Recently I attended a Pastor's Conference featuring Alistair Begg, John Shearer, and Sinclair Ferguson. As I have been thinking about the conference, I realized that I had many great thoughts to reflect on. So, I thought I would share some of my favorite quotes with you.
John Shearer:
"Pastoring Is The Greatest work in the world."
"The minister of the word of God is to minister the word of God."
"We are as godly as we want to be."
"We can't keep on giving out, if we don't keep taking in."
"We must be aware of being sermon machines."
"In instructing others, wee must digest the truth ourselves. We must master the art of feeding ourselves."
"If you preach the bible you will never run short of seed to sow."
"Some may preach the gospel better than others, but there is no better gospel."
"Hold lightly to things that are temporary, and hold tightly to things that are eternal."
Sinclair Ferguson:
"When you know who you are in Christ, you don't need to pretend any longer."
"When Christ is preiminate, thankfulness reigns in our heart and life."
"When I understand what has happened to me, I become more sensitive to sin, because I see it in its true light."
Alistair Begg:
"The three c's of the pulpit: candid - so there is no concealment; clear - so there is no ambiguity, and confident - to speak without fear of the consequences."
"The message of the cross is not about something that we must do, but about something that has already been done."
"The complexity of human wisdom cannot deliver what it promises, but the simplicity of the cross can."
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Basics Pastor's Conference - Day One
I am away this week at a Pastor's Conference entitled "Basics". (Click on the word BASICS to go to the conference website.) This conference is hosted by Alistair Begg, the pastor of Parkside Church, and the bible teacher of "Truth For Life" heard on radio stations all across the country and around the world. This is the eleventh year for this conference, and it is my third year in attendance.
I'm so thankful that the church Family so graciously gives me two weeks a year to go to conferences or training of some sort. Up until a few years ago, Gretchen and I would travel down south to The Timothy-Barnabas pastor/pastor's wives conference as one of my weeks of training. Then a few years ago, I stumbled onto this conference from a recommendation of a friend. I gave it a try, and the rest is history. It has become one of my favorite conferences, and I place it on the calendar every year.
The first year I attended this conference by myself. Last year, Gretchen and our, at the time, nine month old Molly joined us. This year, Gretchen and I shipped off the children to two different Grandparent camps and are enjoying some much needed time together.
There are so many things that make this conference great. First, there is the bookstore.
It is loaded with many of the best books in print today, as well as a fantastic used section of books containing some very rare finds.
As part of the conference brochure, there is a ten page section containing a recommended reading list.
Then there is the service. Everything at this conference is first class. From the food, to the service, to the organization, to the laid back schedule, to the friendliness of the staff.
Did I mention the food? The above picture is of Parkside Church's Commons area. It is beautiful and is set up for dinner in this shot.
Finally, there are the breakout sessions, the music, and the teaching and instruction. I am challenged every year by the teaching, and this year has proved to be no different. But that is for another blog. For now, let me leave you with some great quotes that were interspersed throughout the conference brochure.
I'm so thankful that the church Family so graciously gives me two weeks a year to go to conferences or training of some sort. Up until a few years ago, Gretchen and I would travel down south to The Timothy-Barnabas pastor/pastor's wives conference as one of my weeks of training. Then a few years ago, I stumbled onto this conference from a recommendation of a friend. I gave it a try, and the rest is history. It has become one of my favorite conferences, and I place it on the calendar every year.
The first year I attended this conference by myself. Last year, Gretchen and our, at the time, nine month old Molly joined us. This year, Gretchen and I shipped off the children to two different Grandparent camps and are enjoying some much needed time together.
There are so many things that make this conference great. First, there is the bookstore.
It is loaded with many of the best books in print today, as well as a fantastic used section of books containing some very rare finds.
As part of the conference brochure, there is a ten page section containing a recommended reading list.
Then there is the service. Everything at this conference is first class. From the food, to the service, to the organization, to the laid back schedule, to the friendliness of the staff.
