http://www.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031 Random thoughts and observations from Pastor Dan Darling of Gages Lake Bible Church AdvancedMinistry  I was given the opportunity to review Tea with Hezbollah by Ted Dekker and Carl Medaris. The following is my review:  If you have read any of Ted Dekker's novels, you are aware that you won't ever pick one up and find a normal read. Ted probably has one of the most imaginative minds in all of evangelical literature. Some of his work, especially his latest stuff, has tended to the dark side and has turned off some evangelical readers. Nevertheless, Ted is a first-class writer and an excellent wordsmith.  So when I was given the opportunity to review his nonfiction work, Tea with Hezbollah, I jumped at the chance.  It’s an interesting read. On one level, it’s a remarkable sort of travelogue into the world of some ofAmerica's feared enemies. Ted interviews leaders in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Cairo, Syria, andPalestine. He met with leaders of Hezbollah, Hamas, and many of the most influential Muslim clerics in the world. I came away with a profound sense of the complexity of the Arab world. It’s a world too many Americans and too many Christians sort of put together in a caricature as "radical Islam," as though every single Arab and every single Muslim is dangerous and a terrorist. That is a paper-thin assessment. Ted does well to dive into the complexities of Islam and also the struggles of Christians who live in Muslim worlds. To his credit, Ted doesn't claim to be an expert in their theology or in their culture. He's merely an observer and a scared one at that. I give him enormous credit for traveling where few will go. I mean many Christians won't even go toIsrael, where it is much safer than some of the places Ted traveled. But we ignore that part of the world to our peril and I think it does a great disservice to the Body of Christ if we marginalize those areas as being unreachable or unlovable. So I recommend Ted's book as a beginning education on the complexities of the Middle East. However, there was a thread that ran through this book that bothered me greatly as an evangelical Christian who holds to the truth of Scripture.Ted's entire thesis is that the three major religions--Muslim, Jewish, Christian struggle to practice the words of Jesus, which are to love your neighbor. He claims many times that these radical words are why they killed Jesus. But this is really not faithful to Scripture. Jesus was killed because HE claimed to be the Son of God, the Savior of the world. Jesus was killed because Jesus laid down his life for the salvation of mankind's sin. Jesus died for the Gospel. Not to be a Gandhi-like figure that would sit everyone in a wonderful circle and make sure they got along. In fact, Jesus said he came not to bring peace, but a sword.  Ted also seems to think here is symmetry between the world religions. A creeping universalism courses through this book. If you read this, you might easily come away thinking that all religions have merit, all are valid paths to God.  Lastly, I think his diagnosis of the world's root problems is simplistic and, I might say, unscriptural. True, Christians have done things in the name of Christ that are horrific. Christians have committed atrocities. But the root problem of the world is sin, began in the Garden and continuing to weave its destructive path through history. And the world hates Christianity, primarily because Jesus predicted we would be hated. Not because there is something wrong with our faith or because we haven't been nice. The solution for the world's ills is the Gospel and the future for the world is peace, but only the peace brought when Jesus, the Prince of Peace returns.  So do I recommend this book? I do actually. Not for its theology, but for the incredible insights Ted and Carl bring to the Arab world. Christians ought not to be caught up in irrational hatred of certain people groups, no matter how easy and humorous that is. We should be compelled by the love of Christ to see these people won over with the Gospel. We should be active in building up the faith of Christian brothers and sisters who suffer in these lands.  So read Tea with Hezbollah, but read with Biblical discernment.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=11586 11586 Every year I read a pile of books, some from friends, others for ministry and preaching, and still others that really peak my interest. Here is my pile of books for 2010 with some comments:  The Power of His Presence by Ray Stedman - I'm currently reading this--its a devotional book compiled from his sermons, which were always expository, deep, and convicting. I regularly read his sermons at raystedman.org.  Love and Respectby Emmerson Eggerich - This is long overdue, but a terrific marriage book. I'm currently reading it. Its an amazing exposition really of the well-known but often misapplied instruction in Ephesians.  Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris - I've always enjoyed Josh's writing, preaching, and ministry. I can't wait to read his fresh take on the importance of solid theology.  If God is Good - by Randy Alcorn - Nobody tackles tough, unexplored issues with biblical clarity like Randy Alcorn. I thoroughly enjoyed Heaven.  Forgotten God - Francis Chan - I've not ready anything by Chan, but have heard a few of his sermons. And a lot of people are telling me he writes with thought-provoking clarity.  Prayer, Does it Make Any Difference? - Philip Yancey - I love Yancey's writing and I'm intrigued by his take on prayer.  Humility - CJ Mahaney - I've heard this is a fantastic book.  Fire and Rain, the Wild-Hearted Faith of Elijah - Ray Pritchard - Ray is a good friend of mine and a terrific pastor, author, and speaker. Benjamin Franklin - An American Life - Walter Isaacson. I love history, especially American history.  Franklin and Winston - Jon Meacham - Ditto, this is a relationship that kept the Allied Powers strong.  Who knows if I'll get to all of these and honestly I'll probably read other books not here that I haven't thought of. I'll probably sprinkle a few novels in there as well.    http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=10873 10873  I really take New Year's seriously. I love this time of year, because it gives me an opportunity to reflect on what God has done in the last year and to set new goals for the next year. I know that by February most of us ditch our resolutions, but I don't think that means we shouldn't ever set goals. So here are mine:  Make a concerted effort to lose a significant amount of weight. Time to put the fork down.  Spend more and better time in the Word.  Serve my wife and kids with less eye-rolling and more of a Christ-like attitude.  Read more good books, even ones that are more of a discipline to read.  Care more about things on God's heart, like the work of the church and the salvation of souls and less about things God already has under control, like politics and world events.  Be less inhibited about sharing my faith with those God has placed in my world.  What are your resolutions? I'd like to hear them. Facebook me or email me.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=10582 10582 My wife of seven years, who, besides my relationship with Christ, is the greatest gift God has given me.  My children: Grace Marie, 4, who is a delight, a joy, and whose infectious personality lights up our home, Dan Jr, who at 15 months is a one-man wrecking crew, but whose curiosity is so cute, Emma Rose, who as of this writing is still "in the oven" but is ready to make her entrance into the world.  My church, filled with the most loving, wonderful, Christlike people in the world. In our two years here, you have become family. I enjoy serving you.  My calling. I enjoy studying and preaching. I enjoy shepherding and administrating.  My writing. I'm so glad God allows me to write about Him. I'm humbled at the doors He has opened for me.  My friends, who stick my me through thick and thin and who are willing to encourage, exhort, and rebuke at times.  My Non-Stop Christmas Music. I love the wonderful music of the season, both new and old.  My Country. Its so grateful to live in the land of the free, where we can freely worship God.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=10502 10502 I just finished a powerful new book written by my friend, Pastor Bill Giovenetti. I highly recommend it. Here is my full review:  How to Keep Your Inner Mess From Trashing Your Outer World Bill Giovanetti Monarch Books  Every person has a cast of ugly characters riding in the back of their bus. If you’re not careful, they’ll consume and control your life.  That’s the premise of a refreshing book by author and pastor, Bill Giovanetti. Bill is pastor of Neighborhood Church of Redding California.  The characters Bill describes—Inner Saint, Inn CIA Agent, Inner Legalist, Inner Idiot, Inner Flirt (his list covers just about every sin)—together they make up your Inner Mess. And Giovanetti makes the case that the reason Christians fail in taming their Inner Mess is because they have the wrong prescription.  Writing in a humorous yet to-the-point style, Giovanetti systematically lays out a Biblical course for allowing Jesus to control the inner life.  As a lifelong church brat, accustomed to living by lists and working out my sanctification in my own power, I found this book to be refreshing and empowering. I don’t know that I’ve ever read a work that so accurately and biblically fleshes out the inner life.  A few times I actually closed the book and sat straight up, thinking through conclusions and theology that I’d never before considered. For instance, Bill says that we wrongly strive for WWJD—What Would Jesus Do. When we try to do what Jesus did, we fail, because only Jesus could do what Jesus did. The better way is to allow Jesus to live through us and allow His grace to flow through our lives.  Every day, Giovanetti says, we wake up to a battle. But it’s not the battle we think. It’s not a battle against sin or even against our flesh. It’s the battle inside that says “Christ can’t do something in me.” In other words, the key to living out the Christian life is to have a bigger faith and it’s that faith that releases the grace that empowers our lives.  He encourages us to build up our soul by immersing ourselves in the Word, in community with like-minded believers, and in Biblical preaching. All that serves to build a muscular faith, a faith that works.  I highly recommend this book for its clear, practical, sound teaching on the inner life of a believer. You won’t finish this book thinking you have to do more, be more, say more. You’ll finish it realizing that Jesus Christ really can do a work in and through you, despite the ugliness of those characters at the back of your bus.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=10214 10214 1. I'm thankful for my life--given to me by God. Every breath is a blessing.  2. I'm thankful for my salvation, purchased for me on the Cross 2,000 years ago by Jesus Christ, secured forever by the Holy Spirit. This gives me the promise of eternal life in Heaven.  3. I'm thankful for my beautiful wife of seven years. Marriage to her is infinitely more blessed than I ever imagined.  4. I'm thankful for my children. Grace Marie is almost five and fills our home with such joy and laughter. Dan Jr. is 1 and is walking and has his own unique and curious personality. And Emma Rose is awaiting her entrance into this world, sometime around Christmas. Can't wait to see what she looks and sounds and acts like.  5. I'm thankful for my parents, who courageously raised us children in the Lord, who provided more than we needed, who encouraged us along the way, who set us on a path to success. Every year that passes I'm more grateful for them.  6. I'm thankful for my church, Gages Lake Bible Church, who has welcomed the Darling Family with open arms. Their generosity and love and patience has overwhelmed us. You are a wonderful people. We love you.  7. I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve in ministry. Ministry is my passion and God has graciously granted me the opportunity to preach and teach and encourage and disciple.  8. I'm thankful for the opportunity to write, for a publisher willing to publish my work, for Tamela, my incredible agent, for all the publications willing to publish my articles and devotionals.  9. I'm thankful to be an American. America has a lot of issues, but we still have the greatest nation on earth. We still live in the top 1% of the world. I love this nation, warts and all.  10. I'm thankful for great friends, who are there through thick and thin, who encourage, exhort, and even rebuke when necessary. You've enriched my life.    http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=10072 10072  I just finished a fantastic novel by my friend, Tricia Goyer. Here is my review:  "This is a time for war, not love," says Gabi Mueller, an unlike heroine in a time of war. Hitler's crusade had encroached upon her village and so her courage, Christian faith, and competence led her into a cooperative role for the Allies.  