by Don Carson:
One evangelical cliché has it that God hates the sin but loves the sinner.
There is a small element of truth in these words: God has nothing but hate for the sin, but this cannot be said with respect to how God sees the sinner.
Nevertheless the cliché is false on the face of it, and should be abandoned. Fourteen times in the first fifty psalms alone, the psalmists state that God hates the sinner, that His wrath is on the liar, and so forth. In the Bible the wrath of God rests on both the sin (Rom. 1:18–23) and the sinner (1:24–32; 2:5; John 3:36).
Our problem in part is that in human experience wrath and love normally abide in mutually exclusive compartments. Love drives wrath out, or wrath drives love out. We come closest to bringing them together, perhaps, in our responses to a wayward act by one of our children, but normally we do not think that a wrathful person is loving.
But this is not the way it is with God. God’s wrath is not an implacable blind rage. However emotional it may be, it is an entirely reasonable and willed response to offenses against His holiness. At the same time His love wells up amidst His perfections and is not generated by the loveliness of the loved. Thus there is nothing intrinsically impossible about wrath and love being directed toward the same individual or people at once. God in His perfections must be wrathful against His rebel image-bearers, for they have offended Him; God in His perfections must be loving toward His rebel image-bearers, for He is that kind of God. . . .
The reality is that the Old Testament displays the grace and love of God in experience and types, and these realities become all the clearer in the New Testament. Similarly, the Old Testament displays the righteous wrath of God in experience and types, and these realities become all the clearer in the New Testament. In other words both God’s love and God’s wrath are ratcheted up in the move from the Old Testament to the New. These themes barrel along through redemptive history, unresolved, until they come to a resounding climax in the Cross.
Do you wish to see God’s love? Look at the Cross.
Do you wish to see God’s wrath? Look at the Cross.
—From D.A. Carson, “God’s Love and God’s Wrath,” Bibliotheca Sacra 156 (1999): 388–390.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
8 Symptoms of False Doctrine
J. C. Ryle Quotes is a nice repository of ever-relevant quotes from the 19th century pastor.
Here is the latest:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many things combine to make the present inroad of false doctrine peculiarly dangerous.
1. There is an undeniable zeal in some of the teachers of error: their “earnestness” makes many think they must be right.
2. There is a great appearance of learning and theological knowledge: many fancy that such clever and intellectual men must surely be safe guides.
3. There is a general tendency to free thought and free inquiry in these latter days: many like to prove their independence of judgment, by believing novelties.
4. There is a wide-spread desire to appear charitable and liberal-minded: many seem half ashamed of saying that anybody can be in the wrong.
5. There is a quantity of half-truth taught by the modern false teachers: they are incessantly using Scriptural terms and phrases in an unscriptural sense.
6. There is a morbid craving in the public mind for a more sensuous, ceremonial, sensational, showy worship: men are impatient of inward, invisible heart-work.
7. There is a silly readiness in every direction to believe everybody who talks cleverly, lovingly and earnestly, and a determination to forget that Satan often masquerades himself “as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).
8. There is a wide-spread “gullibility” among professing Christians: every heretic who tells his story plausibly is sure to be believed, and everybody who doubts him is called a persecutor and a narrow-minded man.
All these things are peculiar symptoms of our times. I defy any observing person to deny them. They tend to make the assaults of false doctrine in our day peculiarly dangerous. They make it more than ever needful to cry aloud, “Do not be carried away!”
~ J.C. Ryle
Warnings to the Churches, “Divers and Strange Doctrines”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1967], 76, 77.
Here is the latest:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many things combine to make the present inroad of false doctrine peculiarly dangerous.
1. There is an undeniable zeal in some of the teachers of error: their “earnestness” makes many think they must be right.
2. There is a great appearance of learning and theological knowledge: many fancy that such clever and intellectual men must surely be safe guides.
3. There is a general tendency to free thought and free inquiry in these latter days: many like to prove their independence of judgment, by believing novelties.
4. There is a wide-spread desire to appear charitable and liberal-minded: many seem half ashamed of saying that anybody can be in the wrong.
5. There is a quantity of half-truth taught by the modern false teachers: they are incessantly using Scriptural terms and phrases in an unscriptural sense.
6. There is a morbid craving in the public mind for a more sensuous, ceremonial, sensational, showy worship: men are impatient of inward, invisible heart-work.
7. There is a silly readiness in every direction to believe everybody who talks cleverly, lovingly and earnestly, and a determination to forget that Satan often masquerades himself “as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).
8. There is a wide-spread “gullibility” among professing Christians: every heretic who tells his story plausibly is sure to be believed, and everybody who doubts him is called a persecutor and a narrow-minded man.
All these things are peculiar symptoms of our times. I defy any observing person to deny them. They tend to make the assaults of false doctrine in our day peculiarly dangerous. They make it more than ever needful to cry aloud, “Do not be carried away!”
~ J.C. Ryle
Warnings to the Churches, “Divers and Strange Doctrines”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1967], 76, 77.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Nicaragua Missions with M.U.D. Ministries
God is expanding our ministry in Nicaragua, and we are in the beginning stages of some major training for the indigenous pastors in this country. There has been a lot of “mission” effort going on in Nicaragua for the past several years. With that, there are some good things that have happened and some bad things that have happened, as well.
With the doors open for Americans to go to Nicaragua and train pastors, many have taken advantage of that opportunity. Just like in Jude, some men have crept in unnoticed and begun to preach another gospel. There have been some churches that have fallen victim to the prosperity message: if you come to a certain church and give to their cause, God has promised health and wealth. This is so sad because the poorest people seem to be the ones that fall victims to this kind of lie. There has been an invasion of cults into the country, and so many are being led down a pathway of destruction. Our only option is to take the truth and preach the Gospel. We have been doing this diligently for the past several years, and we will continue to share the Gospel and contend for the faith.
In addition, we have the team that is going in July to prepare the way for our mission trips later in the year. We are in need of Bibles in Spanish or the funds to purchase them. The fact is, we can't take enough so we just take all we can and continue to prepare to bring more!
In August and October we will take more teams to spend time equipping and training pastors and lay leaders. We have 27 new Pastors that will be going through some very strategic training to help equip them to lead their congregations for the glory of the Lord. We are also working with two new orphanages that are in need of our help. We feel that the Lord is leading us to begin a mentor program that will prepare the older children for a transition to life outside the orphanage.
The facts about some of the conditions in Nicaragua are heartbreaking but we must face the issues. We see the problem, now we must combat the enemy!
When you support M.U.D. Ministries you are supporting God’s work in Nicaragua. He has told us to go and serve Him by serving others. Please consider going with us either this year or next year. God can use you to go and make disciples and stop the cycle of destruction that many children and adults are in. If you can’t go, help us by sending us and offering scholarships for those desiring to be on one of our mission teams to Nicaragua!
With the doors open for Americans to go to Nicaragua and train pastors, many have taken advantage of that opportunity. Just like in Jude, some men have crept in unnoticed and begun to preach another gospel. There have been some churches that have fallen victim to the prosperity message: if you come to a certain church and give to their cause, God has promised health and wealth. This is so sad because the poorest people seem to be the ones that fall victims to this kind of lie. There has been an invasion of cults into the country, and so many are being led down a pathway of destruction. Our only option is to take the truth and preach the Gospel. We have been doing this diligently for the past several years, and we will continue to share the Gospel and contend for the faith.
In addition, we have the team that is going in July to prepare the way for our mission trips later in the year. We are in need of Bibles in Spanish or the funds to purchase them. The fact is, we can't take enough so we just take all we can and continue to prepare to bring more!
In August and October we will take more teams to spend time equipping and training pastors and lay leaders. We have 27 new Pastors that will be going through some very strategic training to help equip them to lead their congregations for the glory of the Lord. We are also working with two new orphanages that are in need of our help. We feel that the Lord is leading us to begin a mentor program that will prepare the older children for a transition to life outside the orphanage.
