Current

On April 2, 2014 By BrianIn Current Collection

A weekly collection of current news and issues in the church, country, and world.

This week we consider the Christian’s interaction with Hollywood:

Evangelicals and Hollywood Muck – Trevin Wax
Yet now in the 21st century, we are expected to find redeemable qualities in what would only be described by people throughout church history as “filth.” What’s the point in decrying the exploitation of women in strip clubs and mourning the enslavement of men to pornography when we unashamedly watch films that exploit and enslave? I do not claim to have this all figured out. But one thing I know: our pursuit of holiness must be the mark against which our pursuit of cultural engagement is measured. If, like me, you’re conflicted about this issue, maybe it’s because we should be.

And then there is the new movie Noah. Here are three takes – a simple movie review to get the basics, Ken Ham’s thoughts, and the final post which is fascinating, disturbing, and helps make sense of all the oddities in the movie (which I have not seen, and based on everything I have read and heard have no intention of seeing).

Noah: Film Review – Todd McCarthy (The Hollywood Reporter)
Noah will rile some for the complete omission of the name “God” from the dialogue, others for its numerous dramatic fabrications and still more for its heavy-handed ecological doomsday messages, which unmistakably mark it as a product of its time.

Ken Ham: The Unbiblical Noah Is a Fable of a Film – Time
Also, while the extreme wickedness of man was depicted, the real sin displayed in the film was the people’s destruction of the earth. Lost within the film’s extreme environmentalist message is that the actual sins of the preflood people were rebellion against God and man’s inhumanity to man.

Sympathy For the Devil – Brian Mattson
Conservative-minded evangelicals write off the film because of the “liberties” taken with the text of Genesis, while a more liberal-minded group stands in favor of cutting the director some slack. After all, we shouldn’t expect a professed atheist to have the same ideas of “respecting” sacred texts the way a Bible-believer would. Both groups have missed the mark entirely. Aronofsky hasn’t “taken liberties” with anything. The Bible is not his text.

Ministry Moment

On March 31, 2014November 13, 2014 By BrianIn Ministry Moments

Here are some good posts on staying fresh in ministry:

40 Best Online Resources on Burnout – David Murray
If what I’m seeing and hearing is representative of our wider culture, we are facing an epidemic of burnout among Christians, and especially among pastors. Here are the 40 best resources on the subject that I’ve collected over the years.

Eight Ways Leaders Make Themselves Vulnerable to Spiritual Attack – Chuck Lawless
New Testament writers warn us again and again about the reality of spiritual attack. The apostle Paul, a leader extraordinaire, challenged believers to wear the full armor of God (Eph. 6:11), being ever aware of the enemy’s schemes (2 Cor. 2:11). The leader of the church at Jerusalem, James, called followers of Christ to resist the devil (Jms. 4:7). Peter, the leader among Jesus’ apostles, warned against the adversary who seeks someone to devour like a roaring lion (1 Pet. 5:8). It is no wonder, then, Paul reminded the church to choose leaders who are not set up for the devil’s traps (1 Tim. 3:6-7).

A Break Through the Clouds – Tim Bridges
In an uncommon act of love, Calvary Baptist Church allowed my family a solid month of vacation to visit our family and friends in Florida. I think the church saw my shoulders beginning to slump from shovelling snow and wisely prescribed a regimen of medicinal beach sand. The experience was a new one for us. A month to relax, to read, and to reflect. So what did I learn?

Passion Points

On March 29, 2014 By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

How to Fill Your Life with Joy – Matt Chandler via Jonathan Parnell (DG)
For years I tried to figure out what’s the best way for me to flourish in my relationship with Christ. And when all is said and done, I learned I needed to fill my life with things that stir my affections for Jesus. And then pay attention and keep away from my heart the things that rob me of my affections, even if those things are morally neutral.

