Calling all Business Men and Women!

Many in my extended family are in careers that involve business. My brother just graduated with a degree in business. A plethora of my aunts and uncles are in business. Many that attend my church are in the business world. I just came across what I think would be a spectacular resource and read for all those that practice business on a daily basis. In 2003 Wayne Grudem, who in my opinion is one of the best writers today on Biblical Doctrine and Theology, came out with the text Business for the Glory of God: The Bibles Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business

What a resource for anyone in the business world that has questions about the disconnect that they possibly may see between glorifying God and doing business Monday-Friday. This is even a short read, only 96 pages! If you have an extra couple of bucks pick this up or send it to a family member or friend who would enjoy it!

Cheer For The Minnesota Twins Today!

I don't blog about Sports too often, but my favorite baseball team has been playing some crazy games lately so here is my attempt at Twins analysis. In the offseason this year the Twins lost 5 important players (Johan Santana, Carlos Silva, Torii Hunter, Jason Bartlett, and Matt Garza). Of those five three were starting pitchers. In the Majors if you don't have good to great starting pitching you will have trouble winning even if your offense is loaded (insert either Detroit Tigers or New York Yankees here).

Santana bolted for NYC to the Mets in one of the biggest trades in Twins History. Silva signed a wicked fat contract with Seattle and the 'chief' bolted for the Pacific NW. Garza was traded as part of a deal to the Tampa Bay Rays and has been a bright spot in their resurgence to places they've never been (in first place and above .500 in May!). The Twins allowed these starting pitchers to go because they obviously knew that the cupboard wasn't bare. The Twins organization was confident in their young starting pitching that they had (even though many fans had their doubts).

The Twins just went 5-1 on a current road trip in Detroit and Kansas City. The worst pitching on the road trip was done by John "Boof" Bonser and the old vet Livian Hernandez. Here is what the Twins young starters did on the road trip

• Kevin Slowey (24 years old) 2-0, 15 in/pitched, 1 ER - Season ERA 3.38
• Nick Blackburn (26 yrs old) ND, 8.1 in/pitched, 2 ER - Season ERA 3.39
• Glenn Perkins (25 years old) 1-0, 7.2 in/pitched, 1 ER - Season ERA 2.77
• Scott Baker (27 yrs old) - on 15 day DL, but is 2-0 - Season ERA 4.09

Now this is how the Twins do business - they have to - being a smaller market team. These four pitchers will make a combined $1.6 million dollars this year (avg. $400,000 per pitcher). The three pitchers that left the Twins will make a combined $25.5 million dollars this season compared to the four twins youngsters making 1.6 million dollars. Here's how the 3 departed/former Twins have fared with their new squads

• Johan Santana - 6-3 w/ a 3.41 ERA ($16.9 million/year)
• Matt Garza - 4-1 w/ a 3,78 ERA ($404,000/year)
• Carlos Silva - 3-4 w/ a 5.14ERA ($8.25 million/year)

The Twins spend money wisely, develop their own talent from within and still have Francisco Liriano working in AAA to get back to major league form. The future is bright for the Twins as they have good (we'll see if it's great by the end of the season) young starting pitching.

Nutjobs: Polygamy and it's Savior

Recently I watched the CBS 48 hours special presentation called Polygamy: A World Apart. I was introduced to the FLDS (Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints, not to be confused with the LDS - Latter Day Saints - who oppose Polygamy) leader named Warren Jeffs. I didn't really know much about this man, but became intrigued when the show quoted his followers as saying that Jeffs was their "Savior". This prophet is considered to be God's mouthpiece on earth by his followers. Aside from this Jeffs also plays a large role into the ongoing Polygamy that happens amongst the members of the FLDS. Jeffs was convicted of being an accomplice to rape in Sept. 2007 and is serving two - five year sentences in Utah. Jeffs advised woman that they were risking their eternal salvation if they did not do what he advised.......Now that is what I call a NUTJOB!

As I am working on a session to teach high schoolers in a couple of weeks this story caught my attention. I am teaching a class that is based off a section in Vintage Jesus. I have entitled the session: What Makes Jesus Superior to Other Saviors. Here are some of the texts that I have observed lately

• Isaiah 43:11 "I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior."
• Isaiah 45:21 "There is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me."
• Matthew 1:21 "She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
• Romans 5:10 "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."
  

