Here is a fairly simple (I understand with kids, especially mine, nothing is really simple), practical tool from Resurgence for how to do family devotions. Hope its helpful.
Author Archives: geoffsnook77
Reflections on Philippians 3
Yesterday I had lunch with an area Young Life staff person, and as usual when I talk with other leaders, we asked each other what we were reading. He had been working his way through Christ-driven life, a sequel (not to be confused with a “squeakwal” like the Chimpmunks movie we just took Connar to this week) to Christless Christianity by Michael Horton.
I’ve never read either book, but apparently Horton’s main point is that much of American Christianity has moved away from the central theme of life being centered around Christ’s life/death/resurrection.
The cool thing is that I’d just been reading in Philippians in 3:8-16 and came across a passage that really sums up so many components of the Christian faith. The passage simply expounds what it means to live a Christ-centered life and includes all kinds of great doctrine and applications.
- It has just justification, the act of being declared righteous before God: “not having a righteousness of my own…..the righteousness from God that depends on faith….”
- It has sanctification, the process of being made more like Jesus: “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”
- It has assurance as well as perseverance of the saints (that true believers will demonstrate their faith by persevering till the end): “Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”
- It has the promise of both suffering for the gospel and power of the gospel to change life and world. Our Christian experience constantly involves both. When we forget one over the other we become prosperity minded or defeatist self-fulling prophets: ….that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
I could really go on and on about this passage and its richness, and I’m sure you could as well.
Homosexuality in The Village
The other day I listened to a good talk on homosexuality (with Q and A) by pastor Matt Chandler. He’s the lead pastor of a multi-site mega-church in Texas called The Village. Chandler begins by explaining his hesitancy to speak at all on this issue-for fear that people would already follow their sinful hearts in elevating it above other sins like adultery. He also admits to having several actively gay friends, so it is clear he is practicing the grace and truth he preaches.
As a result of being shown grace, he gives a wide-scope picture of the gospel and a very “piper-esque” entreaty to his listeners to remember that following Christ in all things is our highest joy.
He debunks some of the common “pro-homosexual monogamous lifestyle” arguments found in the scriptures. And these are important, because even famous Christian recording artists like Jennifer Knapp and Ray Boltz have found refuge in churches deceiving and receiving actively homosexual (not those who are repentantly resting in grace and struggling) members.
And during his Q and A time, Chandler fields a question, “Can an actively unrepentant homosexual be a member of The Village?” He wisely answers, “No, in the same way that an unrepentant sexually active couple can’t join either.”
Chandler wisely calls ALL people to regular repentance, and God has blessed The Village numerically. Because they are not afraid to actually practice church discipline-what one would consider a hindrance to growth-it sounds like God has blessed spiritually as well. We can all be challenged through his, “You come as you are, but just don’t stay that way” attitude (Titus 2:11-2).
You can’t go from hotdog participant to spectator
The 4th of July means a number of different things to a number of different people. But to those willing to brave the heat and masses in New York, the day represents “the Masters” of the competitive eating world: Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Instead of a Green jacket, you get an equally classy yellow “mustard belt.”
The Japanese lad Kobayashi, who used to eat his competition for lunch (last time I watched competitive eating, Chestnut played 2nd fiddle), had some contractual issues and didn’t participate. Well his fans probably reminisced of the days of yore where partially chewed hot dogs would slide down his esaphogus like kids on a slip-n-slide.
This nostalgic cheers prompted him to promptly pop up on stage and join his old competition. Police didn’t think it was such a good idea and took him to jail.
While he probably should have signed the contract to participate, or simply stayed away, he did prove that competitive eating is not only a spectator sport. Much like tasting the gospel, it becomes impossible for someone to move from participant to spectator.
My "responsible" thoughts on the PCA
The P.C.A.’s annual meeting, General Assembly, which includes ruling elders and pastors from churches all across America, just finished up in Nashville this week. The scriptural basis for this gathering is found in Acts 15, where elders and apostles gathered to deal with some serious issues in the early church.
