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Monday Music - Brindle on Time...

This is Timothy Brindle, my favorite Christian rapper. I would recommend all of his music.

Steve Jobs, iPhones, and Porn – Justin Taylor

This surely doesn't mean that Jobs is necessarily a Christian; but it does cause me to sit and think about how I am thankful for people like him. I have always been sold on Apple, but now more so. I am even seriously considering moving my "cloud" from Google to Apple.

Steve Jobs, iPhones, and Porn – Justin Taylor

Good [Kid's] Music - for FREE!

The Village Church : Worship & Music - Music from The Village

Sex Symbol Speaks Concerning Sex - Interesting.

It's sex o'clock in America - CNN.com

This is definitely one interesting article. Sanger doesn't seem to be worried about stepping on toes; she is, after all, an older adult who is likely to be a role model to many. She can step on toes, some will fight back, but I believe most will at least consider what she has to say.

I am intrigued that she attributes much of the problem to The Pill. I would too. Children, by nature, force a life-long responsibility upon those who choose to have them. This is, I believe a great blessing. But, used to - before oral contraception - they were a significant reason NOT to have pre-marital sex.

Sanger falls short though. We know this. Though she promotes a good thing, if we take only her advice, it will only get worse. Just think of it - no more Pill; no more pre-marital sex; no more 13 year olds having oral sex and/or intercourse; no more pornography; no more victoria secret commercials that abuse the masses that DON'T care to see them (and YES I did use the term "abuse" on purpose and with purpose); no more divorce, or broken marriages; and no more children out of wedlock. Wouldn't that be great? No.

Christ is nowhere to be found in the above (or in the article). Make the streets gold for all I care, we are saved by Christ alone. A spotless society (like the one above) without Christ is a society of Pharisees; and Satan warms his hands at this fire.

I Just Looked Down and Shook My Head...

And as they walked out, I just looked down and shook my head. The door to the church opens almost on a daily basis as people come to us for help. Help, however, is a loaded word. What we mean by help and what they are coming to get are two different things. I cannot remember a single person who has come to us for the gospel. Most of the time they are coming for groceries, gas, or money to pay a bill.

After a particular encounter last week, I have found myself becoming somewhat calloused. For a few moments, I was resolved to just give them what they wanted and see them back out (until the next time, that is). Broken bones aren't healed by bandaids; and people who are coming to strangers for food are at least broken.

When I'm in trouble, I go to my wife. If she should be absent, I go to other friends or family. Personally, I can't think of a single situation where I would go to a stranger for charity. This is what is bringing a change in me. I have interviewed dozens of "mercy needs" - and among them there is at least one common denominator. For whatever reason, they have no one to turn to. There is no personal, benevolent, familial, Christ-like touch to heal their wounds.

From the sixty year old man who lives by himself, to the twenty-eight year old girl with her three children...they all have resorted to going to cold, mechanical-cash-giving, impersonal institutions for help. Sure, most of them give freely; but is it really free. I can't imagine the brokenness. They may not care; or at least, "think" they don't care. I will say however, that on more than one occasion, I have seen tears well up when I ask, "Is it hard having no one?"

It is at that moment when I see the image of God in the "mercy need" sitting across from me. My heart connects with theirs. I am, at that moment, not the white guy with the money, but another human being trying to make it through this messy world. It is at that moment when I beg the Lord to open our eyes to see the glories of the promise, "I will always be with you..."

The tears rarely flow. I usually hand them the groceries and invite them to church. Sometimes they come. Most don't. And when they do, it is so hard to get them to feel comfortable. The damage is so diverse and so deep that we are forced to give only one remedy - the Gospel; and back out the doors they go.

No matter how deep sin gets and no matter what circumstances try to hide its face, I see it all too clearly. Sin is sin; and I hate it more and more every day. But, the gospel is victorious. I don't have to see it work immediately. I am beginning to realize that it often changes people slowly. It takes time for a new heart to pump blood to the fingers. And until glory, life remains, even for the best of Christians, a big redemptive mess.

I know this - there were many who looked down and shook their head at me. But God, being rich in mercy, did not see fit to leave me the way I once was. He saved me. He gave me mercy. He changed me...slowly.

Yeah, its frustrating when people come in almost demanding groceries. Frankly, it ticks me off. "They don't deserve it!" I tell myself. Then the voice comes (either through inner conviction or my pastor or a deacon or fellow Christian), "Who deserves mercy?" That question makes me look down and shake my head. That question is all that is causing me, another "mercy need," to walk through the doors of my church another day.

How Many Kids Do You Want to Have?!!!

