tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39076172318510075052011-04-21T14:14:47.759-05:00—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comBlogger741100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-90003639697894313782009-06-02T05:54:00.002-05:002009-06-02T05:59:28.746-05:00

Our constitution used to allow the worst kind of slavery, where people were considered simply property (with all the attendant depravity and cruelty--torture and even murder was legal). The Missouri Compromise said new states admitted to the Union north of Missouri had to be free states. Only those parts of the Western Territories south of MO (which was a slave state) could allow slavery. But

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-27426559923886995032008-10-03T13:21:00.004-05:002008-10-03T13:32:04.319-05:00

I was struck by a couple of lines in the blog update for Stephanie Vest recently (http://stephanievest.com/ ). “Please pray loudly, boldly, on your knees, with cries, tears, whatever it takes… we need Stephanie’s lungs to heal. It is OK to ask God for the same miracle multiple times - in a day, in an hour, and even in a minute! So keep the prayers comin!” [They now need her heart to heal further

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-56040752728050202982008-08-30T18:13:00.003-05:002008-08-30T18:34:21.392-05:00

Want to avoid confusing contradictions in scripture? Make sure you read each part of the Bible, keeping in mind the whole.The background starts in the beginning. Genesis 1-11 covers 2000 years in 11 chapters. Genesis 12-50 covers only 400 years in 39 chapters. Beginning in Gen 2, Adam and Eve were in innocence in the Garden of Eden. That age of innocence ended in failure with the fall into

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-102057080480302992008-08-01T21:56:00.005-05:002008-08-27T19:56:07.310-05:00

A soldier's every move is predicated upon hours of forethought and planning. After the commander-in-chief approves the order of battle, a soldier will find his personal orders specifying the scheme of maneuver and field of fire. Each battalion is told what to do, what materiel to use, and how to set up supply lines to replace its munitions.There's only one problem: no plan survives contact with

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-50824580627817163122008-07-05T13:54:00.005-05:002008-08-27T19:56:02.933-05:00

We move from evangelical overreach by the political "right" to evangelical underreach by the "theologically right." One of our Shepherd School students who is also an international student studying at a university in Kansas City asked me a question recently.“I cannot find a good explanation about 2 Samuel 24:13 and 1 Chronicles 21:12. First one says seven years of famine, and second one says

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-75114698399079855882008-07-04T12:04:00.007-05:002008-08-27T19:56:04.590-05:00

I usually don’t comment on politics, but this is July 4th and on some occasions politics and religion do collide to provide fireworks. Such was the case last week when James Dobson watched a two year-old speech by one of the Presidential candidates and decided to take umbrage at it.Most people are familiar with the Democratic Party’s (and their nominee’s) position on the Supreme Court’s decision

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-77453430698967579942008-06-21T09:59:00.004-05:002008-08-27T19:56:05.319-05:00

Thursday and Friday(Our trip Blog was written by Jackie Dorsey)We said goodbye to our host Dr. Simmons Thursday morning as he returned to Kansas City. That left us somewhat on our own to get around town from the hotel to the worksite and to the university for meals. Thankfully Jody had her Blackberry with her so, you guessed it, the Blackberry started talking to Alan, and got us everywhere we

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-19236188419567466332008-06-21T09:45:00.004-05:002008-08-27T19:56:08.227-05:00

WednesdayToday we visited the home of Herbert Gettridge who will turn 85 years old on August 31st. This spry man and his bride of 68 years greeted us warmly in their restored home. Mr. Gettridge, a natural story-teller told us of his Katrina experience AND his experience of Hurricane Betsey in 1965 in the same home. This was the house he built for himself and his wife from 1949 to 1952.During

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-67286774360951585552008-06-21T09:03:00.005-05:002008-06-21T09:40:12.757-05:00

TuesdayThis morning we had our first of several meals at Xavier University and then our first real chance to see the damage of Hurricane Katrina. We drove through the 9th Ward area hardest hit by the flood waters and saw abandoned house after abandoned house. Our hosts, Dr. Simmons, Reggie Jackson (from Omaha) and Cornelius Dumas (a local resident and officer in the Louisiana Laymen's Movement)

