WES' BLOG

2009-06-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

And We're Back

I've been on a little blog-leave for a while, but I'm back now.
I'm enjoying the 'Reading Classics Together' over at the Challies Blog
The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment
ONLINE HERE

Every time I read a 'classic' I'm amazing why I don't read them more often. Compare the dead authors to the living authors on depth and insight, the dead win, big time. It's like comparing a pot hole to the Mariana Trench. It takes time to dig, but when you do.....the treasures you find are awesome.

I've always misunderstood this 'rare jewel' of contentment. I find just the title of the book ironic yet engaging. I know contentment is a treasure but it's so rarely consistent in my life that I have actually 'found' it. Once I think I've got it, it flies away.

2008-12-19T02:44:00.000-08:00

LINKS

Al Mohler cleans house about gay marriage on NPR

Gay leaders are upset about Warren introducing Obama

Another reason (of hundreds) why not to do daycare.

John Piper's favorite Christmas bible verse ( I preached on this last week)

More divine vinyl from purgatorio

2008-12-10T08:01:00.000-08:00

MUSIC PLUG
My wife and I are really enjoying: THE WELCOME WAGON
CLICK HERE

The lead singer is a young church planter and pastor in his twenties Vito. Here is there church in Brooklyn New York. http://resurrectionwilliamsburg.com/

2008-12-05T10:32:00.000-08:00

Here is an excellent article for our seasonal celebration: SANTA CHRIST?

22 Words has a good bit of advise on miscommunication. It begins with the communicator.

Thumbs way up to a good friend of mine for getting me a brand new black, leather, ESV Study Bible. It's easily the most comprehensive study Bible ever published—with 2,752 pages of extensive, accessible Bible resources. 2 million words. I haven't opened it yet. I don't remember the last new bible I've got. This one looks to be a monster. I plan on going through it entirely this next year and give a review of it this time next year.

2008-11-22T23:44:00.000-08:00

DUBAI Burj tower 1/2 mile tall

THIS gives the tower of babel a new meaning. Scroll all the way down. Plans are now in place to build one 1,000 feet taller or 3,208 feet, 1 kilometer.

2008-11-19T09:03:00.000-08:00

LINKS AND SUCH

Movies we just watched.
God Grew Tired Of Us A group of 25,000 young men who have fled the wars in Sudan since the 1980s, and their experiences as they move to the United States. Excellent.
4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days the story of two students, roommates in the university dormitory, who try to arrange an illegal abortion.

Obama Interview On his 'faith'

Grace Has Called My Name
new song by Kathryn Scott

22 Words recommends some blogs

Mark Driscoll's series on Song of Songs now has a Whac-a-Fox game
Kacy and I are enjoying this series.

JCPenny $10 off $25 purchase coupon

2008-11-12T14:55:00.000-08:00

Happy 8th! Memories with my sweet Kacy.

1. Spending all my money to buy you a ring and a honeymoon.
2. Riding around with you in my old pickup back and forth from Munday to Throckmorton.
3. Hauling 2000 gallons of water with you in a borrowed jeep, which almost tipped over, during the 2000 drought.
4. Looking over at you smiling back at me while riding in the jeep and wiping sweat off your forehead, it's when I knew.
5. Arguing about Hillsong or Vineyard, 1st argument.
6. Going over 100 miles an hour on Grape Street in downtown Abilene to the Emergency room.
7. Swimming in a RA Brown Ranch tank.
8. Making up after arguing over spoons.
9. Remembering the Uturn and your sacrifice for the kids that came.
10. Cracking your Dodge Omni transmission pan in front of the Munday Church of Christ.
11. Ruining your quilt while fixing your car, by myself, in front of the Uturn.
12. Driving to Kansas City for the premarital seminar.
13. Crying with you in the kitchen over Petey, then singing goodbye.
14. Walking under the oaks in Buffalo Gap.
15. Hiking to Sacred Falls in Oahu.
16. Shopping at target for 2 hours, the first time.
17. Filling up with gas at the Exxon at 2AM while contracting.
18. Surprising you with a 'stolen' Birthday car and your reaction afterward.
19. Leading worship together at Graham.
20. Watching you hold our boy and sing over him How Great Thou Art.

2008-11-12T13:53:00.001-08:00

Recent Reads

Spectacular Sins by John Piper: excellent, short, overview of God's purpose in sin.
Everyday Talk John Younts: quite good will use as a reference, thanks evans.
Job by John Piper: dark and painfully excellent, if we could just 'get this'.
Same Kind Of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore: Good true story of grace, friendship, in the midst of cancer. These two authors were at ACU last month.
Age Of Opportunity by Paul Tripp......the best book I've every read concerning heart issues.

What I'm reading now:
Peace Like A River by Enger
Shepherding a Child's Heart

2008-11-10T12:28:00.000-08:00

MUSIC MONDAY

Patrick Park "Here We Are" from JT GURZI on Vimeo.

2008-10-28T08:23:00.001-07:00

HOW TO KNOW GOD IS YOUR TREASURE and not his gifts
DESIRING GOD: JOB WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS SUFFER
Several people from our church went to a conference in Austin a week ago. WOW!!

Oh, Lord if this were lost instead and all I had was you, I would be rich, and have the greatest good.

