Sunday as people process forward for communion, there will be a receptacle for offerings given to benefit the people Haiti & Tanzania. Folks from CCC will be journeying to these countries in October with the goal of encouragement.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
The Body of Christ, Broken for You
Sunday we will share in the Lord's Supper together during the 10am service. Please begin meditating upon the love of God in Christ for you... and what a loving response to that would look like.
sex and the goodness of God
an excellent lecture by Ben Patterson is available here:
http://www.desiringgod.org/Events/NationalConferences/Archives/2004/
http://www.desiringgod.org/Events/NationalConferences/Archives/2004/
Learning from History
I'm writing this from Fredericksburg, Virginia. I'm touring Civil War historic spots this week with my son, Andrew. You'll be hearing more about this in weeks to come... but one thing stood out from y'day. Confederate President Jeff Davis and USA Pres. Lincoln both seem to have had genuine conversions to Christ FOLLOWING the death of a son. We toured the Confederate White House in Richmond where Davis' 5 year old son plunged to his death from a balcony-porch. Lincoln lost his son to illness. Our tour guide gave testimony from the ministers who knew these men.... of the reality of the gospel in their lives after these tragedys. It does seem that trials send us running toward or away from God.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Example
How do you affirm others, even the resources of other religions--and yet present Jesus Christ as the only hope?
Tim Keller of Redeemer Pres. Manhattan spoke to an "interfaith" gathering for the 5 year anniversary of 9-11. On hand was Pres. Bush... and here's a transcript.
Name Pending: Tim Keller- A way to speak to a diverse audience on "the why question in the face of relentless tragedies and injustices."
Tim Keller of Redeemer Pres. Manhattan spoke to an "interfaith" gathering for the 5 year anniversary of 9-11. On hand was Pres. Bush... and here's a transcript.
Name Pending: Tim Keller- A way to speak to a diverse audience on "the why question in the face of relentless tragedies and injustices."
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Loving God with our Minds
Last Sunday I tried to draw out from Romans 12:1-2 that having our mind renewed was more than simply thinking clearly, logically, and correctly. It involves these things PLUS loving/cherishing what you are thinking clearly about.
Would have been great if i'd thought to say, "Put this in terms of a relationship. MEn, you must know much information and truth about your wife's likes & dislikes, hopes, plans, etc.... but loving your wife is more than being able to pass a pop quiz on her. It is cherishing all these things that you are writing down correctly on the test!"
Would have been great if i'd thought to say, "Put this in terms of a relationship. MEn, you must know much information and truth about your wife's likes & dislikes, hopes, plans, etc.... but loving your wife is more than being able to pass a pop quiz on her. It is cherishing all these things that you are writing down correctly on the test!"
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
The Christian way is different: harder, and easier. Christ says, “Give me All. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You… No half-measures are any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down… Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked – the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours.”
by CS Lewis
by CS Lewis
Sexual Abuse & The Wounded Heart
Here's a link to part 1 of an audio conversation with Dr. Dan Allender. He's very helpful at applying the gospel of grace to deep darkness and places of sorrow.
The Kindlings Muse � Dan Allender, The Wounded Heart.� Podcast: Journeys Interview Segment 1 of 4
The Kindlings Muse � Dan Allender, The Wounded Heart.� Podcast: Journeys Interview Segment 1 of 4
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Keep us from just singing
There is a song i learned last year that has been coming back to my mind as we have dwelled on all of life being worship...
Jesus, You have called us
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go....stepping forward--keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go (Tim Hughes, i think)
Jesus, You have called us
Freely we've received
Now freely we will give
We must go live to feed the hungry
Stand beside the broken
We must go....stepping forward--keep us from just singing
Move us into action
We must go (Tim Hughes, i think)
psalm 29
Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
ESV Bible Online: Passage: psalm 29
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.
ESV Bible Online: Passage: psalm 29
Monday, September 18, 2006
DID YOU KNOW?
Our church website consists of...
1. A Church Directory with phone numbers & email addresses
you will need to call the church office for the username & password
2. Audio Files of Sunday Morning Sermons
3. Audio Files of Sunday Morning Announcements
4. Photographs from recent events
5. "Week At A Glance"
6. Update Your Information Form
7. PDF's of all printed materials
8. Directions to the Popular Places we meet
These are just a few of the many recourses available on our website. Visit us @ www.christcommunitychurch.com!
1. A Church Directory with phone numbers & email addresses
you will need to call the church office for the username & password
2. Audio Files of Sunday Morning Sermons
3. Audio Files of Sunday Morning Announcements
4. Photographs from recent events
5. "Week At A Glance"
6. Update Your Information Form
7. PDF's of all printed materials
8. Directions to the Popular Places we meet
These are just a few of the many recourses available on our website. Visit us @ www.christcommunitychurch.com!
Missional Living in the Suburbs
Here's an excerpt, then a link to an article about a book:
I remember back when I was a kid, during the Cold War '80s, people worried about Soviet communism threatening Christianity. And I thought, never mind communism - our Christianity is already being challenged by suburban secularism, deism, isolationism, materialism and consumerism. We just have a harder time noticing those things.
