Intellectum Valde Amat

Quick Thoughts On Tiger Woods Scandal

2009-12-04T01:09:00.003-05:00

It's back...scandal! I was hoping ClimateGate would get more attention, but Tiger Wood's recently discovered affair(s) is out in all news venues. Rather than add pointless observations, here are my personal thoughts.

1- Tiger is human. Sometimes we build up celebrities to be bigger than life. We can sometimes believe that they are decent moral people. This is not the first time that a scandal has broken out with a major celebrity and it seems when a scandal breaks out, many people believe it is their responsibility to get in the mess. They feel they have just as much right to know the dirt as the family that is being torn apart by this. We saw it with John and Kate.

2- Tiger messed up. Though he is human, he also has to own up to his responsibility in this. He has two children and a beautiful wife that will be damaged as a result of his decisions.

3- We love gossip. Everyone believes they need to know the grisly details. The ones that are the worst at this should also in return have their private lives exposed. We take some sick joy in people's filth.

4- Tiger isn't his dad...yet. I have always loved the story of his relationship with his dad. What a model of fatherhood he had. Now he has blown it. It is my hope and prayer he will be able to redeem his mistake and be the father his dad was to him.

5- Pray for Tiger and his family...period.

And all five points of these come from a non-Tiger fan. He grates on me though he is an amazing golfer. I'm still a Mickleson fan.

Great Quote by Kenneth Ulmer

2009-10-25T17:15:00.002-04:00

I forgot about this but was going through some old sermon notes today. Kenneth Ulmer gave this illustration at the Willow Creek Conference several years back. Fantastic!

You see a clump of marble in my hand is just a piece of glass, but marble in Michelangelo’s hand will get you a magnificent statue of David -
Because it all depends on whose hand it’s in.
A cello in my hand will get you some squeaky noise, but a violin in Yo Yo Ma will get you the music of the masters -
Because it all depends on whose hand it’s in.
A basketball in my hand is worth about $29.95, but in Shaquille O’Neal’s hand with hang time and a slam-dunk is worth about 30 million dollars -
Because it all depends on whose hand it’s in.
A tennis racket in my hand is a dangerous weapon, but a tennis racket in Venus Williams’s hand is a Wimbledon champion -
Because it all depends on whose hand it’s in.
A golf club in my hand means ‘look out!’ but a golf club in Tiger Woods’s hand is a golfing champion -
Because it all depends on whose hand it’s in.
You see if you look at a rod or stick, a rod in my hand will fight off the dogs, but a rod in Moses’ hand will part the Red Seas of your life -
Because it all depends on whose hand it’s in.
A slingshot in my hand is just a kid’s toy, but a slingshot in David’s hand will stop the Goliaths in your life -
Because it all depends on whose hand it’s in.
Spit and clay in my hand might get you some little mud cakes, but spit and clay in Jesus’ hand will open up the blinded eyes -
Because it all depends on whose hand it’s in.
Two fish and five loaves of bread is a couple of fish sandwiches in my hand, but two fish in Jesus’ hand will feed the multitudes -
Because it all depends on whose hand it’s in.
Nails in my hand might get you a birdhouse, but nails in Jesus’ hand hanging on a cross between thieves is salvation for the whole world -
Because it all depends on whose hand it’s in.
This (life) of yours in your hand is a dismal failure, but when you put it in the hands of God you will glorify the kingdom, God’s name will be exalted, His kingdom will be edified, His people will be glorified and the devil will be horrified in the name of Jesus -
Because it all depends on whose hand it’s in.”

Inspirational Moments with Dan Alban

2009-07-28T12:11:00.002-04:00

Just was reminded of this one this past week. Thought I'd put video up of good inspirational moments on film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uASVzkrEKgs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEGSiX0JA-s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6wRkzCW5qI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svTDylT8nJA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0SgBOREvb8

Happy July 4th...Boston Style

2009-07-04T12:16:00.001-04:00

Viva Americana

Boston - Star Spangled Banner

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2177592

Why Dan Struggles Cheering For USA Soccer

2009-06-29T02:46:00.003-04:00

I realize that I'm about to put a gigantic target on me, be called a traitor and be told to move to Brazil. And I don't care. I am proud to be a fan of Brazilian football and have followed them as long as I can remember. And off we go.

