John, I wanted to check with you to see if you or others at your church would be interested in joining me in Tanzania or Venezuela in 2010. Here are the E3 trips that we are offering in 2010: 1) Tabora Tanzania, May 16-25: evangelism in villages where there is no church; also sports ministry and medical/dental/veterinary opportunities; also an extreme option to plant churches with the Hadzabe and Mangati people. 2) Arusha, Tanzania, May 23-June 1: evangelism in villages where there is no church; also an extreme component to reach the Maasai; Huge need for doctors, nurses, dentists and vets. 3) Venezuela, July 22-30: the main team will be planting churches in the suburbs of Caracas, but we may send teams to Los Roques (the beach), Puerto Ayacucho (the Amazon jungle), Merida (the Andes mountains), and Puerto La Cruz. 4) Kigoma/Biharamulo, September 22-October 1: evangelism in villages where there is no church; many Muslims in Kigoma are coming to Christ. Both Tabora and Arusha offer extreme (tents) and non-extreme (hotels). Many Muslims are coming to Christ in Tabora and Kigoma. The doors are open to reach unreached people in Arusha (Maasai, Hadsabe, Mangati). The Lord has great things planned. Mike |
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Mission Trips to Tanzania and Venezuela
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Breast Cancer
ARRRRG!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
5-Things
- Practical teaching from the Bible: we need to hear from God's word from those who have the time to study and digest His revelation. This is why the early church created the office of "deacon" so that some would have time to devote to the word and then turn around and teach the church.
- Providential Relationships: anyone who thinks they can have a growing and vibrant Christian life all alone, have a misunderstanding about what it means to be a Christian. The point of you being a part of God's people is for you to be a part of God's people. You are meant to help a local church grow up into the fullness of Christ. You can't be a Christian apart from a church, at least not very successfully. You need people who will challenge and encourage you. You also need people you can challenge and encourage.
- Private Disciplines: you can't grow in your faith if you don't pray, read God's word, give, fast, etc... Your private growth is just as important as your part in helping your church's corporate growth.
- Personal Ministry: what are you doing? Every believer has a ministry to do, what's your part in doing what Jesus has called us to do? Find out what it is and do it. How are you using your gifts and talents to help a local church grow? How are you helping to fulfill the great commissions? How are you loving God and others? Get a ministry, then do it.
- Pivotal Circumstances: when a fork comes in the road that forces you closer to God or farther from your faith, choose God, He will use it to grow you like never before.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Merry Christmas
Friday, November 6, 2009
Praying for Fort Hood
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Nerd Lock
Monday, November 2, 2009
Eschatological Piece from the SBTC
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Missional Leadership
Missional Leadership from Ed Stetzer on Vimeo.
Here are Ed's Notes:
Here is the outline that I used in the video and I will be using tomorrow:
Missional Leadership
1) Reconsideration of Leadership
a) From superman to everyone
b) From church to kingdom
c) From me to we
d) From personal power to people empowerment
2) Rejection of Clergification
a) From three tiers to one mission
b) From "called to the ministry" to "called to ministry"
c) From "called to missions" to "sent on mission"
d) From exceptional to ordinary
e) From "priests" to a "priesthood of believers"
3) Renewed focus on mission
a) From "full service" to "simple mission"
b) From "pay, pray, and get out of the way" to "join God on His mission"
c) From decisionism to disciple making
d) From "mission statement" to "Jesus mission"
Luke 4
Luke 19:10
4) Realignment of priorities
a) God is a missionary God
b) I personally join Him on mission - modeling
c) I lead others to join Him on mission - leadership
d) I equip others - multiplication
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The Message & The Method
Our message is the gospel, but how do we communicate it, and does the way in which we communicate our message change the message itself?
Some say "the methods change but the method does not", others say "the method is the message", what do you say?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Let's Burn Some Books!
Best Version of the Bible
Friday, October 16, 2009
Ed Stetzer On Worship...
Reverence vs Relevance from LifeWay Productions on Vimeo.
Summary of some of their statements:
Why does it have to be one or the other? It doesn't but usually it is. Relevance is not the goal, the gospel and worship is the goal, relevance is a tool.
What are these terms anyway? The key is to look at the Bible. Clap, shout, dance - the Bible commands us to do in worship. It's essential to define the terms, but God must be revered.
Most people who claim they want "reverence" really want to return to a preferred past. Reverence has to be tied to the worship of God and need not be tied to the past.
Reverence looks different with different cultures, jumping in Africa, bowing in East Asia, etc...
So what is worship? http://www.lifewayworship.com "Seven Words of Worship" God centered response.
Sometimes we pull in either direction, back to the past or into the future in an idealized picture of what it should be, but both are "people centered" and are bad. It should be a "culturally appropriate" response to what God has done/is doing.
There's no such thing as "Christian music" there are no notes in the Bible, there are only Christian lyrics.