I Miss Intern Josh Koehn

Josh Koehn did an internship here at MBC this year in the area of youth ministry. Josh helped in various activities, but may be missed and remembered most for his high view of Scripture along with his personality that I just don't have words to describe. I have posted this video to show his skills along with our very talented Associate Pastor. Josh will attend SBTS in Louisville, KY next fall.

Hymn Of The Week: What God Ordains Is Always Good

by Samuel Rodigast (1649-1708)

1. What God ordains is always good;
His will abideth holy.
As He directs my life for me,
I follow meek and lowly.
O God indeed...
In every need...
Doth well know how to shield me;
To Him, then, I will yield me.

2. What God ordains is always good.
He never will deceive me;
He leads me in His own right way,
And never will He leave me.
I take content...
What He hath sent...
His hand that sends me sadness
Will turn my tears to gladness.

3. What God ordains is always good.
His loving thought attends me;
No poison can be in the cup
That my Physician sends me.
My God is true...
Each morn anew...
I'll trust His grace unending,
My life to Him commending.

4. What God ordains is always good.
He is my Friend and Father;
He suffers naught to do me harm,
Though many storms may gather.
Now I may know...
Both joy and woe...
Some day I shall see clearly
That He hath loved me dearly.

5. What God ordains is always good.
Though I the cup am drinking
Which savours now of bitterness,
I take it without shrinking.
For after grief...
God grants relief...
My heart with comfort filling
And all my sorrow stilling.

6. What God ordains is always good.
This truth remains unshaken.
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
I shall not be forsaken.
I fear no harm...
For with His arm...
He shall embrace and shield me;
So to my God I yield me.

© Public Domain
CCLI Song No. 167832
CCLI License No. 2048851

Twins Theory

As I got to work today in my Minnesota Twins Jersey (w/#15 and Guzman printed on the back - kind of went old school as Guzman now plays w/ the Washington Nationals) I thought I would post something related to Twins baseball. To my surprise I came across in staff meeting this morning The Twins Theory. The Twins Theory actually has nothing to do with baseball (Although the Minnesota Twins could actually use a new theory on defense as they are second to last in the AL in fielding, a once defined trademark strength of the Twins).

The Twins Theory is an unscriptural theory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This theory has been suggested by scholars (mostly Muslim) and says that Christ had a twin, and that three days after He had been crucified and buried, His twin showed himself, declaring that he was Christ risen from the dead.

Dr. Gerry Breshears provides this response to the Twins Theory in Vintage Jesus (Crossway, 2008), "There is not a shred of evidence to prove that someone who looked like Jesus existed at that time. Additionally, Jesus' mother was present at his crucifixion, and the likelihood of fooling his mother is minimal. Also, the physical wounds he suffered during the crucifixion were visible on Jesus' resurrection body and carefully inspected by the disciple Thomas, who was very doubtful that Jesus had risen until he touched scars from the crucifixion evident on Jesus' body."

I agree with Dr. Breshears

Memorial Day

Memorial Day brings up rememberance, patriotism, and for many Americans a day off. Normally holidays in our great country are accompanied by other events and Memorial Day doesn't disappoint in that area. A few examples are the family outings (which I participated in this weekend), graduations, bbqs, picnics, and since 1911 the weekend features the running of the the Indianapolis 500.

The easy thing to do with Memorial Day is to skip over it, go on with your day, and enjoy what many call a spring board into summer (since I live in ND and woke up to 40 degress this morning, I kind of disagree). The idea of this holiday is to remember those that have perished or have fallen protecting this country. This holiday brings up death and the reality that death is coming to us all. As followers of Jesus a good way to think about death and the perspective that we can have is given by Francis Chan in his new book Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God. One of the best phrases in the book is "Your best life later." Memorial Day is about rememberance, but also can be about anticipation of the glorification we will experience later.

Crossing the Border: It's Difficult

I attend seminary at Briercrest Seminary in Caronport, SK. Caronport is a small village 10 miles west of Moose Jaw, SK with a population around 1,100. Even though I have my passport ,everytime I present it at the border (either coming or going into Canada) those 2-3 minutes that the officer examines my passport seem to last a really long time. Recently, my two minutes was put into perspective as a minor leaguer was traded from a Canadian team to an American team for 10 baseball bats (because of border issues). Usually trades involve one person for another, not one person for a load of maple bats worth around $70 each. I really feel for this guy as he had to have an extended stay in waiting in another country I know of named Montana. You can read about this story here.