Reason #1- I'm a Brazil fan. My family served there as missionaries and my brother was born there. My family cheered for them because in the 70's and 80's, USA soccer was laughable. No matter how hard they tried to popularize it (including bringing Brazilian Pele to the USA), they failed. No one watched. Brazilian's have passion about their team that has been around for generations. My family cheers for them. I am a proud American and hope for the best for the USA, but I cheer for Brazil. I cheer for USA in every other sport.

Reason #2- USA soccer style. The MLS is ugly soccer...period. I am bored trying to watch it. I find myself captivated at Italian, English and German football, but MLS can come across as middle school soccer compared to them. I thought this may change a few years back when the US had the chance to hire Klinsmann to manage and bring European style to America. Instead they hired an American. And the US team continues to be average. We blow every nation away in every other sport except soccer. US style is boring. Honestly, it bores me to tears and I can't last over 20 minutes.

Reason #3- US Soccer fans. I'll be careful here. I have a number of good friends who actually follow the US team year round (Billy Hearn!). These are true fans. Then, there are those who follow when the US is doing well. The majority of America has little to no appreciation for soccer and it is alarming. They complain that its to boring, slow and has no scoring. They say they don't mind low scores because "I watch baseball." However, if baseball scores were normally only 1-0, 2-1 or 0-0, would they still watch without complaining. The American sports fan (of which I am one) expects a lot of action and a lot of scoring. I am hoping that the US' recent success translates into more of a devoted fan base, but I still see soccer as always being less popular than the big four, golf, MMA, and World Series of Poker. Sad.

Reason #4- US World Cup. If the USA were to win the World Cup, there would be celebration for about a week or two by 95% of the USA. They would see a surge in MLS sales and interest in the team. After 3 months, they would be right back where they are now- not watching and bored with it. Winning the World Cup would be like winning a free Big Mac: exciting, but not life altering.

Reason #5- Brazil. The place breeds soccer players. There style is beautiful. Their fans are fanatical even in the most remote of villages. The history is long. They never disappoint even when they don't win (I'm still trying to live down 2 World Cup losses to France). They do it better than anyone in the planet. They are the Tiger Woods of soccer. You have to appreciate them and they normally are not arrogant (minus Romario a few years back). They love the game.

Compromise. It the USA plays Brazil, I cheer for Brazil. If the USA plays Ireland, I cheer for Ireland (my roots). If the USA plays England or France, I cheer for the USA. I cheer for the USA for almost every match up other than the team I have cheered for longer than most of the new US fans have been cheering for their team. If I chose a team, I stick with them...kinda like the Calvinist view on predestination, election and perseverance of the saints : )

So if you are offended that I don't cheer for the USA in ONE sport that is underappreciated by 95% of the country (except when they are winning), I apologize. I have my loyalties. And I will wave an American flag on July 4th, be a proud Philadelphian, eat hot dogs and ice cream, listen to Bruce Springstein and Johnny Cash, defend our messed up government, and offer my service to the point of death to protect this country. But when it comes to soccer..."Terra adorada, Entre outras mil, És tu, Brasil, Ó Pátria amada!"

Fire away...

Reflections of Jacko

2009-06-26T02:31:00.003-04:00

Michael Jackson dead at 50. Thank goodness for Drudge. I saw after the headline broke at around 4PM. I was shocked needless to say. Now, I've never been a huge Michael Jackson fan. I do have a lot of his music mainly because of the memories they bring. I will admit a mixture of feelings for him.

I was in third grade. My parents raised us very conservatively and secular rock music was a huge no-no. One of my closest friends named John Victoria invited me over to his house in the neighborhood. He broke out the brand new Thriller album by Michael Jackson. I would for the next few months, go over to his house and listen to it there...I know...I was EVIL. : ) Human Nature stuck out and I remember the Rosemont High School band playing it for the Elementary school that I was attending. My friends had parachute pants, red leather jackets and white gloves. I was not allowed to wear this stuff, but I remember wanting to have my own pair.

Then there was college. My roomies at LBC had his History album and popped it in from time to time. I never understood that, but the song Do You Remember stuck with me as did Man in the Mirror.

I remember going to the National Youth Worker Convention and Chris Tomlin's band warming up the crowd by playing the music for Billie Jean. I also remember my cousin Doug playing Will You Be There full volume on his stereo at my aunt and uncles house.

His potential pedophilia is obvious. We can't overlook it. It just seemed to convenient to not be true. I know God will know. I think there was some serious mental issues.

I remember hearing about his upbringing which I'll admit played a part in me starting to sympathize a little bit for him. His family makes the Simpsons and Bundys look like Ozzie and Harriet. His dad stole their childhood by forcing them into the music business. The after effects obviously impacted him by him living out his childhood well into his adult years.

