Your real life now

Pastor Byron Yawn writes, "My duty as a pastor is not to provide a sufficient answer when the broken human heart is demanding it. My duty is to describe a God who can be trusted as good even when there are no satisfactory answers."

Amen.

Reading with them new fangled whatchamajiggers

I had been considering getting an e-reader for a few months. I kept struggling with my love for paper, highlighters, and the mobility a book offers. This set me to thinking about how I might use an e-reader. Should I approach it as a general replacement for my library? Should I use it for a subset of my reading? What kind of functions should I look for? Is this another piece of technology that will absorb my time and energy on the tool itself, distracting me from the discipline of reading?

An e-reader must be simple. This decision led me away from all of the android palmtop computing devices. Computers have whittled my life away one CPU clock-cycle at a time. The last thing I need is another sparkly 'efficient computer' to efficiently kill my soul with distraction and gee whiziness.

An e-reader must come from a solid vendor. This decision steered me away from bargain basement readers which will prove to have no legs and even fewer titles. In my eyes, we're only talking about two possibilities at this point.  Amazon' s Kindle and Barnes & Noble's Nook. In general I think Amazon has the stronger business model and financial position.  Even so, there are no guarantees that your technology purchase of today will be viable 10 years from now, which leads to the next point.

An e-reader is not a wholesale replacement for printed books. Especially academic publications which continue to be referenced and useful for decades. Both the volatility of electronic media and the need to reference several works simultaneously render the e-reader an incomplete replacement for the printed book.

Based on these decisions, I purchased a bottom-end kindle and several non-academic titles, as well as dirt-cheap (but valuable as diamond-encrusted gold bars) puritan works. It has proven to be a transparent, convenient, usable and non-distracting tool which gives easy access to works that will feed my soul and shape me for years to come. I've also purchased a couple longer academic works to try test the waters, wading into entended treatments of Biblical Theology. In light of the realistic encouragement to be found in another recent post, I'm no longer stressed out to remember everything, to highlight every word, or to read every book ever published.  In retrospect, the touch-based model might have been a better choice, but either would prove serviceable. I don't pretend that I've figured all of the assumptions or impacts out, but am thankful for the tool and recommend it for your consideration.

A couple of thoughts on reading and writing

I'm a reader. I've written a few things. Over the years, there have been discouragements to both found in the oddest of places. Urban legends surrounding evangelical super-heroes kill my desire to read and write.  How so? Al Mohler has the library of Congress in his study, has memorized every book, and can reason and quote freely from any chosen discipline. I can't remember where I left my car keys. James White can write 15-page single-spaced replies to anonymous emails he receives in about 15 seconds.  It takes me four months to compose a 15 word post.  Jonathan Edwards is such a passionate writer who, even though he has been dead for a very long time, is still writing books today. I'm still breathing and struggle to communicate conviction to my closest friends,let alone getting it down clearly in black and white. D.A. Carson absorbs entire books in 2 page snippets read in the 'downtime' between each breath. I read and re-read a single page of Carson in the space of a day and still can't understand what he's saying.

If you're still standing on the plain looking up longingly at the heights of the evangelical Kilimanjaro, don't give up.  It is heartening to see reflections in the evangelical community that, shall we say, lighten the load a little for us mere mental midgets.

Douglas Wilson, realist.

That's my King!

JT posted a very inspiring little video.


That's My King! from Albert Martin on Vimeo.

A Brief History of Trinitarian Thought

The Trinity is a great doctrine which evangelicals would do well to spend more energy on (including myself).  As an encouragement for you, the following link will take you to an hour-long discussion on the history of Trinitarian thought, hosted by Reformed Forum.  The dialogue includes Dr. Carl Trueman, Professor of Historical Theology and Church History at Westminster Seminary. This is an academic introduction so is a bit of heavy lifting at times. 

A description of the program and the audio can be found here.  Or you can jump directly to the audio file by clicking here.

HT: FBH

Pat Robertson, Alzheimer's, and Words That Cut

I thank God for Dr. Moore's response to the public idiocy displayed by Pat Robertson.

http://www.russellmoore.com/2011/09/15/christ-the-church-and-pat-robertson/

Against Heresies: When the Gospel gets personal

Martin Downes; pastor, author, and blogger of Against Heresies; preaches on Acts 24:24-27. When the Gospel gets personal. Pastor Downes breathes personality and life into the historic account of Paul and Festus and brings it home to us today.

One caveat. You may want to simply listen but not watch the video. The video shuttles between camera angles in a rapid-fire and distracting manner.

Heaven is for real - a book review

Friends,
There are so many books to read.  Some are good.  Some, not so much.  One very popular book in Christian bookstores now is called Heaven is for Real.  Please, do not judge this book by its cover, but rather, by its content.  Kevin Miller gives a thought-provoking review of this popular work.