Between Two Worlds: Burbs Blog
I remember back when I was a kid, during the Cold War '80s, people worried about Soviet communism threatening Christianity. And I thought, never mind communism - our Christianity is already being challenged by suburban secularism, deism, isolationism, materialism and consumerism. We just have a harder time noticing those things.
Between Two Worlds: Burbs Blog
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Sunday September 17
As Christ Community gathers tomorrow...
9am Classes for all ages
10 weekly corporate worship
9am Classes for all ages
10 weekly corporate worship
Friday, September 15, 2006
Gospel Brokeness... to be sought
"Jesus shines the light of the gospel on us both to expose our brokenness and to bring us to brokenness. I guess we should call this gospel brokenness, because only the gospel of God's grace can enable us to be completely honest about our stuff without falling into toxic shame or self-contempt. And only the Gospel can humble us, soften us, and give us the power to repent—or at least, not run away or rant.
When followers of Jesus walk openly in this kind of brokenness—gospel brokenness—angels in heaven rejoice, and people without faith, or those with much cynicism about Christians, are likely to reconsider who Jesus is. Write this down: no greater beauty can be found at any point or any place in God's story than the times when God's people manifest this gospel brokenness—for that is where God's glory is revealed most clearly." Scotty Smith, Restoring Broken Things
When followers of Jesus walk openly in this kind of brokenness—gospel brokenness—angels in heaven rejoice, and people without faith, or those with much cynicism about Christians, are likely to reconsider who Jesus is. Write this down: no greater beauty can be found at any point or any place in God's story than the times when God's people manifest this gospel brokenness—for that is where God's glory is revealed most clearly." Scotty Smith, Restoring Broken Things
News from the Field? Ugh
Old way Christendom churches passed on to pass on news from missionarys:
"Here is some news from the mission field."
New way that Missional Churches and Christians should pass on similar news:
"Here is some news and ways to pray from a friend of ours doing the same thing across the globe that we're trying to do in Gainesville."
Feel the difference? Less catchy, but much more Biblical.
Click below for rest Immediate prayer requests:
PROVISION:
Currently we're looking for three apartments to live in this year - a 4 bedroom, a 3 bedroom, and a 2 bedroom, each furnished, and all within walking distance. Anyone who has looked for housing in a university city in September knows the difficulty before us. Currently we're working with four real estate agents and 5 websites, and the local newspaper listings come out today.
WISDOM:
Since this is the first time there are more than four of us on campus together, we are discussing how we should identify ourselves. How do we know each other (11 people from 6 different countries)? Why are we in the country together? This discussion involves a lot of complexity- the dangers of presenting ourselves fully as missionaries and, on the other hand, the impropriety of misleading people.
"Here is some news from the mission field."
New way that Missional Churches and Christians should pass on similar news:
"Here is some news and ways to pray from a friend of ours doing the same thing across the globe that we're trying to do in Gainesville."
Feel the difference? Less catchy, but much more Biblical.
Click below for rest Immediate prayer requests:
PROVISION:
Currently we're looking for three apartments to live in this year - a 4 bedroom, a 3 bedroom, and a 2 bedroom, each furnished, and all within walking distance. Anyone who has looked for housing in a university city in September knows the difficulty before us. Currently we're working with four real estate agents and 5 websites, and the local newspaper listings come out today.
WISDOM:
Since this is the first time there are more than four of us on campus together, we are discussing how we should identify ourselves. How do we know each other (11 people from 6 different countries)? Why are we in the country together? This discussion involves a lot of complexity- the dangers of presenting ourselves fully as missionaries and, on the other hand, the impropriety of misleading people.
O Worship the King
All glorious above
O Gratefully sing His pow'r and His love
Our shield and defender,
The Ancient of Days!
Pavilioned in splendor
And girded with praise
It is with these words we will sing Praise together. Get the worship folder here
http://www.christcommunitychurch.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=20&Itemid=75
All glorious above
O Gratefully sing His pow'r and His love
Our shield and defender,
The Ancient of Days!
Pavilioned in splendor
And girded with praise
It is with these words we will sing Praise together. Get the worship folder here
http://www.christcommunitychurch.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=20&Itemid=75
Suffering and the Sovereignty of God - Book endorsement
For all who don’t live a charmed life, for all who have given themselves to the point of exhaustion, for all who have been betrayed by pious back-stabbers, for all who wonder if they can even go on, Suffering and the Sovereignty of God will be green pastures and deep, still waters. The wisdom of this book stands forth like a kind friend, pointing us to the Crucified and Triumphant One, who says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Raymond C. Ortlund, Jr.
Suffering and the Sovereignty of God - John Piper (Editor), Justin Taylor (Editor)
Raymond C. Ortlund, Jr.
Suffering and the Sovereignty of God - John Piper (Editor), Justin Taylor (Editor)
Gospel Preaching Always Gets Accused of...
(by Preaching he means on sunday by a preacher to a crowd or tuesday by a normal Christian to a friend...)