My heart hurts for his children who had a very confused father. I hope for the best for them. I hope he knew Christ. Such a gifted musician and a confused individual. Even his debt is shocking. He had no guidance or he lived in another world. He spent money he didn't have. Such a sad story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4s16pzRYqU

My Summer Reading List

2009-06-09T11:36:00.002-04:00

This is a "hopefully will get to read list" for the summer due to the craziness of work and classes. I have my pile beckoning me in my room. The following are ones I hope to read or reread by the end of the summer.

1. Christless Christianity by Michael Horton: I'm really excited about this one. The summary says, "Christless Christianity guides the reader to a greater understanding of a big problem within the American religious setting, namely the creeping fog of countless sermons in churches across the country that focus on moralistic concerns and personal transformation rather than the theology of the cross."

2. The Pursuit of God by AW Tozer: My bro bought this one for me awhile back. I've never read Tozer but have heard great things about this.

3. The Cost of Discipleship by Deitrich Bonhoeffer: I've read the majority of it before minus a few end chapters, but this is a must read for any believer. Amazing wisdom from the '40's that translates into today.

4. The Five Points of Calvinism by Steele and Thomas: an old friend bought this for me a long time ago. Since there is a massive surge in reform theology, I want to make sure I understand the distinctives of the beliefs.

5. From Good to Great by Jim Collins: I had to skim read this one before, but was very interested in the depth that came out of it for team building.

6. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell: A classic that every leader MUST have. Another reread, but so much wisdom in it!

7. The Collected Works of C.S. Lewis: I know...that is A LOT to read, but I have been getting some amazing truth from the guy recently. I LOVE it.

8. The Reason For God by Tim Keller: I heard him in a podcast from Berkeley doing apologetical defense and he was fantastic.

9. The Case for Civility by Os Guiness: I heard him on White Horse Inn discussing this book and it hit a homerun with me. I really look forward to diving in!

Individualism and Seclusion

2009-05-31T19:29:00.001-04:00

We are in a culture that now more than ever seems to emphasize individualism above all things. A look back at our history reveals how much we have changed and this has crept into the church.

Flipping on Leave it to Beaver or even It’s a Wonderful Life, it is very visible the differences between then and now. In past generations, Americans were proud to be a part of America. There were no individual interest groups or emphasis on differences (minus racial issues). If we were at war, people rallied to help the country win the war through sacrifice. Families were a part of neighborhoods and most everyone on the block knew each other and would socialize together. They were a community. Church came in a “one size fits all” model instead of the customized models today. People genuinely cared about their neighbor and would go out to the movies together and do things as a community. Andy Griffith is a great example of the level of small town USA dynamics that once were just a part of being American.

Today is a different story. Americans aren’t Americans. They are African-Americans, Irish-Americans or Native-Americans. You aren’t a sexual being. You are heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual. You are conservative Republican, moderate Republican, moderate Democrat, progressive Democrat, Socialist or Libertarian. Our habits are no longer about community. Instead of going to the movies, we have to have a home theater. We don’t have to shop at the store because we can log onto Ebay or Amazon and have it delivered. We don’t even have to go to college anymore because we can do it online! The Ipod and Itunes are based on the idea of individuality. One can now select their own personal mix or music without having to listen to pop stations or buy entire albums. We’re defined by where we shop, the teams we align with and the religion we follow. Everything is centering on personal convenience and individuality.

The church has taken on this role some. The church has emphasized the customized service. There are contemporary services, traditional services, Gen-X services, youth services, recovery ministry services, seeker-services, etc. A believer doesn’t have to set foot in a church anymore because we have online video streaming of services. We encourage family unity while we split them up for services. In the more liberal denominations, an individual can customize their beliefs in God to fit their preference. They can borrow from all different faiths even if they don’t line up and make sense.

Now this isn’t a critique of what the church is doing wrong. This is simply a view of what is happening and a commentary that if we are going to encourage family unity and community outreach, we need to make sure we our allowing opportunities to do so. If we are centralized on the individual experience of the believer, we can easily forget about the corporate and community of believers. Though there is a level of individuality that isn’t bad, we cannot throw out the baby with the bath water. Our culture is starved for companionship as we see with the boom of Facebook. Twitter shows our genuine care that people know what is going on in our every day life. The church must learn how to balance individuality and fellowship.

Best Bonhoeffer Chapter Yet! Quote-mania!

