Keller @ Veritas and Google

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Google_keller_5As Tim Keller continues his book tour and college campus talks (in Chicago last night and tonight), Veritas has put up his Columbia University talk, "Exclusive Religion in a Pluralistic Society: What are the Tensions and How Do We Move Forward?" 

I'm sure many of you have seen that Keller spoke at Google.  How awesome is that?  Justin Buzzard was there and gave us plenty to chew on.  Thanks Justin.

I did not make it to Keller's talk last night because I was at the Doctor trying to figure out what is wrong with me.  He thinks I may have a touch of pneumonia.  Exciting.  I'm not going tonight either, unfortunately.  If anyone makes it to a Chicago event, I'd love to hear/read how things go.

Plans, Strategies & Fasting

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A real quick post tonight to update on some blogging plans and church plans. 

I'm pastoring a church that is nearly 50 years old.  Some original members are still here.  And I just spent two months preaching about some really big changes that are going to start happening very soon.  I'm going to share those changes with you in a future post.  They are very significant and exciting.

One of the new things I'm working on is an evangelism strategy to reach out to our whole county.  It's something that I'm looking forward to explaining here when I get the chance. 

Because of those changes I have called our church to fast and pray on Wednesdays for the next 6 weeks.  We are fasting from dinner Tuesday to dinner Wednesday.  We are having a prayer meeting on Wednesday nights at 6:30pm and then breaking our fast together with a quick meal.  We are pumped to see what God does as we seek Him together.  Because I've been so sick I'm not going to fast from food tomorrow.  I'm fasting from my laptop/internet instead, starting after this post goes up. 

Why Hillary MUST Lose!

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This is a must see.  Remember the 1991 song by Sophie B. Hawkins, "Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover?"  Go refresh yourself if you need to.  I remember the cool beat, and I remember thinking "Are you allowed to say 'damn' on the radio?"  I guess so. 

Do you ever wish people could just leave those memories alone?  Well, Sophie B. Hawkins had to go and jack it all up by putting together this tragic remake for Hillary's campaign, "Damn, I Wish You Were President."  True story.  Honestly, if I were Hillary and this is the kind of things people did to support me, I would cry after every primary too.  Don't miss the chance to buy your "Damn, I Wish You Were President" T-shirt.  Ugh.

Music Monday 3.3.08

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Cddanielrenstrom_adoreandtrembleI've been listening a lot lately to Daniel Renstrom's (MySpace) Adore and Tremble EP.  He emailed me a couple of weeks ago and asked if I might review it.  I almost said no, because I knew it would be Christian music.  Then I figured I would just tell him that I really don't listen to much Christian music and he wouldn't send it.  So I told him.  He sent it anyway.  What a great surprise this worship EP is!

This 6 song EP includes four original songs by Renstrom and two updated hymns, "Adore and Tremble" by Isaac Watts and "Let Us Love and Sing and Wonder" by John Newton.  All good.  And all lyrics and chords are online for all.  I should also add that the production quality is top notch, not what you always get from early recordings.  I highly recommend this EP for your own devotions or to find some new worship stuff for your church.  I had it playing last Sunday before and after worship.  Get it at iTunes or on CD.

Spoon (well, Britt) in a Black Cab singing the great song, "I Summon You"...

Justice, "DVNO".  Geez, this stuff is cool...

I want me some Bon Iver (MySpace ).  Some of it sounds like a gentler, acoustic TV on the Radio.  I will pick up For Emma, Forever Ago as soon as I can find it.  "Flume"...

"Lump Sum"...

If you are anything like me you occasionally go back and find a song you used to like and find out it's still a great song.  Here's one I searched out recently.  Who doesn't want to be in a band and play a song like this live?

Lots-o-Links 3.2.08

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The_ghost_with_black_fingers_by_raiQuick God Story: My family is still sick, sick, sick.  Unbelievable virus we are dealing with.  We were all feeling better and now most of us are getting symptoms back.  Our youngest now has 103+ temp again.  Ugh.  But all praise to God for this story.  Saturday afternoon my debilitating fever and aches stopped and I had tons of energy Saturday night and plenty for the task this morning.  I mean I went from the worst day so far on Saturday morning, and then full of energy and vigor Saturday evening.  Then soon after gathered worship today my fever came back as did my aches and terrible cough (I didn't cough once during the sermon).  There may be some medical explanation for why I had such a dramatic health hiccup, but I know WHO is getting the credit.  I was truly singing this morning, "How Great is Our God."

