Missionaries, Ministry, and Football

Today I have the incredible pleasure of listening to one of my heroes talk about his life after football. Yes, Danny Wuerffel, Heisman Trophy winner, record breaker, husband, father, National Champion...is here to speak about Desire Street Ministries - an inner city ministry founded in New Orleans.

He is one person that knows there is more to life than football. He played in the NFL, made tons of money, has many trophies - many records are still held by him at Florida - but God had put a higher mark on his head than just a football player with lots of money.

I saw him play quite a number of times when he played for Florida. Loved him then, love him now. He spoke at an FCA event at Florda after he graduated. Sat on the same row as him. I used to think this really mattered. But, it doesn't. There is more than his signature and a picture (although I will still try to get both today after lunch). He is more my hero because he lived out his faith (not perfectly, but faithfully) at Florida, in the NFL, in the locker rooms, and in his home.

A friend sat next to me today in chapel. She asked me if that was a missionary. I said, "No, its Danny Wuerffel." How wrong I was - yes, it is Danny Wuerffel - but yes, he is a missionary.

Speaking of other missionaries. My brother and sister in law were commissioned at their church in Central Florida this weekend. They leave the day after Easter to spend 6 months in Ghuana. I will miss them. They will be over in Africa or Switzerland (to learn French) for at least 4 years. I am so excited for them. They will be loving on Africans in the name of Jesus. Pray that the opportunity comes available for me to go to Switzerland to see them in 2010. That would be amazing.

Advent 2008.7: Humility, Poverty, and Family

My Dad is a genealogist. Most of you reading this will know that it has something to do with family and the history of families. I tried doing what he does in 2007, but it just wasn't for me. Not that I don't think its interesting, it just wasn't for me.
But, it has been neat learning all growing up where I came from, who my family is, the lineage that we are as Davidsons and Hatchers. But, how do I mirror or look like my eternal heritage? do I put on Jesus every day to mirror him to the nations - just as He put on flesh in the incarnation to show us Jesus.
I was very convicted about my lack of Jesus last night. I was sitting in a church service - one of the missions of this church is to reach its community around the church building. Germantown is not an affluent part of Louisville to say the least. Where I was sitting there were a couple of people walking by more than once who definitely were not of the churched variety. They were unkept and smelled of smoke.
Now, I should have been ecstatic because they were coming, the church was fulfilling its mission, they were hearing of the gospel of Jesus. But, I wasn't. I was too prideful. I was irritated because they were getting up and down, I was holding my nose as they walked by because I don't like cigarette smoke, etc. You get the picture of my pride. It is not pretty. Jesus humbled Himself and became poor - born in a stable, not looking like the King He was, not looking like the priests he had opportunity to talk to.
I want to look more like Jesus - my eternal co-heir under God our Father. "Truth itself was the stumbling block. And so the only escape for the enemies of truth was caricature and half-truth. Jesus is a glutton and drunkard. That is why he eats with tax collectors and sinners. But beneath the ugliness of calumny is the glory of compassion. Why did he eat with tax collectors and sinners? He gave the answer - 'those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." (65)

Advent 2008.2: Slave, Satisfaction, Surrender

Today Piper focuses on the Deity of Christ. I think before we can understand fully the Incarnation - we have to understand the Personhood of Christ. Christ is above all and agent of Creation (Col 1), the radiance of the God the Father and the worshipped of Heaven (Heb 1). He is the I AM as He tells the Jews in the gospel of John. All these things - yet He considered Himself nothing and took on the form of a servant - the slave of a cross (Phil 2). That is remarkable. That throughout time (Alpha and Omega) Christ knew the day was coming that He would have to give up His eternal nature and take on bodily form in the womb of a teenager and live among people who would eventually nail him to a cross and mock him and spit on Him. Did He have an "advent countdown" like we do today. No matter what else - we know as Hebrews says that He endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him. As Piper starts out - that Joy was the glory of God the Father - and that is where our satisfaction must be found. I am not satisfied as I right this. There are many things I'm disappointed with in life - even just right now. Father - let me know and find my satisfaction in you - and in the Son that you sent on my behalf - that I would find my complete joy in You!

CIM talks about our citizenship. I think about Christ's citizenship - how He was a "citizen" of another "country" and He gave up those rights and freedoms (God-ness, Phil 2) to come dwell among us. And I also think of the many people I know who are out in other countries, who live and dwell in dark places, all to tell those people about this one who became a baby and died for them on a cross. These people in dark places worship other things and other gods - they don't know (or mostly even want to know) to truth of this Incarnate and Sacrificial and Glorious Jesus.

