Coram Deo ~

Looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview

Monthly Archives: August 2015


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MUSIC REVIEWS and NEWS

Adore by Chris TomlinMUSIC NEWS:

  • Adore. Here is the cover of Chris Tomlin’s upcoming album Adore: Christmas Songs of Worship, to be released October 23.
  •  If your personal piety doesn’t produce patience and love toward other people…you’re practicing self-righteousness. Lecrae

 

 Song of the Week

Feel It by Toby Mac (featuring Mr. TalkBox)

Was there any doubt this would be the song I’d pick as the song of the week this week? Here’s the fun video for the song. I think this song, from his excellent new This is Not a Test album could become a mainstream hit for Toby.

Funktify
C’mon
’bout to do it like this
’bout to do it like this
1-2-3-4

When I sit back and imagine
Life without you, I can’t fathom
How I ever thought I’d make it on my own
And there’s at least a million reasons
I’m still standing here believin’
You’re my comfort, you’re my healin’
This I know (this I know)

Well, you can’t see the wind, but it moves the leaves
From the bottom to the top of the tallest trees
You are everything I will ever need
And they can’t take that from me

Oh, I feel it in my heart
I feel it in my soul
That’s how I know
You take our brokenness and make us beautiful
Yeah, that’s how I know (can’t take that from me)

Love came crashin’ in
Never gonna be the same again
Yeah, You came crashing in
You wrecked me, You wrecked me

Everybody talkin’ like they need some proof
But what more do I need than to feel you
Everybody talkin’ like they need some proof
But what more do I need than to feel you

When I sit back and imagine
Life without you, I can’t fathom
How I ever thought I’d make it on my own
And there’s at least a million reasons
I’m still standing here believin’
You’re my comfort, you’re my healin’
This I know (this I know)

Well, you can’t see the wind, but it moves the leaves
From the bottom to the top of the tallest trees
You are everything I will ever need
And they can’t take that from me

Oh, I feel it in my heart
I feel it in my soul
That’s how I know
You take our brokenness and make us beautiful
Yeah, that’s how I know (can’t take that from me)

Love came crashin’ in
Never gonna be the same again
Yeah, you came crashing in
You wrecked me, you wrecked me

That’s how I know
That’s how I know
That’s how I know
That’s how I know

Oh, I feel it in my heart
I feel it in my soul
That’s how I know
You take our brokenness and make us beautiful
Yeah, that’s how I know (can’t take that from me)

Everybody talkin’ like they need some proof
But what more do I need than to feel you
Everybody talkin’ like they need some proof
But what more do I need than to feel you


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THIS & THAT and Favorite Quotes of the Week

this.n.that-smallCHRISTIAN LIVING AND CHURCH LIFE:

  • Keep Speaking. Jon Bloom writes “This is not the time for Christian timidity. This is not the time for Christian silence. This is not the time for Christian retreat. This is a time for Christian boldness. It is a time to speak.”
  • The Efficacy of Prayer. R.C. Sproul writes “Given these scriptural passages, and the many, many more that clearly show that prayer does achieve things, we are not free to say: “Well, God is in control. He’s sovereign, immutable, and omniscient, so whatever will be will be. There’s no point in praying.” Scripture universally and absolutely denies that conclusion. Instead, it affirms that prayer does effect change. God, in His sovereignty, responds to our prayers.”
  • Hope for the Unhappily Single. Marshall Segal writes “There is a new and widespread epidemic in our nation and even in our churches. It’s called the not-yet-married life.”

BIBLICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH:

  • Worthy Eating and Drinking. Iain Campbell writes “So, I may come to the Lord’s Table overwhelmed by a sense of my unworthiness, broken by a sense of my sin, mourning because of my disobedience. But none of these is sufficient to keep me away if, in my heart, I know that the death of the Passover Lamb is my only hope and that Jesus is still my best friend.”

CURRENT EVENTS:

  • John Newton on Broadway. Betsy Childs Howard writes about the new Broadway production about the life of John Newton, best known as the author of the hymn “Amazing Grace”.
  • Elizabeth Elliot Memorial Service. You can watch the service here.
  • What’s it Like to Abort Your Own Child? Bethany Jenkins writes about Bernard Nathanson, who was responsible for in excess of 80,000 abortions, including one on his own child, before having a change of heart after ultrasound technology was developed.
  • Now Sexual Orientation is seen as “Fluid”. Gene Veith writes “Now that gays have won the right to marry, the tune is changing.  Instead of the view that homosexuality is a fixed, permanent, non-alterable state, the word now, including among gays, is that sexual preference is “fluid” and exists along a continuum.”

SEX!

  • Sex is More and Less Important than You Think. Trevin Wax writes “When our age of expressive individualism leads people to assume sexual behavior is one of the only ways a human life can flourish, the Church must be ready to put sex in its place: elevating the significance of the sexual union, and demoting the significance of sexual identity.”
  • Reaping the Whirlwind of Sexual Idolatry. Denny Burk writes “It is important for Christian leaders, pastors, and parents to know what children and young adults are facing today. The reality is ugly, and we do no one any favors by pretending that it doesn’t exist.”
Doug Michael’s Cartoon of the Week

Doug Michael’s Cartoon of the Week

Favorite Quotes of the Week

  • I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer. Martin Luther
  • The only thing of my very own which I contribute to my redemption is the sin from which I need to be redeemed. Sinclair Ferguson
  • God is good—on good days, bad days and all the days in between. Don’t just say “God is good” when you feel good, say it even when you don’t. Burk Parsons
  • Men will trust in God no further than they know him. Jonathan Edwards
  • People will not receive the balm of the gospel unless they know something of the wounds that sin has made. Charles Spurgeon
  • It is better to preach five words of God’s Word than five million words of man’s wisdom. Charles Spurgeon
  • I get irritated when I hear preachers say, “Come to Jesus and all your problems will be over.” That’s just simply a lie. R.C. Sproul
  •  By definition, the big difference between mercy and justice is that mercy is never ever obligatory. R.C. Sproul
  • The word of God can be in the mind without being in the heart, but it cannot be in the heart without first being in the mind. R.C. Sproul
  • If truth were told, most of us spend longer each day on personal cleanliness than on practical godliness. Alistair Begg
  • Fear, logic, and tradition are not going to make you live a good life when no one is looking. Tim Keller
  • Any person that says, “Of course I wouldn’t do ______” doesn’t know their own heart. Darrin Patrick
  • We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness. Francis Chan
  • Jesus, the one who rose from the dead, demonstrates his right to tell us who he is, who we are, what he came to do and what our future holds. Michael Horton
  • It will cost you to follow Christ, but it costs even more not to follow Him. Steven Lawson
  • We do live best in this world when we keep the next in mind. Mark Dever
  • There is no biblical Christianity without the cross at its center. John Stott
  • Where God’s Spirit does not reign, there is no humility, and men ever swell with inward pride. John Calvin
  • Deliver me, oh Lord, from that evil man, myself. Augustine
  • At our church, we refer to the Lord’s Supper as the dysfunctional family meal. We are all incomplete works in process. Hence…grace. Scott Sauls
  • Indwelling sin always abides while we are in this world; therefore it is always to be mortified. John Owen
  • The devil doesn’t fill us with hatred for God, but with forgetfulness of God. Dietrich Bonhoeffer