Cribbage: Brett and Shannon's Pastime

My wife and I spent some quality time together this afternoon playing cribbage. We hadn't played in a while so that was a good thing for Brett as I will explain later. During our collegiate years we spent many times passing the time playing this card game. Cribbage was invented in the early 1600s by Sir John Suckling, an English courtier, poet, gamester and gambler.

Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the game for me as I play against my wife is the stealing and taking of her points. Perhaps even better for me than the points is the observation of my wife's reactions. Her reactions - I can't predict them - that's what makes it so entertaining. Since we hadn't played in a while my wife forgot a couple of easy points that I had to take from her as I trailed the entire game. I ended up winning 121-117. During the course of the game I stole a total of 6 points which in the end proved to be vital to my success. My wife calls me a "thief" for taking her points, but that's part of the game. The point of this post is to show that playing simple games with your wife is enjoyable. Even though I stole her points and used the momentum to seal a victory - the real worth and value of this pastime is being together - enjoying one another and having a great time with my best friend.

Sanctification: Long, Slow, Hard

"Sanctification is a progressive work of both God and man that makes Christians more and more free from sin and more and more like Christ in their actual lives."

-Wayne Grudem

As I reflected on my notes from a recent conference I attended in Seattle I came across notes on Sanctification and the session taught by Pastor Matt Chandler. The following are some of my notes and quotes from Chandler that speak to Sanctification.

"Everyone loves the conversion story, but no one likes the next three years after that, because progressive sanctification is a lot more difficult than we think."

"Sanctification can be a crawl and most of the time we don't even know we are crawling."

"Most of the time evangelicals haven't grabbed onto the fact that spiritual growth is no super highway."

"The good news of the Gospel isn't that all my hurts and struggles go away, but that JESUS is enough! regardless of all my hurts and struggles."

Gas Prices

Some quotes from the New York Times on the latest article written about the rising cost of gas prices and executives getting drilled on Capitol Hill. On hand were the executives from Exxon Mobile, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and BP.

"Ah, the sweet, indelible signs of summer. Baseball. Backyard barbecues. And dramatic Congressional hearings over the rising price of gasoline."

“I’m a mom of three young children who filled up her minivan the other day for $68,” she said, seething. “Sixty-eight dollars — that’s real money. Maybe that’s not real money to the five people sitting here because $68 is like a nickel to you, based on the income you all earn.”

"Senator Patrick J. Leahy had made an impression on Wednesday when he ridiculed some of the executives for claiming they did not know how much they were actually paid."

"In one of the more pointed exchanges, Representative Maxine Waters, Democrat of California, seized on the record $40.6 billion profit of Exxon Mobil in 2007. She pounded on the company’s senior vice president, J. Stephen Simon, demanding to know if gas prices would be lower if the company earned a few billion dollars less."

“Thank you for being here today,” Ms. Waters told the executives. “If you feel a little bit beaten up on, we all feel beaten up on, so just share the pain. We get our behinds kicked every day in our districts about what is going on.”

How can our response to the rising prices of gas be most glorifying to Christ? It seems so easy and almost the right thing to do to complain about the price jump in gas. Any ideas of how to respond correctly to driving by the gas station signs and seeing $3.81/gallon?

Ultrasound: God's glory through a photo

This morning I attended my wife Shannon's ultrasound of our 2nd child. I marvel at the glory of God when I think about having children and how miraculous it really is. I am not sure if the baby here is picking the ol' nose, covering the mouth, or just sucking his/her(we aren't finding out) thumb.

The ultrasound has had a significant impact on the controversial issue of abortions. According to a 2003 report entitled "Abortion vs. Ultrasound" in the Washington Times prior to ultrasound technology, pregnancy centers reported that of the 'abortion - minded' women who came in for testing and advice, about 20 to 30 percent decided to remain pregnant. With pregnancy centers using ultrasound machines, that proportion has since jumped to 80 to 90 percent.

My wife was visibly touched as was I when sitting there in the office today. Randy Alcorn in his book Why Pro Life? (Eternal Perspective Ministries, 2004) tells of the testimony of one ultrasound performed by nurse Audrey Stout. The baby "opened and closed her mouth, had the hiccups, laid back as if in a beach chair, stretching her little legs. She even held up hands so Mom could count her fingers. The mother was visibly touched." The ultrasound is a great piece of technology that I praise God for as it points to Him and His glory.

The Shack

The Shack by William P. Young is a recent book that has exploded in the evangelical world. Eugene Peterson endorses the book with these words:

"When the imagination of a writer and the passion of a theologian cross-fertilize the result is a novel on the order of The Shack. This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his. It’s that good!"