The true preaching of the gospel of salvation by grace alone always leads to the possibility of this charge being brought against it. There is no better test as to whether a man is really preaching the New Testament gospel of salvation than this, that some people might misunderstand it and misinterpret it to mean that it really amounts to this, that because you are saved by grace alone it does not matter at all what you do; you can go on sinning as much as you like because it will redound all the more to the glory of grace. If my preaching and presentation of the gospel of salvation does not expose it to that misunderstanding, then it is not the gospel. Let me show you what I mean.
If a man preaches justification by works, no one would ever raise this question. If a man’s preaching is, ‘If you want to be Christians, and if you want to go to heaven, you must stop committing sins, you must take up good works, and if you do so regularly and constantly, and do not fail to keep on at it, you will make yourselves Christians, you will reconcile yourselves to God and you will go to heaven’. Obviously a man who preaches in that strain would never be liable to this misunderstanding. Nobody would say to such a man, ‘Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?’, because the man’s whole emphasis is just this, that if you go on sinning you are certain to be damned, and only if you stop sinning can you save yourselves. So that misunderstanding could never arise . . . . . .
Nobody has ever brought this charge against the Church of Rome, but it was brought frequently against Martin Luther; indeed that was precisely what the Church of Rome said about the preaching of Martin Luther. They said, ‘This man who was a priest has changed the doctrine in order to justify his own marriage and his own lust’, and so on. ‘This man’, they said, ‘is an antinomian; and that is heresy.’ That is the very charge they brought against him. It was also brought George Whitfield two hundred years ago. It is the charge that formal dead Christianity – if there is such a thing – has always brought against this startling, staggering message, that God ‘justifies the ungodly’ . . .
That is my comment and it is a very important comment for preachers. I would say to all preachers: If your preaching of salvation has not been misunderstood in that way, then you had better examine your sermons again, and you had better make sure that you are really preaching the salvation that is offered in the New Testament to the ungodly, the sinner, to those who are dead in trespasses and sins, to those who are enemies of God. There is this kind of dangerous element about the true presentation of the doctrine of salvation.
This is from Lloyd-Jones commentary on Romans 6, pp 8-9, and was quoted by Chuck Swindoll in his book The Grace Awakening, pp. 39-40.
The true preaching of the gospel of salvation by grace alone always leads to the possibility of this charge being brought against it. There is no better test as to whether a man is really preaching the New Testament gospel of salvation than this, that some people might misunderstand it and misinterpret it to mean that it really amounts to this, that because you are saved by grace alone it does not matter at all what you do; you can go on sinning as much as you like because it will redound all the more to the glory of grace. If my preaching and presentation of the gospel of salvation does not expose it to that misunderstanding, then it is not the gospel. Let me show you what I mean.
If a man preaches justification by works, no one would ever raise this question. If a man’s preaching is, ‘If you want to be Christians, and if you want to go to heaven, you must stop committing sins, you must take up good works, and if you do so regularly and constantly, and do not fail to keep on at it, you will make yourselves Christians, you will reconcile yourselves to God and you will go to heaven’. Obviously a man who preaches in that strain would never be liable to this misunderstanding. Nobody would say to such a man, ‘Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?’, because the man’s whole emphasis is just this, that if you go on sinning you are certain to be damned, and only if you stop sinning can you save yourselves. So that misunderstanding could never arise . . . . . .
Nobody has ever brought this charge against the Church of Rome, but it was brought frequently against Martin Luther; indeed that was precisely what the Church of Rome said about the preaching of Martin Luther. They said, ‘This man who was a priest has changed the doctrine in order to justify his own marriage and his own lust’, and so on. ‘This man’, they said, ‘is an antinomian; and that is heresy.’ That is the very charge they brought against him. It was also brought George Whitfield two hundred years ago. It is the charge that formal dead Christianity – if there is such a thing – has always brought against this startling, staggering message, that God ‘justifies the ungodly’ . . .
That is my comment and it is a very important comment for preachers. I would say to all preachers: If your preaching of salvation has not been misunderstood in that way, then you had better examine your sermons again, and you had better make sure that you are really preaching the salvation that is offered in the New Testament to the ungodly, the sinner, to those who are dead in trespasses and sins, to those who are enemies of God. There is this kind of dangerous element about the true presentation of the doctrine of salvation.
This is from Lloyd-Jones commentary on Romans 6, pp 8-9, and was quoted by Chuck Swindoll in his book The Grace Awakening, pp. 39-40.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Gospel Freedom from Hypocrisy
If I am afraid to let others see the reality of sin in my life, my marriage, my children—it is because I am a slave to the god of “the esteem of man” and that god is a cruel tyrant. I have watched sin gain strength in my life and in the lives of others because they were too committed to their good image. Marriage conflicts became roots of bitterness—resistant children became hard hearted rebels—occasional lust became “addiction” to pornography—all because they are more committed to their image than to the truth about their sin in the presence of the Savior and his people. -M.Lauterbach
rest of article
rest of article
Worship God! resources
Couple o' resources on worshipping God:
1. a Very challenging article on preparing our children for Sunday's meeting:
http://blog.togetherforthegospel.org/2006/03/fathers_and_son.html
and
2. the seminary class I took on Christian Worship is available online
http://www.covenantseminary.edu/worldwide/en/PT330/PT330.asp
1. a Very challenging article on preparing our children for Sunday's meeting:
http://blog.togetherforthegospel.org/2006/03/fathers_and_son.html
and
2. the seminary class I took on Christian Worship is available online
http://www.covenantseminary.edu/worldwide/en/PT330/PT330.asp
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Nature or Disease?
