Fear-Mongering and Kingdom Loyalties

I read this article today: Texas Megachurch Pastor Says Obama Will ‘Pave Way’ for Antichrist. The money quote for me in that article is this one:

"President Obama is not the Antichrist. But what I am saying is this: the course he is choosing to lead our nation is paving the way for the future reign of the Antichrist."

Jeffress would go on to say that "it is time for Christians to stand up and to push back against this evil that is overtaking our nation" and to do so via "the ballot box

After reading that article on Jeffress I read through Isaiah 8. It’s amazing how fitting this passage of Scripture is to our current political unrest.

“Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”

My point in this article is not really even political. I care little about a discussion on Obama, Romney, or any third-party candidate. What I do care about are those professing to be believers being swept up in worldly fear. The “they” in Isaiah 8 is not talking about Gentiles that are not part of the covenant. The “they” in Isaiah 8 is talking about people like the king of Judah that is wringing his hands in fear because two powerhouse nations are now in cahoots and seeking to terrify Judah.

That would be a scary thing. I do not want to minimize that. Nor do I want to minimize the reality of some of the fear that people have for our nation. There are real issues that ought to cause people real concern. The problem is not with the presence of concern. The problem is with what type of fear and concern is present.

Fear-Mongering Reveals Kingdom Loyalties

What Jeffress said is fear-mongering plain and simple. It is the Christianized version of the fear-mongering that takes place on much talk radio. If A happens then B is going to happen and then we’re all in big trouble. Christians get swept up into this and we start to fear the same thing that the world fears.

Is it wrong that I do not fear the Antichrist? Of course I would prefer that I never have to live during the reign of the Antichrist. I would prefer that my children and grandchildren do not either. But I do not fear his mock reign. Because that is all it is—a mock reign. Jesus will never lose His throne. It is to his kingdom that I am aligned. You can take away my American dream, my American economy, my American freedom and comforts, but you cannot take away Jesus. You cannot boot him out of the schools. You cannot boot him out of our nation. He’s not going anywhere.

Such fear-mongering reveals kingdom loyalties. When we “fight for America” through worldly fear-mongering we subtly reveal where our kingdom loyalties lie. The kingdom that we ought to be “fighting for” through loving proclamation is one that is not built by fear. It is built by love. And it is a kingdom in which such fear is not only wrong headed it is called idolatry. Our fear is reserved for our King alone.

Such thinking misunderstands evil as well. The “evil” in our nation is not the result of dirty politics. The “evil” that we are pushing back against isn’t found on the other side of the aisle. It is found in our hearts. Evil cares less about destroying America than it cares about destroying Americans. In the same way Christ did not come to rescue America; he came to rescue Americans…and people from every tribe, people, nation, and tongue.

Isaiah 8 calls us to fear the Lord. Let’s leave the fear-mongering to worldly politicians and ideologues and use our pastorates for proclaiming a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Would Jesus Play “Gotcha”?

No.  I’m not asking whether or not Jesus would play the Dutch funk band Gotcha! on his iPod.  Although that is a solid question.  What I am referring to is the new game that seems to be sweeping our nation.  It is a game that is played as frequently by believers as unbelievers.  It can be played anywhere that opposing viewpoints can be found.  Social media sites serve as a massive playing field for intense games of “gotcha”.  Many blogs excel in the game.  Some pastors have even been known to play the game with their congregations. 

What is “gotcha” you ask? 

“Gotcha” is the art of proving your awesomeness and superiority at the expense of someone else’s folly—whether perceived or real.  And there is also the more popular variety of “Group Gotcha” wherein pawns (like you) expose the idiocy and lameness of the other teams leaders, thereby showing that your team is far superior. 

