10 Questions for 2009

I asked 10 questions as I opened my sermon on Sunday morning as I challenged our people to "Consider our ways" - based off of Haggai 1:5. These questions are from Don Whitney and an expanded list can be found here.

1. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve your family life this year?
2. In which Spiritual Discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?
3. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?
4. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?
5. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?
6. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
7. What's the single most important thing you do to improve the quality of your work life this year for the glory of God.
8. In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year?
9. What's one thing you could do throughout this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?
10. To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount of time and energy to this year?
    

Vikings: One and Done

I quit reviewing Vikings games after the Jacksonvile game and the Vikings proceeded to go on a season long run, winning the NFC North on the last day of the regular season. This will serve as a review of the playoff game w/the Eagles as well as a season in review.

Eagles 26 Vikings 14

Chris Berman summed it up like this on NFL primetime last night, "The Vikings are just goofy". Boomer was referring to their punt coverage, Matt Birk's snap to the feet of Jackson, and Brad Childress's wonderful clock managment at the end of the first half.

Simply put the Vikings didn't win this game due to I believe three reasons

1. Eagles had McNabb - Vikings had T Jack - any football fan could see the superiority and calmness in McNabb's play on Sunday contrasted with Jackson's play that overall was shaky/and up and down. Both QB's threw interceptions - McNabb's gave the Vikes the ball deep in Eagles territory, while Jackson's interception was the pick 6 version.
2. Coaching - Schematically the Eagles dominated the Vikings. There was a 3rd and 1 in the 3rd quarter where Pederson and Tahi lined up in a Twins formation in the backfield. The Vikings have ran this play each of the last two weeks and ran Pederson off the right side for 2-3 yard gains. There was a couple of problems running this on Sunday. First, an amateur football mind could identify this play on TV...you'd think a team that watched tons of film on a team would be ready for this - and they were and forced the Vikes to punt on a drive where it looked like the Vikes could take a lead as the score was still 16-14. The second problem would be that the right side isn't exactly our best running side with Ryan Cook and Anthony Herrara. Also, Jim Johnson's blitzes dominated the Vikings and they virtually had no answer aside from a beautifully designed screen to Jim Kleinsasser. Now only if Jimmy's name was changed to Brian Westbrook - that play could've been bigger. The Vikings just weren't creative enough on offense to combat an Eagles blitz that was actually fun to watch - man they are so aggressive. And finally, I would've like to see more Chestor Taylor on Sunday. AP had one significant play, couldn't pick up the blitz, and dances behind the line of scrimmage way too much for me against a fast defense. That is a coaching move that Chilly failed to make.
   
3. Too many Benny Sapp and Tyrell Johnson Tackles - when Benny Sapp is making plays and I'm hearing his name called more than linebackers or Antoine Winfield - things aren't going to go well for the Vikings, eventually a big play will happen, which it did. Johnson was forced to play as Darren Sharper left with an injury to his ankle. Excuses due to injury are pretty lame, but it is worth noting that the Vikings D was without 4 starters on Sunday - Pat Williams, Ray Edwards, Darren Sharper, and E.J. Henderson. Although the D held up and I thought kept us in the game (practicing their bend but don't break philosophy well in the first half) - the D with these 4 starters in is noticeabely different.
4. I know I said only three - but Chris Kluwe (our punter) trying to tackle Deshawn Jackson (4.4 40) in the open field is never good.

Looking Ahead/Season Review

The Vikings enter the offseason again with doubts at the quarterback position. My thought is draft a QB in the first or second round and then let Jackson and the rookie battle it out in camp. We've seen this year what Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan could do as QB's surrounded by solid players and veterans.

Significant strides were made this year on D. Yes the Vikings led the NFL against the run again- but the big improvement comes in the area of pass D. We went from dead last (32nd) in the league last year in 2007 to 18th in the league in 2008. I attribute this to 1- Jared Allen. We've longed for a consistent pass rush for years and we finally got it in 2008. 2 - Madeue Williams was a significant upgrade at SS compared to something known as Dwight Smith.

