To Believe and Follow

Gospel Forms

I don't talk theology on this blog, or at least I try not to very much. This is the personal side of the ministry, and I thought I would post an example of random reading I find from various blogs and outlets on the web. Being a pastor in this age has so many opportunities that previous generations didn't have. It brings advantages and greater challenge as well. It also brings greater responsibility.

I stumbled across this article by Tim Keller and thought it was a good read. He is a sharp thinker. There are several people in my life whom I would love to hear from on this.

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I love this cartoon, and I am a pastor. I actually agree with it in large measure, although I think rather than condemning the creationists point of view, it misrepresents the modern scientific approach.

To be more accurate, you could use the right panel for both creationists and many modern scientists, because both approach their work with presuppositions. Creationists approach it with the belief that the Bible is true (and I would add literarily true as well). But many modern scientists also approach with a presupposition, which is that God does not exist.

I would say that if the cartoon were meant to condemn creationists for trying to contort the facts to fit their presuppositions, then I think the cartoonist was putting his finger right on the defining issue, only blaming the wrong side.


read more | digg story

Can You Digg It?

I have been doing more and more research online and I have discovered an interesting tool called Digg. If you do much research online and find yourself like I do discovering some cool stuff you want to tell people about, consider joining. And if you do, join as a friend of mine so we can share stuff. It costs nothing and is easy to sign up.

Here is the Digg home site. Click here to sign on as my friend.

Tim Keller and The Veritas Forum

I want to tell you about a guy I heard at Q, of whom I have become an instant fan. His name is Tim Keller. He is pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. He is one of the most gifted communicators I know and is incredibly intelligent.

He gave at talk at the University of Chicago as part of the Veritas Forum (started at Harvard) called "The Reason for God: Belief in an age of Skepticism" and you can see the first of two talks by clicking here. The second talk is really Q&A, which is also pretty good.

You can learn more about the Veritas Forum by clicking here.

Mothers

It is Sunday morning and we have just finished our morning prayer time. It is just a few minutes before I preach the first service and today we're talking about Magnificent Mothers and working through Proverbs 31.

I was thinking about all the moms in my life. I've had plenty, but then I've only really had one. My parents were divorced when I was very young, before I turned two, I think. I grew up with my dad and since the divorce, my dad has been remarried several times and I have had many stepmothers. I went for a long period of time when I was very young when I never saw my mother. Since I have grown, we keep in touch not as much as either of us would like.

In many ways we are not alike, mom and me. What can you expect from living apart our whole lives? But still yet, there is a connection that comes I guess from knowing that she is unlike any other woman in my life. She is and always will be mom.

God gives us grace to go through the parts of life that are tough and life holds plenty of disappointments. Some families know this more than others and I guess it can make a person a little jaded. This world will make you cynical if you let it, but with a mom things are different. Give a little love and you open the love floodgates again. It was always there, waiting to flow again.

I'm thankful my mom is still alive, and that I can talk to her, hug her, and laugh with her. In some ways we're strangers, but in others we're closer than we are with anyone else.

I love you, Mom!

Phil

Of Skills and Sequins

I love to play sports but don't consider myself much of an athlete. Donna and Parker will confirm that I am always tuning in to something sporty, whether it's basketball season, hockey playoffs, or football season. I run and play some basketball myself on Tuesday nights. This summer I will participate in our church team's softball games. Pray I don't hurt or embarrass myself.

This last weekend, we held a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at The Mill. Although I hadn't planned on it, I did play for a team whose players didn't show up. The most fun I had, though, was watching others play.

It's really cool to watch people do what they love to do. Normally quiet, reserved people will come out of their shell when they are doing or playing something they are good at. It's their niche, their zone, and when they're in it, you see a part of them you never otherwise see.

I think that's the best part about being made in the image of and being gifted by our Creator. We reflect His creativity. Ours is a tiny part of His whole. Like sequins on his sport coat, we have our own little shine, but it only makes sense when it's in the context of His big shine. And, by the way, He's not the coat, He shines on the coat. (Perhaps this illustration is a little too Wayne Newton-ish?)

In any case, I uploaded a photo album if you want to see it.

Phil