This is a well-crafted, first-rate novel, each page sparkling with action, dialogue and rich character development. I found myself knee deep into the lives of the characters and the drama of the times. I was overwhelmed, at times, by the historical and cultural touch points. I felt when reading, that was right there in the midst of WW, mixing into the lives of the common people forced to make tough choices.  This novel wasn't just a pleasurable diversion, it delivered an education into the lives of the common person on both sides of the Swiss-German border in a time of considerable, historical tension. I heartily recommend this book. http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=9950 9950 The Bible says it like this: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." – John 15:13. In other words, if you want to see real love in action, look at a man who gives himself for his friends. When I think of that verse, I think of the brave men and women throughout history who have set aside their lives, donned the military fatigues, and went to battle to fight for the interests of our great country. Many didn't come back. They spilled their blood on the battlefields all over the world.  I think of my own grandfather. He passed a few years ago, but his memories are still with us. Grandpa was a valiant man, a product of the Great Depression and World War II, part of what Tom Brokaw so accurately described as "The Greatest Generation." I'm not sure they make people like Grandpa anymore. He grew up in Chicago. His mother emigrated from Poland and raised her children by herself. Grandpa never knew anyone who owned a car. They literally had no money. He would ride the backs of milk trucks and delivery cars to go to the butcher to buy liver that was going to be thrown out. But people in Grandpa's generation didn't complain. He often said to me, "Dan, we didn't know what we didn't have. We had a good life."  When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Grandpa enlisted in the Army. He didn't want to mess with being drafted. He want to have some control over his destiny. Grandpa served for years in the Phillipines as a tank commander.  How I loved Grandpa. He had a lifetime of wisdom and wit. He was content in any situation. He loved his family and worked hard to support them. He sold cars in the city of Chicago. He often let us come to the showroom and climb in the new cars.  When Grandpa passed, it left a hole in our hearts that remains today.  Grandpa was just one of many veterans who gave their lives. I think of others like my friend Tim who served in Vietnam. I think of Jim, an elder in our church who served in the Navy during WWII. I think of my own brother, Tim, who served in this latest Iraq War.  Most of us go about our lives, living in the greatest country on earth, oblivious to the fact that thousands of our fellow countrymen are sweating it out on some desert or in training or in a foreign land. They do it for love of country. We owe them a lot.  Not all veterans are perfect. Not all soldiers are saints. Nobody is saying that. But on this day what we are saying is this. Let's take a step back and give them an extra measure of gratitude for their service.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=9850 9850 What do you believe exactly? I get that question a lot as I'm out and about in the community. People ask me what our church believes, what we teach, what we do. Most people, especially those who don't attend church and don't consider themselves too religious have a kind of vague notion as to what churches do. I typically give them this answer. "Check our middle name." We're Gages Lake Bible Church. That is to say Gages Lake preaches, teaches, and applies the Bible to life. We believe the Bible to be the written revelation of God to man. We discussed this a few Sundays ago in our message, "Why We Believe What We Believe - About the Bible." Well, saying we believe the Bible is a great answer to the "what do you believe question." But its not the whole answer. Because if you could boil down Christianity to one singular question its the question of a Person. Jesus Christ. In fact, if you believe the Bible to be God's Word, then you'll know that the Bible's pages demand you reckon with the question, "Who Is Jesus Christ?" And to personalize it, "What will you do about Jesus Christ?" Well, if you've wondered that, then join us Sunday as we share, "Why We Believe, What We Believe - About Jesus Christ."    http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=9675 9675  So  my job on Sunday is really easy. Explain the Trinity in a 40-minute sermon.  Actually, no, I won't explain the Trinity, because the Trinity is unexplainable. But what we will do is explore the Trinity as we continue our series, Why We Believe What We Believe.  Why do we talk about the Trinity? Isn't that one of the boring, dusty doctrines of old? Well, this is why we should explore what the Bible says about the Trinity.  Because this is what the Bible says about our God. And its very important that we know who God is, what HIs nature is, and what we believe about God. It gives us clarity in our doctrinal perspective.  I would also argue that a study of the Trinity inspires our faith. Because we are suddenly confronted with the "bigness" of God. We're also confronted with the "smallness" of ourselves. I hope that as we go through this study on Sunday that we are compelled to do one thing and one thing only: bow our knee before our holy and righteous God.  For me, this week's study was intense, but highly rewarding. I felt like I dove into the deep end of the theological pool. But I came up with a newfound reverence and awe for the God of the Bible, the one true God, who is three distinct Persons and who is not just powerful, but personal.  A God like this demands our worship, He demands our obedience.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=9585 9585  When I was a kid, we sang this song, "The Bible Stands." You can find the words to the song here. Its a simple song with profound theology.  This Sunday we're talking about Why We Believe What We Believe About the Bible. I thoroughly enjoyed this study. Its a powerful study. What do we mean when we say we believe the Bible? Do we believe all of the Bible, part of the Bible, most of the Bible? And do we believe it is really God's Word? We're going to dive into some words like verbal, plenary, inspiration, and inerancy.  What seems like big, fancy words actually are simple. And when you unwrap our statement of faith, you really find this simple belief: The Bible is the Word of God, whose words were inspired by the Holy Spirit, using human agents as authors.  As a pastor, husband, and father, I'm glad we stand on the Bible. We live in a world with shifting values. We live in an age of the church with shifting values. i'm glad to know we can anchor our church, our famlies, and our lives on something concrete. God has spoken, this we believe, and if God has spoken, we know His Words can impact the way we live. http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=9484 9484 Its Tuesday and I'm in the office doing the usual pastoral stuff--checking mail, following up with people from Sunday, catching up on church business, etc. But I'm still basking in the glow of a wonderful Sunday this week. As a pastor, I look forward to Sundays, I look forward to preaching, I look forward to the fellowship of the saints.  But this Sunday was especially cool, because we began a new series, "Why We Believe What We Believe." This was a series that I felt God wanted us to do for sometime, rekindling again a focus on the core doctrines of our faith.  Sunday we set the tone with a message with a rather bland title: "Why Doctrine is Important." A title like that doesn't exactly inspire. Its not going to end up on the top-ten sermon titles of all time. And I'm sure some thought that perhaps it was as exciting as watching paint dry (or World Cup Soccer-sorry soccer fans, please forgive me this once).  But it turns out that people were really clued into the message this week. I was pleasantly surprised at how many of our people were excited that we're going to have a renewed emphasis on the core doctrines of our faith. And the truth is that I'm pretty pumped myself.  It's amazing, when you begin to study the Bible, you come away so incredibly inspired. The doctrines don't have to be dull. They are life. They are teaching. They are faith. What we believe really does matter. Proverbs says "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he."  Which leads me to this coming week. Fitting rather nicely into this series is a guest speaker this week, Dr. Elwood Chipchase, former president of Calvary Bible College and a longtime friend. He's going to deliver three messages on the Second Coming of Christ. That's right, we here at GLBC believe Jesus is coming again and it will be soon.  Knowing and studying the Second Coming helps us live now in this world. It helps us open the newspapers and realize that while Satan is currently enjoying some success, ultimately God is in charge and has a plan.  Plan on being here on Sunday, attend all three messages: 9:45 am, 10:45 am, and 6pm. You won't be disappointed.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=9264 9264 I'm very excited about a brand-new sermon series we're calling "Why We Believe, What We Believe." It begins this Sunday, October 4th. This doesn't mean we are done with John, its just that we'll be done with John until sometime next year. John is an awesome study and I've thoroughly enjoyed preaching through it. We'll start up in chapter 10 probably in February.  Why stop our study in John? We'll, I really have sensed God calling us again to what Jeremiah describes as the "old paths." Today in the evangelical church, doctrine is often dismissed as outdated. But doctrine is important. We as Christ-followers must know what we believe and why.  Also, we've got quite a few new folks in our church and I think in this "back-to-school" season, its time for all of us to go back to school and learn the essentials of our faith. So here is the schedule for the series:  Why Doctrine is Important - Sunday, October 4th What We Believe About the Second Coming (Prophecy Conference with Dr. Chipchase), Sunday, October 11th What We Believe About the Bible and Inspiration - Sunday, October 18th What We Believe About The Trinity - Sunday, October 25th What We Believe About Christ - Sunday, November 1st What We Believe about The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts - Sunday, November 8th What We Believe About Man, Sin and the Two Natures - Sunday, November 15th What We Believe About Salvation - Sunday, November 29th What We Believe About the Church - Sunday, November 29th What We Believe About Satan - Sunday, November 6th       http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=9140 9140  Its been a while since I updated everyone on some projects I am working on, so here we go: Crash Course, Forming a Faith Foundation for Life - This is my second teen devotional. Like Teen People of the Bible, it will be a 100-day devotional. Crash Course is geared for jr high and high-school students and college freshman. The idea is to give them a "crash course" in the "fundamentals of life." It is divided up into five sections: Doctrine, Decisions, Direction, Devotion and Delight. We almost titled it "5 Big Things" because we boiled all of life down to the five important things you want a young person to know in order to be successful for life. I'm really excited about this book. It will be released next Spring by New Hope Publishers.  Instant Messages, Prayer for the Blackberry Generation - At least this is the working title right now. This book is written to my generation, perhaps 45 and under, 50 and under, who have always known life to be fast, connected, and instant. What effect does this have on our prayer life? In this book I compare and contrast 12 prayers in the Bible with the way we often pray today. I'm extremely excited about this book as well. I plan on doing a teaching series on this at Gages Lake on Sunday Nights beginning in November.  New Sermon Series at Gages Lake - If you regularly attend Gages Lake Bible Church or listen to our podcasts you'll know that on Sunday Mornings, we're currently going thru the Gospel of John. This Sunday we'll be starting and finishing chapter 9.  Beginning in October, we'll stop this series for a while and do a 6-8 week series entitled, "Why We Believe, What We Believe." I really feel its important for us to reintroduce ourselves to the basic doctrines of the faith we hold dear, to bring them off of the statement of faith and bring them to life. I'm really excited about this. We will be using, as guides, the new booklets published by the IFCA (of which we are a member.).  