I’m not a denominational “homer” who thinks his denomination is without flaws. I think we’ve got plenty of yahoos. But we also have Tim Keller, fortunately. So at times, those in my denomination drive me up the wall, and at other times there are those who make me thankful just to be a part of it. Believe it or not, despite the incredibly strict ordination process, pastors and churches vary quite differently on issues relating to music, schooling, culture, parenting, preaching, women’s roles, etc. Some can be crotchedy and likes-to-fight guy. But our more prominent leaders, like Tim Keller and Ligon Duncan pictured above, regularly enter into gracious dialog over their differences. This really says a lot.
And if I were to go to another General Assembly (I’ve only been to one because it was just a few hours from my house), I would find myself in the company of lads I love and respect, and lads I might have a hard time loving and an even harder time respecting.
With all that said, let me say why I’m in this denomination, and why I think its worth joining a local PCA church. It is not because I think it is THE denomination, and it is not because I think we’re right and everyone is else is wrong, or at least “wronger.”
I’m in it because, in my opinion, it is the most scripturally responsible denomination (that doesn’t mean I could not gladly serve in another or will never serve in another). In seminary, a professor challenged us to not think of any denomination as “the only show in town.” That thinking is not just arrogant, but myopic and stupid. Instead, he challenged us to join forces with the denomination we believed to be “the best show in town.”
I try to steer clear as much as possible in saying I’m right and others are wrong when it comes to denominations. When I was being examined for this presbytery, I told them I wanted to responsible with my creation views. One lad wanted me to say “right.” But in a rare moment of wisdom, I reminded them that only one view will actually be right (sadly I was the only one there who thought the “responsible” way!) and we won’t find out until Jesus returns or we go be with him. So I’m content to settle with responsible.
The same is true with denominations. I want to be responsible with the scriptures we’ve been given, with the church history we’ve been given, and with the Holy Spirit given to every believer. Don’t look for the right one, as though there is one right and many wrong. Instead look for the most responsible, but learn from other responsible ones. If you’re in an area that doesn’t have a PCA or a Baptist, or whatever you would prefer, seek out a scripturally responsible church, even if you can’t jive with everything it believes.
To reiterate that this approach limits arrogance, let me posit this question. Shouldn’t any pastor of any denomination or denominational camp like “Reformed” “Baptistic,” “Charismatic,” etc…., consider where he is to be the most responsible place. If not, shouldn’t he go somewhere that is? There is nothing arrogant about seeking to be in the most scripturally faithful camp. Arrogance comes when you believe your camp is the RIGHT scriptural camp, and refuse to learn from other scripturally faithful denominations. That’s why I try to intentionally add variety to my reading.
Anyhow, that’s my P.C.A. schpeel for now, and will probably not bring the topic up for another year!
Bad Company
You may not have listened to Bad Company before (pictured to the left), but you’ve probably been around it before. Now I’m never quick to play the “Bad company ruins good morals” card (I Corinth 15:33), because more often than not, I think it is often used to protect and perpetuate the Christian ghetto. The reality is that our hearts are deeply sinful and that’s where sin comes from. Nevertheless, ONLY spending time with folks who aren’t Christians can do some serious damage as well. Satan definitely uses unbelievers to hurt Christian character and actions.
Not sure where Michael Vick stands before the Lord-I do know he mentioned something about Jesus after he was busted for dog fighting, but that’s probably fairly common in dog fighting busts. Regardless, Christian or non-Christian, his morals can’t afford to be ruined any further if he wishes to play in the NFL. Fortunately for him, the Feds actually wrote a “bad company” clause into his probation, technically called “supervised release.”According to profootballtalk.com:
At item 10 in the list of conditions of the supervision, the order states that Vick “shall not associate with any persons engaged in criminal activity and shall not associate with any person convicted of a felony, unless granted permission by the probation officer to do so.
