jroelive

I am reading these right now:

• Tim Keller’s Church Planting Manual
• Packer’s Knowing God
• Stott’s The Cross of Christ
• The Tangible Kingdom

I read daily from each of these:

• The Bible…I am reading and journaling through the Bible this year. I will give away this particular Bible to one of my children in a few years as a unique gift.
• Thomas Watson’s Glorifying God
• Banner of Truth’s Voices from the Past
• The Valley of Vision
• It may sound odd but I also read a few pages from The Book of Common Prayer each day. This helps me think through our liturgy for our gatherings. You can easily change up the vocabulary and theology (I strongly suggest doing both) for your own uses.



admin Christian Life, Study Tools resource, Tim Keller

The Gospel is bad news before it is good news.
It is the news that man is a sinner, to use the old word, that he is evil in the imagination of his heart, that when he looks in the mirror all in a lather what he sees is at least eight parts chicken, phony, slob.

That is the tragedy.

But it is also the news that he is loved anyway, cherished, forgiven, bleeding to be sure, but also bled for.

That is the comedy.

And yet, so what? So what if even in his sin the slob is loved and forgiven when the very mark and substance of his sin and of his slobbery is that he keeps turning down the love and forgiveness because he either doesn’t believe them or doesn’t want them or just doesn’t give a damn?

In answer, the news of the Gospel is that extraordinary things happen to him just as in fairy tales extraordinary things happen.

Henry Ward Beecher cheats on his wife, his God, himself, but manages to keep on bringing the Gospel to life for people anyway, maybe even for himself. Lear goes berserk on a heath but comes out of it for a few brief hours every inch a king.

Zaccheus climbs up a sycamore tree a crook and climbs down a saint.
Paul sets out a hatchet man for the Pharisees and comes back a fool for Christ.

It is impossible for anybody to leave behind the darkness of the world he carries on his back like a snail, but for God all things are possible.

That is the fairy tale.

All together they are the truth.

(taken from Frederick Beuchner’s Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy and Fairy Tale…find it for FREE here)

admin Christian Life, Study Tools, The Gospel Jesus, resource, The Gospel, Truth

I try to read from Banner of Truth’s “The Valley of Vision” every day. It is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions from several centuries ago. I came across this one today and just had to pass it along to you. Wow! This really blessed me.

THE GREAT GOD
O Fountain of all good,
Destroy in me every lofty thought,
Break pride to pieces and scatter it to the winds.
Annihilate each clinging shred of self-righteousness,
Implant in me true lowliness of spirit,
Abase me to self-loathing and self-abhorrence,
Open in me a fount of penitential tears,
Break me, then bind me up;
Thus will my heart be a prepared dwelling for my God;
Then can the Father take up his abode in me,
Then can the blessed Jesus come with healing in his touch,
Then can the Holy Spirit descend in sanctifying grace;
O Holy Trinity, three Persons and one God,
inhabit me, a temple consecrated to your glory.
When you are present, evil cannot abide;
In your fellowship is fullness of joy,
Beneath thy smile is peace of conscience,
By thy side no fears disturb,
no apprehensions banish rest of mind,
With thee my heart shall bloom with fragrance;
Make me meet, though repentance, for thine indwelling.
Nothing exceeds thy power,
Nothing is too great for thee to do,
Nothing too good for thee to give.
Infinite is thy might, boundless thy love,
limitless thy grace, glorious thy saving name.
Let angels sing for sinners repenting, prodigals restored,
backsliders reclaimed, Satan’s captives released,
blind eyes opened, broken hearts bound up,
the despondent cheered, the self-righteous striped,
the formalist drive from a refuge of lies,
the ignorant enlightened,
and saints built up in their holy faith.
I ask great things of a great God.

I pray that this encourages you as well.
Grace and Peace.

admin Christian Life, Study Tools Bible study, Prayer, resource

These are some scattered notes and thoughts from Tim Keller’s lecture at Nashville, Tennessee’s Christ Presbyterian Church on Wednesday night, November 18^th.

They are scattered for two reasons. First, I can only write so fast. Second, I unapologetically found myself more concerned with trying to absorb the content at a deep level within my spirit rather than simply scribbling the content down on paper to reproduce. So with that, here are some of my notes and thoughts.

The majority of this lecture was taken from his new book, Counterfeit Gods.

From Tim Keller:

A sermon is a lecture that gets out of control (LOL).

What’s an idol? Anything you love more than God. Ask yourself, “What does your heart love the most?” THAT is your functional god—your idol. Anything that is more important than God as your meaning in life is a God-Substitute. An idol is anything that you have to have to have JOY.

Sin is not simply doing bad things. Sin is much more than that! Sin is having a really, really good thing and turning that good thing into an ultimate thing. Only our Triune God deserves to be the Ultimate Thing of our souls.

Biblical examples of making a good thing an ultimate thing:
In Habakkuk 1 the Assyrians made a god out of their army (place their identity and security in)—IDOL.

In Ezekiel & Jeremiah the Children of God are told to not worship (place their identity and security in) the “peace treaty”—IDOL.