This is why we celebrate the Incarnation - because we know the other side of the Cross and what that means for the world.

Hudson Taylor 1

I am doing some reading in Spiritual Secrets - the life of Hudson Taylor - missionary. It is one of the best missionary biographies...in the same ballpark as Jim Elliot's and Adoniram Judson's. Good stuff - for anyone - not just people who want to be missionaries. But, I find it convicting and compelling. Here is one quote that helped me again view the weekend in light of the hard time of ministry that it was.
"The inconsistencies of Christian people who, while professing to believe the Bible, were yet content to live just as they would if there were no such book, had been one of the strongest arguments of my skeptical companions, and I frequently felt at that time, and said, that if I pretended to believe the Bible I would at any rate attempt to live by it, putting it fairly to the test, and if it failed to prove true and reliable, would throw it overboard altogether. These views I retained when the Lord was pleased to bring me to Himself. And I think I may say that since then I have put God's Word to the test. Certainly it has never failed me. I have never had reason to regret the confidence I have placed in its promises or to deplore following the guidance I have found in its direction."
The Bible is our pattern - our plumb line - we are called to be holy. How do we do that - by living by what it says. I failed in so many ways this weekend - I do every day. Yet - by grace and through compassion - I am called to get up everyday and still seek the face of God and learn of His ways.

My thoughts this Easter and Some fave Easter songs

This is the thought that has been on my mind this Easter weekend: How is my life different than that of the disciples and other people who lived on the first Easter weekend. On Friday, witnessing the death of Jesus, and than what...nothing. They had to live Saturday not knowing that Sunday was coming. That would have been the worst Saturday ever. They didn't have March Madness to make a difference. Their friend had died. He had been murdered. What was going to happen next?
See, I, as a believer in the Risen Jesus, have no reason to despair. I live my life in response to a Sunday morning. That weekend took all of God's wrath from me, made me justified and cleansed forever, providing my entrance into the Throne room of God. I don't have to live like Jesus is still in the grave. He's not!
These are some of the songs I've been listening to...
O What A Savior - I think I like it because that is what is claims - we have such a Savior - and let me tell you Ernie Haase can sing it! I like the Cathedrals, Deep in the Heart of Texas version
Another song on that same CD I love it
Plan of Salvation: I want to thank Jesus... The cross had to happen - the wrath of God had to put on someone. He was humbled to his Father's own will (oh may I be that way too, no matter what the cost). The Garden was such a lonely and foreboding place...knowing what was coming. So many times I thank Jesus for other things - but how often (besides Easter) do I thank him for the cross? May that thought never leave my mind - may I preach the gospel to myself everyday - before I awake, throughout my day, persevere in that thought that the One who was the Action of Creation died on a splintery cross for me.
He Lives - Lakewood Church - I remember singing this at the Summit - best song we ever did I think. Jesus' walking on water didn't save me - His death on the cross and resurrection saved me. He lives, conquered the grave, covered our sin, death couldn't hold the promise within (1 Cor 15). Hosanna to crucify - how praising and cursing come out of the same lips. The only line I disagree with in this song is "everyone knows in three days he rose, with power forever to redeem you and me." Everyone doesn't know - that's what is lacking in the gospel (as Bruce Ashford said one time in a missions sermon). If everyone knew it then we wouldn't need to tell others because they would already know. May we never think that everyone (even in the Bible belt) has heard of this precious news!
My Redeemer Lives - Hillsong - I first sung this at Anastasia - one of my fave Hillsong songs. My shame he's taken away, my pain is healed in his name. I believe (Lord, help my unbelief). I'll raise a banner - my Lord has conquered the grave.
The Old Rugged Cross - I used to play it in Plant City Primitive Baptist Church in middle school. This is sung by Bart Millard. It is an emblem of suffering and shame and we wear it around our necks and tattoo it on our bodies - hang it on our walls - do we have it backwards somehow. My trophies are nothing. How can I cling if I am holding on to my sin and pride so tightly? Phil 2 is highlighted in this song to - the humility and exaltation of Jesus.
Beautiful Scandalous Night - Bebo and Sixpence - Be thirsty no more. We are wrecked by the fall. Tragic tree. Atoned by His blood. Justified.
There are many others - but those are it for right now...