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FAITH AND WORK: Connecting Sunday to Monday

Links to Interesting Faith and Work Articles

PRACTICAL TIPS:Productivity

  • Rethinking the Rat Race: Five Reasons for Overwork. Clint Archer shares this helpful list of reasons for overworking.
  • Am I Overworking? In this episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, John Piper addresses the following: “Thee biblical pattern for our week is set in creation: Work six days; rest one day. Here in the United States we live on a 5-day workweek, with 2 days off — a rhythm that apparently was innovated by Henry Ford to encourage workers to work only 40 hours a week so that they could consume more. So here’s the question: Should Christians work on Saturday, too? How should we reconcile the creation pattern of working six days with our American practice of working five days?”
  • Stealing on the Job. Bill Newton writes “Do you have games on your work computer or smartphone? Do you play them while on the job? If you do, do you realize you are committing robbery?”
  • Seizing Your Commute. Jessica Schaeffer offers some practical ways to steward your commute time well.
  • 20 Dumb Things Organizations Do. I enjoyed this article from Brad Lomenick. How many of these do you recognize?
  •  10 Things You Can Do Right Now to Find Your Purpose. Dan Cumberland writes “Finding more passion, more purpose, and more meaning in your work and life is a process of identity formation. It’s a process of discovering more of who you are and what you have to offer the world.”

DEEPER THINKING:

  • Does Your Work Matter in God’s Eyes? Bill Peel writes “When we meet legitimate human needs, we are working for God as much as a pastor, missionary, or evangelist.”
  • Five Lies I Believed about Faith and Work. Kevin Halloran writes “Several times I had to learn the hard way of how God wants us approach work as a Christian. God, in His grace, revealed to me several lies that seeped into my work life. I pray that the lessons I learned will give you a greater view of God and His purpose for your work while strengthening you to work for His glory.”
  • albert mohlerAlbert Mohler: Work Is Not a Result of The Fall. In the latest video from Made to Flourish, Al Mohler reminds us that it’s our job as Christians to discover God’s original design for work and recover it for the glory of God.Global Leadership Summit. Here are two articles about the recently Global Leadership Summit from Matt Perman and Mark Miller.
  • Is The Sunday to Monday Gap More Perilous Than We Thought? Tom Nelson, author of Work Matters, writes “I see at least four very perilous congregational consequences resulting from a wide Sunday to Monday gap.”
  • The Myth of Calling. J.D. Greear writes “Every Christian, you see, has two major callings: (A) The call to use your vocation for the glory of God and the blessing of others; and (B) the call to make disciples. Thus, every believer should ask these two questions about their lives: 1. What skill has God given me by which I can bless the world? and 2. Where and how can I do it most strategically to advance the mission of God?”

TRUST:

  • Trust. In this “Minute with Maxwell”, John Maxwell talks about the importance of trust in leadership.
  • Forgiveness is the Path to Rebuilding Trust – 8 Principles to Remember. Randy Conley writes “There are many misconceptions about forgiveness, like it’s a display of weakness, it lets the offending party off the hook, or opens the door to people taking advantage of you. Those are misconceptions for a reason: they’re wrong. As you consider forgiving someone who has betrayed your trust, here are 8 principles to remember.”

LEADERS:

  • 10 Attributes of a Humble Leader. Ron Edmondson writes “Humility is a desired, but often neglected characteristic of good, servant leadership. It seems in the day of platform-building and social media the more we promote ourselves online, the more the characteristic of humility is being forgotten and certainly is less celebrated.”
  • Avoiding a Big Landmine for Leaders. Brad Lomenick writes “If you are surrounded by only yes people, you’re probably unaware of things that could be jeopardizing your leadership. This is a major land mine for leaders.”
  • listeningSeven Practices of a Listening Leader. Eric Geiger writes “How do you listen as a leader? What does a listening leader do?”
  • 20 Ways to Know if You are a Leader. Paul Sohn shares 20 questions to help you determine whether or not you’re an (effective) leader.
  • Recognition, Motivation, and How to Train a Whale. In this “Tuesday Tip”, Dr. Alan Zimmerman writes “So what can you do to give recognition that is not only sincere and appreciated but highly motivating as well?”
  • Four Ways to Stimulate Growth in Others. Mark Miller writes “One way to drive engagement, not to mention productivity and satisfaction, is to help people grow. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of ways to do this. This is a topic we’ll certainly revisit in the future. For now, here are four things you can do as a leader to help those around you grow.”
  •  Four Warning Signs You Are Not Listening to Your Team. Eric Geiger writes “Wise leaders listen to the people they lead. They recognize they are finite in their knowledge and wisdom, don’t have all the answers, and benefit from the minds of those they serve alongside.”
  • Speaking Gracefully – One of the Great Joys of Leadership under the Authority of Christ. Glenn Brooke writes “Leaders must master their words as they respond to others – especially when people say and do things which infuriate us, frustrate us, or grieve us.  People are messy, complicated, and can be ungrateful, unthinking, and hurtful.”
  • 16 Books Every Church Leader Should Read On Their Next Sabbatical. Katie Fridsma writes “Every church leader I know is a voracious reader. In fact, every leader of every kind is always hungry to gain more knowledge and wisdom about leadership, team building, vision casting, personal development, and strategic thinking.”
  • Delegation Dilemma. In this month’s Andy Stanley podcast he continues his discussion on the delegation dilemma he started last month.

Quotes about Faith and Work

  • Work is a major instrument of God’s providence; it is how he sustains the human world. Tim Keller
  • A word of encouragement after failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success. Coach K
  • A boss has the title. A leader has the people. Simon Sinek
  • Lack of openness causes others not to trust you. Dan Rockwell
  • Whatever leadership role I have is temporary, and to make the biggest impact I’m going to need to develop other leaders, not just get work done but actually develop people. Eric Geiger
  • A team is not a group of people that works together. A team is a group of people that trusts each other. Simon Sinek
  • If you need everyone to be happy, you should be a party planner not a leader. Mark Miller
  • Look at your problems as problems and they’ll continue to hold you down. See them as blessings in disguise and that’s what they truly become. Coach K
  • Employees and co-workers who feel as if their achievements are noticed will always work harder and perform at their best. Dr. Alan Zimmerman

Kingdom Calling Book Club – Won’t you read along with us?

Kingdom CallingKingdom Calling: Vocational Calling for the Common Good by Amy L. Sherman

I first read this book in a “Calling, Vocation and Work” class with Dr. Michael Williams and Dr. Bradley Matthews at Covenant Seminary two summers ago. King Jesus is on a mission to bring restoration in every sphere of society and has invited His followers to join Him in this Kingdom-advancing work.  Learn to deeply, creatively and intentionally steward your vocational power in ways that advance foretastes of the coming Kingdom of shalom for our neighbors near and far.