Did I mention the food? The above picture is of Parkside Church's Commons area. It is beautiful and is set up for dinner in this shot.
Finally, there are the breakout sessions, the music, and the teaching and instruction. I am challenged every year by the teaching, and this year has proved to be no different. But that is for another blog. For now, let me leave you with some great quotes that were interspersed throughout the conference brochure.
"... to be a preacher is one of the most deeply humbling experiences in the world. Preaching drives us to our knees, puts gigantic butterflies in our stomachs, and makes us cry out, 'Who is sufficient for these things?'" ~Christopher Ash
"We might preach till our tongues rotted, till we should exhaust our lungs and die, but never a soul would be converted unless there were mysterious power going with it - the Holy Ghost changing the will of man...O Sirs! We might as well preach to stone walls as preach to humanity unless the Holy Ghost be with the word, to give it power to convert the soul." ~Charles Spurgeon
My favorite spot so far.
Where I can find Gretchen at any given moment.
(The coffee shop within the bookstore within the Commons area within Parkside Church!)
Sunday, May 2, 2010
My Life Shorteners (the May edition)
At the beginning of Sunday's sermon, I mentioned that there were two projects in particular that were "looming large" in our home these days because of their desperate need of FINISHING. For those of you who may be wondering what in the world is causing such angst in the house, the two projects are as follows...
This is what Cole's basketball hoop should look like when I finish it. It's been waiting for my attention for about 6 months. Talk about a life shortener! Every time I step over it I'm filled with a sense of failure to finish.
The second unfinished project in our home is a grand cause of stress because it must be maneuvered around in our basement in order to reach the freezer. Each time Gretchen asks one of the children or me to retrieve some frozen item, we have to step over the parts and pieces of the unboxed yet unassembled...
...filing cabinet.
It's an Ikea model which means huge amounts of assembly required. It not only cries out to me to assemble it, it sings of promises of improved organization.
We learned somewhere along the way that the various "life shorteners" we deal with in our lives actually take a toll on our health and our general sense of well being. When a "life shortener" is completed in our lives, we happily give it a new name. We call it "a personal victory" and celebrate its completion. What we are really celebrating is the end of the stress that the unfinished task was creating. Instead of the expected dread, we experience a sense of victory and accomplishment.
The sermon today was ultimately not about life shorteners, but about the Life Giver who requires strong finishes from His followers. He doesn't want us to get bogged down with spiritual life shorteners like ingratitude, bitterness, unforgiveness, selfishness, pride, or any others for that matter. As this new week awaits us, I urge you to deal with the spiritual life shorteners that may be stealing your joy in the Lord. Would that we like Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.As for me...I'm off to put a file cabinet together!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Humility: True Greatness
At the end of the sermon Sunday, I made reference to a book by C.J. Mahaney called Humility: True Greatness
. This book is a small one, having only 176 pages and merely 7 inches by 5 inches. What it lacks in size, however, it makes up for in its message.
The author says of his experience writing the book,
In a the first part of the book, Mahaney looks at the sin of pride. In the next section, humility is defined and the final part of the book gives practical application on how to cultivate humility in one's life. This small is filled with such practical, useful information and inspiration, you may find that you want to keep it handy to make reference to frequently.
I found Humility: True Greatness to be a very readable book. I especially appreciated the appendix that is included at the end of the book that lists all the practical suggestions which were made in the book. If you happen not to be "a reader", this book would be an excellent place to begin with its very quick moving flow, logical reasoning, and a grounded Biblical base. It is a great read about a vital topic to every Christian!