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-41270941265709544292008-06-21T08:43:00.006-05:002008-08-27T19:56:06.003-05:00

Monday(Our trip Blog was witten by Jackie Dorsey)After eating at New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood we started our week with flavor!We headed to Zion Traveler’s Missionary Baptist Church for a three-night revival meeting sponsored by the National Baptist’s Layman’s Movement. Dr. Harold Simmons of Kansas City is the President of the Movement and the key speaker. He kicked off the series by asking “

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-7628660998555211752008-06-21T08:20:00.003-05:002008-08-27T19:56:09.099-05:00

The mission to help New Orleans reconstruction stretched our faith, showed us new ways to utilize our gifts, and gave us a fresh perspective of our country by moving us out of our community comfort zone. The trip was a work week with evening revival meetings, and some time for sightseeing.During the trip we• Met pastors and believers in and around hard-hit areas and discovered the joys and

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-55015705185006105762008-05-19T20:49:00.003-05:002008-05-19T20:56:56.376-05:00

Last Sunday we took Joshua 14 and broke-out five principles on how to possess your possessions in Christ. Too many Christians are not owning what belongs to them as a result of the cross.Possession of the promises is according to faith—but we ran into a problem. I did not have time to give you the three things that prevent our possession. Get ready.Three Problems Preventing Your Possession of All

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-74078936982283101262008-05-08T22:16:00.006-05:002008-08-27T19:56:03.899-05:00

Years ago before he died, J. Vernon McGee was doing his program (Through the Bible), and suggested all of his listeners should celebrate communion with him over the radio. He told them that even if all they had was a McDonald’s hamburger and a Coke they could participate. I think that takes the idea of the “universal church” to an extreme.God gave two ordinances to regulate and order local

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-57684342866498870482008-05-05T20:29:00.007-05:002008-08-27T19:56:09.804-05:00

The New York Times says the best show on TV is Dexter. Typical. All the best shows (in the world's eyes) box God out. Dexter is a Showtime series based on the Fraud of Freud. The premise (of the first season) is that two little boys witness the chainsaw death of their mother, and then are left in two inches of blood in a cargo container for two days. The first policeman on the scene adopts the

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-43723766423438911252008-04-15T10:57:00.006-05:002008-08-27T19:56:14.334-05:00

Having trouble keeping up with British pop culture? Check this!I just thought the concept was kind of cool. The Kooks' second song later in the film is better than the first. In each episode of “The Black Cab Sessions,” a different indie artist gets one car ride and one unedited take to perform a song. The cab becomes a mobile stage for acoustic Dylan-esque performances. Spoon’s Britt Daniel

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-24076351732263711752008-04-12T18:40:00.003-05:002008-08-27T19:56:10.493-05:00

People have sent me links to Oprah’s next big thing. She is pushing a book (and turning it into an online course) by Eckhart Tolle. In the mold of the typical Christ-during-the-Millennium counterfeit, he calls it A New Earth. It’s sort of a spiritual-but-not-Christian Purpose Driven Life.The hook is on the sixth page: This book can only awaken those who are ready. You may not be ready. So if you

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-487781536615283612008-03-29T22:22:00.003-05:002008-08-27T19:56:11.902-05:00

I was listening to something by John Piper the other day and it got me thinking (thanks, Rob, for the URL hookup). So much the more so because it dovetails with the History & Heritage of the Bible course I teach (AKA Manuscript Evidence). So here are myTOP 10 REASONS WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE ISWhy do we take the stand we do on the King James Bible? Why is it so important to know I have

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-30852511079766655552008-03-26T21:09:00.005-05:002008-08-27T19:56:12.622-05:00

It used to be that the movement called "the emerging church" was so new, so changeable, and so variegated that it was hard to define. I would agree with Mark Driscoll that it has now gelled into three major camps. These "Three R's" provide a rubric we can use to define this phenomenon in contemporary theology.1. The RelevantsThese are pastors and churches that are evangelical but innovative. They

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-80439805053150407172008-03-23T19:03:00.008-05:002008-08-27T19:56:11.188-05:00