New Sunday School Series Begins

After a summer hiatus enabled by Pastor Kevin Miller taking the helm of the adult Sunday School class, I return to teaching this wonderful group of souls.  We will be focusing on various aspects of Christ, using Kris Lundgaard's book Through the Looking Glass. 

The first lesson will be September 11, 2011.  The series will run approximately 4 months, taking us through the end of 2011.  Please stop by First Evangelical Free Church at 9am on Sunday mornings and join us.  We would love to have you.

For Our Friends in Australia

Coming to Brisbane, Australia in October 2011, an important debate on the nature of God.  I hope you will be able to attend.  I have known Dr. James White for many years and have learned much from him.  You will benefit from attending, listening, and contemplating the great truth of the Biblical Triune God which James will present.

A Personal Note

Dear Friends,

I am hopeful that the clouds are lifting and the extended hours I have had to invest recently at work are starting to level off to a more normal level.  That said, I will be helping at my home church with the young men's small group, as well as adult Sunday School teaching. I believe I will also be able to engage in some good reading and some writing. This is a positive development for me and I look forward to returning to more regular posting here.

A note from the trenches

Dear Readers,
Is there peace to be found in the midst of a busy time when it seems, as it were, that God sets you aside?  When you have precious little energy to devote to focused study & prayer and even less time, does the light go out?  Has God forgotten you?

I remain convinced that God is faithful.  His grace and mercy never run dry.  While the desert might seem harsh, He guides you there for a purpose.  Challenges and failures are tools in the Master's hand, molding you as He sees fit, purposefully and with great care.

Eaten alive

My job is consuming my life again.  I regret not being able to write but don't even have time to read.  I should be able to return to semi-regular posting at the beginning of 2012.

How to be a discerning reader

Here is a model for you to follow. "Do I wear Biblical glasses when reading?"

http://fefcsc.org/blog2/2011/06/27/review-heaven-is-for-real/

Words of Wisdom

"All human wisdom must be denied, when it comes in competition with the doctrine of Christ." - Charnock

What should I look for in a church?

Down to earth advice from 9 Marks.

Challenging, Helpful, Insightful, and Life-Changing

I just finished reading Tim Challies' book The Next Story. I believe this book will have a huge impact, not so much for any final analysis that Tim provides, but rather because he has started the discussion with very insightful and penetrating questions. Over the next few years, I believe the seeds he plants with this book will grow and bear fruit in the writings of many. In a nutshell, Christian lives will be changed for the better through a ripple effect springing from the ideas the author presents in these 200 pages.

How well will we live the Christian life in the 21st century? However we choose to do it, technology will undoubtedly play a large role. The Next Story will help you see behind the curtain and will coax, if not literally force, you to examine your use of digital tools (and their use of you).

I am 45 years old and do not simply recognize many of the shifts that Tim writes about. No, not simple recognition... it is a resonance that runs through my mind and is working its way out through my actions. I am not a little ashamed of my unquestioning embrace of things digital, which has been accompanied by innumerable failures and shifts in perception on my part. This is an eye-opening work. It almost makes me feel like Saul when the scales fell from his eyes and he could see again.

My heart-felt advice and urging for you - read The Next Story.

I love being a dad

I love being a dad. Although I've messed things up and I'll make more mistakes and missteps, I love being a dad. I don't get it right. I don't know the future. I say the wrong things. I love being a dad. About the time I might have something figured out, things change. The kids grow to young adults, their lives change, they make plans and prepare for the next phase of their lives. I love being a dad. I'm sentimental. I love looking at old pictures. I see the promises of my own life fading as the winds of time wear them down little by little. I have hope because of Jesus. I love being a dad. I miss my dad - another father's day without him here. I remember his advice and support and just plain fatherly love. I love being a dad. I lose focus. I chase the wrong things. I get distracted. I forget the most important things in life. I love being a dad. I've never been a coach. I'm not much for sports. I get preoccupied with work. I complain a lot. I love being a dad.

I am a dad only because of my children. I love being a dad because I love them. It's not about me. It's about them. I love being a dad because of the special people God has gifted into my life, for me to care for and provide for and support and love and be loved by.

I'm far from perfect, much closer to broken, but I still love being a dad. Thank you kids, for all that you do. I love you.

Words of Wisdom

"No amusement is innocent which takes away the soul from Jesus." --Hewitson (quoted in Bonar)

Words of Wisdom

"Procrastination has been called a thief - the thief of time. I wish it were no worse than a thief. It is a murderer; and that which it kills is not time merely, but the immortal soul." --Nevins, (quoted in Bonar)