More Free Lunch

I'm just sharing the love....

Five sessions from the 2007 Buzz Conference... with thoughts on leading the church in the 21st century from Mark Batterson (host pastor), Craig Groeschel and Tim Stevens.

Five Sessions from the Gospel Coalition... a fellowship of evangelical churches deeply committed to renewing our faith in the gospel of Christ and to reforming our ministry practices to conform fully to the Scriptures... You get straight up exquisite theological teaching from D.A. Carson, John Piper, Tim Keller and Crawford Loritts.

American Idols

While stripping and refinishing a piece of furniture we picked up from Craig's list this weekend.... I took my own advice and began working my way through the New Attitude 2007 messages. And I've got to say that C.J. Mahaney's talk in on "Discerning Your Heart" is it.

In just 74 minutes he turns the bright light of the scripture on the very thing that can undo us... our wandering hearts. And he suggests... rather biblically that the greatest temptress that seduces our hearts is idolatry.

So what is an idol? Well its not the little wooden statues like Peter Brady found in Hawaii but any person or thing which we desire more than God himself.... a job.... a relationship... security... an iPhone... success... acceptance... anything.

If you can suck it up and listen to all 74 minutes... I think you will hear a bit of a manifesto for living the Christian life. In addition he offers some helpful tools (from David Powlison) for working on your heart... 35 X-ray questions... and Personal Reflections on 3 of Life's Common Problems.

Don't be stupid!

Get discernment. Ha... like it is that easy. But let me point you to where you can get a FREE LUNCH.

You can now download the New Attitude 2007 Conference which tackled discernment.

You can expect clear, strong bible teaching from some great men of God. I commend their work to you. I am currently listening through it... and appreciate the challenge.

VT is not forgotten

I regret not posting earlier on the tragedy down at Va Tech. For some the news has come and gone. For others the pain is still fresh. I was stunned and saddened and appalled at the darkness that could lie within a human soul. And I really had no idea what to say. Sometimes I just need to be silent.

But after some reflection I thought I'd post on how do we respond Christianly when such tragedy strikes? In a variety of ways I suppose. One is simply to be present with one another. It is not so much what we say or do for those who mourn, but to be in the presence of a loved one. I even remember hearing some of the students say they could not go home during the break... because they needed to be together.

This is the very thing that God offers to us... his presence. Even his name "I am" or "I will be" is not so much a quality as it is his dynamic presence. The creator is a dynamic presence in the lives of those whom believe and trust in him.

Another Christian response is that we sing. It may sound simple or silly or even condescending, yet it is profoundly true. In times of tragedy or deep pain we turn to our poets and musicians to remind us that things were good... that things are OK.. and that things will get better.

In light of this the Passion movement, led by Louie Giglio, which is the Christian voice to college students is offering a free EP in the month of May called Hope for the Hokies. You can download it here.