JOB: When The Righteous Suffer, session 1
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/3335/Audio/

JOB: When The Righteous Suffer, session 2
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/3336/Audio/

JOB: When The Righteous Suffer, Questions and Answer, session 3
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/3337/Audio/

Job lost everything: his wealth, his health, and his ten children. All swept away in one satanic storm. Reduced to a heap of flesh, ashes, and tears—rebuked by friends and jeered by strangers—righteous Job wrestled over the purpose and presence of God in the midst of unbearable pain.

QUESTIONS FROM THE CONFERENCE:
* What language should we use to talk about God's sovereignty over sin?
* How much did the Holy Spirit have to do with Job's ability to suffer well?
* As an ancient believer, how was Job's faith different than ours?
* How could Satan come into God's presence? Does he still?
* Did God initiate the meeting with Satan?
* How should we view Satan's involvement in our lives?
* What is involved in the worship that comes in the moments of deepest suffering?
* Would it be wrong to express anger and frustration in these moments?
* How do you lovingly speak the truth of God's sovereignty to sufferers?
* What does it mean to be righteous?
* What does it mean for the righteous to suffer when there is none righteous before God?
* How do we make sure our kids are prepared for suffering when our family has undergone so little?
* What do you say to a couple who lost their infant and now God seems so far away?
* How do I help my disabled child understand God's sovereignty when she faces not just physical suffering, but emotional suffering because of continual ridicule?
* What do you do for an unbelieving friend whose suffering is pushing her away from God?
* What do you do when you can't see God's good purposes in suffering?

You can listen to them online or download the audio or video for free. As usual, most all of the Desiring God stuff is FREE. Including many of his books.

2008-10-23T20:22:00.001-07:00

2008-10-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

MY SOUL FINDS REST IN GOD ALONE

As a music/song leader in our small church I'm always looking for good, scriptural, God-centered songs.
Thanks to Bob Kauflin and Tim Challies for this plug.

2008-10-07T06:54:00.000-07:00

Blame God For The Sub-Prime Mess?

Time Magazine asks this question, HERE

"Has the so-called Prosperity gospel turned its followers into some of the most willing participants -- and hence, victims -- of the current financial crisis? That's what a scholar of the fast-growing brand of Pentecostal Christianity believes. God caused the bank to ignore my credit score and blessed me with my first house." Albert Mohler

Piper on gab-it-grab-it

Driscoll on gab-it-grab-it

2008-10-01T11:22:00.000-07:00

Dave Ramsey's advice on the $700 Billion Bailout is apparently getting heard.

See it HERE.

2008-09-30T03:27:00.000-07:00

The War Of Words DGM conference just finished. And again, it's FREE. Unlike most ministries that charge an arm and a leg just for one cd message, most all of DGM resources are FREE online.

Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it.

Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. -Jonathan Edwards

Needless to say, I need help with this.

Driscoll spoke on using biblical sarcasm/satire here.
QUOTE OF THE DAY-
'You buy things you can't afford on things you don't need to impress people you don't like.'

2008-09-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

MUSIC MONDAY

2008-09-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

We're watching the HBO Series 'JOHN ADAMS' on dvd and so far so good.
Click Here to see the trailer.

It's based on one of my most favorite authors David McCullough who is just brilliant with all his stories. If you haven't read any of his stuff get it now.

2008-09-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

Mark Driscoll and the Peasant Princess HERE

Kirk Cameron only kisses his wife. HERE

2008-09-19T10:51:00.001-07:00

FRIDAY PHOTOS

Ky-buzz takes off, but falls head first into the floor. Thumbs up, Woody!

2008-09-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

DIGGING A HOLE TO CHINA?
I grew up thinking that if you dug a hole through the Earth you'd end up in China. I tried several times but one time I got pretty close with childhood friend Jed Davis, 4 feet deep.

This tool shows exactly where you'd end up. In my case(and all Texans), our hole would fill up in water as we would be in the Indian Ocean.

2008-09-10T06:58:00.000-07:00

A WOMAN PRESIDENT/A MAN PASTOR
Voddie Baucham, does a fine job in this CNN interview. The controversial subject;
How can you vote for a woman to be the President but not 'allow' her one to be a pastor? CLICK HERE

The ladies in the interview, who politely took the more 'progressive side', give a great example of taking verses in the Bible completely out of context (my last post).

2008-09-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

WHAT IT READS / WHAT IT MEANS
I don't know how many times I'll hear someone (including myself) quote a scripture COMPLETELY out of context and apply a meaning to the text that makes absolutely no sense to the original meaning of the context. INTERPRETATION is in the eye of the beholder has become the fad of today.

Reading the Bible is important but understanding what it really means is very important. Steve McCoy has collected some 'Books on Biblical Hermeneutics' HERE.

My picks are:
How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Douglas Stuart and Gordon Fee
Biblical Exegesis by John Piper
The Hermeneutical Spiral by Grant Osborne
Listening to the Spirit in the Text - Fee

2008-09-04T04:55:00.000-07:00

SARAH PALIN
'If Obama does not get the subject changed from Palin, he can lose.'
I agree with John Mark Reynolds

Doug Wilson has some interesting discussion about Sarah Palin HERE

Sarah Palin is to the left what sunlight is to a vampire. CAL THOMAS

2008-08-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

NEW ESV STUDY BIBLE COMING SOON
I agree with my friend Peter here about the new ESV Study Bible coming out October 15.
Pre-order one HERE

The endorsements on this resource are huge. Here is one from Josh Harris

2008-08-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

AT WHAT POINT DOES A BABY GET HUMAN RIGHTS?
OBAMA: IT IS ABOVE MY PAY GRADE.
MCAIN: AT THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION.