Mirrors of grace

I don't know if I really like mirrors. Of course I want to know what I look like - but sometimes I don't. Girls struggle so much with their outward appearance, and I am definitely no different.

But, I was reading Valley of Vision tonight and a line in their said we need to be "mirrors of his grace". So, I looked up mirrors.

Mirrors are basically light reflectors. That's it. Ok - so there is so more science stuff squeezed in there, but basically - light reflectors. Easy.

So - we are to be mirrors - or light reflectors - of the grace of God. This is to others. What do others see when they look at me - do they see me reflecting the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus - or do they see someone who is wrapped in themselves, the world, etc.

I want to reflect LIGHT!

The Message of Missions

Last night I had the opportunity to speak to a WMU International Crafts Banquet at a church in Elizabethtown, KY (about an hour from here give or take traffic). It went great.
The ladies there were so receptive, authentic, welcoming, hospitable, joyful...how refreshing it was to see that. The pastor was from FL and a Gator fan - so that definitely helped. The ladies also didn't have any tomatoes to throw since the Gators beat UK on Saturday.
I got to talk a little bit about the women's program here at Southern. The WMI (for anyone) is great if you want to learn about seminary topics (OT, NT, Baptist history, theology, etc), but you don't want to get a degree or maybe you never graduated high school or college. This is for you. And I got to talk about what women are doing here at Southern in the way of missions - they just went to China last spring. I'm grateful for women like Lorie and Jaye who are bringing in fantastic women like Mary Kassian and Bayne Pounds to speak and teach our ladies. They are learning stuff that will impact their homes, churches, and worlds.
My main passage was Acts 1.8 - what better for a missions banquet. The three main things were:
1. We can't do missions on our own. Our power comes from the Holy Spirit - we can do nothing on our own.
2. We have to be witnesses of Jesus. The disciples definitely knew who they were talking about - they had lived with Jesus for three years. We can't be missionaries until we have a first hand experience with the risen Jesus.
3. Missions is an everywhere command. We are told to be missionaries everywhere. Not just overseas and not just in our backyard. It is a both/and thing.
I also gave a short bio of Lilias Trotter who was a single woman missionary to Algeria and worked with Muslim women. She had passionate abandonment, despite many physical obstacles, to no one but God - giving up pleasures of this world because of the infinite worth of the next world.
I pray that those ladies were encouraged to be obedient to do missions wherever they are. And that they wouldn't settle - that they would ask God to do amazing things and notice how HE does them.

A Crowning Moment

I just returned earlier today from my weekend in White Plains. It was a great weekend of ministry and fellowship in a decidedly different world then the south. I really liked the city of White Plains - and the town of Granite Springs we (the ladies and I) went to on Saturday to pick apples. I got a suitcase full (25 lbs), and a small pumpkin. Angela and I roasted pumpkin seeded and got out the filling to make our own "canned" pumpkin. It wasn't as difficult as I thought. So, now I have apples to eat and bake with - if I only had a kitchen. I may just have to go borrow one.
I learned many things this weekend: conviction of the Holy Spirit and Grace is so rich and free. Also, what is looks like for women to be the crown of their husbands. Even though I'm not married - I can think to that end. But, also, I'm already married and the Bride of Christ...I should not want anyone to look at me and see me, but I should want people to look at me, see Christ the King - and not even think of the crown that He wears. I want people to look at me and see Christ - with me doing no harm to the name of Christ. Oh, how far I have to go.
Pray for Christ the King Church - they are reaching a mostly Catholic neighborhood and definitely a multi-cultural city. Good thing God is a multi-cultural God - meaning that it doesn't matter whether you are white, black, hispanic, asian...Jesus is. (period).
Enjoy the pictures. Ones from the pumpkin/apple farm and the others are from the Sims' backporch at sunset - beautiful Creator God that we serve!

