Baby Survives Abortion

A mother in England chose to have an abortion at 8 weeks because her son could be born with a birth defect. However, the baby survived the procedure and is now a healthy 6 month old baby boy. He suffered some kidney damage but is expected to live a normal life.

Read the story HERE

See original Daily Mail story and picture of the precious 6 month old Finley HERE.

The mother says it best, 'I still struggle to believe just what he has fought through. Now he's here I wouldn't change it for the world.'

What a wonderful outcome to such a terrible procedure!

Modesty

Hopefully everyone has been reading the Sovereign Grace Blog in recent days. C.J. Mahaney has been sharing his chapter ("God, My Heart, and Clothes") from the upcoming Crossway book entitled Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World. By the way, the Sovereign Grace blog has information of how you can receive 35% off the cost of this book.

I've only read parts of these posts so far but I look forward to reading it all this week. For convenience you can download the complete content of the blog posts in PDF HERE

I would also recommend checking out the results of The Modesty Survey, conducted by Alex & Brett Harris at The Rebulution. Other helpful resources include:

• Modeling Modesty by Mary Mohler (PDF download)
• Are Christian Women "Modeling Modesty" In Weddings? - Mary Mohler interview on her husband's radio show.
  

As a man, and a Christian man in particular, I believe it is very helpful to seriously consider this issue. Modesty isn't simply a matter of following rules to be a 'good little Christian' (legalism), but it is being responsible in how we serve our brothers and sisters.

I took part in the Modesty Survey and listened to Dr. Mohler's radio program above when it first aired, but the subject had not really been on my mind recently. However, when I attended the T4G conference I was reminded of it once again.

During one of the sessions I was located behind a girl whose pants were riding very low, probably lower than she realized. As a result, a part of anatomy typically associated with plumbers was clearly visible. She was in the back row of the floor seats and I was in the second row of bleacher seats (about a 25-30' separation), so it wasn't that I just happened to look down and see something. It was clearly visible from a distance.

Please do not misunderstand me. I don't think for a second that she was doing this purposely, and I am confident she genuinely loves the Lord, but it was certainly an awkward time. This situation is just one example of why it is important to think about the issue of modesty (I'm talking to guys as well as girls).

We need to be willing to look in the mirror and think of others instead of just whether the garment looks good. I think the chapter by C.J. Mahaney, as well as these other resources, are tremendously beneficial as we seek to serve each other in this area.

Blessings!

It really is official this time

I am officially the Minister of Children & Families at Parkland Hills. There is no more voting that needs to be done by anyone (see previous posts).

It is exciting but also scary. I just need to remember to stay focused on the gospel and not get caught up in being a professional minister. In fact, I probably should re-read "Brothers, We Are Not Professionals."

I appreciate everyone's support and encouragement as Michelle and I begin this new phase of our lives and ministry. I covet your prayers in the days, months, and possibly years to come.

The 17th of May will be my last day where I currently work. I will miss the friends I've made there, although I WILL NOT miss the 45+ minute commute (sorry guys). I praise the Lord for providing such a wonderful job and a great group of people to work with the past year and nine months. Thanks especially to Stephen and Brad for your godly leadership.

"Whoever serves [must do it] as one who serves by the strength that God supplies-in order that in everything God may be glorified" - 1 Peter 4:11

Grace and peace!

It's official...kind of

Upon final approval by our sponsoring church I will be officially called as Minister of Children & Families at Parkland Hills Baptist Church next week.

Our pastor first approached me close to two months ago so it has been difficult to keep it to myself. He first had to discuss it at a Mission Development Council meeting and await their approval. After what seemed like an eternity, it was unanimously approved by them last week.

Our church then took the next step and unanimously voted this past Sunday to call me to this position. It then is set to go back to our sponsoring church for them to formally approve things (only because they are voting to underwrite our budget to cover this salary line item).

I was under the impression that they would be voting tonight, but it turns out that they were only announcing a special called meeting for this coming Sunday where it will be addressed.

So, it isn't 100% official as of yet as I've prematurely told some people, but all involved say that there is full agreement so it is mostly a formality at this point. I have been waiting not-so-patiently up until now so I guess I can wait another few days.

I'll provide more information Sunday night or Monday sometime.

Have Church Your Way

I saw this several months ago but found it again this evening. It is a humorous reminder of the pervasiveness of pragmatic & egocentric churches. The sad part is that it probably isn't too far from reality in many cases.




HT: Route 5:9 (Peacemaking Ministries blog)

A Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On

I woke up this morning and learned that the Louisville area felt the tremors from a magnitude 5.4 earthquake centered in southern Illinois [See local coverage here]. It must have shaken me out of my blogging drought.

