Archive for October, 2005
October 22, 2005 12:44 pm
 I was flossing my teeth last night, as I regularly do (you would, too, if a year ago you got caught with 8 cavities!). And it occurred to me that my quiet time is not like flossing. Captain Obvious strikes again.
Here’s what I mean: I don’t love flossing. I don’t like flossing. In fact, I barely tolerate flossing. But the fear of the drill that brings me back. It’s just something I have to do, a part of my daily routine that I mentally check off every day.
And I realized–as I stood there stringing the pearlies–that if I am not careful, it is too easy for my quiet time to take on a “flossing” quality. It can become something that I just do, to check it off my list.
The remedy for the “flossing” quiet time is to remember that it’s about a person. It’s about Jesus Christ. Having a quiet time is about spending time with Savior, getting to know him better. The amazing thing about it is that we can know God and have a relationship with Him through the work of Jesus Christ. I’m reminded of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian church in Ephesians 1:17:
“…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him…”
If your quiet times have been like flossing lately, ask your parents what you can do to grow in the knowledge of God and passion for the Savior. Consider reading together John Piper’s When I Don’t Desire God. Pray together. Ask your parents what they’re getting out of their quiet times. Then draw near to God and he will draw near to you (James 4:8).
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October 21, 2005 12:43 pm
 I’ve got bad news and good news about the five15wear.
The bad news: I made a math error on the price of the shirts. The listed price is wrong.
The good news: The listed price was too high. I blew it.
So, we are going to be able to sell the shirts for less than originally advertised, making it as easy as possible to get these into everyone’s hands. New prices:
- Short T: $11.
- Long T: $13.
- Hoodie: $18. (That’s right, hoodies for under $20!)
Special Note: If you already bought a shirt at the higher price, we’ll be giving you a cash refund for the difference ($3 for short t’s, $5 for long t’s and $6 for hoodies). Stop by the shirt table Saturday night or Sunday morning to pick up your refund.
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 Bob’s message on Sunday concluded the “Our Favorite Day: Why We Love Sundays” preaching series.
To review, we had four messages, each of which made a distinctive point:
Here’s your opportunity to speak up: how were you helped by these messages? What stands out to you from them? How have your grown to love Sundays more?
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Last night, Nicole and I went with some friends to hear Chick Corea and his Touchstone Quintet play at the Library of Congress. This was my first live jazz experience, and I spent the evening in wide-eyed, slack-jawed wonder. I didn’t know that you could do that with a piano, bass, or drums. I was genuinely amazed.
But I was also saddened: as I looked around the Coolidge Auditorium, I wondered, “How many of those in the audience recognize that these men can play like this because God has given them a gift?” The applause for the group was thunderous; it is all too easy to worship the one with the gift. But the gift points to a Giver:
“As each has received a gift (spiritual, musical, or otherwise), use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace…” 1 Peter 4:10
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We were well served by Bob Kauflin’s message, “Why Singing?” I was amazed to learn that there are more than 500 references to singing in the Bible and more than 50 direct commands to sing!
Bob preached from Colossians 3:12-17, focusing on verses 16 and 17. He explained that congregational singing is meant to express and deepen the relationships we enjoy because of the gospel: relationships with God and with each other. So why sing?
- Singing helps us remember God’s word
- Singing enables us to respond to God’s grace
- Singing enables us to reflect God’s glory
I was glad that Bob reminded us: “you are what you sing.” Had he gone down that path, I’m sure he would have taken the next step: “you are what you listen to.” Even more, I was impressed by the idea that singing expresses the unity that Christ died to bring us. Singing doesn’t create the unity, the gospel does.
One way I’m going to apply this message is by working to memorize the words to songs so that I can conquer my O.D.D. (overhead dependency disorder). I also want to work to cultivate joy and thanksgiving in worship for the grace that’s been shown to us through the gospel. What about you: how are you going to apply this message? Ask your parents how if you’re not sure.