2009-05-19T12:15:00.001-04:00

Below is a repost from earlier this year. The more the past year has passed, the more this burns in my soul to wake up the church, especially in light of the Innovate Church conference that is going on at TRBC. When was the gospel ever easy? Wake up America. We are in a post-Christian society.

***********************

WOW I read the chapter Discipleship and the Cross. BAM! Great stuff. Below are some of the best quotes from this chapter. The modern church needs to heed to the words this man as they are speaking to us from his grave. Powerful thoughts here:

"Jesus must therefore make it clear beyond all doubt that the must of suffering applies to his disciples no less than to himself...discipleship means adherence to the person of Jesus, and therefore submission to the law of Christ which is the law of the Cross."

"To deny oneself is to be aware only of Christ and no more of self, to see only him who goes before and no more the road which is too hard for us."

"If in the end we know only him, if we have ceased to notice the pain of our own cross, we are indeed looking only to him."

"If our Christianity has ceased to be serious about discipleship, if we have watered down the gospel into emotional uplift which makes no costly demands and which fails to distinguish between natural and Christian existence, then we cannot help regarding the cross as an ordinary calamity, as one of the trials and tribulations of life. We have then forgotten that the cross means rejection and shame as well as suffering."

"When Christ calls a man, he bids him to come and die."

"The call of Christ, his baptism, sets the Christian in the middle of the daily arena against sin and the devil. Every day he encounters new temptations, and every day he must suffer anew for Jesus Christ's sake."

"Suffering, then, is the badge of true discipleship."

The Post Spring Semester Update

2009-05-17T01:39:00.003-04:00

I managed to pull 4 A's and 1 B on my final grades. I was bummed about the B, but who's complaining? I pulled highest grade in my Hebrew final- 98!
I started my summer semester with an intensive Theology and Ethics. I learned nothing. I am also taking History of Baptists (snore), Hermeneutics and American Christianity. Fall is still up in the air, but I'm at least taking Hebrew Exegesis. I love it!
I am a breath away from my concealed carry license and will be purchasing a Glock 23 .40 cal in the next week : )
The 26th-28th of May, I will be traveling to New Hampshire to interview at Trinity Baptist Church in Nashua. It is a student pastor position and I'm pretty excited for the chance. As my burden for the Boston area has grown, I now have a chance to possibly minister in a spiritually dark part of our country. I can use prayer!
June 4-6 I will be going with the brother in law to Raleigh NC for the Advance '09 conference. John Piper, Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler and Ed Stetzer will be speaking. Major Calvinists so it should be interesting : )
Music has been at a lull. I've been revisiting some older albums such as Digital Underground, Velvet Revolver, Jawbone Hill, and the like. I need new music! Gaslight Anthem has been worn out by me. Recently my new songs of interest have been: Cold War Kids "Rubidoux", Coldplay "Life in Technicolor II", Coldplay "42", and Gaslight Anthem "Miles Davis and the Cool." I also did pick up the newest Diana Krall album.

Ode to Arlen Specter

2009-04-28T14:47:00.000-04:00

Though I may not be physically present in the city of Philadelphia and the wonderful state of Pennsylvania, I am an avid news watcher for the state and city. I keep up with everything going on just as though I was still there. I miss my home.

Today the news broke that Arlen Specter, total clown senator, switched parties. I am reminded of the last time this joker ran for office. He is what Rush Limbaugh calls, “a RINO…Republican In Name Only.” The only ramification for the switch is the filibuster proof senate. Other than that, the boy is doing nothing he didn’t do before. He’s been laughable as a Republican.

The polls are showing that Pat Toomey (who almost took the position from him in the last primary) was destroying Specter in the polls. His only way of surviving was to switch parties. His act is old. It also makes me happy I voted for Toomey last time.

What this does tell us is the continued slow spread of liberalism and post-Christianity coming down from its home in New England. The last few elections have shown PA slowly becoming more and more liberal. They are becoming more like NY, MA and NJ. The moral decline of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh carry the rest of the state.

Another thought is more proof for the reason why pastors and church-planters must strategically target the heart of the beast- New England. If the church wants to shut off the fountain, they need to go where this is breeding. No longer can we run from Boston, NYC and Connecticut. If we refuse because “it’s too hard” then we are only holding back the liberal tsunami that is going to overtake the Northern USA. The church can run to rural areas and the Bible belt and it only postpones the inevitable. Get with the program pastors and church planters.

