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Coram Deo ~ Living Life Before the Face of God 7.16.14

I got a chuckle out of this cartoon in World Magazine:
Obama cartoon

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

Book Reviews

Movie ReviewsPaul McCartney at the United Center July 9

  • The Unknown Known
  • Begin Again

Concert Review ~ Paul McCartney at the United Center July 9

Integrating Faith and Work

~ THIS AND THAT ~

BOOKS:

  • Michael Card has two new book projects that he is considering. He writes “The first has to do with the synthesis of the four Gospels. For several years now I have longed to integrate the four different portraits of Jesus found in the Gospels.  I plan on calling it the Four Portraits of Jesus. It would be based on the themes and conclusions of the four previous books on the Gospels. The other book, and the one I believe I will probably tackle first, has to do with the Hebrew word Hesed. This unique word occurs over 250 times in the Old Testament. I propose to look at each one of those examples and organize them into themes. Finally, I would like to look at the New Testament and see in what ways the word hesed appears in the teaching and life of Jesus.”Eric Metaxas book - Miracles
  • Eric Metaxas will release his new book Miracles on October 28. Read more here: http://www.ericmetaxas.com/blog/my-new-book-is-finished-its-a-miracle/
  • J.K. Rowling writes of an adult Harry in a new story posted last week on her Pottermore website. Read more here:
  • http://entertainthis.usatoday.com/2014/07/08/harry-potter-34-married-going-gray-j-k-rowling-pottermore/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=usatoday-lifetopstoriesPhil Robertson Unphiltered
  • Phil Robertson will release his follow-up book to Happy, Happy, Happy, unPHILtered: The Way I See It on September 2.
  • Louis Zamperini, the inspiration for the best-selling book Unbroken (an incredible story, and one of my favorite books), and soon to be released (Christmas Day) film has died at age 97. Read more here.

MOVIES:

MUSIC:

  • Just a reminder….Keith and Kristyn Getty will bring their “Hymns of the Christian Life” Tour to Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria on October 16 at 7:00pm. The concert is sponsored by our good friends at WBNH radio. We’ll let you know when tickets become available. You can get more information, including a downloadable tour poster, at https://www.gettymusic.com/tour.aspx#
  • Scott Stapp, a believer, and former lead singer of Creed has been booked into the Castle on August 29. Read more here: http://www.thecastletheatre.com/event/617553?utm_source=MEL&utm_medium=75027HIP-HOP/RAP:Michael Card John album
  • Michael Card’s final album in the Biblical Imagination Series John: A Misunderstood Messiah, was released this week! Look for a review in the coming weeks.
  • Kevin Trax offers a brief profile of one of my favorite rappers Trip Lee here.
  • For the past few years, after hearing about it from Tim Challies and John Piper, I’ve enjoyed Christian hip-hop/rap. I first started listening to Lecrae (still my favorite), but I’ve since been introduced to Trip Lee, KB, Andy Mineo, Propaganda, Tedashii and others. Tim Challies’ guide to Christian hip-hop/rap may be helpful to you. Check out his “Middle Aged White Guys Guide to Christian Rap” here: http://www.challies.com/resources/the-middle-aged-white-guys-guide-to-christian-rap
  • And speaking of Christian rap, I recently listened to episode 281 of the Catalyst podcast, featuring interviews with Christian rappers Trip Lee and Andy Mineo. You can listen to it here: http://catalyst.libsyn.com/trip-lee-andy-mineo-episode-281
  • And one more story about Christian rap, read about this lawsuit alleging that Katie Perry plagiarized Flame’s song “Joyful Noise” for her song “Dark Horse” here.
  • NEEDTOBREATHE announces that The Live Roomsession was recorded in Studio A at the infamous Ocean Way Recordings (Los Angeles, CA) earlier this year, the same room that artists from The Beach Boys and Frank Sinatra to Whiskeytown, Radiohead, and Tom Petty used before them. Check out the band “getting their mojo back” here: http://www.needtobreathe.com/liveroom
  • John Hiatt has been one of my favorite artists since his Bring the Family album in 1987. But unfortunately few know about him. Read this profile in the Wall Street Journal – http://online.wsj.com/articles/john-hiatt-the-indefatigable-songwriter-1404840732
  • Bruce Springsteen recently released the video for “Hunter of Invisible Game” from his High Hopes album. Watch it here. 
  • Paul McCartney recently released the video for his song “Early Days” from his New album. “The idea was inspired by the chance meeting in 1957 that would change Paul, John, George, and Ringo’s lives forever,” explains L.A. director Vincent Haycock. The proposal Vincent wrote for ‘Early Days’ simply begins, “This film is a poetic homage to the legendary beginnings of Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s relationship.” Shot between L.A., Natchez, Mississippi and Faraday, Louisiana, Vincent spent almost a month in total working on the video. Paul recorded his parts in L.A. over two days and the story unfolds around an intimate performance with just him and an acoustic guitar. By the end of the video Paul is playing with a group of blues guitarists, including his friend Johnny Depp. Johnny, no stranger to a McCartney video and an accomplished guitar player too, stopped by on the day for a jam. Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE3SGaGeXck
  • Last week, Paul McCartney helped facilitate a marriage proposal onstage at one of his concerts. Watch it here: http://time.com/#2967345/watch-paul-mccartney-help-this-guy-propose-to-his-girlfriend/
  • Jimmy Fallon (as Neil Young) joins Crosby, Stills and Nash to cover Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy”. Watch it here. 

PROBING QUESTIONS:

INTERESTING ARTICLES, VIDEOS AND RESOURCES:

The 5 Love Languages Book Club Week Three  

5 loveTammy and I completed week three of our summer book club of Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to a Love that Lasts last week. We covered the second love language Quality Time. Here are a few passages we highlighted and discussed:

  • By “quality time,” I mean giving someone your undivided attention.
  • What I mean is sitting on the couch with the TV off, looking at each other and talking, giving each other your undivided attention. It means taking a walk, just the two of you, or going out to eat and looking at each other and talking.
  • A key ingredient in giving your spouse quality time is giving them focused attention, especially in this era of many distractions.
  • Quality time does not mean that we have to spend our together moments gazing into each other’s eyes. It means that we are doing something together and that we are giving our full attention to the other person. The activity in which we are both engaged is incidental. The important thing emotionally is that we are spending focused time with each other. The activity is a vehicle that creates the sense of togetherness.
  • Our spending time together in a common pursuit communicates that we care about each other, that we enjoy being with each other, that we like to do things together.
  • Like words of affirmation, the language of quality time also has many dialects. One of the most common dialects is that of quality conversation. By quality conversation, I mean sympathetic dialogue where two individuals are sharing their experiences, thoughts, feelings, and desires in a friendly, uninterrupted context.
  • If your spouse’s primary love language is quality time, such dialogue is crucial to his or her emotional sense of being loved.
  • Quality conversation is quite different from the first love language. Words of affirmation focus on what we are saying, whereas quality conversation focuses on what we are hearing.
  • If I am sharing my love for you by means of quality time and we are going to spend that time in conversation, it means I will focus on drawing you out, listening sympathetically to what you have to say. I will ask questions, not in a badgering manner but with a genuine desire to understand your thoughts, feelings, and hopes.
  • Many of us are like Patrick. We are trained to analyze problems and create solutions. We forget that marriage is a relationship, not a project to be completed or a problem to solve.
  • A relationship calls for sympathetic listening with a view to understanding the other person’s thoughts, feelings, and desires. We must be willing to give advice but only when it is requested and never in a condescending manner.
  • Most of us have little training in listening. We are far more efficient in thinking and speaking. Learning to listen may be as difficult as learning a foreign language, but learn we must, if we want to communicate love. That is especially true if your spouse’s primary love language is quality time and his or her dialect is quality conversation.
  • I suggest the following summary of practical tips:

1. Maintain eye contact when your spouse is talking. That keeps your mind from wandering and communicates that he/she has your full attention.

