Scripture
Then Job answered the Lord and said:
“I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
therefore I despise myself,
and repent in dust and ashes.”
(Job 42:1-6, ESV)
In the email today...
Way to go, YouVersion users! Together, you've spent one billion minutes reading the Bible on your mobile device. It's pretty exciting to see so many of you reading God's word consistently because you always have your Bible with you. That’s an awesome way to make your minutes count!
While you're on the go you've been using YouVersion on iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android phones, reading the Bible in your choice of 41 translations and 21 languages.
We're polishing up some great new features we can't wait to share with you soon. (Like reading plans? You'll love what's coming!)
For now, how about taking a minute to celebrate with us http://www.onebillionminutes.com .
I've been on YouVersion for a while on my Palm phone, but haven't used it much. I just got a new Android phone and put YouVersion on there. I tried it out for a while yesterday and really liked it. Now I realize, because I was on YouVersion yesterday and I received this email today, that I may be responsible for taking YouVersion to the 1 billion minute threshold!
Ok, probably not. But it is a nice Bible app and I will use it regularly on my Droid. Check out YouVersion for your mobile phone & YouVersion.com.
What scholars call an early Christian hymn or poem, Colossians 1:15-20 is a beautiful statement of the lordship and supremacy of Jesus Christ.
Quick Molly Update: Molly has been doing a little better lately. She is even starting to sleep on her own (without meds). It's not every night, but it's getting better. When she sleeps well her Chiari symptoms seem to be significantly better the next day. When she sleeps poorly, her Chiari symtoms get all jacked up. She still isn't sleeping deeply and consistently, but things are headed in a better direction. We are going to her neurologist (not neurosurgeon) today to ask about the sleep issue. Hopefully he will have some insights. Thanks for your continued prayers for my wife and family.
Here's the Advent devotional my family is using (via). We are also using selections from the excellent Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas.
Karis Church's Theology Weekend audio featuring Bruce Ware is up
ESV SB for your mobile phone - $29
Dan Kimball has some missional misgivings
Mark Driscoll on The Mission and Vision of the Acts 29 Network. It's nice to follow Mark over the past few years and hear the the ways he's changed as well as how he hasn't changed.
Paste Magazine lists their top movies of 2008
Roger Ebert on the death of the film critic (via)
The New York Times: 100 Notable Books of 2008
Brief Molly Update: We are not going to Chicago tomorrow for Molly's spinal tap because of Elijah's ongoing sickness. Unsure whether the next step will be the spinal or second opinion. Stay tuned and thanks for praying. By the way, we will be looking into a handicapped tag for the van as navigating 1/2 a parking lot is quite a chore for her. But we are grateful she is going to be able to start driving a little.
Looking forward to the ESV Study Bible going mobile soon.
If you have no style or need something better, here are three steps to building your individual style.
Learn to give and take criticism like a man.
Second Rate Snacks = Awesome.
Saralyn really likes Practical Theology for Women by Wendy Alsup. We have copies (unless they are sold out) on our church book table.
Ed Stetzer: Simply Missional.
Tim Chester: Creating Communities of Grace.
Quick update on Molly. She is finishing up her third round of steroids tomorrow, so we hope that will have a good result. But as of today she has had more numbness/tingling in her legs than ever before. Her balance issues are dramatic. She is sleeping a little better, but not nearly enough yet. It's still very worrisome around here, but God is our refuge (we read and prayed Ps 52 with our kids this morning).
Links...
Kung-Fu Election. "Huck-uh-beeee!"
Good Wendell Berry website that I wasn't aware of until a few weeks ago. New Wendell Berry Poetry. New Billy Collins poetry. Poems for autumn.
JD Greear - Multi-Site vs Church Planting. Bill Streger - Great Questions for Pastors. Jonathan Dodson - Redefining Evangelism.
Questions to ask before confronting. Powlison on Friendship Counseling.
BibleArc. Tom Schreiner taught me this at SBTS. Could be a cool resource site. We'll see.
I have this ESV Study Bible. Haven't used it enough to say too awful much (though I like what I've seen), but I do really dig the online version that is available for those who buy a hard copy. Place for notes, highlighting text in different colors, and the full content of the study Bible. I will use the online resource several times a week. You should get one! Westminster is a great place to buy books, especially ESV Bibles.
Do you ever get in a slump? Or do you grow tired, or skewed, or frustrated, or apathetic, or sapped, or bored? Me too. I have some things in my life that I use to hit "refresh." When I say "hit refresh" I don't mean getting away from ministry as much as I mean righting the ship, getting back on track, reorienting myself to my calling and direction. Though there are more, here's 10 things I do to "refresh".