The church has been holding on to our political power for years. It’s become painfully obvious that we are slowly losing power as religious right. Politics can’t change an immoral people. The gospel can and must. We can do our best with politics, but our hope is not in DC but JC. Politics control the outward behavior of men, but it does not transform the heart.

Thank You Harry K! RIP

2009-04-13T18:29:00.001-04:00

Not much to add. His best moment this past year. RIP Harry. You're one of a kind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4IHefE3xgY

Billy Joel - She's Got A Way...my Desperado

2009-03-29T00:38:00.002-04:00

Remember the Seinfeld episode where Elaine is dating a guy who would go into a trance whenever the song Desperado would go on? Yeah...this song is my Desperado. Found the live video...total magic.
http://www.mtv.com/videos/billy-joel/258169/shes-got-a-way.jhtml

Billy Joel - New Music - More Music Videos

Love and Vulnerability Quote by C.S. Lewis

2009-03-20T11:19:00.003-04:00

I quoted part of this but just got the whole thing. WOW. So much my thoughts and struggles right now:

There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket — safe, dark, motionless, airless — it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell. I believe that the most lawless and inordinate loves are less contrary to God’s will than a self-invited and self-protective lovelessness…We shall draw nearer to God, not by trying to avoid the sufferings inherent in all loves, but by accepting them and offering them to Him; throwing away all defensive armour. If our hearts need to be broken, and if He chooses this as a way in which they should break, so be it. What I know about love and believe about love and giving ones heart began in this. (C.S. Lewis - The Four Loves)

Update 3.20.09

2009-03-20T00:40:00.003-04:00

Been an interesting month. Here are the highlights:

School is good. Pulled a 96% final grade in church planting. Maintaining about a 3.8 GPA. Hebrew is pulling me down and yet I love it! Sick I know. I just registered for fall. So far I have Hebrew Exegesis, Beginning Greek and OT Orientation. I need to add one or two more. I just want to get DONE.
I just started listening to MacArthur's sermons on the five points of Calvinism. The man has brains oozing out his ears. Some very interesting points to consider.
I led worship at Arbor Baptist Church this past Sunday. It's the first time I've led worship since I led my AMPED kiddies on January 13, 2007. It was pretty emotional for me. So many memories flooded my mind. I picked songs that explain where I am at and what I'm still going through.
Southern Seminary is looking like the strongest candidate for me to do my PhD through. I wish I could do Gordon Conwell in Mass, but they have no PhD programs. So far I'm aiming for Church History and Historical Theology.
Been obsessed with the show Gangland recently. It's fascinating when you get into the psychology and sociology of a gang. You see the same patterns, but the most important theme is loyalty. All members want to belong to something bigger than themselves.
I'm checking out some potential short trips this summer. I'm hoping to hit my homecity in July and see friends, the Phillies and such. I miss that place so much. I miss the Jersey shore. I REALLY want to go to Lake Winnipesaukee this summer again. I love that place so much.
Been listening to Dub Trio, Dashboard Confessional, and a ton of old stuff for memory's sake. The past is the past, but you can sense it all again when you listen to songs that remind you of where you've come from and what you are going through.

I've been thinking about vulnerability. Its something I tend to do to myself a lot. In order to love people, you have to make your heart vulnerable. It is based on trust and there is always that possibility that the friends and loved one are going to stomp on your heart. Why do you do it? Because it is a sign of your love for them. You submit the most tender part of your soul, your heart, to them in return for relationship and hopefully returned love. Vulnerability shows all of your weakness, all of your wounds, all your struggles. It's so beautiful when the favor is returned and all the people involved show their weakness to each other. It's a sign that we are all weak humans in need of each other. I hope I'm vulnerable with all, but I know I open myself up to the potential for wounding. It's a risk we all have to take for the purpose of fellowship and love. It also helps you hurt for others and understand where they are at.

As CS Lewis put it:

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2009-03-17T00:02:00.002-04:00

To celebrate the Irish heritage, a few of my favorite tunes by Celtic bands. Solas is fantastic! Flogging is a blast. The Coors rock my world with this song.

New Calvinism Makes Time's List

2009-03-13T11:51:00.002-04:00

Article

Interesting that this is one of the up and coming movements in the church and now its even gaining attention in a secular magazine as a movement. Reasons that I like this. One- the majority of neo-Reformed churches are committed to Scriptural teaching and the T word that most seeker-sensitive churches run from (..theology). They are committed less to the flashy service as much as they are basing their success of the Word of God. What a concept!!! Second, the conversion in a Reformed church is a big deal- not for the sake of a number, but for the sake of the commitment factor. If you're saved, its expected to show in your desire for growth. This has been treated as secondary by many megachurches. Third, a movement to this will make it more difficult to be a nominal or pretend Christian and hang around for years to be entertained. What I mean is the separation of wheat and tares and the purification of the church will become a bigger movement. Thank Goodness!

