. God made us to be social creatures that crave community. We cannot permit ourselves to substitute social networking for the harder work of building and maintaining personal relationships that are face to face.
2. Set clear parameters for the time devoted to social networking. These services can be seductive and time consuming. Social networking (and the Internet in general) can become obsessive and destructive of other relationships and higher priorities for the Christian.
3. Never write or post anything on a social networking site that you would not want the world to see, or anything that would compromise your Christian witness. There are plenty of young people (perhaps older persons now, too) who are ruining future job prospects and opportunities by social networking misbehavior. The cost to Christian witness is often far greater.
4. Never allow children and teenagers to have independent social networking access (or Internet access, for that matter). Parents should monitor, manage, supervise, and control the Internet access of their children and teens. Watch what your child posts and what their friends post.
5. Do not allow children and teens to accept any "friend" unknown to you. The social networking world can be a dangerous place, and parental protection here is vital.
6. Encourage older friends and relatives to sign up and use the technology. Grandparents can enjoy keeping up with grandchildren and with friends and loved ones separated by distance or mobility.
7. Use the social networking technology to bear witness to the Gospel, but never think that this can replace the centrality of face-to-face evangelism, witness, and discipleship.
8. Do all things to the glory of God, and do not allow social networking to become an idol or a display of narcissism.
As Christians we should be animated (given life) and motivated (compelled to action) by a core of doctrinal truths–truths like God is loving, sovereign, and holy; God created the world and created it good; as a result of Adam’s sin humans are bent toward evil; Jesus Christ was God’s Son, begotten not created; Jesus suffered and died on the cross for sins and rose again on the third day; the Holy Spirit is God and fills us with power, enables us to believe, equips us with gifts, and bears fruit in our lives; the Bible is God’s word; Jesus is coming again to judge the living and the dead, and justification is by faith alone...
...What makes a Christian crusty? A number of things. For starters, it’s an attitude. It’s a demeanor where being Calvinist or paedobaptist or inerrantist (three things I am gladly) are put on like armor or wielded like weapons, when they are meant to be the warm glow of a Christian whose core radiates with love for Christ and the gospel. I believe in theological distinctives–I believe in them and I believe it is good to have them–but if the distinctives are not manifestly the flower of gospel root, the buds aren’t worth the blooming.
A second mark of crusty Christians is approachability, as in, not having any. There is a sizing up-ness that makes some theological types unnecessarily prickly. They are bright and opinionated and quickly analytical. As a result, knowingly or unknowingly, they emit a vibe which communicates something between “You Max Lucado reading moron!” and “I wish R.C. Sproul were here to teach you a thing or two!”...
...Our theological heart, if it is worth anything, will pulse throughout our spiritual bodies, making us into someone more prayerful, more godly, and more passionate about the Bible, the lost, and the world around us. We will be theologically solid to the core, without the unnecessary crust.
1. Do we actually care about evangelism? The plight of the lost should break our hearts and the opportunity to share the gospel should be a delight.
2. Do we wear smallness as a badge of honor? "Successful" ministries are not always sell-outs and small churches are sometimes just not very healthy.
3. Are our passions in the right proportion? It's fine to be passionate about our view on baptism, as long as this passion does not outshine our passion for the cross, the Trinity, and the glory of Christ.
4. Do we (or our pastors) preach with personal, passionate, pleading? The truths we believe are not for dissecting as much as for heralding with joy and humble intercession.
5. Do we know ourselves? We need to understand our gifts, our personalities, our strengths and weaknesses. We need to be ok with who we are and not try to be Driscoll, Piper, Keller, or anyone else. A sense of humor also helps. The Lord probably laughs at us on occasion so we should be able to laugh at ourselves.
6. Are we fighting the battles that matter most in our context? Don't spend gobs of time preaching on the emergent church if no one in your church has heard of it. Don't waste a lot of time defending the Pauline authorship of Ephesians if no one around you has ever thought anything different. Understand the issues of worldliness and disobedience that most affect your friends, church, and family.
Speaking of C.J. Mahaney, who has an extensive past with illegal drugs, he had an interesting post today on the Michael Phelps bong picture and associated stories about it. I respect C.J.'s opinion anyway, but even more so on this issue. When it comes to pot (and worse drugs), C.J. knows what he's talking about (see his testimony below). He knows the empty promises drugs make.
The photograph of Phelps reminds me of myself prior to conversion, a competitive swimmer (of slightly lesser skill), a sinner (of greater degree), held captive by sin, pursuing the fleeting pleasures of this world. And sadly, in my case, pursuing sin with passion.
So what was Phelps searching for in that bong pipe? What emptiness in his soul was he trying to satisfy?
