Category: Uncategorized

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[av_heading heading=’COVETESSNESS AND LOVE, TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN?’ tag=’h1′ style=’blockquote modern-quote modern-centered’ size=’30’ subheading_active=” subheading_size=’17’ margin=” margin_sync=’true’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-ji2k4xon’ admin_preview_bg=”]
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT – PLAY HARDER.
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In part 2 of my series on Colossians 3 I briefly discussed how covetousness lies beneath all of the other nine commandments.  How if one does not covet, then he will not transgress  the rest of the law.  The command to not covet is a negative command.  ”Do not covet.”  So, what would be the positive assertion that would go along with this negative command?  If we are going to put off coveting, then what would we put on in its place?

Paul provides an answer to this question in Romans 13:8-10.  Here he shows us the one thing  that we can do which will fulfill the law completely.  Coveting lies beneath every transgression of the law, while this one action lies beneath every fulfillment of the law.  Paul writes: Continue reading “COVETESSNESS AND LOVE, TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN?”

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[av_heading heading=’COLOSSIANS 3:1-17, PART 3′ tag=’h1′ style=’blockquote modern-quote modern-centered’ size=’30’ subheading_active=” subheading_size=’17’ margin=” margin_sync=’true’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-ji2k64j6′ admin_preview_bg=”]
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT – PLAY HARDER.
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In the first part of this series on Colossians 3 we saw that a believer’s new identity in Christ should lead him to have a new focus on things above.  Next, in part 2, we saw that this new identity should provoke him to put off his old self by putting to death what is earthly in him.  This final part focuses on what the believer should then put on as result of his new identity.  Paul concludes this section when he writes: Continue reading “COLOSSIANS 3:1-17, PART 3”

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[av_heading heading=’CHARLES COLSON, 1931-2012′ tag=’h1′ style=’blockquote modern-quote modern-centered’ size=’30’ subheading_active=” subheading_size=’17’ margin=” margin_sync=’true’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-ji2k7r21′ admin_preview_bg=”]
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT – PLAY HARDER.
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Earlier this week Charles Colson passed away at the age of 80.  Many people will remember Colson for his involvement in the Water Gate scandal and subsequent imprisonment.  Others might remember him for his Prison Fellowship ministry.  I, however, will remember him for his book How Now Shall We Live.  In this book he explains how Christians can begin to engage the worldview of secular, post-Chrstian  culture. Continue reading “FacebookTwitter CHARLES COLSON, 1931-2012”

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WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT – PLAY HARDER.
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Just over a month ago a great friend of mine experienced a loss beyond anything I could ever imagine.  He lost his mother in circumstances that I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around.  Jerod shared his thoughts with all of us in a blog post.  You can read it here.  One thing that he said that has stuck with me is “some things can only be learned with a bleeding heart.”  Looking back on my own life I know that  what Jerod is saying is true.  And I can say that in my own experience although these lessons have been painful and difficult, I am thankful for the bleeding heart moments.  Jerod, know that I, along with many others, am praying for you and we are all here for you. Continue reading “THEOLOGY IN A TIME OF SUFFERING”

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[av_heading heading=’THE DEEP LIMITATIONS OF DIGITAL CHURCH @ALBERTMOHLER’ tag=’h1′ style=’blockquote modern-quote modern-centered’ size=’30’ subheading_active=” subheading_size=’17’ margin=” margin_sync=’true’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-ji2k8xon’ admin_preview_bg=”]
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT – PLAY HARDER.
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sixsteps:

John Mark Reynolds of Biola University addresses the danger inherent in digital technologies & its replacement of church: “How can the Christian Church utilize the tools media has given us without being subsumed by them? You don’t want delivery to become everything.”

Albert Mohler helpfully comments:

Research indicates that a significant number of Christians are tempted to allow these technologies to serve as a substitute for participation in a local church. This is deadly and dangerous for believers.

Christ clearly intends for his people to be gathered together into congregations. The fellowship of the saints is a vital means of grace for the disciple of Christ. We can be enriched by means of listening to sermons online and by delving deeply into the ocean of knowledge found within Christian websites, but these cannot replace the authenticity that comes only by means of the local church and its ministry.

Believers need the accountability found only within the local church. We need to hear sermons preached by flesh-and-blood preachers in the real-time experience of Christian worship. We need to confess the faith together through the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. We need to confess our sins and declare forgiveness by the blood of Christ together. We need to be deployed for service in Christ’s name together.

Read Dr. Mohler’s entire article.

Continue reading “THE DEEP LIMITATIONS OF DIGITAL CHURCH @ALBERTMOHLER”

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[av_heading heading=’COLOSSIANS 3:1-17, PART 2′ tag=’h1′ style=’blockquote modern-quote modern-centered’ size=’30’ subheading_active=” subheading_size=’17’ margin=” margin_sync=’true’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” av_uid=’av-ji2kbref’ admin_preview_bg=”]
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT – PLAY HARDER.
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In part 1 of this series I discussed how a believer’s new identity in Christ should lead him to focus on things above, and how it provides hope in a person’s present struggles.  Paul continues in the passage by telling his readers what they should further do as a result of their new identity.  He writes beginning in verse 5:

5 Put to death, therefore, what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.  7 In these you to once walked, when you were living in them.  8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.  9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.

Continue reading “COLOSSIANS 3:1-17, PART 2”

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WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT – PLAY HARDER.
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Colossians 3:1-17 Provides a great amount of instruction for how a Christian should pursue holiness and godly living.  This post is the first in a three part series where we will uncover what this passage has to say about this important topic.  Paul wants his readers to pursue holiness and godly living because of who they are in Christ.  He writes:

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on Earth.  3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in Glory.. Continue reading “COLOSSIANS 3:1-17, PART 1”

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WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT – PLAY HARDER.
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Over the past few weeks several people have asked me what I thought about 23 Blast?  How did it feel having a movie made about my life? And What this whole experience has been like?  So, I thought I would put my thoughts in a blog post.  Hearing or typing the words “a movie made about my life” is something I am still having trouble wrapping my mind around.  The one word that best describes my thoughts on the situation is “bizarre.”  This entire experience from the first time I was contacted about the project, to meeting Dylan and Gary in the fall, to my first night on the set, to hanging out and having dinner with the cast,  has all just been a bizarre experience.  In many ways it just does not seem to be real.  It is like I am living in a dream and I am going to wake up at any point.  The experience while bizarre has also been incredible.  The cast and crew have been extremely nice and easy to talk with.  They have all put up with my many questions and have been a joy to get to know.  I am extremely excited to see how the movie turns out. Continue reading “MY THOUGHTS ON 23 BLAST”