1. I read 2 Timothy. It's "my" book from God. It's about me, for me, and it resonates with me in a big way. So many verses ring in my ears during different circumstances in my life and ministry. I just put the text into my Sprint Centro for reference and memorization. I have few places in Scripture that God uses as often as 2 Timothy.
2. I pray under the stars. I go outside at night (late) and stare at the stars until I remember who made them. The stars speak loudly about God for me, so I look until I feel the wonder again and then I pray with a heart full. I love to walk and pray, and that's what I do. A wonderful refresher for me when I fell "cold" spiritually.
3. I have a long talk with Molly. My wife is the best. She knows how to listen and lets me bounce stuff off of her. She is helpful in so many ways, but probably is used most to throw out my new ideas to see if they make sense. Her advice is always a great guide to seeing the good vs seeing the bad. Clarity and Molly are often in the same thought, and I always look forward to the next long ministry-centered conversation.
4. I rewrite my "roles and goals." This was introduced to me through the Franklin Covey materials. I have 7 roles with 2-3 goals under each. My roles as I currently define them are 1. disciple, 2. husband, 3. father, 4. pastor, 5. evangelist, 6. writer, 7. learner. My goals change all the time. I have my roles and goals listed in my Sprint Centro for regular reference and consideration. And when I get my hands into too many unimportant roles, this helps me eliminate what isn't important.
5. I read/reread/reskim books on faith or with chapters on faith. Like Timothy I think I gravitate toward timidity, so I need to look at good stuff on risky faith, confidence in God, etc. Piper's stuff is always good. Some of McManus' stuff is helpful. Obviously I could mention a lot from Scripture that I turn to as well.
6. I call Joe and vent. Everyone need a lightning rod, a person to talk to so we can get it off our chest, talk it through, scream, whatever. Joe Thorn is that guy for me. He absorbs much of my frustrations so that it doesn't build up in me or get vomited on someone else. Often just saying stuff out loud helps me realize when I'm being a whiny baby, or when I'm thinking wrong about something. And, obviously, Joe's opinions are some of the most helpful in my life.
7. I re-listen to John Piper's "Running with the Witnesses." Ugh. I need this thing every few months. In my best Piper yell: "Does it help me run!?" Exactly. So much in my life doesn't help me run the race with endurance. Piper reminds me of that often, and usually gets me out of the muck I've waded into.
8. I listen to Chevelle. Ok, not always (but often) Chevelle. There are certain bands and singers who get my blood pumping and my head bobbing. And sometimes when I'm just in a bit of a funk and need to get a kickstart, I throw it in my headphones and regain some energy. And yes, I'll admit. Sometimes it's even "Christian" music that invigorates me in other ways. Maybe Indelible Grace stuff, or Phil Wickham, or Dave Crowder, or Derek Webb. Sure, this isn't much of a "fix," but it's for the easy stuff.
9. I re-skim my favorite books on the topic at hand. For example, if I'm struggling with something in my personal walk then I'll revisit the underlined and starred sections of my favorite books on or around the subject. I mark up my books a lot because I know I'll revisit them. Even the ones that aren't that great often are helpful in a few areas and worth revisiting.
10. I stand in front of a blank whiteboard. Actually sometimes it's a notebook, a yellow pad, a blank sheet of white paper, an index card, or something else. But most often, when I'm in a work-based funk where I'm struggling with how to fix something that keeping me frustrated, I like a blank whiteboard, a marker, a locked office door (in my house), maybe some music, and the freedom to write anything I want. The freedom of it allows me to get creative and figure my way out. I do this almost as much with a Moleskine I keep and work in over a Starbucks mocha. I also do this on occasion with a digital voice recorder, though it's more limited.
There's mine. Let me know what you do to hit "refresh."
I'm very happy to see the ESV Study Bible coming out in October. I will own and use a copy and provide them on my church's book table. So, it makes me wonder...
What are your Big 5 study Bibles?
This is a list of the study Bibles you personally think are the best. If you think you would choose the ESV SB as one, please mention that. Also, let us know what version of the Bible you like for each study Bible (if they vary). Go!
I've been out-of-pocket for a couple of days, so here's a post with just a little bit of Music Monday, Lots-o-Links, and National Poetry Month.
MUSIC MONDAY
A new video from Hot Chip. Pretty cool...
In case you didn't know, here's the reason wearing red jock straps over your pants is SO popular now...
LOTS-o-LINKS
Driscoll loves the ESV Study Bible.
John Piper: Preaching as Concept Creation, Not Just Contextualization
I love this clip. If you ever need to work on your business card envy, here's how. (WARNING: A little colorful language. This clip is for Mommies and Daddies only.)
NPM '08
Love this stuff from Borders Open Door Poetry.
Check out The Poetry Center of Chicago.
Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! ThereforeI endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
2 Timothy 2:8-10, ESV
Trevin Wax has done some excellent work on N.T. Wright. Here's an interview with Wright, and a list of links to Trevin's 18 part review of John Piper's critique of Wright.
There's a new book coming out called Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be). It seems from the sample chapter I read and blurbs on the back of the book that this book is going into the pile of folks who miss the point and encourage others to do the same. I hope I'm wrong, but it looks like I'm not. Look for yourself.
Satan fears small churches more than megachurches.
Looking forward to some new Schreiner: New Testament Theology.
M'Cheyne Bible reading plan with resources. Don't forget the ESV online Bible reading plans with Scripture, including M'Cheyne. The Crossway folks have also provided a way to read the Bible/devotions/reading plan on your mobile phone. Great resource.
Al Mohler is writing about how more and more hotels are not putting Gideon's Bibles in their drawers (BP picked it up). While I like the idea of knowing that it's there for those who need it, I think Mohler overstates his case...
...there will be no Bibles available in those hotelrooms when travelers need them, and that is a tragedy by any measure.
A "tragedy?" 9/11 was a tragedy. Pearl Harbor was a tragedy (the awful event we remember today AND the movie). Abortion is a tragedy. The Bears are a tragedy. Some hotels not carrying Bibles? Not so much. Sure it means culture is changing. Sure it means that some travelers who may have picked it up won't have it readily available. But where was that ever the main ministry to people staying in hotels anyway? It was a bonus that a few people are now eliminating. People are the front line of ministry, not books.
Ben Arment is encouraging us to strip. He's also continuing to reveal a killer conference line-up for the Whiteboard Sessions.
Dever and Ferguson lectures on preaching.
CNN interview with Gabe Lyons...
Ariel Vanderhorst interviews church planter Hunter Beaumont (dude I met at Reform & Resurge Conference in Seattle).
Publishers Weekly reviews Tim Keller's The Reason for God.
Joe Thorn on Leadership Development, Suburban Evangelism, and his new laptop.
Some links I wanted to get out there right away...
Guy Kawasaki interviews Fake Steve Jobs. Funny stuff. (FSJ blog)
Resurgence goes Greek: Re:Greek. Awesome resource.
I don't think I've linked before to Joe Thorn's excellent Six Rules of Cultural Engagement.
My kids can't stop watching this...
More here...
I've spent some time with the Literary Study Bible and am really enjoying it and highly recommend it.
I generally don't enjoy study Bibles. I think they can distract Christians from reading and discovering the meaning of Scripture for themselves by encouraging people to read Scripture in a choppy way: verse or two, check the study notes, verse, cross-references, study notes, another verse, etc. Study notes can be very helpful if used correctly, but I've never seen a Christian use them in a way that I've found very helpful.
The ESV-LSB removes those bold section headings and cross-references and instead gives a shaded box with brief guidance before each chapter or two, or section or pericope of Scripture. So you start with some guidance concerning the genre, literary structure, techniques, symbolism, whatever. Then you read the passage (single-column) without distraction. That means the emphasis isn't on finding your favorite verse or cheating to get the meaning through headers or notes. The emphasis is to read it yourself and focus on getting the gist of larger sections of Scripture.
The ESV-LSB provides notes before each book of Scripture, which is in pretty much every study Bible. These are really well done. What I liked the most was the section in each book introduction describing how the book fits into the larger "story of the Bible." Brilliant. So you aren't just getting the understanding of larger sections of Scripture, or even whole books. You are also gaining understanding of how the books work together in the storyline of Scripture.
This Bible also has wider margins for your own notes and their own Bible reading plan at the end. It's easily my favorite study Bible and I hope many of you pick it up. And by the way, one of the editors of the ESV-LSB is Dr. Leland Ryken who has produced many great books including two favorites of mine: The Christian Imagination and The Liberated Imagination. Even more reason to love this study Bible.
To see it for yourself, check it out for free online for 30 days. Very helpful.
Other stuff to check out...
Literary ESV is Unapologetically Complementarian
Interview with Dr. Leland Ryken
Internet Monk's Glowing Review
It wouldn't work for me, but Sprint's new HTC Touch might be a nice phone for those who can't afford an iPhone.