The facts about some of the conditions in Nicaragua are heartbreaking but we must face the issues. We see the problem, now we must combat the enemy!
78% of rape cases in 2009 involved adolescent girls less than 17 years old.
1 of every 4 children suffer from some form of malnutrition.
Prostitution is legal for girls 14 years old or older.
87% of violent crimes—rape, sexual crimes, and assault—are against children.
1 of every 3 girls and 1 of every 5 boys have been sexually assaulted.
When you support M.U.D. Ministries you are supporting God’s work in Nicaragua. He has told us to go and serve Him by serving others. Please consider going with us either this year or next year. God can use you to go and make disciples and stop the cycle of destruction that many children and adults are in. If you can’t go, help us by sending us and offering scholarships for those desiring to be on one of our mission teams to Nicaragua!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Thank you
I wanted to personally thank all those who have and are continuing to pray for our family during our loss. My wife lost her Dad suddenly on Friday, March 4th. He was getting well and planning to come home after a bout with pneumonia. All we know is that he fell in the hospital and hit his head. Due to the amount of blood thinner he was taking, he could not have surgery and the bleed inside his head could not be stopped. He went to be with the Lord on March 5th.
We all have a best. I encourage you to give your best to Christ while you can. For some, it would have just been a bump on the head but for others it may be the end of your life. When the Lord requires your soul, you will not take it back. I thank you for your love and prayers as we move ahead. We desperately wanted the boys we are adopting to meet their Paw Paw Bill. He would have loved them and they would have loved him. God's grace is sufficient and we will continue to trust the Lord!
We all have a best. I encourage you to give your best to Christ while you can. For some, it would have just been a bump on the head but for others it may be the end of your life. When the Lord requires your soul, you will not take it back. I thank you for your love and prayers as we move ahead. We desperately wanted the boys we are adopting to meet their Paw Paw Bill. He would have loved them and they would have loved him. God's grace is sufficient and we will continue to trust the Lord!
Monday, March 7, 2011
2011 Nicaragua Missions
M.U.D. Ministries has been hosting mission trips to the country of Nicaragua for the past five years. In 2010, over 100 people from dozens of churches throughout the U.S. participated. These trips have included city-wide crusades, door to door evangelism, revival services, pastor's conferences, marriage conferences, women's conferences, VBS for children, construction projects, and ministering to orphans. The primary focus for all M.U.D. Mission Trips is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ Biblically and effectively. M.U.D. is also committed to equipping international churches to reach their communities.
There is still time to sign up for a mission trip with M.U.D. Ministries to Nicaragua this year. If you have any questions or would like general information, please feel free to contact us anytime! The June trip price increased due to airfare increase.
JULY NICARAGUA TRIPDate: July 23-30, 2011
Capacity: 30 participants *
Cost: $1,770 per person **
Description: Plans include Revival Services, Evangelism, and Children's Ministry.
Payment breakdown: $870 deposit due March 15th, 2011
AUGUST NICARAGUA TRIPDate: August 13-20, 2011
Capacity: 30 participants *
Cost: $1,695 per person **
Description: Plans include Revival Services, Evangelism, and Pastors’ Conference.
Payment breakdown: $700 deposit due June 1st, 2011
OCTOBER NICARAGUA TRIPDate: October 1-8, 2011
Capacity: 30 participants *
Cost: $1,695 per person **
Description: Plans include Revival Services, Evangelism, Pastors’ Conference, and Children's Ministry.
Payment breakdown: $700 deposit due July 1st, 2011
* Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone. Student Groups must have one adult chaperone per four students of the same gender.
** Cost includes the following: administration, meals, lodging, ground fees, interpreters, and airfare from Atlanta, GA. Cost is subject to change if airfare increases or your group needs to fly out of a different city. Deposits are NON-Refundable and used to purchase airfare for participants. Call the M.U.D. Office (256.620.1788) today for questions, reservations, or more information.
There is still time to sign up for a mission trip with M.U.D. Ministries to Nicaragua this year. If you have any questions or would like general information, please feel free to contact us anytime! The June trip price increased due to airfare increase.
JULY NICARAGUA TRIPDate: July 23-30, 2011
Capacity: 30 participants *
Cost: $1,770 per person **
Description: Plans include Revival Services, Evangelism, and Children's Ministry.
Payment breakdown: $870 deposit due March 15th, 2011
AUGUST NICARAGUA TRIPDate: August 13-20, 2011
Capacity: 30 participants *
Cost: $1,695 per person **
Description: Plans include Revival Services, Evangelism, and Pastors’ Conference.
Payment breakdown: $700 deposit due June 1st, 2011
OCTOBER NICARAGUA TRIPDate: October 1-8, 2011
Capacity: 30 participants *
Cost: $1,695 per person **
Description: Plans include Revival Services, Evangelism, Pastors’ Conference, and Children's Ministry.
Payment breakdown: $700 deposit due July 1st, 2011
* Participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone. Student Groups must have one adult chaperone per four students of the same gender.
** Cost includes the following: administration, meals, lodging, ground fees, interpreters, and airfare from Atlanta, GA. Cost is subject to change if airfare increases or your group needs to fly out of a different city. Deposits are NON-Refundable and used to purchase airfare for participants. Call the M.U.D. Office (256.620.1788) today for questions, reservations, or more information.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Prayer Request
Hello my friends! Please pass the word along about the blog and M.U.D. Ministries. You can alos keep up with me on Facebook and Twitter.
I'm asking you to pray for me as I preach at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Albertville on Sunday morning and Monday night. I'll be teaching during Sunday School to all parents and grandparents that have children in the home. I'll teach on
I'm asking you to pray for me as I preach at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Albertville on Sunday morning and Monday night. I'll be teaching during Sunday School to all parents and grandparents that have children in the home. I'll teach on
Leading and Restoring a Household of Faith.It is basically the doctrinal foundation for family discipleship and worship. Then I'll preach their first revival service. Monday night I'll return and preach the revival service that night. I pray that it is a God blown revival!!
Rebekah's Dad
Bill Nesmith, my Father-in-Law, went to be with the Lord Saturday morning.
Paw Paw Bill as I called him, was in the hospital with pneumonia but was expected to come home soon when he fell in the hospital room and suffered injury to his head Friday. He died yesterday morning. To say this is such a shock is an understatement.
He will be missed greatly by my precious wife and children. I thank the Lord for him and the love he had for his family. I thank the Lord that our last conversation was about the Gospel and the joy of knowing Christ. We talked about John 17:3.
I grieve for my wife, and I am encouraged by her faith in God's Word. She wanted so deeply for her daddy to meet his adopted grandsons. I pray that they will come to know Jesus as their Savior and have true eternal life.
Eternal life is not place, it is a relationship with God and His Son! I am thankful for eternal life this morning!!
Even though they will not meet Paw Paw Bill this side of heaven, I know that he would have loved them! He sure did love his grandchildren!! Please pray for Rebekah as she and her brother work through the many things together. Pray that it builds their love for each other and strengthens our family. For a good picture of Rebekah and her dad visit...
Paw Paw Bill as I called him, was in the hospital with pneumonia but was expected to come home soon when he fell in the hospital room and suffered injury to his head Friday. He died yesterday morning. To say this is such a shock is an understatement.
He will be missed greatly by my precious wife and children. I thank the Lord for him and the love he had for his family. I thank the Lord that our last conversation was about the Gospel and the joy of knowing Christ. We talked about John 17:3.
This is eternal life, to know the one true God and His Son, whom He sent, Jesus Christ.
I grieve for my wife, and I am encouraged by her faith in God's Word. She wanted so deeply for her daddy to meet his adopted grandsons. I pray that they will come to know Jesus as their Savior and have true eternal life.
