Shelter in the Storm

Shelter in the Storm is a song by Sovereign Grace Ministries which you can find here: http://www.sovereigngracemusic.org/

Jesus is truly our shelter in the storm! He is our salvation and our only hope!

Sermon Outline: Psalm 139:1-6 “God is Omniscient”

God Knows:

What we do (Psalm 139:1–3)

Matthew 25:12

Genesis 22:12

Jeremiah 32:35, 31:34

Psalm 119:168

What we think (Psalm 139:2)

Psalm 139:23-24

What we say (Psalm 139:4–6)

Hebrews 4:13

Psalm 73:11

Romans 11:33-36

Another Sad Day for Canada: Dr. Henry Morgentaler receives the Order of Canada

Morgentaler award upsets critics View more MSN videosGo to CTV.ca

Dr. Henry Morgentaler says he is proud that Canada has "finally" recognized his contribution to women's rights. Dr. Morgentaler is an abortion rights advocate in Canada who played a key role in striking down Canada's abortion laws in 1988. Canada is now the only western nation without laws regulating abortion.

According to wikipedia, the Order of Canada is the highest civilian honour within the Canadian system of honours, with membership awarded to those who exemplify the order's Latin motto, taken from Hebrews 11:16, desiderantes meliorem patriam, meaning "they desire a better country." Created in 1967, the order was established to recognize the lifetime contributions made by Canadians who made a major difference to Canada, as well as the efforts made by non-Canadians who have made the world better by their actions. As of April 2008, 5,479 people have been appointed to the Order of Canada, including musicians, politicians, artists, television and film stars, benefactors, and others. Since 1994 Non-honorary members are the only regular citizens who are empowered to administer the Canadian Oath of Citizenship. The Canadian monarch, presently Elizabeth II, is Sovereign of the order, and the serving Governor General, presently Michaëlle Jean, is its Chancellor and Principal Companion.

On Tuesday, the Conservative government distanced itself from the appointment, saying it was not involved in the decision.

"Rideau Hall makes these appointments based on the recommendations of the Advisory Council for the Order which is chaired by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada,'''
Dimitri Soudas, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The Governor General's website states that Morgentaler was made a member of the Order of Canada for:

"his commitment to increased health care options for women, his determined efforts to influence Canadian public policy and his leadership in humanist and civil liberties organizations."

Naturally, a day after the Governor General announced Morgentaler's appointment to the Order of Canada, the former abortion doctor held a news conference in Montreal, stating his push to expand access to abortions in the country has made women safer. The disturbing appointment has given further ammunition to Dr. Morgentaler and his goal. In his own words:

"(It's a) sign of recognition for all the work I've done over the years and the sacrifices I've made," he said Wednesday.
http://news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca

LifeCanada President Joanne Byfield told CTV Newsnet shortly after Morgentaler's press conference the reasons behind Morgentaler's award don't make sense. She said Morgentaler has not saved women's lives because abortions are rarely performed because of life-threatening situations.

"How can my country tell me that this man is a hero for killing babies, he got it because he does abortions. If they don't have the guts to say it, why are we giving him the award?"

Affirming Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins words, the appointment is a "sad day for our country." I join with the Archbishop who is leading a letter-writing campaign to Ottawa to have Morgentaler's award rescinded.

I would also affirm his call on (Christians) to pray on Sunday that pleads for "the scourge of abortion to be lifted from our land"

My Letter to the Governor General sent to info@gg.ca:

Dear Madame Governor General;

In regards to the recent appointment of Dr. Henry Morgentaler to the Order of Canada, I believe it debases the order. I would concur with the comments of our Prime Minister who said that awarding Dr. Morgentaler the Order of Canada has sowed division in the country. Quoting his words, "My preference, to be frank, would be to see the Order of Canada be something that really unifies, that brings Canadians together…"

Since, members can be removed from the order if the Advisory Council feels their actions have brought the order into disrepute, I would request under section 25 (c) of The Constitution of the Order of Canada, that you, the Governor General, make an Ordinance terminating Dr. Henry Morgentaler’s appointment to the Order. This would restore the high honor of this award and return it to the purpose for which it was created.

In great respect;

Matthew Kratz

On Vacation: Blogging again in a few days.

Never forget why we do what we do...

