These last few weeks before graduation are always filled with public thank-you’s, gifts of gratitude, and tokens of appreciation. The academic excellence of students and the sacrificial faithfulness of leaders calls out many well-deserved expressions of honor. On the Deans’ Staff this year, we’ve had the privilege of serving alongside a very rare student leader — … More Gift Exchanges
To Live Is Christ (Philippians) by Trip Lee From “13 Letters” Reach Records HT: Ray Ortlund The album “13 Letters” was a group project spearheaded by Reach Records. Contributors include Lecrae, Tedashii, Sho Baraka, Trip Lee, Json, Flame, Shai Linne, 1-Lyfe, and Dillon Chase. Track Listing: 1. Begin with the End 2. Dig In 3. Gospel … More To Live Is Christ | Trip Lee | “13 Letters”
This past Monday night a small group from the dorms came over to our place to spend some time together. They had asked me to share some of the dangers of life at the college. Before they came, I sat down in the living room to reflect, and wrote down nine dangers that come to … More Nine Temptations in Christian College Communities
Tom Krattenmaker doesn’t mind if Christianesque sports stars start their postgame interviews with general gratitude to a general god. But he does mind the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob being real, the Bible being true, and Jesus being King. And he does mind that athletes like Tim Tebow talk like it. In his recent … More Christian Athletes, Public Faith, and the Exclusivity of Jesus
I have read parts of many books, which is to say that I have failed to finish many books. Three Cups of Tea is not one of them. Greg Mortenson grew up as an American missionary kid in Tanzania, became a poor mountain climber spending his spare time in the Bay Area, failed quite colossally in … More Three Cups of Tea
This is the manuscript of the sermon I preached tonight at Placerita Baptist Church as part of our SummerFest 2009 series on “Worldliness.” I promised that I would post it here for further consideration and discussion. I have edited a few things that are unnecessary for a blog-post, and some elements will be unique to … More A Heart-Driven Modesty: God and Clothing (Sermon Manuscript)
King Solomon summed up a vital life principle in Proverbs 14:15 — “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” This is a critical contrast between the naive and the judicious. And it is laden with implications. We tend to laugh at gullibility, to see it as little more than a … More It’s Not That Simple
There is an undercurrent of religious discontent in my generation that is no longer an undercurrent. It is now, and has been for some time, a flood. People are disillusioned with Christianity, hyper-aware of the slighest whiffs of hypocrisy and externalism, clamoring for (a hundred different definitions of) authenticity, and generally frustrated with the church, organized … More Do It As the Church
The best way to handle false dichotomies is to expose them, and then to harmonize them. The first is hard enough; the second can take decades. I’m admittedly in the beginning stages of my own journey of understanding and living these things well, but I’m hopeful that a few on-the-go reflections can at least function … More Dean’s Series, Part 3: College and “Real Life”
As I mentioned a couple days ago, I’ve wrestled over the years with a lot of seemingly contradictory theological themes as well as various aspects of Christian living that seem to be at odds with one another. And I know that my struggles aren’t uncommon. This is why I chose to address what I perceive … More Dean’s Series, Part 2: False Dichotomies and Their Consequences
Now that I’m the Dean of Men at The Master’s College, I (1) rarely have time to blog and (2) preach back-to-back in chapel for the Dean’s Series at the beginning of every spring. This being my first spring semester, I recently finished my first Dean’s Series. Combining these realities leads me to think that maybe it would be … More Blogging the Dean’s Series
Dr. Gregg Frazer, Professor of Political Studies at TMC, recently gave a chapel lecture on the Christian’s roles and responsibilities in political society. It was very balanced and helpful in my opinion, especially during a particularly intense election year, so I share it here with his permission. (1) Political involvement is perfectly proper. As an … More How to Live Biblically in Political Society
After a full day on Saturday, Cindi and I awoke on Sunday with a full day planned. We headed out the door and drove two miles through downtown toward the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. This park is crowned by the 63-story St. Louis Arch which stands on the western bank of the Mississippi as the welcoming gatekeeper … More St. Louis, Missouri (2)
One week ago today I attended a very insightful Q&A session with John MacArthur, James MacDonald, and David Wells at The Master’s College’s annual Truth & Life Conference. I brought my laptop and took detailed notes, so I’ll try to give you my best paraphrase of the best answers. The questions are in bold. When … More Q & A at the Truth & Life Conference
Several weeks ago Southern California was all over the national news as wildfires swept through the area, driven by the relentless Santa Ana winds. More than 1,000,000 people were forced to evacuate and thousands of buildings and homes were damaged or destroyed. One TMC employee lost his home and everything in it. Here’s something he … More Knick-Knacks, Wildfires, Need, and Eternity
Raw Christianity was born one year ago today. There’s a lot I’d like to say about the title and purpose of the blog and the range and power of the phrase “Raw Christianity.” But words have been failing lately. So I’ll say it with some words from a year ago. Everything below is still an aim and not … More Raw Christianity: One Year Later
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