Under the Gospel He looks not upon the weakness of saints as their wickedness, and therefore He pities them. Sin makes those who are under the law the objects of God’s hatred. Sin in a believer makes him the object of God’s pity. Men, you know, hate poison in a snake, but pity it in a man. In the one it is their nature, in the other their disease. Sin in a wicked man is as poison in a snake; God hates it and him; it is the man’s nature. But sin in a child of God is like poison in a man; God pities him. He pities the saints for sins and infirmities, but hates the wicked. It is the nature of the one, the disease of the other.
True Christian Freedom by Samuel Bolton
True Christian Freedom by Samuel Bolton
Life’s Not Supposed To Suck
The article i'm linking is a FABULOUS introduction to one of our adult classes that starts Sunday--the class I'm NOT teaching... read the article, devour the class, join the revolution--9am sunday
Life’s Not Supposed To Suck
Life’s Not Supposed To Suck
Why my car radio ain't set on "Christian" radio
Is Mary J. Blige a Christian? Is U2 a Christian band? As my young children have begun to pick up a taste for music... (and they have at least one foot deeply in the "Christian subculture"--which can be very dangerous spiritually)... they start to ask me questions like these.
How do you begin to answer this question?
Here is a 2 minute video that helps explain...national2006_driscoll_interview12.mov (video/quicktime Object)
and here's my personal answer
There is no such thing as "Christian" music. There are songs that are true and songs that are not true. Songs that are true, whether they are written or sung by a person who has a personal relationship with Jesus or not!--are to be approved, enjoyed, meditated upon, and learned from
Songs that are not true, even if written by Billy Graham himself! or some cool "Christian" band... these are to be rejected, and definately not taking up space on your ipod.
So Dad, you mean I have to think when i'm listening to music? Uh-huh (as John Mellancamp once said!)
Derek Webb has a great line in his song NEW LAW that gets at the weird desire Christians have to turn their brains off.
Examples:
If you've never heard Alanis Morrisette sing "Precious Illusions"
then you are missing out on perhaps THE BEST capturing of the unrealistic expectations we humans can bring into our relationships.... And the last time i check alanis was still rejecting her Roman Catholic upbringing
Conversely...
Developing...
How do you begin to answer this question?
Here is a 2 minute video that helps explain...national2006_driscoll_interview12.mov (video/quicktime Object)
and here's my personal answer
There is no such thing as "Christian" music. There are songs that are true and songs that are not true. Songs that are true, whether they are written or sung by a person who has a personal relationship with Jesus or not!--are to be approved, enjoyed, meditated upon, and learned from
Songs that are not true, even if written by Billy Graham himself! or some cool "Christian" band... these are to be rejected, and definately not taking up space on your ipod.
So Dad, you mean I have to think when i'm listening to music? Uh-huh (as John Mellancamp once said!)
Derek Webb has a great line in his song NEW LAW that gets at the weird desire Christians have to turn their brains off.
Don’'t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music
don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law
i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me
just label my music
don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law
i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me
Examples:
If you've never heard Alanis Morrisette sing "Precious Illusions"
then you are missing out on perhaps THE BEST capturing of the unrealistic expectations we humans can bring into our relationships.... And the last time i check alanis was still rejecting her Roman Catholic upbringing
Conversely...
Developing...
Marriage
That one word, depending on your current status and/or experience... can evoke all kinds of emotional responses. Joy-JOY!, Someday?, Ugh, Fear, Stability, et al
From time to time i need to make you aware of tremendous resources. You are:
~in conversations with married friends
~married yourself
~hoping to be married
THESE TALKS ARE FOR YOU!
Tim Keller did a 10 sermon series on marriage that is, in many circles, like Monty Python--a cult classic. Well, here he boils them all down into an hour lecture followed by an hour Q&A. And better yet, you get the insights of his godly & gifted wife, Kathy. If you can't afford to purchase (i'm guessing $5-7 is total)--but really want/need to hear this data... let us know at church office and we'll help you make arrangements.Cultivating a Healthy Marriage
From time to time i need to make you aware of tremendous resources. You are:
~in conversations with married friends
~married yourself
~hoping to be married
THESE TALKS ARE FOR YOU!
Tim Keller did a 10 sermon series on marriage that is, in many circles, like Monty Python--a cult classic. Well, here he boils them all down into an hour lecture followed by an hour Q&A. And better yet, you get the insights of his godly & gifted wife, Kathy. If you can't afford to purchase (i'm guessing $5-7 is total)--but really want/need to hear this data... let us know at church office and we'll help you make arrangements.Cultivating a Healthy Marriage
Monday, September 11, 2006
Discipleship Course Reminders
Fellas, and Ladies...
