Yes it is another video clip. Just watch it! :)
This is a little more powerful than the 7-11 "praise and worship" songs we hear all too often huh? And by 7-11 I mean those songs that have you sing 7 words 11 times over and over and over again until your in a mind numbing trance; or at least that what it feels like.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Truth & Presentation
At Between Two Worlds Abraham Piper of 22Words and the Desiring God Blog writes a guest post dealing with ways in which to improve your blog. It is very helpful, and I'm glad God has gifted such men as Abraham to have the kind of voice and talent he has and use it for God's glory. I wish I had that type of gift. But I don't use the gifts God has given me now so...I digress.
Anyway, he makes an interesting statement very early in that post noted below. A statement I totally disagree with as I'm sure you have already guessed.
"Truth needs to be proclaimed, but trueness alone doesn’t make what I have to say worth saying. I need to say true things well...Falsehood well said, doesn’t serve readers. It won’t lead people toward what is worthwhile because it’s, well, false. Truth poorly said is similarly unhelpful. It won’t lead people toward what is worthwhile, because it’s unclear or boring.""Truth needs to be proclaimed, but trueness alone doesn’t make what I have to say worth saying. I need to say true things well"
Keep in mind that I know the context of the quote is about improving your blog and that I'm not interested in nitpicking every sentence. I just want to point out something I feel is dangerous in the Church which is clearly seen in the quote above. It is that presentation tends to take precedence over truth.
So where do we draw the line between our blogs and our lives? That sounds a little dramatic I know. But in all seriousness do we draw a line or not? Specifically I have in mind the Gospel when I ask this question as it relates to the way we do church and evangelism. I guess what I'm getting at is that if we concern ourselves more with presentation then will we give enough time, attention, and prayer to the truth? At the heart of the matter I guess is the importance of truth. And not just 2+2=4. I'm talking about universal, absolute, all eternity hangs in the balance kind of truth. I've already admitted to being dramatic so I might as well keep it going right?
Take for example this article. Basically this is a critique and suggestion article on how christians can better witness to atheists. He has some very interesting thoughts such as the technique some christians use to witness is similar to email spam. He also points out that the techniques used by christians to sell their product are also very similar to the very annoying techniques the cult-like business Amway uses. One of his examples you see below.
This=Human Spam
Anyway, he makes an interesting statement very early in that post noted below. A statement I totally disagree with as I'm sure you have already guessed.
"Truth needs to be proclaimed, but trueness alone doesn’t make what I have to say worth saying. I need to say true things well...Falsehood well said, doesn’t serve readers. It won’t lead people toward what is worthwhile because it’s, well, false. Truth poorly said is similarly unhelpful. It won’t lead people toward what is worthwhile, because it’s unclear or boring.""Truth needs to be proclaimed, but trueness alone doesn’t make what I have to say worth saying. I need to say true things well"
Keep in mind that I know the context of the quote is about improving your blog and that I'm not interested in nitpicking every sentence. I just want to point out something I feel is dangerous in the Church which is clearly seen in the quote above. It is that presentation tends to take precedence over truth.
So where do we draw the line between our blogs and our lives? That sounds a little dramatic I know. But in all seriousness do we draw a line or not? Specifically I have in mind the Gospel when I ask this question as it relates to the way we do church and evangelism. I guess what I'm getting at is that if we concern ourselves more with presentation then will we give enough time, attention, and prayer to the truth? At the heart of the matter I guess is the importance of truth. And not just 2+2=4. I'm talking about universal, absolute, all eternity hangs in the balance kind of truth. I've already admitted to being dramatic so I might as well keep it going right?
Take for example this article. Basically this is a critique and suggestion article on how christians can better witness to atheists. He has some very interesting thoughts such as the technique some christians use to witness is similar to email spam. He also points out that the techniques used by christians to sell their product are also very similar to the very annoying techniques the cult-like business Amway uses. One of his examples you see below.
This=Human Spam
Now I think that example is actually pretty funny. There is definitely some truth to that as there is also with what Abraham suggested. I guess the whole reason for this post is that I have been thinking for a long time and probably will for a long time about how to have a balanced approach to Truth & Presentation.