2. Don’t listen to your spouse and do something else at the same time. Remember, quality time is giving someone your undivided attention… If you can’t do that right now, just say “if you will give me ten minutes to finish this, I’ll sit down and listen to you.”

3. Listen for feelings. Ask yourself, “What emotion is my spouse experiencing?” When you think you have the answer, confirm it.

4. Observe body language. Sometimes body language speaks one message while words speak another.

5. Refuse to interrupt.

  • Learn to reveal yourself – Quality conversation requires not only sympathetic listening but also self-revelation. Self-revelation does not come easy for some of us. Many adults grew up in homes where the expression of thoughts and feelings was not encouraged but condemned. By the time we reach adulthood, many of us have learned to deny our feelings. We are no longer in touch with our emotional selves.
  • If you need to learn the language of quality conversation, begin by noting the emotions you feel away from home.
  • Using your notepad, communicate your emotions and the events briefly with your spouse as many days as possible. In a few weeks, you will become comfortable expressing your emotions with him or her. And eventually you will feel comfortable discussing your emotions toward your spouse, the children, and events that occur within the home. Remember, emotions themselves are neither good nor bad. They are simply our psychological responses to the events of life.
  • Based on our thoughts and emotions, we eventually make decisions. In each of life’s events, we have emotions, thoughts, desires, and eventually actions. It is the expression of that process that we call self-revelation.
  • I have observed two basic personality types. The first I call the “Dead Sea.” This personality type receives many experiences, emotions, and thoughts throughout the day. They have a large reservoir where they store that information, and they are perfectly happy not to talk.
  • On the other extreme is the “Babbling Brook.” For this personality, whatever enters into the eye gate or the ear gate comes out the mouth gate and there are seldom sixty seconds between the two. Whatever they see, whatever they hear, they tell. In fact, if no one is at home to talk to, they will call someone else.
  • The good news is that Dead Seas can learn to talk and Babbling Brooks can learn to listen. We are influenced by our personality but not controlled by it.
  • One way to learn new patterns is to establish a daily sharing time in which each of you will talk about three things that happened to you that day and how you feel about them. I call that the “Minimum Daily Requirement” for a healthy marriage. If you will start with the daily minimum, in a few weeks or months you may find quality conversation flowing more freely between you.
  • In addition to the basic love language of quality time, or giving your spouse your undivided attention, there is another dialect called quality activities.
  • Quality activities may include anything in which one or both of you have an interest. The emphasis is not on what you are doing but on why you are doing it. The purpose is to experience something together, to walk away from it feeling “He cares about me. He was willing to do something with me that I enjoy, and he did it with a positive attitude.” That is love, and for some people it is love’s loudest voice.
  • The essential ingredients in a quality activity are: (1) at least one of you wants to do it, (2) the other is willing to do it, and (3) both of you know why you are doing it—to express love by being together.
  • One of the by-products of quality activities is that they provide a memory bank from which to draw in the years ahead.
  • Those are memories of love, especially for the person whose primary love language is quality time.
  • The chapter ends with a helpful application section called “Your Turn”.

Next week we will cover the third love language Receiving Gifts. Won’t you join us?

Quotables:

We can be sure our prayers are answered precisely in the way we would want them to be answered if we knew everything God knows. -Tim Keller

 When I see Thee as Thou art, I’ll praise Thee as I ought. -John Newton

Charles Spurgeon

 

 


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7.8.2014 Coram Deo ~ Living Life Before the Face of God

 ~ THIS AND THAT ~

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

  • Good friend Jim Lauher (who I have known since high school, but have gotten to know much better recently) has joined our friends Ed and Diane Quijano in the band Wagon Load A Trouble. They played their first gig together at the Farmer’s Market in downtown Bloomington on July 5. Check out where the band will be playing next at the band’s Facebook site.   Love that western swing!

WLAT 2WLAT

MUSIC:

  • Fernando Ortega’s previous label will be releasing a Greatest Hits album on August 5th. The album will include 15 songs from the Hymns of Worship, Storm, This Bright Hour, The Breaking of the Dawn and Home albums. This would be a great way to introduce someone to Fernando’s wonderful music.
  • LecraeLecrae’s new song “Nuthin” “is a clarion call to the rap industry and its consumer about the empty nature of the genre.” The song was released last week and is from his upcoming album Anomaly, which will be released in August. Listen to it here: http://www.urbanfaith.com/2014/07/lecraes-nuthin-calls-out-rap-music.html/
  • The Peter Furler Band and Petra will both be appearing on the Lincoln Stage at the Illinois State Fair on Sunday, August 17. Petra will appear from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm and the Peter Furler Band from 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Here is the complete schedule for the Lincoln Stage: http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/lincolnstage/
  • Christianity Today profiles 33 under 33 years of age. Rapper Trip Lee is first on their list. Read more here.

VIDEOS AND EASY LISTENING:

ARTICLES AND PROBING QUESTIONS:

Killing Patton by Bill O'ReillyBOOKS:

 

The 5 Love Languages Book Club Week Two

Tammy and I completed week two of our summer book club of Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to a Love that Lasts last week. We covered the first love language, Words of Affirmation. Here are a few passages we highlighted:5 love

  • One way to express love emotionally is to use words that build up.
  • Verbal compliments, or words of appreciation, are powerful communicators of love.
  • The object of love is not getting something you want but doing something for the well-being of the one you love. It is a fact, however, that when we receive affirming words we are far more likely to be motivated to reciprocate and do something our spouse desires.
  • Giving verbal compliments is only one way to express words of affirmation to your spouse. Another dialect is encouraging words.
  • The latent potential within your spouse in his or her areas of insecurity may await your encouraging words.
  • Life’s deepest meaning is not found in accomplishments but in relationships.
  • Perhaps your spouse has untapped potential in one or more areas of life. That potential may be awaiting your encouraging words.
  • Encouragement requires empathy and seeing the world from your spouse’s perspective. We must first learn what is important to our spouse. Only then can we give encouragement.
  • Of course, encouraging words may be difficult for you to speak. It may not be your primary love language. It may take great effort for you to learn this second language. That will be especially true if you have a pattern of critical and condemning words, but I can assure you that it will be worth the effort.
  • Love is kind. If then we are to communicate love verbally, we must use kind words.
  • Sometimes our words say one thing, but our tone of voice says another.
  • Our spouse will usually interpret our message based on our tone of voice, not the words we use.
  • Forgiveness is the way of love. I am amazed by how many individuals mess up every new day with yesterday. They insist on bringing into today the failures of yesterday and in so doing, they pollute a potentially wonderful day.
  • The best thing we can do with the failures of the past is to let them be history.
  • Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a commitment. It is a choice to show mercy, not to hold the offense up against the offender. Forgiveness is an expression of love.
  • Love makes requests, not demands. When I demand things from my spouse, I become a parent and she the child.
  • When you make a request of your spouse, you are affirming his or her worth and abilities. You are in essence indicating that she has something or can do something that is meaningful and worthwhile to you. When, however, you make demands, you have become not a lover but a tyrant. Your spouse will feel not affirmed but belittled.
  • To know that my spouse loves me enough to respond to one of my requests communicates emotionally that she cares about me, respects me, admires me, and wants to do something to please me. We cannot get emotional love by way of demand. My spouse may in fact comply with my demands, but it is not an expression of love. It is an act of fear or guilt or some other emotion, but not love.
  • Thus, a request creates the possibility for an expression of love, whereas a demand suffocates that possibility.
  • Words of affirmation is one of the five basic love languages. Within that language, however, there are many dialects.
  • Psychologist William James said that possibly the deepest human need is the need to feel appreciated.
  • Words of affirmation will meet that need in many individuals.
  • The love language of one person is not necessarily the love language of another.