. This book is a small one, having only 176 pages and merely 7 inches by 5 inches. What it lacks in size, however, it makes up for in its message. The author says of his experience writing the book,
“Given pride’s pervasive presence in my life, I come to this book in holy fear, yet inspired by God’s promises to be humble and sobered by his warnings to the proud (Isaiah 66:2b, 1 Peter 5:5b). Scripture reveals to us that, while pride was the first and most serious sin, God is decisively drawn to humility and is specifically supportive of the humble. Only Christ has fully obeyed Isaiah 66:2b (“This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word”), yet He did so as our representative! How marvelous that in our daily battle against pride we can rely on God’s grace, through the gospel, and thus bring honor and glory to God.” —C. J. Mahaney
In a the first part of the book, Mahaney looks at the sin of pride. In the next section, humility is defined and the final part of the book gives practical application on how to cultivate humility in one's life. This small is filled with such practical, useful information and inspiration, you may find that you want to keep it handy to make reference to frequently.
I found Humility: True Greatness
to be a very readable book. I especially appreciated the appendix that is included at the end of the book that lists all the practical suggestions which were made in the book. If you happen not to be "a reader", this book would be an excellent place to begin with its very quick moving flow, logical reasoning, and a grounded Biblical base. It is a great read about a vital topic to every Christian!(For further information about this book and its author, simply click on the picture of the book. It will take you directly to http://www.amazon.com/ )
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Devoted...Resources for Your Walk
A few Sundays ago, I spoke about using a good devotional book as a tool for personal devotions. The following are some of my favorites. (Click on the title of the book to get more information from Amazon.com.)
Morning and Evening by Charles Haddon Spurgeon. A reading for morning and, as you might imagine, one for evening.
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, a classic which lives up to its label.
Come Before Winter and Share My Hope by Charles "Chuck" Swindoll. This is one of many by this prolific pastor who shares his thoughts in a very down-to-earth manner.
Great Days with the Great Lives also by Charles "Chuck" Swindoll. In this daily devotional, Swindoll draws from the lives of biblical characters and shows us how God can use ordinary men and women to do very extraordinary things.
Drawing Near by John MacArthur. Daily readings to draw us deeper into our faith by a pastor who is celebrating his 41st year in ministry.
A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent. I gave this book to Gretchen last Christmas. I chose it because of a review, written by a mother with young children who loved The Gospel Primer because of the meaty content delivered in short "bursts" which was perfect for the time constraints of mothering. Gretchen really likes it too for all of those reasons and more.
And finally, Glorifying God by Thomas Watson. Watson is the man who greatly influenced Charles Spurgeon. This is the book I am using daily in my own devotional time. Its rich content is based on Watson's favorite theme: "man's chief aim is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."
Friday, November 13, 2009
Twelve Things I've Learned. . .
Twelve lessons I've learned in ministry from good examples who are traveling ahead of me.
1. "Stay close and clean." ~Pastor Johnny Hunt
“We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.” 2 Corinthians 6:3
2. "Swallow the big frog first." ~Dr. Jay Strack
This principle says that as you get the biggest, most difficult thing in your life accomplished (swallowed); the rest of your day, week, etc. will go down a lot easier. Remembering this principle helps you plan what is important, not just what is pressing. This principle helps you accomplish what matters most not that which is making the most noise.
3. "You'll never miss anything you give away." ~John Garner
“So let each one of us give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
4. "The devil doesn't mind waiting a few more years on you." ~Evangelist Junior Hill
"Be sober be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
This passage teaches that our enemy is constantly on the prowl, looking to destroy our testimony and our lives. This principle teaches that our enemy doesn’t mind letting our notoriety get bigger, so that when we fall, he can do more damage to God’s kingdom.
5. “I’ve been around the block a few times and I’m convinced that our two greatest needs are: to be real and anointed.” ~Dr. Adrian Rogers
Be real. You can't live like the devil all week, and then think you can come to church on Sunday and everything is OK. Are you the same in public as you are in private?
Be anointed. We need simply to be filled and anointed with the Holy Spirit and quit operating our lives on our own power.
6. “An unguarded strength is a double weakness.” ~Oswald Chambers
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
There is no coasting in the Christian life. We must always be on guard. Our attitude must be one that says, “It can happen to me.”
7. “It takes six years to become the pastor."~ Homer Lindsay
“So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.” Psalm 78:72
This principle teaches that you must earn trust, and it takes a while to do that. It also reminds me that ministry is a marathon.
