Blessed is the man against whom the Lord
counts no iniquity,and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Psalm 32:2
An honest heart is a post from: Ray Ortlund
We cannot deceive God. Twice in the Acts God is called “the Heartknower” (Acts 1:24; 15:8).
But we can deceive ourselves.
Here are four differences between deceit and honesty in our hearts.
One, a deceitful heart doesn’t know its sin because it doesn’t want to know.
But an honest heart is saying, “Bring it on.”
Two, a deceitful heart notices how well a sermon applies to someone else...
But an honest heart is too concerned about itself to judge another..
Three, a deceitful heart, when it isn’t growing, blames its inertia on hardship
or its church or even on God himself. But an honest heart says, “It’s my fault.
I need to get in gear.”
Four, a deceitful heart delays response. It says, “I’ll get around to it, even soon.
But I can’t right now.” An honest heart puts God first. Delayed obedience is a way
of saying, “I’m setting the terms. I am Lord.” But an honest heart says, “Lord,
whatever you want – right now.”
An honest heart says,with the old hymn,
The dearest idol I have known, whate’er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from thy throne and worship only thee.
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2011/01/31/an-honest-heart/
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
How Should Young Ministers Respond To Seasoned Criticism?
There's been some buzz regarding John MacArthur and a comment he made about a book by Darrin Patrick. What a wise and generous hearted posture by Patrick to those coming to his defense by criticizing MacArthur:
"For those of you who have been quick to be critical of Dr. MacArthur, please remember that we all need to be corrected from time to time.....ALL of us who are younger need to give a careful listen to the concerns of seasoned pastors, many of whom have forgotten more than we might ever know."
This is very refreshing since I was personally attacked and accused of being arrogant when I forthrightly stated the obvious to a young,inexperienced, first year seminarian novice.
What was my sin? I "spanked his inner child" when I informed him that after 35+ years of seasoned ministry, 3 church plants, 17 years of teaching at a bible college, earning a master
and a doctorate, he simply wasn't my teacher.
That he thought he could and should be demonstrated he was a "pompous ignoramus".
rgh
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/01/25/darrin-patrick-and-john-macarthur/
http://www.gty.org/Blog/B110121_Radical-Individualism-A-Good-Trait-for-Young-Pastors
"For those of you who have been quick to be critical of Dr. MacArthur, please remember that we all need to be corrected from time to time.....ALL of us who are younger need to give a careful listen to the concerns of seasoned pastors, many of whom have forgotten more than we might ever know."
This is very refreshing since I was personally attacked and accused of being arrogant when I forthrightly stated the obvious to a young,inexperienced, first year seminarian novice.
What was my sin? I "spanked his inner child" when I informed him that after 35+ years of seasoned ministry, 3 church plants, 17 years of teaching at a bible college, earning a master
and a doctorate, he simply wasn't my teacher.
That he thought he could and should be demonstrated he was a "pompous ignoramus".
rgh
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/01/25/darrin-patrick-and-john-macarthur/
http://www.gty.org/Blog/B110121_Radical-Individualism-A-Good-Trait-for-Young-Pastors
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Liturgically Sacramental
These extracts from an article by the Internet Monk explain the significance of liturgy within the sacramental view of the corporate assembly of God's covenant people. As the writer makes clear, it really is a matter of substance over style. Consider clicking on the site and reading the entire article.
rgh
"Most battles over worship in evangelicalism are about personal preferences with regard to style. What kind of music? Can we dress casually? Is the building and “worship space” marked by Christian symbols? To what extent should we use media and technology? Can I sip my latte while attending the service?
Bottom line, however, the nature of the service has changed little in the fundamental approach to its purpose. There may be (a lot more) singing, a praise band instead of organ, piano, and songleader, inclusion of drama, PowerPoint or video clips, and a casually dressed pastor who doesn’t stand behind a pulpit, but the “big event” remains the sermon, the “worship set” continues to prepare people to listen to the preacher, and the message is still designed to prompt a response. Today’s culture has replaced yesterday’s, that’s all. And this has led to conflict that has mainly erupted along generational lines and/or between those who are more “traditional” in their preferences vs. those who want church to be more “relevant.”
At the same time, many people have left revivalist traditions to join liturgical traditions—Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, and others whose worship is based on an entirely different foundation.