This is really big as Albert Mohler points out in his excellent commentary here. When asked, "at what point does a baby get human rights?" Obama said that the question "is above my pay grade." That is a particularly evasive answer, because the President of the United States must frame policies that are predicated on some assumption of when a human being, born or unborn, deserves the full protection of the law.

Is this not the most fundamental question of being a citizen of a country, namely that of 'rights' and freedom ? And isn't it the presidents job to protect and enforce the rights and liberty of the nation? Obama apparently, does not know , 'above my pay grade'? Against the least able to defend their own rights, little babies, Obama turns his head, 'its above my pay grade'.

MORE HERE

All that said, politics are not the savior and never will be.

2008-08-20T08:47:00.001-07:00

These two little guys bring there daddy and mommy joy like no other.

2008-08-15T19:35:00.001-07:00

2008-08-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

How Sin Affects the Transparent Use of Words: Paul Tripp

'The kingdom of self is a costume kingdom. It does a good job of masquerading as the kingdom of god but it has inside purposes.
So, in the guise of a prayer request, I'll just be gossiping. Because I like that scintillating pleasure of gossip or I'll be
working myself by words into a position of power but it will come in the guise of I need to be a good steward of the leadership gifts
that God has given me. Or I might yell at my children but I'll present myself as one of God's prophets saying thus says the lord.'

More from Tripp here

I'm reading his book on raising biblical teenagers HERE and I'm BLOWN AWAY with the wisdom in it. Our church recently bought a bunch of copies since it is only $4.99. If I knew people could 'get it' I would buy 500 copies and give them all away. Then again, I don't entirely get it.

Here are some quotes:

"When God reveals sin, there are only two responses for the Christian. One is to generate some system
of self-justification to make wrong desires and behavior acceptable to your own conscience. the other is to admit your sin, confess
it to God and man, and place yourself once again under the justifying mercy of Christ. Parents who do the former will not have a home
that functions as a redemptive community. They will unwittingly teach their children to hide their sin, explain it away, deny its
existence or to blame others. Parents who do the latter will teach their children to rely on Christ, to confess their sin, and to
believe that where sin abounds, grace abounds even more. They will teach their children to grow up to be people of hope who have
seen and believe that there is no pit so deep Jesus isn't deeper."

"Often, even the way parents talk about their childhood is scaringly self-righteous. "Why in my day,' they say, 'I never
would have even considered.....' It is easy for parents to relate to their children like the Pharisee praying in the temple saying, 'I thank
God that I am not like other men....' (see Luke 18:9-14). However, parents who admit their sin will position themselves to model the Gospel for their children daily."

In chapter two Tripp discusses 5 idols that tempt fathers and mother in parenting.
Comfort, Respect, Appreciation, Success, Control

2008-07-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

ACU WILDCAT FOOTBALL (REAL MANHOOD)

Being an ACU alumni, ex-football player and now employee this article about the team makes me extremely proud. I played one year with Coach Thomsen back in 1994. The next year, he was one of our assistant coaches. He is taking the entire team to a Promise Keepers event to praise and worship Jesus, and talk about what real manhood is all about. I hope he stays at ACU for a long time. Maybe my boys will play for him.

2008-07-26T13:05:00.001-07:00

Added to blog by wife... so fitting isn't it...

2008-07-25T13:20:00.000-07:00

Phriday is for Photos

Is someone sleepy-sad? Click Here for video. And Here.

We went down Lake Austin for about an hour. Mooney graciously helped some people who ran out of gas and pulled their boat to another dock, on the way back.

2008-07-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

More book review (short version):

'Love That Last' by Ricucci........excellent, read it with the wife. Buy it!
'The Shack' by Young............good story, non-biblical view of God, he actually wrote this for his children, not mine.
'Letters From A Nut' by Ted L. Nancy......FUN, FUN, FUN, best if read out loud w/others.
'How Long, O Lord?' D. A. Carson.....excellent, 5 stars, pretty heady for normal people, anti-Shack-God, given here.
'The Misery Of Job And Mercy Of God' by John Piper.....as always, wonderful.
'Getting Things DONE' by David Allen.......a life changer on productivity and organization.
'The Mystery Of Providence' by John Flavel......a reread, tremendous, excellent, giveaway.
'9 Marks Of A Healthy Church' by Mark Dever.......the best book I've read on the subject so far.

2008-07-21T08:51:00.001-07:00

MONDAY MUSIC

Brooke Fraser

Love the 'You make all things new' bridge. 2:07

new Coldplay song

The new Coldplay ain't to bad. I could probably do without the cheesy, apple video, though.

2008-07-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

Just bought this today.

Most The Movie from Dano Magazine on Vimeo.

2008-07-14T14:35:00.000-07:00

MUSIC MONDAY

2008-07-11T06:40:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY FOR PHOTOS

I don't know if this is normal or abnormal but we are pretty stoked that our boy at 2 years old can say all his alphabet and count to 20. This morning he came to me with a nine and six. He'd turn the nine around and say, 'Six' then turn again and say, 'Nine'. And of course I jump up, yell and go 'YEAAAAA! Thata Boy!'. I can't imagine what we'll do once potty training is done.