The only feelings I have that are to the negative. Some are based in the few areas I'm wrestling with theologically with predestination and limited atonement. Second, some, including my favorite Mark Driscoll, are buying into the satellite church deal. I really struggle with this as I've mentioned before due to it becoming the new face of denominations. Marketing needs to be kept in balance as well. It can't become the bigger emphasis over God doing his work. He doesn't need flashy posters and catch phrases to build his church. He's more than capable of building it on his own.

Driscoll has some additional thoughts on the article:
http://theresurgence.com/new_calvinism
http://theresurgence.com/time_magazine_new_reformed

The Coming Evangelical Collapse

2009-03-11T13:27:00.004-04:00

Article

I have to admit that after reading this article, I was shaken. I had to remind myself that this is a prediction and predictions are prone to failure. The reason this was scary is some of it was things I've been thinking and saying and seeing on my own. It was weird to see someone else seeing the same things. I would like to comment on some of the observations that the author made.

"...they (Protestants) will soon be living in a very secular and religiously antagonistic 21st century."

It seems that polls on even the most conservative news sites are seeing the growing rise of secularism and the dropping numbers of those who claim a religion. The Catholic Church has been diving for years. The Southern Baptists have seen dropping numbers for the first time in their history. The reason could be one of a million different things. From the moral stands of religion, to the belief in absolute truth, to the scandals that rock the church. Most don't like being told that their opinions are wrong and in an era of political correctness, they don't want a church to tell them how to live.

Intolerance of Christianity will rise to levels many of us have not believed possible in our lifetimes, and public policy will become hostile toward evangelical Christianity, seeing it as the opponent of the common good.

This isn't the first time this has happened. In Ancient Rome, the Christians were seen as ones that were causing political problems with Roman leadership. They were accused of being cannibals, atheists and rebels. Also in the French Revolution, Christianity was seen as something that caused war and violence and led to the rise of secularism in response. Religion was the enemy of peace and logic. Both of these were overcome. There is no reason that this won't be overcome in time.

Millions of Evangelicals will quit. Thousands of ministries will end. Christian media will be reduced, if not eliminated. Many Christian schools will go into rapid decline.

The current economic decline is beginning to usher this in. There are calls for donations from Christian radio, churches, schools, seminaries, etc. Honestly, the modern church tends to be obsessed with building projects and top notch staff and technology. This may prove to be a good thing. Maybe the church will get back to the kingdom of God, not the kingdom of their church and megachurch.

Being against gay marriage and being rhetorically pro-life will not make up for the fact that massive majorities of Evangelicals can't articulate the Gospel with any coherence.

Wow! GREAT line. We've been so content putting on Sunday morning theater and doing feel-good talks that we have fled from discipleship and the majority of attendees in our churches don't know what they are supposed to believe. We have incredibly weak believers in our church because we've abandoned discipleship for "evangelism" and large membership. It's easier to win them than to commit to a life commitment of mentoring and discipleship.

Ironically, the billions of dollars we've spent on youth ministers, Christian music, publishing, and media has produced a culture of young Christians who know next to nothing about their own faith except how they feel about it.

Wow again! I'm a youth pastor. I've been too many youth pastor conferences and heard the latest ideas in youth ministry. What did I come away with? "We have to compete with MTV. Entertain first, relationships second, Jesus third." The worship explosion is evidence of the emotional based faith that is being taught. Our kids know more lyrics to worship songs than verses from the Word of God. As I've been writing previously, we DESPERATELY need to return to intense discipleship of students. Our numbers may drop because we aren't entertaining anymore. So be it.

...consumer-driven megachurches, dying churches, and new churches whose future is fragile. Denominations will shrink, even vanish, while fewer and fewer evangelical churches will survive and thrive.

I've been talking about my bane- the consumer driven church- for a year now. They will keep having to top themselves with entertainment and services to the point the message will be lost as to why we are doing it. I don't necessarily agree with the denomination going away. I think they will just look different. The satellite church and video venue church are the new denomination. They are church brands rather than doctrinal fellowships.

Despite some very successful developments in the past 25 years, Christian education has not produced a product that can withstand the rising tide of secularism.