Eternal life is not place, it is a relationship with God and His Son! I am thankful for eternal life this morning!!
Even though they will not meet Paw Paw Bill this side of heaven, I know that he would have loved them! He sure did love his grandchildren!! Please pray for Rebekah as she and her brother work through the many things together. Pray that it builds their love for each other and strengthens our family. For a good picture of Rebekah and her dad visit...
Friday, March 4, 2011
Draw Near
“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.” Psalms 73:28
In times of trials and uncertainty, this verse is a great verse to meditate upon. Asaph is the man whom the Lord inspired to write this psalm. As you read Psalm 73, you find that Asaph is singing of providence. He seemed to wonder, “How can it be right for a man that is wicked to have so many good things, and those who are good to suffer want?” If I had to guess, I would guess that many people have thought the very same thing. God uses trouble in our life to accomplish His purpose. I could preach an entire six months on this and still not adequately cover the topic, but here are some thoughts for you to ponder.
Why does God allow us to go through trials and test us?
#1 — To test our faith, so that WE can see the areas of our faith that need to be increased. He knows our strength, but WE need to see it, or the lack of it, as well.
#2 — To humble us, lest we think more of ourselves than we should.
#3 — To wean us away from worldly things.
#4 — To call us to a heavenly hope so that we live for Christ and not the world.
#5 — To reveal what it is that we really love.
#6 — To teach us to appreciate the blessings of God as they come to us in the midst of our trials.
#7 — To enable us to help others in their trials and bear one another's burdens.
God uses all things to draw His children to Himself! He is a jealous God and deserves all of our attention. There are so many distractions, and we are so weak. God loves us enough to use even the most difficult of circumstances to make us more like Him. It is good when you draw near to God. By nature we stand in opposition to God, alienated enemies (Col. 1:21). I am thankful that God sent a mediator, Jesus Christ, that saved us from divine justice.
Jesus Christ has made a way for us to draw near to God by His life, His death, and His resurrection. Jesus died to make God and us friends. So in your trials—I know you have them—draw near to God and feel His love for you through His precious Son, Jesus Christ!
In times of trials and uncertainty, this verse is a great verse to meditate upon. Asaph is the man whom the Lord inspired to write this psalm. As you read Psalm 73, you find that Asaph is singing of providence. He seemed to wonder, “How can it be right for a man that is wicked to have so many good things, and those who are good to suffer want?” If I had to guess, I would guess that many people have thought the very same thing. God uses trouble in our life to accomplish His purpose. I could preach an entire six months on this and still not adequately cover the topic, but here are some thoughts for you to ponder.
Why does God allow us to go through trials and test us?
#1 — To test our faith, so that WE can see the areas of our faith that need to be increased. He knows our strength, but WE need to see it, or the lack of it, as well.
#2 — To humble us, lest we think more of ourselves than we should.
#3 — To wean us away from worldly things.
#4 — To call us to a heavenly hope so that we live for Christ and not the world.
#5 — To reveal what it is that we really love.
#6 — To teach us to appreciate the blessings of God as they come to us in the midst of our trials.
#7 — To enable us to help others in their trials and bear one another's burdens.
God uses all things to draw His children to Himself! He is a jealous God and deserves all of our attention. There are so many distractions, and we are so weak. God loves us enough to use even the most difficult of circumstances to make us more like Him. It is good when you draw near to God. By nature we stand in opposition to God, alienated enemies (Col. 1:21). I am thankful that God sent a mediator, Jesus Christ, that saved us from divine justice.
Jesus Christ has made a way for us to draw near to God by His life, His death, and His resurrection. Jesus died to make God and us friends. So in your trials—I know you have them—draw near to God and feel His love for you through His precious Son, Jesus Christ!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
From Eric
I pray that this month’s newsletter finds you growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is our personal, Biblical, and experimental knowledge of Him that shapes our lives. The Lord has used these past several weeks in my life to compel me to follow Him at all cost. I know that I need a greater and clearer vision of Christ that I may be more transformed into His image. My prayer is that my life will be a testimony to others of the transforming power of Christ!
There is much advice to be taken in as we go through life’s trials. There are those that are “experts,” like in David’s day when he faced Goliath, that will tell you just what you need to do to win the battle. They have strategies and methods which seem to work so well in the world that they will urge you to use. Some would have you dress up in unbiblical armor to the point that you cannot even walk the path of faith—let alone run the race set before you.
I have done much evaluating of all that M.U.D. Ministries has been involved in, and I have looked at it in light of Scripture. We are making some changes that we feel will be more honoring to God. I have a group of Godly men that serve on our Board of Directors, and I am spending much time in prayer and in the Word of God to direct our ministry. In the future, this may mean that we may be smaller, but I believe we will be much stronger.
My family and I are very thankful for the opportunity to serve. The mission field in Nicaragua and the United States is vast. God is working through His servants, and people are being saved! What a privilege to be serving our King, Jesus! In the coming days, our family will be growing again. Jonathan and Josiah will be with us soon, Lord willing.
The adoption is stretching us, to say the least. We have been through more than most of you know in this process. Our experiences have included attempting to adopt from Nicaragua and being so close and having the door shut at the last minute, a very difficult time with foster care and adoption here in the U.S., then the long wait for approval for adoption from China. The Lord is blessing us with not one, but two precious sons. It seems almost unreal but so real you can taste it!
Please pray for us as we strive to honor our Savior in all that we do as a ministry and as a family. Your partnership is making a difference, and lives are being changed for eternity! Thank you for sending us out to fulfill the Great Commission!!
There is much advice to be taken in as we go through life’s trials. There are those that are “experts,” like in David’s day when he faced Goliath, that will tell you just what you need to do to win the battle. They have strategies and methods which seem to work so well in the world that they will urge you to use. Some would have you dress up in unbiblical armor to the point that you cannot even walk the path of faith—let alone run the race set before you.
I have done much evaluating of all that M.U.D. Ministries has been involved in, and I have looked at it in light of Scripture. We are making some changes that we feel will be more honoring to God. I have a group of Godly men that serve on our Board of Directors, and I am spending much time in prayer and in the Word of God to direct our ministry. In the future, this may mean that we may be smaller, but I believe we will be much stronger.
My family and I are very thankful for the opportunity to serve. The mission field in Nicaragua and the United States is vast. God is working through His servants, and people are being saved! What a privilege to be serving our King, Jesus! In the coming days, our family will be growing again. Jonathan and Josiah will be with us soon, Lord willing.
The adoption is stretching us, to say the least. We have been through more than most of you know in this process. Our experiences have included attempting to adopt from Nicaragua and being so close and having the door shut at the last minute, a very difficult time with foster care and adoption here in the U.S., then the long wait for approval for adoption from China. The Lord is blessing us with not one, but two precious sons. It seems almost unreal but so real you can taste it!
Please pray for us as we strive to honor our Savior in all that we do as a ministry and as a family. Your partnership is making a difference, and lives are being changed for eternity! Thank you for sending us out to fulfill the Great Commission!!
I'll try again
I will try to begin blogging a little again. I am not going to commit to blog daily but I pray I can do this weekly. Who knows, maybe a little more. The first post of 2011 is coming soon. If you want to read a really good blog about the Hixon Family go to www.intheheartofourhome.blogspot.com
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Boys to Men -- A Revealing Angle from the World of Advertising
From Albert Mohler's Blog
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The “Sunday Styles” section of The New York Times is often a useful barometer of the culture. On October 17, that section featured a front-page spread entitled, “From Boys to Men,” and the article is a sign of something larger than mere fashion and advertising.
Reporter Guy Trebay explains that advertisers have shifted their images of male identity from the “skinny skate-rat” of recent years to real and recognizable men. Trebay credits Hedi Slimane of Dior men’s wear for inventing the boy image so prevalent in recent culture. Images of skinny youths with slightly (or more than slightly) androgynous appearances have dominated. Trebay describes this pattern as “designer subversions of age and gender expectations.”