The Shack is currently #5 at Amazon.com on the bestseller list. This book is basically about the doctrine of the Trinity. This is a very important doctrine to think about correctly. Bruce Ware gives 10 reasons to focus on the wonder of the doctrine of the Trinity in his book Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Crossway, 2005).

• The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most important distinguishing doctrines of the Christian faith and therefore is deserving of our careful study, passionate embrace, and thoughtful application
• The doctrine of the Trinity is both central and necessary for the Christian faith to be what it is. Remove the Trinity, and the whole Christian faith disintegrates.
• Worship of the true and living God consciously acknowledges the relationship and roles of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• The Christian's life of prayer must rightly acknowledge the roles of the Father, Son, and Spirit as we pray to the Father through the Son, in the power of the Spirit.
• The Christian's growth in Christlikeness or sanctification is rightly understood and enriched when seen as the work of the triune God.
• The triune relationships of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit cause us to marvel at the unity of the triune God.
• The triune relationships of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit cause us to marvel at the diversity within the triune God.
• The triune relationship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit cause us to wonder at the social relationality of the triune God.
• The triune relationship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit cause us to marvel at the authority - submission structure that exists eternally in the three Persons in the Godhead, each of whom is equally and fully God.
• The doctrine of the Trinity - one God existing in three Persons in the ways Scripture describes - provides one of the most important and neglected patterns for how human life and human relationships are to be conducted.

I have not read this book, but I will say that it sounds dangerous to the evangelical world from what I have read and seen. The following is what I have read and saw that has distanced myself from ever wanting to read this book.

Tim Challies of Discerning Reader has just put out this lengthy review

Pastor Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Seattle has given us this little video nugget

The Shack is fiction and graven imagery of God is presented (to which I believe would be breaking one of the ten commandments). Would anyone suggest that this is similar to what C.S. Lewis has done with the metaphor of Aslan? Is there a difference?

Hymn Of The Week: A Debtor To Mercy

Original Lyrics by Augustus M. Toplady, alternate lyrics by Bob Kauflin.

A debtor to mercy alone
Of covenant mercy I sing
I come with Your righteousness on
My humble off'ring to bring
The judgments of Your holy law
With me can have nothing to do
My Savior's obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions from view

The work which Your goodness began
The arm of Your strength will complete
Your promise is yes and amen
And never was forfeited yet
The future or things that are now
No power below or above
Can make You Your purpose forego
Or sever my soul from Your love

My name from the palms of Your hands
Eternity will not erase
Impressed on Your heart it remains
In marks of indelible grace
Yes I, to the end will endure
Until I bow down at Your throne
Forever and always secure (x3)
A debtor to mercy alone.

Film and Theology: Office Space and The Office

James Harleman, one of the pastors at Mars Hill Seattle recently did a Film and Theology session on the movie Office Space and the hit TV show, The Office. The audio can be found here.

Pick n' Roll and Romans 5:3-4

Growing up going to basketball camps and learning the fundamentals of the game one of the first plays that I learned was called the pick n' roll. At all levels of basketball the pick n' roll is used. Most noticeably the pick n' roll is used in the NBA. The pick n' roll is one of the simplest plays in all of basketball, but when done correctly, one of the most difficult to defend. John Stockton and the "Mailman" Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz are said to be the masters of this play. As I was watching Lebron James of the Cavs and Paul Pierce of the Celtics battle it out today in game 7 of the playoffs I realized what the pick n' roll accomplished. The pick n' roll when used by both these players started a process within the offensive set that their respective team was running. Mismatches were created. Open shots were created as the ball was reversed. Dunks and lob opportunities were gained as the defense was slow at times to adjust to the quickness and precision that the offense had when running this simple play. Ultimately the pick n' roll started this process and when worked through unitl completion produced positive results in made baskets and scoring chances.

As I thought about the Sunday morning sermon that I heard on trials, tribulations, and suffering I couldn't help but think about how these things started a process that in the end produces hope.
Suffering, trials, and tribulations start a process that produces endurance(Romans 5: 3-4). Endurance produces character, and character produces hope. How willing are we to allow this process to start correctly - For God to have His Sovereign way and throw the kitchen sink our way if it's His will - in the end to produce endurance, character, and hope? Are we even willing to allow that process to start correctly as we respond to suffering? My prayer is that we will be obedient in our response as we worship God in praise for His timing, His will, anad His Divine plan that He has for you and I.