Each chapter ends with a helpful discussion question.

Next week we will cover the second love language, Quality Time. Won’t you join us?
 

Integrating Faith and Work:

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

Integrating Faith and Work Book Review:Kingdom Calling by Amy L. Sherman

  • Kingdom Calling: Vocational Stewardship for the Common Good by Amy L. Sherman, Reggie McNeal, Steven Garber

Theology Book Review:God and the Gay Christian - A Response to Matthew Vines

  • God and the Gay Christian? A Response to Matthew Vines. Edited by R. Albert Mohler Jr.

Duck Dynasty Book Reviews:The Duck Commander Family by Willie & Korie Robertson

  • The Duck Commander Family: How Faith, Family, and Ducks Built a Dynasty by Willie and Korie Robertson
  • Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander by Phil Robertson with Mark Schlabach

Movie Reviews:

This week we look at two vastly different films:  Ernest & Celestine  and  Snowpiercer

Ernest & CelestineSnowpiercer

Mid-Year Best List

We are just over half way through 2014. Below are my tops in the music, books and movies categories thus far:

Music
There have already been a number of excellent releases this year. However, in my mind, three have risen to the top. They are:

  • Neon Steeple – Crowder
  • Rivers in the Wasteland – NEEDTOBREATHE
  • Fading West – Switchfoot

Book
Everyone’s a Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology by R.C. Sproul

Movie
Edge of Tomorrow

What do you have as your favorites in these categories?

Spurgeon

 

 

 

 

 


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Tomorrow’s July already? The days are starting to get shorter? Nah.

For the past several years I’ve gone to a Milwaukee Brewers game with my brother and a few of his friends. It’s always a nice time. This past week on our annual trip we saw the Brewers beat up on the Washington Nationals. Of course, since the Brewers are in first place ahead of my Cardinals, I had to cheer for the Nationals (but to no avail). Here’s a picture I took from just behind the foul pole before the game, which gives you a good idea of what Miller Park looks like:Miller Park

RaviniaLogoHave you ever been to Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, IL? What a wonderful venue for a music concert! We recently went to hear James Taylor, and you can see some photos and read more about it at http://coramdeotheblog.com/albumandconcert-reviews/.

~ THIS AND THAT ~

PCA NEWS:

MUSIC NEWS:

  • Singer/songwriter John Hiatt will release Terms of Surrender on July 15. The title song can be purchased now at iTunes.
  • Michael Card has a song included on the new album Uncle Donald’s Niagra Brand Tonic Elixer. The song is “Lo! and Behold!” Here’s a link to the album on Amazon.com.
  • I recently saw that Trip Lee, Reach Records rapper is serving as a Pastoral Assistant at Capitol Hill Baptist Church where Mark Dever is Senior Pastor. Trip is in the process of recording his follow-up to 2012’s The Good Life.

IN THE NEWS:

World Magazine Cartoon

PRACTICE YOUR LISTENING SKILLS:

  • The MLJ Trust announces a daily sermon podcast of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. You can sign up for the Podcast by either clicking on the following link MLJ Podcast, or going to the lower right section of the sermons page on the website: MLJ Sermons. They will be starting with Romans, and one of the best MLJ sermons on the Apostle Paul, called, simply, “A Man Called Paul”.
  • Dr. Don Kistler recently returned from northern California where he preached five messages on the doctrine of the church. The messages are: 1. Why Is the Church Important? 2. Christ’s Faithfulness to His Church 3. Mutual Ministry 4. Protecting the Flock 5. Church Growth, God’s Way The messages are available at the website of Christ the Redeemer Presbyterian Church of Eureka, California at: http://www.christtheredeemerrpc.com/sermons.htm

TOLLE LEGE ~ TAKE UP AND READ!

GREAT ARTICLES AND RESOURCES:

PROBING QUESTIONS:

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

BOOK REVIEW:

 

INTEGRATING FAITH AND WORK:

 

ALBUM AND CONCERT REVIEWS:

 

Quotable
There is no better test as to whether a man is really preaching the New Testament gospel of salvation than the fact that some people might misunderstand it and misinterpret it to mean that it really amounts to this–that because you are saved by grace alone it does not matter at all what you do, that you can go on sinning as much as you like because it will abound all the more to the glory of grace. That is a very good test of gospel preaching. If my preaching and presentation of the gospel of salvation does not expose it to that misunderstanding, then it is not the gospel.   -D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (listen to 1,600 sermons from Lloyd-Jones at http://www.mljtrust.org/)

Quotable -Tweeted by Dr. Albert Mohler
“Mr. Whitefield, don’t flatter them, I fear that half of them are going to hell with their eyes open.”–said by a pastor to George Whitefield

Quotable
God doesn’t invite people to be saved. He commands them. -RC Sproul

Quotable
The reason God knows the future is because he plans the future and accomplishes it. -John Piper

 


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6.24.2014

~ THIS AND THAT ~

IN THE NEWS:

BOOKS:

MUSIC:

  • NEEDTOBREATHE recently released the official video for “Multiplied”, one of my favorite songs off of their chart-topping album Rivers in the Wasteland. It was recently filmed in Nashville. You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGF-MGGLpB0&feature=youtu.be&eml=2014June13/1630811/6010042
  • Recently, Tammy and our brother in law Al were talking about some of the all-time great albums. Some that came up were Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, the debut album by Boston, Frampton Comes Alive by Peter Frampton, Thriller and Off the Wall by Michael Jackson. I’ll add Abbey Road and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band from the Beatles, Born to Run from Bruce Springsteen and Tapestry from Carole King. What about 21 from Adele? What albums would you add to this list? Let us know.
  • U2 leader Bono was given a humanitarian award at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The festival presented the rock star with its inaugural Cannes LionHeart award, which recognizes a person or organization “that, through innovative use of commercial brand power, has made a significant and positive difference to people or the planet.” Read more here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/06/21/u2-bono-cannes-lions/11209463/
  • Amy Grant’s 1991 hit “Baby, Baby” has been amped up and reimagined for the singer’s first-ever album of remixes. “In Motion: The Remixes” will be released August 19 on Sparrow Records, and is slated to include other Grant pop classics like “That’s What Love Is For” and “Every Heartbeat.” Ready about the new album and listen to the remix of “Baby Baby” (which is actually pretty good), here.Paul Mc

GET INFORMED:

Desiring God –                          

  • The 2014 Desiring God National Conference will be held September 26–28 in Minneapolis. It will be the twelfth and final fall conference as we have known them. Desiring God is calling it Look at the Book: Reading the Bible for Yourself. John Piper will do five sessions, modeling Look at the Book from Romans 8 and unfolding the biblical foundations and fruit of seeing the Bible in this way. Jerry Bridges, Nancy Guthrie, Ben Stuart, and others have agreed to come and speak on topics related to personal Bible reading. Registration is only $150 if you register by July 25. Read more here and watch the trailer for the conference here: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/no-book-like-the-bible
  • Here’s a helpful article on evangelism from Desiring God titled “Are You Too Christian for Non-Christians?” Read it here: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/are-you-too-christian-for-non-christians
  • Jon Bloom, in his article “Jesus Wants You to be You”, writes: “God had you specifically in mind when he created you and called you to follow him. You are custom-designed for your calling. But when you face the difficulty of your calling, you may look at others and be tempted to wonder why they don’t seem to bear the same burdens you do”. Read the entire article here: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/jesus-wants-you-to-be-you
  • In Jon Bloom’s article “This May Push You Over the Edge” – http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/this-may-push-you-over-the-edge, he references John Piper’s sermon on suffering “Live to Die,” with his primary text being Colossians 1:24. Bloom encourages us to listen to the message, not just to read the transcript. He says that it will shake us, that it gets to the core what it means to live as a Christian in this age. It is not a comfortable message.
  • John Piper continues looking at the ten most highlighted passages – this time Philippians 4:13 – in this article entitled “The Secret in Every Circumstance”. Read the article and watch the 3-minute video here: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-secret-in-every-circumstance