My core study and teaching Bible is an Oxford wide margin. This is the one with Brevier Clarendon type that has chapter summaries. There is another version of the King James wide margin Bible by Oxford University Press that does not have a summary at the beginning of each chapter (it is a Brevier Blackface typestyle with a kind of quirky thing in that all the chapters are numbered). The type of

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-89544595772398854872008-03-21T23:52:00.008-05:002008-03-22T01:28:31.761-05:00

Two things characterize Baptist philosophy. We would just be normal evangelicals if it were not for these. Ever since Roger Williams and John Clark founded Rhode Island, Baptists have existed (in America) as a separate sect from Protestants because they stood for liberty of conscience and separation of church and state.SIDEBAR: Rhode Island was also founded by a woman, who was the unauthorized

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-89028158198895401332008-03-11T20:05:00.002-05:002008-03-11T20:08:32.825-05:00

He knows what we need: http://awaken2008.com/blog/?p=33What somebody else says we need :-)http://www.greg-and-sue.com/2008/03/07/straight-preaching-on-bible-translations/

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-11462908987368627032008-03-03T23:37:00.002-06:002008-08-27T19:56:15.077-05:00

The current candidate flap has it that one of the frontrunners received an endorsement from a fundamentalist: John Hagee. This evangelical San Antonio pastor (of a church of 19,000 members) has a TV show (seen and heard weekly in 99 million homes), places an emphasis on prophecy and support of Israel, and has allegedly referred to the Catholic Church as a “false cult system.” (I don't know why I

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-20112632066006483172008-03-01T21:49:00.002-06:002008-08-27T19:56:17.263-05:00

If you could read my mind loveWhat a tale my thoughts could tellJust like an old time movieAbout a ghost from a wishing wellIn a castle dark or a fortress strongWith chains upon my feetYou know that ghost is meAnd I will never be set freeAs long as I’m a ghost that you can’t see—Gordon Lightfoot, 1969There are unseen prisoners in our community. It is the children of dysfunctional families. Like

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-24572892493825747612008-02-23T18:48:00.005-06:002008-08-27T19:56:17.968-05:00

Is there a gap between Gen 1:1 and verse 2? Charles Taylor with Ken Ham’s AnswersinGenesis organization says no (see http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v18/i2/replenish.asp).Let’s consider some common objections to the gap fact.Objection 1. Romans 5:12 that tells us that it was through Adam that sin entered into the world. God made the world perfect and He called it good. If there was death

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-25921249888840754642008-02-15T22:04:00.003-06:002008-08-27T19:56:13.298-05:00

I. AMNON DESIRES TAMAR, 1-10A. Evil Suggestion, 1-51. Record of mental abuse, 1-22. Record of psychological abuse, 3-5B. Ungodly Subtlety, 6-10II. AMNON DEFILES TAMAR, 11-19A. Record of Sexual Abuse, 11-14B. Reaction of a Sinful Attitude, 15-191. Record of verbal abuse, 15-172. Record of emotional abuse, 18-19III. ABSALOM COUNSELS TAMAR, 20I come to class well prepared, but most Sundays the Holy

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-90323860930289984092008-02-06T20:37:00.000-06:002008-08-27T19:56:18.676-05:00

My position as President of the school board for a charter school in urban KC gives me a window on the world of at-riskedness.AN EXPERIENTIAL EXEGESIS OF AT-RISKEDNESS1. We are a nation with children (35 percent of our population is under 25)2. Too many of our children are growing up without a father in the home (the 2000 census says 31 percent)3. Kids raising kids, and kids who raise themselves

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-38334281990424135962008-02-03T14:25:00.000-06:002008-08-27T19:56:16.506-05:00

A friend I know is an officer with the KCMO PD, and he does double duty as a Major in the armed forces. He is part of a civilian affairs unit and recently redeployed. Just to keep it real, here is what goes on when a serviceman or woman of that rank leaves to do their duty for usFlying in Opposite DirectionsThis past week, I was able to spend 3 days with Chris at Ft. Bragg. I just flew home today

