Why Christianity is True

Dr. John Piper on why he thinks that Christianity is true

The Christian and the Atheist

The adjacent picture is a joke...

I'm following an email exchange between two men: one an evangelical Christian and the other a former-Christian turned atheist. It's interesting to read their stories of conversion.

As you read Tim Challies' response to the atheist's letter, you'll see how he quickly and decisively, in my opinion, refutes the notion that all Christians are either unintelligent or simply naive because they believe in Jesus. It seems some atheists possess a perceived intellectual arrogance coupled with sweeping generalizations and misleading information concerning the reliability of the Bible, etc.

God of Second Chances

The video below shows what two Christ-followers are capable of in corporate worship - even though they are from different backgrounds - A worship leader and a homeless person.

Rich Daddy God

Challies.com has posted a hilarious/sad article on a 'special' board game...Rich Daddy God.

As you read about the game, it just gets more strange and more bizarre...

Go here to read the writeup

Merry Rockin' Christmas

It's been a while since I've written a post. The main reason why is this:



Pretty cool that the kids made the front page of the newspaper, isn't it? Another successful pageant (5 performances and 2 dress rehearsals in one week) is in the books.

Conquering Sexual Sin

In the relatively short time that I have been in ministry, I have come to the conclusion that most men, even (especially?) Christian men have either endured and fought through or are presently engaged in some type of sexual sin. I no longer assume that a man is not involved in some type of sexual bondage that is detrimental to his life. I now assume that he is. Why do so many men struggle in this way?

In this video John Piper explains that the desire for sexual "titillation" for both men and women is a natural thing. However, what we do with that desire is the issue. The good news is that through the love of Jesus we possess the power to overcome all temptations. What temptation are you dealing with today? No matter how evil it may seem to you or how wrapped up in it you are, know that if you have Jesus in your life, through Him you can conquer anything and mortify any sin that has taken hold of your life.

When Bad Things Happen...

Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor of The Village Church in the Dallas area, had a seizure Thanksgiving weekend and doctors found that he had a mass on his frontal brain lobe. He was in surgery over the weekend to take the tumor out and just last night was released from ICU, although is still in recovery. Here is the video that he taped last week before the surgery that was shown to his congregation.

The message is clear: no matter how good God has been to you, or no matter what bad things that God has allowed to happen to you, "to live is Christ and to die is gain." Nothing tops being with Him in this life and in the next.

Jesus vs. Religion

A message for all church leaders, members, and Christians everywhere to hear on this Lord's day. Simply replace, "Christian, Baptist, Etc.," in the place of "Pharisees" and you'll get the point...

A Pastor's Day

Here's a video from an upcoming pastor's conference that shows in a minute or two what a pastor's typical day is like: what a great life!

It Will Cost You Everything

It Will Cost You Everything from I'll Be Honest on Vimeo.

On Adultery and the "Evil Woman"

It seems like there has been a lot of adultery going on as of late among public male figures. (See Mark Sanford and Tiger Woods) When most people hear the news of these goings-on, public outrage ensues. However, to the Christian, these things should not come as a surprise...especially when it happens to those men in "high" places. The book of Proverbs addresses this topic in depth as a father, Solomon, is writing to his son concerning women that may cause his son, who was of royal lineage, life-altering problems:

"With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. All at once he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life." (Prov. 7:21-23)

The imagery is clear: The unsuspecting man's ego is built up and he walks right into a trap that costs him his life - and many times he knows its coming! The adulterous act may not cost him his physical life, but it will cost him his "life" - his reputation, his status, and perhaps his ability to be used by God.

Solomon furthers states that his command is a

"lamp and the teaching a light...to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life." (6:23-26)

Pastors, and men, everywhere - do not desire flattery from people - especially women - doing so is like taking the first step into a trap.

Solomon further states that adultery is bad enough, but committing it with a married woman (which happens as well - especially in the church) is even worse. He states:

"He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself...for jealousy makes a man furious, and he will not spare when he takes revenge. He will accept no compensation, he will refuse though you multiply gifts." (6:32, 34-35)

In other words, the husband will come after the man who cheats on his wife. And well he should.

When I was in seminary, Pastor Johnny Hunt of FBC Woodstock, GA, taught a conference aimed at young pastors. Based on some past experiences in ministry he was completely convinced that Satan puts an "adulterous woman" in every church congregation or area of ministry where a man of God is serving.

One point he was convinced that a certain woman was in his congregation and he prayed that if she was indeed there via Satan, that God would remove her. He never saw her again...

That story should serve as a wake-up call to every pastor and church leader. Beware of enticing words from women who may being used by Satan. Sure, you're not the #1 ranked golfer in the world or the governor of a state, but if you are serving God in His church, Satan is lurking - and he is probably lurking in the guise of a beautiful woman.

Matthew 6

The Visual Bible: Matthew is my favorite portrayal of Jesus and his life. Why? First, every word spoken in the film is word-for-word from the New Testament Gospel of Matthew. The other reason that this is my favorite portrayal of Jesus is because it does best in capturing what I think Jesus was probably like: real, authentic, passionate, loving, caring, rebuking, etc. We often think of Jesus as some passive, flower-pickin' hippie or some stern, never-having-fun pharisee type - when in fact he was the complete opposite.