May 2012
7 posts
“The problem with “cheap grace” is that it does not go far enough. It...”
– John Oswalt, Called To Be Holy, p. 6.
6 tags
One Big Question for Small Group Accountability
I have been a worship leader in some form or fashion for 10 years. Over that time, I’ve both participated in and tried a number of ways to facilitate regular, healthy spiritual growth with those I’m serving with. Some of these approaches have lead to good formation and growth; others have been absolute flops. It’s been trial and error, and graciously, many who’ve endured...
Teddy Ray: Encounter or Entertainment →
A great post on worship as an encounter with God by Teddy Ray, one of the pastors of the Offerings Community in Lexington, KY. He mentions the idea of being surprised in the worship gathering and offers some great thoughts on how worship designers can create space for this transformative surprise that comes when God reveals himself in our midst. Looking forward to more on this from Teddy.
Thinking Pentecost… what songs are your...
5 tags
Finished!
This past Saturday, I graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary. It is weird to even write that. Asbury has been such an incredible part of my journey over the past four years; as I begin to reflect on it, I am overwhelmed with the grace of God and how he has worked in and around me through my education there. When I went through new student orientation in 2009, JD shared with us that seminary...
"Are you not thirsty?" said the Lion.
"I'm dying of thirst," said Jill.
"Then drink," said the Lion.
"May I—could I—would you mind going away while I do?" said Jill.
The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. . .
"I daren't come and drink," said Jill.
"Then you will die of thirst," said the Lion.
"Oh dear!" said Jill, coming another step nearer. "I suppose I must go, and look for another stream then."
"There is no other stream," said the Lion.
April 2012
6 posts
Link and Prezi for Last Week's Sermon
Here’s a link to our Hope Media Player, where you can hear my sermon from last week. Also, here’s the Prezi and the clip from “Blood Diamond” I used. Thanks for the encouragement and feedback.
I'm Not Dead Yet...
I know things have gone quiet here. I’m in crunch mode trying to finish up seminary, and I’ve had a rather full plate since Holy Week. I’m probably going to take an official break from the blogosphere (weird word) until after May 20th, though I may post some random things from time to time. Until then, be blessed.
Oh, and here’s the Monty Python clip alluded to above, just...
Relevant || @ScotMcKnight on Connecting Friday and... →
“The full Gospel of Jesus Christ is an intertwined story of life, death and resurrection. Easter Sunday is meaningless without Good Friday, but Good Friday is equally as meaningless without Easter Sunday.”
Read on, and may your weekend be one of revelation as you focus your heart on the great Love of God revealed in the cross and resurrection.
“The cross had to be carried and endured before it could be preached. Jesus came...”
– Thomas Oden, The Word of Life, p. 344.
WatchCenturion: Experiencing Holy Week Through Fresh Eyes
There are few better ways of understanding the events of this week than to stand inside the story of Scripture and see things as they might have been seen. My friend Sean Gladding is telling the story of Holy Week through the eyes of the Centurion over at Seedbed. The Centurion (from Mark 15:39) sees Jesus in a way that everyone else in the...
March 2012
12 posts
Slow down Katniss by 25% and what do you get?...
WatchAngry Beard || A Stop Animation Film
Maybe this is why I a part of me still hates shaving…
Thanks to Robert for sharing this.
Killing the Heir (Lent Reflections)
Holy Week is getting closer, and the more we read in Mark this Lent, the more it becomes clear that Jesus knew exactly what lie ahead of him on the road to Calvary. In our reading today, we find the parable of the greedy tenant farmers:
A man planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a pit for the winepress and built a tower, and leased it to tenants and went into another country.
When...
"Affinity" (R.S. Thomas) →
pejohnston:
Consider this man in the field beneath, Gaitered with mud, lost in his own breath, Without joy, without sorrow, Without children, without wife, Stumbling insensitively from furrow to furrow, A vague somnambulist; but hold your tears, For his name also is written in the Book of Life. …
Seedbed || The Logistics of Salvation →
Interesting spin on the idea of logistics as UPS’s constantly-running commercials during March Madness. What do you think of this idea?
Seedbed || Are Natural Disasters The Will of God? →
Several professors from Asbury give brief responses to the question of God’s will as we once again face the aftermath of disaster in Kentucky. Definitely worth your time (or an Evernote link).