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-39819369575257749902008-01-05T15:30:00.000-06:002008-08-27T19:56:15.794-05:00

A friend was browsing the aisles of a shoe store when they stumbled upon an overweight person fussing with a shoe they were trying on. Her low-rider pants failed to fully conceal her derrière. Obviously the "lady" did not care who saw the "big" event (including a boy 8 or 9 years old, who quickly fled the scene of the crime).Which brings me to the forty-something neighbor that still lives in his

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-55182914990145924392007-12-24T19:46:00.000-06:002008-08-27T21:11:12.674-05:00

A paradigm is an example, a model, a pattern. In our series on parenting it is the standard image and vision of what biblical parenting should be. God is a perfected trinity. As with all things based on God's image and truth, perfected parenting is likewise a trinity.THE TRINITY OF PARENTING1. Guardian2. Guide3. GovernorHow'd you miss that, all these years? The foundation of parenting is an

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-38402190282670730452007-12-05T16:35:00.000-06:002007-12-05T16:52:37.145-06:00

Two children were overheard discussing their parents, and the first little boy said to the second, I am really worried. My daddy works like a slave all day long so I can have everything I need, enjoy the finer things of life, and one day go to college. My momma works all day long, and then comes home and has to clean up after me, wash for me, iron for me, cook for me, help me with my homework,

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-53229772168631004972007-11-29T23:37:00.000-06:002007-11-29T23:44:52.864-06:00

Can you even understand the level to which the apostle is calling Christians when this word is set against the lifestyle of the Ephesians? He is not dumbing-down to their age, not simply giving a modified standard of right and wrong. In the same verse, without a break, he puts a prohibition and a command. Why? Because there is a comparison and a contrast.ComparisonThey drink, but we are filled to

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-22163638716688543232007-11-27T18:43:00.000-06:002007-11-27T21:27:54.181-06:00

Here is the skeleton outline. To get the complete context and impact you'll have to check out the audio link to the left.Thesis: In spite of all the change and turmoil that families go through, if Bible principles govern your roles and responsibilities then a dynamic household can be built out of desperate hours.TODAY’S MAJOR POINTSPoint 1. God cares about every Christian perfecting his or her

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-15105611947945269802007-11-24T14:44:00.000-06:002007-11-24T14:54:54.198-06:00

At the end of his first letter to the Corinthians Paul takes the stylus from the hand of his stenographer and starts writing himself. What does he say?1 Cor 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.Paul combines in one sentence the conviction of his heart about the people who reject his Jesus Christ. If anyone love not the Lord. That is the word for simple

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-29053627065513860732007-11-19T16:33:00.000-06:002008-08-27T21:11:21.658-05:00

I can't get everything in on Sundays, so we are going to use this for overflow. Last week started our new series on biblical principles of parenting, so let me set it off with a synopsis of Sunday's teaching. Our first topic for teaching is "A Biblical Philosophy of Parenting."The homiletical idea here is that no one is naturally pre-wired to be a biblical parent, but fortunately parenting is a

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-79361912084547952232007-11-12T23:35:00.000-06:002007-11-12T23:44:32.725-06:00

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Do you really love God? Use this text as the test. All of us sometimes fall into sin by surprise, but if we consistently deliberately go to it—if we go into it without hating it—how does the love of God dwell in us?Some people never purify themselves even

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-40657900555840170242007-10-31T23:44:00.000-05:002008-08-27T20:41:09.061-05:00

One thought has recently surfaced in discussions on the pastoral staff: we have lost the mystical. No one meditates. We keep our daily fifteen-minute devotion and walk out the door without God.Not only do we not meditate; we do not read good books. Our mind is drugged by TV drama but not pushed and challenged by godly authors. No wonder the epidemic of Alzheimer's. Here's a sure cure.In the 1650s

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-3173738107309313482007-10-27T17:06:00.000-05:002008-08-27T20:41:33.662-05:00

1 Cor 13:7 Charity… believeth all things,Love is not gullible. When Jesus was kissed by Judas, he didn't say, "Oh you sweet boy. I'm so glad you changed your mind about betraying me."No. Love still recognizes the kiss of a traitor, but love is willing to believe anything until it knows it is wrong. This means if someone wants another chance, love can grant it within Biblical parameters and