The Christopher Wren Cathedral story by Tim Sanders from a 2007 leadership conference. The point of it is how purpose drives motivation. For more useful advice, visit Tim's blog at www.SandersSays.com

12 Sins We Blame on Others

Ben Reaoch, pastor of Three Rivers Grace Church in downtown Pittsburgh, PA. lists 12 Sins We Blame on Others

* * *

It started in the Garden. Adam said to God,

The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate. (Genesis 3:12)

The first man, caught in the first sin, turns to blame his wife. And he extends the blame to God as well! He implies that he would have remained innocent if God hadn’t put Eve in the garden with him.

The blame-shifting in the Garden continues today. Our proud hearts send us desperately looking for someone else to point to every time we’re confronted with our own sin. There must be someone else—our spouse, sibling, parent, boss, co-worker, pastor, friend, or God, himself.

We are so desperate to justify ourselves that we become irrational. Here are 12 examples.

1) Anger

I wouldn’t lose my temper if my co-workers were easier to get along with, or if my kids behaved better, or if my spouse were more considerate.

2) Impatience

I would be a very patient person if it weren’t for traffic jams and long lines in the grocery store. If I didn’t have so many things to do, and if the people around me weren’t so slow, I would never become impatient!

3) Lust

I would have a pure mind if there weren’t so many sensual images in our culture.

4) Anxiety

I wouldn’t worry about the future if my life were just a little more secure—if I had more money, and no health problems.

5) Spiritual Apathy

My spiritual life would be so much more vibrant and I would struggle with sin less if my small group were more encouraging, or if Sunday school were more engaging, or if the music in the worship service were more lively, or if the sermons were better.

6) Insubordination

If my parents/bosses/elders were godly leaders, then I would joyfully follow them.

7) A Critical Spirit

It’s not my fault that the people around me are ignorant and inexperienced.

8) Bitterness

If you knew what that person did to me, you would understand my bitterness. How could I forgive something like that?

9) Gluttony

My wife/husband/roommate/friend is a wonderful cook! The things they make are impossible to resist.

10) Gossip

It’s the people around me who start the conversations. There’s no way to avoid hearing what others happen to say. And when others ask me questions, I can’t avoid sharing what I know.

11) Self-Pity

I’ll never be happy, because my marriage/family/job/ministry is so difficult.

12) Selfishness

I would be more generous if we had more money.

Making excuses like this is arrogant and foolish. It’s a proud way of trying to justify our actions and pacify our guilty consciences. And it keeps us from humbling ourselves before God to repent of our sins and seek his forgiveness.

Consider James 1:13-15, which leaves us with no way of escaping our own sin and guilt. We cannot blame God, for he “cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.”

Instead, we have to accept the humbling truth that “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” This will end the blame game, and it will send us pleading for Christ’s mercy and grace.

George Carlin, and us

Since the death of Comedian George Carlin who died of a heart attack at age 71 Sunday evening, several commentators have mentioned his impact. Dan Phillips @ http://teampyro.blogspot.com mentions:

"Carlin's worldview took a toll on him, as drug-use reportedly started the heart-problems that eventually killed him. Five years before his death, the "funny-man" voiced a very dark view:

"I sort of gave up on this whole human adventure a long time ago," he said a couple of years ago. "Divorced myself from it emotionally. I think the human race has squandered its gift, and I think this country has squandered its promise. I think people in America sold out very cheaply, for sneakers and cheeseburgers. And I don't think it's fixable."

Commenting on the impact of this worldview: "Here you see a man who is confronted with the disaster which autonomy has brought on our race. Carlin sees some of the bitter fruits of man's rebellion against God. He longs for redemption. He sees that it will not arise from within us. Yet, like the classic definition of insanity, he has no prescription but more of the same. He was raised Roman Catholic, and probably thought (alas, wrongly) that this exposed him to Christianity, to Christ, to the Gospel. Thus he often expressed contempt for religion. Rejecting the fake, like so many he was inoculated against the real item. Thus apparently Carlin never seriously considered the actual cure whose absence he would later feel so keenly: Jesus Christ, the only hope and redeemer of mankind (John 1:29; 1 Timothy 1:1). As we all naturally do — in spite of his many keen insights — Carlin misdiagnoses the cause, and thus completely misses the cure".