In order to win “gotcha” you do not have to actually accumulate any points of your own.  You win by shaming the other person or group into submission (even if temporary).  Points are accumulated by following a difficult equation.  The equation is as follows:

Number of Facebook shares and likes
+ Number of RT’s on Twitter
- Number of Google +1’s  (plus 1’s exposes your own lameness)
x Buckets of tears by opposition
x pointless and unproven zingers
+ angry and even more meaningless responses from opposition
- FWD’s generated (grandma points do not count)
+ seconds the opposition pauses like a deer in headlights
/ Number of people in the world
= Gotcha Points

It seems like a very complicated game but judging by my television and Facebook feeds it is a riot.  And apparently it distracts us from actually having to worry about real people or to take any responsibility ourselves.  I am trying to get many of my friends to play the game.

As I am thinking about people to invite, I have to wonder whether or not Jesus would play the game.  Seems to me like “Gotcha” might have been a game that the Pharisees played a little more than our Lord.  Looks like Jesus will just have to miss out on all the fun. 

Be sure to share this post as I’m hoping to get a bunch of “gotcha” points off of it.       

Why I’m No Longer Indifferent Concerning Abortion

That title might be a little misleading.  It would be more accurate to say why about ten years ago I stopped being indifferent on the issue of abortion.  But that was too long. 

About ten years ago I was having a discussion with a woman that I highly respect and care very deeply for.  For some reason we started talking about abortion.  I gave my opinion (as a relatively new believer) that I did not really see the point in people arguing about it.  Why even bother trying to convince someone that abortion is wrong?  I was trying to make the point that it’s really not a gospel issue.  Therefore, we are just alienating people by entering into this debate when we should just share the gospel with them.  No sense even talking about abortion. 

Then she hit me with a 2 x 4 across the face.  Not literally but the words that came out of her mouth floored me. 

“You know, I was almost aborted”. 

Immediately it wasn’t just debating talking points.  Though I would not have ever supported an abortion for someone in my own life, I was still largely indifferent.  Why not just give women the right to choose.  Honestly, I was probably very close to what Joe Biden said last night.  Personally, and because of religious convictions, I am not for abortion.  But I just don’t see the reason to legislate this. 

Then I thought about my dear friend having been aborted.  She wouldn’t be here right now.  Nor would her children.  For the first time I really began to understand what it means that life begins at conception.  Of course at the time it just seems like you are aborting something like a bean.  But here I was staring at one of those “beans” that was full of life, and hopes, and dreams.  Those would not be in existence had her mother not being talked out of an abortion. 

This is why what I believed 10 years ago and what Joe Biden said last night is backwards thinking.  You cannot say, “I believe that it is life, I personally agree with the stance of the Roman Catholic Church, but I do not believe that should be legislated”.  If it’s really “life” why is it not okay to abort your child when he/she is 2 years old instead of still in the womb?  I mean how dare we infringe upon the rights of parents to “abort” their children.  Especially, the way this economy goes.  If we lose our jobs and we are starving, what kind of parent am I to allow my child to suffer?  What kind of parent am I to allow my child to live in a world where he/she does not have a bunch of options to be successful?  Why am I not loving just to “abort” them when they are 2 or 4 or 7 or 11? 

The reason why we can defend a woman’s freedom while letting another little woman’s or little man’s freedom not be protected is because we do not see them as people.  On that day when my friend said, “I was almost aborted”, I realized that this isn’t merely about words.  This is about life.  This is about real people.  That is why I mourn the legality of abortion and every instance of it.  I mourn those 50 million deaths in the same way as I mourn with those that have a miscarriage, or lose a child to SIDS, or even lose a child later in life.  Every case of abortion isn’t a political win for a woman’s choice.  Every abortion is a death of a child.  That is why I am no longer indifferent to the issue of abortion. 

And it is a real gospel issue.  Come back later today and I’ll explain why this is a gospel issue…

3 Reasons Why Christians Rejoicing Over the President’s “Fall” is Wrong-headed

“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.”  -Proverbs 24:17

On Wednesday night the first presidential debate of the 2012 election was held.  As you probably already know Mitt Romney absolutely handed it to incumbent Barack Obama.  When even the main-stream media (with tears in their eyes) proclaim a Romney victory you know that it’s probably true. For Republican Christians their “enemy” fell and he certainly “stumbled”. 