Warm Yourself at the Fires of Meditation – David Mathis (DG)
In meditation, we pause and reflect over his words. We roll them over in our minds and let them ignite our hearts — we “warm ourselves at the fires of meditation.” We pose questions and seek answers. We go deep in God’s revelation, take it into our very souls, and as we are being changed by his truth, we respond to him in prayer.

How to Memorize Entire Books of the Bible – Jemar Tisby
You don’t have to start by memorizing an entire book. Commit to memorizing a single chapter. If you’re like me, you’ll be hooked and want to keep going. And pray that God would bless your efforts. He wants you to know His word.

Where Preferences Go to Die – Trillia Newbell (GC)
I’m convinced many of our problems with the church result from running away from difficult or uncomfortable situations rather than persevering through them. Since we don’t enjoy facing our fears or finding ourselves in challenging circumstances, the thought of escape brings great comfort.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church worshiping our glorious and gracious God!

Current

On March 26, 2014 By BrianIn Current Collection

A weekly collection of current news and issues in the church, country, and world.

World Vision announced they will hire people living in same-sex marriages. The arguments of neutrality on the issue were less than convincing. Two days later (today), they have reversed their decision. Here are some helpful posts in response to their first announcement. Even though they have changed course, the issues involved are still very much worth considering:

The Worldliness in World Vision’s New Hiring Policy – Kevin DeYoung

Two More Thoughts on the World Vision Controversy – Kevin DeYoung

Pointing to Disaster: The Flawed Moral Vision of World Vision – Albert Mohler

On World Vision and the Gospel – Russell Moore

In other news, Fred Phelps of Westboro Baptist Church (I struggle to call it a church) passed away last week. Albert Mohler has some important thoughts on Phelps’ legacy of hate and some implications for the true church today.

Ministry Monday

On March 24, 2014November 13, 2014 By BrianIn Idolatry, Ministry Moments

Here are some good posts addressing idolatry in ministry:

5 Signs You Glorify Self – Paul David Tripp (GC)

5 More Signs You Glorify Self – Paul David Tripp (GC)

Five Questions to Discern Ministry Idolatry – Eric Geiger

Passion Points

On March 22, 2014 By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Genuine Repentance – Jared Wilson
We name our sin as sin and do not spin it or excuse it, and further, we demonstrate “godly sorrow,” which is to say, a grief chiefly about the sin itself, not just a grief about being caught or having to deal with the consequences of sin.

What Should Our Perspective Be on Growing Older? – Randy Alcorn
I won’t pretend that growing old is easy. It isn’t. But there is still something beautiful about it for the Christian. There are always people to share your life with—people to help and people to help you. And with you is your God, who knew you before birth and will take you through death to the glory of His presence.

You’re Going to Die (and So Might Your Dreams) – Jared Wilson
Are we pursuing our own greatness or the expansion of worship of Jesus Christ? They aren’t necessarily incompatible, but God is more interested in the latter than the former. And ultimately, if we prioritize Christ’s glory, we won’t really care in the long run how noticed, renowned, recognized, or “successful” we are personally. We’ll realize that our lives aren’t really about us anyway.

Idolatry in Corporate Worship – Bob Kauflin (DG)
Every time we gather is an opportunity to glory in God’s grace revealed to us in the crucified and risen Savior. Let’s not let idols keep us from reveling in the inexpressible joy that our sins are forgiven and we have been reconciled to God.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day worshiping our great God!

Current

On March 12, 2014 By BrianIn Current Collection

A weekly collection of current news and issues in the church, country, and world.

The homosexuality issue isn’t going away any time soon, and refusing on religious grounds to participate in a same-sex ceremony seems to be the latest front. Here are some helpful posts to help us think through some of the issues:

Would Jesus Bake a Cake for a Gay Wedding in Arizona? – Joshua Wood (CT)

You Don’t Bring Me Flowers – Mike Wittmer

Should a Christian Photographer Work at a Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony – Russell Moore (GC)

Does This Look Like Jim Crow Discrimination to You? – Denny Burk

The Terms of Our Surrender – Ross Douthat