We fight over cultural forms rather than Biblical meanings.
In that culture, is the message clear, is this associated with anything else, does it elicit proper emotions, is it memorable, and many more tests... Romans 14 --> more mature (those believers longer) should give deference to the less mature (younger Christians) to build up the body of Christ and consider others more significant than ourselves - Phil. 2:3.
We need to be mature enough to worship in different ways. When we have "blended worship" and the old people sing the hymns and then the young people sing the courses, it is a sign of carnality and a sad compromise of a church on the way from "traditional" to "contemporary".
God does not call worship pastors to lead music, He calls them to lead people to worship.
"Blended" is built on the wrong foundation, "what do you want... what do I want... let's compromise" It's a picture of at least two groups of people who would rather have their preferences served.
We all want to worship the way we grew up, but the true question is what is the most appropriate cultural form to bring a timeless God, who has no preferred style of music, the maximum praise and glory.
There are unhelpful voices in the church that say "the church is only for the Church, just teach them and the people will reach the world." They want to have more knowledge about God and become more "deeper life" congregations that circle the wagons.
Church is not for the unchurched, church is not for the church, church is for God. Unbelievers need to come in and see people encountering God and doing it in a way not wholly different from them so they can understand the gospel and respond in faith. Seeker comprehensible, not seeker sensitive. The churches who are reaching people tend to be contemporary ones.
Don't shy away from themes like "the cross" or "the blood" but take the 15 seconds to explain it to make it seeker-comprehensible!
Should there be multiple styles of services? We should regularly encourage people to go to the other services to worship in Spirit and truth, otherwise we are pandering to religious consumerism and not using it as a missional tool. It's more about motivation.
Should music style be a church growth strategy? It is part of it. A church changing to create an environment in which the gospel can most easily go forth and be understood and best worship God in Spirit and truth in a specific time and place is what a church should be doing.
W.W.L.D. (What Would Lottie DO) - She wore Chinese clothes, ate Chinese food, sang Chinese songs etc. Learn your community and change to be a church in THAT cultural context. God doesn't care about your style, He cares if you are trying to reach the community you are in. God uses the church that says "it's not all about us"
At the end of Revelation we'll be singing with all the nations...
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Do Your Homework
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Master Puppeteer
Saturday, September 12, 2009
What to read?
For Women Only and For Men Only by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn – These short books based on extensive research, give concise practical steps for improving your marriage.
Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus by John Gray – It is hard to believe that this book came out in 1997. While it is not written from a Christian perspective, it is still one of the most helpful books I have ever read. It is a bit long and not for the fainthearted.
His Needs Her Needs by Willard Harley – In an easy to read concise fashion this book helps husbands and wives give each other what they need. The book has been out for 15 years but the information is still right on target showing that the basic needs of men and women don’t change over time.
7 Things He’ll Never Tell You (but you need to know) by Dr. Kevin Leman – Written with a very humorous syle, this book gives wives keen insight into how their husband thinks.
The DNA of Relationships by Dr. Gary Smalley – Reading this book will give you the whys and hows of the marriage relationship. His insights are based on 5 years of research and have shown an amazing 90 percent success rate in resolving conflict.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Doctrine of Decision Making
Friday, September 4, 2009
Faith As A Gift (?)
I'm always trying to keep learning, when the Bible is your topic you can be sure you've never learned it all.
With that in mind, here are my thoughts on Ephesians 2:8-9 in terms of faith being a gift from God. I say specifically in Eph. 2 because I'm not a big fan of imposing systems on the text or reading theological constructs into the scriptures. In other words, when you ask me "what do you think about... (fill in the blank)," I'm going to ask you "which verse(s) are you talking about." In this way, too many people turn their Theology into Philosophy. Truth is not simply a logical syllogism, it's tied to revelation, namely, the Bible. Yes, that's the book for me ;-)
So, with all that in mind, I'm not simply going to tackle the concept "is faith a gift," that's a really broad question and one that theoretically could still be false and not disprovable from scripture at the same time. We should not do Theology by simply coming up with theories and maintaining that they are valid until proven false by scripture, on the contrary, we should only hold to doctrines that are expressly and clearly illuminated in scripture.
This brings me to Ephesians 2:8-9. This is the verse that I've seen most used to show that not only is Grace a gift (and surely it is) but Faith is also. Let us briefly examine this view...
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
When you read these verses in English it seems that the relative pronoun “this,” or most translations say “that” (GK: touto), has “faith” as its antecedent. Well, that’s where people get the idea that faith is a gift. They would translate the verse “…And this faith is not of your own doing; it’s the gift of God…” The only problem with this translation is that in Greek (and in English) it just doesn't say that.