They’re very aware of this principle. So I’m guessing that probably included his partners from that dog fighting ring, and I love this one, Bad Newz Kennels. Now perhaps he had permission from that probation officer to invite his partners in crime to his 30 year birthday bash at a Virgina Beach night club. Regardless, it might have been good to go by the spirit of the law here, and not invite those guys. Perhaps if they didn’t get invited, one of them wouldn’t have ended up being shot, and Vick might have fewer fingers pointing at him now. Allegedly leaving only left 3 minutes before the shooting, according to video surveillance, does not an alibi make.
Unless you’re a felon, you’ll just have to rely upon conviction and counsel to know if your associates really are causing moral corruption.
Gospel Offensiveness
I’ve not had the “inspiration” or should I say “illumination” (the latter is probably a better word since my theological heritage often uses the former with a sense of God “inspiring” the original authors of scripture!) to blog much lately. Perhaps preaching more regularly and VBS responsibilities sapped some of my left-over creativity. Perhaps there is less left “upstairs” as I’ve been trailing to nail down Insurance since I’ve arrived in WV (car, homeowners, health-that’s been fun with a pregnant wife). It seems like “extra” thoughts have been sucked out of my brain like Connar sucks out the juice on a freeze pop.
But I did see something last night which seemed worth a read. Especially since I preached on Jonah not too long ago. Here’s a local newspaper article about a lad named Tullian, who pastors D. James Kennedy’s old church Coral Ridge. In his new book, Tullian (I usually have better luck spelling his first name), discusses that Grace and the Religious Right are not the same thing. That would probably be pretty hard to hear coming from a place where the pastor had so much involvement in the Religious Right.
Nevertheless, it is good to be offended by the gospel and I hope that the gospel would continually be offensive to those who don’t believe it, or who don’t believe it everyday. Myself included. Of course, the goal of gospel offensiveness is that we would repent and believe. For the first time or the thousandth.
Don’t skip the last chapter(s)
As I was preparing for the VBS gospel presentation, I found some great material on sharing the gospel with children in the “Salvation Flight Plan.” I really did. I’m always open to new ways of contextualizing the gospel so that young children can grasp this simply profound (oxy-moron intended) message and power.
But I came across something that I’m probably going to omit: “heaven is our ultimate destination.” Now I wouldn’t be in grave error telling the kids that, but I think that they ought to know an even greater hope.
When most people read a book, they don’t quit at the last chapter, or turn the movie off, 10 minutes from the end (unless its really bad).
Yet ending with a picture of heaven and not a picture of heaven coming down to earth is basically skipping the last chapter of the last book of the bible. Not only that, but it is skipping the end of the whole gospel story. Revelation 21 pictures a heaven coming down to Earth, fortunately. The goal is a total restoration of the Earth, Sky, and Sea (BP, you can try your best but one day we’ll get your mess cleaned up).
Its kind of funny how the material stresses a Reformed soteriology-going out of its way to stress the need for the Spirit’s work in regeneration-but kind of misses the exciting conclusion and hope of Redemption. A hope in which all of creation, including oil covered pelicans, yearns (Rom 8:22).
Nevertheless, it is still great material and I’m beyond thankful for the one leading our VBS, as well as all of the volunteers required for this worthwhile endeavor.
Bonhoeffer and Children
Dietrich Bonhoeffer has always been a fascinating character to me, ever since I heard about him in my Catholic high school. Recently I purchased Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas. Tim Keller wrote the foreword for it, so that was another reason why I figured it might be worth a look. It is. The book is very well written and engaging. After a 100 pages into it, I completely commend it to you. Here is a quote from about the brilliant but also pastoral Bonhoeffer regarding academia and children’s ministry.
“Bonhoeffer began to wonder whether he ought to pursue the life of a pastor rather than that of an academic. His father and brothers thought that would be a waste of his great intellect, but he often said that if one couldn’t communicate the most profound ideas about God and the bible to children, something was amiss….” pg 64
The one who is truly bright can communicated deep truth in ways that all can understand it. Here’s to growing in wisdom for the sake of the children.
Oil and Water and Prayer
Since BP can’t figure out how to clean up, or rather, stop their mess, some folks have turned this into an opportunity for corporate prayer.
In the Key of "H" 