Here he is saying, 'D-eeeeee'.

2008-07-08T03:34:00.001-07:00

“We do not live by the facts of our experiences, but by the ways that our interpretations have shaped those facts for us…. Whatever trouble [life] brings to us is essentially caused by the wrong thinking we bring to it.” –Paul David Tripp, Lost in the Middle

It’s not the FACTS of our lives that bring us trouble or blessing, but our INTERPRETATION of them.

We can interpret a painful trial in various ways. Interpretation #1: God is not good. He doesn’t care about me.

This interpretation won’t bless you, but bring you trouble.

Same trial, Interpretation #2: Though this is extremely painful, God is sovereign, loving and good. He has ordained this trial ultimately to display his glory and bring me gladness in him. He never does me evil, only good, so in the end, this is for my good.

This interpretation will bless you. AN EXCELLENT BOOK, GET IT HERE.

ht:blazing

2008-07-02T12:27:00.000-07:00

MUSIC on Wednesday

2008-06-26T06:11:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Edwards: Religious Affections Online Reading
Over at the challies.com blog every Thursday they will be discussing one of my favorites, Jonathan Edwards: Religious Affections. This should be a good one. Join in the conversation it should be a good one. Better yet buy a copy for yourself here.

2008-06-25T04:37:00.000-07:00

BARACK OBAMA:CHANGE YOU CAN'T BELIEVE IN
One of several reason why I WILL NOT vote for Obama. When a baby is born alive, Obama actually supports taxpayer dollars for LIVE abortions. In other(more blunt)words, for the most vulnerable(infants) in our country that are 'accidentally' born alive, Barack Obama will give taxpayer dollars to a doctor, who will then inject the baby with poison until no heart beat is found.

It's created a little tension in Obama's courting of many Catholic votes. See this Wall Street Journal article here.

HT/Russell Moore

2008-06-24T06:59:00.000-07:00

Purpose in tough times (affliction)
From Psalm 119: 67 and 71, 75 God sends affliction with a purpose, to help us learn his word.

Dr. Piper gives us 5 reasons why affliction and pain help:

1. Affliction takes the glibness of life away and makes us more serious so that our mindset is more in tune with the seriousness of God's word.

2. Affliction knocks worldly props from under us and forces us to rely more on God which brings us more in tune with the aim of the word.

3. Affliction makes us search the scriptures with greater desperation for help rather than treating it as marginal to life.

4. Affliction brings us into the fellowship of Christ's sufferings so that we fellowship more closely with him and see the world more readily through his eyes.

5. Affliction mortifies deceitful and distracting fleshly desires, and so brings us into a more spiritual frame which fits God's word more.

I pray that we will not begrudge the pedagogy of God.

2008-06-11T08:42:00.000-07:00

Finally! My wife's uncle and I went pole-cat fishing, in spite of a 30mph wind. Even though I felt like a do-fuss in front of a +30 year veteran pole fisherman, it was fun. And I hope to get away and do it again. Two of them were around 24 inches long. And again during cleaning time I felt the do-fuss demon attack my mind. Thanks, for a good time, Gary. I look forward to many more 'catfish whoopins', in the future. The bait smell still on my fingers calls for another catch.

Some links
Is this for real?
Toilet breakdown in space.

2008-06-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

COMMENTS
My comments are now enabled. I'm committing to more book reviews and posts so I've enabled them. I haven't enabled them in two years cause I don't spend anytime replying to post. So, to all my readers/viewer (all 1 of you....mom), go at it.

2008-06-04T08:21:00.000-07:00

SUMMER VACATIONS and DAD's Role
Growing up, my Dad took our little Texas family on many vacation adventures all over the place. Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia, New Mexico, Mexico, South Padre (Texas), Oklahoma, Arkansas, and most memorably, Lake City Colorado. We did everything from Disney World, to Six Flags,to trout fishing, to shark fishing, Crab fishing, snow skiing, to mini-bikes at our Oklahoma property (homemade motorcycles...very safe and legal, of course), to pheasant hunts, dove hunts, Jeep rides up very-narrow-but-safe mountain 'roads' in Colorado, to skiing trips to Taos New Mexico, to Carlsbad Caverns, to leaving me behind a fruit stand in Earth Texas on the way back from a trip to Lake City.

As a Dad of three smelly, ugly, thrill-seeking, hairy-legged boys, my Dad past with flying colors on this vacation adventure deal. My two older brothers and I will never forget the stories and adventures that these vacations brought. No wonder when ever these old adventures come up in present-day conversation each of us have to chime in with prise detail on what 'really' happened. Why do we remember such specific, ridiculous detail? Because, it was so much fun. And that's what family is for.

As Father's day comes up Dad, I honor your desire to bless us with these special times of adventure and family. I know you and Mom threw down the dough big time for these trips but you sacrificed it anyway. These times of fun and family stick in my mind and will never to go away. May God give me grace (&dough.. yeah-right) to do the same with my new family, in the future.

Over time, a man I have received lots of wisdom from , C.J. Mahaney, shares some nuggets on vacations. CLICK HERE.

2008-06-03T12:52:00.000-07:00

MUSIC ON MY MP3 PLAYER

2008-05-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY FUNNY

Don't send a lame Holiday eCard.
Try JibJab Sendables!