It’s an excellent book, so let’s read it together. This week we’ll look at Chapter 1:

  • Preeminently, the preview passages reveal that the consummated kingdom is marked by two major, closely related features: justice and shalom. A rejoiced city, therefore, is one where ever-greater tastes of justice and shalom are made real.
  • When the righteous prosper, justice prevails. The tsaddiqim seek to bring into reality three dimensions of justice that mark the consummated kingdom.
  • Rescue. The consummated kingdom is marked by the end of all oppression. In it, the poor, the innocent and the helpless will be rescued from all the grim realities they face at the hands of violent oppressors.
  • The work of rescue is about remedying these sorts of violent injustice. It involves identifying, exposing and transforming situations where there is an abuse of power, typically perpetuated through coercion and deception.
  • Equity. The second dimension of justice we see in the preview passages is equity. Equity is not a simple word to define. It denotes fairness and impartiality. Equity is about ensuring that the poor and weak are not disproportionately burdened by society’s common problems. It is about promoting public policies that do not favor the rich over the poor but treat people equally. It is about avoiding policies that unfairly burden the poor and weak.
  • Equity is somewhat easier to describe than to define. Consider, for example, the process of seeking equitable solutions to the challenge of providing affordable housing in a community.
  • Restoration. The third dimension of biblical justice we see in the grand story of creation/Fall/redemption/consummation concerns restoration.
  • Biblical justice is not solely concerned with the punishment of wrongdoing, but with the healing of wrongdoers and their restoration to the community. Justice and salvation are linked concepts.
  • In a rejoiced city, the criminal justice system includes this notion of restorative justice, as opposed to focusing exclusively on retributive justice. Certainly it calls offenders to account, yet it also seeks to address the harm of the crime, not just the legal offense against the state. It takes the victim seriously and seeks the reinstatement of the offender into the social fabric when possible. Recognizing that crime is about harm to human relationships, it seeks reconciliation of those relationships to the greatest degree possible.’
  • A rejoiced city is marked by the three dimensions of justice noted above: rescue, equity and restoration. It is also a place where justice’s twin sister, shalom, is evident in increasing measure.
  • Theologian Cornelius Plantinga Jr. defines shalom as “the webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight…. We call it peace, but it means far more than mere peace of mind or cease-fire among enemies. In the Bible shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight.”
  • The consummated kingdom is characterized by shalom in the four fundamental relationships of life: peace with God, peace with self, peace with others and peace with the creation.
  • Intimacy with God. At the center of our joy in the consummated kingdom will be our intimate relationship with God.
  • An essential part of our mission now is introducing people to a personal relationship with God. Evangelism that leads people to follow Jesus offers new believers a foretaste of the intimacy with God they will one day experience for eternity. Many of us have opportunities to do evangelism through our work based relationships.
  • Beauty. In the new earth, nature’s comeliness will reach its pinnacle; the wilderness itself will burst into blossom, and streams will gush in the desert (Isaiah 35). To complement all this natural beauty, human culture will flourish.
  • Health/wholeness. How wonderful it will be in the age to come when we enjoy freedom from the decay of our bodies.
  • Hope. There is a way in which all the preview passages are about hope. All make promises about what the glorious future life in the new heavens and new earth will be like. They speak to us in the midst of our pain and assure us that none who hope in the Lord will be disappointed.
  • Offering hope to those who feel hopeless is kingdom work.
  • Comfort. God cares about the wounded in spirit.
  • His comfort is expressed in multiple metaphors in Isaiah 54-of those rejected and abandoned who experience embrace; of the disgraced and humiliated who receive new dignity and healing; of the widow who experiences the Lord himself as husband.
  • Presence with the grieving, counseling for the afflicted-these are kingdom works.
  • Unity. In the consummated kingdom, we will experience deeper, richer, more satisfying community with other people.
  • Security/lack of violence. One day, God will cause all wars to cease (Psalm 46:9). In the new heavens and new earth, swords will be remade into plowshares (Micah 4:3). Nations will no longer take up arms against one another. The day of violence will be eternally ended, and God’s people will enjoy perfect security.
  • Economic flourishing. The new heaven and new earth will be a place of economic bounty. All people will have access to the resources needed for their economic well-being.
  • Believers advance foretastes of the kingdom when they devote themselves to the great work of relief and development; to hunger alleviation; to microenterprise; to sustainable agriculture; to efforts to find new ways to provide everyone with adequate shelter and clean water; and to advocacy for the rule of law so that just, free enterprise can flourish.
  • Sustainability. So many of the preview passages speak of the healing of the creation itself as God restores what was once barren.
  • We show forth his goodness and his future intentions by stewarding the creation with care.
  • On the one hand, some parishioners might wrongly assume that they (or the church) can “just do it.” That is, they may vastly underestimate what it takes to usher in these foretastes of justice and shalom.
  • On the other hand, we must not allow parishioners to believe that, because the full vision of the preview passages won’t by realized until the “age to come,” we don’t need to do anything now.
  • To put it succinctly, we need to remember that the kingdom of God is both now and not yet.
  • My hope is that the pictures painted here of Christians working to advance tastes of justice and shalom help us to see what is possible and plausible in this time when Christ’s kingdom is mysteriously both now and not yet.


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MOVIE REVIEW ~ The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

The Man from UNCLEThe Man from U.N.C.L.E., rated PG-13
***

This film is based on the popular 1960’s (1964-1968) television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (United Network Command for Law and Enforcement), starring Robert Vaughan and David McCallum. It can be looked at as a prequel and sets up the possibility of a new series of films. The film is directed and co-written by Guy Ritchie.

The film is set in the early 1960’s during the Cold War. It starts out with an exciting opening scene featuring Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill of Man of Steel) meeting auto mechanic Gaby (Alicia Vikander of Ex Machina) in East Berlin. Victoria’s father, who she hasn’t seen for some time is a nuclear bomb expert. As Solo tries to get her out of East Berlin, they are chased by Russian Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer of The Lone Ranger), who has incredible strength and tenacity.

After Solo and Gaby escape, they soon find out that they will be partnering with Kuryakin to save the world against a Nazi-like organization led by Victoria Vinciguerra (Elizabeth Debicki). As they go undercover, Illya portrays a Russian architect and Gaby is his fiancée.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film which includes some good action scenes, deception, beautiful scenery and clothing, music, cars and technology from the 1960’s. Cavill and Hammer often did their own stunts in the film. Hugh Grant is effective in a small role in the film as Waverly.

The film is rated PG-13 for action violence and one scene of partial nudity. There is some sexual content, though nothing explicit is shown. For a PG-13 film there is minimal adult language, which was refreshing. I enjoyed the humor between the two main characters.

The film will inevitably be compared with Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, released just two weeks ago. Ironically, Cruise was originally cast to play Napolean Solo, but chose to make the Mission Impossible film instead. Cavill, who was at first considered for the role of Illya, was then cast as Solo. This film, though not nearly as good as Mission Impossible, is still an entertaining summer film, and worthy of a sequel to further develop these characters.


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3 Important Types of Goals Needed to Grow

John Maxwell on GoalsI think it’s important to have goals. In his “Seven Steps to Success”, John Maxwell lists the first step as making a commitment to grow daily. With the pace of change in our lives, including new technology, if we aren’t growing, we are really moving backward. Maxwell has written that while change is inevitable, growth is optional. And to insure that you are continuing to grow, you need to establish and write down your goals.

I have work-related goals, ministry-related goals and personal growth goals. I think it’s important to strive for improvement in all areas of life. I break these goals down into:

  • Daily Goals
  • Short-Term Goals
  • Long-Term Goals

Daily Goals My Dad is a list-maker, and that’s probably where I get it. I keep a running “Priorities” list. I review and update the list each morning, and then work from it throughout the day. I put my daily goals in order, with those that are most important that day in red. Those are the ones that are important to complete that day, and are usually associated with a “due date”. I keep the list in a Word document, while others use OneNote or Evernote. The important thing is to use something that is easy for you to update. We know that unexpected items come up throughout the day that have to be addressed. However, when I’m being really efficient, and working on those items that are most important that day, I’m working on items on the list. What do you do to focus on what is most important each day?