Sunday Evenings - We have two more messages in our Tuff Stuff Series:  Help I'm Angry The Purpose of Pain Then we're going to begin a new series "Instant Messages" its about prayer and the subject of my book to be released in 2011.  Upcoming Events -  The Bible and the End of Time - One-Day Prophecy Conference on Sunday, October 11th - with Dr. Elwood Chipchase. I'm very excited about this. Dr. Chipchase has preached through Revelation countless times. And we live in scary, turbulent times. The good news is that we know God has a plan for the end of the world. Dr. Chipchases three messages are: God's Distinct Plan - Sunday, 9:45 AM Seven Years Like the World Has Never Seen - Sunday, 10:45 AM The End in View as We Live Today - Sunday 6:00 PM Joy Chipchase will be speaking at the Women's Fall Brunch - Saturday, October 10th at 11:00 AM at the church. The ladies will enjoy a wonderful lunch and great fellowship.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=8959 8959 I just finished a powerful, powerful book by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. I read a ton of books. Sometimes I read books that I can't wait to recommend. This is one. I am a big fan of the church, amidst a growing evangelical culture that is pooh-poohing the church. Every other day there is a book saying "The church must change." etc.  Kevin and Ted are young people who should be a part of this emergent crowd--but they're not. They're solid church people. And they're book is wonderfully readable. Here's the review I wrote on amazon:  A powerful, powerful book. I've been wanting to read this book since it came out. I enjoyed Josh Harris' Stop Dating the Church, which I felt was a concise apologetic for the church. But Kevin and Ted have given the body of Christ a wonderful gift in this book. I have grown weary in the last several years of the constant barrage of criticism of the evangelical church. Every day it seems there is a new book with a "church survivor" whining about how the church failed them and they found God outside the church. The truth is that the church, yes the organized, established Church is the bride of Christ. Christ paid his blood for the Church. So we ought to love the church as Christ loves the church. When Christ stops loving the Church, then its time to pull the plug. But if you know you're Scripture, the Bible says that the gates of Hell won't prevail against the church. Kevin and Ted have produced probably the most thorough, theologicaly sound and humorous defense of the church. What I like is that they have read all of the "church is lame" books (their words, not mine), so you don't have to. I mean they have extensive references and quotes and do a great job of answering all of the common critiques of church life. I especially love their tone. They, unlike most conservative writers, don't create a straw man in their arguments. They don't have an ax to grind, so to speak. They simply have presented a powerful apologetic for the Church God loves and that we should love as well. Is every church perfect? Are many of the criticisms of the modern church valid? Are their glaring holes and problems in today's church? Absolutely. But we're sinners. Every local church is a collection of sinners, so things won't be perfect, won't be done well, and will have room for critique. Plus, we have got to get over this idea that the world at large doesn't like the church. Guess what? Jesus predicted this would happen. The cross is an offense. The Bible is contraversial. We're too invested in being "cool" in the eyes of the world. God's plan in this age is for every believer to be plugged in, contributing to, accountable to, and a member of a bible-believing and teaching local church. Period, end of story. Kevin and Ted have given a powerful book to that end. http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=8806 8806  The doorbell rang today and awaiting me was a beautiful new delivery of some books. One I had been anticipating for a while, by Kevin DeYoung, a thoughtful new voice in the evangelical world. The book is Just Do Something, A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will.  Its a short book, but one loaded with powerful wisdom on finding God's will. The truth is that Christians make this much, much harder than it is. I'm not sure if its a conscience wracked by guilt in pinpointing exactly what God's will is (red Subaru or Yellow Nissan?), laziness that we gloss over with spiritual words, or just plain passivity. Either way, we've turned God's will into this yellow, hazy fog that nobody can seem to discover.  That's why I love Kevin's straightforward, Biblical advice. I finished this book tonight and posted this review on Amazon and CBD: So often Christians suffer from "paralysis by analysis", which is to say we over-spiritualize every single decision. Does God want me to buy a red Jeep or a Yellow Subaru? And all along our inaction, our failure to seize opportunities leaves us living lives without purpose and direction.  Kevin DeYoung tackles Christian passivity head-on in his excellent book, Just Do Something. Oh, this is advice I want to share with young people, old people, and people in between. I have not found a more thoroughly biblical approach to finding and living God's will than this book.  Kevin writes with humor, wit, and humility. He shares a pastor's heart. He writes from a practical, yet biblical Christian worldview. I read a lot of books every year. Very few could I say, without reservation, are life changing and worthy of passing on. This one most definitely is.  I wish every single Christian, young or old, could read this book. Its that good. http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=8738 8738  For my generation—I’m 31 years old—9/11 was as seminal moment. I still remember that day and following weeks exactly as they happened. I was working on staff at Victory In Grace Ministries. But really “working” is a bad word, because for several days were glued to the TV as the rest of America was.  I still remember the feelings I felt on 9/11. It was as if a giant protective bubble over America had burst and now were like everyone else on the planet: vulnerable, scared, angry. We had thought that two oceans could protect us and that we could wash our hands of the news overseas. But we couldn’t and we can’t. I watched those towers fall, I couldn’t get enough of the story. But I also remember a lot of good that came out this monumental tragedy. First, there was the unity. It wasn’t a fake unity, but something real, something human. For several weeks, even months, the sniping, the jealousy, the pride was stripped away. People hugged more. People cried more. People worried about family more. I remember taking a trip across America, from Illinois to Florida. I remember seeing “God Bless America” on restaurant signs, on billboards, on gas station marquees. I remember having impromptu conversations with guys on Harleys. Secondly, there was a call to duty. It really started with our leaders. I’ll never forget President Bush standing on top of the rubble and uniting the nation. Democrats and Republicans were together behind their leader. They sang God Bless America on the capital steps. People gave blood in droves. People went down to New York and volunteered. Churches offered relief and ministered to the sick and dying. But that was 8 years ago. And a lot has changed, for me personally and in our country. I’ve since gotten married, bought a house, had two kids (on on the way), wrote two books, and am pastoring a church. It’s been an active 8 years. Our country has changed in many ways. We’ve been engaged in the fight against terror. Fear is now a part of our vocabulary. We have no where near the unity we once had. In fact, we may be more partisan than ever. Cable news and talk shows are stirring up the political anger and hyberbole. And now there are so many ways to hate on people, through blogs and comments on articles and Twitter and the like. Sadly, I don’t think we’re a more Christian nation. Immediately after 9/11 there was a short-term revival, but it didn’t last, because it wasn’t necessarily based on truth, but on religion. I’ve also grown up. I used to think America needed political solutions. I used to think that every election was the “most important of our lifetimes” and now I think each election is important but just an election. I now fully realize that our hope is not in man, our hope is not in a party. Our hope is not in a tired set of bullet-points, but in a Person, Jesus Christ. There is evil in the world, because there is sin in the world. But there is a Savior who offers redemption, freedom, and hope.   Two really great 9/11 retrospectives: Ed Stetzer Peggy Noonan   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=8721 8721 Sunday is going to an awesome day of worship at Gages Lake. We're going to have a baptism and communion service. And our text in the Gospel of John fits so perfectly with communion. My sermon is "Return to the Cross."   Here is a little snippet of the sermon:    As a Christian, we return to the cross, because that is where life makes sense again. Nothing God asks us to do makes sense without the cross:   He asks us to take up our cross, because He took up His. Its only our reasonable service. He asks us to forgive our deepest hurts, only because He forgave us our most heinous sins. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. He asks us to deny ourselves, because He denied Himself, his rights and went to the cross. He asks us to give sacrificially, because He gave all. He asks us to serve others, because He served us. Christian, return to the cross. If you try to live your Christian life without the cross, you’ll end up practicing religion. You’re faith will be dry and routine. But if you return periodically to the cross of your Savior, where he hung and bled and died for yours sins, you’ll willingly follow Him. I'm closing with this quote from the late pastor, Ray Stedman, from his sermon, “The Breakthrough Point”   It is very good for us often to remember the story of the cross. It is good to remember all the detail that is given in the Gospels about how in the upper room he was "exceeding sorrowful unto death"; the shadows of Gethsemane; the deep darkness of his loneliness; his prayers; his disappointment with his disciples; the bloody sweat that fell from his brow; the traitor's kiss; the binding; the blow in the face; the scourging, the smiting, the spitting, the buffeting, the mocking; the crown of thorns; the sorrowful way through the city streets; the burden of the cross; the exhaustion that he endured; the collapse; the stripping; the impaling upon the cross; the nails through his hands; the jeers of his foes; the flight of his friends; the hours on the cross; the darkness; the terrible cry that came from his lips, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?"; the thirst; and the triumphant cry at the end, "It is finished." http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=8582 8582  I love preaching. I love to study. I love how the Holy Spirit puts it all together and uses an unworthy messenger like me. I love every Sunday of church. But every once in a while, I really love preaching, which is to say that the message has so totally overwhelmed me. This coming Sunday is one.  The message: Stones of Grace. The text is John 8:1-11. Its the story of the woman caught in adultery. Some don't believe this was part of the original canon, I do, because its so encapsulates John's theme of grace. Here's a short sample of the message:  We don’t quite understand grace because we don’t want to. We want to think that it’s a grace just wide enough for our little indiscretions but no wider. We want to think that we’ve done something just marvelous enough to merit Heaven, but better than the poor saps who will spend eternity in Hell. And we’re dead wrong. Ephesians 2:9 says that there will be no boasters in Heaven. That is to say that nobody up there will be able to say, “Hah, I got here because of my hard work.” Nope. We’re all that humiliated, broken, shamed, embarrassed adulterous woman. We have all chosen sin over our Creator. We’re all at the mercy of a Jesus who stands ready to bridge the canyon between our sin and the holiness of God. http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=8243 8243 I haven't had as much time to read lately, but when I do find time, I'm reading a fantastic book by my good friend, Dr. Bruce Baker, Senior Pastor of Jenison Bible Church in Hudsonville, MI. The book is on a subject that very few seem to have written on. It's entitled, The Road to Maturity. Its a well-written, easy-to-read, often humorous, sometimes fictionalized treatment of a serious issue. Christian maturity is often a vague concept. What is growth? How do we know we've grown? What discplines foster growth? Besides being a solidly biblical and creative pastor, Dr. Bruce is a fantastic writer. This book is really challening me. I'd encourage you to check it out here. Some other notes: Read the story of the great hymn, Great Is They Faithfulness  A Fantastic sermon by Ray Pritchard on John 7:37-39 http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=8119 8119  There is something about a storm that brings you closer to God. Nobody in thier right mind asks for storms, but God in His goodness allows us to passage through them because He knows that it is in the storms where we grow. Angela and I have been enduring some storms lately. We seem surrounded by the needs and hardship of those we serve. And yet God has been so faithful to show Himself strong on our behalf.  