I prefer to hide in my cave . . . uh office.
I just put a new rug down and I have a sweet couch that my brother has been passing around to family members for years. I also brought in my favorite chair from home because it just didn’t fit in our house.
Then there is my sweet computer rig. I have a duel monitor set-up on my desktop (which has been ruined by my Vista upgrade-save me Steve Jobs!), and of course my new laptop (mostly purchased by me, not Savior Church FYI).
Even though I really like my office, I have been making an effort to hang out in Nyack more, though I find it hard. Parking is tough, and my wife and I are sharing one (very sweet) mini-van. Two articles I read this week made me reaffirm my commitment to getting out of the office-cave and working out there—that is, outside my cush office on the off chance that I may get to know people. Why “off chance”? Because I am scary. I tend frown when I read and/or think, and have a huge bald head—very intimidating. Children often cry when they see me. Nonetheless, I want God to use me in my city and so I want to try to get out and meet people. After all, I know Jesus and they need Jesus.
I found the following two belongs through the Reformissionary blog. The Six Rules of Cultural Engagement and The Value of Hanging Out. I don’t know much at all about these authors, but I like what they had to say and I’m trying to incorporate it into my life.
Occasionally I listen to a Sermon from someone else and I am tempted to just sit down and play it for you instead of preaching on a Sunday. This is one of those messages. Its from my man John Piper. I’m especially passionate about it in light of the messages I’m preparing to preach on evangelism over the next two weeks. This is a great balance to it with regard to our differing roles and gifts within the body. Toward the middle of the message Piper starts to talk about the sin of thinking that God can’t use you. He also talks about how a person learns of their gifts and role within a congregation. I love what he has to say and I am learning this firsthand in our church. You can read, listen, download, and even watch it here.
Okay, this has nothing to do with Jesus, the Church, Culture or Theology, but my brother just got some great press and I’m proud. Check it out here. While I’m at it, here is a picture of my daughter Julia getting her first hair cut.
This sermon hit me this week with force. I’m not sure if it is in this YouTube clip or not, but at one point Mark talks about the fact that some people who have ministries that aren’t growing don’t need a new plan. They need humility. I’ve been trying to think up a new plan, and feel that this is possibly a word to me that a new plan is not needed. I feel that we need humility-driven prayer. The kind of prayer that is driven by an overwhelming realization of the futility of trying to build a church that Christ promised He would build Himself.
Find the whole sermon at www.marshillchurch.org.
I’ve done it! I’ve found a reason to use the below picture in the blog!
Gamble (from Savior) says I look like a Vogon from the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. I agree. Anyway, Resurgence just posted an interview with Alister Mcgrath about the Reformation and his new book on the topic. He has some very interesting things to say about what is important about the reformation and how adaptable it is. I find this comforting, because I love the reformation, but am not technically reformed in my theology (contrary to the accusations of some of my beloved students). He makes the point that Protestantism is about being faithful to Scripture and not about being faithful to other protestants. Sweet. Check out the interview audio here.