But now, a far more masculine and traditional model of manhood is showing up in advertisements and media images. Joe Levy, editor in chief of Maxim, a magazine that skirts the edge between the traditional men’s magazine and pornography, attributes the shift to economic factors. In other words, when unemployment threatens, skinny skate-rat images bring no comfort. Instead, men who look like they might actually hold a job are back in style.
Related Posts
Boys Will Be Boys — Just Try to Deny the Obvious
Boys Being Diagnosed As … Boys (Audio)
Boys in Class = Boys in Trouble
Are Boys Any Better Off? (Audio)
Boys Adrift
You will love how Trebay describes the trajectory of the new man-in-demand: “You lose the T-shirt and the skateboard. You buy an interview suit and a package of Gillette Mach 3 blades. You grow up, in other words.”
That is a classic statement that deserves great prominence. The crisis of delayed manhood for so many boys and young men is now well documented, and the larger culture reflects this phenomenon. Advertising does not rule the world, but it is a powerful indicator of the cultural direction. Advertisers make it their business to know where the culture is headed. This new trend can only be seen as good news, even if it does not yet represent any profound recovery of sanity in the society.
One important aspect of this report ties directly to a vital aspect of biblical masculinity — the reality and value of a man’s work. These advertisers are not shifting merely to older and more rugged males, but to men who look like they just might be able to hold a job and do it well.
That is a healthy and promising dimension of this new development. One statement from this article deserves to be imprinted on the male brain: “You grow up, in other words.”
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The “Sunday Styles” section of The New York Times is often a useful barometer of the culture. On October 17, that section featured a front-page spread entitled, “From Boys to Men,” and the article is a sign of something larger than mere fashion and advertising.
Reporter Guy Trebay explains that advertisers have shifted their images of male identity from the “skinny skate-rat” of recent years to real and recognizable men. Trebay credits Hedi Slimane of Dior men’s wear for inventing the boy image so prevalent in recent culture. Images of skinny youths with slightly (or more than slightly) androgynous appearances have dominated. Trebay describes this pattern as “designer subversions of age and gender expectations.”
But now, a far more masculine and traditional model of manhood is showing up in advertisements and media images. Joe Levy, editor in chief of Maxim, a magazine that skirts the edge between the traditional men’s magazine and pornography, attributes the shift to economic factors. In other words, when unemployment threatens, skinny skate-rat images bring no comfort. Instead, men who look like they might actually hold a job are back in style.
Related Posts
Boys Will Be Boys — Just Try to Deny the Obvious
Boys Being Diagnosed As … Boys (Audio)
Boys in Class = Boys in Trouble
Are Boys Any Better Off? (Audio)
Boys Adrift
You will love how Trebay describes the trajectory of the new man-in-demand: “You lose the T-shirt and the skateboard. You buy an interview suit and a package of Gillette Mach 3 blades. You grow up, in other words.”
That is a classic statement that deserves great prominence. The crisis of delayed manhood for so many boys and young men is now well documented, and the larger culture reflects this phenomenon. Advertising does not rule the world, but it is a powerful indicator of the cultural direction. Advertisers make it their business to know where the culture is headed. This new trend can only be seen as good news, even if it does not yet represent any profound recovery of sanity in the society.
One important aspect of this report ties directly to a vital aspect of biblical masculinity — the reality and value of a man’s work. These advertisers are not shifting merely to older and more rugged males, but to men who look like they just might be able to hold a job and do it well.
That is a healthy and promising dimension of this new development. One statement from this article deserves to be imprinted on the male brain: “You grow up, in other words.”
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Time Out
I have taken a extended "time out" from blogging. I find it to be very difficult to maintain. I don't know about you, but when I begin to feel like I'm overwhelmed, I find it easy to shut down....at least certain things. Bloggin has been one of those for me. Hopefully, I will attempt to blog more in the coming weeks. I know that the 3 people that read this blog will be jumping for joy. LOL!
The ministry that the Lord has entrusted me with is doing well from the standpoint of having opportunity to serve. I am preaching more than ever, we have more people going on the mission field with us than in years past, and I am full of excitement about the opportunities I have been given.
The adoption is getting closer and we are preparing our home to have another child. You can keep up witht he adoption at my wife's blog: www.intheheartofourhome.blogspot.com
Please continue to pray for my family and the ministry that I have. I want to use it for the glory of God and give Him my best!!
The ministry that the Lord has entrusted me with is doing well from the standpoint of having opportunity to serve. I am preaching more than ever, we have more people going on the mission field with us than in years past, and I am full of excitement about the opportunities I have been given.
The adoption is getting closer and we are preparing our home to have another child. You can keep up witht he adoption at my wife's blog: www.intheheartofourhome.blogspot.com
Please continue to pray for my family and the ministry that I have. I want to use it for the glory of God and give Him my best!!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Give your Best!
Thanks for the prayers and concern for my one year old son. Most of you know we spent the night with him getting a major gash in his nose fixed. He did great and will be fine. What you don't know is this.
My one year old received a major ncut to his nose while playing with a few friends. He was in the wrong place and a large toy hit him in the face that was accidentally dropped by a child while he was trying to take it up stairs. We had some great friends over and they stayed with my older children till my mom could come over and stay. We were at the local hospital within 20 minutes of his injury. The local Dr. quickly referred us to Children's as they were not able to do what they felt needed to be done. Time was of the essence.
My wife and I wisk him away to Birmingham. Not even out of the county, our van overheats and I am forced to pull over and wait on help to arrive. Never before had the van overheated. Could've had something to do with my foot stuck through the floor board as I had been self appointed ambulance driver for my son. Regardless, we are stuck there, feeling helpless. We prayed and gave our best to remain calm and think this through. Called Cliff Cook, my fellow Pastor at NCBC. Without hesititation, he came and gave me his car to use while he sat stranded and waited on my Dad who also came without question or hesitationt to the rescue. They gave their best. We got our son to the ER and they soon took us back in and started working on him.
The specialist came in and immediately referenced his dependance upon Christ. We then prayed together. This brother and I have close connected friends we soon found out, and he is possibly going to Nicaragua with us now on our medical mission trip in October of 2011. He allowed us to stay in the room as they gave my son anesthesia and started the delicate process of repairing his little nose. Once again we were helpless and could only pray. Going under anesthesia is a scary thing for anyone and for parents who have to make that call. Christ was our only hope. We prayed like parents who love their son.
The Dr. took great concern and detail in all that he was doing. His focus was on giving his best. It was very delicate fine tuned work. The Dr. gave his best. Last night that was everyone's focus. From our friends and children who without being asked began to comfort one another and gather little brothers comfort items like his pacifer and blanket. They knew he would need these things and rushed them to the van before we left. They are great brothers and sisters! They gave their best to help.
Last night, we were reminded that we are not in control. We like to think we are but when you slow down, you realize you are not. We do have responsibility but ultimately, we rely on the love of God for us to see us through this light affliction. Little brother happily relied on his Momma and Daddy and the nurses and Dr.'s to help him. It was not easy or painless, but he made it through just fine. He gave his best.
Even though things are difficult and days are not certain. I urge you to give your best to the Lord and eveything you do. You never know when you will be required to react and your best will be needed. If you are accustomed to giving your best, you will be ready for what you must face. Laziness, apathy, and average is not what we are called to give for our Lord. He is not impressed with the scraps...He deserves and wants the best! Thank you friends for praying your best and giving your best to the Lord Jesus Christ!
My one year old received a major ncut to his nose while playing with a few friends. He was in the wrong place and a large toy hit him in the face that was accidentally dropped by a child while he was trying to take it up stairs. We had some great friends over and they stayed with my older children till my mom could come over and stay. We were at the local hospital within 20 minutes of his injury. The local Dr. quickly referred us to Children's as they were not able to do what they felt needed to be done. Time was of the essence.