1. Completed lessons 1-6 in GT
2. Come strong with Romans 3 passage
3. Read ch.1 of WCF, which you could read here
see ya wednesday at hope 7:15pm
1. Completed lessons 1-6 in GT
2. Come strong with Romans 3 passage
3. Read ch.1 of WCF, which you could read here
see ya wednesday at hope 7:15pm
Romans 12:1
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.
Not slavish fear, but child-like love
Y'day when ranting about the difference between offering yourself 24/7 to God ALREADY HAVING His acceptance & favor ....rather than FOR His acceptance & favor... i had this quote in mind:
The liberty which Christ has purchased for believers under the Gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, and condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law; and, in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin; from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, the victory of the grace, and everlasting damnation; as also, in their free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto Him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love and willing mind.
The liberty which Christ has purchased for believers under the Gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, and condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law; and, in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin; from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, the victory of the grace, and everlasting damnation; as also, in their free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto Him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love and willing mind.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
A Renewed Mind Improves Your Taste
The root of Christian living in verse 2 is a profoundly renewed mind. It doesn't just think clearly, but assesses truly and values accurately and approves strongly and treasures passionately what is good, acceptable and perfect.
The word PROVE… It has two implications: one is the idea of testing and proving something's value. And the other idea is the capacity to assess it and approve of a value when you see it. It is very hard in English to bring out both these ideas with one word. The NIV does it in fact by using two words. It refers to the renewing of your mind, then says, "Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is." That is the full idea. Test and approve. So what is the root issue in verse 2? The root issue is more than right thinking. It is right valuing. Not just right proving, but right approving. Not just right testing, but treasuring. Let me see if I can help you see the difference like this.
<> It would be possible, perhaps to teach an uneducated person to recognize some of the traits of gold without his knowing how valuable gold is. So you might give him a job panning gold with you in a stream and pay him a dollar an hour while he accurately tests the yellow stones and tosses thousands of dollars worth of gold nuggets into your bag.
That is not the kind of renewal Paul is talking about. He is not saying: read enough books or listen to enough tapes or sermons so that you can spot a good deed when you see it and then work up the discipline to do it. He is saying, be renewed so deeply in your mind that you not only can test and spot gold when you see it, but also love gold - approve gold, treasure gold. That's what the word means. (See Romans 1:28; 14:22; 1 Corinthians 16:3.)
Now you can see that the renewal involved is more than a logic lesson. If you want to find out if a certain material is sweet, you might reason logically: it is brown, gooey, comes from a bee hive, crystallizes if you drop water in it, and makes the eyes a two-year-old light up if you put it on toast. Therefore, you infer, it must be honey, and honey is sweet. That is not the main way Romans 12:2 means for you to find the will of God.
The way to know if this material is sweet, is by the power of taste, not logic.The root of Christian living in verse 2 is a profoundly renewed mind. It doesn't just think clearly, but assesses truly and values accurately and approves strongly and treasures passionately what is good, acceptable and perfect.
The word PROVE… It has two implications: one is the idea of testing and proving something's value. And the other idea is the capacity to assess it and approve of a value when you see it. It is very hard in English to bring out both these ideas with one word. The NIV does it in fact by using two words. It refers to the renewing of your mind, then says, "Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is." That is the full idea. Test and approve. So what is the root issue in verse 2? The root issue is more than right thinking. It is right valuing. Not just right proving, but right approving. Not just right testing, but treasuring. Let me see if I can help you see the difference like this.
<> It would be possible, perhaps to teach an uneducated person to recognize some of the traits of gold without his knowing how valuable gold is. So you might give him a job panning gold with you in a stream and pay him a dollar an hour while he accurately tests the yellow stones and tosses thousands of dollars worth of gold nuggets into your bag.
That is not the kind of renewal Paul is talking about. He is not saying: read enough books or listen to enough tapes or sermons so that you can spot a good deed when you see it and then work up the discipline to do it. He is saying, be renewed so deeply in your mind that you not only can test and spot gold when you see it, but also love gold - approve gold, treasure gold. That's what the word means. (See Romans 1:28; 14:22; 1 Corinthians 16:3.)
Now you can see that the renewal involved is more than a logic lesson. If you want to find out if a certain material is sweet, you might reason logically: it is brown, gooey, comes from a bee hive, crystallizes if you drop water in it, and makes the eyes a two-year-old light up if you put it on toast. Therefore, you infer, it must be honey, and honey is sweet. That is not the main way Romans 12:2 means for you to find the will of God.
The way to know if this material is sweet, is by the power of taste, not logic.The root of Christian living in verse 2 is a profoundly renewed mind. It doesn't just think clearly, but assesses truly and values accurately and approves strongly and treasures passionately what is good, acceptable and perfect.