Short-Term Goals Some of these goals may also be listed on the “Priorities” list I mentioned above. If they are, they would be further down on the list. You may have a goal to be at a certain weight, take a class, start a blog or read a particular book by the end of the year for example. These goals should be written down, so that you are always thinking about them. Some work may need to be done now just to prepare for the goal (begin a diet/exercise plan, order the book, register for the class, etc.). How do you keep your short-term goals in mind, while striving to deliver on your daily objectives?

Long-Term Goals These are goals that are important to you, but are larger, will most likely take more time to achieve and won’t be achieved in the short-term. Common goals in this area are education related. Perhaps you would like to get your Masters Degree, or begin work on a professional certification or designation. Goals such as these will often take years to complete. However, it’s good to have them on your radar, or they will drop off. If your long-term goals seem overwhelming, you can break them down into smaller tasks.  For example, if I’m wanting to go back to school, what are my plans regarding:

  1. finances? apply for scholarships, grants, loans or make my savings plan NOW
  2. childcare?
  3. scheduling my time to study?  setting aside a quiet place to study?
  4. application/registration due dates?

Sometimes these goals could be classfied as dreams, such as writing a book. Maxwell has written that goals give us focus, but dreams give us power. Sometimes these goals are personal such as adopting a child or buying a house. In each case, you need to have the finances to make this happen. In any of these instances, Maxwell states that there are no short-cuts to a place worth going. What are some of your long-term goals and what are you doing now to prepare for them?

I was talking to some colleagues recently about being in my comfort zone, that area where you are familiar with the job and feel that you can really make a difference. Years ago I had a trusted supervisor who said that it was a bad thing to be comfortable. I didn’t like what he said at the time, but I later understood his reason for saying it. Some people lose their intensity and slack off when they get too comfortable. Maxwell states that if we are growing however, we are always going to be outside our comfort zone. Are you willing to move outside of your comfort zone to achieve your goals?

These are just a few thoughts about using goals to help us grow. Do you have goals? Why or why not? What other thoughts do you have about goals?


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MUSIC REVIEWS and NEWS

This is Not a Test - Toby MacThis is Not a Test (Deluxe Edition) – Toby Mac
****

This is Toby Mac’s first album of new material since Eye on It debuted at the top of the charts three years ago, and it’s a good one, sitting at #2 on Amazon’s top CD and digital music charts, second only to Kill the Lights from Luke Bryan as I write this review. When I saw him in concert last December, we got to hear two of the new songs – the first single “Beyond Me” and “Undeniable”.

While you’re not always going to get the deepest of lyrics from Toby, you know you’re going to get great beats and let’s just say it – the man knows how to write a great hook. Four of the songs here were released in advance of the album dropping on August 7. Here are a few thoughts on each of the songs after several listens:

Like a Match – Contains upbeat vibes. I liked the use of horns and piano. This gets the album off to a great start.

Burning for the world to see
You and me, we’ve gotta love
Strike it up, like a match

Backseat Driver – Features Gotee Records artist Hollyn on the chorus as Toby’s son Tru and Toby take the verses.  Was one of the songs released in advance so I’ve been listening to it for several weeks already. Toby wants the Lord to take control of his life.

Show me the way
Light it up Lord, just like You do
No second guessin’, Imma move with You

This is Not a Test (featuring Capital Kings) – This is a hard-driving, high energy dance tune that will sound great in concert.

This is not a, this is not a test
This is the real thing
We’re gonna go til we got nothing left

Lights Shine Bright (featuring Hollyn) – This duet with Hollyn has a Jamaican flavor. I liked the bass and hand snap/clap. It is a catchy, lyrically simple, easy-going song that will stick in your head throughout the day.

Lights shine bright everywhere we go
Music for the people to illuminate the soul

 Till the Day I Die (featuring NF) – Another of the songs that was released early. Toby and the 24 year-old rapper NF (Nathan John “Nate” Feuerstein) trade verses. NF has a harder style, and his voice reminded me a bit of Trip Lee.

Til the wheels fall off
Til the spotlight fades
I will lift your banner high
I will lift your banner high
And til the walls crash in
For the rest of my days
I’ll lay it all on the line
Til the day I die

Feel It (featuring Mr. TalkBox) – This is my favorite song on the album and one of my top songs of the year thus far. It is instantly likeable, and features a great dance beat (horns, guitars, bass), that may remind you a bit of the Mark Ronson/Bruno Mars hit “Uptown Funk”.  Here’s the fun video for the song.  I think this song could become a mainstream hit for Toby.

Oh, I feel it in my heart
I feel it in my soul
That’s how I know
You take our brokenness and make us beautiful
Yeah, that’s how I know (can’t take that from me

Move (Keep Walkin’) – This song features excellent background vocals and horns. Toby encourages the listener to hold on, the Lord isn’t finished yet.

Move, keep walkin’ soldier keep movin’ on
And lift your head, it ain’t over yet, ain’t over yet.

Love Broke Thru – This song again has some strong background vocals and a good use of drums. Toby displays some high range vocals here as he recounts his salvation experience.  He was a hopeless fool and now he is hopelessly devoted to Christ.

When love broke thru
You found me in the darkness
Wanderin’ thru the desert
I was a hopeless fool
Now I’m hopelessly devoted
My chains are broken  

Beyond Me – This was the first single released, and has a pop sound similar to the hit “Me Without You” from Eye on It. The song contains a good hook and reflects Toby’s utter dependence on the Lord.

That You gave me the stars put them out of my reach
Called me to waters a little too deep
Oh, I’ve never been so aware of my need
You keep on making me see

It’s way beyond me

Love Feels Like (featuring DC Talk) – This is the highly anticipated first DC Talk reunion song since Kevin Max’s 2007 “The Cross”. Michael Tait takes the first verse, Toby the chorus and Kevin Max the second verse. This song meets the incredibly high expectations that a DC Talk reunion song brings, and leaves the listener longing for a full-length reunion album and tour.

Poured out, used up, still givin’,
stretching me out to the end of my limits
This is what love (this is what love)
This is what real love
Feels like

Undeniable –  This song, like “Beyond Me”, has more of a pop sound as Toby combines a slow rap on the verses with the worshipful chorus, which will stay with you long after the song  is over:

Undeniable, You are, You are, You are
Unmistakable, You are, You are
You’re the bright and morning star
But still You speak to my heart
Undeniable, You are, You are  

A favorite line is:

Which is harder to believe that You don’t exist
Or that You orchestrated all of this

The Deluxe Edition contains four additional songs:

Lift You Up (with Ryan Stevenson) – Stevenson opened the December concert I attended, which also featured Matt Maher. I liked the use of the handclaps on this catchy song about lifting up the Lord, who will never let us down.

Fall – This is a love song for Toby’s wife Amanda. They were married in 1994. In this acoustic song, he sings that he would fall for her again every time just like the first time.

The Deluxe Edition also includes two remixes. “Beyond Me” by former Family Force 5 frontman Soul Glow Activatur and “Like a Match” (Garcia’s remix).