Last night we had prayer meeting at Gages Lake. I was looking forward to Wednesday prayer all week, because it is in the time of prayer and fellowship with the fellow saints in the church that God really shows up. I felt it last night. One of the things I have learned about Gages Lake Bible Church in the last year is that our people are a praying people. They really are. Lately, our church body has seen many of its members in the hospital, enduring crisis after crisis. Our poeple have rallied to the cause, getting on their knees and praying.  There are a lot of institutions in the world where people go for comfort: the bar, the coffee shop, the living room, the TV, the chat room, the telephone. But I dare say that the most comfort is found in the prayerful presence of brothers and sisters in your local church. My family and I always come away refreshed and encouraged.  I thank God that he brought me to these people here at Gages Lake Bible Church. We are blessed to be among the saints.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=7990 7990  One of my favorite authors and pastors is Joshua Harris. When people say, "Who is Josh Harris?" I say that he's the author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye, but that's really not fair, because he wrote that book many years ago. The title of that book induces panic in people, but in its pages is great truth for young men and women in dating relationships. I recommend it for all young people, high-school and college. I also recommend Boy Meets Girl. Both those books profoundly affected my view of relationships as a young person.  But I'm not talking about those books today. Instead, I just finished one of Josh's more recent works, Stop Dating the Church. Now this book was written in 2004, so its not terribly recent, but it is ever relevant today. Josh is now a pastor of a church in Maryland. In Stop Dating the Church, Josh speaks candidly about his own lack of committment to church in his youth. He said that he was "dating the church" instead of engaging in whole-hearted committment to the church, which is God's bride. Today there are stacks of books in the Christian world that critique the church. Some are useful, but most are full-fledged assaults on God's chosen instrument in this age. The fact is that God loves the Church, in spite of its shortcomings. When then, is it so fashionable to beat up on God's bride?  Josh also speaks truth in an area where very few Christian authors and pastors speak. Committment to a church. I'm glad he took up this issue, because we live in an age of church-hopping and church-shopping. Consumer Christianity. But God's plan and God's will for every believer is to be actively committed, loyal, and faithful to a local church. Now, to be sure, it should be a local church that is built on and preaches from the Word of God in a systematic, clear way. It should be a church with solid doctrine. It should be a church that preaches the gospel clearly. But one thing it won't be is a perfect church. We must aproach our church not to see what we can take from it, but what we can contribute to it in a way that edifies the brethren.  I enjoyed this book, not just because I'm a pastor, but because I'm a lover of the church. The local church is where God is active, where His program is progressing, where His mission is being fulfilled. I like being in the center of God's activity on earth.  Disclaimer: I don't agree or endorse every single thing I read in every single Christian book. Christian books are written by men who are flawed. The books I write are flawed. The only book I wholeheartedly endorse without reservation is the Word of God, which has no flaws and was not written by man.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=7945 7945  For the first time in almost 7 years, I have been living at home by myself. My wife and two children have spent the last three weeks in Texas. We lost a good friend, Ben Kottwitz and Angela is there trying to help her best friend, Ashli, get thru the initial grief. Even though we know that God is in control, that Ben is in Heaven, it is still a very tough situation that needs the prayers of everyone. We had to make the travel plans quickly so Angela could get down there. Both of us felt it would be good for her to go and for me to get a lot of work done on my new book. I have a tight deadline and three uninterrupted weeks would be helpful. The truth is that I have gotten quite a bit of work done, but I wasn't prepared for three weeks without my family. Sure, I had enough food, all my physical needs were taken care of. But I didn't realize just how much I'd miss my wife and my two children. I've gone out of town for a day or a couple of days. I even taught at a conference for a week. But this is different. Coming home every night to an empty house is lonely. It miss Angela's laugh. I miss the noise of my two children. I miss the busy structured days. God wired us for community, for relationships. But we don't realize this fully until those relatoinships are gone. I'll admit that I have never fully appreciated what my wife brings to my life until these three weeks. I guess we get so stuck in the day-to-day routines that we forget to stop and enjoy the blessings God has set before us.  Ultimately, we find our satisfaction in Christ alone. He gives us the love and security that no human can provide.  I guess my advice is this. Appreciate your loved ones while they are close by. Take every opportunity to tell them how much you love them. Show grace and mercy and forbearance on their faults. Serve them selflessly.  And pray for those who've lost loved ones, pray that God will give them extra grace to endure the lonliness.    http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=7912 7912 This year, I'm celebrating the 4th in a most unusual way. My wife and two kids, Grace, and Dan Jr, are out of town. I have quickly realized what a great woman she is and how much I depend upon her. I realize how lonely it is around here without her. She has enriched my life in so many countless ways. I would not be who I am without her. And I miss the noise and conflicts and love of my kids.  The 4th of July is a special holiday, because it forces us Americans to sit back and embrace and be grateful for the country God has given us. And let's remember that it is God who has given us this great nation. We seemed to have forgotten that.  I've travelled overseas to third-world countries. I've seen unimaginable poverty, disease, and hopelessness. I've seen partially-clothed children crawling the streets, looking for something to eat. I've seen entire families living in huts made of dung and leaves and cardboard.  We Americans are truly blessed. We're in the top 1% of the world. So what does that mean?  It means we should stop on the 4th and praise God for our prosperity. We should be deeply grateful for His undeserved blessing.  It means we should be profoundly appreciative of our military veterans. Everyone says this on the 4th, but we should really mean it. These men and women signed up voluntarily to fight for our protection. We have several veterans in our church. Every time I hear their stories, I am touched deep into my soul. My own brother is a veteran. Thanks Tim, for fighting for our protection. My good friend Robert is still active and has served on many missions. Robert, you're a hero. My own grandfather was stationed in the Pacific during World War II. He suffered through the Great Depression. He was part of the Greatest Generation that built this country. I loved Grandpa and when he passed in 06, he left a hole in our hearts that still remains.  It means we should consider why exactly God put us here as Americans. Was it so we could live in self-indulgence and greed? Or is there another reason? Maybe God has given us prosperity so we could affect change in the world? As a Christian, I strongly believe we have been given so much--so that we could give back. I believe God raised up America so thru its prosperity, we could bring the light of the Gospel to those who have never heard. Think of the millions of people who've come to know the Savior, because faithful missionaries have been sent from our shores. And today, ministries broadcast the gospel to living rooms in almost every country on the planet. The internet and other technologies are shining the light of the gospel into the world's darkest corners. Its a heavy responsiblity to be given so much, because to whom much is given, much is required. I hope our generation rises to that challenge.   Today, I hope we stop and reflect on the good fortune of being born in America. And I hope we think of others who are less fortunate. I hope we thank God for the fighting men and women of this country.  Happy 4th.  Dan    http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=7729 7729 Anytime a politician falls, it is a terrible and sad disgrace, not a time for gloating or "I-told-you-so's." The last two weeks have seen two promising conservative politicans, professing believers, who have admitted to extramarital affairs. As a guy who has been in and around politics, I have a few thoughts:  We evangelicals belief in the inherent sinfulness of man. Anyone can fall. Nobody is immune to moral failure. Nobody nowhere. That's why preachers and Christian leaders especially must set up boundaries and guidelines. From all accounts Mr. Sanford was a model husband and father. And yet the seemy culture of politics pulled him in and possibly destroyed a once-model family. Saddness.  Power is corrupting. It is so terribly corrupting. We all want to be in charge and when we get there, there is a temptation to isolate ourselves from reality and surround ourselves with sycophants who tell us we're pretty and perfect and can do no wrong. What a dangerous place to be. Apparently Mr. Sanford fooled himself into thinking his sin wouldn't find him out.  Be careful where you point fingers. Those who don't believe in the institution of marriage and the sanctity of life have said Governor Sanford is a hypocrite for so forcefully denouncing outher politicians when they fall and denouncing the homosexual movement, when his own life reflected sexual license. And in this case they are dead-on right. Here's a careful warning to conservative, family-values politicians (whose positions and platforms I support). Be careful at the shrillness of your speech. Those wagging fingers can come right back at you. Governor Sanford was a somewhat cocky conservative, who took delight in the fall of others and came off kind of shrill. Now all those words he spoke are coming back at him. As Christians, we should always lead with grace. Don't let the talk show guys be your guide. Let the Bible be your guide. Let Jesus be your guide. Be careful how you rise, because that may be how you fall. Governor Sanford owed some part of his political rise to his condemnations of the fall of others. He was a loud guy who denounced President Clinton. He outed another Republican and used that as a way to gain favor. In business, in life, in church and ministry life, if you make your moves by stepping on others, you're setting yourself up for a dangerous fall. Always, always lead with grace and let God do the promotion.  The conservative movement needs to look itself in the mirror. We made hay at the indescretions of President Clinton, but since then, many of those conservative guys have seen their own skeletons come leaping out of the closet. I laugh at how Sean Hannity will denounce Clinton and then interview Newt Gingrich in the same breath. I love Newt for his thoughtfulness and ideas, but don't you see the hypocrisy? I don't believe we should surrender on the moral issues one bit, but can we peper our politican action with grace? Do we have to send shrill press releases and bury the other guys like they are the devil incarnate? Do we as Christians have to send daily emails that stretch the truth about politicians we don't like while accepting half-truths about the guys we approve of? Above all, folks, we need to guard our families. Our own families. Love them, teach them the Word of God, and set up boundaries for our own protection.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=7590 7590  Except for holidays, we've been going thru the Gospel of John on Sunday mornings. Its an incredibly wonderful study of Jesus' life and mission. John has some of the most profound theology in all the Scriptures. It answers the question: "Who is Jesus?"  