Blessed Be The Name of The LORD
It´s really a song born out of the whole of ´life´, a realisation that we will all face seasons of pain or unease. And in these seasons we will need to find our voice before God. The church (and indeed the world) needs its songs of lament.
A few weeks after 9/11, we wrote the worship song ´Blessed be Your Name´. It wasn´t written consciously in response to those dark events, but no doubt being immersed in the spiritual and emotional climate of those days was an important factor in birthing it. Many people ask if there was a particular life event which triggered off the writing of this song, and in all truth the answer is no. It´s really a song born out of the whole of ´life´, a realisation that we will all face seasons of pain or unease. And in these seasons we will need to find our voice before God. The church (and indeed the world) needs its songs of lament.
The people of God have always had their laments. The Psalms are filled with a whole host of intense emotions and expressions towards God. So many of them were birthed in times of suffering and struggle. Psalm 3 was written as King David fled for his life from his own son Absalom. Psalm 56 was inspired when the Philistines seized him in Gath. In Psalm 57 he´s on the run again, this time from King Saul, and wrote the song whilst hiding in a cave. These are songs formed in the fire of affliction. They are the desperate cries of a worshipper on the road marked with suffering. In fact, Eugene Peterson estimates that around 70% of content in the Psalms is lament-based.
Clearly therefore, songs of lament are a very biblical thing to sing in worship. Yet they are also a relevant thing to sing, for we live in a world full of anguish and heartache. As Christians, yes we live in victory, but in paradox we also exist as strangers in a foreign land, aching for home, and knowing deep within us that the world we see before is not as it should be. So the question is this: if songs of lament are firstly thoroughly biblical, and secondly extremely relevant, then why on earth are there not more songs to help us voice these heart-cries? As Frederich W. Schmidt Jr writes, these Psalms do three things:
´They give us permission to ask our own questions about suffering. They model the capacity to ask questions we might otherwise suppress, but can never escape. And they model how those questions might be asked without fear of compromising our relationship with God or with other people.´
Matt and Beth Redman
A few weeks after 9/11, we wrote the worship song ´Blessed be Your Name´. It wasn´t written consciously in response to those dark events, but no doubt being immersed in the spiritual and emotional climate of those days was an important factor in birthing it. Many people ask if there was a particular life event which triggered off the writing of this song, and in all truth the answer is no. It´s really a song born out of the whole of ´life´, a realisation that we will all face seasons of pain or unease. And in these seasons we will need to find our voice before God. The church (and indeed the world) needs its songs of lament.
The people of God have always had their laments. The Psalms are filled with a whole host of intense emotions and expressions towards God. So many of them were birthed in times of suffering and struggle. Psalm 3 was written as King David fled for his life from his own son Absalom. Psalm 56 was inspired when the Philistines seized him in Gath. In Psalm 57 he´s on the run again, this time from King Saul, and wrote the song whilst hiding in a cave. These are songs formed in the fire of affliction. They are the desperate cries of a worshipper on the road marked with suffering. In fact, Eugene Peterson estimates that around 70% of content in the Psalms is lament-based.
Clearly therefore, songs of lament are a very biblical thing to sing in worship. Yet they are also a relevant thing to sing, for we live in a world full of anguish and heartache. As Christians, yes we live in victory, but in paradox we also exist as strangers in a foreign land, aching for home, and knowing deep within us that the world we see before is not as it should be. So the question is this: if songs of lament are firstly thoroughly biblical, and secondly extremely relevant, then why on earth are there not more songs to help us voice these heart-cries? As Frederich W. Schmidt Jr writes, these Psalms do three things:
´They give us permission to ask our own questions about suffering. They model the capacity to ask questions we might otherwise suppress, but can never escape. And they model how those questions might be asked without fear of compromising our relationship with God or with other people.´
Matt and Beth Redman
Friday, September 08, 2006
The Whole Mass
Romans 12 says for us to offer our bodies to God...
"By bodies he means not only our bones and skin, but the whole mass of which we are composed." --John Calvin
"By bodies he means not only our bones and skin, but the whole mass of which we are composed." --John Calvin
Children, Parents, Teachers, 9am Starts
Since this Sunday is when children and parents can meet our lineup of teachers and see the great curriculum we're using... I thought it would be helpful for parents to be encouraged & reminded.
The reason your sense of inadequacy (to teach children) should not stop you is that some tremendously valuable things can be taught when you don't know the answer to a child's hard question. I can think of two. You can teach your child humility. If you are secure enough in God to show your ignorance rather than bluff and be a hypocrite, your child learns the beauty of humility. --John Piper
9am in the Student Center, Sunday
The reason your sense of inadequacy (to teach children) should not stop you is that some tremendously valuable things can be taught when you don't know the answer to a child's hard question. I can think of two. You can teach your child humility. If you are secure enough in God to show your ignorance rather than bluff and be a hypocrite, your child learns the beauty of humility. --John Piper
9am in the Student Center, Sunday
Thursday, September 07, 2006
an interview w/ the drummer from "The Fray"
2 weeks ago i had never heard of THE FRAY... then my son (yes it is amazing to be at this stage) introduces me to one of their songs... then that nite at MANLAND (all hail Adam Means!) I see that THE FRAY has a song used in a promo of a huge hit show (some show about doctors on same network as D.H'wives)... so now I'm alive to the Fray--- that's more than you need
RELEVANT MAGAZINE
RELEVANT MAGAZINE
Wednesday Discipleship recap.