Toby doesn’t show any signs of letting up at age 50. In fact, just the opposite is the case, as he reaches new heights on this new release. The album features several diverse guests and Christ-centered lyrics throughout, with themes such as depending on the Lord, serving Him, and giving Him the glory. The music is high energy and a combination of pop, dance, soul, funk and hip-hop/rap.  This is one of my favorite releases of the year.

Music News:

  • Feel It. Here’s the video for Toby Mac’s new single “Feel It” featuring Mr. TalkBox. You’ll want to get up and dance!
  • Upcoming music releases of note are:
  • September 18: Uncomfortable by Andy Mineo.
  • October 9: The Burning Edge of Dawn by Andrew Peterson; Christmas Hymns by Steven Curtis Chapman; Joy: An Irish Christmas LIVE by Keith and Kristyn Getty
  • October 23: Christmas (title note available) by Chris Tomlin
  • November 20: Floodplain by Sara Groves
  • Uncomfortable - Andy MineoAndy Mineo’s new album Uncomfortable, one of the most anticipated of the year will be released on September 18. You can now pre-order the album on iTunes and get the title song as an instant download. Listen to the single here. On the first day of the pre-order, the album checked in at #8 on the overall iTunes charts and #4 on the Hip-Hop/Rap charts.
  • For the Church: Singing Amen. Randall Van Meggelen writes about the hymn “Amen” from the excellent new album Glory to the Holy One from Jeff Lippencott and R.C. Sproul. An audio clip of the song and the lyrics are also included.
  • Land of Hope and Dreams. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band closed out Jon Stewart’s time on The Daily Show with a performance of “Land of Hope and Dreams”.
  • Get Back. Paul McCartney brings out Alabama Shakes lead singer Brittany Howard to join him on the Beatles’ “Get Back,” at Lollapalooza in Chicago on July 31

 Song of the Week

Before You I Kneel (A Worker’s Prayer) recorded by Keith and Kristyn Getty
(written by the Gettys, Jeff Taylor and Stuart Townend)

This is a wonderful modern hymn about our faith and work. Watch the lyric video here.

Before You I kneel, my Master and Maker,
To offer the work of my hands.
For this is the day You’ve given Your servant;
I will rejoice and be glad
For the strength I have to live and breathe,
For each skill Your grace has given me,
For the needs and opportunities
That will glorify Your great name.

Before You I kneel and ask for Your goodnessGettys Tour Photo
To cover the work of my hands.
For patience and peace to shape all my labor,
Your grace for thorns in my path.
Flow within me like a living stream,
Wear away the stones of pride and greed
‘Til Your ways are dwelling deep in me
And a harvest of life is grown.

Before You we kneel, our Master and Maker;
Establish the work of our hands.
And order our steps to seek first Your kingdom
In every small and great task.
May we live the gospel of Your grace,
Serve Your purpose in our fleeting days,
Then our lives will bring eternal praise
And all glory to Your great name.

 


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All Lives Matter!

In light of the newly released Planned Parenthood videos, are you looking for a way to support mothers and their children?  All proceeds go directly to Spoon River Pregnancy Resource Center — to support LIFE!

Because ALL LIVES MATTER.

shoot for life August 2015


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BOOK REVIEWS and NEWS

Book Reviews

Spiritual DepressionSpiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Granted Ministries Press. 354 pages. 2011
****

This 2011 edition of the classic book by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones from Granted Ministries Press includes a Biographical Foreword from Geoff Thomas who knew Lloyd-Jones, and an audio disc containing 24 sermons in the Spiritual Depression series. I was blessed greatly by listening to Lloyd-Jones (“The Doctor”), preach the sermons at the same time I was reading the book. The audio disc doesn’t correspond one for one with the book. The book includes 21 sermons, 7 of which do not appear on the disc. The disc includes 24 sermons, ten of which are not included in the book.

In the Foreword, Lloyd-Jones writes that the sermons that make up the book were preached on consecutive Sunday mornings at Westminster Chapel in London. The need for the sermons arose as the result of pastoral experience. In today’s terms, we would call Lloyd-Jones a “straight-shooter”. He doesn’t hold back and is not “politically correct”, which was refreshing. He deeply cared about the souls of his congregation members, and also those that would read these words.

Lloyd-Jones writes that it is interesting to notice the frequency with which spiritual depression is dealt with in the Bible. He also stated that it appeared to be a particular problem that many Christians of the time (the book was published in 1965) were dealing with. He indicates that one of the main reasons is the terrible events that people had lived through, including two wars and the consequent upheavals.

He looks at the Biblical teaching on the subject and then looks at examples or illustrations of the condition in the Bible and observe how the persons concerned behave and how God dealt with them.

Why is he looking at the subject?

  1. For the sake of those who are in the condition that they may be delivered from this unhappiness.
  2. We must face this problem for the sake of the Kingdom of God and the glory of God. In a sense, a depressed or miserable Christian is a contradiction in terms and a very poor recommendation for the gospel.

What are the causes of the spiritual depression? Below are several that I wrote down as I read the book:

  • Temperament. Spiritual depression is more likely to affect introverts than extroverts. Introverts have to be careful not to slip into a condition of morbidity.
  • Physical conditions.
  • A reaction after a great blessing, a reaction after some unusual and exceptional experience.
  • The devil, the adversary of our souls. He is most subtle and most dangerous when he comes as “an angel of light” and as a would-be friend of the Church and one who is interested in the gospel and in its propagation. He is also relentless.
  • The ultimate cause of all spiritual depression is unbelief.
  • The failure to realize our union with Christ.
  • Looking back into the past and to the fact that some spent so much time outside the Kingdom and are so late in coming into it.
  • Being afraid of the future.
  • Concentrating too much on our feelings.
  • Doubts.
  • No clear understanding of certain principles.
  • They do not see clearly that their heart is not fully engaged.
  • Their will is divided.
  • They never fully accept the teaching and the authority of the Scriptures.
  • They are not interested in doctrine.
  • They do not take the doctrines of the Scriptures in their right order.
  • A refusal to think things right through.
  • A lack of balance is one of the most fruitful causes of trouble and discord and disquietude in the life of the Christian.
  • Our failure to realize the greatness of the gospel.
  • Because of their past – some particular sin or because of the particular form which sin happened to take. There is no more common difficulty. He had to deal with more people over this particular thing than over anything else.
  • Satan can rob us of our joy.
  • A failure to understand the New Testament doctrine of salvation.
  • A failure to really believe the Scriptures.
  • Dealing with sin.
  • A spirit of fear, of ourselves and a fear of failure.
  • False teaching.
  • People who are weary and tired in the work.
  • A lack of discipline or diligence.
  • Suffering through manifold trials from anything in this life that troubles you and casts you down.
  • Being chastised by God.
  • The tyranny of circumstances, the things that happen to us.

Lloyd-Jones writes that the forms which this condition may take seem to be almost endless.

