Mark Driscoll Resigns from Mars Hill Church
Mark Driscoll announces his resignation from his Seattle church Wednesday (Oct. 15)
Driscoll hinted, though, that his continued presence would be a distraction. “Prior to and during this process there have been no charges of criminal activity, immorality or heresy, any of which could clearly be grounds for disqualification from pastoral ministry,” Driscoll wrote. “Other issues, such as aspects of my personality and leadership style, have proven... Continue Reading
Houston, We Have a Constitution
Houston city attorneys have issued subpoenas to pastors vocal in opposition to the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, which deals with gender identity and sexuality in public accommodations
The preaching of sermons in the pulpits of churches is of no concern to any government bureaucrat at all. This country settled, a long time ago, with a First Amendment that the government would not supervise, license, or bully religious institutions. That right wasn’t handed out by the government, as a kind of temporary restraining... Continue Reading
City of Houston Demands Pastors Turn over Sermons
The city of Houston has issued subpoenas demanding a group of pastors turn over any sermons dealing with homosexuality, gender identity or Annise Parker, the city’s first openly lesbian mayor
Among those slapped with a subpoena is Steve Riggle, the senior pastor of Grace Community Church. He was ordered him to produce all speeches and sermons related to Mayor Annise Parker, homosexuality and gender identity. The mega-church pastor was also ordered to hand over “all communications with members of your congregation” regarding the non-discrimination law.... Continue Reading
What We Won’t Regret
All the things we are likely not to regret when we get to the end of our days.
We won’t regret going to bed with a messy house if that meant we had time to chase the kids around in the backyard. We won’t regret all the wasted time with friends. We won’t regret laughing often and laughing loudly. We won’t regret hugging our kids whenever they’ll let us. After writing yesterday’s... Continue Reading
Completing not Competing
God made men and women different in order that they would complement each other, work better together than apart.
They differ physically; they differ in the way each thinks, feels, and relates; they differ in their roles and responsibilities. And yet because God deliberately designed the differences to help and perfect the other, when these differences are accepted and celebrated, both the man and the woman flourish and thrive. Neither is superior nor inferior... Continue Reading
Is Your Worship Christian or Pagan?
7 points to help us think more biblically about worship:
While we are generally careful not to say so, there seems to be a tendency to treat worship as something which is for us. Don’t misunderstand. There are great blessings to be had in worshipping God. What is more, God does not require our worship as though he needs something from us (Acts 17:22-25). Rather,... Continue Reading
Mourning with Those Who Mourn
For those who want to do something but have no clue, I suggest that they think about how the bereaved has ministered to them in the past.
The process of mourning is very individual, but I identify with some of the generic grief symptoms listed online. Anxiety about losing another loved one. Check. Lack of energy. Check. Difficulty concentrating. Check. Questioning God’s providence. Check. I need all the love and support of the body of Christ that I receive. Here are some things that others do... Continue Reading
Thomas Boston on Sanctification
An excerpt on sanctification from An Illustration of the Doctrines of the Christian Religion, Part 1
How man is sanctified. It is a work carried on by degrees. The Spirit implants grace in the soul, giving it a new power towards God and his law. The Spirit preserves the implanted grace (1 Pet. 1:5). The Spirit excites and quickens this implanted grace in the soul; he strengthens and excites it and... Continue Reading
God Has Done The Big Thing. Surely He’ll Take Care Of The Lesser Things.
We, like Israel, have short memories when it comes to what God has done for us
God gave up his most valuable thing – his Son Jesus on the cross – he sent Jesus to be broken and to pour out his blood for sin, then he poured out his horrific wrath upon his Son’s soul, withdrawing every shred of mercy and love from Jesus’ awareness. He did this for us... Continue Reading
10 Types of Thinking that Undergird Depression-Anxiety
An important step in overcoming depression-anxiety is to recognize these patterns of thought as they are occurring.
Below are ten styles of thinking that fuel the depressive-anxious experience. The goal in studying this section is to realize when you’re “doing” depression-anxiety. In the moments below, depression-anxiety is not “happening to you” but “coming from you.” These are patterns that, by the freedom God gives in the gospel, you can overcome. This... Continue Reading