If you are willing to consider the other radical side of the coin look at Michael Spencer @ http://www.internetmonk.com. He notes: "What strikes me as continually ironic is that Carlin and other comedians have become the truth-tellers of our time, while Christians, especially in their official capacities as preachers, etc., have become the embodiment of truth avoidance and truth obscuration. Or, if you’d like to get on the more cynical bus with me and the Ecclesiastes Band, we’re more known for being liars about the human journey than we are for telling the truth. In that sense, I can say a hardy Thank God for George Carlin, who wasn’t afraid to tell it like it was, even if it totally overturned the tables so nicely arranged by the orderers of society and the custodian of decent thought.

Carlin embodied Shakespeare’s ideal of the fool. (See King Lear for details.) The Fool was a truthteller wrapped in the costume of a clown. Because you had agreed to submit to his agenda of laughter, you opened yourself up to his agenda of truth. One of the first conversations between Lear and his fool includes a death threat, but the Fool is not intimidated, and soon Lear is begging his Fool to continue being the one person who will tell him the painful, but precious, truth.

Carlin was often plunged into controversy of his own making. He saw the hypocrisy of assigning shock value and criminal consequences to words and he played the trump card of the “7 Words You Can’t Say” routine and changed the culture. I know there are plenty of Christians who equate the Golden Age of morality with a lack of profanity, but I’ll have to differ on that one a bit. Behind Carlin’s crusade to use offensive words was another agenda: an understanding of words with social, political, racial and religious significance that were also dangerous to the status quo. Word control was a form of oppression, and Carlin was the liberator in Fool’s clothing. Christians should be verry careful before they side with the thought/word police. What you gonna do when they come for you?"

Wikipedia has a very complete Carlin entry.

Comedians and those who knew the man discuss Carlin’s life and contribution.

This all goes beyond the death of an entertainer. This impacts all of us in considering how any of us will be remembered when we pass away. It's worth our giving that a thought, regardless of the size of our circle of influence, fame, infamy.

In conclusion, Phillips notes: "I'm not asking that we convince the world to like us. Not going to happen — or we've messed up, somewhere (James 4:4). I'm not saying we should expect fairness from the MSM. I'm more thinking of what we make our emphasis. If the media noted our passing, and mischaracterized us, would our friends have abundant resources to show how ridiculous they are? Or would we have played right into their hands by poor judgment, poor priorities, over-fondness of applause, playing for laughs and roses?"

The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot
(Proverbs 10:7)

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favor is better than silver or gold
(Proverbs 22:1)

A good name is better than precious ointment,
and the day of death than the day of birth.
2 It is better to go to the house of mourning
than to go to the house of feasting,
for this is the end of all mankind,
and the living will lay it to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
(Ecclesiastes 7:1-4)

John Piper - Inspiring Youth

This is John Piper mentioning Alex and Brett Harris in his 2008 Don't Waste Your Life conference - full thing can be found here (http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1153_do nt_waste_your_life_session_4/)

ESV Wordled

Justin Taylor@ http://theologica.blogspot.com presents Wordle which is a program "for generating 'word clouds' from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text."

As the ESV Blog points out, Andrew (at The Crazy Australian blog), took the ESV New Testament and created a Wordle of the most prominent words:


And David Reimer sends along his Worldle of the (ESV) Psalms:


If you want to see what the entire ESV text of the Bible looks like, click here.

Just when you thought TV could not get lower: "Swingtown"

Tim Stevens @ http://www.leadingsmart.com has posted an interesting review of Swingtown on CBS.

"This is a show about couples that "swing" -- that is, trade spouses for sexual pleasure. And it is not on HBO or Cinemax. Nope, it's on CBS during primetime when your adolescent kids are likely to be flipping channels. Entertainment Weekly describes Swingtown as "a partner-sharing show whose pilot episode features its protagonists doing drugs and engaging in a foursome."

After watching the first two episodes, he notes the message of the show:

• Sexual relationships with multiple partners have no consequences.
• Your spouse is a prude if she/he won't let you sleep around.
• You can have sex with another person without bonding emotionally or impacting your current committed relationships in any way.

After describing the background of the executive producer and show creator, Mike Kelley, he goes on to talk about how he pitched the show to CBS after being declined by several cable networks. He told the Nina Tassler, president of CBS entertainment: "We still want the leading lady to take [drugs] and have sex with the neighbors. We still want the underage daughter to smoke pot and flirt with her teacher. We still want the crazy neighbor lady to snort coke." The amazing thing is that Tassler wants us to think this show reflects normal life".