It’s not that liturgical churches have “forms” whereas non-liturgical churches don’t. It’s not that liturgical churches always use traditional music. It’s not that liturgical churches do exactly the same things week after week whereas free churches are “spontaneous” and change things up all the time. The non-liturgical churches are often just as repetitive in their own patterns. These are all “style” matters, and while there are some generalizations that might be made about stylistic differences between liturgical and non-liturgical churches, this is not the main distinction between the two worlds.
At root, the difference is between a sacramental understanding of how God works, and a non-sacramental view.
This is where I return when I feel unworthy, day after day. I return to the Lord’s supper. It is there that I am accepted. It is there that I am forgiven. It is there that I am declared worthy. It is there where the last will and testament is read, and lo and behold…I am included! It is there that I receive a full share of the inheritance.
We also receive these gifts in the preaching and teaching of His Word, and in the words of Christian encouragement spoken between the brethren.
But the sacraments are something tangible. Something that we can actually see, feel, touch, smell, and taste.
■The liturgical tradition calls the church together for a much different reason. It holds that God’s family needs to live in the Gospel through regular sacramental gatherings. In worship we actually, literally, objectively receive the benefits of Christ’s finished work through Word and Sacrament, are nourished for our ongoing journey, and strengthened to live in new obedience by the Spirit who fills us through the tangible means God has provided."
Liturgy is not a style. It is the way God comes to us in grace.
http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/liturgy-is-not-a-style
rgh
"Most battles over worship in evangelicalism are about personal preferences with regard to style. What kind of music? Can we dress casually? Is the building and “worship space” marked by Christian symbols? To what extent should we use media and technology? Can I sip my latte while attending the service?
Bottom line, however, the nature of the service has changed little in the fundamental approach to its purpose. There may be (a lot more) singing, a praise band instead of organ, piano, and songleader, inclusion of drama, PowerPoint or video clips, and a casually dressed pastor who doesn’t stand behind a pulpit, but the “big event” remains the sermon, the “worship set” continues to prepare people to listen to the preacher, and the message is still designed to prompt a response. Today’s culture has replaced yesterday’s, that’s all. And this has led to conflict that has mainly erupted along generational lines and/or between those who are more “traditional” in their preferences vs. those who want church to be more “relevant.”
At the same time, many people have left revivalist traditions to join liturgical traditions—Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, and others whose worship is based on an entirely different foundation.
It’s not that liturgical churches have “forms” whereas non-liturgical churches don’t. It’s not that liturgical churches always use traditional music. It’s not that liturgical churches do exactly the same things week after week whereas free churches are “spontaneous” and change things up all the time. The non-liturgical churches are often just as repetitive in their own patterns. These are all “style” matters, and while there are some generalizations that might be made about stylistic differences between liturgical and non-liturgical churches, this is not the main distinction between the two worlds.
At root, the difference is between a sacramental understanding of how God works, and a non-sacramental view.
This is where I return when I feel unworthy, day after day. I return to the Lord’s supper. It is there that I am accepted. It is there that I am forgiven. It is there that I am declared worthy. It is there where the last will and testament is read, and lo and behold…I am included! It is there that I receive a full share of the inheritance.
We also receive these gifts in the preaching and teaching of His Word, and in the words of Christian encouragement spoken between the brethren.
But the sacraments are something tangible. Something that we can actually see, feel, touch, smell, and taste.
■The liturgical tradition calls the church together for a much different reason. It holds that God’s family needs to live in the Gospel through regular sacramental gatherings. In worship we actually, literally, objectively receive the benefits of Christ’s finished work through Word and Sacrament, are nourished for our ongoing journey, and strengthened to live in new obedience by the Spirit who fills us through the tangible means God has provided."
Liturgy is not a style. It is the way God comes to us in grace.
http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/liturgy-is-not-a-style
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Retirement or Redeployment?
"The economic crisis of recent years has forced many Americans to rethink and redefine retirement as a matter of necessity. For Christians, this represents an important opportunity. The ideal for Christians should be redeployment, even after employment.
There is so much Kingdom work to be done, and older believers are desperately needed in this great task. There are missionaries to be assisted, ministries to be energized, young couples to be counseled, boys without fathers to be mentored, and wisdom and experience to be shared. The possibilities for Christian redeployment are endless."