Truth be told I’m not sure how much we ought to place President Obama in the categories mentioned in that Proverb.  But that is okay.  I am arguing from greater to lesser.  If we aren’t to rejoice even over the fall of a real enemy (judge for yourself if the President fits that bill) then we certainly aren’t to rejoice in the fall of a perceived enemy either. 

And that is what sickens me. 

I understand Fox News throwing a ticker tape parade.  I understand non-believing Republicans mocking the President and rejoicing when he falls.  That’s what they do.  And frankly they have more dogs in the fight than believers do.  This is their kingdom.  This is their citizenship.  But it’s not ours.  It’s not surprising that they would disregard this Proverb.  But it is sad when believers somehow think that “Jesus is a Republican” and so it’s totally cool to throw out Proverbs 24:17. 

There are at least three reasons why this gloating is wrong-headed:

1. We are celebrating the wrong victory.  Jesus is ushering in a kingdom that supersedes a Republican American kingdom.  Whether it is a Mitt Romney victory of a President Obama victory the Lord Jesus is still on the throne and is still working all things together for the good of His people and the advancement of His Kingdom.  Celebrate that.  Yeah, let’s celebrate when Roe v. Wade is overturned.  Let’s celebrate when things reflect the coming kingdom.  But let’s not celebrate like the kingdom is now in full swing because President Obama loses. 
2. We are blowing a gospel opportunity.  You know why the MSM were so sad and blown away by the Romney victory?  You know why people were so disheartened by their fumbling president?  It’s because he—and the ideology which he represents—has become the functional savior of many.  What a great time to heal wounds caused by a toppled idol.  What a marvelous time to share about the King that won’t taste defeat.  Not in a bragging type of way but in a grace-filled way that realizes no matter if you ride elephants or a donkey you’ve seen your own idols crumble and have found that only Jesus is a rock on which to stand.  If President Obama falls there are going to be myriads of people whose hope falls with him.  These people don’t need mocked, they need the gospel.
3. Nobody likes a poor winner.  I thought Mitt Romney really excelled in giving a view of America that is less about which side of the aisle you are on and more about doing the hard things to get our country back on track.  He seemed less concerned about “the enemy” and more concerned about the advancement of his kingdom (and that’s not the kingdom of Jesus, by the way).  When Republicans gloat on Thursday morning they subtly communicate that politics are more important than the nation.  It’s off-putting.  And it will give plenty of people a reason to start pulling for the newly crowned underdog.  Republicans don’t want to make this an emotional debate.  They need to keep it about issues.  Mocking photos of the President doesn’t do that. 

Let’s celebrate the right victories and be certain that when people are disappointed by fallen people that we not trample them and mock them but instead we point them to our Surety; namely Jesus Christ.

Joy Robbers and Shallow Presidential Standards

President Obama is a fan of the NFL and is a very passionate fan of college basketball.  During these seasons he (or at least the autobot that puts together his tweets) has been known to throw out a few tweets about the NFL.  Here recently he tweeted about the MNF debacle and the replacement refs. 

To this I saw several snarky responses that implied the President’s priorities are all jacked up.  How is he worrying about football when we have a 16 trillion dollar debt?  How can he fill out a college basketball bracket when we are fighting for peace in foreign countries?  Bring the troops home and then tell us how you picked North Carolina. 

Now I do not care to comment on the President’s policies or his priorities in specific.  You can find a political blog to talk those points to death.  Here I want to reflect on how such an attitude can rob us of joy.  Furthermore, I want to see how such a joy is really detrimental to the life of a leader. 