Offensively this team's identity still is in running the football. I believe AP and Chestor are a great 1-2 punch, although AP's fumble issues need to be dealt with. The passing game had several big plays as Bernard Berrian, Bobby Wade, and V Schiancoe all had productive seasons. I think we need more out of Sidney Rice next year.

The Vikings hadn't been to the playoffs since 2004 and it was actually fun looking down on the Bears and Packers at the end of the year. Under Chilly the Vikings have made improvement 6-10, to 8-8, to 10-6 (0-1 in the playoffs)....we need to continue that trend and go 11-5 or 12-4 next year and at least to the NFC championship game for me to see vast improvement. Minnesota Vikings 2008 - DEAD!

Making Something Else Ultimate

This thought was brought to my attention by one of my favorite pastors, Matt Chandler. Check out the church he pastors and his podcast if you would love to listen to some solid teaching

Look around and see if you see any of the following this Christmas season - The falsehood of the following statement, "The reason for the season is family and friends"

Directly or indirectly we often times make something else ultimate, rather than Jesus Christ. Now I agree with spending time with family and friends during Christmas and it is a great thing and a thing that should be pursued and planned for. What I don't agree with is making a bigger deal out of your time with family - than your time acknowledging the grace that has been given to us through Jesus Christ our Lord. When we acknowledge Christ as ultimate and make Him primary at Christmas and all through the year - our time with family and friends can be an extension and a reflection of that grace you have been given. When we fail to do this, I believe that we are drifting into the area of idolatry? I believe we can make anything an idol....a relationship, money, our comfort, and even family and friends. Anytime we exchange the truth about God for something else (Rom. 1:25) I believe idolatry is committed.

Friends this Christmas season and all the year through - please make Jesus Christ ultimate and by making Him ultimate extensions of your life such as family, friends, vacations, work, money, comfort, Christmas parties - will then be seen as grace rather than replacing it (grace).

Blizzard to the Glory of God

Today God is showing His power, His timing, and His plans with gusts of wind, frigid temps, and snow that is falling and blowing. As is with everything I believe God wants His glory more than anything and this is just another directing me to that thought.

Every church in our city has called off services today. One may ask - how can God glorify Himself when all the doors of the church are closed? I would respond with saying that the church isn't limited to a building or a time. As we are all stuck inside today - we still can have sabbath and time that honors the Lord. The key is to make sure that that happens for you.

This morning we laid in bed and got the girls and had a couple hours of watching TV and sleepin' in together. It was a good relaxing time of family time that we rarely ever get due to work.

One thing I think about is the fact of going to work vs. going to church. Would people venture to work today if this was a normal business day? My guess would be yes or maybe? Would people venture to church today -absolutely not - what is the difference? I guess it would be priority at first thought. There is some worth and value for families to be at home together on a day like this.

Since many of you will read this today since you will be at home and won't have anything else to do but veg out, watch movies, watch football, or surf the net - I urge you to find some time for sabbath today.

Rick Warren: Just Give Jesus a Try???

The other night I was laying in bed watching my hospital TV before I fell asleep. At 11 pm I usually watch the nights previous episode of Hannity and Colmes on Fox News. Rick Warren just happened to be on this night discussing issues related to Christianity, Christmas, his new book The Purpose of Christmas, and politics.

Here is the dialogue between Alan Colmes and Warren. One section was particularly interesting. If you don't have a garbage can nearby - you may want to get one - cause this could make you throw up.

COLMES: What about — what does it say for all those people who do not accept Christ as their personal savior?

WARREN: I'm saying that this is the perfect time to open their life, to give it a chance. I'd say give him a 60-day trial.

(CROSSTALK)

COLMES: Like the Book of the Month Club.

WARREN: Give him a trial. See if he'll change your life. I dare you to try trusting Jesus for 60 days. Or your money guaranteed back.

