Easter Sunday

HE IS RISEN!!!

Now, I'm aiming to go and live like it!

A fresh way to look at LDI from Jon Neal

Message – Biblical Teaching and Training (content of our message – atonement, sanctification, the gospel, etc.)
Messenger – Christ-like Character (qualities of the of the messenger – surrender, holiness, humility, etc.)
Methods – Ministry experience (the practicals of how the messenger takes out the message – small groups, outreaches, etc)

“The methods always change, the messenger is in the process of change, but the message never changes.”

Confronting sin

#1 - Before dealing with sin in another, deal with it in yourself (See: Romans 2:1-3; Matthew 7:1-5).

#2 - If you have checked your heart (#1), ridded yourself of unhelpful/unhealthy emotion (Proverbs 29:11) because you were the one on the receiving end of the person's sin, and truly desire them to grow closer to God as a result of confronting them seeing their sin as a hindrance to this growth (Proverbs 24:11), pray for God to prepare their hearts to receive this (Proverbs 12:1) and take it to them in love and humility (2 Timothy 2:24-25, Ecclesiastes 7:5, Proverbs 25:11).

#3 - Trust God to grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

I think the most important thing is motive. Too often Christians approach a brother or sister who is in sin not with a motive of restoration, but with a motive of pride, indignation, and "lording it over" those in the wrong. This is antithetical to the Gospel. Let me say that again. It is ANTITHETICAL to the Gospel!

So I think the most important step is step 1: a major gut check, with a prayer for God to search your heart and reveal any impure motives within you. (Psalm 139) And this is an ongoing thing. Throughout the process of confronting a brother or sister with sin it can be so easy to slip into self-righteousness.

And ultimately, the most important piece is not that you or I are deemed right, but that the brother or sister is walking with Christ and killing sin in his/her own life. We are motivated to confront others out of love for them.

What goes into a Harvard Education? It used to be Christ. Now? Not so much.

Christ-Centered Education

From the “Rules and Precepts Observed at Harvard College”, dated September 26, 1642:

“Let every student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3) and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom, as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning. And seeing the Lord only giveth wisdom, let every one seriously set himself by prayer in secret to seek it of him (Proverbs 2, 3).”

See: http://spurgeon.wordpress.com/2010/01/15/christ-centered-education/

Where did the phrase "draw a line in the sand" come from?

According to Wikipedia:

When the guardians of King Ptolemy VI of Egypt demanded the return of Coele-Syria in 170 BC, Antiochus launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, conquering all but Alexandriaand capturing King Ptolemy. To avoid alarming Rome, Antiochus allowed Ptolemy VI to continue ruling as a Puppet-king. Upon Antiochus' withdrawal, the city of Alexandria chose a new King, one of Ptolemy's brothers, also named Ptolemy (VIII Euergetes). Instead of fighting a civil war, the Ptolemy brothers agreed to rule Egypt jointly.

In 168 BC Antiochus led a second attack on Egypt and also sent a fleet to capture Cyprus. Before reaching Alexandria, his path was blocked by a single, old Roman ambassador named Gaius Popillius Laenas, who delivered a message from the Roman Senate directing Antiochus to withdraw his armies from Egypt and Cyprus, or consider themselves in a state of war with the Roman Republic. Antiochus said he would discuss it with his council, whereupon the Roman envoy drew a line in the sand around him and said, "Before you cross this circle I want you to give me a reply for the Roman Senate" - implying that Rome would declare war if the King stepped out of the circle without committing to leave Egypt immediately. Weighing his options, Antiochus wisely decided to withdraw. Only then did Popillius agree to shake hands with him.^[5]

Why church-based training?

Hey,

This article asks 3 men “what’s next for CPing?”

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/09/10/tgc-asks-whats-next-for-church-planting/

Brister quote: On a local church level, I believe both theological education and training of church planters are migrating from institutions and agencies to a grassroots movement.

So, why LDI? That's why!

Let’s keep trashing the kingdom of darkness!!

Cor

A few differences between Twitter followers and Christ followers

Do you spend more time helping people follow Christ or follow you on Twitter?

A Twitter follower is asked to stick w/ you for 140 characters. A Christ follower is asked to stick w/ him for life.

Twitter followers can hide behind pseudonyms and criticize in a cloak of darkness. Christ followers live in the light.

Twitter champions the quick wit. Christ champions the long and narrow road.

Twitter can be searched through a myriad of hashtags. Christ can be found through one #denyyourself&followme.

Twitter updates in real time from around the world. Holy Spirit updates in real time from heaven.

Some of my favorite lines from this summer

Favorite High Life sermon preps:

1) Many professing believers are content with any and every separation from God as long as it's not eternal.

2) It's been said we have a God-shaped hole. But, it's not just a God-shaped hole, it's a God-SIZED hole so whatever we put in there, it won't fit and it won't fill!

3) The Holy Spirit is personal. He's not the Force from Star Wars!

4) Shark Tank: God is not willing to be a minority, or even majority, stakeholder in your life. He won't settle for anything less than 100% of you for 100% of him.

5) The Holy Spirit ALWAYS feels like exalting Christ!

6) When I want to do right, evil lies close at hand...but God lies closer!

7) The difference between believers and unbelievers as to knowledge is not so much in the matter of their knowledge as in the manner of their knowing.

8) The Father has exclusively commissioned the Son, and only the Son, to Mission: Save Mankind.

9) The Holy Spirit is often depicted as fire. He's also been depicted as a dove. But, my favorite is DOVE IN FIRE!

Got this from a friend today

Poor uses/applications of Bible:

For husbands Job 19:17: "My breath is offensive to my wife."

An arrogant man's life verse John 9:9b "I am the man."

