Advancing

Better Than Laughter

Doug Sherman, pastor of our fellowship here in Moses Lake, WA, just posted a great commentary on human suffering.  A blurb:

"Pain reminds me that I feel and it serves as the emotional and spiritual counterpart to my physical nerve endings.  It teaches me to avoid evil and embrace God.  It is a beautiful thing that the God who could give me the capacity to laugh loudly from the belly, experience the ecstasy of sexual passion and the beauty of art and music, could also equip me with the emotions of sadness, anger and sorrow.  The pleasure and the pain teach me about the God of the Scriptures who sits in the heavens laughing, stands outside Lazarus tomb weeping, and cries out in the oil press of Gethsemane, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"'

Ecclesiastes 7:3-4 - 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. NKJV

Introducing: Seth Barnes

Paul Loeffler recently introduced me to a blog he follows.  It's called Radical Living in a Comfortable World and it's hosted by husband, father, missionary, youth worker and author, Seth Barnes.  Seth recently read a 15 Point Thesis identifying major flaws in today's "traditional" church.  I've heard it said that "it doesn't take a rocket scientist to find imperfections in the church."  True.  But Ecclesiastes reminds us that there are different seasons under the sun.  One of those seasons involves "tearing down."  Deconstruction (pruning if your prefer) is a painful component to true discipleship both on the individual and corporate levels.  I found Seth's post challenging, provocative, and inspiring.  Thanks, Paul!

Mark Driscoll On The Resurrection

The literal bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is the centerpiece and cornerstone of our faith.  Mark Driscoll spent some time blogging over the last few days regarding the significance and evidences of this historic event.  There's some good stuff here.

Driscoll on the Resurrection Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.  Download his Easter sermon here.

My Best Day

I'm taking my kids through the book of Matthew.  Last night we looked at 26:1-16.  3 things stood out to me:

1.  High priests and religious leaders are conspiring to kill Jesus by stealth, eventually with Judas Iscariot's help.

2.  The disciples get furious with a woman for anointing Jesus with costly perfume, labeling her act "criminal."

3.  On my best day I'm susceptible to the same wicked reasonings that so displeased God and eventually led to Christ's crucifixion.

It's so easy, isn't it, to look down on these unrighteous authorities, wagging a knowing finger as benefactors of "prophetic hindsight."  As the years pass I'm growing more and more sympathetic to these religious scoundrels.  Would I not share the same indignance if some maverick "preacher man" from Nazareth threatened my authority by dissing me in front of my peers?  Would my blood not boil with jealous hatred watching this Miracle Worker infect the masses with His influence?  And how bout' the disciples?  Weren't they right, after all?  Feeding and helping the poor and the needy trumps a smell-good bath for Jesus every day of the week, doesn't it?  I mean...what were you thinking, Jesus?  How can you receive such a lavish expression of affection?  This isn't right.

Mark Driscoll On Christ's Influence

What would an imaginary Bedford Falls have become without a fictional George Bailey?  How 'bout this one:  What would the world as we know it look like today without the historical, factual Jesus of Nazareth?  Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church takes a shot at the latter question in his latest Seattle Time's article .

Mentoring: An Important Interview

Adrian Warnock recently interviewed Josh Harris, author/pastor of Covenant Life Church, on being mentored by popular author/pastor, CJ Mahaney.  I'm familiar with Josh because his father, Gregg, has been a home schooling authority for years.  It was Gregg's tape series that put the advantages and challenges of home schooling in perspective for Deea and I.

I was reminded in the interview of the role mentoring plays in Christian discipleship.  I've been fortunate to have been mentored over the last 15+ years by my pastor and good friend, Doug Sherman.  Doug has invested much time and prayer into our relationship.  At times I've wished for something more "apprentice-like."  But Grace Harvest Church is a relatively small church and staff opportunities have been few.  Still, I'll always be grateful to have witnessed consistent Christ-like character modeled first-hand by a truly honorable man of God.  The church needs more of these kinds of relationships. 

Ralph and Sam

Consummate professionals.  Fiercely competitive on the court.  Polite and cordial gentlemen off.  They would greet each other warmly before clocking in each day.  Then they would attempt to kill each other from 9-5, stopping for lunch, of course.  All over a herd of sheep?  Sounds like the work of the ministry!

I work in the internet department of our dealership with a really cool guy named Bobby.  Bobby and James.   Ralph and Sam.  Same looney tunes.  Different looney channel.  We say our good mornings, "clock-in," coffee, work, lunch, work, bathroom, work, "clock-out," say our good nights and go home.  Life passes at Road Runner speed.  As we lock up and walk to our cars each evening a familiar feeling washes over me.  I think it's called mortality.  "Night, Ralph."  "Night, Sam." 

Steve McCoy on Alcohol

Steve McCoy was one of the main inspirations for me to take the leap into the blogosphere.  A Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) graduate, pastor, husband, and father of 4, Steve shares some great insights on the topic of beverage alcohol and how it interfaces with the Biblical doctrines of liberty and redemption.  Steve neither promotes the use of alcohol nor endorses the Southern Baptist's extra-biblical enforced covenant of abstinence. 

Here are some links for those interested in this topic:

1.  An SBTS audio featuring president Al Mohler sharing why Southern Baptists practice and enforce an extra-biblical covenant of complete abstinence.  It is an interesting discussion and a great place to start for those interested in exploring the subject.  I respectfully disagree with SBTS's position. 

2.  Steve McCoy's post responding to Mohler.(164 comments!)

3.  An open letter responding to the above audio written by Wade Burleson, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Enid, OK. (over 1,500 in regular attendance) and past president of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (2002-2004).

4.  Steve McCoy's second post on alcohol discussing abstention and redemption.(48 comments!)

5.  Steve McCoy's third post on alcohol discussing redemptive grace for the alcoholic.(62 comments!)

6.  Joe Thorn, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in IL. writes a thoughtful post responding to an article written by Dr. Jack Graham, a fellow Baptist pastor. which advocates abstention as the only wise choice for the Christian.  Also linked here are audio, pdf and book recommendations on alcohol.(65 comments!)

This post is not intended to encourage or endorse the drinking of beverage alcohol in any form.  My intention is to stimulate discussion on what I consider to be a seldomly addressed and often avoided issue.  In fact, alcohol isn't the issue at stake, IMHO.  At stake is the liberty and redemption Christ clearly offers through the cross.  For example, if you are a Southern Baptist minister who drinks alcohol in moderation, 99% of all doors of opportunity will be shut.  This is unbibical.   

UPDATE:  10/29/05  Steve McCoy just found this sad article siting Southern Baptist hurricane volunteers refusing to distribute bottled water to victims simply because of the "Anheuser Bush" labels.  To counterpoint I've been impressed with the denomination as a whole for their sacrificial response in the wake of natural disasters.