When to Leave Your Church

John MacArthur @ http://www.sfpulpit.com has a quick post on when to leave a local church. He notes: "Leaving a church is not something that should be done lightly. Too many people abandon churches for petty reasons. Disagreements over simple matters of preference are never a good reason to withdraw from a sound, Bible-believing church. Christians are commanded to respect, honor, and obey those whom God has placed in positions of leadership in the church (Heb.13:7, 17).

However, there are times when it becomes necessary to leave a church for the sake of one’s own conscience, or out of a duty to obey God rather than men. Such circumstances would include:

If heresy on some fundamental truth is being taught from the pulpit (Gal. 1:7-9).

If the leaders of the church tolerate seriously errant doctrine from any who are given teaching authority in the fellowship (Rom. 16:17).

If the church is characterized by a wanton disregard for Scripture, such as a refusal to discipline members who are sinning blatantly (1 Cor. 5:1-7).

If unholy living is tolerated in the church (1 Cor. 5:9-11).

If the church is seriously out of step with the biblical pattern for the church (2 Thess. 3:6, 14).

If the church is marked by gross hypocrisy, giving lip service to biblical Christianity but refusing to acknowledge its true power (2 Tim. 3:5).

This is not to suggest that these are the only circumstances under which people are permitted to leave a church. There is certainly nothing wrong with moving one’s membership just because another church offers better teaching or more opportunities for growth and service. But those who transfer their membership for such reasons ought to take extreme care not to sow discord or division in the church they are leaving. And such moves ought to be made sparingly. Membership in a church is a commitment that ought to be taken seriously".

A Ripe Apple Falls From a Tree

Sermon Outline: “God is Triune”

1) The Tri-unity of God is One God

Deuteronomy 6:4

Mark 12:28-37

John 10:30

2) The Tri-unity of God in Three Persons

Genesis 1:26; 11:7

Isaiah 6:8

Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19

2 Corinthians 13:14

3) The Tri-unity of God Can be Confused

Philippians 2:5-8

John 1:3

4) The Tri-unity of God impacts us

Bob Kauflin Interview on How Music Works in Worship

This is the third clip from a longer video in which Tim Smith, worship pastor from Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA, asked Bob Kauflin various questions related to worship. In this portion, Tim asked Bob about the relationship between music and worship. In it Bob talks about some of the factors that have made music such a volatile issue in the church today, and different ways that Christians view music. Just scratching the surface here…If you want to dig deeper, read Harold Best’s Music Through the Eyes of Faith. It is extremely insightful, helpful, and biblically faithful.

The Pastor’s Joy + Church Members

Tony Reinke @ http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org mentions how joy-filled pastoring is partially dependent upon joy-filled church members. So how can members of a local church help foster joy in their pastor? This topic is discussed in this third excerpt from the upcoming Sovereign Grace Leadership Interview podcast (“The Pastor + Joy”).

-----------

Joshua Harris : For non-pastors listening who are asking, “How can I be a joy to my pastors?”, what are ways they can be encouraging and boosting the joy of their pastors?

C.J. Mahaney: Well, excellent question. In Hebrews 13:17 we read, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” [ESV]

So for all those who are listening, that is an excellent question to be asking. This is a biblical question: How can I make pastoring a joy for my pastor?

I think one would be wise to begin with a text like this and to recognize the priority of making it a joy to serve in pastoral ministry by your appreciation of those in pastoral ministry—your appreciation of their character, their care, their labor, their unique work on your behalf. So there is an appropriate responsiveness expected of you towards their leadership and service in the context of the local church that will make it a joy for them to pastor.

And it would be wise for everyone listening to ask another question: Am I a joy to pastor?

And don’t confine the evaluation of yourself to yourself. I would encourage everyone listening to approach your pastor and ask, “Am I a joy for you to pastor? And if not, why not? I want to be a joy to pastor. I want to bring you joy in pastoring.”

So I think Scripture is clear: By appreciating the character of their pastor and the labor of their pastor, by encouraging their pastor, by the member’s own participation in the local church, they can be a pure joy to pastor.