My wife and I wisk him away to Birmingham. Not even out of the county, our van overheats and I am forced to pull over and wait on help to arrive. Never before had the van overheated. Could've had something to do with my foot stuck through the floor board as I had been self appointed ambulance driver for my son. Regardless, we are stuck there, feeling helpless. We prayed and gave our best to remain calm and think this through. Called Cliff Cook, my fellow Pastor at NCBC. Without hesititation, he came and gave me his car to use while he sat stranded and waited on my Dad who also came without question or hesitationt to the rescue. They gave their best. We got our son to the ER and they soon took us back in and started working on him.
The specialist came in and immediately referenced his dependance upon Christ. We then prayed together. This brother and I have close connected friends we soon found out, and he is possibly going to Nicaragua with us now on our medical mission trip in October of 2011. He allowed us to stay in the room as they gave my son anesthesia and started the delicate process of repairing his little nose. Once again we were helpless and could only pray. Going under anesthesia is a scary thing for anyone and for parents who have to make that call. Christ was our only hope. We prayed like parents who love their son.
The Dr. took great concern and detail in all that he was doing. His focus was on giving his best. It was very delicate fine tuned work. The Dr. gave his best. Last night that was everyone's focus. From our friends and children who without being asked began to comfort one another and gather little brothers comfort items like his pacifer and blanket. They knew he would need these things and rushed them to the van before we left. They are great brothers and sisters! They gave their best to help.
Last night, we were reminded that we are not in control. We like to think we are but when you slow down, you realize you are not. We do have responsibility but ultimately, we rely on the love of God for us to see us through this light affliction. Little brother happily relied on his Momma and Daddy and the nurses and Dr.'s to help him. It was not easy or painless, but he made it through just fine. He gave his best.
Even though things are difficult and days are not certain. I urge you to give your best to the Lord and eveything you do. You never know when you will be required to react and your best will be needed. If you are accustomed to giving your best, you will be ready for what you must face. Laziness, apathy, and average is not what we are called to give for our Lord. He is not impressed with the scraps...He deserves and wants the best! Thank you friends for praying your best and giving your best to the Lord Jesus Christ!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Christ's Sympathy to Weary Pilgrims
By Octavious Winslow, 1870
HOW EMPTYING, HUMBLING, AND ABASING!
Cultivate frequent and devout contemplations of the glory of Christ. Immense will be the benefit accruing to your soul. The mind thus preoccupied, filled, and expanded, will be enabled to present a stronger resistance to the ever advancing and insidious encroachments of the world. No place will be found for vain thoughts, and no desire or time for carnal enjoyments. Oh, how crucifying and sanctifying are clear views of the glory of Emmanuel! How emptying, humbling, and abasing! With the patriarch, we then exclaim, "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." And with the prophet, "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." And with the apostle, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
Oh, then, aim to get your mind filled with enlarged and yet expanding views of the glory of the Redeemer. Let it, in all the discoveries it affords of the Divine mind and majesty, be the one subject of your thoughts—the one theme of your conversation. Place no limit to your knowledge of Christ. Ever consider that you have but read the preface to the volume; you have but touched the fringe of the sea. Stretching far away beyond you, are undiscovered beauties, and precious views, and sparkling glories, each encouraging your advance, inviting your research, and asking the homage of your faith, the tribute of your love, and the dedication of your life.
Go forward, then! The glories that yet must be revealed to you in a growing knowledge of Jesus, what imagination can conceive, what pen can describe them? Jesus stands ready to unveil all the beauties of His person; and to admit you into the very pavilion of His love. There is not a chamber of His heart that He will not throw open to you—not a blessing that He will not bestow upon you—not a glory that He will not show to you.
You shall see greater things than you have yet seen—greater depths of sin in your fallen nature shall be revealed—deeper sense of the cleansing efficacy of the atoning blood shall be felt—clearer views of your acceptance in the Beloved—greater discoveries of God's love—and greater depths of grace and glory in Jesus shall be enjoyed. Your communion with God shall be closer, and more the fruit of adopting love in your heart. Your feet shall be as hinds' feet, and you shall walk on high places. Your peace shall flow as a river, and your righteousness as the waves of the sea. Sorrow shall wound you less deeply—affliction shall press you less heavily—tribulation shall affect you less keenly—all this, and infinitely more, will result from your deeper knowledge of Jesus.
HOW EMPTYING, HUMBLING, AND ABASING!
Cultivate frequent and devout contemplations of the glory of Christ. Immense will be the benefit accruing to your soul. The mind thus preoccupied, filled, and expanded, will be enabled to present a stronger resistance to the ever advancing and insidious encroachments of the world. No place will be found for vain thoughts, and no desire or time for carnal enjoyments. Oh, how crucifying and sanctifying are clear views of the glory of Emmanuel! How emptying, humbling, and abasing! With the patriarch, we then exclaim, "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." And with the prophet, "Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." And with the apostle, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
Oh, then, aim to get your mind filled with enlarged and yet expanding views of the glory of the Redeemer. Let it, in all the discoveries it affords of the Divine mind and majesty, be the one subject of your thoughts—the one theme of your conversation. Place no limit to your knowledge of Christ. Ever consider that you have but read the preface to the volume; you have but touched the fringe of the sea. Stretching far away beyond you, are undiscovered beauties, and precious views, and sparkling glories, each encouraging your advance, inviting your research, and asking the homage of your faith, the tribute of your love, and the dedication of your life.
Go forward, then! The glories that yet must be revealed to you in a growing knowledge of Jesus, what imagination can conceive, what pen can describe them? Jesus stands ready to unveil all the beauties of His person; and to admit you into the very pavilion of His love. There is not a chamber of His heart that He will not throw open to you—not a blessing that He will not bestow upon you—not a glory that He will not show to you.
You shall see greater things than you have yet seen—greater depths of sin in your fallen nature shall be revealed—deeper sense of the cleansing efficacy of the atoning blood shall be felt—clearer views of your acceptance in the Beloved—greater discoveries of God's love—and greater depths of grace and glory in Jesus shall be enjoyed. Your communion with God shall be closer, and more the fruit of adopting love in your heart. Your feet shall be as hinds' feet, and you shall walk on high places. Your peace shall flow as a river, and your righteousness as the waves of the sea. Sorrow shall wound you less deeply—affliction shall press you less heavily—tribulation shall affect you less keenly—all this, and infinitely more, will result from your deeper knowledge of Jesus.
Back to Blogging
Note from Eric
Sorry I've been away for some time. I have been so ultra busy that blogging just hasn't seemed to be the best use of my time. Also, my laptop crashed! No viruses, just wore it out. The motherboard went bad and I'm hoping to get it back soon. Blogging from my iPhone is just to time consuming.
Regardless, I hope you enjoy the following post and I'll try to be back blogging by next week regularly again. God bless!!
Sorry I've been away for some time. I have been so ultra busy that blogging just hasn't seemed to be the best use of my time. Also, my laptop crashed! No viruses, just wore it out. The motherboard went bad and I'm hoping to get it back soon. Blogging from my iPhone is just to time consuming.
Regardless, I hope you enjoy the following post and I'll try to be back blogging by next week regularly again. God bless!!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
God's Man
Being a preacher is more than correctly handling the Scripture. It is a life of prayer and spiritual discipline. I do not want to come to the end of my life and say, "I wish I'd prayed more." God's man is not a hireling to be at the beck and call of man, we are serving God. I'm not on man's errand, I'm on God's errand. I go to men from God. I'm not my own. Pray I'll not get distracted by "good" things and neglect the BEST thing. Being His!