In Romans 1:25 Paul says to not worship (place their identity and security in) and serve the creature over the Creator—IDOL.

In 1Timothy 6 Paul says to keep ourselves away from the desire to be rich—IDOL.

Stinginess is not a simple, personal characteristic—it’s sin. It’s an IDOL.

There are several types of idols:
-Personal Idols

Keller mentioned an African tribe that literally sacrifices their children to their idols. He compared that to the American parent who, for the sake of success in the business world, sacrifices their children. He considers it the same. They stay late in the office, they hire nannies, they place their kids in day cares, etc—all for success in the business world.

This produces children whose parent’s approval means more to them than God’s approval. They really don’t want their parents, but their parent’s approval.

This produces parents who idolize their children. When the parent feels like a failure, as long as their children are happy, they can cope. They think, “My life sucks, but if my kid is happy then I am OK.”

We must know at a very deep and foundational level that idols will not satisfy—they damn. If you do not continue to feed your idol, it will kill you. Idols are relentless. You cannot continue to live serving idols and experience a grace-filled life of contentment and deep joy. This is why it is so important to know that we are justified before God by grace—NOT works.

-Cultural Idols
Cultural idols are what whole societies worship and adore.

In previous eras you would see pictures and statues of Hitler, Stalin, etc. but today in America you see on billboards, buses, television commercials and so forth pictures of “perfect” women—plastered everywhere. Eating disorders did not exist as they do now 150 years ago.

Today in America, in many circles, it’s family first! Everything is about the family—the individual is nothing.

-Religious Idols
God loves me because a lot of people come to my church. As the Puritans worded it, “mistaking gifts for grace.”

-Deep Idols
Deep versus surface idols…

Surface=a guy sleeping with many women. Deep=power, not sexual pleasure.

Surface=a guy dominating a small group discussion. Deep=power, not just for others to think he’s smart.

How to detect Idols:
-What do you daydream about? You ask yourself, “What would it be like to have _______________?” “What would it be like to be _______________?” “What would it be like to know _______________?”

-Where do you spend your money most effortlessly? Do you love savings accounts (security in savings)? Do you love to buy books but never read them?

-What are your biggest nightmares? “If I loose _________ I will be devastated.”

-Unanswered prayers. “God didn’t answer my prayer. I would follow God if He would ________________.” The “blank” is your idol.

-What are your most uncontrollable emotions? Pull that out of the ground and dangling at the roots will be your idols.

How to deal with idols:
-You can’t think yourself out of idolatry. It’s an affection. You have to expel it with another. What we must do is ADMIRE God. We must taste, feel, smell, see and love Him. Taste how good God is!

-You must have a deep and genuine prayer life.

-iPhone, iPod, Blackberry’s?…the problem is that we don’t know what to do with quiet anymore. We don’t know what to do with a day of prayer.

-Look for the deep idols. Studying for mass knowledge is an idol of human approval. Do you study and read to just know more than the next guy or to be led into worshiping God at a deeper level?

-You must re-engineer your motivation. You may have lost motivation all together.
Are you gifted in music or counseling? An idol can be found if you sing to be needed or to feel popular. Use your gift for good (bringing glory to God)—not for idolatry.

Random thoughts:
It’s harder to handle eating disorders than alcoholism. One you can live without. The other you must learn how to live with.
The most dangerous idols are the ones you can’t see.
You will never be free from idols until you are in the presence of God. ALWAYS be on the lookout for idols in your life…ALWAYS. There are always several idols in your life. Pray.

admin Christian Life, Idolatry, Materialism, The Gospel book review, idols, Jesus, Materialism, Parenting, Prayer, resource, The Gospel, Tim Keller, Truth

Tim Keller – Preaching the Gospel from Newfrontiers on Vimeo.

admin Study Tools, The Gospel Jesus, resource, The Gospel, Theology

MY STORY — I have never been one to be excited about Bible study software of any kind. I have always used the hardcopy, printed editions of study helps and commentaries. These large, multivolume works have taken up shelf space in my study/office for at least 13 years. Going to study for my sermon at a coffee shop or a park was next to impossible. Well, unless I stuffed my bag so full of books that the zipper began to pray!

Needless to say, the Logos Scholar’s Library: Gold has changed the way I study, where I study and the results of my studying. Every time I sit down to study using this software, I am simply amazed with what an excellent resource I have.

THE INSTALL — I was attending a conference last year and was blessed with the opportunity to have my very own copy of this amazing software. At the time I was new to the Apple/Mac world and had no idea how to install this fine work. I shared this with the Logos Team and they took my MacBook and installed the product during one of the conference sessions. I was good to go! I could now begin learning this program. They gave me links to several video tutorials explaining how to use Logos. The Logos Team recommended me to watch these videos as I begin to learn Logos so that I could see just how extensive the software really is—so I could learn to use all the tools it offers.