Last week we wrapped up chapter 6 and I was all ready to go with the first of a few messages in Chapter 7. But as this week progressed, I felt that God wanted me to go in a different direction. I must say that I rarely do this. I've never liked it when preachers say, "God told me to preach this or preach that." Usually its a good mask for a lack of preparation. But, there are times when the situation warrants a change.  This next week, Gages Lake is about to embark on a big project for our little church. We're hosting our first ever soccer camp. We've got 48 kids signed up. I prayed that we'd get around 50, but didn't really think we'd get there. (Love my great faith?). But God is faithful, far more faithful than we are. And He's called us to something big this week.  So we're going with a sermon, "When God Does Something Big and How to Be a Part of It." Its a challenge and praise from the book of Nehemiah.  So I called an audible. It probably won't happen for another ten years. But this week should be very special.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=7406 7406 About a year ago, I went to an Awana training meeting to get more aquainted with the Awana leaders in our area. I also needed to brush up on basic Awana stuff, since it had been several years since I led an awana group. At the meeting the leader discussed a new ministry called, "High Power Soccer." It took me back and I went home thinking that we could do this at Gages Lake and reach kids in our area with the love of Christ. I toyed with the idea for a couple of weeks. Then, one Sunday, we had a lady come to our church. Angela and I visited with her and her family and I found out that she was a soccer coach! Amazing how God works. Well, over the last year Terrie Ann and I have talked a lot and this summer, in less than two weeks, we're hosting a soccer camp at Gages Lake.  I've been so amazed at how our church has pulled together. All volunteers, they are really giving themselves for this effort. I'm humbled at how God uses our different gifts for His kingdom. Pray for Gages Lake next week. Pray for good weather. Pray for open hearts for the Gospel. Pray for a lot of fun and good sportsmanship by the kids.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=7317 7317  On the way down to South Carolina, we stopped in Knoxville, TN. There we found a fantastic Christian bookstore. As I was browsing the shelves, I saw the book, Same Kind of Different As Me, a book I've wanted to read for some time. Lynn Vincent, the collaborater, is a good friend of mine.  I've read this book throughout our vacation and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Its one of those books that has the capacity preconceived notions you might have about certain people or groups. This book definitely challenged my view of homeless people.  The book is unique in that it contains to seemingly incongruent stories.One of a wealth and successful Fort Worth art dealer, the other a vagrant from the backwaters of Lousiana, now a resident of the streets of downtown Forth Worth. A perfect storm of events, that can only be described as an act of God brought these two men together in a remarkable partnership. A crisis in Ron Hall's marriage brought he and his wife Deborah to their knees. The revitalization of Forth Worth brought the homeless together at one mission. A blurb in the local newspaper and the call of God upon Deborah's heart brought the Halls to Union Gospel Mission in downtown Forth Worth.  I came away powerfuly impacted and impressed. First, the history of sharecropping and racisim in Lousiana opened my eyes to the struggles of black people in the South. Secondly, the vivid description of life on the streets gave me a newfound compassion for the homeless, and the simple authenticity of Deborah Hall toward these homeless showed me that simple love can bring joy to the hearts of those who are less fortunate.  A final note. Lynn Vincent did the collaborating/ghostwriting of this book. She did an incredible job weaving these two stories together. This is tough work and in allowing the voices of the authors to come through, she became invisible.  I highly recommend this book, it is a powerful read.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=7145 7145  So the Darling Family is going to be headed to South Carolina for a couple weeks of R&R. Its a little wierd having a couple weeks of not preaching. Since I began in June, I've really looked forward to preaching. There is a certain "holy adrenalin rush" that comes when you're sharing the Word of God. But the rest will be good for all of us, especially as we gear up for a very busy summer.  The guest speakers I've lined up will bless your heart. Pastor Bill Swanger has many decades of experience as a preacher. He successfully pastored two churches and then has served as interim at several more. He's a real man of God whom I admire greatly. He's been a mentor and friend to me. You will thoroughly enjoy his preaching. He'll do next week's Sunday AM and PM. Terry Barker, one of our elders, will do the Sunday School. He's got a great message to share on condemnation versus reconciliation. On the 31st, one of my best friends, Eddie Schultz, will fill the pulpit. Eddie is a graduate of Dayspring Bible College and is working on his Master's degree in theology. He's very active at Quentin Road and is looking to pastor a church one day. He'll do the SS, Sunday AM, and Sunday PM.  Lastly, be praying for our safety on vacation and that we truly get rest. Be praying for GLBC. We believe God has his hand of blessing on the church. Pray for continued growth and that this year's programs (soccer camp, vbs, fall fest) will bring many souls to the Savior.    http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=6964 6964 It was Mother's Day last year that God brought me to Gages Lake Bible Church. I preached my candidating message and was blessed to have my mother and my mother-in-law (all the way from Texas--she refuses to miss a single big moment of our lives). I shared a message from the life of Hannah, whose struggle with infertility and faith in God is one of the most poignant stories in all the Bible. Its been a year and I'm profoundly grateful on many fronts.  First of all, I've been blessed with an incredible mother. Now that I'm a father, I'm more keenly aware of the sacrifices and hardships a mother makes. God gave me a great mother. Not only did she give me life, she led me to faith in Christ, she raised me to love the Lord, she provided for every need, she was always there when we were sick and when we were down. There is a certain intagible gift God gives a mother, to be able to give so much of themselves to their families. I"m also profoundly grateful for my own wife, who is a wonderful mother to my children. When I married Angela, I knew she'd make a great mother, but in the years we've had our children, I've seen up close and personal just how gifted and full of life and love she is. I don't know anyone in the world who can juggle so many different responsibilities and do them all well. Whenever I have to watch the kids while she's gone, I'm a total mess. If I have to take them anywhere, I'm discombulated and confused. But Angela does it every day with skill and grace. I love her and am glad God put her in my life. She makes it richer. I'm also privileged to have a wonderful friend in my mother-in-law. Most guys complain about their mothers-in-law, but mine is one of the best. She's a friend, a cheerleader, an inspiring woman of faith. She's been dealt a lot of blows in life and yet she manages to keep her faith and her smile. She's given her life to a lot of people.  Lastly, I'm profoundly grateful to the people of Gages Lake Bible Church. Pastoring them is  a wonderful gift God has given me. Tomorrow as we join hands on Mother's Day, it will hard to believe it has only been a year. I feel like this is where I belong and this is where we've always been.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=6846 6846  There are a few stories swirling around in the culture, especially the Christian culture that raise a whole host of issues about who and how we as as evangelicals choose to represent our values. The stories about Sarah Palin's family and the ever-shifting tempest over Miss California raise a whole host of issues. A few thoughts I've had:  Sometimes Christians are so intent on scoring political points that we lose sight of what we believe. When I first heard about Carrie Pragean, Miss California, who made a bold declaration for traditional marriage and lost the contest, I was very proud of her. But the more I thought about it and as more news trickled out, I realized that on the one hand she upheld the Bible's definition of marriage and on the other hand she didn't help marriage by parading rather immodestly (to say the very least) on stage. I think the immodestly really undermines her message. But it seems the evangelical world is ready to make her some kind of spokesman for traditional values. It smack of hypocrisy and I wonder how this fits with the message of modesty and Biblical self-worth that these same organizations believe. I think we are often so eager to score a point against "the other side" of the debate that we forget what we believe.  That being said, no role model or spokesman or woman is perfect. Every public figure has areas of inconsistency in their lives. I would hope that most wouldn't be so balatan. I also hope this. I would like to see Miss C. alifornia, who seems to be sincere, come out and say publicly that she made a mistake by appearing so immodestly. The truth is this. The Church if full of fallen men and women. Every sinner saved by grace is a sinner with a past. And so forgiveness and grace are in order. But I do believe we should be careful about lifting up leaders too soon. I'm also saddedened by the continuing back-and-forth in the Sarah Palin famly. it think it does demonstrate that perhaps Governor Palin wasn't quite ready to lead as vice-President. (though I voted for her and thought her very capable). As Christians we should pray for that family as they deal with what is a very tough situation. Pray that God gives them grace and forgiveness.  You have to know that if you stand up for biblical values in this culture, you're going to be scrutinized and attacked. Every conceivable inconsistency will be revealed. So we as leaders should try to live lives that are "blameless" as Peter encourages in his epistle. Not perfect. Not legalistic. Not holier-than-thou, but just consistent. Because if we step up to the platform, we'd better be ready to back it up with action. Its a sobering thought for anyone who wants to make a mark for Christ. Paul encouraged believers to let their lives "adorn" the gospel message.  Lastly, all of this demonstrates that nobody who speaks for Christ is going to be a perfect representation. We all fall way short. And yet, in God's soveriegn plan, he has entrusted us with the Gospel message.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=6767 6767 Okay, if you hate watching sports like my wife does, then you don't have to keep reading. But I had to talk about the incredible first-round NBA series between the defending champion Boston Celtics and my hometown Chicago Bulls.  Now I have to say that the last time I enjoyed an NBA game this much, Jordan was still in the league, Clinton was president, wierd-colored ties were still considered cool and my waist size was around 33. You know that was a long time ago. But I have to tell you that this Chicago Bulls teams is incredibly exciting to watch and this series is so riveting I have been glued to almost every minute of it. After three games that went into overtime and two games that I thought the Bulls were going to win, but then didn't, I didn't think anything could top those. But holy cow, Game 6 was the most incredible game I've ever watched. Wow!  First Ray Allen is the best shooter I've ever seen. This guy has the best form and is the most clutch guy. And every single game it seems that the Bulls allow the Celtics like 4 seconds at the end of the game. I always worry because if Ray Allen gets the ball, he will make a three-pointer. Last night he was absolutely unconscious from three-point range. Second, wierd things keep happning. Like Brad Miller, a 7ft center, made three clutch three-pointers last nite. Kirk Heinrich missed a wide-open layup. Ray Allen hit a game-tying three, only his foot was on the line and it only counted for two. Then the wierdest of them all, Joaquin Noah, whose spelling I had to Google, steals the ball from Paul Pierce and runs the length of the floor, dunks the ball, and gets Pierce's sixth foul. Third, there is such intensity in this series. I mean its only the first round, but is like one of those games that nobody wants to lose. There is such a determination and will to win. Its almost like watching a Final Four college game.  