There are times when I just want to be with God. I'm not always looking for a deep truth. I yearn to just be with the King of the universe. The more I know Him, the more I want to be with Him. That is why I burst out with passion when I preach. I will not apologize for this passion or try to stifle it. I need prayer more than ever. I yearn to know so much more about God and His character. Please pray less of me and more of God!
I cannot imagine a day without God's grace.
There are times when I just want to be with God. I'm not always looking for a deep truth. I yearn to just be with the King of the universe. The more I know Him, the more I want to be with Him. That is why I burst out with passion when I preach. I will not apologize for this passion or try to stifle it. I need prayer more than ever. I yearn to know so much more about God and His character. Please pray less of me and more of God!
I cannot imagine a day without God's grace.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
What Are We Apart From Christ?
by: Justin Taylor
From Justin Taylor's Blog
We sometimes think of the second half of the first chapter of Romans as a discourse about atheists. (And indeed, according to Romans 1 the answer to the question “Does God believe in atheists?” is “no.”)
But in reality, it’s a universal text that applies to all of us apart from Christ—what we are, what we do, and what we would do apart from God’s restraining and redeeming grace, with graphic examples to illustrate our truth-suppression and idolatrous identity.
Here’s an attempt to start to think through this sobering section of Romans.
What do all of us know?
(1) We know God himself.
(2) We know God’s decree.
(3) We know God’s judgment—that those who practice sinful things deserve death.
What is our responsibility?
We are without excuse.
How clear is the evidence for God’s knowability?
What can be known about God is plain.
Who showed us the evidence for God?
God himself has shown us what can be known about him.
What is it about God that every one of us knows?
We have clearly perceived God’s invisible attributes (= his eternal power and divine nature).
Where do we see God’s invisible attributes?
In the things that God has made.
What do we fail to do in response?
(1) We fail to honor God as God.
(2) We fail to give thanks to God.
(2) We fail to acknowledge God.
What do we do instead of honoring and thanking God?
We suppress the truth.
How?
By our unrighteousness.
What do we claim about our thinking?
We claim to be wise.
What are we in reality?
We are fools.
What happened to our minds?
We became futile in our thinking.
What happened to our hearts?
Our foolish hearts were darkened.
What is the result?
We exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling
•mortal man
•birds
•animals
•creeping things
We exchanged the truth of God for a lie.
What did we do with created things?
(1) We worshiped the creature rather than the Creator.
(2) We served the creature rather than the Creator.
What is the result of this idolatry?
God gave us up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity.
What kind of impurity?
The dishonoring of our bodies among ourselves.
How did we become entangled in dishonorable passions?
God gave us up to dishonorable passions.
Which dishonorable passions did women commit?
Women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature.
Which dishonorable passions did men commit?
The men gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
What does God do to us for failing to acknowledge him?
God gave us up to a debased mind.
To do what?
To do what ought not to be done.
What are we filled with?
All manner of
•unrighteousness
•evil
•covetousness
•malice
We are full of
•envy
•murder
•strife
•deceit
•maliciousness
What are we?
We are
•gossips
•slanderers
•haters of God
•insolent
•haughty
•boastful
•inventors of evil
•disobedient to parents
•foolish
•faithless
•heartless
•ruthless
What do we know?
God’s decree.
What is God’s decree?
Those who practice such sinful things deserve to die.
What do we do?
(1) We do these sinful things.
(2) We give approval to those who practice these sinful things.
What does God do in response?
God reveals his wrath from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.
Is there any hope?
The gospel.
What is the gospel?
The power of God for salvation.
For who?
To everyone who believes—to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
What is revealed in the gospel?
The righteousness of God, from faith to faith.
As Habakkuk 2:4 says, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Romans 1:16-32
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Addendum
For those who struggle to see why Paul would use homosexuality as his prime example of idolatry, I’d recommend this sermon from John Piper. Piper’s most profound insight here is that Paul sees a “dramatization” of Christ and the Church in Christ-centered heterosexual marriage, and that he also sees a dramatization of idolatry in same-sex sexual behavior, as men and women unite with images of themselves.
The reason Paul focuses on homosexuality in these verses is because it is the most vivid dramatization in life of the profoundest connection between the disordering of heart-worship and the disordering of our sexual lives. I’ll try to say it simply, though it is weighty beyond words.
We learn from Paul in Ephesians 5:31-32 that, from the beginning, manhood and womanhood existed to represent or dramatize God’s relation to his people and then Christ’s relation to his bride, the church. In this drama, the man represents God or Christ and is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. The woman represents God’s people or the church. And sexual union in the covenant of marriage represents pure, undefiled, intense heart-worship. That is, God means for the beauty of worship to be dramatized in the right ordering of our sexual lives.
But instead, we have exchanged the glory of God for images, especially of ourselves. The beauty of heart-worship has been destroyed. Therefore, in judgment, God decrees that this disordering of our relation to him be dramatized in the disordering of our sexual relations with each other. And since the right ordering of our relationship to God in heart-worship was dramatized by heterosexual union in the covenant of marriage, the disordering of our relationship to God is dramatized by the breakdown of that heterosexual union.
Homosexuality is the most vivid form of that breakdown. God and man in covenant worship are represented by male and female in covenant sexual union. Therefore, when man turns from God to images of himself, God hands us over to what we have chosen and dramatizes it by male and female turning to images of themselves for sexual union, namely their own sex. Homosexuality is the judgment of God dramatizing the exchange of the glory of God for images of ourselves. (See the parallel uses of “exchange” in verses 25 and 26.)
Piper’s entire sermon is worth reading or listening to, especially as he gives counsel to those struggling with same-sex desire, as well as advice to parents.
From Justin Taylor's Blog
We sometimes think of the second half of the first chapter of Romans as a discourse about atheists. (And indeed, according to Romans 1 the answer to the question “Does God believe in atheists?” is “no.”)
But in reality, it’s a universal text that applies to all of us apart from Christ—what we are, what we do, and what we would do apart from God’s restraining and redeeming grace, with graphic examples to illustrate our truth-suppression and idolatrous identity.
Here’s an attempt to start to think through this sobering section of Romans.
What do all of us know?
(1) We know God himself.
(2) We know God’s decree.
(3) We know God’s judgment—that those who practice sinful things deserve death.
What is our responsibility?
We are without excuse.
How clear is the evidence for God’s knowability?
What can be known about God is plain.
Who showed us the evidence for God?
God himself has shown us what can be known about him.
What is it about God that every one of us knows?
We have clearly perceived God’s invisible attributes (= his eternal power and divine nature).
Where do we see God’s invisible attributes?
In the things that God has made.
What do we fail to do in response?
(1) We fail to honor God as God.
(2) We fail to give thanks to God.
(2) We fail to acknowledge God.
What do we do instead of honoring and thanking God?
We suppress the truth.
How?
By our unrighteousness.
What do we claim about our thinking?
We claim to be wise.
What are we in reality?
We are fools.
What happened to our minds?
We became futile in our thinking.
What happened to our hearts?
Our foolish hearts were darkened.
What is the result?
We exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling
•mortal man
•birds
•animals
•creeping things
We exchanged the truth of God for a lie.
What did we do with created things?
(1) We worshiped the creature rather than the Creator.
(2) We served the creature rather than the Creator.
What is the result of this idolatry?
God gave us up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity.
What kind of impurity?
The dishonoring of our bodies among ourselves.
How did we become entangled in dishonorable passions?
God gave us up to dishonorable passions.
Which dishonorable passions did women commit?
Women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature.
Which dishonorable passions did men commit?
The men gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
What does God do to us for failing to acknowledge him?
God gave us up to a debased mind.
To do what?
To do what ought not to be done.
What are we filled with?
All manner of
•unrighteousness
•evil
•covetousness
•malice
We are full of
•envy
•murder
•strife
•deceit
•maliciousness
What are we?
