Destinations

There are a number of adoptive parents in our congregation. I don’t think that those of us with only biological children can imagine what that experience is like. No doubt there is a lot of pain associated with adoption. Teri alerted me to this piece detailing the struggles and joy of adoption.

Here is an insightful article arguing for the value of hymns in worship. I do think hymns do a better job of moving theological freight.

Finally, here are three links to stuff that I find somewhat interesting. First, Amazon is at war with some publishers over ebook prices. Second, here is an interesting summary of some common misconceptions. I’ll be surprised if you don’t learn something new. Finally, if you are ever on the prowl for a burger, here is a map of hamburger chain locations.

Ordinary Church

Here is an encouraging sermon by John MacArthur dealing with the truth that God typically uses ordinary people and churches:

Destinations

I’ve been saving stuff. Here you go …

For those of you who want to be digging deeper: here is a piece on the Abomination of Desolation. I like the way the author unpacks the passage.

How can we help new people in church? What People Who Are New to Your Church Want You to Know answers this question.

David Murray weighs in on How to Criticize a Preacher. I’m asking for it, I know.

“Male violence against women is a real problem in our culture, one the church must address …” So Russell Moore begins his fairly short piece encouraging the church to address the issue of violence against women.

Here are a couple of interesting sports links. First, The Simple Technology That Accidentally Ruined Baseball discusses what has happened to professional baseball over the past ten years. Interesting. Finally, Kevin DeYoung discusses Three Questions to Help Diagnose Possible Football Idolatry.

Destinations

Here are a few quick links:

Randy Alcorn’s Seeing the Unseen: A Daily Dose of Eternal Perspective is free for Kindle.

I love this: Do Prodigals Feel Welcome At Our Churches?

Both conservatives and liberals struggle with pluralism. Everyone wants everyone else to think like they do. This article picks on liberals for their disdain for Hobby Lobby, but, as I said, conservatives have their blind spots too.

This is a lengthy article in three parts. It compares the mega-churches of today with cruise ships. Interesting stuff.

Destinations

Here are a few items for your perusal:

Calvin encourages us to repent and not despair. I need this one.

Did you know that Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, was opposed to abortion? Too bad her progeny hasn’t followed suit.

Ricky Jones answers the question, “Is Church Membership Really Required?” I hope you know the answer.

How do you get ready for church on Sundays? I’m not talking about primping and dressing, I’m getting at heart-preparation. Jordan Kauflin answers this question.

I’ve probably linked to this post before, but I love it. Kevin DeYoung writes about the glories of baseball. I appreciate all sporting events (I think I’d even enjoy watching a tiddlywinks match.), but baseball is best.

Destinations

We often hear that when two or three are gathered together we have a church. What does Matthew 18:20 really mean? This is simply a helpful post on church discipline.

Porn is ubiquitous in our culture. It is very difficult to escape. Because of this it might be assumed that it is okay. This is not true; it is deadly. Russell Moore discusses the sin and how it should be addressed.

Here are 10 Basic Facts About the NT Canon you need to know. This list is worth digesting and memorizing.

Stephen Altrogge suggests that church should be like a good U2 song. In my cultural ignorance, I’ve never heard the song used in this piece.

Speaking of music, there is some great theology and encouragement in this song:

Destinations

I’ve been derelict in my blogging duties lately. So, here are some posts worth considering …

First here is “Kirsten Powers: How a Liberal Democrat and Former Atheist Came to Know Jesus Christ as her Savior.” I love conversion stories. This is a good one.

What is the longest book in the Bible? Here is a hint: the book of Psalms weighs in at number three.

Family devotions are always difficult. Parents, not the church, have the responsibility of raising children in the discipline and admonition of the Lord. Why not use the Heidelberg Catechism to disciple your children? Here is some help in using the catechism with your kids.

Here is a brief response to the George Zimmerman verdict (I know you are probably tired of hearing about it.) by H. B. Charles Jr. I think that most of us who hail from Europe have trouble resonating with the response from the African-American community. The difficulty with an event like this is that it is truly impossible to really know what happened that fateful night. Because of this I identify with people on both sides of the debate.

Church discipline is always difficult. Here is a reflection of how the excommunication of a father ended up being a positive thing.

When J.I. Packer speaks, we should attempt to hear what he is saying. In this article his concern is that too many churches in America are playing the numbers game. Whether a church is large or small, it is always tempting to gauge success and faithfulness based on the size of the congregation.

At Bowman, it always seems that there is some pushback when using the Apostles’ Creed. The word “catholic” trips us up. Here is a brief discussion of the word.

Is Jeremiah 17:9 true of believers? I appreciate this balanced answer.

25 Common Phrases That You’re Saying Wrong. Don’t you hate it when you find out you’ve been revealing your ignorance? I do it all the time.

I enjoyed this piece about the difference between British and American humor (warning: there is some very minor crude allusions).

The Most Portentous Fact

From A. W. Tozer:

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.

The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God.

For this reason the gravest question before the Church is always God Himself, and the most portentous fact about any man is not what he at a given time may say or do, but what he in his deep heart conceives God to be like.

We tend by a secret law of the soul to move toward our mental image of God. This is true not only of the individual Christian, but of the company of Christians that composes the Church. Always the most revealing thing about the Church is her idea of God.

Destinations

Election Day is here. Sam Storms offers some Biblical sanity on this day of decision. The last point he makes is my favorite:

The confession that “Jesus is Lord” is not simply a declaration of faith and an acknowledgement that He is the Master of our lives individually and as a church. It is also a political statement.

Mark Altrogge discusses the art of being a connector. I appreciate what he encourages in this piece. We need way more of this at Bowman. Here is a taste:

We should find everyone interesting and be enthused about people, and see everyone as unique and created in God’s image.  We should “see possibility,” and while most of the world is “busily choosing whom (they) would like to know, and rejecting the people who don’t look right or live out near the airport,” we should “like them all.”

Ray Ortlund helpfully discusses where to draw the line about what is, and is not, essential Biblically. He teases out what things should we be certain about and what things we can be open about.

I love these Uncle Drew pieces:

Destinations

Why do people miss church on Sunday? We all remember Family Feud, don’t we? This was once a Family Feud question. This article reveals the answers and then discusses each response. Perhaps we simply need to be reminded of Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some …”

Along the same lines, it seems that many church goers are unaware of the thing called church membership. Doug keeps encouraging me to address the situation. The issue does need to be addressed.

This short article appeared several days ago now. It is about 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” Because we are often weak, we need this encouragement to be strong. If we have a strong God, then we should be strong people.

Finally, here is an interesting infographic about how we waste time at work. Did you know the average person checks his or her email 36 times an hour? Then, of course, one has to refocus.