Barlowgirl- Never alone
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Knowledge and gentleness
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV)
I think this is a scripture that should be a challenge to all Christians. As Christians we tend to miss the mark on this one in one of two ways. One of the ways we can miss this this is to not be ready to answer when people want to know about our beliefs. As Christians it is important that we not just be able to parrot off the doctrinal statement but actually be able to explain it. We don't have to know it all but actually making some effort makes a huge contribution to the credibility and integrity of our message in the eyes of those we tell it to.
On the other hand knowing why they believe what they believe is not a problem for some Christians. It's how they say it that is the problem. Whether it be enthusiasm, arrogance or just bad communication skills, the gospel and Christian viewpoints are often presented in really unhelpful ways. Just as being uninformed can damage our witness, so can our attitude when we present the gospel. Have a bad one and people aren't hearing the message, they're hearing your attitude. If you don't know something they are asking about, swallow your pride and say so. Gentleness and respect are so important.
Personally i need to work on both at times. Sometimes I can be not thoughtful enough. Sometimes I need to work on how i go about talking about what i know. How about you?
I'll leave you will a clip of Mark Driscoll discussing this text.
I think this is a scripture that should be a challenge to all Christians. As Christians we tend to miss the mark on this one in one of two ways. One of the ways we can miss this this is to not be ready to answer when people want to know about our beliefs. As Christians it is important that we not just be able to parrot off the doctrinal statement but actually be able to explain it. We don't have to know it all but actually making some effort makes a huge contribution to the credibility and integrity of our message in the eyes of those we tell it to.
On the other hand knowing why they believe what they believe is not a problem for some Christians. It's how they say it that is the problem. Whether it be enthusiasm, arrogance or just bad communication skills, the gospel and Christian viewpoints are often presented in really unhelpful ways. Just as being uninformed can damage our witness, so can our attitude when we present the gospel. Have a bad one and people aren't hearing the message, they're hearing your attitude. If you don't know something they are asking about, swallow your pride and say so. Gentleness and respect are so important.
Personally i need to work on both at times. Sometimes I can be not thoughtful enough. Sometimes I need to work on how i go about talking about what i know. How about you?
I'll leave you will a clip of Mark Driscoll discussing this text.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
trying another template
I've uploaded a new template which will hopefully be more cooperative. Please let me know if it isn't working for you.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Book review: Erwin Raphael McManus- Soul Cravings
Soul Cravings
Erwin Raphael McManus
256 pages
Published By Nelson Books 2006
In Soul Cravings, Erwin Raphael McManus attempts to communicate how our desire for intimacy, meaning and destiny point to the existence of God and our need for him. Given that apologetics books tend to focus on the historical evidence for the Christian faith, it is nice to see someone trying a different angle. McManus is a skilled writer with a good grasp on culture. He says some good things such as about how creation and our need for love point to God. He also correctly argues against some popular ideas like reincarnation.
I do however have some concerns with the book. For a book that is meant to introduce people to God, the gospel is not presented anywhere near clearly enough. It tends to be quite vague. The overall impression you get from the book is that our big problem isn’t sin but a lack of self-actualisation. The few times the cross does get a mention it is framed as a declaration of God’s love. This is true, but is on its own nowhere near a sufficient explanation. He expresses a disdain for religion that could easily be misinterpreted. If a non-believer wanted to know more about Christianity, I don’t think this book would be particularly helpful. It may well make them more confused.
This book was an idea that had a lot of potential but its lack of clarity makes it fall short. I don’t recommend it.
Erwin Raphael McManus
256 pages
Published By Nelson Books 2006
In Soul Cravings, Erwin Raphael McManus attempts to communicate how our desire for intimacy, meaning and destiny point to the existence of God and our need for him. Given that apologetics books tend to focus on the historical evidence for the Christian faith, it is nice to see someone trying a different angle. McManus is a skilled writer with a good grasp on culture. He says some good things such as about how creation and our need for love point to God. He also correctly argues against some popular ideas like reincarnation.I do however have some concerns with the book. For a book that is meant to introduce people to God, the gospel is not presented anywhere near clearly enough. It tends to be quite vague. The overall impression you get from the book is that our big problem isn’t sin but a lack of self-actualisation. The few times the cross does get a mention it is framed as a declaration of God’s love. This is true, but is on its own nowhere near a sufficient explanation. He expresses a disdain for religion that could easily be misinterpreted. If a non-believer wanted to know more about Christianity, I don’t think this book would be particularly helpful. It may well make them more confused.