Here we’ve got a demonstrative pronoun with adverbial force used in an explanatory phrase. There’s a neuter singular pronoun (GK: touto) which doesn’t refer to faith (feminine) or to any immediate word which follows (see: “BDF” Blass, Debrunner, Funk). In the middle of this elliptical phrase you must supply the missing element. In other words "this what?". “This” (GK: touto) refers back to “salvation” and not “faith” or “grace.” “And this…” (GK: kai touto) explains that salvation comes from God's grace and it’s not in proportion to our effort, which is exactly what verse 9 says as well.
So, Ephesians 2:8-9 should be translated something like this: “for by grace you have been saved through faith, and this salvation is not your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
One might say “well, I see what you’re saying with the Grammar there, but faith is included in salvation and so faith is a gift too.” To which I’d say that while faith just might be a gift, this verse in particular does not state such. The gift here is Salvation. We get it by grace through faith. The gift (GK: doron) is Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself on God’s altar on our behalf. If you’re philosophical goal is to show that faith (through which we receive God’s grace and thus this gift of salvation) is a gift given to us, then you will need to go to other verses to show it.
So, while it doesn’t deny it, Ephesians 2:8 also doesn’t state that faith is a gift.
Friday, August 21, 2009
My Mom's Healthcare Story
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Technology
If that wasn't enough, yesterday I downluaded the updated USAA App on my iPhone. Now I can deposit my checks by taking a picture with my phone! It's so quick and easy, it's totally amazing!
I can check my balances on my checking, savings, credit cards, insurance, and see all my transactions. I can transfer funds between all my accounts and even pay all my bills online all with my iPhone.
The new app will also show estimated loan payments with a loan calculator and find the ATMs closest to my phone using the GPS.
Technology is amazing!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
No not one
My answer was "I'm sure you're no worse than everyone else."
I think it offended them, because I'm sure they believe there are people who are worse than them. To put it another way, they think that they are better than some.
The reality is that none of us does good. If we think we do, it's just our prideful flesh or worse the enemy himself.
Romans 3:10 says that "there is none righteous, no not even one!". When confronted with this, we think "well, sure I'm not righteous, but I'm not a bad person."
We fool ourselves I to believing that there are levels of good and bad, and that only comes from comparing ourselves to others. When I compare myself to the guy down the street who yells at his kids or the lady at work who cheats on her taxes, I may look pretty good.
But God only compares us to one person, Himself. Someone is either good or they are not. One can only be righteous or unrighteous, there is no in between. Righteousness is not the sum or general balance of our lives, you are perfect or tainted.
When Paul says "there are none righteous" he's quoting from Psalm 14 & 53 that says "no one does good."
Righteousness is about doing good, and we don't, we can't! Sure, you may do some things that are good in the overall general idea of the word, but when it comes to God and eternity, you can't do good, not compared to God. Look at all the bad you've done. It clouds everything.
All have sinned and fall short of God's glory.
Our righteous can only come from Jesus. Don't even try to compare yourself to someone else, that doesn't matter. You're just as big of a sinner as they are compared to perfection.
In this all or nothing game, one in which we play for keeps and everlasting life is on the table, make the sure bet. The only one who was ever righteous, Jesus, is willing to cash in and pay your debt. He paid your penalty and is willing to have His righteousness counted in your account.
Like any free gift, all you've got to do is accept it. Admit your sin, believe in Jesus alone to save you from yourself and an eternity apart from Him, commit your life to Him today.
You're just not good enough to make it any other way...
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Mythbusters
Friday, July 17, 2009
Homeless & Homeowners
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The King of Pop and the King of Kings have different addresses
I've heard some people talking about Michael Jackson, in particular about his memorial service. Though most have recognized the emptiness there that always accompanies a lost person's funeral, I have heard a few people allude to Jackson being "in a better place" or something to that effect.
Let me clear up this misunderstanding.
In 1982 Jackson released the much praised "Thriller" album. Soon after, the Watchtower Society (the official organization known as "Jehovah's Witness") denounced this album. As a result, in 1987 Michael Jackson publicly announced that though his parents were Jehovah's Witnesses he was not.
Jackson's brother Jermaine Jackson converted to become a Muslim in 1989 and according to public statements Michael took great interest in Islam at that time. He even considered converting to Islam himself following his acquittal on child abuse charges in 2005.
Later in 2005 Jackson was seen observing rituals from the cult of Jewish Mysticism known as "Kabbalah" that Madona made so popular.
Not only has Michael Jackson demonstrated that he was lost and searching for the truth, he never made a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Hell is real, and this is a great opportunity to show that no matter how good or nice you are, you still spend eternity separated from God if you do not accept God's gift of His Son. His name is Jesus, and the first commandment still apples: Ex. 20:3 ""You shall have no other gods before me."
So objectively speaking, Michael Jackson is in hell. I'm not happy about it, but it was his choice. I also am a huge fan of his music from the 80s & 90s, but me liking someone's music has nothing to do with their relationship with God.