Breakout Session 5 - Immigration

Breakout Session 5
Baptist Ethnicity and Immigration
Early on there were Russians (have conferences in ND), Asians (mainly presented on a dissertation by Timothy Tseng: polity, theology, ethnicity), Hispanics (paper by Albert Reyes: large movements in the southern hemisphere), Germans, French, Norwegians, Swedes, Slovaks, Poles and Hungarians, Czechs (John Kejr), Italians (Buffalo, NY). Most immigrant groups were more conservative than their American counterparts. They basically functioned as multi-site churches (all German Baptists in one city, but different locations) till one got big enough to be self-supportive. I guess some people have seen some success in multi-site churches.
There was a scarcity of qualified men to be pastors. That is why I like mission endeavors that go to the other countries, and evangelize and train men to stay there in their respective villages to preach and shepherd their people.
Many different people come to America for freedom of religion – and start churches, but keep their own way of doing some things. That is part of what makes American religion, Christianity, so interesting. With all these different ethnicities – you get such a brighter look into what Heaven will be like. People from every tribe, nation, and tongue – will be around the throne giving praise to the Lamb.
The presenter shared the following verse to begin the session – 1 Kings 8.41-43:
“Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people, Israel, comes from a far country for your name’s sake, (for they shall hear of your great name and your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm) when he comes and prays toward this house, hear in heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you as do your people, Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name.” What a great verse. May we – as all Baptists and Christians in general – know that that glory of the name of Jesus is the main thing. May we live, eat, breathe, discuss, talk, evangelize, and do missions – everything for Your Glory!

Breakout Sessions 1 - Dr. Keith Harper

Possibilities of Missions Movement – Dr. Keith Harper
(On a personal note: very conversational and real. He knew his stuff – he didn’t quote it from looking down at a paper hardly looking up from the podium. Thanks for getting me in the newspaper and not being boring Dr. Harper! “Not even one minute were you boring!” Dr. Akin would be proud! Thank you for setting the bar!)

Theology and what we believe vs what we’ve done and how we have done it.

Wrong!

Faith and practice come together. It has to.

Pertinent Issues in Building Community
We need to examine missions and their authority. But, how did they do missions – from one changing culture (starting in 1845) to another culture you don’t know anything about on the field. What about family life, courtship, child rearing, conflict resolution, grocery shopping – all these interesting things that happen on the field just like they happen here in America – but just slightly different.
The professionalization of missionaries. This isn’t a vocation but a God-given calling. Missionaries’ lives change as they live among the people. Ecumenism even in a foreign society. They way they do ecumenism impacts the way the local church does ecumenism. The sending of single women as missionaries – you know who you are – are serious about their call. But this also occurred before the 1920s. “Take up the white man’s burden.” They are not being pushed out of one culture – but they are being pulled into another.

Speaking at lunch with Nathan Finn, he said that the IMB helps lots of genealogical researchers (even lay researchers) find information about their family due to these archives. You can go to the Board in Richmond to read some of these letters, journals, and articles from missionaries on the field. Some are online from Lottie Moon, but most are still being transcribed. These will provide for great reading and biographical study.
Taking Christianity to China - Flynt
"Living in the Lives of Men" (Auburn, 1998) - a dissertation that was mentioned
Our Ordered Lives Confessed –

BHC Plenary 2

Excited this morning about hearing about missionary (and wife of Adoniram Judson), Ann Judson, seeing people I know (Nathan Finn and Dr. Keith Harper of SEBTS), and I just enjoyed a walk to the battery here in Charleston – beautiful in the peaceful morning hours before the sun gets too hot.

Our first hymn of the day is Am I a Soldier of the Cross by Isaac Watts, one of the hymnists we heard about last night.

Profile – Ann Judson (by Rosalie Hunt) – a great character profile
The Woman of the Century in 19th Century America

To be disposed of as He pleases: her cry to God shortly after she accepted Christ. From
Rom 12.1 - a living sacrifice. One thing she would learn of greatly during her short lived life. This marriage to Adoniram would cost her her family in America but she said “God’s service is my delight”. They were America’s first missionaries – congregational missionaries – but on the ship as they traveled they learned more about baptism (immersion) by reading the NT in the original Greek – and were baptized properly in Calcutta. They finally (through many other countries) got to where their heart was, Burma. It took 6 years for them to see their first convert – what perseverance! The hardship of losing her children, loneliness without her family, imprisonment of her husband, sickness she endured – comes back to “present your bodies a living sacrifice”. Ann Judson (whom I am currently reading about as well, I love biographies) was truly a soldier of the cross. I wonder if she knew this hymn, since it was written before her time. How do you measure your service – holy and acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service?


Profile – Lott Carey – Leroy Fitts
The Father of West African Missions

True greatness has its own way of being resurrected. He was born into slavery in Virginia – his father was a member of a local Baptist church. His grandmother instilled in him African heritage.
He started preaching to fellow slaves in Virginia, but even without much formal education – he developed into one of the finest preachers in his day.
He saw many converts during his ministry in Liberia. He proved himself a worthy leader through the years – perseverance and commitment. He died from injuries sustained in an explosion. He was a political leader, a spiritual leader, and a world leader.

