Boys Don't Wrestle Girls

Here's a great story. A high school wrestler forfeited a match because he refused to wrestle a girl. All the story cites is that this was because of the boy's faith. I don't know what "faith" that is, but I respect him for it. Boys should not wrestle girls (who are not their wife or daughter). Boys protect girls, not fight them. Plus, it is impossible to wrestle someone without touching them inappropriately. Nice call, Joel Northrup, nice call.

10 Exhortations to the Chilean Miners

I don't expect that any of the 33 miners who have been trapped for about 70 days will ever read my blog. However, if I had the opportunity to address them as they wait to be rescued, here is some of what I'd say:

1. Jesus can rescue you from a pit much deeper than this mine. Jesus rescues from the Father's wrath.
2. Do not trust in Mary or any other human "saint." Only Jesus saves.
3. You are not promised tomorrow. This "second chance" at life will soon end.
4. Don't waste your world-wide fame. Use it for the fame of Jesus.
5. Don't waste the riches that will be coming your way. Use it for the fame of Jesus.
6. The joy of being rescued is nothing compared to the joy of being adopted.
7. Express your gratefulness.
8. This world will always let you down. This won't be the last time you need help.
9. Love your family.
10. Don't waste your rescue.

God Loves a Generous Heart

My favorite song on the new Sovereign Grace kids CD is called "A Generous Heart." The point of the song is that God loves a generous heart because that's a heart like His own heart.

Well, I was reminded of this song this morning by this incredible story. You just don't hear stuff like this very much. It deserves to be celebrated.

What I'm Learning from the Pastor Long Situation

I had never heard of Eddie Long before yesterday. He is being accused of coercing young men into sexual acts. I know nothing about him or his ministry or his theology. So, I'm going to withhold judgment until all the details come out. But, this whole situation is a classroom for us all. Here are some things I'm learning:

1. The world loves it when pastors mess up (or are even accused of messing up). It seems as if everyone is just waiting for a reason to say, "I knew he couldn't be trusted." Pastors, its not just your own reputation that is on the line in your behavior. You represent your Savior and the people for whom He died.

2. Its not just the opposite sex that we have to be careful how we relate to anymore. Traditionally, good advice has been, "never be alone with a woman who is not your wife or mother." With the rise of the popularity of homosexuality, we now have to even be concerned with being alone with anyone.

3. "Above reproach" is not just a qualification for being an elder, it is a command that goes beyond just staying out of trouble. To be above reproach means to live in such a way that accusations would be so outlandish that no one would ever believe them. Anyone is vulnerable to false accusations. But, being above reproach means that when those accusations are explored, zero evidence is uncovered.

You Reap What You Sow

Yikes. Seems like his stupidity will follow him.

Don't Be Surprised

Peter commanded the church not to be surprised when the fiery trial comes. I'm praying for gospel hope in Nigeria. One day, these Muslims will give an account and these Christians will receive the reward of their sufferings.

The iPad: What's a Brother to do?

What is a brother to do when 2 of the most tech-savy Christian bloggers disagree so strongly on the iPad?
Challies is not about it.
Josh is.

I'm actually just kidding. There is no way I'm getting an iPad. I haven't even tapped the potential of my 5 year old iPod (which is the only thing Apple I own).

You Thought Your Day Yesterday Was Eventful

I've been a baseball fan my whole life and I've never seen anything like this. An illustration on being ready in season and out of season.

"I just want him to come to know Jesus..."

Only the power of the gospel could make the wife of a slain pastor say things like this:

Pastor Al Preaching at FBC Maryville

My former pastor, Al Meridith, will be preaching at FBC Maryville on Sunday (where the pastor was shot last Sunday).
What a great choice. They probably could have asked anyone in the country to come and preach for them this week. If I know pastor Al, he probably called and volunteered to serve them.

Pastor Al preached from Romans 8:28 on the Sunday after 7 students were killed by a gunman at his church. When we were looking for a church in Fort Worth while in seminary, I listened to that sermon and immediately knew this was the church we needed to be part of.

I've got 3 predictions for Sunday at FBC Maryville:
1. Pastor Al will weep with those who weep. He is the only pastor I've ever had who would weep regularly from the pulpit.
2. Pastor Al will proclaim the sovereignty of God. He's got a robust theology of suffering and God's complete control of all things.
3. Pastor Al will sing for joy in response to the hope of the gospel. He is the only preacher I've ever heard who sings during his sermons (every sermon).
I'd guess that at least one of his songs will be:
"My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness..."

Pastor Killed During Service

Pray for this family and church.

Come, Lord Jesus, Come Soon

Deeply saddened and outraged by this story: Woman married 23 times.
She needs someone to introduce her to a pure, gentle, and glorious Savior, who died so that sinners can have an eternal relationship with the Father and never be lonely again.

SBC Calls for Repentance!

I just watched Tom Ascol's resolutions on church membership get passed by the Southern Baptist Convention!

I can remember watching the SBC 3 years ago where this same resolution was denied. This is a fantastic day in the life of the SBC.

Highlight: Al Mohler followed the vote fantasticlly...

UPDATE: Ascol shares what happened (and has the wording of the resolution and amendment in case you want to read it).

