So telling...

Did you hear that McCain and Obama are going to be interviewed by Rick Warren?
Here's my stream of consciousness:

My first thought:

"I wonder what kind of testimony of the gospel they'll give? Of course, I know they're not Bible-believing Christians..."

but then I read this:

Warren's event "will focus on how they make decisions and on some of Mr. Warren’s main areas of focus, like AIDS, poverty and the environment."

then I thought:

"eeek...that's the 'evangelical pastor's' 'main areas of focus'? How silly of me to think there might be gospel content."

then I read this:

"He said that both had readily agreed, perhaps reflecting how each candidate is courting the evangelical audience to whom Mr. Warren ministers."

then I thought this:

"do we really need any further evidence that the label 'evangelical' is completely useless? Abandon ship!!! Reformed and Bible-believers first!!! Last man to the life boats gets labeled an evangelical!!!"

This is why I don't get much done these days:

well...maybe i'll rethink the fan club idea...

Fun post from Ref21 on the reformed movement. Here's the gist, by Carl Trueman:

"I find myself disturbed by the account of the man who loves Piper, and company, has embraced the doctrines of grace with zeal, but who continues to attend at Adventist church, apparently on the grounds that that is where he can be a kind of missionary for Calvinism. But the church is surely not a mission field; rather, it is the place where Christians are fed and watered and grow to maturity. Put bluntly, you don't get fed at conferences and through reading books in order to go to church to evangelize the couple next to you in the pew. To the extent that the Reformed revival does not make this connection, or leaves it optional, to that extent it is not really Reformed or biblical...

Thus, one test as to whether the new Reformed revival is really a movement of substance and not simply a disparate collection of personality cults is to see whether the church is being built up and strengthened. Thankfully, there is evidence that this is the case: for example, the church planting endeavors of the SBC; and Hansen's own conclusion - that the revival is at its strongest in the small churches, working away week by week in the routine matters of preaching the gospel and being the church...

What a great prayer for our small church!

I found a nugget from Desiring God

I've been reading David Wells' The Courage to be Protestant off and on (mostly off) - - I find it hard to mentally engage in intellectually challenging materials since I'm often interrupted by my sweet children. Anyway...I came across this great video of Wells from Desiring God on what it means to be "in the world but not of the world." I think I'll start a David F. Wells fan club.





This is a good week for indulging in such marginally productive activities. Phillip is off visiting family in L.A., the girls are sick, and the weather is so horrid I can only bring myself to exit the house for the brief few minuets it takes to toss some water on my grass and plants so that they don't shrivel up and die. Oh, I also had to take the garbage cans out and pick up the dog poop (we sure miss you, Phillip).

I don't mean that Wells is marginally productive. On the contrary, I think his point is vital to our true productivity in whatever calling God has placed us. We all should investigate ways we've been influenced by our culture and whether those ideas or practices aline with Biblical doctrine. Anyone have any examples to share -- either personal or hypothetical? (this is a plea for stimulating conversation, preferably in electronic form...)

Speaking of reformed theologians of British decent, I just learned that Derek Thomas will be the featured speaker at the 2008 Refomation Bible Conference, hosted by Covenant Reformed Chruch. Mark your calendars now!

Here's to NOT Becoming Jane

While Russell was busy last night inventing ways to stop Democrats from raising taxes, I watched Becoming Jane, a "biographical" take on the life of the famous novelist. I use "quotes" because I'm not sure how factual the movie is. For Austen's sake, I hope very little!

Here's a link to the Screen It! review of the movie. Screen It! is a great resource (thanks Mumpers) for finding out what's in a movie before you subject your eyes (or your children's) to Hollywood fare.

Basically, my problem with "Jane" is that she "fell in love" with a man of poor character and bad reputation. The idea that "falling in love" is something that just happens and we have no control over it -- poppycock! And the boring, rich, ugly guy -- she didn't really even give him a chance. Now, I'm not saying she should have ignored her feelings and subjected herself to a love-less marriage, but sometimes feelings take time to develop, and she might have found much to admire in the guy.

Young ladies -- please!!! -- fall in love with Godly character! It alone is "passion worthy."

I have other problems with the movie too -- like I don't think it should have been PG -- glad I watched it after the kids were in bed!

I see a theme developing

John Piper quotes this hymn in his book "When I Don't Desire God."

Is it just me, or is there a connection between:

a) Piper's book,

b) Russell's Sunday School lesson (James 1:2 "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials"),

c) Smokey's sermon (Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!), and

d) our Sun. night Bible study (Rom 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.)

...ok, so maybe "d" is a stretch, but, trust me, I can make it fit. I'm greatly burdened for friends who are encountering providences which may be challenging in the midst of which to find joy. I hope, by the spirit, this hymn will encourage me when God brings it on!

It's one of my favorites. It's impossible to play/sing this hymn without a piano/organ, but the tune is beautiful. I think verse 3 is my favorite:

If thou but suffer God to guide thee
And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He’ll give thee strength, whate’er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days.
Who trust in God’s unchanging love
Builds on the rock that naught can move.

What can these anxious cares avail thee
These never ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help if thou bewail thee
O’er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press
The heavier for our bitterness.

Be patient and await His leisure
In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whatever thy Father’s pleasure
And His discerning love hath sent,
Nor doubt our inmost want are known
To Him who chose us for His own.

God knows full well when time of gladness
Shall be the needful thing for thee.
When He has tried thy soul with sadness
And from all guile has found thee free,
He comes to thee all unaware
And makes thee own His loving care.

Nor think amid the fiery trial
That God hath cast thee off unheard,
That he whose hopes meet no denial
Must surely be of God preferred.
Time passes and much change doth bring
And set a bound to everything.

All are alike before the Highest:
’Tis easy for our God, We know,
To raise thee up, though low thou liest,
To make the rich man poor and low.
True wonders still by Him are wrought
Who setteth up and brings to naught.

Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving,
Perform thy duties faithfully,
And trust His Word: though undeserving,
Thou yet shalt find it true for thee.
God never yet forsook in need
The soul that trusted Him indeed.

Who's having more fun?

Grandkids or grandparents?


Who's most relaxed?




*** Baby Paul Update***

He's now 13 lbs, 3 oz. That puts him in the 80% percentile. It's a nice change from my scrawny girls!