Baptist Hymnody: Southern Ante-Bellum Baptists (some about Stearns and Sandy Creek familiar with Southeastern’s history in North Carolina)
Irvin Murrell

This was much about hymnody and tune books, different hymnals that churches have used through the years and other “stuff” like that.
He had pictures on the handout of Sandy Creek Baptist Church near Asheboro, the grave marker of Shubael Stearns that we replicated one year at Southeastern to give to donors at our Board of Visitors meeting, and the tombstone of Pastor Stearns.
There were different traditions:
The Charleston Tradition (Richard Furman, who was pastor of this church)
The Sandy Creek Tradition
The Georgia Tradition
The Tennessee Tradition

One of the hymns he spotlighted was God Moves in a Mysterious Way written by William Cowper – who Piper highlighted as one of the biographies in his Swans series.
Hymns are the voice of the people of God – this is a great testimony hymn.

We can learn from the many traditions in the hymnody world that have come before us. But, I would also have to say that some of our modern hymns and choruses (not all of course) will be sung 300 years from now, if the Lord tarries. I think of “In Christ Alone” as a great example.

Understanding Our Global Witness – Bill Leonard (reminds me of Dr. Little and Dr. Heimbach with his bowtie). – Dean of WF Divinity School

He said the missionary movement is reversed now – more of the people we have witnessed to in the past are now turning and doing the very act of missions.

Evangelism and Civilization - would conversion result in a change of Indian Culture William Carey, Andrew Fuller – called to evangelize the heathen. How has missions changed? Now we talk of contextualization and reaching the heathen to take the gospel back to their own societies. The natives are going to be the ones reaching their family members with the gospel (going back to the first statement he made).

Role of women in missions – (Ann Judson whom we heard about already this morning)
Lottie Moon, and then even today: Sarah, Tonya, Melissa, Delly. This is how history has shaped the world of missions today. I’m grateful for people like Lottie Moon and Ann Judson and Amy Carmichael and Elisabeth Elliot…paving the way for my friends and me to go and share the gospel.

One last way: Technology and globalism. (I think of the missions center at Southeastern directed by Dr. Bruce Ashford – who gets married in a week). There are so many ways we can now reach the world with a push of a button. They are a phone call away, but going is still going – meeting them where they are. God has blessed Southeastern with many ways to reach the nations without leaving Wake Forest, but they still send out missionaries every semester to go into the uttermost parts of the earth with the news about Jesus.

Application for Today:
What would people say about your life if they were doing a “character profile” over 100 years after your death? Whatever you want them to say about you (and the God you serve) has to be lived today.

Contending for the Truth - 3.2 Q/A

Q/A with Mohler/Ravi/Sproul
Started with RC rapping - it was quite entertaining.

How is it possible to say that God is responsible for evil but not guilty of it?
RC - Joseph. God's sovereignty, it is evil, but when God decrees that evil should occur - it is good that it should occur. Or the evil couldn't be hear. For God is all together good and ordains only good.
AM - Problem arises from wrong question or presumption - rather than seeing God as essentially good, we abstract an idea of good and try to measure God against that good - that is a losing proposition. What is good - God's definition of good -by consistency of HIS own Character. Also an eschatological view of it. "The damned will agree on the rightness of their damnation" - boice.
RZ - whole anti theistic movement is in knots on this issue. Where is God in all of this? They want to take Christ out of Christmas in 2004, but then they wonder on 12/26/04 where God is? They can't have it both ways.

Is evolution compatible with the Bible?
RC - Macro or micro. Micro developments within species - (yes, it is documented). Macro - is not compatible with the Bible. It is not compatible with science, either. It is historical rather than scientific
AM - Dominant part of evolution is naturalism and materialism. Darwin didn't invent evolution. Absolute naturalism - not the supernatural (GOD). NO! It is not compatible.
RZ - You are right. Risk being an outcast in the academic world. Not many things as big (or bigoted) as liberalism. Liberals are very upset with that statement.
AM - when you think about ID (it is not Creation) it would have been PR-wise - this is not a threat for evolutionists - you can't even talk about it - how odd is that?

