Here is another guest post on the subject of homosexuality. This time my friend reviews Desires in Conflict, Hope for Men Who struggle with Sexual Identity by Joe Dallas.
The updated version of this book was written in 1991 but the message stands true still. As the subtitle states, the book gives hope for men who [...]
Archive for February, 2009
Considering Desires in Conflict
Posted in Counseling, Family, Parenting, Sexuality, tagged Counseling, homosexuality, Joe Dallas, spiritual disciplines on February 25, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Considering the New Celtics
Posted in Basketball, Celtics, tagged Big 3, Boston Celtics, Doc Rivers, House, Mikki Moore, Patrick O'Bryant, Perkins, Rondo, Sam Cassell, Stephan Marbury on February 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The Celtics didn’t do much near the trade deadline. They basically created roster spots by shipping out Sam “I Am” Cassell, aka The Alien, and the seemingly useless Patrick O’Bryant. I don’t think Sam suited up for any games, but probably spent time talking with Rondo about leading a team. Patrick O’Bryant played some, but [...]
Considering a Give-Away
Posted in Bible, Magazines, Mark Driscoll, Software, tagged Bible Study Magazine, Logos Bible Study Software, Mark Driscoll on February 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Bible Study Magazine and Mars Hill are giving away 20 copies of Mark Driscoll’s new book, Vintage Church. Not only that, but they are also giving away five subscriptions to Bible Study Magazine and a copy of their Bible Study Library software! Enter to win on the Bible Study Magazine Mark Driscoll page, then take [...]
Considering “Unsuccessful” Ministry
Posted in Church, Jonathan Edwards, Ministry, tagged contextualization, enculturation, failure, gospel, Jonathan Edwards, Ministry, Paul, Success on February 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I made a joke on a friend’s Facebook wall the other day. He lamented playing too much ping-pong in seminary. I joked that his ministry would be more effective if he hadn’t. It’d be more like mine …
I figure he’s having a pretty effective ministry. The church I pastored closed (lots of reasons for that). [...]
Considering Relative Silence
Posted in Family, Ministry, tagged grace, pastoral search, perveverance on February 21, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Yes, I haven’t been too active on the lately. That is what happens when you are juggling three p/t jobs. Here’s what is happening, if you care.
In addition to my Stated Supply gig, I’ve gotten jobs at a hardware store, and the local hospital. The church has called a new pastor, and my services will [...]
Considering Books on Adoption
Posted in Adoption, Biblical Theology, Books, Christian Living, John Calvin, Puritans, Sinclair Ferguson, Theology, tagged Adoption, Galatians, J.I. Packer, John Calvin, John Murray, Puritans, redemption, Robert Peterson, Sinclair Ferguson, spirituality on February 18, 2009 | 1 Comment »
This week’s text in Galatians focuses on adoption, God’s adoption of sinners as His sons as a result of Jesus’ work of redemption for us. J.I. Packer comments that you can’t really understand Christianity unless you understand adoption. John Calvin says you aren’t really a Christian unless, by the work of the Spirit, you call [...]
Considering Books on Justifcation
Posted in Biblical Theology, Books, D.A. Carson, John Owen, John Piper, Justification, tagged Charles Hodge, faith, Francis Turretin, imputation, James Buchanan, John Owen, John Piper, Justification, R.C. Sproul on February 17, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Since I’m preaching through Galatians, one of the topics or themes is justification: how we are in a right relationship with God. It is the main idea of the letter since they had fallen prey to false teachers with hetero-gospels.
I thought it would be a good time to list my recommendations for books on the [...]
Considering A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Homosexuality
Posted in Counseling, Family, Parenting on February 16, 2009 | 18 Comments »
Today I have a guest blogger who asked to anonymously post some book reviews. Their family is going through some difficulties, and this helps them process what they are reading. Perhaps it will help you.
These posts will deal with an issue that is quite controversial today. There has been a shift in thinking on some [...]
