Looking for a good book to read?
I’ve never done a year-end ‘top ten list’ (or ‘top eight’, for that matter), but I thought it would be fun (and hopefully edifying) to join the rest of the critical crowd, so below I’ve offered my favorite publications of 2008. While I certainly don’t agree with every statement made by every author, these books have challenged, provoked, educated, and frustrated me—but I’ve come away from each one with greater clarity and conviction. Here goes:
8. The Reason for God by Timothy Keller With the wisdom that comes from two decades of ministry experience in the heart of New York City, Keller carefully responds to the sincere objections of postmodern critics of Christianity.
7. I Walked the Line by Vivian Cash Granted, this book is only for the true Johnny Cash enthusiast, but as one who has virtually every known recording of the Man in Black, I found the (sometimes maudlin) memoirs of his first wife to be enlightening, as the rockabilly pioneer’s heart and hurts were exposed.
6. A Passion for God: The Spiritual Journey of A.W. Tozer by Lyle Dorsett How about the story of an unassuming, socially awkward spiritual giant for encouragement? The devotion and tirelessness of this influential yet lonely preacher proved to be a blessing to me.
5. Why We’re Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be) by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck. An ESPN veteran and an outspoken (yet thoughtful) young pastor address the claims of emergent leaders that are capturing the interest of postmodern seekers. They also coin my favorite new phrase: ‘maybe’ is the new ‘yes.’ I loved this book.
4. Christless Christianity by Michael Horton From the very outset, this book by the venerable professor, Horton, is captivating. Once you pick it up, you may just carry it with you wherever you go. But be warned: Horton calls to task some of America’s most popular preachers, even the ones whose books grace our coffee tables.
3. Don’t Stop Believing by Michael Wittmer Conservative Christians regularly stress the importance of believing the right things. Emergents say it’s what you do that counts. Wittmer tries to offer a biblical balance. And does so beautifully, while answering tough and controversial questions like: are homosexuals any worse than the people who torment them?
2. Young Restless and Reformed by Collin Hansen Once I initially plunged into this journalist’s detailing of the sharp rise of Calvinism among twentysomethings I could hardly put it down. A fascinating glimpse into the sociological, theological, and relational leanings of young, tattooed Jesus-followers.
1. ESV Study Bible Since it was published in October 2008 (and I picked one up on day it was released) I have not ceased to be impressed by the comprehensiveness of this masterpiece. Incredible notes. Insightful historical analysis. Beautiful maps and charts. Spend the forty bucks and get one.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
A Better Man
Knowing the Difference / Living the Difference
Becoming “A Better Man”
In the movie As Good As It Gets, Jack Nicholson’s character is asked by his soon to be girl friend to say what he saw in her that was valuable. His response “You make me a better man”. She “melted” at that point. I heard what he said and thought, “Ok, but what’s the big deal”. But to Helen Hunt’s character, these were precious words; words that penetrated to meaning far beyond the words themselves.
Last weekend several men were together for some early morning fellowship. As we discussed the things of scripture and how our present reading was impacting us, one man commented that being in fellowship with the other men there made him a better man – he lived differently when he stayed immersed in fellowship with other men who shared his values of scripture and challenged him to live a life different that the life he was challenged to live by his job, his neighbors, his friends in civic work, and so forth.
It seems to me that God is at work in our lives challenging us to be better men. The indwelling of His Holy Spirit, fertilized by regular reading of the scriptures and a life of prayerful conversation with God all build together to create a “better man”. In Exodus 33, God has indicated to Moses that he (Moses) has found favor in His sight. Moses’ seemingly immediate response is recorded in verse 13, . . . if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. I find it very interesting that Moses, upon understanding that He was in God’s favor, nevertheless, wanted more of God – He wanted God to reveal more of Himself to him because he knew that in knowing more of God, he would have more of God’s favor.
Wise men do still seek Him. In seeking Him, our goal is to know more of Him that we may glorify Him and be men who, in knowing Him and the difference he makes (the better men He makes of us) can then live lives that are truly different. As I look at Moses life, He was looking for an upward spiral – a knowing that led to different living that led to more knowing that led to different living and on and on.
I want to be a better man. My strong belief is that all Christian men want to be better. Like Jack Nicholson, we need someone to make us better men. God’s word, prayer and the fellowship of other believers are the resources we have. Are you using these fully to know the difference so you can live the difference? Become a “better man”.
Becoming “A Better Man”
In the movie As Good As It Gets, Jack Nicholson’s character is asked by his soon to be girl friend to say what he saw in her that was valuable. His response “You make me a better man”. She “melted” at that point. I heard what he said and thought, “Ok, but what’s the big deal”. But to Helen Hunt’s character, these were precious words; words that penetrated to meaning far beyond the words themselves.
Last weekend several men were together for some early morning fellowship. As we discussed the things of scripture and how our present reading was impacting us, one man commented that being in fellowship with the other men there made him a better man – he lived differently when he stayed immersed in fellowship with other men who shared his values of scripture and challenged him to live a life different that the life he was challenged to live by his job, his neighbors, his friends in civic work, and so forth.
It seems to me that God is at work in our lives challenging us to be better men. The indwelling of His Holy Spirit, fertilized by regular reading of the scriptures and a life of prayerful conversation with God all build together to create a “better man”. In Exodus 33, God has indicated to Moses that he (Moses) has found favor in His sight. Moses’ seemingly immediate response is recorded in verse 13, . . . if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. I find it very interesting that Moses, upon understanding that He was in God’s favor, nevertheless, wanted more of God – He wanted God to reveal more of Himself to him because he knew that in knowing more of God, he would have more of God’s favor.