What about the treatment or cures? Lloyd-Jones writes that we have to take ourselves in hand. We have to talk to ourselves. We must talk to ourselves instead of allowing “ourselves” to talk to us. We have to address ourselves, preach to ourselves, and question ourselves. Other cures I wrote down were:

  • We have to study the Scriptures.
  • Avoid making a premature claim that your blindness is cured.
  • Submit yourself utterly to Him.
  • Great faith.
  • Knowledge of biblical doctrine.
  • How we endure trials certifies our faith.
  • God chastens us in order that we might be sanctified.
  • God puts us in a spiritual gymnasium. He strips and examines us. We are to submit to Him and do exactly what he instructs us to do.
  • Contentment or a glorious self-sufficiency.
  • Do what He has told you to do. Live the Christian life. Pray and meditate upon Him. Spend time with Him and ask Him to manifest Himself to you. Then you can leave the rest to Him.

As you read the book, you will note that Lloyd-Jones comes to a turning point in Chapter 9. Up to that point, he looks at difficulties in the category of preliminary difficulties, those initial stumbling blocks – difficulties arising from a lack of clarity with regard to the entry into the faith and the Christian life. He then looks at difficulties which tend to arise after that stage of the preliminaries.

This is one of the most helpful books I’ve ever read. I highly recommend the book, particularly this edition which includes an audio disc of Lloyd-Jones delivering 24 sermons from the Spiritual Depression series.

Tim Keller's New Book on PrayerPrayer Book Club – Won’t you read along with us?

Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Tim Keller

Christians are taught in their churches and schools that prayer is the most powerful way to experience God. But few receive instruction or guidance in how to make prayer genuinely meaningful. In Prayer, renowned pastor Timothy Keller delves into the many facets of this everyday act. Won’t you read along with Tammy and me? This week we look

Chapter 3: What Is Prayer?

  • In the great monotheistic religions of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, prayer is at the very heart of what it means to believe.
  • Even deliberately nonreligious people pray at times. Studies have shown that in secularized countries, prayer continues to be practiced not only by those who have no religious preference but even by many of those who do not believe in God.
  • Still, though prayer is not literally a universal phenomenon, it is a global one, inhabiting all cultures and involving the overwhelming majority of people at some point in their lives. Efforts to find cultures, even very remote and isolated ones, without some form of religion and prayer have failed.
  • To say prayer is nearly universal is not, however, to say all prayer is the same.
  • Whose view of prayer is right? Those who champion the mystical inward turn or those who reject it as too “Eastern” and not fully biblical?
  • The mystics were often seeking a kind of self-salvation through meditation.
  • I believe Heiler is right in this regard—that prayer is ultimately a verbal response of faith to a transcendent God’s Word and his grace, not an inward descent to discover we are one with all things and God. Heiler’s “prophetic” prayer is closer to the biblical understanding of prayer than that of the other thinkers we have surveyed.
  • From the biblical point of view, the near-universal phenomenon of prayer is not surprising. All human beings are made in the “image of God” (Gen 1:26–27). Bearing God’s image means that we are designed to reflect and relate to God.
  • English theologian John Owen also believed that the natural impulse to pray is present in all people, that it is “original in the law of nature” and a “natural, necessary, fundamental acknowledgement of that Divine Being.” He added that many non-Christian religions and cultures put Christians to shame in the diligence of their prayers.
  • Jonathan Edwards added that “God is sometimes pleased to answer the prayers of unbelievers,” not because of any obligation but strictly out of his “pity” and “sovereign mercy,”
  • We can define prayer as a personal, communicative response to the knowledge of God. All human beings have some knowledge of God available to them. At some level, they have an indelible sense that they need something or someone who is on a higher plane and infinitely greater than they are. Prayer is seeking to respond and connect to that being and reality, even if it is no more than calling out into the air for help.
  • Prayer, then, is a response to the knowledge of God, but it works itself out at two levels. At one level, prayer is a human instinct to reach out for help based on a very general and unfocused sense of God. It is an effort to communicate, but it cannot be a real conversation because the knowledge of God is too vague. At another level, prayer can be a spiritual gift. Christians believe that through the Scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit, our understanding of God can become unclouded.
  • Through the Word and Spirit, prayer becomes answering God—a full conversation.
  • Prayer is responding to God. In all cases God is the initiator—“hearing” always precedes asking. God comes to us first or we would never reach out to him.
  • The clearer our understanding of who God is, the better our prayers. Instinctive prayer is like an emergency flare in reaction to a general sense of God’s reality. Prayer as a spiritual gift is a genuine, personal conversation in reply to God’s specific, verbal revelation.
  • Communication can lead to two-way personal revelation that produces what can only be called a dynamic experience.
  • Prayer is continuing a conversation that God has started through his Word and his grace, which eventually becomes a full encounter with him.
  • The power of our prayers, then, lies not primarily in our effort and striving, or in any technique, but rather in our knowledge of God.
  • Through Christ, prayer becomes what Scottish Reformer John Knox called “an earnest and familiar talking with God,” and John Calvin called an “intimate conversation” of believers with God, or elsewhere “a communion of men with God”—a two-way communicative interaction.

Book News

  • The Songs of JesusThe 50 Best Books of 2015 (So Far). Tony Reinke provides this helpful list.
  • Dr. Russell Moore on The Eric Metaxas Show. Listen to the podcast featuring Dr. Russell Moore discussing his new book Onward: Engaging the Culture Without Losing the Gospel.
  • Tim Keller’s next book is The Songs of Jesus, written with his wife Kathy. The book is a year of daily devotions in the Psalms and will be released November 18.

I'm currently reading...


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THIS & THAT and Favorite Quotes of the Week

this.n.that-small                CURRENT EVENTS:

  • There is No Pro-Life Case for Planned Parenthood. Ross Douthat of The New York Times writes “Tell the allegedly “pro-life” institution you support to set down the forceps, put away the vacuum, and then we’ll talk about what kind of family planning programs deserve funding. But don’t bring your worldview’s bloody hands to me and demand my dollars to pay for soap enough to maybe wash a few flecks off.”
  • Planned Parenthood: 4 Ways to Respond. Tim Challies writes ‘In the face of such overwhelming evil, it can be difficult to know what we, as individuals, can actually do. Few of us have any significant power or ability. We do not have access to the ear of the President or the front page of the Times. But we can still act.’
  • The Fifth Undercover Video of Planned Parenthood. Denny Burk writes “It is hard to imagine that these undercover videos could get any worse, but they do. Each one is worse than the one before, and this fifth video is no exception.”
  • Alabama Becomes Third State to Defund Planned Parenthood in Wake of Controversial Videos. Alabama’s Republican Governor Robert Bentley made his state the third one to cut state funds from Planned Parenthood, as the fallout continues from the recent release of five controversial videos describing the harvesting and marketing of aborted babies’ organs for financial reward.
  • Planned Parenthood statistics:
    • Adoption Referrals – 2,197
    • Prenatal Services – 19,506
    • Abortions – 327,166
    • Abortion as a % of pregnancy services – 93.8%
As seen in World Magazine

As seen in World Magazine

  • Episcopalians Vote to Allow Gay Marriage in Churches. Episcopalians voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to allow religious weddings for same-sex couples, solidifying the church’s embrace of gay rights that began more than a decade ago with the pioneering election of the first openly gay bishop.
  • How the Boy Scouts Changed Their Stance on Gay Leaders. Jena McGregor writes “In May 2014, in his first speech as president of the Boy Scouts of America, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said he wouldn’t push the issue of gay leaders in the Scouts. And yet, just 12 months later, Gates made a speech in which he said exactly the opposite: The Boy Scouts of America faced a threat to its very being if it did not reconsider its national ban on gay leaders, he told attendees at the same meeting in May of this year.”
  • Target to Move Away from Gender-Based Signs. Target announced that it will start phasing out gender-based signage in some departments. The shift comes in response to customer feedback that distinguishing between products for girls and boys is unnecessary and maybe even harmful. Seriously?
  • Reflections on Mark Driscoll and the Mars Hill Implosion. Here’s a transcript of a conversation between John Piper and Norm Funk, lead pastor of Westside Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, on the recent controversy surrounding Mark Driscoll. Discussing a difficult and discouraging situation, this video helps us see how God has been at work and what we can learn.
  • R-Rated Comedies, ‘Vacation’ Among Them, Continue to Struggle. The New York Times writes that “Raunchy comedy (movies) is having a rough run at the box office.”