2008-05-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

I's tim fo som fis'in
I've had my license for 3 weeks and have yet to go fishing. I've got access to boats and bait but no fishing. $28 flushed.
Maybe soon.

Yes, this is a real 9 foot catfish click here for proof. I think Miller Creek has one that's bigger, she's calling for me.....

2008-05-21T06:12:00.001-07:00

Click on this banner above and give me a better chance at winning some books.

2008-05-19T23:03:00.000-07:00

Pray for Trey and Tyler

Two friends of mine were in a serious truck accident Sunday at 3:30PM. The new website for prayer and information about them is getting thousands of hits. Click here.

2008-05-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

BEAUTIFUL MOTHER
(I meant to post this last week but forgot to hit 'publish'. )
Happy Mother's Day, Pansy.

I can't believe ugly me got this woman as a wife. She's hot. Beautiful in every way. But, not just that. She has chosen to make our home and our two sons as top priority, above the easier route of working in the market place. And believe me, I don't bring home much. She constantly works, I just piddle for 8 hours then play when home.

I can't get close to describing how this woman has blessed me and now our two boys. I know no one as loving, giving, forgiving and compassionate as Kacy. As our two boys have come in the picture she grows all the more beautiful as her sacrifice increases I get to enjoy the sweetness all the more. I love you, Kacy.

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. Pr31

All I Want Is You -video/song
To kac

2008-05-14T07:49:00.001-07:00

'Instruments In The Redeemer's Hand' by Paul David Trip........excellent and an absolute reread.
Paul Trip is steadily becoming a favorite in our home.
'Doing Things Right In The Matter Of The Heart' by John Ensor......good but hard to follow.
'The Enemy Within' Lungard........eye-opening and heart cutting analysis, a reread. For those who struggled with John Owen. Buy several copies and give them away.

2008-05-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

Looking For A Good Surgeon?
'The 3 qualifications of a good surgeon or a person who reproves another are; an eagle eye, a lions heart and a ladies hand. In short, he should be endowed with wisdom, courage and meekness.'
-Matthew Henry

2008-04-28T09:34:00.000-07:00

Spiritual <> Political

Presidential hopeful Barak Obama continues to have to answer the quite odd comments from his preacher Rev. Wright with the, ' I looked to Mr Wright for spiritual, not political, guidance.' statement.

I don't get it? For me, my spiritual values influence my political values. I can't separate them. Church stuff get over in that corner and political stuff get over in that one. Either one is true (spiritual) and the other (political) false or neither are true. Or maybe one is 'more true'? As an one who believes in absolute truths and laws that governor the universe that supersede my individual rights whether I like them or not, this division, strikes me as odd.

2008-04-10T10:32:00.000-07:00

We welcome a new addition to our small family. Our new son Landon Luke. 5 lbs. 15 oz. Why Luke? With so much 'unique', 'special'......weird names going around I wanted to name our next son with a name that was rooted in our values and beliefs. Luke made the best selling book of all time by authoring the gospel of Luke and Acts. Plus it's dudely!

We are thrilled and humbled by God's provision. As was our plan, my wife will be a full-time mom and homemaker. A calling we very much value and I support whole-heartedly. Please pray for us.

2008-03-31T12:45:00.000-07:00

'We are a generation of consumers, independent and critical. We attend church, but we don't want to settle down and truly invest ourselves. We're not into commitment — we only want to date the church. Putting in their hour or two on the weekend, many Christians take the rest of the week off, neglecting the church and her needs. It’s not a serious relationship. Some shop around, looking for a church that suits their lifestyle. It’s dating, with no assurances, no obligations.'

A short message that packs a punch against believers who escape there own growth in Christ by hiding in the shadows of fear of rejection and flat out fear of people. I like the comparison of 'dating' the church which is a very helpful word picture in understand the relational fear of American Christians.

For years, I've been guilty of dating churches. May God help us understand that His gospel was meant to break in, in order to break out and beyond.

2008-03-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

PROSPERITY pRAISE

A week ago someone told me, 'God always wants us to prosper!'. 'Prosper', meaning. to be rich......and always. I said nothing in response, knowing this person would not receive what I thought about that statement, so why bother.

But, as this person stated how God wants people to always 'be blest....rich', I thought, what exactly does that mean, living here in America, the most prosperous and rich country the world has ever known? Listening to this message, it seemed like the ultimate purpose for God was me and my getting prospered/rich. So, I googled 'Does God Want People Rich' and got an excellent article by Time magazine and a commentary by Mike Cope who is actually from Abilene.

I agree with Cope:
'The basic movement of the gospel is clear (Phil. 2:5ff): self-denial and self-sacrifice rather than self-fulfillment. We follow one who had no place to lay his head, who warned us that life does not consist in the abundance of things, who told a wealthy man to sell all and give to the poor, who insisted that we cannot have two masters (God and $$). Followers of Christ in other cultures have often lost all as a result of their faithfulness to him.'

What makes this viewpoint so tricky and deceptive is that it turns Gods gifts into idols that are worshiped instead of worshiping God. It makes me and my well-being the center, my new house(s), my rolex, my new BMW my, my, my......replaces Christ. My kingdom come, replaces Your kingdom come. Christ Life for me, replaces my life for yours. Instead of Christ being the treasure, the idol(s) become the treasure. Also, when talking to a' prosperity follower' notice how often Jesus and His work is mentioned. Then, compare how often 'being blest' or 'God wanting you to be blest ' is mentioned. The gospel is turned on its head. Instead of Christ getting praise.........I get a raise. Sounds like idolatry dressed in cute christian language.