Those of us who like sports, this is why we watch. We put up with a lot of really bad games that disappoint, because we hope there will be a few games like we've had in this series.  I'm not sure what the spiritual angle is here, i don't have one readily available. If you think of one, comment or email me.  http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=6701 6701 We Christians like to make a big deal about how our culture, America is really going to seed. And it doesn't take much effort to see the effects of sin upon our society. Read the newspaper, listen to the radio, check your email or go online and visit the Drudge Report or other online sources. Also, in your daily life you run into a lack of virtue. However, two recent news events reinforce the biblical idea that "where sin abounds, grace does much more abound." (Romans 5:20-21). First, Sully Sullenberger. Unless you're under a rock, you know that this guy had quick thinking, calm in a storm, and landed that plane in the only spot it could safely land--on the Hudson River. Put 99% of other pilots in that position and they fold under the pressure and people die. I'm not sure if he's a Christian (I don't think Matt Lauer asks those questions!), but he definitely demonstrated a biblical trait: grace under pressure and peace in a storm. Second, I'm really impressed with this captain, Richard Phillips, who recently gave up his life so that the crew of his ship, captured by pirates, would be let go. And then he daringly tried to escape. He strikes me as a fearless, courageous guy I'd want captaining any ship or vessel I'm on. Also a wonderful picture of salvation. Jesus himself said, "Greater love hath no man than this: a man who lays his life down for his friends." (John 15:13). I know there are ten thousands reasons to be discouraged about our culture, about America, about our leaders, etc. But it is also encouraging to know that our generation has courageous, fearless men like Sully Sullenberger and Richard Phillips. They are a refreshing contrast to the lack of integrity displayed by so many in the current financial crisis. Its tempting to think our society and our age is so dark, dark beyond reach. But if you study history, you'll know that God always raises up good men and women in every time period. And maybe, just maybe, God is calling us to be that light. In fact, I know He is. So maybe instead of complaining, whining, listening endlessly to talk radio and cable news, we could just do something about the darkness. We can live out our faith in a way that points others to the Savior. http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=6381 6381 I just finished my Good Friday sermon and boy am I juiced for Friday. A few nuggets to chew on: What put Jesus on the cross? Was it the religous authorities? Was it the Romans? Was it our sin? Or was it something else? Find out on Friday. Some quotes and verses to meditate on: Horatio Spafford wrote: My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul   Paul wrote:  “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Colossians 2:14 (KJV)"   Ray Pritchard wrote in his book, An Anchor for the Soul, “God is not trying to sell you salvation. He’s not offering salvation at half price. He’s not offering salvation on an installment plan. God is offering you salvation free of charge. The bill has already been paid. Jesus finished what He came to do.”   The prophet Isaiah wrote, 700 years or so before the crucifixion: "Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand." Isaiah 53:10 (KJV)   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=6252 6252 I have a really cool story about my book, Teen People of the Bible. Several months ago, a Pakastani church-planter was in Rochester, New York, preaching at a church and raising funds for his mission. He is a native Pakistani pastor who conducts revival meetings and plants churches across Pakistan. While he was in Rochester, New York, he stayed in the home of a family. The man, whom I've yet to meet, had somehow got his hands on a copy of my book, Teen People of the Bible. He showed it to this Pakistani missionary and said, "You've got to read this book. Its great." So he did. He liked the book. In fact he liked it so much he began using it to teach his fellow pastors in his various seminars and training. I had no idea a devo book for teens would be used that way! The pastors like it so much they want to translate this book into their native language. I talked to him on the phone recently and he said, "Dan, it seems like you wrote this book for the Pakistani people." I'm pretty sure I didn't have that mission field in mind, but I'm not going to argue! I'm not sure how it will all work out with the translation, rights, etc. My publisher is working that out. But I do know this. God can take our feeble attempts at sharing the Word and spread it in ways we never imagined. From my laptop in Round Lake, Illinois to my publisher in Birmingham, Alabama to the home of a Christian in New York to the churches and people of Pakistan.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=6247 6247 Today is election day in Lake County, Illinois. And Gages Lake Bible Church is privileged to offer our facility to the county as a polling place. I'm always encouraged every election day by the dozen or so dedicated men and women who serve as election judges. These are folks who took time off from work or school and sit for over 12 hours, making sure we have a fair election. We Americans tend to take this for granted, as if every person on the earth has the opportunity to voice their opinion on who leads them, but it is a rare thing this form government. I've travelled overseas a bit. I've spent time in India and in the Middle East. I've seen how messy governments are in other countrys, whether its a sort of cobbled-together democracy or a dictatorship or a police state. The common, ordinary person doesn't have any say in who make the laws. I'm always glad to come back and touch down in the U.S. and know that our Republic runs relatively smoothly, that we have a peaceful transfer of power from party to party. We all know that America has problems. We know there is a values crisis. We fear what is coming. But for the moment, let's stop and praise God today to live in a country that is free, that allows us to worship freely, to preach the Word, and to live out our faith. That freedom is owed in part to these faithful poll-watchers and election judges who give of their time. If you see one today, give them a pat on the back and a thank-you. http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=6228 6228     That was my reaction to the news, delivered in an email from a friend while I was driving to Indiana yesterday (I don't recommend the email/driving combo, nor does my wife, the nervous passenger). The email said, "Bears Got Cutler." Here's the deal. I'm a huge Bears fan. I've always loved their teams. They've always prided themselves on defense and an okay, usually bad, offense. I've never liked that. Why can't we have a really good quarterback like other teams? It always seemed the Bears were destined for mediocrity at that position. I mean we're talking about Sid Luckman being our last really good quarterback and good ole Sid played during WWII. I am so juiced by this trade. The Bears never go out and get the hot guy that is available. But we did, somehow! I think Jay Cutler will make the Bears contenders. I don't think they gave up too much. I think he'll make our wide receivers better. Also, they shored up the offensive line by signing Orlando Pace from the Rams. I'm not sure where I work the spiritual angle in here. Maybe to say that if God presents an opportunity, go for it. That's kind of weak, but that's all I've got. Go Bears! http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=6157 6157 One of the things I enjoy most is listening to Bible preaching on my iPod. Anyone who knows me for more than 5 minutes will get a sales pitch on a) why they should own an iPod and b) why they should be into podcasting. There is such a wealth of rich Bible preaching available today that there is no excuse why anyone to not understand and learn and know the Word of God. But enough of that. This morning, both on the way to playing basketball with the guys at Faith Church and on the way into the office, I was listening to one of my favorite Bible expositors, Michael Easley of Moody Bible Institute. Currently, his program, In Context is airing a series of chapel messages entitled, "Why We Believe What We Believe." Dr. Easley did this series to affirm the essential truths of the Christian faith. Its an important series for a culture that eschews absolute truth and for a church easily pushed from its orthodox moorings. As he wrapped up his message on the Bible, the inherent Word of God, Dr. Easley shared a quote from Sam Harris, athiest, skeptic, and author of Letter to a Christian Nation. In this excerpt, Harris essentially said, "One of us is right. If the Bible is true, then I have spent my life in vain and I will perish in eternity forever." Sobering words, but Easley ended his lecture by saying what a privilege it is to be in the community of faith, centered around a book, God's Word, that offers life, when everything else offers death. This message hit me and for a second I thought to myself, How profoundly grateful I am to have been born into a Christian family, raised in a Bible-believing church, trained in a Christian school, Christian college and afforded the opportunity to work in Christian ministry for over a decade. Sometimes us second-generation Christians lose our wonder. We have always known Christ. Today, stop for a second. Bow your head and thank God for being a Christian. For knowing the God of the Universe, who hung the stars, created the human cell, and breathed life into you and I. We know Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, and thru Jesus have access to the throne room of Heaven. What's more, we each hold in our hands the Scriptures, God's rich Word. And praise God for the parent or the pastor or the coworker or the brother or sister or radio pastor who exposed you to the truth. http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=6119 6119 Ahh, the best laid plans of men. We had a terrific Sunday planned yesterday, with a focus on one of our missionaries, Linda Johnson in Brazil, and special number by our kids and other really important things. But God had other plans. The huge snow day left most people stranded at home. But for those who came, we had a wonderful time, about 20 of us hardy folks showed up. Even one lady whose car had gotten stuck in a ditch. You can look at the snow in two ways. You can be like me and see it as a huge hassle, an inconvenience, a depressing step back into winter when we all want to embrace spring and summer. Or, like our dear Arlene, who was stranded at home, you can say, "Oh, Pastor, but look how beautiful the snow is on the ground and on the trees." In truth, the snowstorm is a great reminder of the soveriegnty of God. We have all of our little plans here on earth, but God may say, "I'm going to dump 8 inches of snow down there, just to let them know who is really in charge of things." Its good for us. Its really good for us. Today's culture embraces a worldview that conveniently photoshops out God. We're worried about the climate, thinking we can control the hurricanes and the snowstorms and the earthquakes. We do as Paul said in Romans, worship the creature more than the Creator. And so it snows at the end of March, reminding us that God is still here. Maybe that's a lesson we needed to hear more than anything a preacher was planning on saying. http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=6064 6064     In my personal devotional time I've just begun a study by Henry Blackaby called, Called and Accountable. This week I'm studying thru the book of Esther. Today I was in chapter 3 where Haaman, angered by the refusal of Mordecai to bow down to him, hatches his secret plot to exterminate the Jewish people. Foolish thing to do, considering that God famously said that those who bless Israel will be blessed and those that curse Israel will be cursed. Also foolish considering God promised that Israel would always remain a people and a nation. But you knew that and I knew that. What I didn't know and maybe you knew was some interesting information about this word, Purim. Now the Jewish people celebrate the Feast of Purim in remembrance of Esther's bold decision to save her people by alerting the King to Haaman's wicked plot. But before Purim was a celebration, it was a persian word for dice or lots. See, Haaman casted lots or rolled the dice to determine when he should set in motion his plan to exterminate Israel. What he came up with was one year. Now, God soveriegnly allowed it to be one year, to give Esther a chance to intervene. But this is what struck me. God is never mentioned in the book of Esther. And yet His fingerprints are all over this book. This roll of the dice by Haaman tells me that God is in the random things of life. Which really tells me that nothing is random. So when things happen to you that seem out of order, random, misplaced, know this. God is in it. His fingerprints are all over it. Sure, you may not see God, but He is there. He is in charge. He is on the throne. What's even more intriguing about the story of Esther is that wicked movements and laws were being passed in the Persian government. It was an ungodly state. And yet, God was there, working thru man's pride, cunning, and evil to bring about His will. So for Israel, Purim went from an obscure persian word for randomness to a reminder of God's faithfulness. God turns man's random acts of wickedness into demonstrations of His glory. God takes the random events of your life and turns them about for your good. http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=6002 6002     Here are things they generally don't share with you as you contemplate having children. They are things you can only discover after your children are alive and kicking: You may have a child who has such a creative mind that she gets up frightened at 4am because of the spiders she thinks are crawling all over her. Grace literally screamed last night and was pounding her bed at the "spiders." Love the creativity, but don't always love the time in which she displays that creativity! You may have a child, who in the middle of your potluck at church, when you, the pastor are supposed to be giving a short devotional, comes running up the middle of the Fellowship Hall and says, "Hey, that's my Daddy." At that point, do you get mad or do you melt because she thinks you're cool? (I choose the last one.) You may have a child who comes up with weird theological questions like, "If God is sleeping, does He snore?" Just a few random thoughts on a monday afternoon.