A Musical Shift

During the years of 1990 - 1998 I ventured into an OCD mode with Contemporary Christian Music. I mean I had t-shirts of bands, multiple tapes (until I got a CD player/discman in 1996), and of course a yearly subscription to CCM magazine. My favorite band had to be Geoff Moore & The Distance. I also was a "Jesus Freak" and thought that the Jesus Freak tour was the best thing since sliced bread. I remember my mother challenging my wisdom on spending as I would go to the local christian book store to listen to demos and eventually get some new music. She said, "Do you really think that you will be listening to that music 10-15 years from now?" To which I usually replied with an eye roll or anything else a defiant son would do when his mother was trying to give him advice at age 14. Well the day has arrived when I don't really listen to any Contemporary Christian Music anymore. The days of Code of Ethics, Bleach, WhiteHeart, Holy Soldier, Plankeye, Audio A, PFR, and Big Tent Revival are thank goodness OVER!

So what am I listening to these days. I basically listen to worship music. I do listen to the Passion worship leaders (Tomlin, Redman, Hall, Crowder, Fee), but most of my music listening consists of lesser known independant church bands that lead congregations weekly. My favorites are Michael Bleeker of The Village Church in Texas and the various Mars Hill Worship Bands (Ex Nihilo, The Parsons, Team Strike Force, and BCG -Ball and Chain Gang) from Seattle. The musical creativity of the Mars Hill Bands is amazing - here are some songs to check out that are my personal favorites. Gloria, How Deep The Father's Love For Us, Emphasis 1, Emphasis 2, All My Tears, My Jesus I Love Thee, Yahweh , Here Is Love, The Glory of God, Praise to the Lord, The Almighty, Destructor, Every Tongue Sing, Christ Is Risen, Holy, Holy, Holy These are some great mp3's that you can download (completely free) or you can subscribe to the Michael Bleeker or Mars Hill Church music podcasts. I am grateful that this musical shift has occured in my life or else I might have more CD's that look like this.

The Gospel Going Forth

This afternoon I went over to West Fargo High School to attend a student led gathering immediately after school. West Fargo seniors Matt Harsch and Mike Brown called this meeting to flat out share the Gospel with their fellow students. That's it....no gimmicks, no skateboard tricks, no prosperity Gospel. I am proud to call these two brothers and also am anticipating God using them as vessels for His glory more and more in the future. I caught up with Matt and Mike and did an impromptu interview after the auditorium had cleared out. I asked them why they have a heart for the lost in their school?

President Bush @ Worship Conference

Back in '06 President Bush made an appearance at Sovereign Grace Ministries WorshipGod conference. He introduced Keith and Kristyn Getty from Ireland. Keith and Kristyn are the writers of some powerful contemporary worship hymns such as: In Christ Alone, The Power of the Cross, and Speak O' Lord. Hope you enjoy the impersonation.

HOTW: What A Savior

This Hymn was written by Phillip Bliss (an American hymn writer who died at the age of 37 in a train accident), but has since had an additional chorus and new music written by Devon Kauflin of Sovereign Grace Ministries. Here is the audio of the new version (it's a live version so the quality isn't great). We've been playing this one in church for the last month as the lyrics are powerful.

Man of Sorrows, what a name
For the Son of God who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim, hallelujah
Bearing shame and scoffing rude
In my place condemned He stood
Sealed my pardon with His blood
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Chorus
Savior, You showed Your love
Defeated our sin, poured out Your blood
So we praise You, Lamb that was slain
We offer our lives to proclaim
What a Savior

Guilty, vile, and helpless we
Spotless Lamb of God was He
Full atonement, can it be, hallelujah
Lifted up was He to die, "It is finished," was His cry
Now in heav'n exalted high, hallelujah, hallelujah

When He comes, our glorious King
All His ransomed home to bring
Then anew this song we'll sing
Hallelujah, hallelujah

17 Qualifications of a Pastor-Elder

The following qualifications are taken from Mark Driscoll's forthcoming book entitled A Book You'll Actually Read: On Church Leadership (Crossway, June 2008). When I think about the role of Pastor and what is expected of me in the sight of the Lord I have an overwhelming thought of dependence on grace given to me through Jesus Christ.
Qualifications taken from 1 Tim 3:1-7

Relation to God
1) A man: a masculine leader, a dudely dude
2) Above reproach: without character defect
3) Able to teach: effective Bible communicator
4) Not a new convert: mature Christian