8. “If you read 15 minutes a day, at the end of the year, you will have read 20 books.” ~ Dr. Jay Strack
9. "Leadership is Integrity.” ~ Dr. Johnny Hunt
“The righteous man walks in his integrity, His children are blessed after him.” Proverbs 20:7
This is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. It reminds me that God must do something in me before He can use me to influence others. It also teaches me that how I live my life will affect my family. My heart’s desire is to be a good leader; to lead my wife, my children, and lead others to God
10. “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” ~ Mark Meadows
“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly.” 1 Peter 5:2
11. “Make sure Jesus is on the road before you go down it.” – Ron Dunn
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs; singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. and whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus; giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:15-17.
12. “In the Christian life, it is not how you start that matters, it is how you finish.” ~Steve Farrar
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
This principle encourages me because it offers hope. Some of us have had a slow start, some have had a rocky start, but everyone can have a strong finish. When our life is over, people will remember more of how we finished life than how we started it.
Finish strong friends.
1. "Stay close and clean." ~Pastor Johnny Hunt
“We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.” 2 Corinthians 6:3
2. "Swallow the big frog first." ~Dr. Jay Strack
This principle says that as you get the biggest, most difficult thing in your life accomplished (swallowed); the rest of your day, week, etc. will go down a lot easier. Remembering this principle helps you plan what is important, not just what is pressing. This principle helps you accomplish what matters most not that which is making the most noise.
3. "You'll never miss anything you give away." ~John Garner
“So let each one of us give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
4. "The devil doesn't mind waiting a few more years on you." ~Evangelist Junior Hill
"Be sober be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
This passage teaches that our enemy is constantly on the prowl, looking to destroy our testimony and our lives. This principle teaches that our enemy doesn’t mind letting our notoriety get bigger, so that when we fall, he can do more damage to God’s kingdom.
5. “I’ve been around the block a few times and I’m convinced that our two greatest needs are: to be real and anointed.” ~Dr. Adrian Rogers
Be real. You can't live like the devil all week, and then think you can come to church on Sunday and everything is OK. Are you the same in public as you are in private?
Be anointed. We need simply to be filled and anointed with the Holy Spirit and quit operating our lives on our own power.
6. “An unguarded strength is a double weakness.” ~Oswald Chambers
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
There is no coasting in the Christian life. We must always be on guard. Our attitude must be one that says, “It can happen to me.”
7. “It takes six years to become the pastor."~ Homer Lindsay
“So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.” Psalm 78:72
This principle teaches that you must earn trust, and it takes a while to do that. It also reminds me that ministry is a marathon.
8. “If you read 15 minutes a day, at the end of the year, you will have read 20 books.” ~ Dr. Jay Strack
9. "Leadership is Integrity.” ~ Dr. Johnny Hunt
“The righteous man walks in his integrity, His children are blessed after him.” Proverbs 20:7
This is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. It reminds me that God must do something in me before He can use me to influence others. It also teaches me that how I live my life will affect my family. My heart’s desire is to be a good leader; to lead my wife, my children, and lead others to God
10. “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” ~ Mark Meadows
“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly.” 1 Peter 5:2
11. “Make sure Jesus is on the road before you go down it.” – Ron Dunn
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs; singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. and whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus; giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:15-17.
12. “In the Christian life, it is not how you start that matters, it is how you finish.” ~Steve Farrar
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
This principle encourages me because it offers hope. Some of us have had a slow start, some have had a rocky start, but everyone can have a strong finish. When our life is over, people will remember more of how we finished life than how we started it.
Finish strong friends.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
No Pressure
A few reasons to take sermon preparation seriously. . .
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No pressure...
Please don't think that we think the kids "have arrived",
they do "normal" stuff during the sermon too . . .
(Cole's team's record of wins and losses last season.
Always handy to have there beside your sermon notes, for reference of course.)
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