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=5957 5957 So, here we are in the midst of an economic meltdown. Depending on which overheated news anchor you watch, this meltdown is either catastropic, epic, and/or the greatest recession since the Great Depression. Either way, times are really tough right now. But what is so interesting is how the media and our culture is spinning the causes of the meltdown. In random order, here are the various alleged culprits: George Bush. Why not? He caused everything from Hurricanes to wars to global warming to famine in third-world countries. Why not blame Bush, its just easier that way. Greedy Wall Street guys. Bernie Madoff, every CEO, and anyone who is rich. They must be the problem. The banks. CNBC because they didn't predict the collapse. Not anyone in the media who cry wolf 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Here are a few things we're missing. Lessons that might help us avoid another economic crisis. Perhaps we all are to blame. Didn't we all get greedy and want more from the stock market, more equity from our homes, more stuff, and more everything? Its easy to blame those greedy guys on Wall Street (and they have a lot to answer for), but its harder to look inside and say, "Maybe we got greedy and envious and materialistic." Speaking of those greedy CEOs and Wall Street guys and politicians everyone wants investigated and locked up. Didnt we as a culture create them? For several decades we've taught our children that there are no absolute truths, that their is no God to be accountable to, and that we all came from monkeys. For several decades we've mocked and ridiculed Christians and anyone who espouses family values, as if they are old-fashioned and out of touch. Maybe, just maybe some of those old-fashioned values would have come in handy in Wall Street. For several decades politicans have promised Americans everything. They have told them that they deserve everything easy, fast, and free. Its no wonder people started believing them. Now we're paying the price for our indulgence. Sin has consequences. The bill is coming due for our self-indulgence, materialism, and rejection of God. Sadly, many, many good, godly people who followed Christ are the unfortunate victims of our country's mistakes. Even though this is a painful time and many people I know are struggling to find a job and to make ends meet, perhaps as a whole, this recession will cause people to think deeply again about what is important. I think this maybe an important reset in our history. I hope to see evangelical churches filled, to see Christians getting serious about God, and to see a genuine revival in the hearts of people everywhere. I personally believe this is an extraordinary time for the church to stand strong. To call people back to Christ. This is also the time for believers to stand tall in the midst of crisis. I've seen extraordinary faith by believers who have lost their jobs or have a hard time paying their mortgages. Their faith under fire is inspiring.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=5791 5791 On Mondays at the Darling house, we try to "go dark." This just means that I have a day off and we try to spend time with the kids. Doesn't always work because there are pressing needs at the church or a conference or meeting I have to attend. Pastoring is 24/7, I believe, so my cell phone is always on. But generally, we try to go dark on Mondays. Which is hard for me to do, because I really love church work. Sometimes too much. This Monday Grace and I opened up the play-doh. Our family has an interesting history with play-doh, really. Growing up we played, but I don't know that we got to play it enough. I never understood that. Until I had a child and realize how messy play-doh can be. When Grace, at age of 3, put play-doh in her ear and had to have it surgically removed (true story), I suddenly realized the wisdom of my parents and their play-doh restrictions. But Monday was Play-doh day. Now at four years old, Grace kept reminding me that she was now a big girl and she wasn't foolish enough to put the stuff in her ear. I'm realizing how important it is for me to affirm her "grown-up-ness." I'm realizing the need to balance correction with positive affirmation -- words that communicate the message, "Hey, you're really growing up. Daddy's proud of you. You're really something." Now, when Grace and I break out the play-doh, we really have a good time. First I get rid of all the really crusty old play-doh that is hard to manage and I put it in the "throw-away" pile. I realize that you can heat it up in the microwave and rejuvenate it, but honestly, at $1 for a sleeve of 8 little cans, I'm not sweating it. It usually works best if I use the cookie cutters with my few cans of play-doh and if Grace has her pile. She's not big on me trying to get her to make cool shapes. She's more of an impressionist when it comes to play-doh scultping, liking to mix colors and pile it all into one big pile. She told me she was "making a cake." Angela really doesn't like this, because the colors mix and then at the end, you have one big tie-dyed glob that looks like the carpet people enjoyed in the 70's. But if Grace is having fun, enjoying her creativity, and we're getting good Daddy-daughter time, I'm okay with globs of tie-dyed Play-doh. And again, the stuff is only $1 for a sleeve of 8 at the dollar store. I'm not sweating it. But as we were enjoying our play-doh time, I realized a few important spiritual lessons. Here they are in order: Dry, crusty play-doh is no fun. You can't shape it into anything. Its really only good to sit and eventually be thrown away. Doesn't the Bible say that God is the Potter and we're the clay? When we get crusty and inflexible, He can't do anything with us. He can't shape us into something beautiful for His glory. However, if we stay fresh--like the fresh, sweet-smelling play-doh that comes out of the can--God can do remarkable things with our lives. I think I often tend toward the crusty. Grace had a huge pile of play-doh. Then she wanted all the shapes I was making. So I gave them to her. She kept piling them all up until she had all the available play-doh in a huge pile. Then I asked for some so I could make another cool shape. She said, "Okay, Daddy," like she was being all generous and loving. She proceeded to scrape off a tiny, miniscule piece and said, "Here you go." It reminded me of our own attitude of perceived generosity toward God. God gives us all this stuff, right? Then we take it and we hoard it. God askes us to give--at church, in a tithe, maybe even to a needy family or missionary. So we squeeze off just a little bit of what we have and act as if we're so generous. I wonder how that makes God feel? Its really cool to open a can and scrape out that fresh piece with a solid color, like blue or red or yellow. But do you know what is really cool? Taking like 6 colors and mixing them together and putting them thru the play-doh factory. What comes out is a beautiful rainbow of colors. It reminds me of the church. God says that He has made each one of us special, hasn't he? We're unique and we're fearfully and wonderfully made. But what's even more beautiful is when you have a body of believers, each with different and unique gifts, personality traits, backgrounds, life journeys, and ideas. Mix them all together and you have something really beautiful. The Body of Christ.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=5646 5646 I'm ready for my Sunday Sermon on John 5:17-24. Here are some quotes I'm using: I love this famous C.S. Lewis quote from Mere Christianity: "I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” Adam Clarke says this, “God does nothing but what Christ does. What God does is the work of God, and proper to no creature—Jesus does whatsoever God does, and therefore is no created being. The Son can do nothing but what he sees the Father do: now, any intelligent creature may do what God cannot do: he may err—he may sin. If Jesus can do nothing but what God does, then he is no creature—he can neither sin nor err, nor act imperfectly. The conclusion from our Lord's argument is: If I have broken the Sabbath, so has God also; for I can do nothing but what I see him doing. He is ever governing and preserving; I am ever employed in saving.” http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=5554 5554 As I write this, I'm in the throes of Sunday's message in John 5. This is the third of probably 5 sermons in this chapter. This week we come face to face with Jesus Christ's bold claims. The fact is this: you can't look at Jesus and be neutral. A theology that says Jesus is a good man, a nice teacher, but not Almighty God is not logical. Because Jesus didn't allow you that option. He was the most polarizing figure in the history of the world. You either embrace Him and give your life for him as the disciples and countless Christians have or you hate him as the religious figures of His day did. Jesus not only claimed to be God--which was an outrageous, bold, heretical statement to the orthodox Jew of His day, but inherent in that claim was the power to raise the dead, to give life, and the authority to judge every person at the end of the world. In other words, Jesus didn't say, as Whoopi Goldberg recently claimed, "This is what I believe, but if you don't like it, that' cool." No, Jesus claimed to be one, equal, and in harmony with God. And if in harmony with God, then he demands that you reckon with Him. He demands to be honored as the Father. Jesus doesn't share the stage with any other religious figure. He isn't allowing an option for Himself to be one of many paths to God. He claims to be the only begotten of the Father. He offers two choices. Accept Him by faith and be passed from death to life or reject him and face your eternal judgement one day. The offer of salvation by grace thru faith is open to all. Its the world's most inclusive offer--open to everyone. But there is only one door, one way, one avenue to God. If you're a seeker, I ecourage you to embrace Jesus Christ. Read His claims in the Gospel of John. Experience life and victory over sin. If you're a believer, I want to ask you a question. Does your life reflect a kind of casual neutrality about Jesus Christ? Or do people know and understand that you are a Christ-follower?   