Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

Tidbits

choice bits of information

The bond of an idol

"If we do not bond with God through the gospel, then we will bond to something else - something that promises to do for us what only the gospel can do. We hold to idols so tightly, and return to them so readily, because they appear to do the same thing for us that the gospel does. They become part of us in the same way that our heavenly Father should be part of us. Thus, when called to give up an idol, it feels as if we amputate a limb." - Gospel Transformation, pg. 63

We can do something

"There are two dangers we face when we watch the news. The first is that we feel ourselves responsible to do something about all that we now know. We take on the role of saviour and try to sort out the world. And because we cannot do everything we end feeling guilty. We need to trust God. He is the saviour and he is Lord. We can entrust the world to him through prayer.

But the second danger is passivity and modern media increasingly push us in this direction. We sit there being entertained, watching the news as if it were a disaster movie or crime show. Or maybe we tweet our sympathies and then go back to the problem of which ice cream flavour to chose. We cannot do everything, but we can do something."

- Tim Chester

Least helpful

 "'Is it sinful?' is one of the least helpful questions when it comes to your sanctification.  You don't want to default to the lowest common denominator.  How can I spend my time to bless the most people, honor God and maximize my joy in God?  That is a far better question." - Mark Driscoll

What makes you 'Missional'?

"...what makes a small group 'missional'? A 'missional' small group is not necessarily one which is doing some kind of specific 'evangelism' program (though that is to be recommended). Rather,

1) if its members love and talk positively about the city/neighborhood,
2) if they speak in language that is not filled with pious tribal or technical terms and phrases, nor disdainful and embattled language,
3) if in their Bible study they apply the gospel to the core concerns and stories of the people of the culture,
4) if they are obviously interested in and engaged with the literature and art and thought of the surrounding culture and can discuss it both appreciatively and yet critically,
5) if they exhibit deep concern for the poor and generosity with their money and purity and respect with regard to the opposite sex, and show humility toward people of other races and cultures,
6) they do not bash other Christians and churches --

then seekers and non-believing people from the city:

A) will be invited and
B) will come and will stay as they explore spiritual issues.

If these marks are not there it will only be able to include believers or traditional, 'Christianized' people."

-- Tim Keller, The Missional Church, June 2001

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