CHRISTIAN LIVING AND CHURCH LIFE:

  • Retired Wells Fargo Executive to Help Ex-Convicts. Danny Ludeman, CEO of St. Louis-based Wells Fargo Advisors for fifteen years is attending Covenant Seminary and assisting Project Cope in St. Louis.
  • Social Media and Digital Discernment. In this first part of a multi-part article written five years ago, John MacArthur looks at five areas of caution regarding social networking.
  • Sex: The Frontrunner for President. Marshall Segal writes “True joy and pleasure for us and for our world, then, rests in unseating sex by God’s grace from God’s place, and reseating it in its good and rightful place under God, the one true Treasure and Lord of our lives.”
  • A Prayer for Short-Fused Days. Scotty Smith’s daily prayer have an uncanny ability to hit me right where I am. Here’s another one that nailed me last week.
  • What is the Secret of Joy in Suffering? Marshall Segal shares this video, the third of a six-part series on the theme of joy in the book of Philippians. John Piper walks us through a short study of how to understand joy, pursue it for ourselves, and then apply it in all of life. The other videos in the series are also included.
  • Satan Eats Faith for Breakfast. In this five-minute video, John Piper talks about the epic daily warfare for your faith. Satan wants to devour you, but the risen Jesus promises to pray for you.
  • Hating Evil. John MacArthur writes “We can’t deny that the path to personal holiness requires disciplined effort and is often difficult. But along the way God provides us with all the spiritual strength and scriptural resources we’ll ever need to walk the path successfully. Our responsibility to strive for personal holiness, along with our obligation to give God the preeminence, is simply a step toward building a life without compromise.”
  • What Does Sola Scriptura Mean? John MacArthur writes “Sola Scriptura simply means that all truth necessary for our salvation and spiritual life is taught either explicitly or implicitly in Scripture.”
  • When Is a Church Not a Church? R.C. Sproul writes that “There are at least two ways in which a religious group fails to meet the standards of being a church.”

Favorite Quotes of the Week

ABOUT GOD AND HIS GREAT LOVE:

  • What makes worship amazing is the object of our worship. Francis Chan
  • If grace is obligated it is no longer grace. The very essence of grace is that it is undeserved. R.C. Sproul
  • In His tender mercies, God has an incredible capacity to love the unlovely. R.C. Sproul
  • To be convinced in our hearts that we have forgiveness of sins and peace with God by grace alone is the hardest thing. Martin Luther
  • Religion: ‘My identity is built on being a good person.’ Gospel: ‘My identity is not built on my record or my performance but on Christ’s.’ Tim Keller
  • The sinner can no more raise himself from the deadness of sin than Lazarus, who had been dead four days, until Jesus came. George Whitefield
  • Hell is full of people who think they deserve heaven. Heaven is full of people who know they deserve hell. Trevin Wax
  • Faith and hope…are the wings by which our souls, rising above the world, are lifted up to God. John Calvin

CHRISTIAN LIVING ~ SANCTIFICATION:

  • Our only hope of progress in gradual sanctification is that we already have a right standing with God by faith alone. John Piper
  • Hang on to this with your life: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Albert Mohler
  • Jesus’ call to commitment is clear: He wants all or nothing. Francis Chan
  • The more seriously we understand the radical nature of sin, the more it exercises a restraint upon us. R.C. Sproul
  • Prayer is beyond any question the highest activity of the human soul. Man is at his greatest and highest when upon his knees he comes face to face with God. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
  • Christianity is not a “to-do” list, but a “‘tis done!” list. Michael Horton
  • Be obedient even when you do not know where obedience may lead you. Sinclair Ferguson
  • A sign of spiritual maturity: You’ve become more flexible, not less, on matters of taste, opinion, style, and preference. Scott Sauls
  • Love is not just a sentiment. Love is a great controlling passion and it always expresses itself in terms of obedience. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
  • It is one thing for sin to live in us; it is another for us to live in sin. John Murray
  • Our bad things turn out for good. Our good things can never be lost. And the best things are yet to come. Jonathan Edwards
  • The judgment of God against this nation will not be turned by a more conservative President, but by the repentance of its people. Paul Washer
  • My grand point in preaching is to break the hard heart, and to heal the broken one. John Newton

JUST FOR FUN:

  • Deep frying a Twinkie makes it healthy, right? Jim Gaffigan
  • Just finished biking to Toby Mac’s new CD! Tis Gospelicious Jesus-Freak-ish Funk-a-delic Thump-a-sonic Heart-a-donic. SO good! Scotty Smith
Doug Michael’s Cartoon of the Week

Doug Michael’s Cartoon of the Week


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FAITH AND WORK: Connecting Sunday to Monday

connecting faith and work

Links to Interesting Faith and Work Articles

  • Even the Dullest Work Can Be Done Unto the Lord. Bethany Jenkins interviews John Yates, Rector of Falls Church Anglican in Falls Church, Virginia, about his first job.
  • The 5 Types of Work That Fill Your Day. Scott Belsky looks at the five kinds of work we do every day how we can audit our day and the types of work we engage in most.
  • John PiperHow to Serve a Bad Boss. John Piper offers some helpful advice for those who work with a difficult boss.
  • Don’t Divide Your Christian Principles from Your Practical Decision Making. Matt Perman writes “Regardless of the situation you are in, always remember to ask not only “what are the typical practices for handling this situation in my industry” but also “what does God have to say about this type of thing, and how does that apply to me as well?”
  • The Spiritual Importance of Scheduling. Michael Kelley writes “If we are proactive in time management, scheduling out time can help us leave the worries of tomorrow until tomorrow.”
  • The Only True Disability in Life is a Bad Attitude. Dr. Alan Zimmerman writes “You can have an attitude that will take you across the finish line in every part of your personal and professional lives.”
  • Optimistic. In this “Minute with Maxwell”, John Maxwell talks about what it means to be optimistic.
  • The Key to Greater Impact. Mark Miller writes that the key to greater impact is how we use our time.
  • John MichelEverybody Matters Podcast: John Michel. A former Air Force General, John Michel has not only used his leadership experience in service of his country, but also to help transform businesses into places that think more about people than profit. John talks about his leadership journey on this edition of the Everybody Matters podcast, from his life in the military to what he is doing today.
  • The Church is a Leadership Factory. J.D. Greear writes “If developing leaders is what Jesus got most excited about in the church, isn’t that what we should be most excited about, too? Let me suggest four important implications for how we should approach ministry.”
  • Battling the Unknown. Mark Miller shares these four steps that have served him as a leader when plagued by doubt.
  • 21 Things You’ll Never Regret as a Leader. Carey Nieuwhof writes “While I haven’t gotten every situation right in leadership (far from it), I took some time to make a list of 21 things I’ve never regretted doing as a leader. My guess is when you’ve done them, you’ve never regretted them either.”
  • Avoiding a BIG Landmine for Leaders. Brad Lomenick writes “For many leaders, the greatest threat to our influence right now is our tendency to read our own press clippings, and continually put a “wall” up around us that protects us from any kind of honest feedback.”
  • What Do Leaders Do? Mark Miller provides this list of some primary activities leaders must engage in to be successful in today’s world.
  • 5 Leadership Questions about Reading Habits and Leadership Books. In this episode of the 5 Leadership Question podcast Todd Adkins, Eric Geiger, and Barnabas Piper talk about leaders as readers. They discuss the best ways to engage books, how to create reading habits in the midst of a busy schedule, and which particular books are the most helpful.
  • Measuring the Return on Character. Fred Kiel writes “The researchers found that CEOs whose employees gave them high marks for character had an average return on assets of 9.35% over a two-year period. That’s nearly five times as much as what those with low character ratings had; their ROA averaged only 1.93%.”
  • You are Micromanaging if…. Eric Geiger writes “Micromanagers typically can’t help themselves. Beneath the surface there are at least three underlying beliefs or practices that cause the micromanagement.”
  • We are One: Team Alignment. Teams are typically focused on working together toward a common goal or solving a problem. How do you keep a team aligned when the problem is solved or the goal is reached? How do 0video, Andy Stanley suggests that it all begins by clearly answering one question: What do we want to accomplish?
  • Beyond Collaboration: Discovering the Communal Nature of Calling. This year’s Center for Faith and Work Conference will be held at ArtBeam in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood November 7-8. Registration is now open.