We are
•gossips
•slanderers
•haters of God
•insolent
•haughty
•boastful
•inventors of evil
•disobedient to parents
•foolish
•faithless
•heartless
•ruthless
What do we know?
God’s decree.
What is God’s decree?
Those who practice such sinful things deserve to die.
What do we do?
(1) We do these sinful things.
(2) We give approval to those who practice these sinful things.
What does God do in response?
God reveals his wrath from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.
Is there any hope?
The gospel.
What is the gospel?
The power of God for salvation.
For who?
To everyone who believes—to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
What is revealed in the gospel?
The righteousness of God, from faith to faith.
As Habakkuk 2:4 says, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Romans 1:16-32
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Addendum
For those who struggle to see why Paul would use homosexuality as his prime example of idolatry, I’d recommend this sermon from John Piper. Piper’s most profound insight here is that Paul sees a “dramatization” of Christ and the Church in Christ-centered heterosexual marriage, and that he also sees a dramatization of idolatry in same-sex sexual behavior, as men and women unite with images of themselves.
The reason Paul focuses on homosexuality in these verses is because it is the most vivid dramatization in life of the profoundest connection between the disordering of heart-worship and the disordering of our sexual lives. I’ll try to say it simply, though it is weighty beyond words.
We learn from Paul in Ephesians 5:31-32 that, from the beginning, manhood and womanhood existed to represent or dramatize God’s relation to his people and then Christ’s relation to his bride, the church. In this drama, the man represents God or Christ and is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. The woman represents God’s people or the church. And sexual union in the covenant of marriage represents pure, undefiled, intense heart-worship. That is, God means for the beauty of worship to be dramatized in the right ordering of our sexual lives.
But instead, we have exchanged the glory of God for images, especially of ourselves. The beauty of heart-worship has been destroyed. Therefore, in judgment, God decrees that this disordering of our relation to him be dramatized in the disordering of our sexual relations with each other. And since the right ordering of our relationship to God in heart-worship was dramatized by heterosexual union in the covenant of marriage, the disordering of our relationship to God is dramatized by the breakdown of that heterosexual union.
Homosexuality is the most vivid form of that breakdown. God and man in covenant worship are represented by male and female in covenant sexual union. Therefore, when man turns from God to images of himself, God hands us over to what we have chosen and dramatizes it by male and female turning to images of themselves for sexual union, namely their own sex. Homosexuality is the judgment of God dramatizing the exchange of the glory of God for images of ourselves. (See the parallel uses of “exchange” in verses 25 and 26.)
Piper’s entire sermon is worth reading or listening to, especially as he gives counsel to those struggling with same-sex desire, as well as advice to parents.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Nicaragua, Evangelism, and Repentance
by; Drew Dixon
(Drew is Family Pastor at New Covenant Baptist Church Albertville. He is married to Jennifer.)
Nicaragua, Evangelism, and Repentance
There are many stories I could tell you about Nicaragua that would encourage you—stories that may even impress you—stories of how our team members got to share the gospel with hundreds of children in the local schools and stories of the many difficult questions that I was asked at the Pastor’s Conference or stories from our door-to-door evangelism and how the Lord was working to convict people of their sin. However, perhaps the most memorable experience I had while in Nicaragua happened at a small Baptist Church in the rural area of Los Cedros—it was an invaluable lesson learned from Pastor Adonis.
When we went out into the communities of the churches we were serving at in Nicaragua, the pastors of the churches went with us and even brought members of their churches along so that they might learn to do evangelism and so that he might be used of the Lord to disciple them. Pastor Adonis has a passion for evangelism and for discipleship. He understands that the only hope the lost people in his community have is Christ and he understands that the members of his church must be the ones that tell their lost neighbors about Jesus. There can be no evangelism without discipleship—if people are not trained to reap the harvest, they will not go out into it. There can be no discipleship without evangelism first preceding it. You cannot disciple the lost, you must share the gospel with them first, then the process of teaching them everything that Christ commanded can begin (Matt. 28:18-20). Pastor Adonis was doing both—teaching the members of his church to do evangelism and doing evangelism himself, going out into the community and delivering the good news to the lost.
While I was greatly encouraged to see a pastor leading by example and seeking to disciple men in his church, this is not what stuck out to me most about Pastor Adonis. What stuck out most was what Pastor Adonis said to the members of his church who were not doing evangelism. Thursday night was the last night that we would spend at Los Cedros Baptist Church and Eric Hixon preached a revival there that night. At the end of the service, Pastor Adonis opened up the altar for people to come and pray and he challenged those in his church who were not doing evangelism in the community to come to the altar and repent for their sin. About 15-20 adult members of the church came forward and knelt at the altar in prayer.
If evangelism is a command, then it follows that neglect of evangelism is sin. This really convicted me because far too often I fall to the temptation to think of evangelism as an optional practice. I felt like I should be at the altar praying—I wasn’t invited though, Pastor Adonis only invited the members of his church as they were the ones who had covenanted together as a body to hold each other accountable to seek the Lord. Perhaps Pastor Adonis’ encouragement to his people to repent for not evangelizing seems harsh and perhaps it was, but it was sweet moment for me. It did not feel bitter, it felt redemptive and loving—I got the feeling that Pastor Adonis was calling his flock to repentance because he loved them. I hope that is the case—I am praying that God would develop such relationships in our body at NCBC—ones were we can lovingly call each other to account and ones in which we take the gospel and evangelism seriously.
Despite the fact that I got to spend three days teaching Pastor Adonis and several other Nicaraguan pastors, it goes without saying that I feel I gained much more from Pastor Adonis’ example and care for his flock.
(Drew is Family Pastor at New Covenant Baptist Church Albertville. He is married to Jennifer.)
Nicaragua, Evangelism, and Repentance
There are many stories I could tell you about Nicaragua that would encourage you—stories that may even impress you—stories of how our team members got to share the gospel with hundreds of children in the local schools and stories of the many difficult questions that I was asked at the Pastor’s Conference or stories from our door-to-door evangelism and how the Lord was working to convict people of their sin. However, perhaps the most memorable experience I had while in Nicaragua happened at a small Baptist Church in the rural area of Los Cedros—it was an invaluable lesson learned from Pastor Adonis.
When we went out into the communities of the churches we were serving at in Nicaragua, the pastors of the churches went with us and even brought members of their churches along so that they might learn to do evangelism and so that he might be used of the Lord to disciple them. Pastor Adonis has a passion for evangelism and for discipleship. He understands that the only hope the lost people in his community have is Christ and he understands that the members of his church must be the ones that tell their lost neighbors about Jesus. There can be no evangelism without discipleship—if people are not trained to reap the harvest, they will not go out into it. There can be no discipleship without evangelism first preceding it. You cannot disciple the lost, you must share the gospel with them first, then the process of teaching them everything that Christ commanded can begin (Matt. 28:18-20). Pastor Adonis was doing both—teaching the members of his church to do evangelism and doing evangelism himself, going out into the community and delivering the good news to the lost.
While I was greatly encouraged to see a pastor leading by example and seeking to disciple men in his church, this is not what stuck out to me most about Pastor Adonis. What stuck out most was what Pastor Adonis said to the members of his church who were not doing evangelism. Thursday night was the last night that we would spend at Los Cedros Baptist Church and Eric Hixon preached a revival there that night. At the end of the service, Pastor Adonis opened up the altar for people to come and pray and he challenged those in his church who were not doing evangelism in the community to come to the altar and repent for their sin. About 15-20 adult members of the church came forward and knelt at the altar in prayer.