Ligonier Ministries –

Other –

 5 loveThe 5 Love Languages Book Club Week One

Tammy and I started our summer book club of Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to a Love that Lasts last week. We covered the introductory chapters. Here are a few passages we highlighted:

  • With all the help available from media experts, why is it that so few couples seem to have found the secret to keeping love alive after the wedding?
  • The problem is that we have overlooked one fundamental truth: People speak different love languages.
  • We must be willing to learn our spouse’s primary love language if we are to be effective communicators of love.
  • My conclusion after thirty years of marriage counseling is that there are five emotional love languages—five ways that people speak and understand emotional love.
  • In the field of linguistics a language may have numerous dialects or variations. Similarly, within the five basic emotional love languages, there are many dialects.
  • The important thing is to speak the love language of your spouse.
  • Seldom do a husband and wife have the same primary emotional love language. We tend to speak our primary love language, and we become confused when our spouse does not understand what we are communicating.
  • Among those emotional needs, none is more basic than the need for love and affection, the need to sense that he or she belongs and is wanted.
  • We needed love before we “fell in love,” and we will need it as long as we live.
  • The need to feel loved by one’s spouse is at the heart of marital desires.
  • I am convinced that keeping the emotional love tank full is as important to a marriage as maintaining the proper oil level is to an automobile.
  • WARNING: Understanding the five love languages and learning to speak the primary love language of your spouse may radically affect his or her behavior. People behave differently when their emotional love tanks are full.
  • We have been led to believe that if we are really in love, it will last forever. Unfortunately, the eternality of the in-love experience is fiction, not fact.
  • After studying scores of couples, she concluded that the average life span of a romantic obsession is two years.
  • Once the experience of falling in love has run its natural course (remember, the average in-love experience lasts two years), we will return to the world of reality and begin to assert ourselves.
  • Some couples believe that the end of the in-love experience means they have only two options: resign themselves to a life of misery with their spouse, or jump ship and try again. Our generation has opted for the latter, whereas an earlier generation often chose the former.
  • Our most basic emotional need is not to fall in love but to be genuinely loved by another, to know a love that grows out of reason and choice, not instinct.
  • That kind of love requires effort and discipline. It is the choice to expend energy in an effort to benefit the other person, knowing that if his or her life is enriched by your effort, you too will find a sense of satisfaction—the satisfaction of having genuinely loved another. It does not require the euphoria of the in-love experience. In fact, true love cannot begin until the in-love experience has run its course.
  • Love is the attitude that says, “I am married to you, and I choose to look out for your interests.”
  • How do we meet each other’s deep, emotional need to feel loved? If we can learn that and choose to do it, then the love we share will be exciting beyond anything we ever felt when we were infatuated.

Each chapter ends with a helpful discussion question.

Next week we will cover the first love language Words of Affirmation. Won’t you join us?

 Integrating Faith and Work

  • Check out this article “God’s Will and Your Job”, from R.C. Sproul: http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/gods-will-and-your-job/
  • Being a leader is about creating a way for people to contribute in order to make something extraordinary happen. Nancy Ortberg discusses two simple ways in which leaders can do this to humanize work. First, she explores the ways God reminds us to look in small places for great things. Second, she tackles the importance of workplace conflict and the need for giving feedback to those we respect. Check out her talk titled “Humanizing Work Through Leadership” here: http://www.faithandwork.com/humanizing-work-through-leadership/

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

Book Reviews:

Movie Reviews:

  • Jersey Boys
  • Lone Survivor

Quotable

We can put it this way–the man who has faith is the man who is no longer looking at himself and no longer looking to himself. He no longer looks at anything he once was. He does not look at what he is now. He does not even look at what he hopes to be as the result of his own efforts. He looks entirely to the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work, and rests on that alone. He stops saying, ‘Ah yes, I used to commit terrible sins but now I have done this and that.’ If he goes on saying that, he has not got faith. Faith speaks in an entirely different manner and makes a man say, ‘Yes I have sinned grievously, I have lived a life of sin, yet I know that I am a child of God because I am not resting on any righteousness of my own; my righteousness is in Jesus Christ and God has put that to my account.’

-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (listen to 1,600 sermons from Lloyd-Jones at http://www.mljtrust.org/)

 

 


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Summertime, and the livin’ is easy…

~ THIS AND THAT ~

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

• The faith based film Alone Yet Not Alone is showing at the Carmike Theatre at Grand Prairie in Peoria. You might want to catch it this week as it may not be held over after Thursday.
• Duck Dynasty fans already know this, but for the rest of you, season 6 began on June 11 on A&E.
• Ligonier Ministries has made the audio and video of all sessions at their recent West Coast Conference available. Check them out here: http://www.ligonier.org/blog/2014-west-coast-conference-audio-and-video-now-available/

Ligonier West Coast Conference

WEBSITES AND ARTICLES:

BOOKS:

  • The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman is one of those best-selling Christian books that I had not read. Not sure why, but I finally listened to the audiobook a few weeks ago. That was about the same time that Tammy suggested we do a book or Bible study over the summer. I suggested reading and discussing The Five Love Languages. We’re starting today! Why not considering doing the same with someone you love?
  • This year, World Magazine, instead of having one Book of the Year, chose an outstanding title in each of three categories—popular theology, history, and analysis. Two more in each category are runners-up, and they also spotlighted a book that doesn’t fit in those categories but deserves special recognition. Read more here: http://www.worldmag.com/2014/06/books_of_the_year/page1
  • Desiring God announces their latest e-book, Good: The Joy of Christian Manhood and Womanhood, which is available in three formats, free of charge. Desiring God has teamed up with the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood to produce a multi-contributor volume that aims at a fresh articulation of God’s good design in creating men and women. This new resource — the collaboration of 14 contributors — seeks to cast a vision for manhood and womanhood that is rooted more in beauty than mere ideology, more in gladness than mere position. Read more here: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/good-the-joy-of-christian-manhood-and-womanhood-new-ebook
  • Cal Thomas was recently the guest on Steve Brown’s excellent podcast Steve Brown, etc. He was talking about his new book: What Works: Common Sense Solutions for America, a book that is on my reading list. Check out the interview here: http://tunein.com/radio/Steve-Brown-Etc-p203155/

MUSIC:

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

Integrating Faith and Work
Here is a link to a condensed version of a paper I wrote on my vocation as a leader in the Calling, Vocation and Work course I took at Covenant Seminary in the summer of 2013. Calling Vocation & Work-condensed PDF

Bucket List Updates
Looks like I’m going to be knocking two items off of my bucket list over the next several months:
• See Ringo Starr in concert. The former Beatles’ drummer will be in concert at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis in early October. I’m excited to finally see him in concert with his All-Starr Band, which this tour features Todd Rundgren and former members of Toto, Santana, Mr. Mister and Billy Joel’s and Don Henley’s bands. We’ll also be seeing Paul McCartney, the only other surviving Beatle, in concert this summer, so it will be quite the nostalgic year. Yeah, yeah, yeah!