The assumption behind those snarky responses is that caring about the poor, our debt, and world peace is somehow mutually exclusive to watching and commenting on a blown call on Monday Night Football.  It’s also a ridiculous double standard that these peeps would find the time to a comment on Twitter while people are starving to death around the world.  Why, dear sir, are you not turning off your computer and grilling some burgers for the homeless in your neck of the woods?  Your priorities are all jacked up.

The Jesus Way

It seems to me that Jesus was on occasion a befuddlement to people in his day because of this very issue.  If He is who He says He is, then why in the world is he having a party at a tax collectors house?  Why is he allowing expensive nard to be poured out upon him when that could have been spent on the poor?  Your priorities are messed up, Jesus. 

In Jared Wilson’s new book, Gospel Deeps, he says, “if holiness makes you a sourpuss, you’re doing it wrong.”  Reflecting on the power of the gospel to transform our joy and C.S. Lewis’ use of the term quiddity Wilson says,

If steak or wine or coffee or chocolate or anything else other than God is the highlight of my day or the ultimate joy of my heart, my joy is temporary, hollow, thin.  But if I believe in the gospel, I can finally enjoy the chocolate-ness of chocolate and the coffee-ness of coffee.  Only the gospel frees me to enjoy things as they truly now are and as they someday will be.  (Gospel Deeps, 91)

Yes, we continue to mourn the fact that we are under the weight of 16 trilion in debt, that wars happen, that people starve, etc.  The Lord is grieved by these things just as He was grieved by many things when he walked on the sands of this broken earth.  Yet, there was something about Jesus that was able to enjoy nard-soaked worship even while people were hungry.  I don’t know how that’s possible at times but I do know that it’s commanded.  And I know that an inability to enjoy a sunset is probably a reflection of a deeper-seated inability to dance in the accomplishments of the gospel.

Now please don’t hear me say that I believe President Obama is somehow following the Jesus Way and that he is able to watch college basketball because He has greater joy in Jesus.  That’s not my point.  My point isn’t to say that President Obama is correct—after all he may very well be fiddling while Rome burns—but my point is to say that the snarky rebukes aren’t necessarily correct either, in fact they are deadly to leaders.

For Leaders

If you are a leader that cannot find yourself commenting on a blown call on Monday Night Football because the world’s problems are too pressing it might be possible that you aren’t more holy but less holy.  It might be that you are convinced that you are the solution to the 16 trillion dollar debt and therefore how can you sleep.  Pastors can be tempted into thinking that they are the solution to the marital problems within their church, the financial troubles, the numbers issues, the lack of discipleship, etc.  But you aren’t.  Jesus is. 

To think that you are too important to enjoy a Monday Night Football game is arrogant.  And to imply that a world leader is flitting away his time because at 11:30 at night he turned on the television and ponders a blown call probably reveals either a subtle idolatry or a deep seated bitterness. 

Top 5 Reasons I Didn’t Go to Chick-fil-A Yesterday

In case you somehow missed it, yesterday was Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.  In the past few weeks they have come under fire from the LGBT community for CEO Dan Cathy’s support of traditional marriage.  Mike Huckabee delcared August 1st Chick-fil-A appreciation day and encouraged Christians and all those that support traditional marriage to show their support for the embattled franchise. 

I didn’t go. 

Here is why…

1. The closest Chick-fil-A is a little over an hour away from my house.  I wasn’t able to drive that far on a Wednesday.
2. The lines, I hear, were atrocious.  I don’t like long lines.
3. I only had 3-4 bucks. 
4. After working at Chick-fil-A for about 6 months my body developed a chemical dependency to their chicken and lemonade.  I’m trying to wean myself off and I really didn’t want to fall of the wagon.  Because of #1…I can’t get to a Chick-fil-A very often
5. It’s become more than simply supporting Chick-fil-A

Number 5 is the real reason I wouldn’t have went even if the other 4 things weren’t a factor.  If this was only about supporting Chick-fil-A from a ridiculous boycott then I’d be the first in line.  (Or well one of the first 500, at least). 

But it’s become more than that. 