God wants happy pastors. Any other kind of pastor does not accurately represent God. Yet happy pastors are, to some degree, dependent on individuals who make it a joy to pastor.

Friday Humour

Kids suing parents

Court overturns father’s grounding of 12-year-old:

A Canadian court has lifted a 12-year-old girl’s grounding, overturning her father’s punishment for disobeying his orders to stay off the Internet, his lawyer said Wednesday.

The girl had taken her father to Quebec Superior Court after he refused to allow her to go on a school trip for chatting on websites he tried to block, and then posting “inappropriate” pictures of herself online using a friend’s computer.

The father’s lawyer Kim Beaudoin said the disciplinary measures were for the girl’s “own protection” and is appealing the ruling. . . .

According to court documents, the girl’s Internet transgression was just the latest in a string of broken house rules. Even so, Justice Suzanne Tessier found her punishment too severe.

Gene Edward Veith @ http://www.geneveith.com comments: "It isn’t just the deconstruction of marriage we are facing, it is the deconstruction of the family, with its constituent authorities and responsibilities, with the state taking its place".

Why It Matters That God Does Everything for His Own Glory

Why should we emphasize that God loves, forgives, and saves for his own glory? John Piper @ http://www.desiringgod.org/ outlines two reasons (among others).

1) Because the Bible does.

I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. (Isaiah 43:25)

For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. (Psalm 25:11)

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake! (Psalm 79:9)

Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name's sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you. (Jeremiah 14:7)

We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord, and the iniquity of our fathers, for we have sinned against you. Do not spurn us, for your name's sake; do not dishonor your glorious throne. (Jeremiah 14:20-21)

God put [Christ] forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:25-26)

Your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. (1 John 2:12)

2. Because it makes clear that God loves us with the greatest love.

Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory. (John 17:24)

The greatest love is God’s giving himself to us for our eternal enjoyment for ever, at the cost of his Son’s life (Romans 8:32).

LIFE Together: Summertime

Shown at LIFE Together on June 1, 2008 to provide some ideas of how you can live out LIFE during the summer season.

Ten Excuses: How to respond to those trying to dodge the Great Commission.

Mark Mittelberg @ http://www.buildingchurchleaders.com gives the answers to 10 excuses that people often use to not evangelize.

"It isn't hard to find reasons to avoid reaching out to others with the good news of Jesus Christ. Here is how I respond to ten common objections."

1. "I don't have any non-Christian friends."
   Jesus was a friend of sinners. We need to take risks to follow his example.
   
   
2. "I don't have the gift of evangelism. It's not my thing."
   Jesus gave the Great Commission to the entire church. We all have a vital part to play by using approaches that fit our unique personalities.
   
   
3. "I don't have time right now."
   Mix outreach with things you're already doing by inviting unchurched friends to join you. Think of the difference one lunch made in the life of Zacchaeus!
   
   
4. "I'm afraid of what friends will think of me."
   That's a good sign you're sensitive enough to approach people in ways that won't unnecessarily offend them! If you interact respectfully, they'll likely be open.
   
   
5. "I'll just live out my faith in front of my friends; they'll figure it out."
   That sounds appealing, but it's neither biblical nor effective. Paraphrasing Romans 10:14, they're not going to see it unless we also say it.
   
   
6. "I don't know how to bring up the topic."
   Pray for wisdom and courage to seize split-second opportunities to steer ordinary topics, like getting a drink of water (John 4), into spiritual conversations ("I could have given you living water").
   
   
7. "I wouldn't know what to say once the topic was raised."
   That's okay because it's best to do more listening at first anyway. Once you're into it, you'll find experiences to explore, questions to discuss, and stories to tell—and the Holy Spirit will guide you!
   
   
8. "I don't know enough."
   The best way to grow in this area is simply to dive in and say what you do know. You can always delay answering a tough question until you've had time to look into it.
   
   
9. "In our church's tradition, we don't talk about personal faith."
   Your friends need to understand the gospel message because it's "the power of God for salvation." Stretch yourself to communicate it in ways that fit you, and them—maybe writing letters or sending books or tapes. Take small steps, and it'll become more natural.
   
   
10. "My church is more into teaching and worship than evangelism."
    Don't excuse negligence of one area because we have competence in another. For the sake of lost people who matter to God, let's do all we can to reach them, personally and through the church.