I have been unable to blog due to being in New Orleans, LA for 8 days on a mission trip (more on that later), and then attending the Together for the Gospel conference this week. I had some time at home during the conference but I had a paper and other homework to catch up with.

Here is the link to T4G 2006 & T4G 2008 audio (free download and/or stream) until I get back into the swing of things.

Starbucks - Your Opinion Counts

You're probably wondering how writing about Starbucks has anything to do with...well, anything. I just happen to know that many of my fellow seminary students spend a great deal of time at their local Starbucks, so consider this a public service announcement.

We can all have our voices heard in the ongoing company-wide improvement process by visiting the website My Starbucks Idea. The site says:

"You know better than anyone else what you want from Starbucks. So tell us. What’s your Starbucks Idea? Revolutionary or simple—we want to hear it. Share your ideas, tell us what you think of other people’s ideas and join the discussion. We’re here, and we’re ready to make ideas happen. Let’s get started."

The site provides the opportunity to give your idea(s) on how to improve and then the rest of the "community" can discuss them and vote. So far it appears that FREE wi-fi is finally coming to your neighborhood Starbucks!

(note: I don't like coffee but I really enjoy their Strawberries & Creme Frappuccino)

Anniversary Thoughts - Michelle's Hands

Michelle and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary today and I continue to be amazed by her. I am gazing at her hand-made card as I type this and realize the same hands that made it are the ones I held three years ago today while we pledged our lives to one another.

They are also the hands that I have held during many happy moments, and a few sad ones. They are the same hands that held the hand of my dying brother-in-law, although she barely knew him. Most notable is the fact that they are the hands that have joined mine in times of prayer & devotion.

I praise God for a godly wife and I echo the words found in Proverbs 31:29-31, "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates."

A little Perspective (funny but true)

Brought to you by Rhett & Link

Mom Kills Self After Abortion

The Sunday Telegraph reports the sad death of British artist Emma Beck who committed suicide after aborting her twins when she was eight weeks pregnant. The note she left read,

"I should never have had an abortion... I see now I would have been a good mum." She then wrote, "I told everyone I didn't want to do it, even at the hospital. I was frightened, now it is to late. I died when my babies died. I want to be with my babies: they need me, no one else does."

This is a sad story, and one that only magnifies the true devastation left in the wake of abortion. I pray that anyone considering one will consider other options.

T4G

I was unable to attend the first Together for the Gospel conference but I have been given the opportunity this time. Needless to say I am very excited! However, I want to be careful to be excited for the correct reasons.

I'm sure I will be encouraged and challenged by the speakers. But, I need to keep in mind that this is "Together for the Gospel" and not an occasion to stand in awe of (worship) heroes in the faith such as John Piper, Al Mohler, CJ Mahaney, and others. By virtue of the purpose of the conference I'm confident they would want us to focus on the Gospel and the unity it brings to believers instead of focusing on them.

I only mention this because I'm already having to battle against it. It is an awesome opportunity to sit under the preaching and teaching of gifted men of God like these, but I don't want to be "star struck" and miss the point altogether. I pray it will be a learning and growing experience, and I really look forward to meeting many new people who are "together for the gospel."

Hope to see you there!

"A Penitent Heart"

Below is a sermon by George Whitefield entitled "A Penitent Heart, the Best New Year's Gift." If only we all could preach with such passion:

"O let the love of Jesus be in your thoughts continually. It was his dying that brought you life; it was his crucifixion that paid the satisfaction for your sins; his death, burial, and resurrection that completed the work; and he is now in heaven, interceding for you at the right hand of his Father. And can you do too much for the Lord Jesus Christ, who has done so much for you? His love to you is unfathomable. O the height, the depth, the length and breadth of this love, that brought the King of glory from his throne, to die for such rebels as we are, when we had acted so unkindly against him, and deserved nothing but eternal damnation. He came down and took our nature upon him; he was made of flesh and dwelt among us; he was put to death on our account; he paid our ransom: surely this should make us rejoice in him, and not do as too many do, and as we ourselves have too often, crucify this Jesus afresh. Let us do all we can, my dear brethren, to honor him.

Come, all of you, come, and behold him stretched out for you; see his hands and feet nailed to the cross. O come, come, my brethren, and nail your sins thereto; come, come and see his side pierced; there is a fountain open for sin, and for uncleanness: O wash, wash and be clean: come and see his head crowned with thorns, and all for you. Can you think of a panting, bleeding, dying Jesus, and not be filled with pity towards him? He underwent all this for you. Come unto him by faith; lay hold on him: there is mercy for every soul of you that will come unto him. Then do not delay; fly unto the arms of this Jesus, and you shall be made clean in his blood.