Piper’s Finally Alive Available
Posted in Biblical Theology, Books, Christian Living, D.A. Carson, John Piper, Theology, tagged D.A. Carson, John Piper, regeneration on February 11, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Yes, John Piper has another new book out (I’m already behind). It is called Finally Alive, and it explores the biblical doctrine of regeneration, being born again. This is a much needed book since there is so much misunderstanding about what it means, and how it radically affects our lives.
You can look at sample pages.
Not [...]
Considering the Pastoral Search Process
Posted in Church, Ministry, pastoral search committees, tagged applicants, consensus, love, pastoral search committees, patience, time on February 11, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
A book I was reading this morning led to me to think some more of the process of searching for a new pastor, and the fact that it is a process. If I get around to writing my book on the subject, I’m sure this will get in there.
Though the goal to find a pastor, [...]
Considering Indulgences
Posted in Atonement, Current Events, Martin Luther, Ministry, Theology, tagged confession, grace, Indulgences, Martin Luther, penance, sacerdotalism, substitutionary atonement, sufficiency of Christ, the Reformation on February 10, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Way back in 1517, Luther attacked the use of indulgences by the Church of Rome. They were used to provide a false hope, and a steady flow of cash for Papal building projects. The Reformation was born.
Many, Cavman included, think we need a new (or renewed) Reformation since the doctrine of justification by faith alone [...]
Considering A Proverbs Driven Life Part 4
Posted in Books, Christian Living, tagged friendship, Proverbs, redemptive relationships on February 9, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
In the fourth section of A Proverbs-Driven Life author Anthony Selvaggio addresses friends. Proverbs has much to say about friends and their influence upon our lives (and us upon them as well).
Most of us have had a sketchy track record with friends. I know I did before I became a Christian. I lived in a [...]
Considering the Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible
Posted in Bible, Biblical Theology, Books, Theology, tagged ESV, NIV, Reformed Theology, Richard Pratt, Study Bibles on February 9, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Oh, happy day it is. I learned from WTS Books that The Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible is available again (hardcover, genuine leather, sample pages).
This is my favorite Study Bible. It uses my preferred translation (the NIV). It provides a good balance between accuracy and read-ability. The General Editor is one of my former [...]
Considering Churches and the Financial Crunch
Posted in Christian Living, Church, Current Events, Economics, Ministry, tagged churches, economic contraction, economy, Evangelism, Government, mercy, Ministry, repentance on February 8, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
With the shrinkage of the for-profit sector, the not-for-profit sector will see a similar contraction. Churches are one of the not-for-proft organizations that will be hit hard. The government should take a lesson from other not-for-profits and cut back rather than trying to raise taxes and spend even more. These cycles come, but governments seem to [...]
Considering Impending Judgment
Posted in Bible, Biblical Theology, tagged fire, Holy Spirit, Jesus, judgment, mercy on February 5, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Near the end of Luke 2 there is a shift from God’s mercy to the reality that the coming of Messiah also means judgment for some. We see this in Simeon’s prophetic song:
“This child will be rejected by many in Israel, and it will be their undoing. But he will be the greatest joy to [...]
Considering Pooped Pastors
Posted in Ministry, tagged Steve Brown, Dan Allender, Steve Childers, pastoral ministry, exhaustion on February 4, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Many pastors are pooped. Like the rest of us, they are pulled in a million directions. The difference is, regular people often have someone who will listen to them. Often, their pastor. Pastors often don’t have someone to listen to their problems. Sometimes that is because pastors put on a facade, like they aren’t supposed [...]
Considering Window in the Skies
Posted in Atonement, Music, U2, tagged grace, hate, love, reconciliation, U2 on February 2, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Window in the Skies is becoming one of my favorite U2 songs. I don’t own the CD single. But it pops up periodically on my Slacker Radio stations. While working on other matters, the words seep into my soul. That’s is what is getting to me. Other songs of theirs are much better musically. But [...]