By the way: word on the street is that BK is starting a blog called “Worship, Music, and More.” I’ll keep you posted; it certainly sounds promising! Read more on the Sovereign Grace Ministries Family News Extra Online.
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145 years ago today was the first ever Open Golf Tournament at Prestwick, now known as the British Open, played at St. Andrews.
It should be a national holiday.
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Last night, our sermon for the five15 BIG MEETING was about Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (BMW for short!). Last night was the theological foundation. On November 12, we’ll consider the implications for us as parents and teens.
We looked at three anchors that will hold us secure in the safe harbor of Biblical truth so that we don’t drift away and get crushed in the shipping lanes of modern thought. Those anchors are:
- “In the Beginning, God”–Manhood and Womanhood is God’s Idea (Gen. 1:1)
- “In the Image of God He Created Him”–Equal in Value, Dignity, Personhood (Gen. 1:27)
- “Male and Female He Created Them”–Distinct in Role in the Home and the Church (Gen 1:27; 2:18-25)
Taken together, these anchors refer to what we believe be the biblical teaching on manhood and womanhood: the complementarian position. It’s a big word, but it’s worth knowing. We also looked at John Piper’s definitions of masculinity and femininity:
Masculinity: At the heart of mature masculinity is a sense of benevolent responsibility to lead, provide for and protect women in ways appropriate to a man’s differing relationships.
Femininity: At the heart of mature femininity is a freeing disposition to affirm, receive, and nurture strength and leadership from worthy men in ways appropriate to a woman’s differing relationships. – John Piper, What’s the Difference?
We’ll be reviewing this message at the next five15 meeting, but here are some questions you can discuss with your parents in the meantime (obviously, frame the question in the gender that is appropriate to you):
- Where do you see me expressing biblical manhood/womanhood?
- Are there any ways where you think I am tempted to neglect or reject aspects of my masculine/feminine role?
- What is one thing I can be doing to prepare to be godly man/woman, husband/wife, father/mother?
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I read D.A. Carson’s daily comments this morning in For the Love of God. Today’s entry is about God’s stunning appearance in the form of fire when Elijah and the prophets of Baal face off on Mount Carmel. It’s an incredible story which reminds us once again that God is present, active, and jealous that his name be glorified in all the earth.
There was one sentence that particularly stuck with me:
“…the church is never more than a generation or two from extinction.”
Read that again, slowly. This frightening reality is as true for us as it was for the Israelites. This is why I feel such urgency that we learn “functional godliness” in five15. This is why parents feel such urgency to raise their teens to see the holiness of God, the sinfulness of sin and the grace of the gospel.
If the church is never more than a generation from extinction, then we must work to be sure that God is glorified in our individual lives. We must each “live not for ourselves, but for him.” Teens, ask your parents today what you can do to “live for him” today, and the next, and the next, so that the church doesn’t become extinct in your generation.
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October 14, 2005 10:55 am
Beginning tomorrow night, through the end of the month, we’ll be accepting orders for five15wear: t-shirts and hoodies with the five15 logo emblazoned across the front. Here are some samples of what we’ll have available:
 You’ll be able to see our complete “catalog” tomorrow night. Shirts will be available only by prepurchase, so bring a checkbook or cash if you would like to place an order. You’ll also be able to order on Sunday, Oct 16, 23, and 30.
We’ll have the shirts available for pickup at the 11/12 BIG MEETING.
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I was flossing my teeth last night, as I regularly do (you would, too, if a year ago you got caught with 8 cavities!). And it occurred to me that my quiet time is not like flossing. Captain Obvious strikes again.
I’ve got bad news and good news about the five15wear.
Bob’s message on Sunday concluded the “Our Favorite Day: Why We Love Sundays” preaching series.
You’ll be able to see our complete “catalog” tomorrow night. Shirts will be available only by prepurchase, so bring a checkbook or cash if you would like to place an order. You’ll also be able to order on Sunday, Oct 16, 23, and 30.