Most who know me well know that I love children. More than that, I love having children (well...my wife actually "has" them, but you know what I mean). When people ask us how many we would like to have, we usually say something like, "As many as we can." or "We will see when we get there." This answer is surprising to most, especially in a culture (and world) where people are having fewer and fewer children.

I have to be careful here, and would like to ad my pastoral side-note. I am strongly opinionated in this area - so much so, that I am reluctant to call it "opinion." I do however, understand that this is a rather subjective area, and that God calls and gives different couples different amounts of children. My almost objective voice on the "many-children" side is small compared to those objective voices on the "few-children" side. So - I speak.

I have written a decent sized paper on this issue. If you would like to read it, you can email me. Just click the "contact" link above. I will give a few of the points in this post. Here ya go:

First, beware of presumption in this area. Many say that they will have or desire to have one or two children. That's okay. My question is, "How do you know how many you want?" Have you ever had children? Have you ever had that many? Now here is the kicker...."How many does the Lord want you to have?" I know. I know. The Bible does not say. But it is definitely not silent (for more information on what the Bible does say - email me).

I would also warn against the presumption that the future is the best time to have children. James speaks of this sort of thing. If the couple is fertile, the question is, "Why?" The Scriptures also advocate having children during the younger days than older (Ps 127:4).

Second, beware of postponing children for financial reasons. I understand that finances are a significant indicator if a couple should or should not have children. BUT, allow me to answer some of the most common financial "excuses." My first question is not, "Can you afford a child; but rather, can you afford NOT to have children?" Many sacrifice greatly to save for retirement. I say, stop that! Invest your money in children. They will care for you much better than a 401K when you are old...trust me.

My next question is, "Have you really counted the cost and done all you can to afford children?" I was convicted long ago by a post that called out so many who were more than willing to pay $300 for a second car, but were wholly unwilling to spend the same on a child.

Most cannot afford to have the same lifestyle AND have children. There will be sacrifice involved. But I must say, that children have not costed us all that much. Between the church and family, one could have diapers for years! and CLOTHES galore! Can you say hand-me-downs??? This is what I love about covenant theology! My children are covenant children. Sure they are my responsibility; but not outside of the context of the church. We all care for each other.

Take a look at this ARTICLE. Children are becoming rare in Japan. Sure they are saving money now; but what about in 20 years? Who will care for the older adults??? Just think of it...if a couple has one child, that means that there is only one now to care for two when they grow old. I think we often neglect the life cycle. Older people need care. Don't buy the lie, that once the kids are grown and "out of the nest" that we are done caring for others. Once the kids are out our parents will be moving in. We must care for them (1Tim 5). Why? B/c the Bible says so:) and to show our children how to care for those who are older than we are. One day we may need the same.

Third, beware of what you want. Is it always about what we want? I must say that the thought of having 6 or 7 kids is a bit scary and stressful. I love having time to myself just like the next guy. But its not all about me. The world needs Christian children! We are to make disciples (both by the creation ordinance [be fruitful and multiply] AND the great commission). There is a culture out there that does not see the Duggars or "Who ever and Kate +8" as phenomenons. That culture is less than safe. The world needs us - and it will need our legacy.

I will add to this section a caution against the desire to be baren. I am trying to be careful here. I looked in vain to find one single reference in Scripture that treated bareness as a blessing or something to be desired. This is no argument from silence.

Please understand that this admonishment is from a heart of love and understanding. Many have not taken the time to think these things through. I understand. I am writing this to inform and encourage.

Finally, beware of attributing fertility and childrearing to ourselves primarily. The Scriptures are clear that God opens and closes the womb. He gives life. Again, if you are fertile, ask "Why?" There are thousands who would love to have children. Fertility is a blessing. It is wonderful. It is something that we ought to immediately seize and cherish and take advantage of. There are plenty of references in the Scriptures that show how God opens and then closes. Fertility should not be presumed. The window may be small. I am not saying go and have kids now! I can't make that decision for you. But I do want to check the arrogance that leads us to believe that children are merely a natural reaction of an egg and sperm coming together after intercourse. Sure that is the means, but WHO is the ultimate cause? Who does the forming?

I am only trying to reverse paradigms of thinking. A full quiver of arrows is considered a blessing. Why then are we so surprised when we see a family with a full quiver? It's not a phenomenon, but an act of God's sovereign mercy.

I have said a lot. And I have also left a lot unsaid. Notice that I have not said how many children I think Christians should have. That is not my goal. I am only trying to confront a culture that sees children as more of a curse than a blessing; more of a hinderance than a source of great happiness; and more of a burden than benefit. Where are we getting our standards from in this area? That is a serious question worthy of much prayer and consideration. I hope you leave this page challenged, encouraged, edified, and hopeful.

And yes, I am scared out of my mind to have a ton of kids. But God is faithful. They are only a blessing. His grace is sufficient for us (one kid or twenty)! And lets be honest, the process of having kids is pretty fun too:) (did I just say that??!!!)

What are We Gonna Do?

And so I am sitting beside him trying to guide him through this difficult task. He is nervous, as he knows just as well as I, that time is running short, strength is inadequate, and ability is wholly absent. But it must be done, or December is a distant memory. The end will not be reached.

If helping him meant that I had to carry him, that would be bearable. If it even meant that I needed to liquidate my bank account, I would be willing. My help cannot reach high enough though. My words are just not as effective as they need to be. To tackle this task, we need a miracle.

I wish I could undo what has already been done. Oh how I wish!! Words on this screen cannot even come close to communicating the frustration, agony, despair, and despondency that I feel as I look at this kid stand before his mountain. They require this of him! They say, climb boy! Climb! But then they send him away to train, equipping him little themselves. Oh sure, they help - yeah...help him fail. It's too late man. The foundation has settled. The structure is built. Undoing this will be bloody, dirty, and any other word that we try to avoid in our every day language.

The boy inside of him cannot be reached any more. The man that he has become (on the outside) won't let him. The only way to enter is by war. Otherwise, we stay on the surface - "chipper" as they say, saying, "What up man? What's going on?" These questions are as empty as the governmental solutions that try to answer them. There is something going on. The boy will tell us. The man won't...but by war.

I have been in this situation before. It is one small step at a time. Each step is painful, time-consuming and risky. Each step costs. Arguments are more common from others who just aren't getting the time they used to. I'm sorry. I have locked arms with a crippled boy and I just can't let go. We have a mountain to climb. And we are both ill-prepared.

What is the task? Who is the boy? Well...I can't give all the answers. It is real. It happened just last night (as well as countless times before). He's a senior in high school, trying to pass english. What is the mountain? It's a three page paper. You may giggle and say, "that's no mountain." I know I did.

Fact is, it is more than a mountain. He has come too far and has no way of continuing. There is no going back. The early years are gone. He has a child of his own to care for. He's a good kid. He is trying his best. But this three page paper is going to chew him up and spit him out. Honestly, if he passes, it will be indicative of the absolute failure of the school system. Simply put, he needs more education.

I see past the scheme. They aren't just not teaching and educating. They are crippling. The church must rise with the gospel! I am reminded of the thousands of missionaries who labored among people groups who could not read and write. Their first objective was to educate them to read and write. Why?

A high school senior who cannot write a three page paper and who does not understand the meaning of basic words like "poverty" or "evaluate" cannot read and understand Scripture. This is the ultimate tragedy. Therefore, their mountain is ours too. We MUST "bear the burden." We must help. But be careful, we might get cut.

I feel like an ant trying to move a MAC truck, but by faith, I trust that my weakness is what is best in this scenario. Strength is found in Christ alone. And this is our creed. This is our only help. I have never felt so small. I rarely want to give up. Sometimes, I look up and cannot see the top; and I cry. Yeah, I said it. It makes me not care about embarrassment.

He's gonna call today; and I am sure that the paper is not gonna be done. It's due today. Tomorrow he gets a B (at best). And Friday, a C (at best). What are we gonna do? Honestly, I have no idea. We can't give up. One life is worth it. One life is worth it. One life is worth it. One more step. One more step. Lord have mercy on us all...

Oh how I long for heaven...

Monday Music - Cash or Christ

The amount of money it takes to make it in the music industry these days causes many to compromise and sacrifice the message of the gospel. There are many however, who are forsaking all and leaning solely on Christ. Their lyrics are indicative of their unashamedness. Their poverty is indicative of their freedom. And their message is indicative of their love for Christ as He is revealed in the Gospel. What is so interesting is that the means by which they deliver their message is considered by so many as foolish. They are rappers; and their message is placed in front of beats that make you either want to bob your head or turn them off. Whatever camp you find yourself in, I strongly encourage listening and supporting these men and women.

As I have said countless times before - I can barely listen to anything else. The music is sermonic. And I confess, that I do bob my head while I often weep from the conviction, adoration and faith that these songs so strongly inspire. Please pray for these artists as they struggle and suffer for the kingdom. If any of you have been in the neighborhoods that these men are from, you would know the effort and sacrifice it takes to proclaim their message. Their present lives are a testimony of the living Christ.

Enjoy.