Wise men do still seek Him. In seeking Him, our goal is to know more of Him that we may glorify Him and be men who, in knowing Him and the difference he makes (the better men He makes of us) can then live lives that are truly different. As I look at Moses life, He was looking for an upward spiral – a knowing that led to different living that led to more knowing that led to different living and on and on.
I want to be a better man. My strong belief is that all Christian men want to be better. Like Jack Nicholson, we need someone to make us better men. God’s word, prayer and the fellowship of other believers are the resources we have. Are you using these fully to know the difference so you can live the difference? Become a “better man”.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
It's Christmastime at Cornerstone!
One of the great Christmas blessings that we have during this time of the year is to experience the fruit from months of hard work and preparation of well over 100 of our brothers and sisters here at Cornerstone. Yes, I am talking about our Christmas production, "A Royal Cornerstone Christmas".
Rather than take the enormous amount of space that it would require to thank them all by name, rank and serial number (they ARE an army!), what I would rather do is to reflect back on the story that these loving, hard working, tirelessly dedicated people shared through their craft of singing, drama and pageantry.
The story of "Everyman" truly is the story of the human condition: the reality of Death's pending appointment and the search to fill the God-shaped vacuum in each of our lives with something or someone other than the Creator. Surely, each of us who know and love the Christ of Christmas know people like this, possibly a co-worker, a neighbor, or even perhaps in our own families, whether immediate or distant.
Everymans come in all shape and sizes, from every economic status, from both genders and in every possible ethnicity. They are your employers or employees, your next-door neighbors; the people you pass on the street and highway. Believe it or not, one of them (or maybe more) may even sit next to you during Sunday services. Do not forget this nugget of truth: Everyman's plight was not just a worship of recreation, friends, family and riches...he also thought that his own good deeds might be able to get him through Heaven's gates. Churches are filled with people that only give intellectual ascent to the reality of Jesus, only to believe that, in the end, their good works will somehow merit favor with God.
Beloved, what was shared this past weekend to well over 800 people was more than just an evening of fine dining and music; so much more than the spectacle of pomp and pagaentry and talent. It was more than an evening of carols and the celebration of good over evil.
It was a mirror.
A mirror for all of us, believer and non-believer, in which we should take a look:
Friendship, family, riches, good deeds...all end where death doth reign.
It was a message.
A message for those who love Christ to proclaim:
Death ends where Christ doth reign!
There has been a Gift given for everyman that gives us hope beyond the grave. This Gift was announced by angels and wrapped in LOVE as it was delivered in a filthy cattle stall. This Gift lived a perfect life. This Gift stretched His arms out on a tree to show you and me the extent of His love. This Gift came back from the grave after 3 days so that we could have the ultimate gift...an eternity with the Gift Giver.
This isn't a gift you can purchase at a store, from a catalog or over the internet...it's already been purchased for you. All you can do is share it with someone else. More than carols of the season, more than good food and fellowship, more than sentimental memories of days gone by, it is by far the most significant gift that anyone could ever conceive of receiving.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (NIV)
Everyman, Everywoman, Everyboy and Everygirl, it's Christmastime at Cornerstone...and time to share the gift.
JOY TO THE WORLD!
Rather than take the enormous amount of space that it would require to thank them all by name, rank and serial number (they ARE an army!), what I would rather do is to reflect back on the story that these loving, hard working, tirelessly dedicated people shared through their craft of singing, drama and pageantry.
The story of "Everyman" truly is the story of the human condition: the reality of Death's pending appointment and the search to fill the God-shaped vacuum in each of our lives with something or someone other than the Creator. Surely, each of us who know and love the Christ of Christmas know people like this, possibly a co-worker, a neighbor, or even perhaps in our own families, whether immediate or distant.
Everymans come in all shape and sizes, from every economic status, from both genders and in every possible ethnicity. They are your employers or employees, your next-door neighbors; the people you pass on the street and highway. Believe it or not, one of them (or maybe more) may even sit next to you during Sunday services. Do not forget this nugget of truth: Everyman's plight was not just a worship of recreation, friends, family and riches...he also thought that his own good deeds might be able to get him through Heaven's gates. Churches are filled with people that only give intellectual ascent to the reality of Jesus, only to believe that, in the end, their good works will somehow merit favor with God.
Beloved, what was shared this past weekend to well over 800 people was more than just an evening of fine dining and music; so much more than the spectacle of pomp and pagaentry and talent. It was more than an evening of carols and the celebration of good over evil.
It was a mirror.
A mirror for all of us, believer and non-believer, in which we should take a look:
Friendship, family, riches, good deeds...all end where death doth reign.
It was a message.
A message for those who love Christ to proclaim:
Death ends where Christ doth reign!
There has been a Gift given for everyman that gives us hope beyond the grave. This Gift was announced by angels and wrapped in LOVE as it was delivered in a filthy cattle stall. This Gift lived a perfect life. This Gift stretched His arms out on a tree to show you and me the extent of His love. This Gift came back from the grave after 3 days so that we could have the ultimate gift...an eternity with the Gift Giver.
This isn't a gift you can purchase at a store, from a catalog or over the internet...it's already been purchased for you. All you can do is share it with someone else. More than carols of the season, more than good food and fellowship, more than sentimental memories of days gone by, it is by far the most significant gift that anyone could ever conceive of receiving.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (NIV)
Everyman, Everywoman, Everyboy and Everygirl, it's Christmastime at Cornerstone...and time to share the gift.
JOY TO THE WORLD!
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