Purchasing Books With Wisdom

study.jpgWe’ve had a bit of an income shift this year ***ahem*** so I need to make some changes in my book-buying habits. I’m one of those fish caught in the ease of the Amazon “One-Click” purchase system, and I’ve got a lot of books on my shelves that I will never read because of it. So I’ve developed a new system. We’ll see how it works.

My issue with books is the attraction I have to the intangibles, and the impulse buying that results. I have a lot of books on my shelves that it really made me feel good to buy. I like the idea of full shelves; a “study” atmosphere ought to have lots of books.

On the other hand, I’m at the point in my life that less really sounds much more appealing than “more,” most of the time. I’ve given away a lot of books. Shelf space is always an issue.

The bigger issue, however, is being supportive of the new budget, showing Denise my willingness to decrease a hefty monthly expense that isn’t necessary, and hopefully applying principles of good wisdom and stewardship to this area of my life.Continue reading “Purchasing Books With Wisdom”

The New Covenant Way: A soli deo teaching

scroll.jpgThe New Covenant Way: A teaching presented at soli deo August 1, 2006 by Michael Spencer

One of the “values” of this fellowship is this: “Soli deo is teaching the Bible in a New Covenant-emphasized, Christ-centered, grace-exalting way.”

I’m fairly certain that the part of that sentence that may raise the most questions is the idea of “the New Covenant way”. Do those words mean anything really important, or is it just something that sounds nice? Is there something about the New Covenant way of doing something that would be important for you to know? Or is it just window dressing?

I’m sure I’m supposed to say that nothing in the Bible or Christian belief is “window dressing”, and that it’s all very important, but let’s be honest. There are all kinds of words and ideas in Christianity that the average person doesn’t understand at all, and that make little difference to daily Christian experience. “Grace” is an important word, but does anyone here have a childhood Sunday School teacher–or even a pastor–who could quickly rattle off the important applications of forensic imputation? It’s a critical concept in theology, but we seldom bring it into our minds as we go to the grocery.

So is “New Covenant” really important enough that a group of Christians would put it out front as a way of identifying themselves? Aren’t all Christians “New Covenant” believers all the time, whether they know it or not? Is it just a t-shirt, or does it matter?Continue reading “The New Covenant Way: A soli deo teaching”

Weekend File: 7:29:06

belushi1941.jpgLet’s start out the weekend with good news. Very good. Ken Myers is taking the Mars Hill Audio site to podcasting. That means you will be able to hear a monthly version of MHA, featuring archival interviews, some new things and more. Long overdue, and a great addition to the blogosphere. Here’s the link, though I hear there will be a new one soon.Continue reading “Weekend File: 7:29:06”

The Coffeehouse: A Story

coffeehouse.jpgSkip Towne opened the door to his office and sat down to check his voice mail. Skip had been youth minister at Central Baptist Church for four years. As associate minister for youth at a large, traditional Baptist church, his life was always busy. Three services on Sunday, visitation on Sunday afternoons and youth group on Sunday and Wednesday nights. Mondays he led a Bible study for small group leaders, Tuesdays he coached an Upwards team. Wednesdays were full of junior high ministry and Thursday was his only night home. Friday night it was football game and open gym afterwards. Saturdays were always some kind of scheduled trip, concert or special event. It was the life of the youth minister he’d always imagined.

Skip’s youth group was one of the largest in the community. There were over a hundred students who were highly involved with the student ministries at Central, and many others who visited. It was sometimes embarrassing to eat lunch with youth ministers from other churches and find out that their attendance had been down because so many of their kids were attending an event at Central Baptist. The church was generous to the youth program. They paid for mission trips, recreation, concerts and new facilities. Skip even got to take in three or four conferences a year. And it was one of those conferences that had Skip checking his email this morning.Continue reading “The Coffeehouse: A Story”

The Sky Is Falling: Alan Roxburgh’s Vision of Missional Leadership

skyfall1.jpgBill Kinnon is a faithful IM reader who does a lot of visual media projects. He’s brought to my attention his video for Alan Roxburgh’s new book, The Sky is Falling. I am familar with Roxburgh from other books and many web sites. He’s an academic with the ability to say some very practical, helpful things about vision. Here are some great quotes from Roxburgh. (The first one is particularly fine):Continue reading “The Sky Is Falling: Alan Roxburgh’s Vision of Missional Leadership”

Recommendation: “What Was I Thinking?” by Steve Brown

At least once a year, I pick up a book by Reformed Seminary professor, radio talk show guy and Key Life speaker/teacher Steve Brown, and I am always glad I did. In fact, Steve Brown’s unique perspective in the reformed world is one of the absolute necessities for me in these post-evangelical, post-reformed times. His somewhat quirky, deeply gospel-influenced view of the world is worth the price of any of his books several times over.Continue reading “Recommendation: “What Was I Thinking?” by Steve Brown”

The Missionary Headache: Why Evangelicals Need To Support The Missionaries Among Us

coffeeshop.jpgIt goes without saying that new ways of thinking rarely bring out the best in evangelicalism. Those dreaded “paradigm shifts” usually elicit lots of sermons on topics like “The Christian Worldview” and “The Threat of Relativistic New Age Contemplative Prayer.” No doubt, there are many times that the evangelical response to a new way of thinking is on target. But not always. Sometimes we’re just wrong. Sincere and God-loving, but wrong.Continue reading “The Missionary Headache: Why Evangelicals Need To Support The Missionaries Among Us”