CFW_Conference2015_HP-01

Kingdom Calling Kingdom Calling Book Club

Kingdom Calling: Vocational Calling for the Common Good by Amy L. Sherman

I first read this book in a “Calling, Vocation and Work” class with Dr. Michael Williams and Dr. Bradley Matthews at Covenant Seminary two summers ago. It’s an excellent book, so let’s read it together. This week we’ll look at the introductory material:

  • A growing number of people share an awareness that kingdom assignments typically involve venues beyond local church real estate and programming.
  • Kingdom callings play out in all of life, because that’s where life plays out!
  • Amy Sherman shares with us her conviction that “vocational stewardship”-the intentional deployment of our workplace knowledge, skills, platforms and networks-provides us a way to advance the kingdom for community transformation.
  • Lindsay’s careful research showed that the vast majority of evangelicals perched atop their career ladders in various social sectors displayed a profoundly anemic vision for what they could accomplish for the kingdom of God. And that made me cry,
  • Keller explained that the “righteous” (Hebrew tsaddiqim) are the just, the people who follow God’s heart and ways and who see everything they have as gifts from God to be stewarded for his purposes. Keller wrote, “The righteous in the book of Proverbs are by definition those who are willing to disadvantage themselves for the community while the wicked are those who put their own economic, social, and personal needs ahead of the needs of the community.”
  • By the intentional stewardship of their time, talent and treasure, the tsaddiqim bring nothing less than foretastes of the kingdom of God into reality.
  • Our King wants us realize that the kingdom of God has begun to break into our time and space. His work was about offering foretastes of kingdom realities-and this is the life and mission he calls us, his followers, into. The tsaddiqim gladly join King Jesus in that glorious mission.
  • I realized that what I’d been trying to do all those years is help churches “rejoice” their cities-whether accomplishing that “rejoicing” requires at least two big things. First, it means that many churches need to have a more robust, comprehensive view of what they should be aiming at missionally. Second, it means that churches need to take vocation much more seriously. Learning how to steward our vocational power is a major component of growing as the tsaddiqim who rejoice our cities. By vocational stewardship, I mean the intentional and strategic deployment ofour vocational power-knowledge, platform, networks, position, influence, skills and reputation-to advance foretastes of God’s kingdom.
  • For missional congregations that desire to rejoice their cities, vocational stewardship is an essential strategy. To accomplish their big vision, they need to capitalize intentionally on the vocational power of their members. I decided to try to write a book to help missional leaders do just that.
  • There are very few churches that have strong, intentional systems for deploying their people’s time and their talent.
  • Congregants in our pews need to know that they should-and can-connect their workaday world and their faith.
  • We must do a better job of inspiring our members about the role they can play in the mission of God and equipping them to live missionally through their vocation.
  • This is a book primarily for pastors and ministry leaders-particularly those already committed to leading missional churches (that is, churches that seek to follow King Jesus on his mission of making all things new). I also hope pastors will hand it out to individual congregants who are struggling to integrate their faith and work.

OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK

  • Part one, “Theological Foundations,” provides the biblical underpinning for both the “foretaste-bringing” mission of the church and the strategy of vocational stewardship.
  • Chapter two describes the tsaddiqim who try to undertake this labor.
  • Chapter three examines the obstacles that have kept many Christians from living as the tsaddigim, and chapter four discusses how churches can respond to those obstacles.
  • Part two, “Discipling for Vocational Stewardship,” provides practical how-to guidance for church leaders. It begins in chapter five with a look at the current state of evangelical thinking on faith/work integration-and the shortcomings therein.
  • Chapter six, “Inspiration,” offers a concise biblical theology of work that should undergird any vocational stewardship initiative. Chapter seven examines the task of discovery-helping congregants to identify their passions, “holy discontents”” and the dimensions of their vocational power. Chapter eight then addresses the critical task of formation-that is, the necessary shaping of congregants’ inner life that enables them to be effective, humble and wise stewards of their vocational power.
  • Part three gets into the meat of vocational stewardship. First, I offer a brief introduction to four pathways for deploying congregants in the stewardship of their vocations:
  • Chapters nine through twelve take up one pathway each.
  • American workers, on average, spend forty-five hours a week at work. Thats about 40 percent of our waking hours each week-a huge amount of time. If church leaders don’t help parishioners discern how to live missionally through that work, they miss a major-in some instances the major-avenue believers have for learning to live as foretastes.

Next week we’ll start with Chapter 1. Won’t you read along with us?

Quotes about Faith and Work

  • God normally calls us along the line of giftedness, but the purpose of giftedness is stewardship and service, not selfishness. Os Guinness
  • God has created us and our gifts for a place of His choosing – and we will only be ourselves when we are finally there. Os Guinness
  • When there is trust, conflict becomes nothing but the pursuit of truth; an attempt to find the best possible answer. Patrick Lencioni
  • God is more concerned with your character than your career, with who you are than what you do, with how you live than where you live. Steven Lawson
  • Few things diminish the attractiveness of faith more than pettiness. Major in the majors and minor in the minors. Scott Sauls
  • Great leaders today no longer need a title, corner office, or reserved parking place to have real influence and real impact. Brad Lomenick
  • Remember, what gets recognized gets repeated. Mark Miller
  • Admit to and make yourself accountable for mistakes. How can you improve if you’re never wrong? Coach K
  • I long for nothing more earnestly than to serve God with all my might. Charles Spurgeon
  • I think whether you’re having setbacks or not, the role of a leader is to always display a winning attitude. Colin Powell
  • Being average means you are as close to the bottom as you are to the top. John Wooden