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-35997211691837552852007-10-20T19:20:00.000-05:002008-08-27T20:41:07.407-05:00

2 Cor. 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; Heroes. Have you seen the show? It's an exposition of different elements of the glorified body. Each character has a different part (like the ability to heal, to fly), but the body we get after the rapture (or the resurrection) has

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-77122151767946042422007-10-17T19:24:00.000-05:002007-10-17T19:50:05.171-05:00

What were the greatest events in history? Just the ones recorded in the Bible? How is it that there are so many people and events listed as "great," and yet biblical events are mostly relegated to unimportance, and even considered unhistorical?It must be remembered that from a practical perspective, we always view history as a series of events that leads up to US. That is why "Western Civ" is so

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-12997205750589973772007-10-05T19:19:00.000-05:002007-10-06T15:25:24.512-05:00

Psa. 104:16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; Without sap a tree cannot exist, much less flourish. Vitality is essential to life. There has to be revival—a living principle infused by the Holy Spirit, or else we will not be one of the trees of the LORD. Just wearing the name “Christian” still makes you dead. You have to be filled with the Spirit

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-23246779900865389392007-10-04T21:35:00.000-05:002008-08-27T19:56:21.941-05:00

The emerging church movement, such as it is, defies classification. There are pastors like Erwin McManus of Mosaic, who are "emerging" because he started a church in LA in several venues, most notably a nightclub called The Mayan http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14501673However, he is simply a Southern Baptist sheep in wolf's clothing.Then there is the man that CT magazine

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-43955328617983305982007-09-28T22:26:00.000-05:002008-08-27T21:11:46.758-05:00

There is an idea floating around my head of throwing a "10-minute party" each Sunday after I teach. The party would be by invitation only. Those invited would be people interested in or believing they have a call of God upon their life to preach.For ten minutes after each study they would dissect what I just did. What was the homiletical idea? How did I start the introduction? At what point did I

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-85347303544012113932007-09-22T15:38:00.000-05:002008-08-27T19:04:04.287-05:00

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."—George Santayana, Reason in Common Sense, 1905People talk about being "postmodern," but really we live in an a-historical age. Our people are prisoners of the past because they never learn it, and hence learn from it. That is why to the Greeks history appeared to be circular, and to Hegel it looked like a repeating scenario of

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-39570641445553425832007-09-18T22:59:00.000-05:002007-10-17T12:37:53.831-05:00

How deep is your loveI really need to learn'Cause were living in a world of foolsBreaking us downWhen they all should let us beWe belong to you and me—The Bee Gees, 1977What Are We Here For?I write this for my own enjoyment. I am embarrassed by the people who say they read my blog.This entry will not appeal to you. We live in a day of seeker-sensitive, need-meeting oriented churches and services.

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-84968192817203810182007-08-24T19:23:00.000-05:002007-10-17T12:40:43.895-05:00

The inevitable defeat against overwhelming odds eventually comes upon every Christian. It is not fatal and not final, even as complete as it is. Yet Christians have become notorious for "shooting their wounded." Much like the contrast between Carthage and Rome.Think 220 BC. This is the time mid-way between the Old and New Testaments. Carthage controls the Mediterranean coast from its capital in

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-27622144708837657372007-08-19T23:34:00.000-05:002008-08-27T20:40:41.037-05:00

"We live in Bug Landia—get used to it."--Sue Kedrovsky to her kidsI spent all of last week in Costa Rica on a missions trip. It is the first strictly "work trip" I have made in quite a while. They worked us to death, but it was good to see what God is doing with La Iglesia del Este (Eastside Church) in San Jose.The trip blog is here.http://www.kcbt.org/207/costarica0807.htmSome pictures from the

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-59654237870485718782007-08-03T11:40:00.001-05:002007-08-03T11:53:54.964-05:00

On July 27, the AP reported that an IT computer analyst in Milan, Italy has uncovered a new code in Leonardo Da Vinci's painting of The Last Supper. The web sites that posted the picture went down (and are still down today) because of all the madness.Here's what he did. Pesci took a picture of the mural, reversed it (making a mirror-image), and then superimposed it back on the original picture.