Relation to Family
5) Husband of one wife: one - woman man, sexually pure (this does not require a man to be married, as Paul, Timothy, Jesus, and widowed men could qualify).
6) Submissive children: successful father
7) Manages family well: provides for, leads, organizes, loves

Relation to Self
8) Sober-minded: mentally & emotionally stable
9) Self-controlled: disciplined life of sound decision making
10) Not a drunkard: without addictions
11) Not a lover of money: financially content & upright

Relation to Others
12) Respectable: worth following and imitating
13) Hospitable: welcomes strangers, especially non-Christians, for evangelism
14) Not violent: even-tempered
15) Gentle: kind, gracious, loving
16) Not quarrelsome: peaceable, not divisive or contentious
17) Well though of by outsiders: respected by non-Christians

Baptismal Blooper

This past Sunday, May 11th I had the privilege of baptizing two individuals at Metropolitan Baptist Church. I previously had baptized a total of 9 people in my brief pastoral ministry. The first baptism went very well. The second, well that's when I ran into an issue and had to make a split second decision.
As I attempted to immerse the second individual the definition about what I believe about baptism entered my mind. As the individual came up from the water I realized that the entire front of his face and the front part of his hair were completely dry. In my mind I actually believe I heard myself say, "Oh crap, what should I do?" People were clapping and rejoicing, I surely shouldn't attempt to do this again, should I? The problem was that I really hadn't baptized this individual by immersion and if I was to literally follow what I believe then I had to do this again. So I went on to announce to the crowd that, "We need to do this again!" I quickly went on to fully immerse (without a doubt) this individual and he arose from the water with more rejoicing, much laughter, and a story to tell of "the outward representation of his inward regeneration" (as he previously testified)

Roger Clemens Moser: Never!

In the last two days I have had friends that had babies. They named their daughters some pretty sweet names, Isabella one and the other Alivia. As a new parent the process of naming your child is a big deal. From what I have observed - naming your child is about granting them a name that is memorable and also something that is meaningful to the father and mother.

With that said, I recalled the other day listening to Mike and Mike in the Morning and they were talking about naming children. They brought up the fact that there are literally hundreds of kids in this country that have been named Roger Clemens _________. With the ongoing accusations against Roger Clemens (steroids, affair with country singer Mindy McCready and John Daly's former wife) Mike and Mike shared that it may not be too wise anymore to name your children after proclaimed American heroes (which Clemens believes he is as he is pursuing a defamation suit against his former trainer). Mike and Mike gave the advice that maybe you should wait until your heroes, mentors, and influences are dead until you name your son/daughter after them for life. If you don't your son or daughter may be named after "the punch line to many jokes for years," stated Mike Greenberg.

Now Greeny and Golic go over the top on this point, but one such example of naming your kid after a hero that has since passed is my friend Ryan Franchuk. Ryan and his wife Sallie named their first born Adoniram. Since many of you don't know who Adoniram Judson is I would suggest to read about him - his story is amazing (google, Piper's Don't Waste Your Life p. 155-158). Ryan and Sallie don't have to worry about finding out that Adoniram Judson shacked up with different women, or had trainers inject 'roids in his butt.

In conclusion, there will never be a Roger Clemens Moser! Our second child is on its way in October.

My Brother on TNT/NBA Playoffs

This coming Mother's Day(May 11th) my brother from another mother will join Ernie Johnson, Kenny "The Jet" Smith, and Sir Charles on the set of NBA on TNT during the Hornets/Spurs game. Rev. Emmanuel "Manny" Ohonme is the founder and president of Samaritan's Feet, a ministry based out of Charlotte, NC. Ernie, Kenny, and Charles will be doing the show barefoot to provide a context for Manny to share about Samaritan Feet's Vision.

