Wisdom from Brennan Manning

"We are God's children not by our merit but by God's mercy."

"To grasp the truth of the gospel is to fall on our faces in both sorrow and gratitude."

"Authentic, evangelical faith cannot be separated from a readiness to act on the Word of God according to present opportunities. Whenever faith is accepted merely as a closed system of well-defined doctrines, we lose contact with the living God. The faith that saves is a surrender to God."

"To believe that all Jesus calls us to is to be nice to each other is to substitute the Christ of Christian humanism for the Christ of Saint Paul."

"If the People of God are not hearing the call to repentance or claiming their power to fulfill it, is it because we ministers of the Word are preaching another Christ from the pulpit?"

"The ability to love oneself is the root and foundation of our ability to love others and to love God."

"If there are few Spirit-filled, power-laden, transparent Christians, it is because so few have plunged into the true life of Jesus and died to sin, selfishness, dishonesty, and degraded love."

"The road map into the mind of Christ is emblazoned with the sign of the Cross."

"We have softened the Cross by trivializing it (even to removing it in some of our churches), by fitting it neatly into our schematic theologizing, and by ignoring it in favor of the Resurrection."

"If you wish to speak of the Christian life, authentic spirituality, or the gifts of the Holy Spirit, you speak of Jesus Christ nailed to the Cross or you do not speak at all."

All quotes are from Brennan Manning's The Importance of Being Foolish: How to Think Like Jesus.

3.5 Months

Father's Day Present

The kiddos got me a Mercer polo for Father's Day!

Twins?

Grief

I haven't posted much on here about Dad and his passing from this life quite simply because I'm still coming to grips with the reality of his death. I have thought about blogging some different emotions and thoughts but I haven't sorted those out well enough to make sense on here. I have received several cards, phone calls, personal greetings, texts, and Facebook notifications of prayers, condolences, and encouragement.

Perhaps the one that has stuck out to me the most came from a mentor of mine. It says,

Whenever we experience the pain and sorrow and grief of loosing someone who has been with us all of our lives, it allows God to become more real, His Spirit more comforting and His presence more personal. Without feelings of emptiness there would be no space for God to fill, no tears for Him to wipe away and no reason to hope for the life that is to come.

Amen.

A "New" Debate for Southern Baptists

As Baptists Prepare to Meet, Calvinism Debate Shifts to Heresy Accusation | Christianity Today

This isn't really a new debate for Southern Baptists, at the roots of the denominations history are leaders including convention presidents and seminary presidents who embraced a Calvinistic view of salvation. Walter Shurden, a moderate Baptist historian (once a Southern Baptist) has stated in a few of his books that there is something in the DNA of Baptists that causes them (us) to fight. If there isn't a debate or topic swirling around then we will create one. I believe that the renewed interest in the Calvinism debate is just such a topic. The SBC has been quite for too long (the most recent major debate of course being the so called "battle for the Bible"), so therefore there needed to be a fresh topic and source of contention. Just one of the things I love about being a Baptist.

Happy Father's Day

It was a good day with my family. I'm so blessed with an amazing wife and wonderful children. We spent time in worship, lunch with friends and students, then some time at home watching the Cosby Show.

Strange not to be able to talk yo either of our dad's today. Trusting that they know how much we love them and miss them!

The Gospel According to U2

I recently finished We Get to Carry Each Other: The Gospel According to U2. A great read for any rabid U2 fans or people who are intrigued by the intersection of pop culture, especially music and faith. Well written, although slightly biased by the author's own admission of fascination with the band, but would you really want to read a book about a band that was written by someone that didn't even like them? The mysterious ways the band has embraced and seemingly renounced Christianity through the years is intriguing to those in the church and outside of the church. The band is never one to be easily pigeon-holed into a particular category or framework though. They are all over the map on issues and faith, certainly not your typical representation of conservative, evangelical theology nor of "Christian music" though at times they model perfection in both worlds. Bottom line, if you like the band, you will enjoy this book!

Celebrating Grandmother's Birthday

1st day if VBS

Ready for VBS

Happy Birthday to the Best Mom Ever

Today is a special day to me because my Mom celebrates another year of life. She has always been such an incredible supporter and encouragement to me. She made it through nearly all of my life as a single parent, working, being there to help me, tutor me, guide me and direct me in so many ways. She has always been my biggest fan! I'm so thankful that God blessed me with a mom like her, who sacrificed greatly for me and continues to do so for my family. She is truly an amazing woman! Love you Mom!