Be Encouraged

Watch this and be encouraged!  http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5 

 What do you think?

Do You Love Your Children?

The Bible instructs parents to love their children.  But, the Bible does not define love as squishy sentimentalism that gives children whatever they want whenever they ask for it.  

In fact, Scripture says, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” (Pr 13:24) Parents who truly love their children consistently discipline them.

The Great Baptism Discussion of 2007

The Baptists and Presby’s (I have roots in both) have been debating what should be required regarding baptism . . . Go to Justin Taylor’s blog to get an overview of the whole discussion.

Team Sunday

Would you agree that athletics offer a strategic opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ? 

At their best, sports teach young people how to be disciplined and work hard.  Teams build close friendships.  Athletics teach young people to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.

Wisdom in the Path of a Hurricane

Hurricane Dean seems to be setting its sites on Grand Cayman.  Pastor Thabiti Anyabwile, the pastor of First Baptist of Grand Cayman, shares his thoughts about disaster.  In doing so, he interacts with John Piper and Greg Boyd.

You would do well to read how a pastor is shepherding his flock as they face the possibility of a major hurricane.

Let’s pray for Grand Cayman and others who face disaster.

C.J. Mahaney Bio

Timmy Brister points to an encouraging and challenging biography of C.J. Mahaney.

Another Bonhoeffer Quote

 ”Nothing can be more cruel than the tenderness that consigns another to his sin.  Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe rebuke that calls a brother back from the path of sin.” 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, trans. John W. Doberstein (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1954), 107.

Conspicuous Providence

All things are providential.  But, there are times when we have a particularly vivid view of how God orders things together in our lives.

 Here is an especially vivid example regarding a family from the GSOI (Great State of Iowa) and the Minnesota bridge collapse.

No Quitting!

You can probably think of someone who has stepped away from involvement in a local church.  There are many reasons people decide to pull away. They find a sport or some other form of entertainment that takes the place of church,

they keep putting off finding a new church home,

they are disillusioned with churches because of a past conflict,

or they feel guilty about choices they have made. 

ESV vs NIV in Philemon 22

I have been disappointed with the NIV while preaching through Philemon.  An example would be the translation of χαρίζομαι / charizōmai in verse 22: