Articles

No Longer a Downward Spiral

Jun 26, 2007 | Culture

I’m no longer convinced that you can call our trajectory toward a “Sodom” society a downward spiral. It seems more like a greased, strait-lined slide. The opening news story in my RSS reader this morning was entitled, “Court Upholds Prisoners’ Right to Porn.” According to the report: “The Supreme Administrative Court in Stockholm last week ruled that the Swedish Prison and Probation Service had no right to deny a rape convict access to his porn magazines.” -begin rant- You have to be kidding me. The top court made a ruling, that cannot be appealed that a convicted rapist cannot be denied pornography? How is it possible that anyone could come to this sort of asinine conclusion? How could it be that any clear-headed human being would think a violent sex offender should have every right to stuff his lust with the kind of material that would serve only to fuel his passion to recommit his crime? Judges. The educated elites of Swedish culture made such a decision. On the other side are the prison officials. No doubt they lack the intellectual prowess of the judicial branch of Swedish government to determine what is best for the moral rehabilitation of violent criminals. According to the report, “Prison officials had argued that reading porn would interfere with the man’s rehabilitation program. They also said the magazines posed a security problem for staff and other inmates because they could increase the risk of the man relapsing into criminal behavior.” Duh. However, the Supreme Court said, the prison officials could not make the case. They could not prove that pornography would increase a... read more

The Myth of Multi-tasking

Jun 25, 2007 | Time/Life Management

Those who say they multi-task well are masters in doing little while attempting much.  So, here’s a discussion on how to “work less and accomplish more” without multitasking.  Amen. Slow Leadership: How to work less and accomplish... read more

My Absolute Favorite Hymn

Jun 25, 2007 | Music

I do love hymns. Every morning in my quiet time I pull out my Baptist Hymnal and read through (sometimes singing) one or two hymns. “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” continually comes back to my heart as one of my all time favorite expressions of praise. The tune is majestic and fits the profundity of the message (written by Joachim Neander). Hymns like these are what make listening to most contemporary music grow stale to me. This isn’t to say that I don’t like contemporary music, say like that produced by Sovereign Grace Ministries. I do. However, these songs simply don’t last in my heart or sound as strong in my congregation as a song like “Praise to the Lord.” So, when I read this review of the hymn by Ligon Duncan at the First Presbyterian Jackson, MS, blog, it prompted me to make a comment. So, while it may be # 53 in the much loved Trinity Hymnal (which sits just under my Baptist Hymnal), it is # 14 in the BH. I commend Dr. Duncan’s rehearsal of the text and history of this hymn. Since I choose the music for each of our Sunday A.M. services, it takes almost everything in me to not sing this one each Lord’s Day. First Presbyterian Jackson MS: No. 53 Praise to the Lord, the... read more

Short-term vs. Long-term

Jun 23, 2007 | Ecclesiology

Deepak Reju over at Church Matters has a suggestion not only for church members, but pastors also – stay where you are – for the long haul of your ministry.  Good advice. Church Matters: 9Marks... read more

Morris Chapman Responds to the BF&M Flap

Jun 21, 2007 | Southern Baptist Issues

Well, sort of. You read it and see if Dr. Chapman brought a new take to the table or whether he is affirming or denying one side or the other. He has a congenial sense to him and a great passion for us to stay focused on the gospel. Of that I concur and find him very clear. I am grateful that he addresses the three current issues regarding Calvinism, Private Prayer Language and Baptism. You tell me if I’m reading him wrong, but it appears Dr. Chapman says, Calvinism is in the BF&M, but so is a more Arminian stance, so leave it alone. A private prayer language is not addressed in the BF&M but by common knowledge, Southern Baptists do not, by consensus, advocate it, so leave it alone. On the Baptism issues, the BF&M is clear for what local churches are to do with baptism. However, Baptist agency heads and employees should not move beyond the BF&M to any other statements to clarify our stance. Is he saying, the IMB trustees should not create additional statements to address the controversy? He is also suggesting that those IMB trustees who register their disagreements with the BF&M should either stand down or leave it alone? So, after reading his report (I will go back and read it a few more times), I’m convinced Dr. Chapman is for seeing people come to Christ. He says the “minimalist” “maximum” issue is a non-issue. We should agree to agree that the BF&M is a consensus statement (I think I heard both Mohler and Burleson say they both do), and doctrinal statements... read more

One of the Wisest of Guys!

Jun 21, 2007 | Blogging

A good pastor friend, and truly wise guy (in every nuance of the term), Walter Price, has just taken the plunge into the blogopshere. We have needed a sense of sanity and professionalism around here and BROTHER Walter (I say that with the heaviest of Southern accents), will do just that. Walter is the Senior Pastor/Teacher of Fellowship in the Pass Church in Beaumont, California (a mere twenty minutes from me), as well as a Trustee at Southern Seminary, a place I hope to one day call an alma mater. Welcome Walter. We’re watching you :)) Check out Walter’s new blog and let him know he’s loved and appreciated: It’s That... read more

All Books for $5 :: Desiring God

Jun 21, 2007 | Reading

This is probably worth the look.  Every book, no limits, is on sale for $5 on June 27-28, Wednesday and Thursday next week.  I just marked my calendar. All Books for $5 :: Desiring... read more

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C.J., Lig, Al, Mark, et. al. Mark Dever and Company John Piper John MacArthur Phil Johnson and Friends the same says it all.