Scotty Smith, with “An Advent Prayer for Our Children and Grandchildren”

Gene Edward Veith shares a brother’s sharp view on whose job it is to “keep Christ in Christmas.”

The Resurgence tempts you to consider the lesson we can learn about God’s law from kids and forbidden marshmallows.

We want what God’s people have always wanted:
•    We want God to bless us that we might be a blessing.
•    We long to see sinners saved by God’s free grace.
•    We aim to raise up pastors and missionaries to serve near and far.
•    We want to see neighborhoods and apartments converted.
•    We want the stony hears of teenagers and children, and of colleagues and neighbors, to be turned to flesh.
•    We want a church where the good news of justification by faith alone in Christ alone by grace alone to the glory of God alone is preached boldly and gladly to as many as the Lord brings.
•    We want children nurtured in the word of God.
•    We want to make disciples and teach them to obey all that Christ has commanded.
•    We want to shepherd wisely and faithfully the flock that God has entrusted to us.
•    We want to cultivate a caring, loving communion of saints that use their gifts to build up the body and fan out into our community to promote Christ in word and deed.
•    We want to keep doing the things we do well, and grow in the things we can do better, all to the glory of God, by the power of the Spirit, for the joy of all peoples.
•    We want to help one another know Christ, serve Christ, tell of Christ, and live for Christ.

• Kevin DeYoung on that feeling of perpetual guilt you may have.
• Kevin DeYoung on questions we should ask when people are disappointed with the church. (part one, two, and three)
• Got a “Swagger Wagon”? You might want one after watching these two videos.
• And another thing: Is your worship contemporvant? Let these guys show you how to fix that.
• Jonathan Dodson  on 5 reasons you may not be seeing spiritual growth.

• “The Pastor: Who Do We Think He Is Anyway?”
• “The Pastor: Not Yet Perfect, But Still Under Attack”

I don’t know how many ministers of the gospel read this blog, but this is one you really should read. Elders and anyone else who has the opportunity to be a good friend to his pastor ought to read these notes as well.

Instead of being surprised by our sin or the sins of others, we should learn how to deal with it rightly. In a recent article prompted by a major league baseball players public apology for using human growth hormones banned by the league, C. J. Mahaney writes about wrong and right ways to deal with your sin. Wrong ways include using the word “if” (e.g., “I’m sorry if you were offended”), providing lengthy explanations of why you sinned, seeking understanding for your sin, being indignant about being caught. Here’s Mahaney’s description of a right way to confess sin:

A confession that is sincere and pleasing to God will be specific and brief. I have learned to be suspicious of my confession if it’s general and lengthy. A sincere confession of sin should be specific (“I was arrogant and angry when I made that statement; will you please forgive me for sinning against you in this way?”) and brief (this shouldn’t take long). When I find myself adding an explanation to my confession, I’m not asking forgiveness but instead appealing for understanding….Genuine conviction of sin is evidenced by a sincere, specific, and brief confession of sin, without any reference to circumstances or the participation of anyone else. When I sin, I am responsible for my sin, and the cause of my sin is always within my heart and never lies outside my heart.

Such honest, humble and responsible confession is liberating, because there is One who is able to provide full and complete forgiveness of sin–any sin. Because of the death of Jesus Christ the righteous one, sin may be completely forgiven. How foolish we are to run to self-justifying and deflecting strategies in view of the depth of mercy we can experience through the substitutionary sacrifice of his Son for my sins on the cross. May our confession of sin be sincere and specific confession, sorrowful about sin and amazed at the rich provision of God’s grace.

HT: Ted Slater at Young Married Life

Mark Driscoll, Preaching Pastor at Mars Hill Church, recently wrote an article on turning an idea into reality. Below is a summary of his process in some areas with quotations. Thanks, McKay Caston (church planter, Creekstone Church in Dahlonega, Georgia), for making me aware of this.

1. Begin with Vision

What do we want to accomplish? What is our dream?

2. Develop a Plan

What are the practical steps to seeing the vision a reality? What is my role in the process? What do I need to delegate? What other key leaders will be required to see the plan implemented?

3. Implement the Plan

“The idea has been justified, planned, and approved; it now needs to be launched as a reality. The plan needs to be executed and at this phase, the hard work begins in an effort to build momentum and make the idea a reality.”

4. Manage the Plan

“At this phase, the idea has become a new reality but shortly thereafter the ministry will likely lose momentum as the work becomes routine, the systems that were planned need to be upgraded for efficiency, and faithful people need to ensure the ministry continues forward and that the devoted people serving do not grow weary or lose heart.”

5. Review

“At the six-month and one-year marks of each ministry (as well as other designated times), the leader of that ministry must ensure that accurate and meaningful reviews are conducted to answer the following questions and determine if the ministry should continue, be changed, or cease.”

1. Have you met your objectives?
2. Why or why not?
3. Should this ministry continue?
4. How can you improve?
5. What changes must be made?