Once again we are reminded that athletic gifting, championship trophies, gold medals, and million dollar endorsement deals cannot satisfy the soul...
...It was Augustine who said that the soul is restless until it finds its rest in God. So true. Only God can satisfy the soul. Only the gospel of Jesus Christ provides forgiveness of sin, and therefore it is here in this gospel that we find rest for our restless souls.
Study the unflattering picture of Michael Phelps to be reminded of the deceitfulness of sin and the superficiality of fame and money. But also study the picture to be reminded of the message of Christ and him crucified for restless sinners like you, and me, and Michael Phelps.
Here's a clip from one of C.J.'s sermon during which he gives his personal testimony outlining his past sin and how he came to be a Christian:
As part of a series of "Don't Waste Your ______" done at Covenant Life Church, C.J. Mahaney preached a sermon entitled, "Don't Waste Your Sports." I had this sermon on my iPod and listened to some of it on my way into work this morning. Needless to say, I wish I would have heard a sermon like this much earlier in my life, as I have for years turned sports into one of my biggest idols, but I'm glad I heard it before my son is near the age of playing sports.
C.J. is a huge sports fan, but is able to be that in a way that glorifies God and builds godly character in him and his children. I hope by God's grace to grow into more of this kind of person and raise children who will put the gift of sports in it's proper place in their lives.
Below are a few clips from the sermon. You can also purchase the DVD from Sovereign Grace Ministries website for $9. This is something I want to have around to learn from and watch with my son later. Also check out Stephen Altrogge's book, Game Day for the Glory of God. Similar ideas and a great book.
In our small group bible study, Leah and I are studying John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life. I've read it before, but Piper never fails to really challenge me in many areas. The chapter for this week was about money, possessions, and time and how we use them to bring honor and glory to Christ (or not, as is the case most of the time with me).
Piper basically walks through his "wartime lifestyle" philosophy and compares the Christian life to making sacrifices during wartime so the war can ultimately be won. People are willing to make great sacrifices when something like the continuation of democracy is on the line. How much more, then, should we sacrifice when the glory of God and the eternal salvation of others is what's on the line?
How we use our money, possessions, and even our time reflects the value we put on these higher missions. When I spend hours in front of my TV, Christ does not look valuable to the rest of the world. He's something I do on the side, but in reality, I'm just like everyone else in what I value. There's no real difference between what I'm practically valuing and what the world values. I've been very convicted by this realization.
As I thought through these things last night and this morning, a song by Matt Papa came to mind. It's called "Where Is The Difference." Basically, he deals with the idea that we are called to be holy, "set apart." In reality, though, we look just like everyone else. I was rebuked and challenged by this, and just thought I would share the lyrics and a quick video from Matt about the story behind the song and his thought process in writing it. You can go listen to the song at his site or on iTunes.
Ex 20:1-6, Ezek 16:1-35, Matt 5:13-16, Matt 16:24, Matt 28:19-20, John 14:15, Rom 10:14-17, 2 Cor 2:14-16, Eph 5:23, 30, Col 1:18, 1 Pet 2:9, 1 John 2:15-17, Rev 3:16
Hello, my bride, how are you doing? It’s been a while cause You’ve been busy Idols have turned your heart from me Oh my hands and feet My love, how can it be?
Body of Christ, more like a whore You love this world and you call me Lord I shed my blood for your sins The ones you’re living in When are you gonna repent?
Do you still love me Yeah cause it don’t really show
Oh, where is your heart? You say that you’re set apart If you really love me Where is the difference?
Light of the world, why aren’t you shining? Salt of the earth, have you become tasteless? Fragrance of Mine, in the world But not of the world No you’re not of this world
Oh, where is the light? The hope you are hoarding inside If you really love me Where is the difference?
If you love me, keep my commands If you follow me, deny yourself If you love this world, then you don’t love me If you are lukewarm, then you make me sick If you don’t speak, how will they know? If you don’t preach, how will they believe? If you don’t go, how will they call my name? Oh I long for them to call my name But you gotta go, you gotta go, you gotta go
Yeah it’s up to you now, it’s up to you Oh my hands and feet yeah it’s up to you The victory’s sure but I’ve chosen you now
So go into all the earth Declaring the Father’s love If you really love me Why don’t you share it? Where is the difference? Where is the difference? Is there a difference?
Have to say congratulations to my friend Joe Herbert on winning the Doritos Super Bowl commercial contest last night. His commercial was aired during the game and by winning the contest, they won $1 Million! Pretty amazing that a spot filmed in Batesville, Indiana was able to beat entries from NY and LA.
