Jesus vs. Paul Cagematch

Scott McKnight has a great article in Christianity Today on how many biblical scholars and lay Christians have noted that Jesus preached almost exclusively about the kingdom of heaven, while Paul highlighted justification by faith—and not vice versa. Some conclude that they preached two different gospels. Others argue that really they both preached justification; still others say it’s all about the kingdom. What gives?

Here are the video links contained in the article….

See more videos after the break…. Continue reading Jesus vs. Paul Cagematch

Vulnerability in Communication = Audience Identity

President Obama had difficulty with the word “superfluous” (video of the episode). He then joked with audience that it is tough to say “superfluous” with twelve stitches. I didn’t see this as an excuse but a moment where he was being vulnerable. When he was finally able to get the word right, the audience applauded showing a clear sign of identity with him and his plight. Sometimes communicators feel the need to appear “above it all” and that they must have it all together. In doing this,  the lose the opportunity to really identify with their audience. There have been several times over the years I have preached sick. Once, only a few days after having a non-malignant cancer removed, I got very light headed on stage and joked about having to preach laying down. Being honest about a weakness actually helped because people now knew what was wrong and were not distracted the whole time thinking, “What is wrong with that guy? Why is he so sweaty and pale?”

Big 2011 Goal (Hold Me Accountable)

For about a year and a half, God has been illuminating some key points in the narrative of the Bible that connect Eden to our eternity. I am currently reading through the Bible and finding three key purposes given in Eden for humanity, which sin undid and distorted, that Christ fulfills and hands back to us in eternity (note New Earth and not the overemphasis on heaven so often taught), which we get to participate in presently through our inclusion in Christ and His body as empowered by the Holy Spirit. I feel called to write these out in blog posts and if it turns into a book, published or an e-book, so be it. I will create a category under theology called Taking It From the Top or From Eden To Eternity and am hoping to write it out.

Here are the works that have added fuel to the fire. After You Believe by NT Wright, Heaven by Randy Alcorn, The Temple and the Church’s Mission by GK Beale, The Lost World of Genesis One by John Walton and influence from Pastor Eddy Leo of AbbaLove in Jakarta along with some distilling done in a think tank group. Still to be read for research are Dominion and Dynasty by Stephen Dempster among others.

So what do I need from you? A swift kick in the seat if you see too long between posts in this emerging category beginning in 2011…

God’s Empowering Presence Review

God’s Empowering Presence by Gordon Fee

Why I read it? This is a reference book on every passage in the Pauline Epistle’s dealing with the Holy Spirit. I was using it for sermon prep this week and decided to post it here. Fee is both a charismatic and a respected New Testament scholar. Thus, you get an extremely balanced and grounded Scriptural treatment of the Holy Spirit by someone who believes the Holy Spirit is alive and kicking.

Why should you read it? If you have wanted a comprehensive (note 967 pages) view of the Holy Spirit from a balanced position, this is your book.  The book is organized by Scripture reference which makes it super easy to find that for which you are looking. If you are brave enough to read it cover to cover, you would have incredible insight on the oft misunderstood person of the Trinity. A daring attempt would be to read through the Epistles in 2011 to gain an deeper understanding and experience of the Spirit with this book as a sidekick.

Reviewing Your Year-Free Tool

I am offering without charge a  series of processes I have learned which will allow you to do a stellar life and career or ministry year end review (YER). Last year, we have had over 1,000 folks download this process which I first posted on the worshiptrench site. If you would do your own comprehensive review, you’ll need to calendar the following things now:

  1. Set aside a day outside the office late November/early December to do the personal assessment exercise sections of the process.
  2. Calendar a time to take 30 min or preferably an hour for every member of your ministry team to complete and return the participant evaluation exercise. (We prefer to do this in a group setting, as emailing them out gets you very few returns).
  3. Calendar a time to meet with your captains as individuals for their assessment of you and the ministry, and your assessment of them.
  4. Set aside an additional half-day for yourself after the individual assessments for mastery points exercise and personal goals tweaking. Calendar a group captain gathering to formalize 09 goals and agendas. I usually do a Friday night dinner at a nice restaurant to say thanks followed by a Saturday morning get together at my house.
  5. Find a time to vision cast reviews/goals 10 that are appropriate with all ministry participants.

You’ll need to start calendaring these dates now. I created these pdfs in 2008 so where you read 2008 simply replace it with 2010, etc. If you are not in ministry, simply replace the word ministry with department, division, company name, etc.

Here are the four processes:

year-end-review-process-1-2008.pdf

year-end-review-process-2-2008.pdf

year-end-review-process-3-2008.pdf

year-end-review-process-4-2008.pdf

On Anticipating the Kingdom (of Disney)

Several weeks ago we informed our kids via homemade fortune cookies that we were going to Disney World, a first for all us. Upon reading that news and after overcoming some disbelief, spontaneous dancing and cheering erupted. My oldest is now reading the Unofficial Guide To Walt Disney World cover to cover, a huge tome of 860 pages. There are discussions of how we will pack, what it is like to fly on a plane, and how they will get their school makeup work done early. Piper and I are constantly hearing their thoughts of how joyous an occasion it will be. Our future trip to a magical kingdom is deeply affecting our lives in the present.

And then God spoke to me, “Why doesn’t my coming Kingdom affect you as deeply?” Touche’, Lord, Touche’.

Bailing Out With a Camo-Gospel

A great post. Solid reflection on false gospels. If people adhere to these that camouflage themselves as the true Gospel, unfortunately, this also means that many people are one discontinued “favorite” ministry event (formalism), one rule disagreement (legalism), one “unanswered” prayer” (mysticism), one allowance for introspection (activism), one new hurt (therapism), or one less friend (social-ism) from bailing out. Until Christ is the anchor, we shall be tossed at sea.

Avishai Cohen Trio: Jazz for Bass and Groove Lovers

Style: Jazz

Why you should listen. Enough rock sensibilities that non-jazz heads will dig the grooves. A little prog/new jazz but no hints of the blah-ness of smooth jazz. If you are a fan of smoking bass playing, not many guys lay it down like this guy. Now if he’d only play Dallas area. Click here to listen on itunes. Suggest starting with Caravan.

Modernized Classic of Thomas Chalmers…Grab It.

The first modernized classic I have posted on this site. Thomas Chalmer’s The Expulsion of Sin By Means of a New Affection.

The Expulsion of Sin by a New Affection Thomas Chalmers-Modernized

Why you should read it? If you struggle with sin and wish you could stop or find yourself tired of chasing after things in this world . Chalmers offers a view that concentrating on your merely ridding yourself of sin is doomed for failure. Instead, receive and revel in the love of God. In this, sin will be displaced.

To read why I modernize, check this.