We did it!

Just wanted to let everyone know we have officially raised all our money to be able to go to Mexico in 3 weeks to minister to the people of Acuna! Thank you so much to all who prayed for us and gave. We really appreciate it, and will continue to update you as we get closer to our departure.

Can't believe this worked...

Check out Patrick's latest post- the 4th option actually works! We just gave it a try. The possibilities for pranks are endless...

http://jpharmon.blogspot.com/

C.S. Lewis: The Man who Made me Think

I came across this very cool picture from an old Time magazine. It was first published over 60 years ago (Sept. 8, 1947), and it is amazing to see the influence that C.S. Lewis still has in America. He is probably the extra-biblical writer who has had the greatest impact on me. He gave me a greater desire to read Scripture, and most importantly gave me the confidence to know that the Christian faith was not an intellectual crutch for the ignorant. This was a great turning point for me- society has generally categorized Christianity as either being a tradition or a superstition. I used to hold a similar belief. But Lewis showed that one can be an orthodox Christian and be a thinking man. In fact, Lewis showed that the Christian must think in a more sophisticated manner than the unbeliever. The critic often throws out what seems like a contradiction- "I could never believe a God who is loving would send people to Hell"- and does no further examination beyond that. The Christian takes these great truths and must recognize that simple thinking will not do, and pursues a greater understanding of God. Lewis showed that when one thinks, Christ and Christian faith become even more beautiful.


"There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, 'All right then, have it your way.'"

- C.S. Lewis

Superman Video

Here's the video from the pictures I posted last night... Still pretty amazing.

Superman

One of the top five sports moments I think I've ever seen...

Kingdom - Alistair Begg

A few days ago I posted some sermon jams I had enjoyed. After listening to a few more, I think I have found this one by Alistair Begg to be one of the best in terms of content. Plus, you can't beat the awesome accent. Enjoy.


Alistair Begg's thoughts on politics, humility, and the need for a Savior.

http://www.relevantrevolution.com/download3.html

Thank you

Megan and I wanted to thank all of those who have been so generous by giving to us for our mission trip. I was, unfortunately, becoming very anxious this time last week as we were over $1000 away from being able to go to Mexico. In the past week, both God and His people have been very faithful, and we are now only $345 away from being able to go to Mexico on our first mission trip together! I feel funny putting in actual amounts in this post, but I wanted everyone to know exactly how blessed we have been. This has been an amazing week, and we are so thankful to those who have given, as well as those who have committed to pray for us. We are now about a month away from heading South of the border, and please pray for us and our team that we would be used as much as possible in our short time down there.

Megan said it perfectly this week: "may we always be as generous as people have been with us."

A Featured Hymn - 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Hymns have become more and more intriguing to me. Not only are they full of wonderful theology, but every hymn has a great stories behind it. Below I've put together some of the background of "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" from a variety of resources.


(from http://www.igracemusic.com which is a great site)

“’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” was written by a woman, Louisa M. R. Stead. Out of one of her darkest hours—the tragic drowning of her husband—this hymn was penned.
Louisa Stead was born in England. She felt the call of God upon her life for missionary service. She arrived in America in 1871. In 1875, Louisa married a Mr. Stead, and to this union was born a daughter, Lily. When the child was four years of age, the family decided one day to enjoy the sunny beach at Long Island Sound, New York.
While eating their picnic lunch, they suddenly heard cries of help and spotted a drowning boy in the sea. Mr. Stead charged into the water. As often happens, however, the struggling boy pulled his rescuer under the water with him, and both drowned before the terrified eyes of wife and daughter.
And out of her struggle with God during the ensuing days, flowed these meaningful words—“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.”
(from http://www.tanbible.com/tol_sng/tissosweettotrustinjesus.htm)

'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
1. ’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know “Thus saith the Lord!”

Refrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

2. O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me’
Neath the healing, cleansing flood!(Refrain)

3. Yes ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.(Refrain)

4. I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.(Refrain)

Sermon Jams

I have to admit that putting some music in the background adds something. Maybe a new staff position can be "Pastor of DJing" to give sermons a little more zing. Here's a few of the better ones I've found...