A way to congratulate a male 2 Samuel 12:7a "You are the man."

A group's (any group you're a part of) theme Acts 19:32 "Inside, the people were all shouting, some one thing and some another. Everything was in confusion. In fact, most of them didn’t even know why they were there."

What parents say to kids (or teachers to interns) who ask too many questions Ecclesiastes 7:10 "For it is not from wisdom that you ask this."

Great pic of the family!

Wow! I can't believe that this picture was taken of our family for the following reasons:

1. Man, our boys are growing up.

2. Man, our boys managed to smile.

2-minute drill 11-4-09

I love Psalm 40:1-3!!

2-minute drill 10-9-09

It's been a long 3.5 weeks. My last day without anything work related was Sept 12th. In times like this Psalm 31:7-8 is big for me. Also, I used to be a sports fanatic. Additionally, in watching the Twins tonight I always want to put in mind the fact that God is bigger and better...than a Carlos Gomez base-running mistake and an umpire's blown call.

2-minute drill 10-8-09

Challenging words from Mt. 7!

2-minute drill 10-7-09

Psalm 30:9 - How will I use today?

2-minute drill 10-6-09

We might have the vision and means to be a kingdom person. And we might even have the good intention to follow through. But, with that, do you and I intend to obey? Even more so, will we obey?

2-minute drill 10-5-09

The 2-minute drill!

We'll give this a try. Throw it against the wall and see if anything sticks.

A short story

John’s list of grievances against the so-called God was long. If he existed how could he be so apathetic toward the poor? How could he be negligent of those suffering? And how could he possibly prosper the rich who campaign with God only to legislate like the devil? So, it was better to trust in anything than a God who couldn’t do crap about the crap he read online.

John learned life and death at a young age. Mom died from a congenital heart defect when he was 6. The irony is that, as a nurse, she was where she needed to be, but it didn’t do a damn bit of good. She died at the same hospital where she nursed so many back to health. That drove Dad to the proverbial bottle. He was one of those drunk dead beats the paper threatens to list on their front page. They never did. He never changed. He died 3 years later of liver damage.

So, John stayed with an aunt and uncle in New York City. NYC is expensive. They could only afford a one-bedroom apartment. It took about 3 or 4 months for John to acclimate to the tight quarters. Once he did life got better. His uncle became the father he never had. He taught John how to shave, wear a jock strap, and speak with girls.

His uncle demonstrated with his wife to help John out.

Without asking permission he petitioned his wife, “Hi, my name is Paul. What’s yours?” John and his aunt would greet such leaps into character with reserved laughter.

His wife acquiesced putting the dish towel down, “Judy.”

“Judy? That’s a great name,” he responded as he smiled. “Judy, what’s your favorite color?”

“My favorite color?” she mused.

“Yes. What’s your favorite color?” he said as he circled around her.

“Green, I guess.”

“You guess? You mean you don’t know your favorite color?” The tone of his voice left John wondering if this was still part of the act.

His aunt stated, “Green. Yes, green.”

John’s uncle paused in his circling still lost by her flippancy. After gathering his thoughts, he questioned, “Judy, do you prefer the city or the countryside?”

“The countryside. Most definitely. Without a doubt.” Her assertive response brought a cackle from John. Like a younger brother mimics his older, Judy’s laugh always followed John’s.

Paul was left to wonder if he’d be able to redeem this conversation. Unbowed, Paul asked, “What’s your day look like tomorrow?” Judy didn’t hear him. She was still lost in laughter with John. “What’s your day look like tomorrow I said.”

Judy realized the act continued. She resorted to real life, “I have a appointment between nine and eleven and then I’m scheduled for a 2:30pm with our lawyer to look over our living wills.”

The two now stood eye to eye her hands in his, “Would you be willing to honor me with your presence? I’d like to ask you to lunch. I’ll take care of everything. I’ll pick you up from work at 11am. We’ll head out on 371 towards Buffalo. I know of a countryside stop that will remind you why green is your favorite color,” he said with a wink. He continued, “It’s one of the most beautiful scenes in all of New York state. And I can’t imagine a more beautiful woman to spend it with than you.”

John didn’t know exactly when it happened, but he knew that his uncle had touched his aunt’s heart. What had begun as a lesson for him ended with an unmistakable connection. His aunt was lost in her lover’s eyes. And his acting had stopped awhile back. These two loved each other. John could see that. He hoped for that some day. Right now, he didn’t need all that. He would settle for just talking to a girl.

Photo Booth

I just got my new laptop, a MacBook Pro. The Photo Booth has to be one of my favorite apps.

#1 - I was thinking high school senior photo.

#2 - I'm not a fan of my teeth.

#3 - That's fun.

#4 - Turned out alright but was still learning about the application. hah!

LDI RAIS'N 5K 5K

Support Hope’s Leadership Development Institute through participating in this FUN RUN 5K. Prizes awarded randomly and not based on finish time (thank God!). All participants receive a one-of-a-kind T-Shirt because that’s what you are AND a complimentary hug from a current intern. Tell a friend!

Our aim is to have 50 runners raise $100 each for a total of $5,000. That's like 100 people giving you a buck, 10 people giving you $10, or you could just ask your parents for one Benjamin. Whatever works.

Do it for the fun. Do it to support LDI. Do it to raise chaffing awareness. Do it to run. Just don't not do it.

What is LDI? In short it is a 1 to 3-year journey through which God raises, trains, and empowers his followers to pursue him, lead his church, and spread his kingdom during their time spent at Hope and for the rest of their lives.

LDI: Think Biblically, Live Uprightly, Lead Courageously.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18th, 2009, 11:00am-1:00pm
Lake Harriet, Minneapolis