Why did it say in Gen 1.1 that God was hovering over the waters when the waters weren't created yet? And who did Cain marry? (Jeffrey, age 8)
RC - Cain married his sister, the genealogies of the Bible were not gender sensitive - the females were not listed. The marrying of your sisters were not prohibited until later that God brought to bear after the initial law to procreate were established. They start showing up several generations later. Waters - Moses went to sleep for a second. Earth was w/o form, empty, darkness was upon the face of the deep (primordial), the idea of the abyss. The Spirit hovered over the empty darkness. Waters was not the wet stuff.
RZ - Created order was there, but the moisture component was there. An expanse between the waters. We want you on our team!
AM - Cain married his sister, and you can't marry yours.
"God hovered over the souffle" - true French translation

Is it possible that you could be wrong in any of your doctrinal positions?
RC - you might be wrong, Al. For me, it is a manifest impossibility. There is a possibility - humility. Certainty level is not constant. Some are constant - all are not equal on that level. What are the 10 things you know for sure - your own level of certainty? God hates abortion (it is impossible that God wouldn't hate it). Regeneration must proceed faith or no one would believe. I could be wrong.
AM - there is stuff we don't agree on, not at a basic level, but there are different understandings. It is quite possible the three of you are wrong. But, we can't both be right. When I face judgment, the veil will be lifted. The inadequacy of where I am now - is nothing compared to Heaven. There will be no theological debates in Heaven. One of the things we enjoy with being each other is the influence of the men on this platform - continually check your doctrine, teaching, preaching first by the Word, then by the men and their writings. Egalitarianism/Complementarianism - we must always be open to correction by the Word of God and those who love the Word.

When did P-M start and by whom?
AM - The Name of the Rose - Plato? Further and further? There is no absolute answer - but it doesn't take root in the culture until after WW2
RC - "Man is the measure of all things." - the Serpant (way back before Plato)
RZ - 1941 - the 21 civilizations.

What would characterize it?
AM - The truth issue. Rejection of universal and absolute, unchanging, and words can testify to it. All the rest is decoration.
RC - Collision course with the NT idea of truth - primary definition is that it defines real state of affairs. Reality. P-M doesn't believe in states of affairs.

What are thoughts on the Emerging (Emergent) Church and characteristics?
AM - Many different things: mood, candles, ghotees. Embrace of P-M, self-conscience embrace. Strong warning: the emergent brand is the dominant scary stuff (McClarin, rejection of the law of non-contradiction), the ooze, today's liberals were evangelicals yesterday. Continual break-offs are the sons and daughters. If you get truth wrong, forget it. If we surrender that commitment, new form of liberalism in the church. Time, McClarin was asked about homosexuality - whatever I saw will offend someone. Leadership Magazine - BM - we take a 5 year moratorium on talking about it, then come back and see if we still agree in 5 years. Abdication of conviction and cave in of Christian courage. We have the answer.
RC - It is impossible for us to be wrong? P-M terms wrong and right are not categories, but people don't like Christians because we want to re-insert those categories. We make assertions - but the EC doesn't want them. We take a stand - EC has an allergy. It appeals to the church who want to make doctrine relative. We can't be satisfied b/c truth is too important to kill it in the streets for peace. We can't do it.
RZ - "When the tide is low, every shrimp has its own puddle" This is another puddle. It makes me wonder, would these men and women bored with God? What brought this about? What brought the methodology into theology (The Secret Message of Jesus) We have non-critical people thinking about this. What does McClarin really believe? He is anti doctrinal, but he is doctrinal person.

What are the thoughts on seeker sensitive movement?
RC - very very bad thing. Rests on fundamental error. Unbelievers are desperately seeking God. Purpose of corporate worship on Sunday morning is to reach the lost. The Bible makes it clear in our fallen state no one seeks after God. Worship is supposed to be the corporate gathering of the people of God. There are going to be unbelievers - we have to address the lost in our sermons, but mainly it is the believers attending the preaching of the Word, adoration, celebration of the Lord's Supper - what is it that pleases God and not the unbeliever?
AM - Brilliant. Outdated - but the logic is still there. Level you are to see: logic: if you scratch people where they now itch - they will be more open to hearing the gospel. You'll earn their trust because you have met their needs. 2 problems: it doesn't work, they don't get to talking with the gospel. They are still on green grass (how to get it).
RC - Luther - preached on concern of despite of awakening of the reformation and the light of the gospel and was available to the people - they were still addicted to relics. Rather than read the Scriptures, they would go to their relics, the pants of Joseph, the milk of Mary - they were looking for power - in the pants of Joseph. We don't go around looking for Joseph's pants - but now are power is in the program. The Power is in the WORD! It is a strategy of unbelief. He is looking for all these techniques - if you want power - be an expositor. That is God's strategy.