He is Faithful || Bryan and Katie Torwalt
There...
4 tags
A Hardened Heart - (Lent Reflections)
What does it mean to have a hardened heart? I’ve been thinking on this a lot today.
In Chapter 3, Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath, and we know from the context that the healing came in the presence of a group of people looking for a reason to accuse Jesus of breaking the law and blaspheming God by breaking the Sabbath. Jesus asks them a pointed question about what would seem most like a...
February 2012
14 posts
“Every uncorrected error and unrepented sin is, in its own right, a fountain of...”
– C.S. Lewis - The Problem of Pain. A great thought to meditate on this Lent.
From the Seedbed: Lent as a Holy Spirit Rehab →
Great thoughts from JD Walt on Lent, Amy Winehouse, and the need for change.
3 tags
Lent is not New Years Part Deux. (Ash Wednesday...
I’ve been thinking a lot about sacrifices during Lent, and specifically on how I’ve used Lent in the past as an excuse to do things I should have been doing anyway, like giving up sweets as if I’m fasting when I’m really giving it up because I’m fat and need to give it up. And then it hit me:
Lent can easily become a religious do-over for our new year’s...
2 tags
“A truly repentant heart does not seek to justify its situation, it simply...”
– Joshua Toepper, from his amazing Ash Wednesday sermon found here.
A Guide to Practicing Lent || J.R. Forasteros →
A great post on practicing Lent. Add this to your “Lent for Dummies” file, and pass it on as need be.
From the Seedbed: 12 Things I Wish My Pastor Had... →
An excellent post on marriage issues and some of the big lessons some wish they’d been told before they were married. Read the comment section as well- amazing stuff.
A disclaimer: Jeffro did my marriage counseling, and it was excellent. Seriously.
Meet Jeffrey and Jess Heine
This weekend, we have a few guests leading us at Hope. Jeffrey and Jess are native Kentuckyians who currently serve together at Redeemer Community Church in Birmingham, AL. Jeffrey has been one of the pastors there since 2008, and Jess has been a worship leader for Redeemer and for other Birmingham area churches. Their daughter June is the youngest female to ever win the Nobel, a Grammy, and a...
1 tag
Power Of The Cross || Leign Nash
This...
“If you don’t need the Old Testament to explain salvation you don’t have the...”
– Scot McKnight, interviewed by Frank Viola here about his book The King Jesus Gospel. The book is outstanding; you should pick it up.
5 tags
Reading Acts Missionally || Brian Russell →
Brian Russell has been a huge influence on the way I read Scripture ever since my first introduction to the Old Testament class at Asbury. If you want to read Scripture well, and not just for your sake but for the sake of the world, Brian’s blog offers a lot of incredible insight. Check it out.
From the Seedbed: How Artists Do Theology →
This is an absolutely wonderful article by Phillip Talon on art, creation, and the incredible goodness and graciousness of God. Check it out.
January 2012
22 posts
Good Grief: Ben Witherington on Death and Grieving →
Dr. W lost his 32-year-old daughter last month. His response and reflection on this tragic event has be nothing short of inspiring. To this point, he has posted four posts on Christian faith in the midst of suffering, especially unexpected tragedy. They are all worth reading. The link above is the first post. Click here for post two, post three, and post four.
“My hope is in nothing less than a dramatic reversal of death in the flesh. My...”
– Dr. Ben Witherington on grief and the loss of his daughter Christy last month.
7 tags
The Trojan-Horse Seed of Obedience
I just finished an email to a professor that I’m hoping to potentially study with in the future. I’m writing a number of these emailed these days as I prayerfully consider further study in theology and biblical studies. There are tons of question marks on the horizon for us these days, and that’s not a bad thing. Catherine and I are trying to make wise decisions, keeping our ear...
Old Testament Family Tree - from Adam to Jaddua →
kinda cool, eh?
“Praise is more than our duty; it is our humanity! Men have climbed Everest, they...”
– Edmund P. Clowney, Preaching Christ in All of Scripture
Lent Resources for Worship Leaders || Cardiphonia →
A great list of resources for litany, songs, and other perspectives on Lent. Thanks for the link, Bruce!
4 tags
Question for Worship Leaders: Lent Song Selection
I’m slowly piecing together liturgy and songs for our Lent season, and I am wondering what songs you might be singing during this season. Let me know what you have in mind; I’ll post some of my ideas next week.