Here are the extended quotes Rob read in Discipleship Course wednesday night:
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All divine life, and all the precious fruits of it, pardon, peace, and holiness, spring from the cross.... Holiness as well as pardon is to be had from the blood of the cross.... All fancied sanctification which does not arise wholly from the blood of the cross is nothing better than Pharisaism.... If we would be holy, we must get to the cross, and dwell there; else, notwithstanding all our labor and diligence, and fasting, and praying, and good works, we shall be yet void of real sanctification, destitute of those humble, gracious tempers which accompany a clear view of the cross."
--BERRIDGE'S Letters
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False ideas of holiness are common, not only among those who profess false religions, but among those who profess the true. For holiness is a thing of which man by nature has no more idea than a blind man has of the beauty of a flower or the light of the sun. All false religions have had their "holy men," whose holiness often consisted merely in the amount of pain they could inflict upon their bodies, or of food which they could abstain from, or of hard labor which they could undergo. But with God, a saint or holy man is a very different being.
It is in filial, full-hearted love to God that much of true holiness consists. And this cannot even begin to be until the sinner has found forgiveness and tasted liberty, and has confidence towards God. The spirit of holiness is incompatible with the spirit of bondage. There must be the spirit of liberty, the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. When the fountain of holiness begins to well up in the human heart, and to fill the whole being with its transforming, purifying power, "We have known and believed the love that God has to us" (1 John 4:16) is the first note of the holy song, which, commenced on earth, is to be perpetuated through eternity.
We are bought with a price, that we may be new creatures in Christ Jesus. We are forgiven, that we may be like Him who forgives us. We are set at liberty and brought out of prison, that we may be holy. The free, boundless love of God, pouring itself into us, expands and elevates our whole being; and we serve Him, not in order to win His favour, but because we have already won it in simply believing His record concerning His Son. If the root is holy, so are the branches.
We have become connected with the holy root, and by the necessity of this connection are made holy too.
Forgiveness relaxes no law, nor interferes with the highest justice.
Human pardons may often do so: God's pardons never.
Forgiveness doubles all our bonds to a holy life; only they are no longer bonds of iron, but of gold. It takes off the heavy yoke, in order to give us the light and easy.
The love of God to us, and our love to God, work together for producing holiness in us.
Terror accomplishes no real obedience.
Suspense brings forth no fruit unto holiness. Only the certainty of love, forgiving love, can do this. It is this certainty that melts the heart, dissolves our chains, disburdens our shoulders, so that we stand erect, and makes us to run in the way of the divine commandments.
Free and warm reception into the divine favor is the strongest of all motives in leading someone to seek conformity to Him who has thus freely forgiven him all trespasses.
--H. Bonar
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No gloomy uncertainty as to God’s favor can subdue one lust, or correct our crookedness of will. But the free pardon of the cross uproots sin, and withers all its branches. Only the certainty of love, forgiving love, can do this…
--Horatius Bonar, 19th century
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
The 5 Initiatives
Worshipping God
We are committed to pursue a worship service which offers God great praise and helps people find their identity and calling in Christ. The preaching this Fall will focus upon this initiative.
Permanent Facility
We are diligently seeking to build a permanent facility on the 9 acres God has given us on Parker Road. This entails working with an architect, land engineer, and conducting a capital campaign in 2007.
Authentic Community
Christ Community, though already a place of genuine community for many, needs to seek more paths to allow newer and other "unconnected" folk an opportunity for building relationships.
Leadership Development
God has kindly given CCC godly and gifted men to serve as temporary elders. We are zealously pursuing the raising up of local men to serve as elders. The congregation will receive instruction and be asked for input in October.
Ongoing Corporate Renewal
If we as a church family are not experiencing the grace of God... we will devour one another and not give a wit about the brokenness around us. If we are renewed by the gospel, we will be agents of change. We seek to be instruments in the hands of the Redeemer, knowing that we who are giving help to others are in need of being helped by God.
We are committed to pursue a worship service which offers God great praise and helps people find their identity and calling in Christ. The preaching this Fall will focus upon this initiative.
Permanent Facility
We are diligently seeking to build a permanent facility on the 9 acres God has given us on Parker Road. This entails working with an architect, land engineer, and conducting a capital campaign in 2007.
Authentic Community
Christ Community, though already a place of genuine community for many, needs to seek more paths to allow newer and other "unconnected" folk an opportunity for building relationships.
Leadership Development
God has kindly given CCC godly and gifted men to serve as temporary elders. We are zealously pursuing the raising up of local men to serve as elders. The congregation will receive instruction and be asked for input in October.