The old gospel the problem was sin. The new/false gospel, the problem is being poor.
'If there is a hell, the prosperity followers message won’t stop you or the people you love from going there, because the savior in his messages is YOU and the salvation he offers is a NEW ATTITUDE, and some resulting real estate.'

I've led worship/singing over 12 years now and I love it. One reason is I sense 'a washing' of my heart from selfish and bitter idol-worshiping desires. The reason I've posted about this is because I believe worship to be a response to what Jesus Christ has done, is doing and will do in saving my heart for eternal life forever. He saved and is saving me......from my idol-worshiping tendencies. To make the gospel about getting 17inch rims on my new Escalade feeds my already idol-worshiping heart. Then, Jesus is not the center of worship......I am, and what I can get. And I'm pretty tired of me. Praise Him.

2008-03-24T07:58:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago I emailed sovereign grace ministries, thanking them for their ministry. I mentioned to them that I led a small Bible study, church music/worship and sometimes preach at our small church. The next week SGM sent me 7 books and 2 cds, for free. Two books had handwritten notes of encouragement, to me, by the author, C.J. Mahaney. A testimony that this ministry believes its message.

I just finished the first book, 'Living The Cross Centered Life' and I must give it my complete endorsement. You'll find no seven steps to success or a better life now, in this message. If you like quick-fix-it approaches, seven steps to your best life now or jabez prayer potion shallowness, you won't like this book. But, if you love Jesus and His work accomplished on the cross, you'll be greatly encouraged by its depth.

To back the argument that Christians should keep the main thing, the main thing (namely Jesus and His work on the Cross), Mahaney includes much scripture as well as powerful quotes and recommendations from C.H. Spurgeon, John Stott, D. A. Carson and J.I. Packer.

Some quotes from the book: 'What are you most passionate about? What do you love to talk about? What do you think about most when your mind is free?”

2008-02-20T14:20:00.000-08:00

WHY BELIEVE IN A DEMOCRACY?
I am a democrat [believer in democracy] because I believe in the Fall of Man. I think most people are democrats for the opposite reason. A great deal of democratic enthusiasm descends from the ideas of people like Rousseau, who believed in democracy because they thought mankind so wise and good that every one deserved a share in the government. The danger of defending democracy on those grounds is that they're not true. . . . I find that they're not true without looking further than myself. I don't deserve a share in governing a hen-roost. Much less a nation. . . . The real reason for democracy is just the reverse. Mankind is so fallen that no man can be trusted with unchecked power over his fellows. Aristotle said that some people were only fit to be slaves. I do not contradict him. But I reject slavery because I see no men fit to be masters. ("Equality," in C. S. Lewis: Essay Collection and Other Short Pieces, ed. by Lesley Walmsley [London: HarperCollins Publishers, 2000,] p. 666)

2008-02-15T12:00:00.001-08:00

My 1 yr old son and I built a 60 foot fence for our front porch this weekend. His grandfather 'Chief' helped manage the project so we wouldn't get to out of hand.
I get so, so, so, so......much more, than I deserve.

2008-02-14T07:03:00.000-08:00

2008-02-12T07:10:00.001-08:00

Free Scripture Song Downloads HERE
Check out and thank The Blazing Center Blog

2008-02-01T09:27:00.000-08:00

Mitt Romney flip-flop
(LIFE....CHOICE.....LIFE)

THE CASE AGAINST MITT ROMNEY

2008-01-30T11:18:00.000-08:00

Excellent, comprehensive, detailed history of Al-Qaeda. Enjoyed it very much and highly recommend it.

2008-01-11T09:05:00.000-08:00

Curent reads:
'Sin and Temptation' by John Owen........slow reading, way above my head, a master of heart analysis,
Reading with TIM CHALLIES
'Lost In The Middle' by Paul Tripp......excellent, without doubt, the best on midlife.
'The Wit Of Martin Luther' by Eric W. Gritsch.........C+ to average.

2008-01-10T07:11:00.000-08:00

http://purgatorio1.com/

Yea! One of my favorite 'petty' blogs IS BACK.

2007-09-26T10:31:00.000-07:00

Recent reads:
'God is the Gospel' John Piper.......sweet honey.
'Disciplines of the Christian Life' Don Whitney..........excellent.
'Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ' Piper.......more honey.

Currently reading:
'Leepike Ridge' N. D. Wilson

2007-09-20T16:12:00.001-07:00

Huba-Huba Face.

Pudding Face.

Scary Face.

Sleepy Face.

2007-09-19T07:01:00.001-07:00

UGH! Allergies.

2007-08-09T15:24:00.001-07:00

I guess my once-a-month posting pattern is now over.

2007-08-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

12:30, Lunch hour, cell phone, Wal-Mart?, good food and no beer, huh? #2 on the way.

2007-07-31T04:51:00.000-07:00

Just in time for July.

'Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and The Heroic Campaign to End Slavery' by Eric Metaxas.

A quite inspiring biography that shows the struggle that Wilberforce endured to help end the slave trade in England 1807, more then 50 years before Lincoln's emancipation. Metaxas also points to Wilberforce's Christian Faith as being the main motivator to abolish slavery. The 'Chaplem Circle' is given a couple of chapters and only a couple of pages actually describes what was involved in the trade which was enough for me. The infamous, 'Zong' tragedy is mentioned as well. An excellent read.