I understand that everyone who purchases this software will not have the privilege of having the Logos Team install the program for him or her. However, the customer support at Logos is unlike any other. You will be shocked by their knowledge, kindness and patience. They really love their customers. Everyone at Logos has a mandate to provide the best customer service in the universe. So much so, that Logos’ CEO/President has repeatedly made it publicly clear that if the Logos Team of nearly 200 can’t make you happy, he will personally address your concerns himself! They even ask you (and expect you) to email them your suggestions and feedback; which they actually read!  The Logos Team also have recently developed a community forum where many of their staff members engage in the discussion. They received the perfect 5 out of 5 stars award from Google Shopping, and ranked in the Top 5 Rated Websites at Reseller Ratings out of nearly 20,000 stores and 360,000+ reviews. They thrive on serving their customers!

MY TRIAL RUN — When I first sat down to try this software out for the first time I knew I must be patient. If you are anything like myself, you resist what you do not know or understand. So, my advice is to watch the tutorials and then be patient—trying your best to learn the way this program works (it will not take long to learn it!). Of course you could simply pull 700 volumes off the shelf every time you study or do what I did for years and only reference my favorite 3 or 4 commentaries for every sermon.

I asked myself this, “3 or 4 tools or 700+?” Yeah, I needed to learn and use Logos.

I quickly realized that Logos Bible Software was actually easy to use! All I had to do was type in a Bible reference, or a topic and click the “Go!” button. The program acts as your personal research assistant. It scanned over 700 titles in a matter of 7 seconds searching for information on the text I was preaching on! It even found songs that related to my passage as well as maps and graphs that I could import into my PowerPoint or Keynote presentations!

After using this for the first time (and every time since) I sit in wonder considering how I ever did serious, in-depth study without it! Basically, I increased the depth of the information within my sermons and decreased the time it took to gather that information. Who doesn’t want that?!?

THE COST — I admit that the $1,379.95 for the Gold edition is a decent amount of cash. However, Logos offers payment plans for some of their products. They are able to work with everyone to make their product as affordable as possible. Also, Logos offers discounts to any degree-seeking student and faculty or staff members. Keep this in perspective; you are receiving over $11,700 worth of print books for about 90% of the price.

I have heard of others selling their hard copies that are now duplicates in order to get back some of the money spent on this product. That also frees up more shelf space in your study—I know I need it!

THE FACTS — Scholar’s Gold is the largest electronic library that Logos has ever assembled. If you want to bypass years of picking out titles one by one and purchasing all those titles at full retail, you can jump to this massive library containing more than 700 titles worth more than $11,700.00 in equivalent print editions in one leap!

The beauty of Scholar’s Library: Gold is that it puts entire bookcases of Bibles and Bible reference titles one mouse-click away. The Logos Team has dedicated years of research and development to bring you a system that combines full features with full automation, creating software that is both powerful and easy to use.

THE LINKS —
Click HERE to read more about Gold or to purchase
Click HERE to see a demo of the product
Click HERE to see the training videos/tutorials I referenced above
Subscribe to their Bible Study magazine
Follow Logos on twitter
Stay up-to-date by reading their blog

Thanks Logos for your hard work and dedication to accurate and detailed Bible study. You have changed the way I study in many ways and changed the depth of the content in my sermons—the people who I serve and preach to thank you as well. THANKS!

admin Christian Life, Study Tools Bible study, resource

Over the past few years, I have begun to grow frustrated with the bobble-headed, homeboy-ish Jesus found at your local bookstore. I wish I had the opportunity five years ago to read Jared Wilson’s entertaining and insightful new book, Your Jesus is Too Safe. He carefully, accurately and humorously works through the dichotomies that I personally had of the “Jesus” I worshiped and the real Jesus of the Bible. I appreciate Jared Wilson allowing me to participate in his blog tour. Check out his blog here.

First a word concerning the author…
I remember meeting Jared Wilson a few months ago at a Panera Bread in Nashville. We only had a few minutes to get to know each other, but in the time I did have with him, he seemed to be a very genuine, gospel-centered, humble man. As I have had the opportunity to get to know some of his friends and colleagues here in Nashville, I have learned that my assumptions were true.

Now for my take on the book…
In his new book, Your Jesus is Too Safe, Jared Wilson presents an exceptionally clear image of the historical Christ and does not hold back at all from asking the reader if they actually know who the real Jesus is—or if they know a poor form or incorrect understanding of Jesus. You know, the fabricated “Jesus” found at your local bookstore with Jesus’ toy-trinkets, his slogan t-shirts and such.

Jared Wilson’s book would be fantastic to give to this new generation of adults who do not like the church but really have never given the true Jesus the time of day. He works through twelve perspectives of Jesus (e.g., Jesus as promise, as prophet, as forgiver, as man, as shepherd, as judge, etc.) and courageously takes on the popular guys of today who simply lead others to worship the wrong Jesus.

I enjoyed the book. You will too! You will laugh and hopefully feel at times uncomfortable—with your incorrect assumptions or understandings—with the “Jesus” that you worship. Oh, and read everything—including the forward by Ed Stetzer, the recommended reading and the clever footnotes from Wilson.

I can easily recommend this book to you. All in all, Jared Wilson and I both hope that through Your Jesus is Too Safe you will learn a lot about Jesus—the real Jesus.

Get your copy here.

Click here to read what others are saying on the Your Jesus is Too Safe blog tour.

admin Christian Life book review, Jesus, resource