Al Mohler
http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/01/06/for-the-sake-of-the-kingdom-redefining-retirement
There is so much Kingdom work to be done, and older believers are desperately needed in this great task. There are missionaries to be assisted, ministries to be energized, young couples to be counseled, boys without fathers to be mentored, and wisdom and experience to be shared. The possibilities for Christian redeployment are endless."
Al Mohler
http://www.albertmohler.com/2011/01/06/for-the-sake-of-the-kingdom-redefining-retirement
Monday, December 27, 2010
Can You Detect Your Frenemies?
My definition of a “friend” has certainly been revised over the years after being kissed by Judas, undermined by Jacob, foraken by Demas, defected from by John Mark and disappointed by unprincipled Barnabas.
However, I have now discovered a better term for pseudo "friendships" which were never really authentic.
"Frenemy or Frienemy": the term is increasingly being used to describe someone who may have been a friend but has now become an enemy or is a person who disquised himself as a true friend but in reality was a personal enemy. These uncharactered types are very common in ministry circles and local church congregations. They can even appear within the family.
The first known use was in "77 but gained popularity in 2000 and was entered into Websters new words in 2009.
" fren·e·my Pronunciation: \ˈfre-nə-mē\ :plural fren·e·mies Etymology:
blend of friend and enemy: one who pretends to be a friend but is actually
an enemy"
What are the prominent traits of a true "frenemy"that I have experienced:
>a frenemy is utilitarian at heart-desiring to relate as long as it is beneficial to them
> gives backhanded compliments that undermine while giving others the
opportunity to mock and ridicule, but makes themelves look or feel good.
>a frenemy may put up a facade but has no concern for your honor,reputation or influence
>they may have stayed with you through difficult times but are actually antagonistic behind your back
>when offended, angry or disappointed, a frenemy will insult, attack, or defame your character to others
>he/she will speak disapprovingly of your true friends because they remain loyal, faithful, and covenantal in the face of your "common to man" flaws, frailties and imperfections
>;as empty chested cowards, they have a temperamental aversion to conflict and truth speaking, so they ignore biblical mandates to confront redemptively[ Matthew 18], choosing rather to backbite in order to solicit comfort from other uncharactered types.
>when caught in their sinful compromise, they point out technical fouls to divert attention from their own wrong doings
Who are your Frenemies?
However, I have now discovered a better term for pseudo "friendships" which were never really authentic.
"Frenemy or Frienemy": the term is increasingly being used to describe someone who may have been a friend but has now become an enemy or is a person who disquised himself as a true friend but in reality was a personal enemy. These uncharactered types are very common in ministry circles and local church congregations. They can even appear within the family.
The first known use was in "77 but gained popularity in 2000 and was entered into Websters new words in 2009.
" fren·e·my Pronunciation: \ˈfre-nə-mē\ :plural fren·e·mies Etymology:
blend of friend and enemy: one who pretends to be a friend but is actually
an enemy"
What are the prominent traits of a true "frenemy"that I have experienced:
>a frenemy is utilitarian at heart-desiring to relate as long as it is beneficial to them
> gives backhanded compliments that undermine while giving others the
opportunity to mock and ridicule, but makes themelves look or feel good.
>a frenemy may put up a facade but has no concern for your honor,reputation or influence
>they may have stayed with you through difficult times but are actually antagonistic behind your back
>when offended, angry or disappointed, a frenemy will insult, attack, or defame your character to others
>he/she will speak disapprovingly of your true friends because they remain loyal, faithful, and covenantal in the face of your "common to man" flaws, frailties and imperfections
>;as empty chested cowards, they have a temperamental aversion to conflict and truth speaking, so they ignore biblical mandates to confront redemptively[ Matthew 18], choosing rather to backbite in order to solicit comfort from other uncharactered types.
>when caught in their sinful compromise, they point out technical fouls to divert attention from their own wrong doings
Who are your Frenemies?
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Are You An Enabler Or Reprover?
Here are good questions with the answer by T. M. Moore in an article written for the Chuck Colson Ministry Center. I absolutely believe Pastors often choose to be enablers of the works of darkness [don't ask-don't tell] by their parishioners because they compromisingly believe it to be more beneficial over having the character and courage to reprove them.