You have got to be kidding me. One of the leading voices in Evangelicalism put Jesus Christ into the category of exercise equipment infomercials??? You don't give Jesus a try? I dare you to give Jesus a chance?? That sounds similar to statements I heard in elementary school growing up - "Brett I dare you to put those boulders and other marbles in the pot - and I'll play you for them." Or, "I double dare you, Brett." (they apparently watched too much Double Dare on Nickelodeon). You don't dare people when talking about Jesus Christ.

God, in His Sovereignty, by the power of the Holy Spirit - buys us - purchases us - by shedding His blood on the Cross as a ransom - a payment for sin - so that we can be reconciled to God.

The rest of the interview had some issues as well, but nothing compared to this catastrophe. Rick Warren has a lot of talent and gifts and is pastoring a large congregation. He has sold more books than I will ever buy in my lifetime. He obviously has been blessed and God has used his books to reach people, but these comments speak to the truth of how Warren perceives the Christian life. How committed can anyone be to something they can just return for a money back guarantee? The sad truth is that people buy this message - They try out church - They try out mormonism - They try out etc....and nothing works because God, in His Sovereignty, is in charge period.

The Peasant Princess: Top Ten

The past couple of months I have been blessed by Mars Hill Seattle's series entitled The Peasant Princess based of the book of Song of Solomon. I have watched every sermon and during the process have been taught and challenged on every level as a Christian husband and father. For some silly reason we think that pre-married counseling is an end all discussion when talking about our marriage - when really it should be the start of continually examining your marriage while always striving to learn more and more about your spouse and how you can serve he/she better. Here are my Top Ten quotes or ideas that I remember as I reflect on this great teaching series. Some are practical personally, others are just great observations of culture and can be used as I Pastor and do marital counseling.

1. My Wife = My Standard of Beauty. When my standard of beauty changes - that is when marriages start falling apart. Replacement of your wife being the standard of beauty - can lead to a trainwreck of a marriage. This is obviously an issue as the cultural standard of beauty is sold/advertised/marketed/placed in front of us at all times.
2. In my marriage I am after INTERDEPENDENCE, not INDEPENDENCE.
3. Date Night = PRIORITY. With two kids (22 months and 1 month) - my wife and I need 1 time a week to go out on a date. Why? To connect, to talk, to get to know each other better - so we don't get to be empty nesters w/ nothing to talk about. The past 5 weeks we have had date night each week no matter what - and it has been awesome!
4. Before I touch my wife physically - I need to touch her mind, her heart, and her soul.
5. Selfishness - In a marriage - research shows that it takes 9 years to remove oneself from all selfishness within. The worst part about this is people get divorced and then repeat the worst years.
6. Cohabitation Quote = "Cohabitation includes - Hook up, Shake up, Break up."
7. Dudes - In our culture guys typically want all the benefits, but want/take no responsibility.
8. Pornography Quote = "Just cause we are thirsty - doesn't mean we drink from the toilet."
9. Divorce Quote = "So many Christian couples are divorced in every way, but the paperwork - and they ridiculously pat themselves on the back for not getting a divorce."
10. Childhood = A lot of what happens in one's childhood - greatly affects how they define, think about, and behave when they are married.

You can watch all the sermons here. Driscoll has produced a free online book available to help those struggling with pornography. You can download that here.

I feel like in church we don't talk about marriage, sex, and parenting enough. We have at times failed to deal with real issues that the Bible addresses. I am glad that Driscoll steps out and talks on these issues, and that Mars Hill shares this content for free. Please check it out if you are married or preparing for marriage.

Farewell song written to President Bush

My first tape that I received in 1991 was Steven Curtis Chapman's For The Sake of the Call. 17 years later Chapman is still making music and his most recent contribution was to write a farewell/thank you song for President Bush. Chapman has had a difficult year w/the death of his daughter. His writing this song is part of his testimony that he is truly thankful for all that God has ordained. You can check out the song here.