Ministry Monday

On By BrianIn Ministry Moments

Here are some challenging posts that I’ve been saving by Paul Tripp.   Though written for pastors, they would be helpful for anyone.  I’ve included excerpts; follow each link for the whole post.

Lost the Awe
I am convinced that many of us live and do ministry day after day without any awe whatsoever. We live days, maybe even weeks, without wonder and amazement even in gospel ministry. What should stun us doesn’t stun us any more. What should leave us in silent, amazed worship has become so familiar it barely gets our attention in clutter of all the other things in ministry that command our attention. We walk through our daily ministries without an overwhelming sense of gratitude. We don’t notice the glory displayed all around us that points us to the one glory that is truly glorious: the glory of God.

If You Think You’ve Arrived
If you think you have arrived, you prepare material from above for people who sadly still need what you no longer need. Are you desperately hungry for the truths that you regularly prepare to expound to others?

If You Still Think You’ve Arrived
Communion with Christ is fueled by humility. Communion with Christ is fueled by sadness and celebration. Communion with Christ is propelled by an accurate sense of who you are, what you need, and a celebration of the One who gives it. Awareness of sin and the promise of salvation daily drives you to Christ, not to rush through a passage in his Word and say a quick prayer, but to sit at his feet and grieve your sin and give praise for the grace that meets you in it. Assessments of arrival crush personal worship.

No Pastor Is Greater Than His Master
As you consider these diagnostic questions, remember the grace that frees you to look at yourself and your ministry with humility and honesty.

  • Where in your ministry is there evidence of self-glory?
  • Where are you more dominant than you should be?
  • Where do you fail to listen when you should?
  • Where do you attempt to control things that you do not need to control?
  • Where do you find it hard to delegate ministry to others?
  • Where are you tempted to speak more than you should?
  • Where do you fail to recognize and esteem the gifts of others?
  • Where are you unwilling to examine your weaknesses and to admit you failures?
  • Where are you tempted to think of yourself as more essential than you actually are?
  • Where do you care too much about people’s respect, esteem, and appreciation?
  • Where to you find it easier to confront than to receive confrontation?
  • Where are you less than thankful for the ministry partners whom God has connected you to?
  • Where are you too confident of your own strength and wisdom?

Declaring the Glory

On By BrianIn Declaring the Glory

Fam2013 126West Traverse Bay off the Old Mission Penisula, Traverse City, MI

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20

And We’re Back!

On By BrianIn Uncategorized1 Comment

The blog break is over and I’m back with some new ideas for the coming months.

I am planning some new weekly features including Ministry Monday – a collection of posts on ministry, and Missions Moment – featuring missions quotes, posts, and groups.  Plus hopefully some more regular reflections on the Christian life.  Monday mornings will feature pictures and songs to start our week with praise.

Passion News will become Passion Ethics – a focus on ethical issues we are facing today.  And we will continue to have the Prayer Quote of the Week and Passion Points.

So welcome back.  I’m looking forward to a great Fall.  Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion.

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts to ponder as you gather with your local church this Lord’s Day:

The Excitement and Anticipation – Tim Challies
…there is value in elevating the preparations we make for worshipping in the local church, and elevating the anticipation we feel for Sunday morning’s sermon.

How to Listen to to a Sermon – Phil Ryken (Reformation 21)
So what is the right way to listen to a sermon?  With a soul that is prepared, a mind that is alert, a Bible that is open, a heart that is receptive, and a life that is ready to spring into action.

How to Listen to a Sermon – Justin Taylor
More resources to consider on this important topic.

Ten tips for going to church with your family – Christine Jensen
Church-going should not be a drudgery and mere duty. If you treat it as such, so will your children. If it is an opportunity to meet the Lord and to meet the Lord’s people, why would we not greet it with enthusiasm and expectation? Do we really think that will happen?

Declaring the Glory

On By BrianIn Declaring the Glory

Fam2013 114Au Sable River in northeast Michigan

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts on some very practical issues:

How Do We Find Spiritual Rest? – J.D. Greear

This Is the Body the Lord Has Made – John Perritt

5 Ways to Find Joy in a Job You Don’t Love – Joseph Rhea

3 Ways the Gospel Changes How We Tip – Jared Totten

How Do I Dispose of a Bible? – Tim Challies

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!

Sola 13

On By BrianIn Uncategorized

If you live in Michigan or nearby, you may want to be aware of the Sola 13 conference coming up.  Here is the description from their website:

Sola Fide! Sola Scriptura! Solus Christus! Sola Gratia! Soli Deo Gloria! These five Latin phrases articulated the foundation of the Reformation and a call for the church to remember the heart of our faith. On December 6th and 7th in Lansing, Michigan we will once again celebrate and promote these cries of the Reformation.

Join with us as we are encouraged by some of our dear friends (John Piper, Matt Chandler, Albert Mohler, Stephen Um, Leonce Crump, Kevin DeYoung, and Noel Heikkinen) in the foundational truth that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone, standing on the Scriptures alone.

Early bird tickets are $45 through the end of the month.  For more details, check out their site.

The One True God

On By BrianIn Book of Acts, God & His Glory, Idolatry3 Comments

In a city full of idols, Paul stood up and proclaimed that there is one true God (Acts 17).  And in our world today full of idols, we too must stand up and declare that there is one true God.  And this one true God stands far above the idols of our world.

  • The one true God is the Creator (v24).  The earth and sky, the sun, moon, and stars, every tree, every blade of grass, every animal, every person was made by God.  Compare God to the idols of our day – created things every one.  Wealth, material things, the newest gadget – all created things.  Will you live for, trust in, and seek your significance in the Creator or the created?
  • The one true God is the Lord (v24).  Over heaven and earth.  He reigns over all he has made.  He is the king.  He rules with unlimited power over his creation.  Compare God to our idols with limited power at best.  Wealth, stuff, popularity – all with limited power.  Will you live for, trust in, and seek your significance in the Lord of unlimited power or an idol of limited power?
  • The one true God is self-sufficient (v24-25).  He doesn’t need anything or anyone – to exist, to continue, to act.  Compare God to our idols that are all fading.  Not one will last forever.  Our idols rot, rust, and wear out.  They are lost, stolen, taxed.  Will you live for, trust in, and seek your significance in the self-sufficient God or a fading idol?
  • The one true God is the life-giver (v25).  He is the source of all – your life, your breath, your strength, your abilities, your wealth – all comes from God.  Compare God to our idols which are life-suckers.  They suck away our lives as we chase after them, pursue them, trust in them, only to be let down because they cannot satisfy us like we want them to.  Will you live for, trust in, and seek your significance in the Life-Giver or a life-sucker?
  • The one true God is sovereign (v26).  He is in control.  He determines when you will live and where.  Compare God to our idols which by and large we control, we manipulate.  Perhaps that is why we like them – but they are less than us, and can’t give us lasting significance.  Will you live for, trust in, and seek your significance in the One who is in control or an idol that we control?
  • Finally, the one true God desires a relationship with us (v27).  Ponder that.  This Creator and Lord who is self-sufficient, life-giving, and sovereign actually desires a relationship with us.  He wants us to seek him, to find him, to know him.  Compare this God with your idols which don’t care about you at all.  Your money doesn’t care about you.  Neither do your things, the newest gadget, the latest entertainment.  Will you live for, trust in, and seek your significance in the God who cares about you or an idol that couldn’t care less?

Perhaps Isaiah 46 sums it up best.  You can choose an idol that you must carry, or you can choose the one true God who will carry you.  Your choice.