It’s become a sort of counter-protest.  Consider the way Fox News reported it:

It used to be that taking a bite of a chicken sandwich just meant you were hungry. Now it has become a symbol of whether you stand for or against same-sex marriage, or – alternately – the right to express your personal views without fear of retaliation.

And though Christ is very counter-cultural and somewhat of a revolutionary in the eyes of the religious elite of his day, I’m not sure if the way of Christ would be to eat at Chick-fil-A to communicate that we value our American freedom, or chicken sandwiches, and traditional marriage. 

I’m not saying that Christ doesn’t support traditional marriage.  That’d be dumb.  He not only supports traditional marriage, He defines it.  And I’m not even saying that Jesus wouldn’t support Dan Cathy and probably buy a Chick-fil-A sandwich.  I just wonder if maybe he’d do it tomorrow when all the politicization isn’t surrounding it. 

I’m with Barnabas Piper in thinking that maybe this will cost a little more than we bargained for.

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Also, I’m not sure that those standing in line have counted the cost of eating a highly addictive and delicious chicken sandwich and their what seems to be heroine-laced lemonade.  Seriously, they’ll have to eat there every day now or go through painful withdraws. 

What I Hope We Remember After President Obama’s Public Support of Same-Sex Marriage

Yesterday the world was a buzz after President Obama’s public support of same-sex marriage.  This political strategy (his “evolution”) really caught nobody by surprise.  His public support only confirms what we have known for quite some time; our President has a very liberal agenda. 

On the day after I thought it may be good to reflect on a few things that are still the same even after this declaration.  I also hope to offer a few ways in which I hope the church responds to his public support of same sex marriage.  Here are my thoughts on this issue:

• Our “fight” is bigger than this.  The sanctity of marriage is a hugely important issue and one worth doing battle over.  Yet at the end of the day we must always remember that our fight is much bigger.  God is rooting out of his world all sin and unbelief and replacing it with passionate worshipers.  Homosexuality, Liberalism, American Freedom, etc. is not the fundamental fight, it is the gospel. 
• God is still sovereign.  The last time I checked the ending of the story it is not pending on whether or not a President or a nation (whose term and life is but a vapor) affirms or denies same-sex marriage.  That is not to increase passivity but to stir up a gospel-rest driven effort. 
• God is mighty to save.  At T4G Thabiti Anyabwile asked whether or not our gospel was powerful enough to transform a terrorist.  Today, I wonder is your gospel powerful enough to transform a homosexual?  If it is then it cannot be chained or stopped regardless of a law or a presidential vote of support. 
• People do not define marriage, God does.  I believe that John Piper said something similar to that, once.  This really is not something up for debate.  Call it arrogant, that is fine, but Scripture is pretty clear on what marriage is.  I’m not sure why we would be shocked that the world would have a different view and define it differently. 
• Fox News isn’t your hub for what is going on in the world.  By this I do not mean that bible prophecy teachers really know what is going on in Israel and the US.  What I mean is that the same thing is going on in our world that was going on in 1st century Palestine.  God created man.  We rebel.  We worship and serve the creature rather than creation.  In Jesus He provides redemption.  That is what is going on in the world.  Let Scripture interpret your world not Fox News and talk radio.  
• Remember why we do battle.  A good part of our battle is because we do not want people to legalize holding bombs with the pin on the floor.  This isn’t a battle to see who wins. 
• If we “lose” this battle lets respond as believers should.  It seems to me that what Barnabas Piper said here, also applies in this situation. 
• The believers citizenship is elsewhere and it is secure.  I pray that we live and respond as if we really believe that this is true.

I fear that some people will read this and miss what I am saying.  I am not saying that the sanctity of marriage is not a big issue.  It is important.  It is a truth worth fighting for.  I am in agreement with Kevin DeYoung in his article here.   I also agree with Joe Carter and others that call the President’s speech blasphemy.  I believe also that it is a finely timed political strategy and nothing close to an evolution and that it is dishonest and outright wrong for the President to pretend like he has finally accepted this position.  It’s wrong for him to drag Jesus through the muck of his idolatry as well.  I’m certainly not for this decision. 