My concern is that too many christians are focused more on presentation than on truth. It is not that I think presentation isn't important. It is that truth is the most important. And it is the foundation for presentation. The truth is what gives your presentation value, not the other way around. Or at least that is the idea I get when I read Paul's words to the Corinthians in chapter 2. I love the Piper's and their gifts that the Lord has blessed the Church with for His glory. And I also realize that Piper's suggestion is in the context of blogging, but I wanted to point out that if we take that suggestion into evangelism then we end up trying to raise the dead with techniques and programs rather than the life giving truth of the cross of Jesus Christ.
My concern is that too many christians are focused more on presentation than on truth. It is not that I think presentation isn't important. It is that truth is the most important. And it is the foundation for presentation. The truth is what gives your presentation value, not the other way around. Or at least that is the idea I get when I read Paul's words to the Corinthians in chapter 2. I love the Piper's and their gifts that the Lord has blessed the Church with for His glory. And I also realize that Piper's suggestion is in the context of blogging, but I wanted to point out that if we take that suggestion into evangelism then we end up trying to raise the dead with techniques and programs rather than the life giving truth of the cross of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Julio Jones comes in third for SGA president
How awesome or sad is the University of Alabama, fans, and students that a senior in highschool would come in third for the office of president for the Student Government Association? This guy is still in highschool. He hasn't played one down of football yet for Alabama. And the students at UA write him in with enough votes for third place. I don't know whether to laugh or shake my head. Or maybe I should be doing both. Here is a link to the article from the school newspaper The Crimson White.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Bear Bryant vs Chuck Norris
Ok ok ok. I will chill out on the videos for a while. I thought I should at least put this one up since it is Saturday. Roll Tide!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Month +
Well it has been over a month since my last post. It would be great if I could say the reason was due to my incredibly small amount of extra time due to 60+ hour work weeks, or 5 mile runs in the morning and evening, or the library of books I'm reading, or the extra long hours given in study and prayer to the glory of the Lord. But it would also be great if I could say I take dumps on a solid gold commode. But we all know that ain't happening.
Needless to say none of the above is a reality. The truth of the matter is I'm a lazy bum with delusions of grandeur which paralyzes me to do even the simplest of tasks. Nice huh? And if that truth were just true of this blog that would be one thing. But unfortunately to my detriment and my family's dismay this is true for all aspects of my life.
Thank God that He is good. Without His grace and mercy I'd be even more messed up. How scary is that? One of the many things I love about Steve Brown is his honesty. I remember listening to him teach about something that will always stick with me. He basically pointed out that constant lingering on our failures is a form of idolatry. If we constantly obsess over the fact we messed up and continue to mess up, which is more than anything an obsession over our goodness, then we our idolaters. Instead he said we need to acknowledge our mistakes and failures sure and repent of our sin but rather obsess on the perfection, love, grace, and strength that is Christ our Saviour. We are His and He is ours.
I say all of that to say that I'm working my way out of my pity party with the Spirit's help. And that I don't feel so bad about not posting for a month. One reason is that the guy I linked to Steve Brown hasn't posted for a month either. Yeah I know he is way busier than I am. And the second reason is that only about 5 people even read this. :) Hey fam!
Needless to say none of the above is a reality. The truth of the matter is I'm a lazy bum with delusions of grandeur which paralyzes me to do even the simplest of tasks. Nice huh? And if that truth were just true of this blog that would be one thing. But unfortunately to my detriment and my family's dismay this is true for all aspects of my life.
Thank God that He is good. Without His grace and mercy I'd be even more messed up. How scary is that? One of the many things I love about Steve Brown is his honesty. I remember listening to him teach about something that will always stick with me. He basically pointed out that constant lingering on our failures is a form of idolatry. If we constantly obsess over the fact we messed up and continue to mess up, which is more than anything an obsession over our goodness, then we our idolaters. Instead he said we need to acknowledge our mistakes and failures sure and repent of our sin but rather obsess on the perfection, love, grace, and strength that is Christ our Saviour. We are His and He is ours.
I say all of that to say that I'm working my way out of my pity party with the Spirit's help. And that I don't feel so bad about not posting for a month. One reason is that the guy I linked to Steve Brown hasn't posted for a month either. Yeah I know he is way busier than I am. And the second reason is that only about 5 people even read this. :) Hey fam!
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