AMEN. We stopped challenging our churches and pastors on THEOLOGY and replaced it with BUSINESS STRATEGY! Most of our pastors don't know how to think deeply. I am just getting better at this myself. We do not compete because we do not engage.

Charismatic-Pentecostal Christianity will become the majority report in evangelicalism. Can this community withstand heresy, relativism, and confusion? To do so, it must make a priority of biblical authority, responsible leadership, and a reemergence of orthodoxy.

As I've been reading in my Church Planting class, One of two groups that is still experiencing great success in church planting and evangelism is the Pentecostal movement. I can't really explain it other than their intentionality of planting churches. They are to be praised for this. Some of the newer movements have been the rise of the Charismatic Reformed movement (Mark Driscoll, Sovereign Grace). They are charismatic with a seat belt, and have a high emphasis on doctrine and theology. I am completely behind this movement even if I don't agree with every detail.

This article is scary and yet a wake up call for the church. Like it or not, some of this is already beginning to happen. The last election proves this. The church must get back to discipleship and get over the business/consumer church.

Flogging Molly Concert Review

2009-03-10T02:05:00.003-04:00

They picked an interesting assortment of bands to play in one night. I arrived to see my fellow Irish about, including one that was wearing a kilt. I chose to sit in the balcony with the old people this time which turned out not to disappoint.

The opening band Dub Trio was SICK. No singer so no lyrics to anger me...all experimental guitar stuff. The crowd LOVED them. They rocked!

Next up was a ska band...I know...from experimental stuff to ska...we still had Celtic Rock to go. They were the Aggrolites from L.A. They were talented and sounded great. The keyboardist looked like one of the guys from the Latin Kings on Gangland. Good talented reggae/ska.

Flogging Molly started with a guy wearing an old English sea captain suit coming out on stage to the Ramones Blitzkrieg Bop...I'm still trying to figure that one out. The band came out and kicked off with 2 of my favorites right off the back- The Likes of You Again and Requiem for a Dying Song. They didn't let up most of the show. Their energy was fantastic! Dave King kept going and going. He is a true showman. The band was tight and the crowd was completely into the whole show. Some political rhetoric came out, but I stomached it. There is something about the atmosphere at shows like this. There is a unity and bond between everyone watching and the band. Its sad in a way because this is as close as the lost world gets to worship and fellowship. This was an Irish pride concert...from everyone wearing green to King talking about Irish culture (Catholics, the departed). It was unique and a blast. I would go again.

Update 3.5.09

2009-03-05T13:57:00.002-05:00

Been awhile due to the level of insanity of my schedule. I have NO free time whatsoever with 15 hours of class and full time work. The brain is nearing capacity. Hebrew is a killer right now. First semester was a breeze. This one is killing me. Church History is being SERVED by me which gives me joy since its my hardest class.

Church planting was laughable. If I had a dime for every time a church growth book said "It's not about the numbers" and followed that up with tales of church plants that grew to the thousands. I took ample opportunity to unload on the discussion board. I said if we were to follow the example of having a church that has planting as their mindset, then we need to tell every small group that their goal should be to become their own church and plant more churches themselves. Many were frightened that this may take away from the church growing to a couple thousand...that was my point. If they were serious about planting, churches would rarely if ever reach a thousand because there would be a thousand churches with 100.

I'm crushed at the departure of Brian Dawkins from the Eagles. He was the heart and soul of the team and was the majority of Eagle fans favorite player. He understood the fans and the fans loved him because he brought 125% every game. He will be PAINFULLY missed.

My current music playlist:

The Airborne Toxic Event- Sometime Around Midnight (new band, great song)
Incubus- Love Hurts (old album, greater song)
The Ting Tings -Great DJ (I LOVE this band...so catchy)
Snow Patrol - Take Back the City (a decent sophmore album...best song on it)
Rammstein - Morganstern (I don't know what he's singing in German, but they rock)
Norma Jean - Vipers, Snakes and Actors (Love the new album)
Flogging Molly - Punch Drunk Grinning Soul (I'll see them live next week!!!)
Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound (Another new one with a Springstein-ish sound)
Lamb of God - Laid To Rest (Thx Guitar Hero)
Pink Floyd - The Wall Album (Kicking it old school!)
Fred Hammond - No Weapon Formed Against Me (had to throw some gospel in there)

Megachurch Parody...LOL

2009-02-18T00:43:00.002-05:00

Mark Driscoll on Nightline

2009-01-28T13:02:00.002-05:00

VIDEO

I LOVE THIS GUY! The interview is average. I don't think it completely covers who he is and what he believes. Again they treat it as if the only thing he talks about is sex. He did one 8 week series on Song of Solomon last year and that's the one they don't seem to be able to let go of. He is currently exegeting 1 and 2 Peter and has dealt with predestination, doctrine (a TERRIFIC 10 week series last year) and many more issues.

