For national adoption month I thought I would put up a paper I recently wrote on adoption by grace.

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On a rainy Seattle morning in March 1969, a husband and wife park their car in front of a nondescript brick home which resembles a small duplex located on Queen Anne Hill. They move quickly and nervously as they approach the front door and find themselves fidgeting with their coats and hurriedly checking their hair to ensure they’re presentable. The firm knock on the door from the husband is answered by a woman who warmly welcomes them inside to escape the rain. They enter the home and sense an excitement about the next few moments. They have been looking forward to this day and have planned for its arrival for some time. They could hear babies in the background, some crying, some cooing, some sleeping, but all without a clue as to what is taking place. After several minutes another woman, smiling, steps into the living room which is fashioned into a waiting area with a small bundle of life wrapped in a blue blanket and hands a three month old, chubby, baby boy to the wife who begins to examine the baby as if she’s not sure if it’s real. She softly speaks to the baby and gently bounces it in her arms. She is no stranger to holding a baby and her perfect position shows it. Eventually the husband becomes impatient and wants to see the boy. He picks the boy up with his strong hands and holds him up to see him. The baby smiles from ear to ear as he tries to grab the man’s beard. Overcome with joy, the father’s eyes begin to well up with tears as he proudly proclaims, “this is my boy.” Read the rest of this entry »

There are a few times in the life of our church when God is moving in such a way that we want to raise the flag of His will high and strike its colors so that we don’t soon forget what He’s calling us to. I believe we are experiencing a new move of His Spirit and Gospel at Kaleo and so we commit to give our last breath to see this become real in our time.

Kaleo Community Covenant

We promise to honor one another, be members of one another, live in harmony with one another, build one another up, be like-minded towards one another, accept one another, care for one another, serve one another, bear one another’s burdens, be kind to one another, forgive one another, abound in love towards one another, comfort one another, encourage one another, stir one another up to love and good deeds, confess our sins to one another, be hospitable to one another, greet one another, fellowship with one another, submit to one another while not passing judgment on one another, not provoking one another, not envying one another, not hating one another, not slandering one another, and not bearing grudges against one another.

We do all this because Christ has loved us in each of these ways and this frees our hearts to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34).

This is a summary of the message preached 11/4

It’s happened. I’ve been so absolutely crazy busy that when I come to post I go blank.

Any suggestions?

:::::WARNING::::: This entry is for adult readers.

I was visiting Scooby-Drew Goodmanson’s blog and found this article by Challies. Wow. This is what we’ve been saying all along. As Tim says, it’s good to see secularists recognizing what Scripture has taught for thousands of years.

I believe that this is also having a reverse effect on young wives and women. Just as the men fantasize about the virtual harem their wife could never compete with (young, airbrushed, great lighting, plastic surgery, etc.) and this drives men to be bored with normal beautiful women, I think that women are becoming less and less tolerant of normal-sized men (without being too graphic). Why do you think there are so many ads calling us to try the newest and latest male-enhancement pill or purchase the latest ED drug which claims a negative side-effect is a four hour long erection? Of course, unlike women who openly discuss their physical shortcomings, men brag and brag about how “gifted” they are as they inwardly obsess over their lack of stamina, size, and overall performance. This is just another form of competitive pride that drives men to lie about themselves and their struggles. The real reason is that men are watching porn and simply can’t compete, and the women (who are the fastest growing segment of those addicted to porn) are tired of straight, one-on-one, normal-sized, men. The bar is not only raised for the women, it has been raised for men and neither side can live up to the mythological standard.

At what point do we recognize these women and men with comic book proportions don’t exist in reality? Close-ups, photoshop, and great lighting may become the next round of sexual toys just to keep up with what we’re being taught is normal. I’m not trying to be shocking, just attempting to bring some practical sobriety to the subject.

Here is a link to a message preached on Gospel-Centered Sex just to add to the mix of the discussion, I hope it helps bring us back to our only hope out of this mess, Jesus and His Satan crushing, sin defeating, sexually healing work on the cross. It’s only Jesus that can take an adulterous whore like us and transform us into a beautiful and spotless bride at the cost of His own life. Once we discover the only smiling and approving face that matters is that of our Father in heaven, and through Christ He looks at us as already beautiful, we will be freed to see others through this same lens as children of God and be freed from the façade of virtual non-reality that is a grotesque and hideous sham of what is truly beautiful.

Beauty is in the eye of THE Beholder who came to give us beauty for ashes.

“to grant to those who mourn in Zion– to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.” Isaiah 61:3-4

This is what happens when you attend too many lectures in a single day. I think it’s a good look.

I haven’t seen my parents for 3 years and I’ve finally made it out to good ole Council Bluffs, Iowa. My side of the family lives out here (sisters, parents, aunt, uncle, cousins, etc.) and I learn more about my own story and theirs every time I visit. I’m reminded of my past and it helps me to understand how I’ve come to be who I am by God’s sovereign hand. It also allows me to love my family with my hands rather than just my lips. The older I get, the more I realize how good God is in the giving of our family members. They shape me to be a better son, brother, and uncle and I pray that in some way I display Christ to them and make Him look really good in the process.