My hope, though, is that we fight with the right weapons and wield them the correct way.  I preach, teach, write, and labor to see people become enthralled with Jesus not America.  I want people fit for the true King’s kingdom and not captivated by the kingdom of the ruler of a borrowed reign. 

Five +One Friday 2/10/12

Timmy Brister considers Structuring the Church for Maximum Edification.  Really good thoughts here and an article that I’m going to read and think through a little more today.

Another article to mull over is this one by Bobby Jamieson: Pastors, Don’t Let Your People Resign into Thin Air

The Journal of Biblical Counseling is Returning.  Woot, Woot!  I’m excited about this.  Watch the video below:

The return of The Journal of Biblical Counseling from CCEF on Vimeo.

Chuck Colson is calling Christians to civil disobedience in regards to President Obama’s recent HHS decision.  This could get rather interesting.  Personally, I don’t think we are quite at a spot yet where people will get thrown in prison.  But I’ve been wrong before. 

Ed Stetzer exposes The Baptist Bogeyman.  Interesting piece with much to commend it. 

One reason I’m excited about baseball in 2012 and beyond: The ROYALS have a stacked youth movement.  Sometime I’m going to have to make a trip back to Missouri, pick up my buddy Brian and head to KC to catch a game. 

The Face of Moralism

What will it take for America to see and experience a revival?  Or any nation for that matter? 

How you answer that question determines whether or not you are a moralist or gospel-centered. 

Every day I get emails or read articles from well-meaning Christians that say we need to get God back in America.  Of course what they mean by that is that we need to get pray back in our schools.  Let’s not let those liberal rascals take God out of schools—besides that’s why schools are getting shot up.  The reason that our government is becoming increasingly corrupt is because the 10 Commandments are not on the front lawn.  We’ve taken God out of the courtroom.  We need to repent as a nation and get God back on our side.

Add to this the abominable sins of abortion, homosexuality, and pornography.  If we get rid of these atrocities then we will be in a position to receive revival.  If that is your vision of revival then you have missed the gospel. 

Did you realize that this statement, “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?”, was leveled against a people that did everything we just described?  The Pharisees held the 10 commandments in high regard, they taught prayer, they fought against abortion, homosexuality, and a ton of other vices such as pornography.  So, if that is your vision for taking back America for God then it’s a vision that God Himself considers an abomination. 

Please do not misunderstand me.  God is not pro-abortion, His view of human sexuality has not changed, He still hates pornography, He upholds the 10 Commandments, and loves to hear the prayer of His people.  That’s not the point. 

The point is that God is in the business of “ransoming people for Himself from every tribe and language and people and nation” through Jesus.  And as He ransoms people He (not we), “make them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”  He is not in the business of simply making us better people. 

So, I ask do you stake the hope for America on our moralism and response to the Law?  Or do you stake the hope for America on the gospel of Jesus Christ that rescues, redeems, and restores gays, lesbians, porn-addicts, mothers that have had abortions, unrighteous judges, corrupt politicians, and even moralists? 

When I talk about moralistic therapeutic deism in the coming days this is in part what I am talking about. 

Lessons from Aesop: Lobbing ‘Grenades of Truth’ at the Wounded

A boy bathing in a river was in danger of being drowned. He called out to a passing traveler for help, but instead of holding out a helping hand, the man stood by unconcernedly, and scolded the boy for his imprudence. "Oh, sir!" cried the youth, "pray help me now and scold me afterwards." Counsel without help is useless.  From Aesop’s Fables.

Paul Tripp refers to this as “lobbing grenades of truth”.  I wonder how often and in how many areas we, as the church, do this to struggling believers and unbelievers.  Are there homosexuals dying of AIDS and without Christ that we refuse to reach out to?  Are there poor people that spend their money unwisely that we ignore?  Are there teenagers that we refuse to counsel because of their unwise choices?   

