Qualities of Character & Pastoral Training

In a few short weeks I'll be heading off to the Pastor's College of Sovereign Grace Ministries. Some people have found it strange that I'd go out for more training after having just graduated from Bethel Seminary. Explaining the reasons for the decision are numerous, suffice to say my wife, pastors and I think it is God's will.

One major reason for attending the Pastor's College is to undergo an evaluation of my character & enter into a time of character development. To that end, Dr. John Frame wrote an interesting article called Proposal for a New Seminary that argues about the importance of this vital aspect of pastoral training. Below is also a video where Dr. Frame is interviewed about the subject. The pertinent section is between 03:32-08:20. Enjoy


Full Dr. John Frame Interview from GoingtoSeminary.com on Vimeo.

HT: Justin Taylor

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The Amazing Benny Hinn...Sort of

Hayibo - a satirical newspaper - has a pretty funny story about Benny Hinn actually performing a miracle. Who'd a thunk it!

HT: Challies

omnia dicta fortiori, si dicta Latina

Translation: "Everything sounds more impressive when said in Latin." To that end, Semper Reformanda has a post giving the meaning to some common Latin phrases.

Dominus vobiscum,

Matthew

HT: Eric "Gunny" Hartman

Dark Knight of the Screen

We are officially less than 12 hours away from the opening of The Dark Knight, the newest installment in the revamped Batman series. Critics are raving and this fan can't wait!Wet your appetite with some trailers.

Personal Discipline, Corporate Grace

One of the most tangible benefits of preaching is that it is helping me to grasp the power of intentional and prolonged meditation on God's Word. A week ago I preached on Hebrews 12:3-11 for a sermon titled "A Father's Discipline." During the time of preparation, prayer, study and meditation God helped me to grasp the powerful encouragement of being disciplined by our Heavenly Father. After acknowledging the suffering that is present among the recipients of the letter, the author extols them with a chapter about faith and a challenge and calling to "run the race with endurance."

The reality is that is that the race of faith can be exhausting, especially in the midst of trials & hardships. With this in mind he then encourages his readers by talking about discipline. The reason is beautiful and profound. We are disciplined by God because we are his children! This turns our trials on their head; making them a mark of assurance and means for our holiness. As I prepared the message I was challenged to think back on how I respond to such loving discipline. Particularly, do I respond with faith and joy, trusting that my Father disciplines me in wisdom and only with my good in mind. During the preparation and preaching of this message I was challenged to think about how I respond when I face these personal trials.

This Sunday my senior pastor Rick Gamache picked up where I left off and took my meditation even further in Hebrews 12:12-17. He highlighted that the Greek utilizes the definite article in this passage rendering it, "12 Therefore lift the drooping hands and strengthen the weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for the feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." The exhortation now becomes corporate encouragement. Simply put, the encouragement and faith building of my Father's discipline is not an occasional experience reserved for my personal trials. I am also called, along with the body of Christ, to come along side my suffering brothers and grant them the corporate grace to finish their race.

What an encouraging passage. First, my trials reveal that I am a son of God & are meant for my good and holiness. Second, I know that I do not face the hardships of the race of faith alone, but that the body of Christ exists to strengthen me when I feel overwhelmed. And finally, that I have the opportunity to display this kind of corporate grace to those around me that I witness in the midst of trials.

The sovereign wisdom and design of our Father is good indeed!

Umm, Yeah...

There are the prayers of a righteous man and then there is this.



I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry.

HT: Vitamin Z

God of Wonders, In our Galaxy

One of my favorite passages of scripture is Psalm 8. It is an instance where the poetic nature of the Hebrew translates very well into our English versions of the bible. It is an eloquent description of the infinite majesty and wonder of our God. All too often I get lost in the awesome visions of verse 1 and 3:

Ps 8.1 O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Ps 8.3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place.

These verses have led me to wonderful times of worship, considering the awesome power of our God. But sometimes I forget how God's presence and creativity is displayed in even the most routine things. As verse 9 reminds us: "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

As the videos below show, water balloons, snapping spaghetti and popped bubbles can also help us to marvel at the creative genius of the Most High God. (And the voice over is pretty comical as well!)





HT: Sola Miscellany