There’s many reasons, but one is that despite how much truth you “know”, you’ll never benefit unless you live it!
Check: Luke 11:27-28
Since clearing off a number of pictures and graphics that I couldn’t properly attribute or footnote ownership I noticed a serious decline in site hits/visits. Quite a huge drop from several hundred a day down to less than 50 
One thing I have taken onboard is the need to be more interactive with the blogs I link to and other I read. I can’t recall the exact citation, but Spurgeon’s counsel applies here - something along the lines of in order to be well read you have to read well. i.e. In other words, if you don’t read and interact with the work of others, don’t expect others to read and interact with your work.
So more discipline on my part is required. Lets see how I go. In the interim I will return to my personal debrief of Erickson’s Theology text in preparation for my Seminary classes coming up in May.
I have enrolled in a Masters of Religious Education (MRE) through Asia Baptist Theological Seminary. I have the minimum standard required (academically) by the majority of evangelical organisations in Aust & throughout SE Asia. However due to what can only be attributed to an over emphasis on secondary separation (an unfortunate by-product of IFB distinctives) the school providing this training did not have recognised accreditation. This created a obstacle to obtaining access to post graduate training and standing towards a Masters degree.
This has been a personal disappointment for me for many years and I have, to some extent, allowed it to affect my own motivation and pursuit of full time ministry. It was a convenient excuse to not apply for positions that became available when opportunities arose that I would be more than capable of excelling in. As a result I became distracted and enamoured with career development in the IT industry. This affected my personal walk with the Lord, my marriage and has resulted in hindering my effectiveness as an example of Christ to others. The years have not been wasted as there have been many lessons to learn and a lot of personal growth to experience. There is little point to any ‘what-if’ debates and time for regret is past. My focus now is ‘ἐξαγοραζόμενοι τὸν καιπόν’ or ‘exagorazomenoi ton kairon’ if you don’t have Greek fonts (see Ephesians 5:16 if you’re still unsure)
1st unit to tackle will be Systematic Theology. Lectures start on 12 May. This blog will provide a great forum to debrief on the content and progress of the course as well as preparing for the assessment which is conducted in the 3 months following the lectures.
Have just came across “Reforming Baptist”. One article in particular provides sound counsel and warnings for those (like I and my wife) who have “exited” the IFB movement (or at least changed in attitude and philosophy significantly - like William D we still serve with an independent church, however the ministry model is vastly different to the typical IFB both here in Australia and North America). When we made our first move away from this stifling IFB environment, our new pastor said he was treating us the same as someone recovering from a cult. We had been burnt out, lied to, abused and left for dead and were in every aspect exhausted. It has taken the better part of 10 years to reach a point where we would be willing to re-engage in ministry in any significant capacity and even now we are still weary.
His list is obviously not exhaustive - however we were particularly prone to points 3 & 4. William also has another article that expands further on point 8 - regarding why, sometimes, people who leave IFB’s tend to abandon their faith altogether.
A few weeks back, our pastor showed the Louie Giglio video presentations of “How Great is our God” and “Indescribable”, both are presentations with a gospel / evangelistic emphasis on the awesomeness of the galaxy and as the title of the first presentation suggests, the greatness of God. I am not fully conversant with Louie’s ministry or background and history aside from these DVD’s and his Wikipedia profile. However the content of both of these was excellent. His ministry team “Passion” has a world tour in 2008 which will be in Sydney in October.
The sad passing of talented Australian actor, Heath Ledger, has prompted many sincere expressions of condolences for his family and the loss to the artistic community in general. Most notably the report that Jake Gyllenhaal, has offered to provide for Matilda’s upbringing.
What is truly appalling though is the report of publicity sought by an extremist hate group in Kansas.
As an Australian, the phrase, “It’s Just Not Cricket” comes to mind. Except I would modify it to “It’s Just Not Christian!”
Full Story Here
excerpt:
“I repented and asked Jesus Christ into my life and was born again. I was saved, born from above. ‘Halalujah’. (sic) I now enjoy an eternal, inseparable relationship with God that is real and personal.”
Most who attend an evangelical church are familiar with the practice of the church hosting multiple services each Sunday.
The church I attend only has one Sunday service at the moment.
However there are some who desire to step out of the box. They wish to introduce an additional service held in the evening. How disappointing, and on some level, mildly amusing, that there are those in membership of the church that oppose the idea.
“The Proclaimers” said it for me…
I’m on my way from misery to happiness today
I’m on my way from misery to happiness today
I’m on my way to what I want from this world
And years from now you’ll make it to the next world
And everything that you receive up yonder
Is what you gave to me the day I wandered
I took a right, I took a right turning yesterday
I took a right, I took a right turning yesterday
I took the road that brought me to your home town
I took the bus to streets that I could walk down
I walked the streets to find the one I’d looked for
I climbed the stair that led me to your front door
And now that I don’t want for anthing
I’d have Al Jolson sing “I’m sitting on top of the world”
I’ll do my best, I’ll do my best to do the best I can
I’ll do my best, I’ll do my best to do the best I can
To keep my feet from jumping from the ground dear
To keep my heart from jumping through my mouth dear
To keep the past, the past and not the present
To try and learn when you teach me a lesson
And now that I don’t want for anything
I’d have Al Jolson sing “I’m sitting on top of the world”.
So what makes a family?
Is it blood and bone?
Do you need DNA?
Are you related?
Or do you have the same name?
If I could chose my family
Who would they be?
Would they have biology?
Would they be from the same seed?
You see my dad adopted me
I don’t have his DNA
I don’t have his ears
I don’t have his nose
We just don’t look the same
But my dad is my dad
And he loved me thru-n-thru
When I think of my family
I always think of him
I don’t have his genes
But his son I am still!
He gave me his love
He gave me his name
He taught me how to ride a bike!
He drove me to my football game
He used to take me fishing
On the bridge and on the boat
I help him build the chook house
I helped him build the kennel
I even helped him paint the roof
Of the Halifax Hotel!
We didn’t have biology
We didn’t have DNA
But we were still a family
No matter what you say.
My child will be my family
And though they won’t have my eyes and ears
They’ll have my love all their years
I can’t wait to take them fishing
I can’t wait to paint a house
I can’t wait to do all the things
That my Dad did with me
‘Cause my Dad is my family
And that’s what makes a family be
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