For years we have recommended the parenting book and the video series by Ted Tripp Shepherding a Child’s Heart as a parent’s best resource for raising their children in a Christian home. Tripp’s ability to bring deep biblical principals to the task of parenting by concentrating on what is going on inside a child rather than just their outward behavior goes to the heart of the parent’s responsibility. For my parenting, this proved to be the single most helpful resource I ever discovered.
The following video and audio links are from a seminar Ted did at Mars Hill Church this past fall. I would encourage all parents to carve out time to view these messages. If you have never read the book this will be a great introduction. If you have, it will be a welcome refresher to one of your greatest responsibilities. As I move into the grandparenting years I will be viewing them so that I can assist my family in the raising of their children.
With our occasional series on evangelism in mind, I came across a very interesting video featuring Penn Jillette, of the famous magic act, Penn & Teller. Penn is a well-known and very outspoken atheist and he’s here discussing an evangelistic encounter he had after one of their shows:
(**Disclaimer: we are ordinarily very wary of posting YouTube videos because even if the video is innocuous, the ones that are linked to it may not be. On top of that, Penn Jillette can be very profane in his speech. However, this video contains no profanity and makes some exceptional points and so we thought it would be worth your viewing).
A couple of thoughts after watching this:
1) Honesty and forth-rightness are invaluable in any evangelistic encounter. We’re not trying to deceive or manipulate anyone, as though that would work anyway. Conversion is a work of the Holy Spirit. Our job is to present the good news, and it is just that: news. We’re not trying to sign someone up for a particular political party, or get them on our church league softball team, or hoping that they make a mean strawberry pie for the bake sale. We’re explaining the essence of the human dilemma (sinful men and women before a holy God), and offering God’s incomparable grace as a solution (sending his Son to die for our sins and to rise victorious that we might live with him forever). It’s news, not behavioral manipulation.
2) Note how many times he talked about the sincere appreciation and human dignity that he experienced from this man. Merely by looking him in the eyes, by not being defensive, and by treating Penn with respect, this man gained an audience with a committed atheist. Insincerity is deadly and a sin against God.
3) Note the lasting effect of this encounter. He’s characterizing this man as a “very, very, very good man,” well after the fact. His ignorance of the Bible and Christian truth is palpable, and is contributing to his foolishness; but perhaps the Holy Spirit will use what appears to be the effects of the gospel in one’s man life as a witness to another who is currently running away from God.
4) Finally, apart from God’s sovereign grace, we would all be with Penn, or worse. We don’t deserve to be the recipients of his grace–else it would not be grace. Self-righteousness is deeply offensive to God; and by interacting with others, we can be tempted to approach them in that manner–especially so if they are outspoken against us. Let us remember God’s grace, his unfathomable forgiveness of sinners like you and me, and then go out in anticipation of the effect his gospel will have in the lives of others.
As the new year approaches many will be contemplating a reading of the bible through in 2009. This is a worthwhile goal but one that does not come without some effort to plan for it. Over the years I have benefited from the well crafted plans of others, especially the M’Cheyne plan. Below is a “one stop” location for 10 different reading plans:
You can also get each of these ten plans as a podcast to coincide with the reading schedules. Here’s how to subscribe to this in iTunes:
1. Go to the ESV Reading Plans page.
2. Right-click the “RSS” link of the feed you want. (Ctrl-click on a Mac)
3. Choose “Copy Link Location” or “Copy Shortcut.”
4. Start iTunes.
5. Choose Advanced > Subscribe to Podcast
6. Paste the URL from step three into the box.
7. Click OK.
Posted by Graca Privitera under Women Comments Off
Every Friday features a post from one of our pastor’s wives specifically for the women of Crossway Church:
Every year after the Christmas Eve service our family travels to Philadelphia for a huge Christmas Eve celebration. We get to my parents’ house around 10pm. Have a bountiful dinner consisting of several different kinds of fish and steak. We total about 22. My mom and Step-dad do almost all of the preparation. My sister and I bring some small, meager contribution. Around midnight, we all get to open gifts. I get as excited as the kids! We head home around 1am and get in around 3am. As insane as this is, it is a wonderful tradition. We look forward to it all year! Although, each Christmas morning, as we stumble downstairs bleary eyed, we ask ourselves if it is really worth it. And each year we continue the tradition.