Ravi Zacharias - "Death is Dead"


John Piper - "Real"


Ravi Zacharias/Alistair Begg - "Antinomy"

And here's the main site where there's a number more...

http://www.relevantrevolution.com/download.html

Homeless World Cup

I stumbled onto this- it reminded me not only that sports can have a tremendously positive impact on someone's life, but also that the Church's heart should break for the homeless and love them very much (just as Jesus does).

Letting Paul Speak for Himself - 1 Timothy 6:11-21

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.

Grace be with you.

"The Great Debate"

If you ever have a while to sit and listen to something I would highly recommend what I have posted below. It is a link to one of the most famous debates of the 20th century and is still referred to as "The Great Debate." This debate is between Greg Bahnsen (pictured above), a brilliant Christian apologist, and Gordon Stein, the well-known and equally intelligent atheist. Stein quickly has to go into retreat due to Bahnsen's incredible ability to reveal the illogical nature of the foundation of Stein's argument against God. Granted, it will probably make your head hurt, but if you have any sort of interest in apologetics this would probably be right up your alley. It's amazing how often you hear about debates between Christian apologists and atheists, but rarely can you find one to listen to. Well, here is one for your listening pleasure.

http://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2006/12/05/greg-bahnsen-vs-gordon-stein-the-great-debate/

Image of a Winning Shot

I thought this was a pretty cool picture, and also that I should take advantage of the Carolina Gamecocks winning a game against a ranked opponent (#23 Ole Miss). This is Dominique Archie's reaction after hitting a game-winning 3 pointer with 6 seconds left. I think the best part is the Ole Miss crowd's reaction in the background.

In Response to Arguments (whether spoken or unspoken) against Missions (part 1)

I started to write a response to 5 arguments but realized that it was just too much to post at one time. I'm not out to make anyone read a dissertation. Basically I made a list a few days ago of various conflicts people have (or I once had) with missionary work and thought I'd give a brief response to each. If you'd like me to answer another objection in the coming days feel free to let me know.

These aren't in any particular order, but here's two for now...

1. The Sovereignty of God Argument

This is an argument that hopefully nobody even knew existed, and it seems that it probably does not even exist anymore for the most part. In an overly simple summary, this is the belief that essentially views missions as unneccesary because God is sovereign, has chosen who He will save and who He will not, and since there's nothing we can do about it we might as well let God be God and sit around and do nothing. Such a stance is infamously summarized by the pastor who strongly discouraged the great missionary to India, William Carey, to pursue his call to missions: "When God pleases to convert the heathen, He will do it without consulting you or me."

My guess is that the pastor who said that looked something like this:

Now this is not an attempt to get into any sort of Calvinism-Arminianism discussion (I promise to never blog extensively on that-ever). But I did feel it neccessary to respond to this view. This argument is always made from Scripture which certainly does affirm the sovereignty of God (such as Romans 9), but it misses the forest for the trees. Sure, someone can pick a few verses here and there to justify missional complacency, but what is ignored is the HUGE theme of missions that is consistent throughout the Bible. From Genesis (the original purpose of Abraham's call and the call that would soon come for Israel to be light unto the world) to Revelation, there is a consistent theme of the responsibility to go and tell. I guess I don't understand why someone would use verses written by Paul as a reason to ignore missions when he was the greatest missionary in the history of the church.

2. The "Isn't that dangerous?" argument

Southeastern and the International Mission Board (IMB) send missionaries into parts of the world that most sane people wouldn't enter with John Rambo. I've heard people say that it's irresponsible to send missionaries into dangerous areas or where lives may be threatened. Basically it's the view that, "you're not much use to God if you're dead." This argument also stems from a feeling that there is something wrong with living in and engaging a country other than the U.S., Canada, and Western Europe due to the difference in the "quality of life."

I wouldn't say that we should be irresponsible and simply go into any area like James Bond into a room full of bad guys in Goldeneye (for any of you N64 lovers out there). However, there would not be much of a church had the early church taken such a view that dangerous or less industrialized areas should be avoided at all costs. Look at the price that all eleven (subtracting Judas) of the remaining disciples paid once given the Great Commission. Deaths, crucifixion, beatings, stonings, etc. Paul was beaten, threatened, put on trial, but remained faithful to his call until dying for his faith in Christ. We should not be foolish, but "he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose" (Jim Elliot).

And the Best Superbowl Commercial was...

If all else fails, just have small animals scream for 30 seconds...