If evangelism is a command, then it follows that neglect of evangelism is sin. This really convicted me because far too often I fall to the temptation to think of evangelism as an optional practice. I felt like I should be at the altar praying—I wasn’t invited though, Pastor Adonis only invited the members of his church as they were the ones who had covenanted together as a body to hold each other accountable to seek the Lord. Perhaps Pastor Adonis’ encouragement to his people to repent for not evangelizing seems harsh and perhaps it was, but it was sweet moment for me. It did not feel bitter, it felt redemptive and loving—I got the feeling that Pastor Adonis was calling his flock to repentance because he loved them. I hope that is the case—I am praying that God would develop such relationships in our body at NCBC—ones were we can lovingly call each other to account and ones in which we take the gospel and evangelism seriously.
Despite the fact that I got to spend three days teaching Pastor Adonis and several other Nicaraguan pastors, it goes without saying that I feel I gained much more from Pastor Adonis’ example and care for his flock.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Journey to Josiah
by: Rebekah Hixon
Our adoption journey is moving along, and we are coming closer each day to bringing Josiah home. We recently received an update from his orphanage along with several new pictures. They were helpful to answer several questions we had about our new son concerning his dear little personality and also about how his day typically looked and about the schedule his foster parents keep. We learned he is “fairly extroverted” and “talkative and lively.” Sounds like a Hixon!
We expect to travel this winter; however, we understand how unpredictable adoption processes can be, so we are daily submitting to the Lord’s timetable. We are keeping ourselves busy with normal life: ministry opportunities, church ministry, homeschooling, and the day to day activities of a family. In addition, we are fundraising for Josiah. We have been blessed with the opportunity to participate in an online adoption t-shirt fundraiser. You can check it out on my blog: www.intheheartofourhome.blogspot.com. We are also planning for 2 different bake sales in September. This will not only give us an opportunity to fundraise, it will be a wonderful opportunity for our children to contribute in a tangible way and, hopefully, always remember the journey is not necessarily easy but so very worth it!
I know many understand the eternal aspect of adoption and see it as ministry to the orphan, an extension of the Great Commission, and a beautiful picture of the Gospel, not to mention a truly wonderful way to welcome someone to your forever family. To you, I plead that you would commit our family to your prayers. We are asking the Lord to prepare our family for Josiah and that He would please prepare his little heart for such a huge upcoming change. We are also praying that the Lord would provide the remaining resources for the fees. Finally, we are prayerfully asking the Lord to make the paperwork path before us smooth to allow Josiah to come home as soon as possible. We would so appreciate your prayers, knowing you loved Josiah before you even met him! If you desire to contribute to our fundraising efforts, you are able to do so in a “tax-deductible way” by giving through M.U.D. Ministries and marking it “Suggested Use: Adoption.”
So many of you have inquired about Josiah and this journey, and we are grateful to know we have such sweet support from family and friends. Thank you!
Our adoption journey is moving along, and we are coming closer each day to bringing Josiah home. We recently received an update from his orphanage along with several new pictures. They were helpful to answer several questions we had about our new son concerning his dear little personality and also about how his day typically looked and about the schedule his foster parents keep. We learned he is “fairly extroverted” and “talkative and lively.” Sounds like a Hixon!
We expect to travel this winter; however, we understand how unpredictable adoption processes can be, so we are daily submitting to the Lord’s timetable. We are keeping ourselves busy with normal life: ministry opportunities, church ministry, homeschooling, and the day to day activities of a family. In addition, we are fundraising for Josiah. We have been blessed with the opportunity to participate in an online adoption t-shirt fundraiser. You can check it out on my blog: www.intheheartofourhome.blogspot.com. We are also planning for 2 different bake sales in September. This will not only give us an opportunity to fundraise, it will be a wonderful opportunity for our children to contribute in a tangible way and, hopefully, always remember the journey is not necessarily easy but so very worth it!
I know many understand the eternal aspect of adoption and see it as ministry to the orphan, an extension of the Great Commission, and a beautiful picture of the Gospel, not to mention a truly wonderful way to welcome someone to your forever family. To you, I plead that you would commit our family to your prayers. We are asking the Lord to prepare our family for Josiah and that He would please prepare his little heart for such a huge upcoming change. We are also praying that the Lord would provide the remaining resources for the fees. Finally, we are prayerfully asking the Lord to make the paperwork path before us smooth to allow Josiah to come home as soon as possible. We would so appreciate your prayers, knowing you loved Josiah before you even met him! If you desire to contribute to our fundraising efforts, you are able to do so in a “tax-deductible way” by giving through M.U.D. Ministries and marking it “Suggested Use: Adoption.”
So many of you have inquired about Josiah and this journey, and we are grateful to know we have such sweet support from family and friends. Thank you!
Monday, August 30, 2010
From Eric
There is nothing to be bragged upon except the Lord Jesus Christ! He is all that we can boast in because we know that every good thing, every good deed, every act of obedience is a work of His grace. I praise the Lord for His mercy and love for me and my family every day. There is nothing that I find more encouraging than the Word of God! My strength comes from Christ and my very best is nothing apart from His wonderful amazing grace!
The Lord has been very good to M.U.D. Ministries and the Hixon Family. We do not deserve any good thing to come upon us, and it is all for His glory that we have been allowed to serve in a full-time manner for the past 7 years. God laid it upon our hearts to serve Him and to live by faith, and we are very grateful to the Lord for His blessings. When I had the very first meeting with some prayer warriors concerning M.U.D. Ministries, I knew that the Lord was impressing upon me to never turn down an opportunity to serve the Lord based on a church’s financial ability or size. Many modern evangelist have been convinced that they are “worth” a certain amount or deserve a certain size crowd to hear them. I cannot see that as the example of Jesus or Paul. They did talk to the crowds when the opportunity arose, but Jesus also talked to the woman at the well and many other smaller groups as well. Our confidence has never been in our ability or our worth. The confidence I have is in the Gospel.
The fact is that people let us down. There is nothing we have apart from Christ, and I promise you, friend, we can count on Him! The fact is that God doesn’t need M.U.D. Ministries or Eric Hixon. There are no great ministries or great men of God—only wicked sinful men that God has redeemed for a work that will bring Him glory! I have found that the church in America can be very man-centered, and we are paying the price for such a focus. Let us repent of any man-centered attitude or self confidence, and let God’s people be committed to doing God’s Work, God’s Way, for God’s Glory!
I am asking you to please pray for God to raise up people that have a heart for Biblical Evangelism. If God chooses to sustain us, it is totally undeserved and a work of grace. We have not places our confidence in man, but in Christ! Please know that we appreciate all your prayers!!
The Lord has been very good to M.U.D. Ministries and the Hixon Family. We do not deserve any good thing to come upon us, and it is all for His glory that we have been allowed to serve in a full-time manner for the past 7 years. God laid it upon our hearts to serve Him and to live by faith, and we are very grateful to the Lord for His blessings. When I had the very first meeting with some prayer warriors concerning M.U.D. Ministries, I knew that the Lord was impressing upon me to never turn down an opportunity to serve the Lord based on a church’s financial ability or size. Many modern evangelist have been convinced that they are “worth” a certain amount or deserve a certain size crowd to hear them. I cannot see that as the example of Jesus or Paul. They did talk to the crowds when the opportunity arose, but Jesus also talked to the woman at the well and many other smaller groups as well. Our confidence has never been in our ability or our worth. The confidence I have is in the Gospel.
The fact is that people let us down. There is nothing we have apart from Christ, and I promise you, friend, we can count on Him! The fact is that God doesn’t need M.U.D. Ministries or Eric Hixon. There are no great ministries or great men of God—only wicked sinful men that God has redeemed for a work that will bring Him glory! I have found that the church in America can be very man-centered, and we are paying the price for such a focus. Let us repent of any man-centered attitude or self confidence, and let God’s people be committed to doing God’s Work, God’s Way, for God’s Glory!
I am asking you to please pray for God to raise up people that have a heart for Biblical Evangelism. If God chooses to sustain us, it is totally undeserved and a work of grace. We have not places our confidence in man, but in Christ! Please know that we appreciate all your prayers!!
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