Typically, during our peaceful 2 hour, 1am car ride home, Pete and I discuss the events of the night. It is then that I am often convicted of missed opportunities to serve, my lack of verbal witness of the Gospel, my desire for fun and ease more than Biblical Fellowship. As I reflect on Christmas being a snapshot of all that I hold dearly and truly believe, I am aware that my default mode is self. I am self-centered and self-seeking. My natural inclination is not Christ-centered or others-focused. If I do not go into those situations with Gospel motivated intentionality, I will ALWAYS default to self, missing Gospel opportunities.
The reality of my truly sinful state is a beautiful reminder of the Christ Child. He came to earth as a perfect babe to die on the cross for my very specific sin. His perfect sacrifice provides hope for me as I seek to grow in celebrating His birth in this fallen world. I love the words to the song that remind me that Jesus was sent “to reconcile the holy God and vile, His grace so free. Oh Come, let us adore. Oh Christ the Lord our Hope and Savior, Son of God, yet made like us.”
I can’t wait to for next year’s car ride home. I look forward to recounting God’s faithfulness as His sanctifying work in me continues.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given;” Is. 9:6
Last night Crossway joined together for our annual Christmas Eve Service.
This year we had a very special performance by the children of Crossway. Led by Glenn and Diana Hughes these talented children did an amazing job singing Christmas worship songs and carols. Peter preached an excellent Christ-centered message. Click on the picture below to see more pictures.
Traditions are our friends. They can help keep life’s most important things at front and center.
As a father, I am on the hunt for new traditions for my family for Christmas, in particular. Some recent discoveries:
The Heitland “Christmas stocking mailbox” – leave encouraging notes in hung stockings throughout Christmas season.
The Weaver “everybody sleep in the same room on Christmas Eve night”.
The Borghi “blueberry coffeecake with birthday candles for Jesus”
My favorite traditions with Brenda and the kids has to include the Christmas Eve service with the church and our reading of Luke chapters 1 & 2 while placing nativity figurines in our creche scene on Christmas morning.
Good Christmas traditions serve to point out that the Lord Jesus Christ, his birth as a baby & coming to earth as the God-man Savior, is the sole reason for Christmastime and our only hope and joy all year long.
What Christ-centered traditions fill your Christmas festivities?
After Jean Griswold was received into membership at a recent Sunday meeting, she joked about being the oldest new member ever at Crossway. Whether the 82-year-old has actually set that record would require some research, but one thing brooks no debate – Jean has lived a rich, adventurous life. For example, you won’t find many people who have traveled to Africa on mission trips, been a 72-year-old nanny to a 5-year-old or worked for relatives of Jackie Onassis.
However, it was a humbling, tragic life experience that helped bring Jean to the foot of the cross some 60 years ago. When the third of her children, a son, died just days after birth, “that was another reason for me to want to know God in a deep and real way,” she recalls. “I was convicted of my sin, and the blood of Christ was shown to be the only way to cleanse a wicked heart.”
After attending Crossway for about a year, some Canadian missionary friends visited and joined her at a Sunday meeting. “One of them turned me and said, ‘I can see you right here in this church,’” Jean says. “I took that as a nudge from the Lord that I should be a member. It’s a happy thing for me to join in a public way with all the brothers and sisters I’ve known and loved.” To Jean, the Crossway family takes on added significance considering that most of her earthly family lives outside the area.
Jean lives at Brethren Village, from where Tom and Lara Eckman bring her to Crossway most Sundays. “I don’t know of any 82-year-old who is more on fire for the Lord than Jean,” says Tom. “She has a great love of the Word and she’s a missionary wherever she goes.” It is true; Jean loves the Savior and to be around her is to be drawn closer to God. We love you, Jean!
this blog features reflections and resources from the pastors of Crossway Church to encourage application of the gospel as we celebrate our life in Christ together. Each Friday one of the pastor’s wives contributes a post specifically for the women of Crossway Church.
For years we have recommended the parenting book and the video series by Ted Tripp Shepherding a Child’s Heart as a parent’s best resource for raising their children in a Christian home. Tripp’s ability to bring deep biblical principals to the task of parenting by concentrating on what is going on inside a child rather than just their outward behavior goes to the heart of the parent’s responsibility. For my parenting, this proved to be the single most helpful resource I ever discovered.