2007-06-26T04:25:00.000-07:00

And now for the post of the month:

Idols of Destruction.......outstanding but very difficult to read
1865 April by Jay Wink........great
Hollywood Worldviews in the movies..........good
1st 3 World Mags.........excellent
Johnny Unitas..........good

2007-05-04T12:20:00.000-07:00

WHAT I'M READING

2007-04-30T11:34:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st.

2007-04-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

Man has a 'free will', God has a 'freer will'

Todays reading: Proverbs 21

21:1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;he turns it wherever he will.

2007-03-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE for a new song I can't get enough of.
Here are the words:

When the trial comes
and all hope seems lost
i will find my strength
in the mighty cross

only there
only jesus
only there can i cast my burdens down
only him (there)
only jesus
only there is joy in sorrow found

If my love grows cold
and my faith feels lost
i will find my heart
in the healing cross

words & music by marc heinrich
©2005 further up & further in music

2007-03-16T00:45:00.000-07:00

In my one year reading, this morning:

John6:37 - All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

2007-03-10T07:41:00.000-08:00

At 10 months old my boy can give a high five and wave good-bye.
What a champ!

2007-03-07T07:27:00.000-08:00

What would Jesus think? Ask John Edwards
"I think that Jesus would be disappointed in our ignoring the plight of those around us who are suffering and our focus on our own selfish short-term needs," Edwards told the site. "I think he would be appalled, actually." John Edwards

Edwards thinks these deep thoughts as he lounges in his 2,800-square-foot beach house (latest tax value $2,649,317) on exclusive and gated Figure Eight Island near Wilmington. Here's the beach house, which, by the way, the "suffering" poor cannot get near, thanks to the guard and the gate that keep the hoi polloi off the entire island.

And he also gives these issues great thought as he lounges in, well, John's Lounge, in his 28,000-square-foot home in Orange County near Chapel Hill.

HT/john locke
And carolina journal

2007-03-05T09:30:00.001-08:00

GRAVITY @ 6 months.

2007-03-04T11:08:00.000-08:00

AT 43, THE CHAMP, AGAIN.

Couture at 6.2 and 221 beat former champ Silva 6.8ft, 270.

When color commentator Joe Rogan asked Randy about his victory after the fight, he was characteristically humble, and stated that he wanted to thank "our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who died for our sins, and the American G.I. who died for our freedom."

2007-03-01T07:24:00.000-08:00

	Server Error
	Server Error

'We're sorry, but Gmail is temporarily unavailable. We're currently working to fix the problem -- please try logging in to your account in a few minutes.'

Ok, so I'm a big GMAIL fan. But, this is getting old. Guess it's back to Beta, again.

2007-02-27T08:01:00.000-08:00

STEM CANCER CELLS and SIN
After reading John Owen's discourse on 'Indwelling Sin in the life of a believer' I can't help but take this article from USA today literally and symbolically. CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE

'Like all stem cells, the cancerous variety have unique properties. They are "immortal," living much longer than ordinary cells, Jones says. They can make exact copies of themselves, as well as other types of cells.'

2007-02-17T10:52:00.000-08:00

What I am reading:
1)

Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War

by Nathaniel Philbrick (Author)
2)

The 39 Steps

by John Buchan (Author)

3)

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch (Signet Classics)

by Alexander Solzhenitsyn (Author)

April 1865: The Month That Saved America (P.S.)

by Jay Winik (Author)

5)Undaunted Courage by Stephen E. Ambrose

2007-02-11T16:34:00.000-08:00

The Civil War As A Theological Crisis by Mark Noll

Good read overall, deep and wordy at times but generally very informative and well documented.

Noll claims that the Civil War generated a first order theological crisis over, how to interpret the Bible, how to understand the work of God in the world and how to exercise the authority of theology in a democratic society.

2007-02-09T07:32:00.001-08:00

WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN

Ethanol & the Tortilla Crisis

Tortilla prices have doubled in Mexico, causing Mexico's legions of poor people, who depend on tortillas as a major staple of their diet, to riot, destablize the government, and, one suspects, motivating more of them to illegally immigrate to the United States. Why are tortilla prices soaring? Because of the push in the U.S. to replace gasoline with ethanol.

The demand for ethanol, subsidized by the government at the rate of some 50 cents per gallon, has sent corn prices to the moon. This pleases the farm belt, of course, but the high corn prices are not only impacting tortillas, they will soon show up in higher meat prices. The tangled web of unintended consequences. . . .

HT/World Blog

2007-02-07T11:46:00.001-08:00

CHEAPer GAS
Where in the U.S. can you fill your vehicle's tank with the cheapest gas? It's just $1.61 a gallon in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Both Centerview, Missouri and Gaylord, Minnesota have the second cheapest gas, at $1.67 a gallon. The highest national gas price is a whopping $3.41.

You can find the cheapest gas in your area with MapQuest Gas Prices. Just enter your address and see where you should be filling up. MapQuest also lets you search for alternative fuels, such as compressed natural gas.

Other sites that will help you find low gas prices are gasbuddy.com and MapGasPrices.com. Hmmm, I do need to fill up tonight...

HT:appscout

2007-02-07T11:42:00.000-08:00

"Amazing Grace," a movie about William Wilberforce and the abolition of the British slave trade, is opening on 2/23/07.