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-46105477541750118902007-07-28T23:13:00.000-05:002007-10-17T12:45:27.427-05:00

Got all the heartaches I can useFrom all the long nights I've been throughI'm only crying little tearsNot quite as big as they might appear—Joy Lynne WhiteA storm was stirring in Jesus. "He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled." The center column reports that "he troubled himself." Before he would raise the dead he roused himself. Why? Because he now stood toe to toe with that last enemy,

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-2588341564251544482007-07-23T19:57:00.000-05:002007-07-23T20:02:50.804-05:00

The look is medicinal but the feeling is industrial. It's through the door at the end of the hall. Just past the on-site pharmacy that mixes the chemo concoctions right here.Enter and you are in the center of the room. Too huge. Like a warehouse floor or something. To the right nurses and attendants are behind a counter. They look up with one accord to see who walked in. Great. In front of you

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-85564570056085901832007-07-07T18:55:00.000-05:002008-08-27T19:04:03.468-05:00

What a Psalm; what a series. Faith waits ON God (vv 1-4) that waits FOR God (vv 5-8). As long as I know he is coming for me, I can wait on him. Saul waited on God (willing to serve him), but did not wait for God (when Samuel tarried his coming), and so Saul lost the kingdom (1 Sam 13:8-14). He waited on circumstances—by serving people and things—instead of waiting for the Lord. Isn't that amazing

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-53440533267337814602007-07-01T07:38:00.000-05:002007-07-01T07:42:55.885-05:00

The Songs of Degrees (Psalms 120-134) are organized in triads. There are five groups of three. The trinity goes: (1) trouble, (2) trust, (3) triumph. God allows trouble so we trust him, and we move through trust to triumph. So when you look at Psalm 128 you see the closing song of the third series.It pictures what heaven is like. Wait. You better blow the dust off your Bible and read it, because

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-61527748625365645312007-06-24T12:07:00.000-05:002007-06-24T12:29:42.919-05:00

Before you cross the threshold to start any task, do you seek God's blessing? Oh, I see. You thought you were your own source of blessing. Don't act so ditty, like you can do even one thing independent of God. I know how you wrestle with the nightmare of care. Look up higher, and take God along with you.Okay, here's an exercise. Read the first line of each of the Songs of Degrees, beginning with

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-76264129360763476102007-06-17T19:26:00.000-05:002007-06-17T19:30:28.017-05:00

Sometimes getting through a trial is like Easter Sunday resurrection. But sometimes it is like return from Babylon.Israel came back from captivity, but it was only to step into a vulnerable, desolate and dangerous, tentative no-nation status. They suffered from the Samaritans, the Ammonites and the Arabs (Neh 2:19; 4:4 cf. Ezra 4).According to missiologists, more Christians were martyred in the

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-90715583318508352182007-06-10T17:44:00.000-05:002008-08-27T20:40:52.960-05:00

THE PSALMWhat's in a number? In this case, Psalm 122 contains a profession of the King's love for his people in community.That's a profound passion, so don't miss it. Let me give you three C's of Christianity: community, commission, and compassion. Okay, since you're not into postmodern-speak, let me throw down some Old School terms next to them: church (community), cross (commission), and Christ

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-22061563289957288212007-06-08T17:02:00.000-05:002007-10-17T12:41:45.579-05:00

There is one of the candidates on one of the debates who is getting a smattering of support from some Evangelical (mainly Fundamentalist) Christians. He is a dark horse in one of the major political parties. And it doesn't really matter which one, because debate season reminds me why I keep a safe distance from politicians.In a speech on the floor of the House he had some things to say about the

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-72829212444902687732007-06-01T18:17:00.000-05:002008-08-27T19:04:02.689-05:00