As the father of an autistic son, I take notice when pediatricians urge autism screening for all children. We know our son would have been diagnosed sooner (he was diagnosed at just about 3 years old) because the symptoms were there. The article says they urge screening because "early therapy can lessen its severity." We can testify that therapy greatly helped our son, and we urge parents of autistic children to find similar therapy all the time.
Check out SBTS lectures from philosopher Alvin Plantinga.
Gary Rohrmayer is talking "Evangelistic Entropy."
Dave Zimmerman at IVP has some advice for writing books.
Five Reasons Why Churches Cannot Ignore Branding
A 9 Marks Workshop is online for free
Seattle P-I: Mars Hill makes faith cool for 20-somethings
I'm going to see Gone Baby Gone this week. It's getting great reviews.
Al Mohler has some good thoughts on reading books. Here are the main points, but go read the whole thing.
1. Maintain regular reading projects. I strategize my reading in six main categories: Theology, Biblical Studies, Church Life, History, Cultural Studies, and Literature. I have some project from each of these categories going at all times. I collect and gather books for each project, and read them over a determined period of time. This helps to discipline my reading, and also keeps me working across several disciplines.
2. Work through major sections of Scripture. I am just completing an expository series, preaching verse by verse through the book of Romans. I have preached and taught several books of the Bible in recent years, and I plan my reading to stay ahead. I am turning next to Matthew, so I am gathering and reading ahead -- not yet planning specific messages, but reading to gain as much as possible from worthy works on the first gospel. I am constantly reading works in biblical theology as well as exegetical studies.
3. Read all the titles written by some authors. Choose carefully here, but identify some authors whose books demand your attention. Read all they have written and watch their minds at work and their thought in development. No author can complete his thoughts in one book, no matter how large.
4. Get some big sets and read them through. Yes, invest in the works of Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards, and others. Set a project for yourself to read through the entire set, and give yourself time. You will be surprised how far you will get in less time than you think.
5. Allow yourself some fun reading, and learn how to enjoy reading by reading enjoyable books. I like books across the fields of literature, but I really love to read historical biographies and historical works in general. In addition, I really enjoy quality fiction and worthy works of literature. As a boy, I probably discovered my love for reading in these categories of books. I allow some time each day, when possible, to such reading. It doesn't have to be much. Stay in touch with the thrill.
6. Write in your books; mark them up and make them yours. Books are to be read and used, not collected and coddled. [Make an exception here for those rare antiquarian books that are treasured for their antiquity. Mark not thy pen on the ancient page, and highlight not upon the manuscript.] Invent your own system or borrow from another, but learn to have a conversation with the book, pen in hand.
A few weeks back I received the new ESV English-Greek Reverse Interlinear New Testament (whew!). I've used it a few times now and like it a lot. If you know Greek well then this product may not be very helpful. I will probably not use it much myself since I have one of those intense Bible programs on my laptop. But for those who don't have a great grasp on the Greek, this can be a fantastic Bible study tool. I'm especially thinking of small group leaders and Bible study teachers in my church.
Basically this tool is the ESV Bible with the Greek words below. Each Greek word is transliterated, parsed and numbered from Strong's. There are helpful guides at the beginning of the book on how to use the book that explain these things further.
As a pastor who preaches from the ESV and encourages my church members to use it for their own reading and study, I want to express my thanks to the nice people over at Crossway who are continuing to deliver great ESV tools and Bible editions.
I finally got around to reading Scot McKnight's 30 page paper on the Emerging Church, "What is the Emerging Church?," that he presented at WTS. It once again proves that McKnight is one of the most important voices speaking about (and within) the Emerging Church. I highly recommend you read it if you any interest in understanding the EC.
The English Standard Version of the Bible (my Bible of choice) turns 5 years old in a few days. Congrats!
Today, the ESV is available in more than one hundred formats, has seen nearly 3 million copies distributed worldwide, and is reaching the world in creative and strategic ways. ESV General Editor J. I. Packer recently stated, “I find myself suspecting very strongly that my work on the translation of the ESV Bible was the most important thing that I have done for the Kingdom, and that the product of our labors is perhaps the biggest milestone in Bible translation in the past fifty years or more.”
[...]
The English Standard Version (ESV) Bible is an essentially literal Bible translation that combines word-for-word precision and accuracy with literary excellence, beauty, and readability. Believing that every word of the Bible is inspired by God, the translators of the ESV sought to be transparent to the original text so that the reader could see the structure and meaning of the original as clearly as possible. For more information on the ESV Bible, visit www.esv.org.