This book was an idea that had a lot of potential but its lack of clarity makes it fall short. I don’t recommend it.
Anyone having problems with the site?
I've had someone tell me that the layout of this blog doesn't load for them. Is anyone else experiencing this problem? If so, what browser and operating system are you using?
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Resource roundup: Free music
A lot of people think that if music is free on the internet that it must be illegal.That isn't always the case. There is plenty of artists who offer up their music for free online. It's not just stuff that is too lame to be able to charge for it, much of it is as good as anything on the charts right now. Some of it is even by quite popular artists. Here's where to find some
CCM Singles
CCM singles provides an enormous database of Christian artists that are offering their music online for free. A small sample of the artists listed includes BarlowGirl, Brooke Fraser, Chris Tomlin, Hillsong United, Kutless, Mandisa, MaryMary, Planetshakers and P.O.D.
Relevant Magazine
Relevant Magazine's website features a collection of live songs by various artists. Most of these recordings aren't available elsewhere. Artists include Leeland, Jars of Clay, Sara Groves, Needtobreathe, Phil Wickham and Derrek Webb.
The Free Christian Music Blog
The Free Christian Music Blog spotlights interesting free Christian songs and albums.
Sphere of hiphop
Heaps of Christian Hiphop/rap
Coldplay- Leftrightleftrightleft
Yes, even Coldplay is giving away free music. You can download their new 9 track live album for free at their website. The track list is
1. Glass Of Water
2. 42
3. Clocks
4. Strawberry Swing
5. The Hardest Part / Postcards From Far Away
6. Viva La Vida
7. Death Will Never Conquer
8. Fix You
9. Death And All His Friends
Happy downloading :)
CCM Singles
CCM singles provides an enormous database of Christian artists that are offering their music online for free. A small sample of the artists listed includes BarlowGirl, Brooke Fraser, Chris Tomlin, Hillsong United, Kutless, Mandisa, MaryMary, Planetshakers and P.O.D.
Relevant Magazine
Relevant Magazine's website features a collection of live songs by various artists. Most of these recordings aren't available elsewhere. Artists include Leeland, Jars of Clay, Sara Groves, Needtobreathe, Phil Wickham and Derrek Webb.
The Free Christian Music Blog
The Free Christian Music Blog spotlights interesting free Christian songs and albums.
Sphere of hiphop
Heaps of Christian Hiphop/rap
Coldplay- Leftrightleftrightleft
1. Glass Of Water
2. 42
3. Clocks
4. Strawberry Swing
5. The Hardest Part / Postcards From Far Away
6. Viva La Vida
7. Death Will Never Conquer
8. Fix You
9. Death And All His Friends
Happy downloading :)
Monday, May 11, 2009
Book review: Vaughan Roberts- God's big design
God's big design: Life as he intends it to be
Vaughan Roberts
128 pages
Published by Inter-varsity Press 2005
The first few chapters of Genesis tend not to get considered that much outside the context of the never ending creation/evolution debate. That is unfortunate because that isn’t all that’s there. In God’s Big Design, Vaughan Roberts discusses what we can learn about God and his plans for humanity, the earth, sex & marriage and work from the first few chapters of Genesis. He does an excellent job at applying the scriptures to contemporary issues related to these areas. While it doesn’t go in to the depth someone doing serious ethics or theology study would want, it is an ideal introduction for new Christians or those trying to think through a biblical perspective for the first time. The book includes discussion questions so could be used in a small group setting.
Vaughan Roberts
128 pages
Published by Inter-varsity Press 2005
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
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