Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Ever wondered why we celebrate this day? Well, Justin Taylor posted a great 2 minute video explaining the truth about this shamrock loving Saint (who actually wasn’t a Saint and may not have loved shamrocks). Check out the video here:
wm
(HT: Barry Wallace, among others)
I have a couple of links for your reading pleasure today:
First, who doesn’t want to hear some of Russ Moore’s thoughts on the election this year? He is not super excited about the way in which the word ‘evangelical’ is being used by anybody and everybody. Give his article a read here: Russ Moore on this election year.
Second (for those tired of thinking/reading/hearing about the election), one of my pastor friends (HT: Josh Boley) just posted a link to this article on measuring church fruitfulness, which I think is excellent. Give it a read here: 5 Distinguishing Marks of a fruitful Church.
wm
I considered saving today’s post and using it on Monday since it involves music, but it is more than just music so I thought I would include it today!
Keith and Kristyn Getty (whose music you can and should listen to here) have partnered with OMF, a missionary agency that focuses on the peoples of East Asia, to promote a global event which will take place on February 21st. The idea is simple: get as many churches as possible to sing “The Task Unfinished” (an old song with a new arrangement written by the Getty’s) to promote and encourage a passion for world missions. Here are the words to the first verse:
Facing a task unfinished
That drives us to our knees
A need that, undiminished
Rebukes our slothful ease
We, who rejoice to know Thee
Renew before Thy throne
The solemn pledge we owe Thee
To go and make Thee known
You can see a map of those participating here and register your church to participate here. The Getty’s tell the story behind the song and why they are using it for this event at the OMF website, which you can see here: OMF website. It is a great song with a great story being used to promote the greatest mission, namely the spread of the gospel to every tongue, tribe, and nation. Seems like a good idea to me!
wm
Good post about knowing and applying the differences between primary issues and secondary issues in ministry:
wm
(HT: Barry Wallace and Shari Wallace for the Classic Peanuts clip!)
The blogosphere is full of people writing about sanctity of human life issues. Truth is, I don’t follow too many blogs these days, but I know that many good ones exist. I would like to point you to three that have helped me in knowing the truth about abortion and the value of life.
I hope you will take some time to check out these blogs and what they have to say about the fight for life!
wm
History can be fascinating. And it is always interesting when something new is learned about a hero of the faith. Union professor Hal Poe made an amazing discovery about C. S. Lewis by purchasing something on eBay. Crazy! You can read about it here:
C. S. Lewis was a secret government agent
Great work Dr. Poe! (HT: Ray Van Neste)
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One of my fellow pastors (HT Jeff Polk) pointed this article out to me which is a reflection on Rob Bell’s successor at Mars Hill, who just announced that he was stepping down as the pastor. Interesting thoughts on pastoral ministry and the longing to ‘charter new ground.’ You can read it here:
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I have read several (well a few at least) Christian articles concerning the current immigration crisis this week and I found DeYoung’s very interesting. He does not really offer a solution as much as highlight the various factors for Christians to consider (some of which he feels are being ignored or at least downplayed). I agree that it is a complex issue and that we should try to avoid oversimplifying it. Give the article a read here:
Immigration policy must be based on more than an appeal to compassion
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I am burdened and encouraged be the recent decision of the Intrenational Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Due to a lack of funding for several years, the leadership decided to ask many of our missionaries to consider early retirement. Although I appreciate and support David Platt’s (IMB president) willingness to take this hard step for the future health of the IMB, I cannot help but be burdened for the missionaries who will be impacted. Yet, I am encouraged for the possibility of what this could mean for churches in North America, as Chuck Lawless points out in his letter. You can read it here:
I pray the Lord will use these men and women to increase our passion to take the gospel to all who are desperate to hear, across the oceans and across the street.
wm
Brother BJ has started a new series on saving faith and our need to understand and recognize it in the church. His first article points out our tendency to debate over issues that are not nearly as significant as simply defining what true, saving faith really is. Give it a read here:
Looking forward to the rest of the series!
wm
The Routine 