• Visit Israel with Michael Card as guide. After a lot of prayer, Tammy and I made the decision that I would register for the Journey Through Israel with Michael Card: 11 Day – Life of Christ trip, January 1-11, 2015. Read more details about the trip:  http://coramdeotheblog.com/bill-and-his-bloggers/bills-bucket-list/

Book Reviews
• The Noticer Returns: Sometimes You Find Perspective, and Sometimes Perspective Finds You by Andy Andrews
• The Captain: The Journey of Derek Jeter by Ian O’Connor
• Glorious Ruin: How Suffering Makes You Free by Tullian Tchividjian

Theology and Misc. Book Reviews
• By Grace Alone: How the Grace of God Amazes Me by Sinclair Ferguson
• Indescribable: Encountering the Glory of God in the Beauty of the Universe by Louie Giglio and Matt Redman
• For Calvinism by Michael Horton
• How the Gospel Brings Us All the Way Home by Derek W. H. Thomas
• Twelve Unlikely Heroes: How God Commissioned Unexpected People in the Bible and What He Wants to Do with You by John MacArthur
• The Disappearance of God: Dangerous Beliefs in the New Spiritual Openness by Albert Mohler
• The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming by Henri J.M. Nouwen
• Who Am I? Identity in Christ by Jerry Bridges

Movie Reviews
• How to Train Your Dragon 2
• Belle

Music Review
• iTunes Session – Crowder

THE HUMDRUM LIFE OF A HOUSEWIFE – by Tammy Pence
(Imagine this as an episode of the TV Show Frasier)

So I’m sitting at the computer in my pajamas, trying to buy an online ticket to an event, and here’s what happened over the last 30 minutes:
• I get to the ‘5 minutes left to make your purchase’ page, and Molly, our dog, frantically has to go outside.
• We just got new credit cards, and I keep getting ‘problem processing your credit card’.
• In the meantime, I also have to use the ladies room.
• Then I hear knocking on the patio door – it’s the men that cut our grass and they want Molly out of the backyard.
• She’s barking – running – acting goofy. Meanwhile I’m in my PJ’s with no foundation garment on trying to round her up.
• Back to the computer – I’ve accidentally chosen too many tickets, and have to figure out how to edit that.
• In the meantime, the 5 minutes has expired.
• Starting the process over again, I’m STILL having trouble with the credit card (they said the new card wasn’t activated, even though I KNOW I called the 1-800 number and took off the sticker).
• I switch to paying with the debit card and FINALLY purchase the ticket.
• Immediately I go to my bank’s website to transfer money to cover the debit card purchase – from savings to checking. Too late! Overdraft transfer fee. Ugh!
• I topped it all off with a phone call to the visa card company to find out why my card wouldn’t work. And what do I receive for my trouble? An endless list of security questions!
So, honey, what did you do with your day today?
Quotable
You are either a Christian or you are not a Christian; you cannot be partly a Christian. –Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Quotable ~ From “At the Cross” by Chris Tomlin
At the cross
At the cross
I surrender my life.
I’m in awe of You
I’m in awe of You
Where Your love ran red
and my sin washed white.
I owe all to You
I owe all to You Jesus.
apology


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6.9.2014

When Cancer Visited our Family

On the evening of May 20, still basking in the glow of a graduation celebration we decided to go to a movie. I was planning to go to a Yankees/Cubs game with my Dad and brother the following day. We arrived home to a message from my sister Lisa, indicating that she had been diagnosed with melanoma, or skin cancer. We were shaken. This was my little sister, ten years younger than me. It was the first time that cancer had visited our immediate family. We went from the highest high of my graduation to the lowest low.

The following days we talked of a “heavy heart”, as we prayed for Lisa, who clung to her faith during this very difficult time. Facing an upcoming trip to Spain to visit her daughter who is studying there this summer, Lisa worked hard to get appointments set up with the oncologist and surgeon. In God’s providence, she was able to have surgery to remove the malignant melanoma on June 2, less than two weeks after being diagnosed. We were blessed to hear on June 6 that the lymph nodes removed during surgery came back free and clear and there were clear margins around the melanoma. We are thankful for the mercy the Lord showed Lisa.

Thank you to so many of you who prayed for Lisa and our family during this time.

 

Developing a “Best List”

On May 21 my Dad, brother and I went on our annual Peoria Charter bus trip to Wrigley Field to celebrate Father’s Day. On the bus ride to the game, I was talking to my Dad about my “bucket list”. I asked him what he had on his list. He really didn’t have a lot of items, though we both have attending the Masters golf tournament on our lists. What Dad suggested instead was making a list of those things or places we’ve been that most impacted us, or we most enjoyed. I thought that was a great idea. I thought of special vacations, concerts or sporting events that made the top of my list, and those folks that I shared those experiences with. What would be on your list?

Here are a few of the favorite things that I’ve done to start my list:

Concerts

  • Paul McCartney at Soldier Field in June 1990. It was the final show of the tour, a beautiful night and we were there with Tammy’s sisters and husbands. It is my favorite of the eight (and counting) McCartney shows that I’ve seen.
  • Billy Joel and Elton John at the Allstate Arena several years ago. They played nothing but hits for about three hours.
  • Bruce Springsteen. I’ve seen him several times and he never fails to amaze.
  • U2. I’ve seen them several times, and my favorite was their October, 2001 concert in Chicago on the Elevation tour, just after the September 11 tragedy. There was an intensity that wasn’t there during the Chicago stop in May

Vacations

  • We’ve been traveling to Orlando in February or March almost every year since 1997. During this particular week we attended the Ligonier Ministries National Conference, a Disney theme park, Arnold Palmer’s golf tournament, the Winter Park Sidewalk Arts Festival and a Cardinals/Braves Spring Training baseball game.
  • As a family we took several trips up to Hayward, Wisconsin, staying in a nice home on Clear Lake. I have wonderful memories of the weeks we spent there fishing, golfing, etc.
  • In the years before my Mom died in 1996, Tammy, Mom, Dad and I took several trips to Eagle Ridge in Galena, Illinois. We enjoyed golf and several special dinners.
  • Since we’ve been married, almost every year we’ve taken an extended family vacation with Tammy’s family. This usually includes her sister, husband, their children and also a niece. It now includes some of the children’s spouses and will soon include a new granddaughter. We enjoyed vacationing at Turkey Creek Ranch in Theodosia, Missouri on Bull Shoals Lake for several years and have also enjoyed Hilton Head Island in South Carolina for several years.

Sporting Events

  • In 1998 Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were chasing Roger Maris’ all-time home run record of 61. In the first inning in St. Louis, McGwire hit a towering home run down the left field line. I was so excited I just started pounding my brother’s arm!
  • In June 1998, Michael Jordan’s last year with the Bulls, the Bulls were playing game 6 against Utah in Utah. The Bulls opened up the United Center for fans to watch the game on the video screen. The Bulls won the game on Jordan’s dramatic shot and the place went crazy. I’ll never forget heading home on Damon Avenue with horns going off, slapping “high fives” with people walking alongside the car.
  • I grew up going to Illinois State University games at Horton Fieldhouse. I attended so many great games there, that I can’t pick just one, though watching Doug Collins play was certainly special. Going to a game at Horton was a great experience.
  • Growing up, Mickey Mantle was my favorite baseball player. My Dad would take us up to old White Sox Park to see Mantle and the Yankees, but it seems that he was always injured and didn’t play. Finally, toward the end of his career he not only played, but hit a home run into the upper deck in right field. I’ll never forget as the entire crowd stood as the Mick rounded the bases.  

 

~ THIS AND THAT ~

BOOKS:

  • Here are recommended books for the graduate in your life from Todd Pruitt: http://www.reformation21.org/blog/2014/06/great-books-for-the-graduate-i.php
  • The ESV Reader’s Bible was created for those who want to read Scripture precisely as it was originally written–namely, as an unbroken narrative. Verse numbers, chapter and section headings, and translation footnotes are helpful navigational and interpretive tools, but they are also relatively recent conventions. In the ESV Reader’s Bible they have been removed from the Bible text. The result is a new kind of Bible-reading experience in a volume that presents Scripture as one extended story line. The ESV Reader’s Bible will be released June 30. Find out more about it here: http://www.crossway.org/bibles/esv-readers-bible-none-tru/
  • Christianaudio’s Twice Yearly Sale, in which nearly all of their digital downloads are just $7.49, is going on now through June 20. I always look forward to this sale to stock up on some good Christian audiobooks. Find out more here.

