a poor evangelist is...

someone who proclaims the Gospel and forgets to disciple.

"Go therefore and make disciples!" (Matthew 28:19) Notice He doesn't say, "make believers."

Love & Holiness

I took this picture on the Charles Bridge in Prague. I've found it to be the most striking display of God's love and holiness.

If one looks closely, you'll see "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts" written in Hebrew around the cross. I can't imagine a better commentary on the depravity of humanity, the holiness of God and; most importantly, His love for us.

Let's remember together that God sent his perfect and holy and divine son to die as a sacrifice for our sins. The God of Isaiah's vision, who has an army of angels at his beckoning call, came to our sin-ridden planet; lived as a displaced immigrant; worked as a day laborer; murdered for our transgressions. (See image above.)

Why would anyone do this? LOVE!

"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!" (Romans 5:8)

The significant implication is that the expression of God's love decreases as one decreases His holy standards or our personal part in transgressing them (Luke 7:47).

all-natural worship service

"Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedar! ... Let them praise the name of the Lord." (Psalm 148:9; 13)

(I took this picture while hiking in the Czech. When I look at it I'm filled with a sense of God's beauty and perfection.)

new somanorth series

We started a new four week series on work at somanorth I hope you can make it! We'll continue our Discipleship series in mid-September.

new somanorth series

Theologian Teaches Class at SBC

Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Bible and Theology at Phoenix Seminary, is teaching a Christian Essentials Class at Scottsdale Bible Church main campus. The class begins at 9:45AM in the Gym. Presently, he's teaching from his Systematic Theology book.

You can download audio from his class here.

Witherington on "The New 'Answers in Genesis' New Testament-- Children's Edition"

Ben Witherington of Asbury Theological Seminary writes,

Jesus rides into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday on the foal of a raptor. People attempt to feed the raptor by laying palm branches on the road as he looks hungry.

To God be the Glory

"...if anyone makes the assistance of grace depend on the humility or obedience of man and does not agree that it is a gift of grace itself that we are obedient and humble, he contradicts the Apostle who says, "What have you that you did not receive?" (1 Cor. 4:7), and, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10). (Council of Orange: Canon 6)

Gratitude for Grace

I am not what I want to be.
I am not what I hope to be.
But by the grace of God, I am not what I was. - D.A. Carson

Summer of Superheros