Speaking of how sick I am, it would really help me turn this frown upside-down if someone would present me something this awesome with Joe Thorn's likeness on it.  It would make my year! (HT)

When was the last time you wondered how Michael Foster would approach church planting differently?  Exactly.  And he promises to elaborate.  I'm demanding he gets on it asap.

You need to make your way to the Vintage Jesus Newsroom, where Steve Camp goes for his devotional time.

Poythress, The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses, online free.

PastorHacks is into Jott (and Pinger).  I've been using Jott for a while now with great success and productivity.  I think Joe Thorn told me about Jott (I had to say that because he will speak harshly to me this week if I don't mention it.  I don't like it when Hobbits get mean, especially when I'm sick.).

I may have mentioned this before, but Piper/Bethlehem's accountability stuff is worth checking out. 

You should check out Abraham Piper's crazy little experiment of a blog.  Alas, he is his father's son.  (Only four more words.)

Speaking of numbers, Baptist Reformed types will probably not like Scot McKnight's new article, "The 8 Marks of a Robust Gospel."  Why?  It's one short.  I actually haven't read it yet, but McKnight is always worth reading (even when tragically wrong!).  No heckling me please.  I'm sick.

Here's Eugene Peterson at the 2007 Writer's Symposium by the Sea (isn't that where George McFly first kissed that chick from Howard the Duck?).  The story he tells about Bono is worth the whole thing.  (HT)

Spiritual Combustion Cycle

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Repentance and faith have been called the two dynamics of a “spiritual combustion cycle” that God means to be at work in our hearts at all times, changing us into the image of his Son. In order for us to experience the transforming power of the gospel in our lives, we must continually be repenting and believing in the gospel.

When this “spiritual combustion cycle” of ongoing repentance and faith is at work in the heart, there will be change. The reverse is also true. When there is no true change in the heart and life, it is certain that this cycle of ongoing repentance and faith is not taking place.

Steven Childers, "True Spirituality: The Transforming Power of the Gospel," p 4.

Spiritual Warfare Isn't Real

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WarfareNo question about it.  After two of the most important Sundays of my life and in the life of our church, I have found myself without internet 98% of the time at the house.  Something is terribly wrong with our phone line and they can't figure it out yet.  So no phone or internet until they figure it out.  They promised last night to be here to fix it, now they are promising early today.  At this point they are giving us refunds on phone stuff until it's fixed, but I want the DSL not the money!

And you might say I should get off my duff and get out to a free wifi place.  Oh really!  Everyone in my house is sick, including me.  Fevers for three of the kids.  My youngest was the last well one and he woke up hurling last night.  The pharmacy is calling us for antibiotics since we have stockpiled most of it here.  I haven't felt right for two days and feel very achy today, as does my wife.  And even if I chose to get out of the house and go to Starbucks to get online, I cancelled my wifi there a couple of weeks ago and would have to pay.  Ugh.

I'm only writing this after my internet popped on for a minute, not even knowing when I press the "Post" button if it will work.  So if you are reading this somewhere near 9:46am central time on Thursday, consider this the moment you witnessed the victory of Jesus over the powers of the Devil.  Yes, laying hands on your laptop does work!

Reason4GodSpotting

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I've been taking camera phone photos of The Reason for God as I find it out and about.  I'm encouraging you to find Keller in your context so when you recommend the book you know who has it on the shelf.
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Music Monday 2.25.08

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A big congratulations to Glen Hansard and Maketa Irglova for their Oscar for best original song, "Falling Slowly."  Here's their live performance from the Oscars and the award and speeches...

A really great performance by Mark Ronson and friends at the Brit Awards...

The Village Voice offers high praise (in an odd way) that should make you consider checking out the new Drive-By Truckers album, Brighter Than Creation's Dark.

Creation's Dark came out last month, and though past DBT discs have left me enthralled, I initially ignored this one. Took it for granted, disregarded it as more of the same. Dependably great, sure, but there were bigger, more exotic fish to fry. The Truckers had made it look so easy for so long, but [the song] "Bob" forcefully proves that it's not, and it's never been. It keeps you honest, and it scares you straight.

A last word: There Will Be Blood, the soundtrack, is awesome.  Watch the movie, drink the milkshake.

