Radical Together

I have been reading through David Platt's new book Radical Together. The book continues the passionate plea for people to fully become who God has created them to be as they pursue a relationship with him. What has been most challenging for me is the reminder that as a minister (professional Christian) I am not the key by which someone unlocks the riches of the Bible, rather my role is to be the facilitator to help people discover the wisdom, truth, and hope found in the pages of the Bible.

I have long puzzled over my own denomination's "Battle for the Bible that began before I was born and lasted over a few decades, and the reality that we are good at defending the Bible as the authoritative, inspired, infallible word of God but not very good at letting the Bible completely change our lives and our hearts, our marriages and our families, our churches and our communities. It's good to be reminded that I, nor my denomination are keepers of the Holy Grail (the Bible) but that as individuals live their lives in the light of scripture we help others to do the same.

50 Best Bob Dylan Covers of All Time :: Blogs :: List of the Day :: Paste

One last Dylan list for the rest of the Dylan fans out there! This is a great list because it includes so many great musicians who offer their take on a music icon.
50 Best Bob Dylan Covers of All Time :: Blogs :: List of the Day :: Paste

Finding Religious Meaning in Bob Dylan | YouthWorker.com

Finding Religious Meaning in Bob Dylan | YouthWorker.com

Dylan at the Foot of the Cross | Music | Christianity Today

In honor of the troubadour's 70th Birthday here is an interesting article about the faith of Dylan and the Dylan of faith.
Dylan at the Foot of the Cross | Music | Christianity Today

Happy Anniversary Baby

Today marks 11 years of marital bliss for Cyd and I! Hard to believe it has been that long. Can't wait to see what the rest of our lives together holds in store! I love you!

Seth's Blog: Easy and certain

Seth's Blog: Easy and certain

Johnny Cash - Ain't No Grave [Official HD] - The Johnny Cash Project

A fitting tribute to a legendary performer. A song that speaks to the bold truth of the Gospel!

Lion Song by Jason Harrod

Great singer/songwriter! Great song! Had it on my mind this morning since we used it in our wedding video nearly 11 years ago!

Love and Music

For some reason this time of year always has my mind turned towards love...I guess it's because I'm getting ready to celebrate 11 years of marriage with my beautiful wife. The longing look across the strewn toys and piles of clothes, some clean, some not so clean can send my heart palpitating. The glimpse of catching her from a far at church, Wal-Mart, or out in public elsewhere always makes me smile. We were folding clothes and I had turned on some music to listen to this afternoon, one of the songs was All Fall Down by Harrod And Funck. I believe I have written about them before but a Google search would answer your questions as to who they are and what they do. This one lyric caught my mind, perhaps in light of the sermon our pastor preached on families today. The lyric reminds me that the love of a healthy marriage is a choice not just on that fateful day but each day of life together. Our commitment is that our love won't ever fold to the pressures of the world around us! The greater commitment that gives our commitment any meaning and it's staying power is the gospel of Jesus Christ. That truly is the love that won't ever fold and blows the roof off of the whole world not just the town.

Because love's the show, it won't ever fold;
Around town it seems like everyone knows it'll raise the sky....It'll blow the sky.

U2- With or Without You - Rattle and Hum DVD

Rattle and Hum was my first U2 purchase as a kid, probably not much older than 10 or 11. I have sense amassed an assortment of U2 albums. There is no doubt in my mind that they are one of the greatest rock bands of all time!

Life is like Coffee Movie

Life is like Coffee Movie: "Do you know people that just seem to be happier in general? Do you say to yourself, "I want to be more like them"? Often, the happiest people in the world don’t have the best of everything...they just make the best of everything!"

Church & Culture Blog | Church and Culture

Great thoughts on the importance of books for civilization in general and the church in particular.
Church & Culture Blog | Church and Culture

The Heart of Prayer

I recently spent some time with one of my favorite authors, Fisher Humphreys. Humphreys writes in a clear, simple yet elegant manner. He always has the ability to take the most complex thing and present it in a way that people can readily understand. In The Heart of Prayer he traces how pray works in our lives as believers in Christ.

No one prays enough, or is good enough, that he deserves to be heard by God. God always listens because he is gracious, not because we deserve it (65). 

He must refrain from trying to manipulate or impress God, because what motivates God to listen and to respond is not any virtue or activity in the one who prays, but rather God's own infinite love (75).

Rob Bell Is Not a Litmus Test | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

Great thoughts on the controversy surrounding Rob Bell and his new book.
Rob Bell Is Not a Litmus Test | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

Back in Black! MU Football's 2013 Helmet Revealed: Mercer University Athletics

YES!!!
Back in Black! MU Football's 2013 Helmet Revealed: Mercer University Athletics

Image Is Everything

"We are created from Him, for Him, and in His likeness." So reads the words of my devotional book for today...there really is so much to unpack in that sentence. We are created from God, God spoke creation into existence then took some of His freshly made dirt and formed Adam, later forming Eve out of one of Adam's ribs. Truly we are created from Him, for He alone is the source of all creation, the Alpha, the beginning of time, the world, life, and you and me.

We are created for Him. Yes, we are made for God, not because He was lonely or because we were able to offer God anything but simply because of His love for us. We are made to find wholeness in Him not in others or things, but in Him!

We are created in His likeness. We are embossed with the divine seal. Engraved with the anniversary date of our salvation secured by Christ on Calvary's mount. We reflect Him the way the water reflects the sun or light bounces off a bald man's head. We are His, in every way!

"Humanity will bear His image. He will be seen in this creation. Never mind that His image-bearers once forfeited that privilege. Even before we lost it, He had determined to recraft it in us."

Image really is everything!

Bin Laden and the Gospel

The American part of me rejoices that Bin Laden has ceased to be a leader of terror in the world at large, especially in light of 9/11/01. BUT, I can't help grieving that like others who step out of this world without Christ, that he will spend eternity separated from the God who created him. As a Christian, I can't find the satisfaction of knowing that he is dead to be consolation enough for the people whose lives he has taken through the years who also perished without knowledge of the Risen Savior. My prayer is that God would use the events of recent hours to break us of our sin and convict us of a failure to see the gospel sent out to ALL to hear!

Prayer Part 8

Place your hand over your heart and read this scripture:
"Above all else, guard your heart for it affects everything you do. Avoid all perverse talk: stay far from corrupt speech. Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil." Proverbs 4:23-27
Pray that you wouldn't get sidetracked by the temptation which attacks you every day.

Prayers Part 7

Place one hand on your lips and meditate on this scripture:
"Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." Ephesians 4:29