I’m off next week to Covenant Theological Seminary for my residency. I’m praying I don’t get too wound up since this is supposed to be a relaxing time.

I probably won’t post much unless I’m compelled to do so.

Till August 2nd!

Outreach Magazine listed the top church planting churches in America. What I found so incredibly refreshing was that each of the top 5 churches were reformed. To have Tim Keller with Redeemer #1 and Mark Driscoll with Mars Hill #2 is pretty amazing considering both have helped our ministry considerably. Also, #5, Spanish River, was instrumental in planting #1, 2, and 21. David Nicholas was part of launching A29 in the very beginning and we made three trips out to Boca Raton for our initial meetings. #21, CrossPointe Church in Orlando is our dear friend Chan Kilgore who is also on the board with me for A29.

What does this say about the concern most church planting strategists have when they tell us to shy away from strong theology? I believe it shows us that without a good theology of God, the world, and the self, we really can’t call others to mission if they aren’t sure who they are or who God is. The gospel is the driving force behind church planting, not pragmatic structures disconnected from the nature, character and work of God.

Also, their theology is a particular kind of reformed theology, it is reformational not just reformed. This distinction is important. To use reformed theology as a cul-de-sac in our churches is to move against the entire point of God’s work in this world. Good reformed theology is going to be church planting, kingdom driven, multiplying, culture engaging, and grace centered or it is not good reformed theology.

Here’s the list:

1-Redeemer Presbyterian Church (New York, NY) :: Timothy Keller
other achievements include:
>> #15 on America’s 25 Most Innovative Churches of ‘07
>> #16 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘06
>> #26 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘05
2-Mars Hill Church (Seattle, WA) :: Mark Driscoll
other achievements include:
>> #9 on America’s 25 Most Innovative Churches of ‘07
>> #15 on 100 Fastest Growing U.S. Churches of ‘06
>> #22 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘06
>> #54 on 100 Fastest Growing U.S. Churches of ‘05
>> #23 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘05
3-NorthWood Church (Keller, TX) :: Bob Roberts
4-Perimeter Church (Duluth, GA) :: Randy Pope
5-Spanish River Church (Boca Raton, FL) :: David Nicholas
6-East 91st Street Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN) :: Derek Duncan
7-Community Christian Church (Naperville, IL) :: Dave Ferguson
other achievements include:
>> #7 on America’s 25 Most Innovative Churches of ‘07
>> #13 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘06
>> #48 on 100 Fastest Growing U.S. Churches of ‘04
8-Fellowship Bible Church (Little Rock, AR) :: Bill Wellons
other achievements include:
>> #26 on 50 Most Influential Churches of ‘06
9-Kensington Community Church (Troy, MI) :: Steve Andrews
10-Church at the Springs (Ocala, FL) :: Ron Sylvia
11-Summit Church (Bonita Springs, FL) :: Orlando Cabrera
12-Vineyard Christian Church of Evanston (Evanston, IL) :: Steve Nicholson
13-New Life Christian Church (Centreville, VA) :: Brett Andrews
14-Owensboro Christian Church (Owensboro, KY) :: Myke Templeton
15-Elmbrook Church (Brookfield, WI) :: Mel Lawrenz
other achievements include:
>> #66 on 100 Largest U.S. Churches of ‘06
16-West Ridge Church (Dallas, GA) :: Brian Bloye
other achievements include:
>> #91 on 100 Largest U.S. Churches of ‘06
>> #68 on 100 Fastest Growing U.S. Churches of ‘05
17-Journey Christian Church (Apopka, FL) :: Dan Donaldson
18-Grace Fellowship (Brooklyn Park, MN) :: Dave Reno
19-Columbia Crossroads Church (Columbia, SC) :: Jeff Shipman
20-Atlanta Vineyard Church (Norcross, GA) :: Johnny Crist
21-CrossPointe Church (Orlando, FL) :: Chan Kilgore
22-Set Free (Yucaipa, CA) :: Willie Dalgity
23-First Southwest Baptist Church (Alief, TX) :: Rickie Bradshaw
24-French Speaking Baptist Church (Brooklyn, NY) :: Jean Baptiste Thomas
other achievements include:
>> #87 on 100 Fastest Growing U.S. Churches of ‘06
25-Vineyard Church (Westerville, OH) :: Rich Nathan
other achievements include:
>> #67 on 100 Largest U.S. Churches of ‘06

Over the last several months Drew Goodmanson and I have been working through the implications of multiperspectivalism in the context of leadership, preaching, apologetics, hermeneutics, missiology, ecclesiology, and masculinity.

Christ has chosen to exercise His offices of Prophet, Priest, and King through the church for the hope of the world. In doing so, the church should continuously reflect upon whether or not what Jesus began to do and teach (Acts 1:1) continues through our local body. The need to see the church and her activity as directly related to Christ’s offices and ministry gives us an appreciation of the multiple perspectives necessary when considering not just if but how Jesus is working through His bride.

This post attempts to give a brief explanation of what I believe are the errors of a uni-perspectival ministry. In other words, these are ministries which focus on one perspective or office of Christ to the detriment or exclusion of the others. Read the rest of this entry »