RZ - can you speak on your preaching at the LDS in SLC?
Two Novembers ago, it was tough. What? I am not seeker friendly. Curious...approach face to face. Why are you asking me to do this? We respect you and our community would like to hear from you. Am I going to be used? A smoke screen? I will consider it under one condition - that I pick the subject. Exclusivity of Jesus Christ. And another - I'd like to bring my own music. Someone like Michael Card. They were accepted. Attacks came: from the Christians. Speaking in Washington - declined - but then 24 hours, Dobson, Colson - don't turn it down. Wife didn't send the letter of decline. We marry better than ourselves. Tabernacle was packed, 7k. D L Moody was the last evangelical there. Given all hour. BYU people were there. Marvelous responses. Incredible amount has taken place. Kingdom of the Cults editor. Anything that challenges the authority of the Christian faith as the Bible presents it - I'll go there and speak.

Was the Catholic church ever the true church (the RC church)?
RZ - Its RC's turn
RC - Yes, for much of its history. Heroic, embrace of theology, ecumenical council (Nicea, etc)
AM - Institutionally, the invisible and the visible church is the issue. Hesitant to speak institutionally - not all SBCers are Christians. True of every denomination, to our shame. A lot of Christians who aren't Baptists - who aren't evangelicals. The CHURCH is founded upon Jesus Christ our Lord. But look back and be thankful. Contemp context is not the same question.
RZ - if the pope were married, he would know he is infallible.

Muslim to look further - where to start?
RZ - Tough question. Basically what the M denies is everything the Christian believes at the root. Sonship, Scripture, divinity, resurrection, Crucifixion. How God is scaling the wall? Dreams are being used. God is working where the Word has been shut out - the love of God is reaching them. God cares for them. LOVE! Avoid criticising Mohammed - it puts up a wall. The failure of him will come up later after the Spirit has saved him.

AM - you spoke of martyrdom for authenticity of Scripture - what about Islamic martyrdom?
Christianity centers in apostles willing to die for the risen Christ. Wouldn't let themselves die for something that wasn't true. Calvin's point (6th point) = lives have been so transformed, willing to be martyred - a confirming sign, not the 1st sign. All scriptures are not created equal. Die for the faith, not kill for the faith. Martyrdom is not the first proof - only a confirming proof by men and women so transformed by this gospel.
RC - Bin Ladin dies and went to heaven. George Washington punched Bin Ladin in the nose - Thomas Jefferson came a karate chop. Patrick Henry spit in his face. What's all this about? Saint Peter said - 72 Virginians, not virgins.

more of my fave people

In being this is my last month in the state of NC - I thought I would mention some more of my fave people...

This is Tim - wonderful fabulous small group leader extraordinairre and ex-choir leader at Faith Baptist Church. He is now getting set to move his family (his wife and all the kids) to Haiti to work with a medical team down there and equip Pastors. This is the new gift that God brought them in January - they only found out about 2 weeks before getting her. Some of you think 9 months is not long enough - think of only 2 weeks.
I love this family - pray for them.

Getting intimate with the Son

Had some friends over for dinner tonight. I love the depth of our friendship - we just don't get together and goof off (now playing cards is fun and very worthwhile), but we also talk about meaningful things. One of the questions Lindsay asked me tonight was "what is my fave psalm". Could I claim just one - no...as I study them more, I get to like many of them - couldn't claim a favorite.
This picture is one I took in Indonesia this summer. The reason I put it on there is because of Ps 2.8 "Ask and I'll give the nations as your inheritance". This is actually a picture of the holy book for their religion. Their's doesn't contain truth - our's does - because it is the very breath of the only God! And the other was taken in Singapore - all those gods - and not one of them loves you. I am thankful that I serve ONE GOD and that He sent His ONLY SON to die for me, yes, because of His justness, but also, as John 3.16 says - because he loves me! Even as the Summit is doing focus on Durham this week - He loves people and has a plan for those right here in Durham. We worship other gods too - we just may not have such elaborate temples...
Now, onto Ps 2.
Neat how similar verses 2, 4 are to Ps 1. But, verse 4 is opposite. Now it isn't the wicked who are doing the laughing - but God mocks them in their wickedness. God laughs at them - in their attempt to do things that aren't according to Him. But, oh how quickly that changes to wrath.
2.12 - "Kiss the Son" - adjust yourself to Him - not the other way around. so, we start with the psalter asking why the nations do things on their own, and ending it with telling them to put themselves in line with the Son - or else the wrath of God.
How often do I want to do things my way. As Brad prayed tonight for dinner - he said God, lead us - even if we may be thinking we are going one way, you take us a different one. That is so true. I get so set on one thing - that may not be the thing that God has for me. He may want me in a totally different direction. God - let me "kiss the son" all the time - convict me where I am wrong. When I want to do things myself or my way - Spirit - nudge me HARD!
In line with that, Acts 4.28, "For to do whatever thy hand and they counsel determined before to be done." - The Sovereignity, predertermination, and timelessness of God.