First Things Interviews Tim Keller

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Anthony Sacramone at First Things has interviewed Tim Keller on The Reason for God (#18 NYT Bestseller List).  In the interview he does clarify the Genesis/evolution issue that has come up before.  But this is the most intriguing part of the interview...

AS: Whenever people write about Redeemer, they usually refer to it as a megachurch.

TK: Stop that!

AS: Now, I’ve heard you—

TK: Have you seen Bob Newhart? Stop it!

AS: Oh sure.

TK: Stop it. Go ahead.

AS:I actually have his “Button-Down Humor” stand-up album from like 1968 or something.

For those needing clarification and context, here you go...

Lots-o-Links 2.20.08

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"I...drink...your...MILKSHAKE!"

Sean Lucas on Tim Keller's The Reason for God...

This is simply a wonderful book, a useful tool for God's work--but it will only make a true impact for the Kingdom if it is used, given away, and shared with others.

Thanks to Ben Arment I've been watching a lot of TED videos lately.  This one with atheist Richard Dawkins isn't new, but it's important...

Matt Chandler has some advice for preachers.

[SBC Offensive Topic Filter]St. Anne's Pub on whiskey.[/SBC Offensive Topic Filter]

If you are in or near Greenville, SC, here's a chance to hear some Derek Webb and Caedmon's Call AND help the Carolina Hope Christian Adoption Agency's new Ethiopia program.

Whiteboard Sessions: Early Bird

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Whiteboard_letter_cropBen Arment sent me a Whiteboard box this week.  It included a nice quality Reston Town Center book, Rob Bell's Everything is Spiritual DVD (best use of a whiteboard), a 2 disc TED dvd set (if you haven't yet, go check out the TED website), Lashey and Joyner's wonderful Hymns CD, and a nice note on Whiteboard stationary.  Lot's of good stuff. 

The early bird registration for the cheapest rate, $99, ends on the 29th of February.  Sign up for the Whiteboard Sessions.

Music Monday 2.18.08

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Joe Garner contacted me a few weeks back, having a common friend, and asked if I would like to check out his new EP, Mourning Birds.  A few minutes on Joe's MySpace page and I knew it was worth hearing.  While I won't go into much detail about Joe, Brent gives plenty of info that you should check out.  His music is folksy americana, maybe.  It's measured, thoughtful, gentle even.  It reminds me a lot of Denison Witmer, who I like quite a bit.   I encourage you to check out Joe's music.  It's good.

Here's Joe singing "Bury the Hatchet," which is a delicate dance of a story (a pretty good explanation of most of his music).  Beautiful (especially when the coffeehouse baristas are steaming the milk)...

I've been looking for some Justice, with no success.  Here's a taste...

Great new video from the New Pornographers, on what may be the best song on their Challengers CD...

I'd like to pick up the Ampersand EP from Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken.  Sounds really, really great.  Here's "Watch Your Mouth" sung by Derek...

I picked up Mark Ronson's Version CD.  Read about it at MusicOMH.  My favorite track is with Lily Allen.

Sufjan Steven's video for "Palm Sunday Tornado in Crystal Lake"...

    
Palm Sunday Tornado Hits Crystal Lake from Asthmatic Kitty on Vimeo.

Thom Yorke singing Radiohead's "Videotape" live...

The Reason for God: Introduction Quotes

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2268598417_226c381662From the introduction of The Reason for God by Timothy Keller...

Only if you [believers] struggle long and hard with objections to your faith will you be able to provide grounds for your beliefs to skeptics, including yourself, that are plausible rather than ridiculous or offensive....But even as believers should learn to look for reasons behind their faith, skeptics must learn to look for a type of faith hidden within their reasoning.  All doubts, however skeptical and cynical they may seem, are really a set of alternate beliefs....Every doubt...is based on a leap of faith.
- p. xvii

The only way to doubt Christianity rightly and fairly is to discern the alternate belief under each of your doubts and then to ask yourself what reasons you have for believing it.  How do you know your belief is true?  It would be inconsistent to require more justification for Christian belief than you do for your own, but that is frequently what happens.  In fairness you must doubt your doubts.  My thesis is that if you come to recognize the beliefs on which your doubts about Christianity are based, and if you seek as much proof for those beliefs as you seek from Christians for theirs--you will discover that your doubts are not as solid as they first appeared.
- p. xviii