I fear that we often look more like the passing traveler than Jesus.  We are pretty good about exercising church discipline.  But sadly the church discipline that we often exercise is on unbelievers.  We let many that claim to be believers go untouched (so long as they are within our friendly confines, tithe, or at least on our membership rolls) with discipline and we “discipline” those are not even within the church. 

You see Aesop really does well at pointing out the ministry of Jesus here.  Jesus most frequently helped and then counseled.  The only time you really see the opposite is with the religious elite that “don’t need help”.  If we only lob truth at people and scold them in their sin then our counsel is useless.  If we only help people but never counsel them then our help is shallow at best. 

Perhaps, rather than boycotting Pepsi and picketing gay parades we should try to build a relationship.  Perhaps, rather than saying to a poor person we will only give 25% to your electric bill we should give until it hurts us, come alongside the person making poor decisions, and counsel them in biblical finances.

But of course lobbing grenades is far easier.  It is more destructive but at least it takes less out of us than hand-to-hand combat.  I could probably lob 15 grenades to every instance of hand-to-hand combat, but it remains impersonal.   So, which type of ministry do you want with people?  Easy yet destructive or tough yet personal?

Borrowed Light: Today in Blogworld 02/26

Ingrown toenails are painful to endure. Apparently so are Ingrown Churches. Joe Thorn gives 7 signs that your church is ingrown. (HT: Steve McCoy)

Ouch! Trevin Wax delivers a convicting post on ear-tickling preaching. Here is a sample: "We crave a message that puffs us up. And ironically, the very message that is supposed to cut us low, the message of the cross can be delivered in such a way that people walk out of the congregation having patted themselves on the back."

Michael Patton gives us some Random Thoughts of Emergence.

The Reformed Mafia continues its series on Trouble with Frank Page. See Part 3, here.

Os Guinness has a wonderful quote, that resonates well with me, concerning the victim mentality of the Religious Right. (HT: JT)

Steve Camp provides an excerpt of Questions Given to Young Ministers by Isaac Watts.

I am praying that our church catchs the vision laid out by John Piper, here. Our entire church family should be worshipping together and not age-segregated.

Even though Nathan Busenitz has presented the case that Christians are not under the Law, he begins his new series on Appealing to the Law. See Part 1 and 2.

Borrowed Light: Today in Blogworld 02/15

Tim Challies tries to answer whether or not our forgiveness is unconditional. Challies takes this position: "We are to model God’s forgiveness; God forgives conditionally; there we are to forgive conditionally."

The Irish Calvinst shares with us a wonderful quote, "You should be ready to preach, pray, or die in 5 minutes".

It may be a little too polemic for my taste, but Steve Camp has a good article (as well as wonderful questions) concerning faith and politics.

Sovereign Grace Ministries is hosting a Pastors College preaching conference. One brave soul asked about discouragement. You can read the response of C.J. Mahaney, Jeff Purswell, and Mike Bullmore, here.

There are numerous stories off the press concerning the recent news of Dr. Mohler. First of all, Dr. Mohler has a pre-cancerous tumor on his colon. Secondly, this means that he will not seek nomination for the SBC Presidency. Since it seems to me that Founders broke the story, they get the link.

Michael McKinley says that pastors should feed their sheep. "It seems to me that pastors are shepherds: if there's malnutrition in the flock it may or may not be our fault, but it is most definitely our problem." Thabiti responds.

Is God a God of second chances? Dan Phillips says, sometimes.

Tony Reinke continues his series on Engagle Culture with the Supremacy of God. We are treated to part 2 today.

2 Worlds Collide offers us the current list of the Top 10 Persecuted Nations.

David, of the Thirsty Theologian, begins his series answering why he is a Calvinist.

These all deserve an (HT:JT). The Washington Post profiles Eric Redmond. Michael Patton maps the emergent conversation.