[rgh]
" Why do you think pastors are reluctant to “correct with great asperity of zeal” the sins of their people? Could this be related to....wanting to be loved by men more than by God?"
The Book of Pastoral Rule
Gregory the Great (ca. 540-604)
“For indeed it is the duty of a ruler to shew by the voice of preaching the glory of the supernal country, to disclose what great temptations of the old enemy are lurking in this life’s journey, and to correct with great asperity of zeal such evils among those who are under his sway as ought not to be gently borne with; lest, in being too little incensed against faults, of faults he be himself held guilty.”
There has been a drift in preaching these days away from confronting sin toward comforting and encouraging the faithful. These must go hand in hand, however; for we can give no true comfort or encouragement to those who insist on holding to their sinful ways. Unless pastors are willing to preach against sin, they will, Gregory says, bear the responsibility for all the sin that ravages the souls of their flock. Better to face sin boldly, and call for repentance, than to allow it harbor in the heart of the Church (Ps. 66:18).
http://worldviewchurch.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=archive&task=view&mailid=101&key=73ace81cd18f6bdd2564233fa0315e5e&sub=11774-c9045dc3ee05317dcbd3651f4e7dbd4b
[rgh]
" Why do you think pastors are reluctant to “correct with great asperity of zeal” the sins of their people? Could this be related to....wanting to be loved by men more than by God?"
The Book of Pastoral Rule
Gregory the Great (ca. 540-604)
“For indeed it is the duty of a ruler to shew by the voice of preaching the glory of the supernal country, to disclose what great temptations of the old enemy are lurking in this life’s journey, and to correct with great asperity of zeal such evils among those who are under his sway as ought not to be gently borne with; lest, in being too little incensed against faults, of faults he be himself held guilty.”
There has been a drift in preaching these days away from confronting sin toward comforting and encouraging the faithful. These must go hand in hand, however; for we can give no true comfort or encouragement to those who insist on holding to their sinful ways. Unless pastors are willing to preach against sin, they will, Gregory says, bear the responsibility for all the sin that ravages the souls of their flock. Better to face sin boldly, and call for repentance, than to allow it harbor in the heart of the Church (Ps. 66:18).
http://worldviewchurch.org/index.php?option=com_acymailing&ctrl=archive&task=view&mailid=101&key=73ace81cd18f6bdd2564233fa0315e5e&sub=11774-c9045dc3ee05317dcbd3651f4e7dbd4b
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The Alignment Factor
Tony Morgan shares that churches not growing or who are in decline are simply maintaining the status quo while hoping it generates different results. Here’s his picture of a fully-aligned church with the fundamentals that produce growth.
rgh
•The primary purpose or mission of the church is established.
•A focused ministry/discipleship strategy has been established to accomplish that vision.
•All of the church’s ministries and programming are intentionally designed to fit into that strategy.
•The church is structured with staff and volunteer leaders and teams around the strategy.
•Resources like money, facilities and space on the master calendar are distributed to maximize impact rather than to maintain fairness.
•There’s a web and communications strategy in place to keep everyone focused in the same direction.
•The teaching includes life application that identifies specific next steps to engage people in a discipleship journey that mirrors the overall strategy of the church.
•Rather than celebrating when lots of people gather, the success of any special events or initiatives are measured by how they help people engage in this journey.
•The church is capturing stories and measuring data to determine if the strategy is working as intended.
http://tonymorganlive.com/2010/12/13/big-churches-getting-bigger-the-alignment-factor/
rgh
•The primary purpose or mission of the church is established.
•A focused ministry/discipleship strategy has been established to accomplish that vision.
•All of the church’s ministries and programming are intentionally designed to fit into that strategy.
•The church is structured with staff and volunteer leaders and teams around the strategy.
•Resources like money, facilities and space on the master calendar are distributed to maximize impact rather than to maintain fairness.
•There’s a web and communications strategy in place to keep everyone focused in the same direction.
•The teaching includes life application that identifies specific next steps to engage people in a discipleship journey that mirrors the overall strategy of the church.
•Rather than celebrating when lots of people gather, the success of any special events or initiatives are measured by how they help people engage in this journey.
•The church is capturing stories and measuring data to determine if the strategy is working as intended.
http://tonymorganlive.com/2010/12/13/big-churches-getting-bigger-the-alignment-factor/
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