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=5521 5521 Over the last few days I've received a plethora of emails and forwarded emails about President Obama and his policies. They are from friends who are rightly concerned with the direction our country is taking. Like many Christians, I'm concerned about his policies. I'm troubled by the excessive spending and what it means for future generations. I'm appalled by abortion policies that degenerate God-given life. I'm troubled by a seeming indifference to Biblical values. But here is the big, "however." However, we as Christians must think and live and act as Christ would have us act. What does this look like under an Obama administration? I'm not totally sure, but I do know this. We must alwasy put our faith first and we must always remember to represent Jesus Christ first and foremost. So that may mean: Not sending emails to our email list that call Obama everything from a red-blooded Communist to a Socialist Monster. To those Christian friends who send those emails and let this kind of rhetoric season their discussions: I wonder if they'll ever be able to share Christ with people of the other political party. Not wishing for Obama's complete and utter failure. Because as Americans, his failure is our failure. And I don't think wishing for the President's failure is consistent with hopeful, Heaveward outlook. Not putting your faith in the Republican party as if being a Christian includes being a Republican and/or conservative. There are also some things I think we should do as Christians in this culture: Be faithful in our local Bible-believing churches and working to share the Gospel and build up the body of Christ. The power is in the Holy Spirit and His presence is felt the strongest in a local, Bible-believing church. Commit to prayer as much as we commit to criticizing the President. What if we prayed 10 times more often than we criticized President Obama? Maybe, just maybe we could affect changes in his policies. Speak out on issues that are clearly in violation of Biblical principles. Like abortion, the redefinition of marriage, human trafficking, persecution of believers abroad, censoring of Christian thought, and other issues. We have been given a precious stewardship as Americans to have a stake in our own government. Speak out with grace and clarity and dignity, because that political opponent may also be a soul searching for the hope and love only Jesus Christ offers. Recognize that God is in full control, He has a plan for our lives, and He has a plan for this world. We don't live as if this world is all their is to live for. We are looking toward Heaven. Meditation on Scriptures: 1 Peter 2:17 - "Honor the King" Matthew 5:44 - "Love Your Enemies." 2 Timothy 2:1-4 - "Pray for All In Authority." Romans 13 - "Powers that Be are Ordained of God." Psalm 75:6 - "Promotion Comes Not from the East or West, but From God." Psalm 20:7 - "Some Trust in Chariots, We Trust in the Name of the Lord." http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=5467 5467 Somehow I got suckered into viewing a small video clip of "The View," that famous forum for conversations centered around Biblical truth. I'm kidding. These women were discussing religion. Apparently the Vatican has released a list of new sins. Whoopi Goldberg started out by saying, "How can the Vatican decided what is a sin? How can there be new sins?" I agree. Sins are defined by what God has said and spoken on in His Word--the Bible whose truth has stood the test of time. But, then Whoopi really went off the reservation. She said this (and I'm really paraphrasing here), "Okay, I think intolerance is a sin." Then she continued, "If you know the Bible, Jesus said, 'Here is what I think, but if you don't agree, that's cool with me." And then the real kicker, "Any religion that says, 'this is the only way is sinful.'" This is where I wanted to interject and say," Hey, Whoopi, have you read the gospel of John?" Maybe her Bible doesn't have John in it. Or maybe it does, but she hasn't read it. Or maybe she has read it but hasn't reconciled herself to its profound truth.  But you cannot say that Jesus professed a sort of "I'm okay, you're okay," theology. In fact, Jesus would have been declared by Whoopi and others to be "intolerant." Why? Because Jesus made bold claims like, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father but by me." (John 14:6) Here is what Jesus did say. He said that the offer of salvation was open to all. In fact, in the truest definition of tolerance, Jesus was the most tolerant person alive. Because the offer of salvation is open to all who believe.  But here is only one way--thru Jesus Christ. Jesus never said, "This is what I believe, but if you don't like it--that's cool." No, Jesus made bold claims to be God in the flesh. And if Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, believing something else isn't cool. It is an eternal risk I'm not willing to take. Now, does that mean Biblical Christianity should be a state religion? No. Does that mean we should not allow other religions to worship freely? Absolutely not. Our forefathers died to give us the right to worship as we please. And I would give my life to allow someone to worship as they please--even if it was a false religion. But do you see what is happening in our culture? Its not just Whoopi. She's just parroting the doctrine of the age, which is to say that is okay to be religious, but to hold to the Biblical account that Jesus Christ is God and is the only way to Heaven is intolerant. And so Christians must hold fast to their beliefs and know what the Scripture says about Jesus exclusive truth claims. We shouldn't be belligerent and angry. We should be known by our love. But we also must not cede the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as God and the only means to Heaven.   http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=5404 5404 Today the world is celebrating two giants of history: Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. There have been many great commentaries on both men. I'll start with Darwin. If you want a convenient excuse to ignore the truth claims of Jesus and render the Bible as nothing more significant and factual than The Canterbury Tales, then today you're toasting Darwin. His legacy is that he has convinced millions down thru history to reject Genesis 1:1 and reject the authority of the Bible. But here is the rub. If God is wrong, then no big deal. Christians are as doomed and hopeless as everyone else. But if Darwin is wrong, then those who followed his thinking to the grave are headed for a fateful Judgment Day. As for me, I reject Darwin. Genesis 1:1 is good enough for me. If the Bible says it, I believe. I believe God is the creator of the Heavens and Earth. You say that takes faith. It does. But so does evolution. And the faith in evolution comes with a really bad feeling in the back of your mind that perhaps there is a God and perhaps we're accountable. Plus, the science is firmly on the side of the Bible. As for Lincoln, he was one of a handful of great men in American history, uniquely raised up by God to preserve America. Because of America's greatness, millions around the globe have heard the Gospel thru missioanries, technology, churches, and individuals sharing their faith. Let's pray that in our generation, there are Lincolns with the courage to do what's right. Plus, Lincoln was from Illinois, my home state. That makes me proud. http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=5301 5301 I can't believe how much I love preaching. I alwasy knew I wanted to be a pastor and I always enjoyed the few times I had to preach, but the opportunity and privelege it is to stand in front of God's people and preach God's Word--there is an unexplainable exhiliration and rush. Now I know why my retired pastor friends will do anything to get back into the pulpit. I understand now. That being said, preaching is really a lot of work. I didn't understand this until I became a preacher. I feel bad now, having grown up under tremendously great preaching my entire life and not really appreciating the hard work my pastor put in week in and week out. Preparing the message each week is a demanding excercise. Its like a holy sweat, if you will. Especially if you preach expository--which is it to say--you preach thru a book and plow thru it. Because every week you're confront with a new text and you are forced to grabble with that text. That's not to disparage who consistently preach topically, but expository preaching really forces you to dig into some very difficult texts. As a young guy, I get overwhelmed sometimes as I face a new chapter. We're going thru John and now we're facing chapter five. Chapter five has some of the most profound theology and doctrine in all of the Scriptures. How do I explain it? How do I understand it? How do I personalize it so that its not just academic transfer of knowledge? Here is my system. Its admittedly a work in progress. At the beginning of the week, I begin to study. I really like to study a lot because I feel that I need to know that text up and down and sideways. But in this study period, there is a lot of angst, a sort of wrestling with the text and with God. You're confronted by an overwhelming sense of inadequacy about your self and your ability to communicate the deep truths to a new generation of God's people. But I just keep studying. I study the text. I read it over and over. I read sermons from preachers I admire, past and present. I study commentaries, both on my computer thru Wordsearch Bible Software (In my mind the best Bible software out there), I also pull books from my library. I don't read the same set of stuff every week. It just varies. I also burrow into some of the harder words. I try to get a feel for the background, the context the setting. I just pile all of this knowledge into my little brain. Then I absorb it and chew on it and pray on it and sleep on it for a few days. Then, remarkably, the Holy Spirit just clicks that light bulb on in my head and helps me put it all together so that I communicate the exact Biblical truth God wants communicated to those people, where they are, at Gages Lake Bible Church. I'm thoroughly amazed and humbled at how God works in the life of a preacher to make the message his own. At this point, I sit at my computer and write out my message. When I'm done, I feel a sense of relief and joy. This week we're preaching, "Are You Ready to Be Healed?" We're going to break up this chapter into several weeks. This week is specifically the miracle of the healing of the 38-year lame man at the pool of Bethsaida by the Sheep Gate and what this miracle meant to the nation of Israel and to you and to me. Its profound and convicting and exciting. I'll leave you with a gem of a quote by Charles Spurgeon from his sermon, "The Hospital of Waiters Visited With the Gospel." Spurgeon writes at the close: I would put it in the simplest way I could, for I was, myself, waiting when I was a child. I heard much preaching that led me to wait—and I think I should have kept on waiting had I not heard that poor Primitive Methodist Brother cry,“Look, young man, look now!” I did look, then and there, and I found salvation on the spot—and I have never lost it. I have nothing else to say to you, but, “There is life in a look at the Crucified One,” and every man that looks shall have it there, now and at once. O, that many would look! Do you understand it? Christ bore the wrath of God instead of those who trust Him! Jesus Christ took the sins of all who trust Him and was punished in the place of every Believer, so that God will not punish a Believer because He has punished Christ for him! Christ died for the man who believes in Him, so that it would be injustice on the part of God to punish that man, for how shall He punish twice for the same offense? Faith is the seal and evidence that you were redeemed 1,900 years ago upon the bloody tree of Calvary! And you are justified and who shall lay anything to yourcharge? http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=5298 5298 One of my dearest friends is a man named Cecil Murphey. He has authored hundreds of Christian books, but until recently, was not really well known, because he has been a ghostwriter. I don't know if anyone is more talented than Cec at telling someone else's story. He has helped some of the world's biggest celebrities write their autobiographies. One of those great stories is that of Dr. Ben Carson, chief of pediatric neurosurgery at John's Hopkins University. Dr. Carson is one of the world's most celebrated doctors. He has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and has received numerous other awards. He has succesfully separated twins conjoined at the head--a very risky and complicated procedure. Dr. Carson and my friend Cecil Murphey wrote his story a number of years ago in a bestselling book titled, Gifted Hands. I have to admit that I've never read that book. Shame on me. But recently, TNT made a movie from that book, with the same title, Gifted Hands. It aired Saturday evening at 7 pm. I recorded it and last night Angela and I had the privelege of watching it. It was a powerful movie and we were touched by the extraordinary discipline and faith of this man. I was also challenged as a parent by Dr. Carson's mom, who spent her life encouraging her sons to greatness. She always told them they could achieve much more than they thought-thru God's strength. Dr. Carson overcame the absense of a father, 60's era racism, and his own doubts to become one of the world's leading doctors. If you have a chance to watch this movie or read this book, I encourage you to. Its an incredible American story. http://sites.advancedministry.com/index.cfm?i=6110&mid=25&blogid=1031&comments=5244 5244