SPORTS:

MUSIC:

  • Crowder sightings. Crowder will be in concert at Joyfest at Six Flags in St. Louis this Saturday and also at the House of Blues in Chicago (with All Sons and Daughters and Capital Kings) on October 1.
  • Speaking of upcoming concerts, check out the AudioFeed Music Festival at the Champaign County Fairgrounds July 3-6. Appearing on Saturday July 5, will be Steve Taylor, Peter Furler and Propaganda.
  • I grew up being a huge Beatles fan, and still am. I saw George Harrison on his only tour, and have seen Paul McCartney eight times, and will see him again in Chicago later this year. Regrettably, I never saw John Lennon in concert. On my bucket list is to see Ringo Starr in concert. It may just happen, as he has announced an October 3 concert in St. Louis at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis. Now….to get someone to go with me, that’s a completely different challenge (smile).

ARTICLES and OTHER STUFF:

liberate

  • I enjoyed this church sign as posted on Christianity Today’s site:

grads

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

I’m Currently Reading…

Integrating Faith and Work

Book Reviews –
The Closer: My Story by Mariano Rivera
A Godward Heart: Treasuring the God Who Loves You by John Piper

Movie Reviews –
Edge of Tomorrow
The Fault in Our Stars
Chef

Music Review –Below Paradise by Tedashii

 

I enjoyed this quote from Albert Mohler’s “Sexual Devolution” message at Ligonier Ministries West Coast Conference:
albert
Quotable ~ Knowing God is your single greatest privilege as a Christian. -Sinclair Ferguson


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6.5.2014

Center for Faith and Work Dream

Ever since reading Tim Keller’s outstanding book Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work (see review here: Every Good Endeavor  by Timothy Keller), and reading about Redeemer Presbyterian’s Center for Faith and Work, I’ve had a passion to do something like that locally. I write about that in my “Philosophy of Ministry document here: Philosphy of Ministry – FINAL copy. I would like to merge what I’ve learned in my vocational leadership and my seminary education.

Now that I have completed my seminary work I have more time to focus on this. This summer I will be reading recommended books and thinking about what this may look like in Bloomington/Normal.

For example, I’ll be reading some of these books to learn more about how to integrate my faith into my vocational life:

Every Good Endeavor
Creation Regained
Culture Making
Work Matters
Playing Heaven: Rediscovering Our Purpose as Participants in the Mission of God
He Shines in All That’s Fair
When The Kings Come Marching In

Initial thoughts I have are to organize book clubs reading some of these books. I can also envision Adult Sunday School classes on faith and work. I could see a panel discussion, with people from different vocations talking about what it looks like to be a Christian in different fields (IT, medical profession, farming, insurance and financial services, etc.).

To find out more about Redeemer’s Center for Faith and Work, go to http://www.faithandwork.com/

If you have a similar passion, please let me know.

 

~ THIS AND THAT ~

FREE!

IN THE NEWS…

JOHN PIPER AND DESIRING GOD…

ARTICLES AND VIDEOS…

BOOKS…

MOVIES AND MUSIC…

  • Disney’s film Frozen recently surpassed their film Iron Man 3 to become the fifth-highest grossing film of all time, with an incredible $1.219 billion in ticket sales worldwide. Read more here: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-frozen-becomes-5th-highest-grossing-film,0,2641840.story
  • There were a few strong debuts by Christian artists on the iTunes charts this week. Below Paradise by Tedashii debuted at #7 and Neon Steeple, the initial release by Crowder debuted at #8. In addition, Below Paradise debuted at #1 on the Hip-Hop/Rap charts. Congratulations!
  • Speaking of Tedashii and Crowder, Crowder guests on the song “Angels and Demons” on Tedashii’s Below Paradise album.
  • The Decatur Celebration will be held August 1-3 in downtown Decatur. Dove Award Contemporary Christian singer Jamie Grace will be in concert on Sunday, August 3. To check out more information about the event, go to www.decaturcelebration.com

I got a chuckle out of this sign that appeared in Christianity Today.

quaker ave.

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

Leadership Book Review ~

  • The Noticer by Andy Andrews

Sports Book Reviews ~

  • A Golfer’s Life by Arnold Palmer with James Dodson
  • Mentored by the King: Arnold Palmer’s Success Lessons for Golf, Business, and Life by Brad Brewer

Movie Review ~ Maleficent, rated PG

Album Review ~ Neon Steeple by Crowder

 

Quotable: God in saving us saves us from Himself. -RC Sproul

 

 

 

 


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5.27.2014

For the last several years my brother and I have celebrated Father’s Day with our Dad with a Peoria Charter bus trip to Wrigley Field. This year’s trip occurred on what would have been my parent’s 59th wedding anniversary. Also, in 2014 Wrigley is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and the game Dad chose was against the New York Yankees. In Spring Training, future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter announced that this would be his final season. This was his final game at Wrigley Field. The game would go 13 innings before the Yankees won. Jeter would bat seven times, getting one hit. Each time he came to the plate the crowd (including yours truly) would rise for a standing ovation and stay standing throughout the entire at bat. I’m glad I was able to see him before he retires.BaseballOn the bus ride to the game, I was talking to my Dad about my “bucket list”. I asked him what he had on his list. He really didn’t have a lot of items, though we both have attending the Masters golf tournament on our lists. What Dad suggested instead was making a list of those things or places we’ve been that most impacted us, or we most enjoyed. I thought that was a great idea. I thought of special vacations, concerts or sporting events that made the top of my list, and those that I shared those experiences with. What would be on your list?

 

~ THIS AND THAT ~

  • The St. Louis Cardinals have announced plans for “Christian Day at the Ballpark” on Saturday, August 2 at 6:15pm when the Cardinals face the Milwaukee Brewers. This year’s featured speaker is Marcus Luttrell, co-author of the book The Lone Survivor and the inspiration for the movie The Lone Survivor, starring Mark Wahlberg. Current Cardinals players will also participate in the post-game outreach event. Groups of 25 or more can call 314-345-9000.
  • Here’s an interesting article on the best “walk up” songs (the music a batter has played as they are walking to the plate in baseball). http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/76318408/walk-up-music-mlb-josh-reddick-shane-victorino-careless-whisper?partnerId=ed-8220552-658620023#!PONk3. Here are the “walk-up” songs for the St. Louis Cardinals, including Matt Carpenter who walks up to “Long Hot Summer Day” by Turnpike Troubadours – http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/fan_forum/ballpark_music.jsp?c_id=stl  What song would you used for your “walk up” music?
  • Christianaudio.com is offering a second free audio book this month. The Race Before Us: A Journey of Running and Faith by Bruce Matson is a memoir detailing one man’s journey from doubt to faith. To find out more and download your copy, click on this link.