Mark is just a dude. He's just like myself in that he's just a human answering the call of God. I have a high amount of admiration for him even if I don't see eye to eye on all issues (Calvinism). He isn't afraid to deal with doctrinal issues with his congregation and I very much appreciate that. I'm sick of surface self-help church that is plaguing our nation. It ain't about us!

Sermon for My One Year Anniversary

2009-01-24T00:48:00.002-05:00

It's been a year since I've been in Lynchburg. This sermon has been hard to swallow for me. But it's haunted me. Mark Driscoll has had a major impact on my life and this is why. Rejoice...

5 Questions at the Beginning of Obamalot

2009-01-21T12:48:00.004-05:00

A few thoughts after the last 8 years with the new president:

Will I be allowed to criticize, heckle, make fun of, disagree with our new president without fear of being called names?
Will Lord Barry keep staying to the center as he has been displaying, or will he finally cave to his liberal roots?
Will Oliver Stone or Michael Moore make a movie ridiculing him? Will they get away with it?
Will the church of Obama officially open? With the amount of worship and idolatry that has been displayed over this man, there needs to be a church building built.
Will Obama singlehandedly turn this country into France? Will he destroy capitalism and socialize health care? Will he pay for my mortgage? Will he bail ME out?

Things I Learned From Dubya (W)

2009-01-21T12:10:00.004-05:00

As the Obamessiah regime takes over the White House, I am continued to be struck at the character we have experienced over the last few years. He's been called a liar, stupid, right-wing (far from it!), cowboy and ignorant. What continually sticks out is how strong this man was with the attacks that were daily hurled at him. Protests, Cindy Sheehan, Michael Fatboy Moore, the Baldwins, Jimmy "One-term" Carter, Eminem...all of them hounded him for who he was. And there he stood...never reacting...never changing course to appease weak-minded people.

I voted Bush but will admit many let-downs in immigration, a bloated government and the economy (especially the housing market which is personally affecting me). As with Clinton, Carter and now Obama, you can always learn things from leadership, whether good or bad.

What I learned most from Bush is sticking to your decisions in the face of intense scrutiny. Iraq, whether right or wrong, was a decision he refused to back down on even when the media said we were losing. Instead of backing down, he only intensified his efforts. Several of my friends served in Iraq and respected the firm and confident leadership given by W.

W kept things simple. He was ridiculed for suggesting there was something called "evil" in the world. Some would mock his simplistic answers as stupidity on his part. In a country who has a short-attention span (remember 9-11?) and has dropping educational standards (and stupid kids), I can understand why he might try and simplify. The president before tried to make words confusing (it depends on what the meaning of "is" is). George tried to simplify them to give them substance. His main points of interest were clear.

He was a man of faith. Whether or not we would agree on every point isn't the point. He never backed down from his faith at any opportunity. In a country growing more and more atheistic, that says a lot. Even Obamessiah has to play the Christian card. His attendance under Jeremiah Wright and not being effected by it tells you the level of respect for the teachings of a pastor.

Graciousness to his enemies. Even yesterday in the midst of the planets aligning, the lion laying down by the lamb, and the inauguration of Obamessiah, people had the chutzpa to boo and heckle the president who kept us from terrorist attacks for the last 7 years. And how did he respond? He smiled, waved, was gracious even when his replacement, the Lord Obama, blatantly tore apart his policies in front of a crowd. And W took it.

W kept the office of president and the country before himself. After Obamessiah had been voted in, after all that had been said to bash W, Bush still graciously reached out and opened the doors for the Lord Barry and Michelle. Bush knew that fights were less important than a smooth transition in power. Even Barry had to acknowledge this. Laura was fantastic in spending time with Michelle to prepare her for being first lady. These are by all rights- their ENEMIES...and yet with graciousness and respect for the office, they took the high road. Bush also promised to step out of the light when his time had passed. Unlike Carter and Clinton who lust after the spotlight, he said he would disappear...

And that's what I'll miss. Imperfect? Yes. Bad calls? Yes. Humble? YES! Patriot? Yes.

Good luck Barry...you have big character shoes to fill.