O what shall I say unto you to make you come to Jesus: I have showed you the dreadful consequence of not repenting of your sins: and if after all I have said, you are resolved to persist, your blood will be required at your own heads; but I hope better things of you, and things that accompany salvation. Let me beg of you to pray in good earnest for the grace of repentance. I may never see your faces again; but at the day of judgment I will meet you: there you will either bless God that ever you were moved to repentance; or else this sermon, though in a field, will be as a swift witness against you. Repent, repent therefore, my dear brethren, as John the Baptist, and as our blessed Redeemer himself earnestly exhorted, and turn from your evil ways, and the Lord will have mercy on you."

It is especially interesting to read this due to Whitefield's Calvinism. Many in the SBC would be surprised at such language based on their misconceptions about what this doctrine does to "evangelistic" preaching. Since facts and history seemingly do not help them in overcoming their negative stereotypes, hopefully this sermon will be ample evidence that Calvinism and evangelistic zeal do coexist.

Go Wayne Grudem!

Why this man is thematic, he’s charismatic, he’s systematic,
Why he’s Wayne Grudem! (Wayne Grudem)
He did not author Scripture but provides a clearer picture - Oh Yeah!
(Keep reading whoa keep reading)
Wayne may not be Jesus but he writes mean exegesis- Oh Yeah!
(I’ll buy a copy, I’ll kill to buy a copy)
You put it on the flo-or and it props open your door,
Or if you need to sit- you can climb on top of it - With Wayne Grudem
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go
Go Wayne Grudem with your intellectual writing style,
(Wayne Grudem go Wayne Grudem)
Go Wayne Grudem you make ha-rd doctrines less of a trial
(Wayne Grudem go Wayne Grudem)
You are extreme, but God’s supreme, oh Wayne Grudem
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go
(There are) many heresies which we-e now clearly see- Oh yeah!
(oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Despite him being bald, hundred-thousand copies sold - Oh yeah!
(oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
His six appendice-es leave you praying on your knees.
Although he’s not inerrant he’s a heresy deterrent - Wayne Grudem
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go
Go Wayne Grudem with your intellectual writing style,
(Wayne Grudem go Wayne Grudem)
Go Wayne Grudem you make ha-rd doctrines less of a trial
(Wayne Grudem go Wayne Grudem)
You are extreme, but God’s supreme, oh Wayne Grudem
Go Wayne Grudem with your intellectual writing style,
(Wayne Grudem go Wayne Grudem)
Go Wayne Grudem you make ha-rd doctrines less of a trial
(Wayne Grudem go Wayne Grudem)
You are extreme, but God’s supreme, oh Wayne Grudem
Grudem, grudem, grudem, grudem
Grudem, grudem, grudem, grudem yeah!

HT: The Blue Fish Project

Political Correctness Gone Crazy!

A children’s story based on the tale of the Three Little Pigs, entitled The Three Little Cowboy Builders, was rejected for an award after judges worried it would offend Muslims. It was also criticized for its potential to offend builders. The judges’ remarks included this question: Is it true that all builders are cowboys, builders get their work blown down, and builders are like pigs?

Click here to read the full story from The Times of London

I-N-T-E-G-R-I-T-Y

The issue of Calvinism within the SBC continues to frustrate me. Not because of the issue itself, but because of the number of Southern Baptist leaders simply lying about the facts. I want to believe it is out of ignorance but surely they know better.

I'm hoping and praying they will begin showing some integrity on the issue. Although, no doubt there are those on both sides of this issue that need to present a little more grace and integrity.

We get that you don't agree but at least let your reasons be based on facts. Calvinists are NOT anti-missionary or evangelism (what about William Carey, Adonirum Judson, or Spurgeon?) and are NOT necessarily anti-invitation, although reducing regeneration to simply raising your hand or walking the aisle is problematic for a number of reasons.

The most misunderstood aspect, and usually the most misrepresented, is the fact that there will not be anyone in hell who truly desired Christ, and there won't be anyone in heaven who didn't want to be there.

The thing I find most troubling is something I've witnessed personally. I've experienced a person's very Christianity being questioned because of their position on this issue. Unless someone is blatantly refusing to accept the essentials, then I fear for anyone with such an unloving attitude toward a brother or sister. Timmy Brister over at Provocations & Pantings puts it best:

"Young Calvinists in the SBC are not expecting you to agree with Calvinism or be a “five-point Calvinist.” We are not even asking you to go back and appreciate your Baptist history and what God did through the founders of the SBC. But what we (if I can speak for the younger generation) are asking is to cease misrepresenting the truth and attempting to rewrite history.... the trouble that young Southern Baptists have is not that you have a trouble with TULIP but that you have trouble with those who believe the TULIP." (referring to current SBC President Frank Page's inaccurate book Trouble with the TULIP).

Grace and peace to you all!