It's the beginning of summer. Things are stagnant. A "plateau" as they say. So what do I do? Start a new series on Sundays. Maybe nobody new will come, so can I dump on you? There is a lot I can't say on Sundays, and more I can't put into the separate study sheets. So here is some of the rest; the behind the scenes stuff that provides both inspiration and information to the series.THE PSALMSI

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-54205266367637557202007-05-27T16:42:00.000-05:002007-10-17T12:45:44.808-05:00

Psa 102:1 A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.A selfish person always finds it hard to get un-depressed. Even with medication. That's because all sources of happiness lie entirely in the circle of himself, so when he is sad all his resources run dry. A person who is unselfish has

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-25808420386433441592007-05-19T19:14:00.000-05:002008-08-27T19:04:16.202-05:00

The Amityville murders took place in 1974. A son in the Defeo family killed his parents and four siblings. Thirteen months later a new family moved into the Dutch Colonial house where the deed occurred. Twenty-eight days later they were forced to abandon that home in a suburban neighborhood on the south shore of Long Island, New York, "to an unnatural evil" they felt threatening them. A year

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-44518972210822649742007-05-11T12:54:00.000-05:002008-08-27T21:11:47.619-05:00

Depression is the common malady of contemporary society. Even for Christians.God is not unfair. First-century believers suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous physical persecution (study Foxe's Book of Martyrs). Many bled and died because of their faith, as did believers in Bible times. Read Heb 11:36-40.God is just. So today we suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous psychological

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-52446818147659954452007-04-30T23:55:00.000-05:002007-10-17T12:34:53.845-05:00

Ready to rumble? Got on your thinking cap? Want to be stretched beyond your comfort zone? Actually read verses that are referenced for a change? Use your brain and do some real Bible study?The kingdom, like our salvation, has three tenses. In salvation, on the cross we have been justified, by the Spirit we are being sanctified, and one day we will be glorified. The kingdom is also 3-D.1. The

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-14638137776628325272007-04-15T21:24:00.000-05:002008-08-27T19:04:07.770-05:00

The whole fracas with Imus has focused us once again on perceptions of race in America. Race in the Bible is a simple topic. There are two: the human race in the first Adam (Acts 17:26) and the sons of God in the last Adam, Jesus Christ. Prejudice (pride of "race," face and place) is also a simple topic, but I digress.Remember the Mercator map? Didn't it shock you when someone pointed out that

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-54658025125073949102007-04-12T13:13:00.000-05:002007-10-17T12:47:00.255-05:00

I have been usually unable to convince the confirmed skeptic (like professor Muhrer at Penn Valley and his Eupraxophy Center in KC, or the atheist author Gordon Stein whom I debated at KU). There is a simple reason for that: I can't help someone be more skeptical. I mean, as a believer, the whole goal of God using my life is to create faith in others. That means he is not very interested in me "

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-24610850290633807822007-04-01T22:24:00.000-05:002007-04-01T22:33:54.123-05:00

1. Providence revolves, Phil 4:11-13Inside a wheel, one part never revolves. The axle sets on the axis and it is static. Our experiences are never static; they always change. But the axle of God's purpose and plan is his providence, and that stays centered and never moves. Paul was able to be content because he learned to identify God's providence, and rest right in the center with it. The

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-48768334938994298732007-03-19T19:24:00.000-05:002008-08-27T19:04:08.592-05:00

Don't get it twisted.There are 100,000 fragments (many as small as your fingernail), so few are complete. It took them fifty years to reassemble and publish (and that did not come without pressure on the scholars assigned the pieces) so conspiracy theories abound. Unwrap it all and you come up with 236 scrolls of the Bible (every Old Testament book except Esther) and 565 other scrolls, all

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-7234252091487734432007-03-07T01:18:00.000-06:002008-08-27T19:04:06.913-05:00

John, Paul, George and Richard. Four common names. Find them in a mausoleum in Liverpool and you might think nothing of it. But what if you found the names, John, Paul, George, and RINGO? Now you'd think that the Beatles really did die on the Sgt. Pepper album, and maybe you had discovered their secret resting place.I like Simcha. I have seen a few episodes of his "Naked Archaeologist" show on

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-62973662789413254702007-03-04T17:09:00.000-06:002008-08-27T19:04:13.165-05:00