ARTICLES ~

Desiring God and John Piper ~

  • Here’s an interesting article from Desiring God on the subject of anger “What our Anger is Telling Us”: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/what-our-anger-is-telling-us
  • In the sixth volume of The Swans Are Not Silent series, John Piper celebrates the importance of poetic effort by looking at three influential Christians whose words magnificently display a commitment to truth and a love of beauty. Examining the lives of George Herbert, George Whitefield, and C. S. Lewis, Piper helps us appreciate the importance of carefully crafted words by exploring how Christians can use them to testify to God’s glory, wonder at his grace, and rejoice in his salvation. Piper states that of all the books he has written, this one may be the one most different from all the others. It is less about the God we see and more about how to see him. Read Piper’s article about the new book here: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/a-piper-book-unlike-any-other
  • Do you enjoy reading? Is it deep reading or scan reading, or somewhere in between. You might be interested in this article/interview entitled “The End of Books” from Desiring God: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-end-of-books
  • Here is a helpful article on selfish ambition from Desiring God, entitled “Escaping the Slavery of Selfish Ambition”. Read it here: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/escaping-the-slavery-of-selfish-ambition
  • John Piper writes that Romans 8:28 is your verse if you believe in the God of the Bible, and you love him, all the bounty of one of his greatest promises is yours. Read his article “Life’s Deepest Pains for Your Greatest Pleasure” and watch a three minute video with Piper talking about Romans 8:28 here: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/life-s-deepest-pains-for-your-greatest-pleasures

The best of men are but men at best… ~

MUSIC ~

  • Crowder’s (David Crowder) first solo album Neon Steeple, one of the year’s most anticipated albums, will be released May 27. It features the single “I Am”.
  • Jimmy Needham didn’t grow up in the church, and he didn’t know anything about old hymns. He wasn’t actually introduced to them until he was in college. Watch this short video of Jimmy performing the classic “How Great Thou Art”, one of my favorite hymns.
  • Bob Dylan released on his website a new recording of “Full Moon and Empty Arms”, a cover of a 1945 song Frank Sinatra made popular. The song was written by Ted Mossmann and Buddy Kaye and based around Sergei Rachmaninoff’s 1901 composition “Piano Concert No. 2 in C Minor.” The song has been covered by everyone from Robert Goulet to The Platters, but Sinatra’s rendition remains the most famous. The 72 year old Dylan’s last few albums were inspired by popular music from this era. A full album is expected later this year. You can listen to the new recording here: http://www.bobdylan.com/us/home

 

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

Book Reviews:

 Movie and DVD Reviews:

    • Million Dollar Arm
    • The Railway Man
    • Locke
    • Grand Piano

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Compliments of World Magazine

 

 


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5.19.2014

I like this cartoon from World Magazine:

World Magazine cartoon

~ THIS AND THAT ~

  • We had a great graduation celebration in St. Louis this past weekend! This included the Baccalaureate on Thursday evening, which my Dad and his wife Pat attended, along with my dear pastor Bob Smart and his wife Karen. We had a wonderful family lunch at Cardinal Nation at the new Ballpark Village, right next to Busch Stadium. The graduation ceremony was held Friday evening and many family members were able to attend.  ll never forget.Rooftop Seats!

image

  • Former New York Yankee Robinson Cano, appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on the eve of his return to Yankee Stadium after leaving for Seattle and a huge contract. Check out the hilarious segment here: http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/#segments/4956
  • If you haven’t already eaten at the new Jason’s Deli (in the former Baker’s Square building on Veteran’s Parkway), we would highly recommend it. We visited for the first time last week and were pleased with the food, service and facility.

 

INTERESTING ARTICLES AND WEBSITES ~

MUSIC ~

    • Chris Tomlin released a surprise single on May 13 titled “Waterfall”. This is the first of the new music from his forthcoming album. His last studio album Burning Lights entered the Billboard 200 overall album chart at number 1 in January 2013. The album’s single “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)” earned a Grammy Nomination for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song, whilst the album was nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. Tomlin will appear in concert at the US Cellular Coliseum. Here are the lyrics to the new song written by Tomlin and Ed Cash (they have teamed up on several songs in the past such as “How Great is Our God” and “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)”, “Jesus Messiah”, and many others).

O God, my God I seek You
I wanna move when You move
You’re more than I could long for
I thirst for You
You’re an ocean to my soul
To my soul

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Running wild and free
You hear my heart when I call, when I call
Deep calls to deep
Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall
Raining down on me
Waterfall, waterfall

O God my God, I seek You
In this dry and desert land
You lead me to streams of mercy once again
You’re an ocean to my soul
To my soul

It’s coming like a flood
I’m dancing in the rain
Everything I’ve done is covered in rivers of grace
Amazing

It’s coming like a flood
I’m dancing in the rain
I lift up my hands
Your love never changes
Amazing

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

Book Reviews:

Everyone’s a Theologian: An Introduction to Systematic Theology by R.C. Sproul

Wooden: A Coach’s Life by Seth Davis. Macmillan

 

Comedy Album Review:   Obsessed by Jim Gaffigan

 

Quotable:

Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He is the Seeker; we are the ones who are running. —RC Sproul

The greatest good suffering can do for me is to increase my capacity for God.         —Joni Eareckson Tada


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Graduation Weekend!

~ THIS AND THAT ~

EVENTS:

IMG_1477IMG_1471

A FEW REMINDERS:

  • $5 Friday: Each Friday Ligonier Ministries offers trustworthy resources on sale for $5. The weekly sale runs 12:01 a.m. — 11:59 p.m. Friday ET. Find out more each Friday at www.ligonier.org.
  • Blogger Tim Challies highlights Kindle deals of interest each day at www.challies.com
  • Christianaudio offers a free audiobook each month, announcing it the first day of the month at www.christianaudio.com
  • A new podcast that I’m excited about is Radical with David Platt (Platt wrote the popular book Radical. You can download the podcast on iTunes.
  • Search over 1,000 sermons from John Piper to listen to or download free here: http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons

ARTICLES:

  • Liberty University has recently been connected with faith healer Benny Hinn and Mormon Glenn Beck. Read this story from World Magazine titled “Strange Bedfellows”: http://www.worldmag.com/2014/05/strange_bedfellows
  • Recently, blogger Tim Challies began a series of articles through which he is scanning the history of the church—from its earliest days all the way to the present time—to examine some of Christianity’s most notable false teachers and to examine the false doctrine each of them represents. Check out the articles that have been published thus far: http://www.challies.com/topics/false-teachers
  • Emily Letts is a 25 year-old abortion counselor who decided to make a video about her own abortion, and the result is one of the most disturbing video messages ever presented to public view. Read Albert Mohler’s article here: http://www.albertmohler.com/2014/05/08/i-feel-super-great-about-having-an-abortion-the-culture-of-death-goes-viral/
  • Perhaps you’ve seen the story about two brothers who are believers losing their HGTV show because of statements they made. Read more here.

VIDEOS:

BOOKS:ravi

  • Ravi Zacharias’s next book, written with Vince Vitale is Why Suffering: Finding Meaning and Comfort When Life Doesn’t Make Sense. The book will be published October 21.  
  • Through the end of May, Reformation Trust Publishing is giving away the eBook edition of Douglas Bond’s The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts. In this addition to the A Long Line of Godly Men Profile series, Bond introduces us to Isaac Watts, “the father of English hymnody.” Read more and download your copy here: http://www.ligonier.org/blog/poetic-wonder-isaac-watts-free-ebook/

MUSIC:

  • “Daywalkers” by Propaganda and featuring Lecrae from Propaganda’s new album Crimson Cord is one of my favorite songs of the year. Below are the lyrics to the song:

Could we just get three minutes of your time, give or take a second or two? See, when they ask you about the culture, tell them I know it well This what you get when you mix Tony Hawk with Ice Cube, NWA, and the Bones Brigade Let me talk to them

Propaganda: Catch me copping nag Champa north corner of Santee or Twenty minutes east of South Central, that’s West Covi Broken families imposter, black rocking white Rasta Jimi Hendrix, Courtland Urbano mocking all your preconceived The narrative fight great, the heritage makes a man stand with his spine straight The ground that grew Kendrick, Anthony Kiedis, Incubus Music that speaks to the Jim Morris in each of us Shared the same nutrients, except mine got laced with divine DNA The child of a freedom fighter, trialed like graffiti writers Wild like the Freedom Riders We are all daywalkers, hybrids, bilingual, bicultural Flowing in the King’s tongue, Elohim and human one Rosetta Stone with a mic and some Chucks on All things to all men, so all men say “Amen!”