Who Will Go?

Amazing. CNN.com's lead article this morning was about one of the last remaining "uncontacted" tribes. An airplane got some pictures of this tribe in the Amazon rainforest. The pictures show the men pointing their bows toward the airplane.

These are men for whom Christ died. Their most basic need is not for their land to be protected. They need a Savior. They need a Savior whose own Father pierced Him with the arrow of His wrath.

One of My Favorite Descriptions of Jesus

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10:
"For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."

You can search CNN, Yahoo, Google, NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox and not find greater news than that today!

Grieving for the Glory of God

Here is a brief run down of the funeral for Maria Chapman.

Here is a news video with some footage of the funeral.

Father, when my day of grieving comes, let me grieve for your glory. Make me trust your goodness and sovereignty and help me worship like I really believe the gospel. Thank you for the Chapman's example, giving us all hope, and challenging the unbelieving world to repent and believe. You give and take away. Blessed be your name.

Steven Curtis Chapman's Daughter

Steven Curtis Chapman's 5 year old daughter was struck by a car yesterday at her home and died. You can see some of the details here.

UPDATE: You can see a blog the Chapman's have set up with video of Maria here.

Please join me in praying that God would give Steven and his family strength and that this would give them a larger platform to share the gospel.

God is sovereign.

A tough decision

I saw a news story yesterday about a Catholic church that had to file a restraining order on an autistic 13 year old boy. The boy was causing so much disruption to mass that they felt like that had to do this for the safety of the rest of the church. The boy had knocked some people over and had hit another kid (along with some other highly disruptive behavior).

The news story was slanted toward feeling sorry for this family who could no longer attend this church. As I watched, I thought to myself, "What would I do as a leader of the church in this situation?" This is a tough decision!

How do you care for this boy's soul as a creature made in the image of God AND protect your church members at the same time?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. These are things we need to think through together as we seek to serve people for the glory of God.

Jesus Sought Me When a Stranger...Interposed His Precious Blood

God reminded me today of the abundance of grace He has given to me over the years. He pours His grace out everyday. However, there was particular grace given to me over 15 years ago (before I was a believer) that I was reminded of.

I generally have a bad memory of my past (which is another evidence of God's grace to me). However, there is one period of my Jr. High/early High School days that I have particular memory of.

I had a new friend named James. James was new to my school and I have no idea how he came to be one of my friends. James was bad news. I was generally a "good" kid (outwardly). I respected my family, played baseball, avoided fighting, made good grades, and stayed out of trouble. James began to have a negative effect on me. He picked fights, stole from stores, played with guns, and disrespected his dad.

I guess I thought James was cool. I can remember my mom talking to me about what kind of influence James was having on me. I can remember drifting away from many of my childhood friends.

I don't exactly remember what happened, but in High School, God mercifully diverted my attention away from James and onto other things. I moved toward baseball and girlfriends and James moved toward drugs and guns.

The last I had heard, James was in jail for something. I have often thought of finding him and sharing the gospel with him.

Just a few days ago, someone alerted me to a news article regarding James. Evidently, he was stiffed on a drug deal, got mad, and killed a guy. He is blaming it on someone else and his fellow gang members are blaming it on him.

You can see some news stories on the incident here, here, and here.

Interestingly, the same judge that my mother worked for declared a mistrial in the case just last week.

As I read about James and his current legal troubles, these thoughts were pressed upon my heart:

Justin, that could have been and would have been you. If God had not mercifully diverted your affections and goals, you would have been there and you would have pulled that trigger. In your depravity and arrogance, you would have been not just a member but the leader of such a gang. You would have taken more and sold more drugs that anyone. The only reason you are not where James is right now is because God elected you, sought you, redeemed you, and gave you faith in His Son.

I am more grateful than ever for the substitutionary sacrifice of my Savior. He and He alone are the only reason I exist. I don't deserve one ounce of these mercies I enjoy every day.

Take a moment to ponder where you would be if Jesus had not sought you. Be freshly amazed by His grace to you.

We All are Monsters

Along with the rest of the world, I was horrified by the story of the Father who locked his daughter and kids (grandkids?) in a basement for over 24 years. 24 years is a long time.

I have been waiting to hear something of his explanation of his life. Today, CNN has an article in which a little of his thinking can be seen.

The article says that they are allowing him to watch television coverage of his case (which seems unbelievable to me but I'll resist further comment). With obvious displeasure, he said, "I'm only being portrayed as a monster and not as someone who committed monstrous acts."

As a Christian, we must think deeply about this statement. Notice how this guy views himself and wants others to view him: Not as a monster but as a person who acted like a monster. This view is hauntingly common today.

A person who commits a sin is acceptable. However, a sinner is not acceptable. It is one thing to sin; it is quite another thing to be a sinner.

We are not good people who sometimes sin. We are depraved sinners who act according to our nature. The reason we do monstrous things is because we are monsters. The reason we sin is because we are sinners. There is a fundamental problem with us, our nature is corrupted.

The only hope for Josef Fritzl is to acknowledge that he is a monster, repent of his monstrous acts, and embrace Christ as his only and all-sufficient Savior and Lord.