Watch John Piper talk about the book published to go with this movie.

HT:DGMB

2007-02-07T11:36:00.000-08:00

"I have an emptiness deep inside" -Rolling Stones

2007-02-01T11:19:00.000-08:00

In all things, give thanks.
My wife called me at work yesterday around 5PM saying that our dog, Buddy, had been run over by a car and died. That night I buried, Buddy next to Petey, Lucy the fish and two puppies (yes I buried a fish). Afterwards, it ironically, rained then sleeted. We went to sleep and I dreamed dreams of deep grief and pain, I even woke myself up.

Right now, 02-01-2007, it is snowing......and beautiful.

My wife and I are now finishing the book of Esther in our yearly Bible reading. In it a memorial feast is setup, that continues to this day called, the feast of Purim that relates to going from mourning to joy.

2007-01-26T11:00:00.000-08:00

A religion of peace?

"...there are at least 109 identifiable war verses in the Koran. One out of every 55 verses in the Koran is a war verse" (Don Richardson, Secrets of the Koran, p. 28).

HT/D.Wilson

2007-01-10T04:41:00.000-08:00

MY TOP 2006 PREACHERS

TIM KELLER
He has a complex yet simple delivery that leaves me with a mysterious desire to want Jesus and his gospel made known.
Style: exposition with a knack on culture.

DOUGLAS WILSON
Litugical worship with a true depth in wisdom and desire for true Christian community changing the world.
Style: exposition and an occasional 'series'. 'My Life For Yours', a series on a godly home was excellent.

JOHN PIPER
John Piper desires, God. I've listened to Piper since Sam Storms introduced hime to me way back in 1997 and I've learned more through his messages then anyone in the last 10 years. The books he has written; 'Desiring God' and 'Pleasures of God' are in my top 10 Christian non-fiction.
Style: exposition. He spend over 5 years in Romans.

KP Yohannan
Missionary and church planter and support starter of over 16,000 church plants since 1980, in Asia.
Style: You are a missionary or giver of missions or......you're nothing.

STEVE WILKINS
Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church Pastor. Messages.

MATT CHANDLER
'Hip' in a nerdy kind of way....but a disciple of Piper and Keller who is really reaching gen x and y.
Style: exposition with and occasional stand alone.

JOHN MACARTHUR
The living king of expository exultation.

Marc Driscoll is good too, but I cannot get over a couple of messages on men/women which were Flat out 'alpha male', I can't even turn the vacuum on, I'm so great and hip attitude. Afterwards, I did not think of Jesus or sacrifice.....but driscoll-coolness. And that gets flushed pretty quick.

2007-01-08T07:36:00.000-08:00

I've been reading some books by John Owen based on the recommendations of many who believe his works to be among the greatest on Christian theology and Christian living. I must say, after reading just a little of Owen, that for this public schooled, country boy from Throckmorton, Texas, I'm in way over my head.

Even though difficult to read Owen, I will have to agree with Sinclair Ferguson when he said;

'To read his works is inevitably to come to the conclusion that much contemporary Christian literature seems like wood, hay and stubble by comparison with the gold, silver and precious stones with which this master builder worked. . . .'

To read John Owen is to enter a rare world. Whenever I return to one of his works I find myself asking “Why do I spend time reading lesser literature?”
—Sinclair B. Ferguson

Currently, I'm reading through, 'Overcoming Sin and Temptation'. His work on the 'Glory of Christ' I plan on reading again and again till I die.

HT/Taylor

2007-01-04T09:00:00.000-08:00

An good message by Tim Keller on Luke 15

2006-12-29T21:35:00.000-08:00

(ELECTION)
Not that anyone would understand this around Abilene, because no local preachers want to actually preach on election due to the overwhelming local support of the self-help, self-electing/democratic gospel. But, here is one on the 'doctrine of election'?

Romans 9-13-16
13. “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

John 6:37-40,44,65
'No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him.'

Romans 8:29
'For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.'

God chooses us, not because we believe, but that we may believe... - Augustine

2006-12-24T19:16:00.000-08:00

"Infinite, and an infant.Eternal, and yet born of a woman.
Almighty, and yet hanging on a woman's breast.
Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother's arms.
King of angels, and yet the reputed son of Joseph.
Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter's despised son."-Charles Spurgeon

(HT: Josh Harris via Z)

2006-12-14T09:32:00.000-08:00

Where do all the taxes go, anyway?

2006-11-28T08:26:00.000-08:00

My family is in the TOP 99% richest people in the world category!
Compared to planet earth, how rich are you?
Based on our standard of living (two cars, 2 TVs, 3 computers, blockbuster subscription, bottled water) is this a good thing?

A great man once said 'to whom much was given, of him much will be required'

2006-11-16T13:10:00.000-08:00

WAL-MART SAYS 'MERRY CHRISTMAS', AGAIN
Why bring 'Merry Christmas' back, Wal-mart?
Maybe THIS, which could result in Wal-Mart losing tens of millions of revenue profits during Thanksgiving weekend.

Not that I'm all that gun-ho for pulling the 'boycott saves card', but I do find this upcoming story interesting.

2006-11-14T18:46:00.000-08:00

Some interesting John Piper videos:

'John Piper is BAD! I don't just do bad things....I AM BAD!'

What did Dr. Piper say about this video.?

RAPPING with Piper.