According to their website Samaritans Feet's mission is to "bring shoes to the ends of the earth in the Name of Christ who changes lives." Samaritans Feet has a goal of taking 10 million shoes to 10 million impoverished children in 10 years. I believe they are now in year 3 or 4 of this process. Samaritans Feet provides and organizes mission trips for groups to then go and use shoes as a tool and vehicle to share the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. Friends this is not the "social gospel". I can testify to the vision of this organization as they go and wash feet and give new shoes to children around the world. The ministry of Samaritans Feet doesn't stop there (for if it would this ministry would be just another good thing). Samaritans Feet then challenges and shares the message of hope in Jesus Christ with every person that they give a new pair of shoes to. Raising awareness and shoes is a good thing, but Samaritans Feet makes it their goal to point to something magnificent, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This story is especially special to me personally as Manny lived with my family when I was a kid. Manny came to America on a basketball scholarship to Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, ND. One Sunday we were driving home from church and a tall Nigerian dude had just gotten off the bus and was walking towards the college. It was a day that was literally freezing (if I remember correctly the temp was -5 to 0 that January day). We stopped as a family and picked Manny up and said we'd give him a ride to the college. We proceeded to find that the college was closed that day and Manny would have to wait until that evening to check in. We proceeded to invite him over for Sunday dinner (which he ate like no one I had ever seen, because at 6'4" 220 - athletes need to eat). During that meal we found out that Manny got off the bus that day and prayed for God to take care of him this cold day. We also found out that Manny was a passionate follower of Jesus Christ. The relationship between my parents, brothers, and I grew from there and still continues today. The following years Manny was in our home a lot. He even spent some summers with us. We now have the joy of watching him proclaim Jesus to this world!

I encourage you to check out TNT's coverage on May 11th. CP3(Chris Paul) and the Hornets should continue their dominance over the aging (Bob Horry, T Duncan, and definitely Jacque Vaughn) Spurs. You can learn more about Samaritans at their website

Joshua Harris and Borat

Since I have a friend who loves to say "Very Nice" a lot I found this video interesting. The message here is clearly discernment, but also shows us how prayer crushed Sasha Baron Cohen's agenda one day

Mars Hill? Which one?

Since creating this blog I have had questions concerning which Mars Hill I have linked. I finally included Mars Hill Church Seattle to clarify which Mars Hill that I visit. My co-worker, brother, and young in-ministry (just like I am) sidekick Caleb has discussed the leaders of both Mars Hill Churches that have gained attention in the evangelical world. Check out Caleb's post on these two churches and their leaders and his blog Thorns

Enough Favre

I thought I had heard it all about Brett Favre. I have relatives on my wife's side from Wisconsin and they throw down their cheese head logic on me all the time about Brett Favre this and Brett Favre that. Being an avid Viking fan seeing Favre retire was a very happy day this past year. I thought I had heard it all about Brett Favre craziness until I read this story

Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin

As a worship leader in my home church I highly value the content of this new book Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God by Bob Kauflin (Crossway, 2008). Bob Kauflin is the director of worship development for Sovereign Grace Ministries. Previously, Bob may be most known for being a part of the Christian group GLAD as a songwriter and arranger. I can tell you for sure that my parents and all there friends know who GLAD is even though you may not.

This book is written thoughtfully for worship leaders, but many of the truths expressed here are vital to be understood by church leaders, church attenders, and those that like to complain about music in the church. Bob communicates a high view of the Gospel and theology when thinking about music and music's place within the church.

Bob calls us to proclaim the Gospel....as "Proclamation - is declaring what's true about God." Bob says that proclamation is "often underrated. Why proclaim scriptural truths we've previously heard and already know? Because we forget. We lose track of who God is and what he's done."

Bob challenges churches to sing God's Word, to skillfully combine God's Word through music. The text suggests that "too often we can be tempted to choose songs because of the music rather than the theological content. We need to realize that when words are combined with music we can be deceived.....we should be dwelling richly in the Word of Christ, not musical experiences...the bottom line is: Sing God's Word. Lyrics matter more than music. Truth transcends tunes."

Bob explains an unfortunate dichotomy that exists in churches as we have separated singing and preaching and this is why: "Most people understand it like this: Worship is when we sing and experience God's nearness, express our love for him , and allow his Spirit to move in our midst. All right-brain activities. Hearing the Word.....appeals to the left brain. It's mind food. It's for intellects, designed to make us think, not feel........But singing and preaching aren't incompatible or opposed to each other in any way. Both are meant to exalt the glory of Christ in our hearts, minds, and wills...." I agree that sometimes people can tune out one or the other and fail to recognize that both singing and preaching are really about the same thing. I believe it may happen that someone would go to one church for the musical experience and another church for the teaching that they want. I think the church has arrived at this place because with the rise of contemporary/modern/cutting edge/whatever you want to call it worship we have put God's Word on the back burner. Bob suggests that "our churches can't be Spirit-led unless they're Word-fed."