It's just another manic Monday (oh-woe)I wish it was Sunday (oh-woe)'Cause that's my Funday (oh-woe)My "I don't have to run day" (oh)It's just another manic Monday—The BanglesAvailable on the compilation CD,"Sedated in the 80s" Vol. 6. No, really. Okay, since you don't believe me, look it up.http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000063T43/ultimate80ssongsAnd while you're at it, don't miss Sigue

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-2415498536485403972007-02-27T16:46:00.000-06:002008-08-27T19:04:05.131-05:00

I am board president for a Charter school in urban Kansas City. My friend Stan Archie just got confirmed by the senate after being appointed by the Governor to the state school board.We readily recognize the saying that it takes a village to raise a child, but in reality it takes a church. In a human sense it takes a healthy clan to have healthy children; in our community it takes healthy

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-769107060688156512007-02-24T19:12:00.000-06:002008-08-27T19:04:09.366-05:00

. . . with a burning love inside" (The Spinners, Love Trippin', #2 March, 1980).I come from a very King James Bible background. You know, if it was good enough for Paul . . . So now that I am grown up and educated, I have a confession to make. I almost did it. I almost traded in my Oxford wide margin for one of the modern versions.Hey, I'm working my way back to you, babeAnd the happiness that

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-37913827899806673632007-02-17T20:47:00.000-06:002008-08-27T19:04:06.034-05:00

At least the Bereans had an aristocracy attitude about themselves and their ability to interpret the Bible.This is something I agree with N.T. Wright about, because I have seen it so often in academic settings. "One hears it said frequently that all reading of scripture is a matter of interpretation, with the implication that one person's interpretation is as good as another's. This is of course

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-63340262749735397302007-02-06T00:25:00.000-06:002007-02-06T00:36:26.047-06:00

The discipleship conference in Philadelphia was outstanding. Rev. Lusk is a second-generation preacher as well as a former NFL player. He made the commitment that he would only play five years and then quit pro football to train for the ministry. He kept his promise. He took a broken-down urban church with 17 members and a lot of debt, and in 25 years (this is his anniversary) turned it into an

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-11117512694464089492007-01-27T18:06:00.000-06:002008-08-27T19:04:13.878-05:00

On the edge of oblivionAll the world is BabylonAnd all the love and everyoneA ship of fools sailing on—Wang Chung, 1986They were a New Wave group. As usual, Christianity is twenty years behind philosophy, the arts and popular culture, because we need a "new wave" now.How do I know? We fail at praxis.Praxis is the act of translating an idea into action. It is theory put into practice. It is the

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-72071699966825810542007-01-26T16:06:00.000-06:002008-08-27T19:04:11.351-05:00

My junior year of high school Ron Howard starred in the movie Eat My Dust. It was definitely a B movie (meaning they did not bring their A game). It didn't go straight to video, but became drive-in fodder for the masses. Its only redeeming value was one of the wildest car chases ever filmed. You can probably still find a copy in Betamax.Rob Bell is the king of the wild evangelical ride. His Nooma

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-5950518644658600212007-01-20T21:49:00.000-06:002008-08-27T19:04:10.414-05:00

My parents listened to shellac 78s. They were "records" that turned at 78-rpm and were played by a needle runing through the groove. That was old school.The incarnation of Elvis coincided with the advent of records made out of vinyl (not brittle shellac) spinning at 33-rpm for LP (long play, five songs and 30 minutes to a side) and 45-rpm for "singles." It was way kewl how the "changer" would

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3907617231851007505.post-34889407134531649952007-01-19T19:58:00.000-06:002008-08-27T19:04:12.441-05:00

If you enjoy pens check out the new Pentel EnerGel. It's a smooth, vibrant, quick-drying ("great for lefties") liquid gel pen that actually writes clear without muddying things up.Get it in violet ink. It's beautiful. Why? Because Spurgeon used a characteristic purple ink to emend and correct his sermons for publication. And C.H. Spurgeon was the most magnificent and majestic preacher since the

—Alanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07183876167357221493noreply@blogger.com0