I pray others will spend less time accumulating idols for themselves, and more time praising the King of Kings.
Monday, July 13, 2009
The Apostle Paul - Single????
1 Cor 9:3-6 "This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. Don't we have the right to food and drink? Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas? Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living?
This text suggests, but does not prove, Paul was married.
2. Rabbis and proto-rabbis got married; so do most males. Paul was a super up-n-comming Rabbi who was even sent out on behalf of, if not a part of, the reigning Jewish council the Sanhedrin. Sanhedrin officials were married (a general requirement). That being the case...
3. Paul never says he was not married.
4. 1 Cor 7:1-9 indicates he was celibate -- at the time of writing.
So, he never says definitively, but he leads me to believe he was married, and she left.
Let me know your thoughts...
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Healthcare
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
On The Old Testament
Monday, June 29, 2009
Can We Trust the New Testament?
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Geita Tanzania Mission Report
Here is a great report from my good friend Mike Tally: Dear friends, I just returned from Tanzania Sunday night. What an awesome experience. Sometimes grueling, but the Lord was in everything we did in a powerful way. 26 of us went from the US which included 13 from my church (10 very solid youth from my church including Michael, my 18 year old son). Here is a brief report: What an incredible experience with the Lord and with those on my team. There are so many of those on this team that I love so deeply. Together we saw the Lord do so many incredible things: a) An estimated 15,409 people heard the gospel. b) 7427 recorded professions of faith in Christ (2924 through US led teams (an average of 112 people per US team member) and 4503 through Tanzanian led teams). c) 60 mission points (42 new churches planted and 18 existing churches were strengthened). d) 72 Tanzanian missionaries and translators were mobilized from other cities. e) Hundreds were given dental care. e) The Lord spoke to us and worked in our lives in a way that will forever change us. There is such an incredible hunger for the gospel. It truly is like stepping into the New Testament. Our lives are impacted. I love joining the Lord in His harvest field. A trip like this takes us way out of our comfort zones. Fund raising is painful. The travel is grueling. Missed flights are absolute torture. The beds are hard. The water for showers is cold (if there is any). There is lots of dust. The commodes usually don't flush. The buses are hot and crowded. There is more dust. There are bugs. The food is very different. The people don't speak the same language. The culture is different. People can be aggravating. There is still more dust. We miss those we love. We are taken out of our comfortable environment. There is so much that we cannot control. And I know it can be incredibly hard for our friends and family who stay here. They make great sacrifices too. Here is the question that is running through my heart and mind, "Is it really all worth it?" Is it really worth it to follow Jesus. His way often takes us where the road is hard and unfamiliar. Out of our zones of comfort. Into our areas of weakness. But the way of Jesus is also the way of abundent life. We find that life through surrender. He meets us when we are most vulnerable. In our weakness He is strong. Jesus said, "If anyone comes after me, he must deny himself daily, take up his cross and follow me. For whosover, finds his life will lose it and whosoever loses his life for my sake will find it." I found life this week because everywhere I went I found Jesus there. We experienced Him as we obeyed His command to "go into all the world and preach the gospel" and to go and make disciples of all peoples". Wherever we we to share the gospel, He was there already. We found Him as we worshiped. I found Him in my weakness because it is in my weakness that I have opportunity to experience His strength. He is working in my life for sure. I am being changed. What a great blessing to be able to share this experience with my son Michael. It was his first time to be a team leader. His team of three Americans (Jimmy age 19 and Shaun age 18) and three translators went to the bush where most had no clue of the gospel. But these young men shared Christ with boldness passion and compassion. 489 people prayed to receive Christ in their group alone. My son now has a big heart for the people of Africa and Jesus worked deeply in his life. We completed four church planting campaigns in Tanzania in May and June. On those four campaigns approximately 31,000 prayed to receive Christ and 193 new churches were planted. I have two more campaigns this year, July 23-31 to Puerto La Cruz Venezuela and September 23-October 2 to Kahama/Ushirombo, Tanzania. The churches in Kahama are ready to plant 62 new churches and those in Ushirombo 36 more. We desperately need missionaries from the US to sign up and go. Please come with us. It truly is worth it. Jesus will impact your life as He impacts the lost through you for eternity. Thanks for praying. Your prayers make a huge difference. In Christ, Mike |
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Couldn't find the song
The King of creation
O my soul, praise Him
For He is thy health and salvation
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near
Praise Him in glad adoration
Praise to the Lord
Who o'er all things so wonderfully reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings
Yea, so gladly sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how thy desires e'er have been
Granted in what He ordaineth
Praise to the Lord
Who doth prosper they work and defend thee
Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do
If with His love He befriend thee
Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him
All that hath life and breath
Come now with praises before Him
Let the 'amen' sound from His people again
Gladly for aye we adore Him