Hook:When you’re the product of a Panther and mama’s prayers answered You don’t even think twice You be like “Let’s go!” When they ask you about the culture, say “I know it well”

Lecrae:  Hey look, my homies told me back when I was playing my Nintendo To stay away from windows, cause bullets, they tend to hit those My mama told when I got the PS one To skip the BS and lead us or be as numb As every other brother throwing up colors in my community I knew better, but couldn’t do better but then I grew to be The same dude reading Wayne Grudem even though I grew up Listening to Snoop and Ice Cube, be amused Had the musac we used that to bruise cat’s egos Nowadays you might find me under the steeple Preaching to the people or making me a sequel To mixtapes, get shin scrapes at skate parks I’m everything in one; I’m a product of great art I’m a product of Descartes, Tim Keller, and Outkast Iconoclast the glass ceiling that they put above me The reason that they hate me, the same reason they love me

leadercast

Leadercast 2015 – Beyond You

I’ve been attending the Leadercast event (which has gone under different names – Maximum Impact Simulcast, Chick Fil-A Leadercast and now Leadercast) over the years. Originally it was John Maxwell’s event, and he has been a speaker each year I’ve attended until this year. Each year the event has been well hosted at Second Presbyterian Church in downtown Bloomington. Attendance this year was down almost 75% from last year due to a decision from a local employer not to support the event. However, my experience was that the 125 people who did attend found it to be a wonderful day of learning, inspiration and networking.

This year’s theme was “Beyond You”. That resonated with me because it is what servant leadership is all about.

Andy Stanley opened the event, and it was his job to tell us what it means to be a “Beyond You” leader, and to create a “Beyond You” culture in your organization. He stated:

  • “Beyond You” leaders fearlessly and selflessly empower leaders around them as well as those coming alongside them.
  • Fearlessly. Leaders who are not afraid of the 25 year-old kid who is smarter than you. “Beyond You” leaders will pour themselves these leaders even though they may take their place someday.
  • Empower. Every leader has power. What leaders need to learn is how to leverage your power/influence for the sake of those around you.
  • Andy stated that the Big Idea is: The value of a life is always measured by how much of it was given away. He said that this is often apparent when we hear about the impact someone has had on others at their funeral.
  • “Beyond You” leaders celebrate generosity and selflessness. We celebrate generosity, but sometimes envy accumulation.
  • We should spend more time on leveraging influence for the sake of others rather than accumulation.
  • He gave us three things to begin doing:
  • Make as few decisions as possible. Refuse to make decisions that other people can make. This is empowering. We need to say: “You decide”. As your organizational authority increases, your organizational IQ decreases. As you go up, you’ll know less and less about more and more things because you are responsible for more. You have authority, but not competency. Just because I have the authority, I don’t have to use it. Give it to others.
  • Work for your team. “Beyond Leaders” ask: “What can I do to help?” How can I leverage my influence/power/position to help you do what I’ve hired you to do? How can I work for you? I want to loan you my influence/power/position. Ask for 1-3 things you can do to assist your team members.
  • Empty your cup. “Beyond Leaders” should ask: “What can I do to fill their cup”? Some object and say that they will do this when they’re the boss. No, start now.

Leadercast is about creating leaders who are worth following. They announced that in addition to the annual one-day event, they are launching new experiences (Leadercast Nights, LeadercastNow.com, etc.). Though the cost to subscribe to LeadercastNow is $299 annually, you can sign up for a free two-week trial subscription at www.LeadercastNow.com).

Leadercast is partnering with the Barna Group on a research initiative on leadership. A few findings: Only one in five say their leader is a good leader. Two in five say their leader is a bad leader. A good (or bad) leader makes a big difference. Bad leadership holds us back.

Here are a few other take-aways from the event:

Dr. Henry Cloud

  • Cloud recently spoke at the organization I work at. His latest book is Boundaries for Leaders: Results, Relationships, and Being Ridiculously in Charge.
  • He talked about the middle space between leadership and human dynamics.
  • Human dynamics drive your influence. You leave a wake (like a boat).
  • Results and relationships. Some leaders get results, but damage people in the process and lose influence.
  • How do you get influence? You need to build influence on a foundation of trust.
  • The human heart wants to be known and understood. Do the people you lead know that you understand them?
  • It’s good to have something past yourself. Is it just about the work? What is the big reason you do what you do? Do the people you lead know this?
  • An opportunity comes when your passion meets a need.
  • Does your work have meaning?
  • Having your influence go past you is vital.
  • Are you able to give up the one thing that is hardest for you to give up (control)? Human beings are control freaks.
  • If you want to empower people you’ve got to let go and give them control. Then, connect them to the work that will help them get results and have passion for.
  • People need to know that you are there for them.
  • Show your people that you are willing to do whatever it takes for them.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

  • He spoke live at the Cape Town, South Africa Leadercast site.
  • He spoke about Nelson Mandela, his selflessness and servant leadership.
  • He had an incredible distinctive laugh, and seemed to really enjoy speaking to the group.
  • He included current events, mentioning the girls were recently abducted, hearing that they had been sold as child brides for $12 in neighboring countries.
  • He said that good leaders listen and consider the opinions of all.
  • Good leaders are accountable. They serve those they lead.
  • Good leaders are there to lead because they know the way.
  • He humorously ended by saying that good leaders know when to retire, and then walked off the platform.

Laura Schroff

  • Told a moving story about helping a hungry 11 year old boy (Maurice) on the streets of NYC in 1986. That has resulted in a long-term relationship with Maurice, who is now married with seven children. Schroff wrote about her relationship with Maurice in her book An Invisible Thread.

Malcolm Gladwell

  • Gladwell talked about Ian Freeland, a General in the British forces in Northern Ireland who made a major mistake. Note: this account is from Gladwell’s latest book, the excellent David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants. See my review here: David and Goliath http://coramdeotheblog.com/leadership/leadership-book-reviews/david-and-goliath-by-malcolm-gladwell/
  • Freeland thought a leader’s role was to set a clear set of rules. Violate those and there will be consequences.
  • Gladwell introduced the topic of deterrence and the consequences of not obeying a leader or the law. What is a leader to do to maintain their authority?
  • He used the example of paying taxes. The level of honesty on tax day varies significantly from county to country. Why so? Americans pay taxes because the perceived cost is so high for cheating. But do we have serious penalties in the U.S.? Not really.
  • Is deterrence the reason people obey or follow law/leaders? No, it’s legitimacy.
  • He talked about the components of legitimacy. It is legitimate if we are being treated with respect.
  • It is legitimate if we are treated with fairness.
  • It is legitimate if it is not arbitrary.
  • What does effective leadership look like? It’s not just what you say, but how you say it. You must be respectful of people. Even if you disagree.
  • You must have a trustworthy system.
  • When we look at people who disobey leaders, we shouldn’t ask what’s wrong with the people, but what’s wrong with the leaders.
  • Another illustration used was education in low-income neighborhoods. It is a system that can’t be trusted.
  • As a leader, we must ask what we can do to make this whole enterprise legitimate.
  • Freeland never understood about establishing legitimacy.
  • The people (Catholics) were not treated fairly. The police were Protestants.
  • The system wasn’t fair or trustworthy.
  • Freeland’s mistake lead to 30 years of fighting that didn’t end until the 1990’s. It started with a leader who did not understand the full obligations of leadership.

The 2015 Leadercast will be held on May 8.

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

Book Reviews:

  • The Holy Spirit by Sinclair Ferguson
  • God Took Me by the Hand: A Story of God’s Unusual Providence by Jerry Bridges
  • Where Nobody Knows Your Name: Life in the Minor Leagues of Baseball by John Feinstein

Music Review: The Essential James Taylor

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