This is going to be a long post. If you prefer short posts or only have so much time right now, try reading the next three paragraphs and then decide if you want to keep reading, come back later, or skip it. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, countless media reports, news stories, and political … More Hurricane Katrina: “Has Not the Lord Done It?
My pastor preached on slander this morning from James 4:11-12. More accurately, he preached against slander from James 4:11-12. “Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer … More The Intricacies of Slander
National Public Radio Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr was so bold as to impugn God regarding Hurricane Katrina. Pastor John Piper of Bethelehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota has passionately answered him. Although Piper always speaks and writes with manifest zeal, he seems to write with a particularly jagged edge in this response. This is fitting, because God … More The God of the Hurricane: Blame and Defense
When I wrote my previous post about Tuesday’s challenging seminary experience, I had no idea what the Lord had in store for me today. Today it was my turn to preach in Preaching Lab. So I preached. At least I thought I preached. Apparently, my sermon resembled “a good chapter in a book” or “a book report,” but not … More Don’t Wing It: Thoughts on Exercising Your Gifts
I started seminary classes today (for the third year). Preaching Lab and chapel in the morning, and Ordination Prep in the afternoon. Ordination Prep is meant to prepare us for the process of pastoral ordination, especially in terms of Bible knowledge. Ordination, especially at Grace Community Church, is rigorous, comprehensive, and intimidating. And it should … More A Seminary Pop Quiz and the Need to be Challenged
I’ve been asked to join FoolishBlog as a writer there, and I’ve accepted the invitation. FoolishBlog is maintained by Eric and Heather Zeller (husband and wife) and Eric’s younger brother Scott. I went to school with all three of them, and consider them to be like-minded friends. I still plan on writing regularly here, but … More Joining FoolishBlog
Returning TMC students come back to campus and move into their dorm rooms today. There’s an interesting situation in Hotchkiss Hall. Hotchkiss Hall is a dorm that’s two stories tall and built in the shape of an “H.” There are four wings for girls on one side of the H, and four wings of guys … More Hotchkiss Housing: “It Is More Blessed to Give than to Receive”
As I mentioned a few days ago, I took a week-long class called “Hospital Chaplaincy” this summer. We spent five unforgettable days at a major hospital complex in Los Angeles. During this time, I wrestled a lot with the issue of sharing the hard parts of the Gospel with those who are already hurting. Since … More “Hospital Gospel: Preaching a Wounding Message to Wounded People”
Yesterday C.J. Mahaney preached at Grace Community Church in both the morning and evening services. Cindi and I went to the evening service, where he preached on Hebrews 13:17—Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy … More Why I Appreciate C.J. Mahaney
A lot of people died this summer. A lot of people die every summer, but what I mean is that a lot of people that I knew died in the past few months – more than during any other period of my life that I can remember. Stephanie Wood/Perfect and family. John Bower. Lynda Varner. Bethany Rehrer and … More “House of Mourning”: A Meditation and a Poem
I learned something tonight. Something very simple, and something that many people already practice, no doubt. But as always with me, the overall lesson was greater than the immediate lesson. During the summer, the church we’re a part of has dinner together every Sunday night. Tonight we had StoneFire. During the service, an offering was … More Ready to Give
This is one of the sporadic August postings. I’m up late tonight because I took a nap this evening. Also, based on a few gracious comments I’ve received (thanks to those of you who spoke/wrote – it’s encouraging), it seems like it’s beneficial to keep writing. I’m very blessed to have the study/office that I have in our … More My Study, and a Prayer by John Piper
It’s August, which means that The Master’s College Student Life Machine is officially up and running. This also means that there’s no time for responsible blogging. I may return sporadically or sometime in September if I’m convinced that readers are actually out there and actually benefiting. The lack of comments has me convinced otherwise. We’ll … More Student Life Start-Up
On a lighter note, if you’re interested in how biology and genetics influence some of sports’ most dominant stars, check this out. Ok, that little pitch doesn’t make the article sound as interesting as it really is. How about this: Michael Phelps (swimmer) has size-14 feet and can lay flat on his back, stretch his … More Michael Phelps’ Feet
At various times over the past few years, my heart has burned to do pioneer missions—to break into an unreached people group in Papua New Guinea or Africa or South America (or anywhere else), learn the language, cross the culture, preach the Gospel, translate the Bible, plant a church, train leaders, and leave an indigenous … More Pioneer Missions
If you like to eat, or cook, or just like to see how God mirrors His glory and goodness in every little thing in the universe, read Hot Providence. It’s Doug Wilson’s foreword to the Christ Church cookbook (he’s the pastor). Cookbook introductions aren’t supposed to be so delightful, well-written, and of all things, theological. Then again, perhaps everything is … More “Hot Providence”: A Cookbook Introduction
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