Bob gives a great measuring stick for the long-term planning of a church when picking out songs to sing for worship. He calls it the "Twenty Year Rule". The Twenty Year Rule basically says that if someone is born in your local church and grew up singing the songs in your church over the course of 20 years, how well would they know God? A couple of questions that Bob writes related to the Twenty Year Rule

• Would these songs give them a biblical and comprehensive view of God? or would they be exposed only to certain aspects of his nature and works?
• Would they learn that God is holy, wise, omnipotent, and sovereign? Would they know God as Creator and Sustainer? Would they understand the glory and centrality of the gospel? Or would they think worship is about music, and not much more?
  

This text starts with much theology of understanding what worship is and moves toward worship training for leaders in the later chapters. Through the whole text Bob communicates God's greatness and why Worship Matters. I highly recommend this book and will continue to use it as a resource in serving the Lord through leading songs that proclaim His greatness.

Here are some promo videos for the book on The Leader, The Task, Healthy Tensions, and Right Relationships

Money is a comin'

Honestly speaking my first thought when hearing about the economic stimulus payment was "Man that is going to be sweet!" I am married and have one child so I will receive $1500.00 from Uncle Sam (actually will receive money that is tax credit for next year). The next thought/impulse to enter my head was, "What can I spend this on.....what do I really want!" After some prayer and discernment spending this money on what I want would be the most dishonoring thing to my Lord as I could do. John Piper recently wrote

"Nobody in the world will see you spend your money on yourself and conclude that Christ is your treasure.......do we really need this money? Very few do. We would have gotten on fine without it. If we didn’t know it was coming, we wouldn’t even be feeling the desires we are feeling right now...... May I encourage you to be radically creative and hedonistic......Before the check comes dream of some person or ministry which might make much of Christ because you treasured him above your next home project."

How can we make much of Christ with this stimulus payment? I believe the key is to identify our needs verses salivating like dogs with our wants. The Lord provides for our needs if we are faithful. Identify what we need and then use the money wisely. Here are some suggestions that I have been thinking about as I know the check is on its way.

• Plan to give to someone in need or a ministry that will preach the Gospel. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
• Tithe to your home church
  
• Pay off existing bills to eliminate debt (I know that really isn't the governments hope with this project, but high - interest debt isn't cool - even though I have some).
• Put the money away and save it for an upcoming bill that you know is coming (For example, having another child)
• Make sure and buy a mother's and father's day card (May 11th and June 15th)

I took my 15 month old to Vegas?

April 25th - 28th marked my first trip to Las Vegas, NV. My family traveled to "sin city" for a family reunion/birthday party. My wife's great grandmother turned 85 and we took in the festivities at Sam's Town Hotel. We opted to stay at the Holiday Inn Express of Henderson, NV. The MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, and The Palms among others were not the places for us with a 15 month old or for us in general. Also our lungs were pleased to have a hotel that didn't allow smoking ummm.....wherever.

My observations of Vegas came down to what I call the "Land of the living dead" where I saw lots and lots of spiritually dead people walking around and feeling "so alive". My heart hurts for the lost and lost people is what I saw in Las Vegas and what I see here in Fargo as well. I did take comfort in the fact that the Gospel is being preached in this city. We attended First Baptist Church of Henderson, NV on Sunday morning and heard a great sermon on God's intent for marriage from Mark 10. It was comforting to hear this message in a cultural context that has numerous wedding chapels (4 miles away) which frequently have weddings that produce marriages that last no more than 54 hours (thank you Brittany).

The level of the intensity to engulf sex, alcohol, and "straight cash homey" (Randy Moss) is at an all time high. I don't think this exists just in Vegas, but this is the hub. If you fall short in one area in Vegas (sex, alcohol, money) you can always make up for it in another.

I did feel a bit like Chevy Chase driving out to Hoover Dam with my wife's family. We weren't driving a station wagon, but were caravaning with 4 separate vehicles. I must say Hoover Dam is pretty spectacular from an engineering and resource standpoint. If I ever go back Lake Mead is something that I will visit. As a wake boarder I would love to board along a pretty lake with a backdrop of mountains.

What do I make of Vegas? I see a city that is just like every American city - a city filled with sinners. I see tourists and gamblers that come there as normal sinners from all over the world. These people that behave in a sinful way aren't coming to Vegas and learning how to sin. They are already pretty good at it, as we all are. My perspective in visiting this city led me back to examining my own sinfulness and realizing that I suck and I need Jesus as does everyone that I saw in Las Vegas, NV.

The Hymn "Come Ye Sinners" kept coming to my mind as I thought about this weekend visit. This hymn was written in 1759 by a man named Joseph Hart.

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.

Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all.

Refrain

I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.