Ongoing Corporate Renewal
If we as a church family are not experiencing the grace of God... we will devour one another and not give a wit about the brokenness around us. If we are renewed by the gospel, we will be agents of change. We seek to be instruments in the hands of the Redeemer, knowing that we who are giving help to others are in need of being helped by God.
Forgive me
On wednesdays my posts will be more numerous and targeted toward what i'm teaching that nite in Discipleship Course (at Hope Church 7:15pm)
We are memorizing a good chunk of Romans 3... some advantages already...
1.) Personally, I've been amazed how stress is on Faith, receiving, Jesus
2.) Discipling others: good conversations with my children as they check up on me and my memorizing... when was last time they saw me memorizing scripture?
3.) Fun. Y'day i left before Olivia (age 8) awoke. My note asked her to read Romans 3 and to pray for me to be able to memorize it (yes i'm a late starter!). When i got home last nite and started to go thru it... Olivia said, "Dad. I didn't read Romans 3. You asked too much... more than alot." --- which my U2 friends will love and pick up on.
Et toi?
We are memorizing a good chunk of Romans 3... some advantages already...
1.) Personally, I've been amazed how stress is on Faith, receiving, Jesus
2.) Discipling others: good conversations with my children as they check up on me and my memorizing... when was last time they saw me memorizing scripture?
3.) Fun. Y'day i left before Olivia (age 8) awoke. My note asked her to read Romans 3 and to pray for me to be able to memorize it (yes i'm a late starter!). When i got home last nite and started to go thru it... Olivia said, "Dad. I didn't read Romans 3. You asked too much... more than alot." --- which my U2 friends will love and pick up on.
Et toi?
What good does it do ya?
I've always been stunned by the summarized answer given in the Shorter Catechism (SC) to that question:
The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Assurance, joy, peace, increase, perseverance!
The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.
Assurance, joy, peace, increase, perseverance!
What produces true holiness?
From horatius bonar (with RP add ins):
The love of God to us, and our love to God, work together for producing holiness in us. Terror ("God will get me if I don't straighten up.") accomplishes no real obedience. Suspense ("Am I loved and accepted by God? Maybe this act of 'obedience' will secure it... maybe.") brings forth no fruit unto holiness. Only the certainty of love, forgiving love, can do this. It is this certainty ("Jesus has purchased me and made me acceptable to God... I'm good with God!") that melts the heart, dissolves our chains, disburdens our shoulders, so that we stand erect, and makes us to run in the way of the divine commandments.
--came across this while prepping for Discipleship Course tonite at 7:15pm at Hope Church
The love of God to us, and our love to God, work together for producing holiness in us. Terror ("God will get me if I don't straighten up.") accomplishes no real obedience. Suspense ("Am I loved and accepted by God? Maybe this act of 'obedience' will secure it... maybe.") brings forth no fruit unto holiness. Only the certainty of love, forgiving love, can do this. It is this certainty ("Jesus has purchased me and made me acceptable to God... I'm good with God!") that melts the heart, dissolves our chains, disburdens our shoulders, so that we stand erect, and makes us to run in the way of the divine commandments.
--came across this while prepping for Discipleship Course tonite at 7:15pm at Hope Church
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Romans 3 Memory Work shortened!
I've heard from some that they didn't receive the update on work due tomorrow night at 7:15, prior to Discipleship Course.
You are only responsible for Lessons 1-5 (NOT 6) and Romans 3:21-26 (NOT verses 19 & 20)
Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
You are only responsible for Lessons 1-5 (NOT 6) and Romans 3:21-26 (NOT verses 19 & 20)
Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Monday, September 04, 2006
We are NOT supposed to do this!
Use this site as a reminder... but couldn't resist these 2
1. Women's Fall Study Starts Tuesday (day after Labor Day) at 10:45... details at link
Christ Community Church - Gainesville Florida - Women
2. My (Rob) Discipleship Course starts 7:15 Wednesday at Hope Church
1. Women's Fall Study Starts Tuesday (day after Labor Day) at 10:45... details at link
Christ Community Church - Gainesville Florida - Women
2. My (Rob) Discipleship Course starts 7:15 Wednesday at Hope Church
Friday, September 01, 2006
Free Music
FreeDerekWebb.com is the place you can find
an opportunity to get a great album at no price...
a bold--Keith Greenesque--move by derek webb to pass on profits
Publish Post
great lyric and sound... warning: WILL challenge your allegiance to Jesus over and against money, comfort, and the good ol' USA
an opportunity to get a great album at no price...
a bold--Keith Greenesque--move by derek webb to pass on profits
Publish Post
great lyric and sound... warning: WILL challenge your allegiance to Jesus over and against money, comfort, and the good ol' USA
Strong Enough to Admit Weakness
Sunday you will have the opportunity to receive prayer as you come forward to receive the communion elements (i.e. the bread & cup).
If you have never had it down--or it has been a while--there is something powerful about having someone pray aloud for you.
So if you are tempted to sit down and ask to be prayed for... follow that feeling!
If you have never had it down--or it has been a while--there is something powerful about having someone pray aloud for you.
So if you are tempted to sit down and ask to be prayed for... follow that feeling!
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