What God is up to in other places than Durham...

God is working everywhere. We sometimes think we have the market on God's work...but just to tell you...
Currently...
EASIA - There is a team of college students and adults from the Summit that are over at three college universities building relationships to tell people about Eternal Life and a personal relationship with their Creator!
VT - There is a family out of SEBTS who went up there to plant a church. They played a dvd this morning with an OC Supertones song on it - it showed kids and adults having fun skiing, playing ping pong, learning about Jesus - relationships leading to the Best Relationship of all.
NY - White Plains NY to be exact. There are a couple of folks leading a church movement up there. White Plains is about 25 miles north of the city - Fortune 500, Trump Towers, an airport, a little bit of country. But, the most important thing is the people are learning about Jesus - whether it is through basketball playing or Bible studies. Pray for them and check in with them - see what God is doing up there. As the pastor said today - if we can reach NYC - then we can reach the world (or something like that).
Raleigh - RCCC is a church in Raleigh where a friend of mine is the pastor. They have had exciting growth in his time as pastor (much like what God has done at the Summit). They are diverse in their age group - the youth ministry is exciting. They are going to Birmingham AL next week to do missions. Imagine the international missionaries God is going to call from out of that group of 80 who are going. They have a team going to the two places listed above this summer to help those churches out spread the word about Jesus. They preach the word, they meet the needs of the people who are coming, the women's ministry is very active, the singles' ministry is coming and charging ahead. I know most of the staff either personally, from an old church, or from seminary days. God is doing a great work over there.

So, its nice to take a day off from the Summit every now and then to see what God is doing in other places - not just in Durham.

More viewpoints on Duke

Ok - continuing on the last blog about Duke (which is where I work, that is ONE of reasons why I'm so interested in this). Also, The Summit Church is doing Focus on Hope and this is one of things we want to help reach and prevent in our city.
I came across this article, read it, nodded, laughed, agreed...good. Since I can't get the link to work, it is on sports illustrated - commentary by Tim Layden.

The Friday is going by quicker then W and Th did, but my scanner is not working properly, so it is quite aggravating!

kd

Post-Football season & Temples of Prayer

Well, I was right...Pittsburgh did score 21 points, I was just wrong on Seattle's - (sorry Bob). To be honest I really didn't even watch most of the game. I was watching something else and kept turning it over there. But from what I saw it wasn't that exciting of a game. But, truly a sad day. It is the end of football season as I know it until next August. And then MNF is moving to ESPN - what is up with that. I hope less people watch it, then after many years of their contract, they will move it back to a non-cable station.

Mark 11-12
These pictures up here illustrate very clearly part of the passage of Mark 11. This is in Chiang Mai as Chris (my worship pastor) and Angie (our children's director) sit praying over the temple. This was another one of the verses that came to mind when I was there. Many people were selling things, both in and outside of the temple. This was not was the temple (or the church) was made for. It was made for prayer - for worship. This is it. For His glory!

Chiang Mai Temple overlook

This is taken from the Buddhist temple on the mountain overlooking the city. As soon as I got up there I thought of the verse below in Mark. How these were lost sheep without a Shepherd. A dead god, Buddha, can't lead you. Only a risen GOD can lead you. This was a sad overlook...but beautiful.

Where does this lead?

Read thoughts below

kind of a john 4 story

This was also supposed to be in the blog below. This was taken one of the days we were shopping in my trip this summer. The reason we wore the jilbabs was that we wanted to be respected by the other women we came in contact with there. Kind of like a John 4 story - if we were not wearing our head coverings, then we were like the woman in John 4. But, the women would talk to us, just showing respect for the social-religious aspects of their country.