April 2009
3 posts
The Narcissistic God? Part 5 / 5
#5 Who is narcissistic?
A final test.
What does a scientist, a historian, a plumber, a businessman, a teacher, an educating mom, an accountant, an economist, an attorney, or a custodian in a hospital have to do with fulfilling the great commands of God?
Everything.
The scientist as a scientist AND as a disciplemaker - neither one seen as in contrast or as a struggle to the other - is the...
The Narcissistic God? Part 4 / 5
#4 Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice
Is There Such a Thing As a Higher Calling?
Some would say send out the police, the firemen, the bloodhounds to find the lost. Some would consider that as the priority - or the “higher calling” priority. WRONG! Whatever separate and vital action is lifted up as a “higher priority” is a denial of the Great Commands.
The priority is to “obey”...
The Narcissistic God? Part 3 / 5
#3 Seeing God in All the Right Places
If you hold that there is an infinite personal God, he serves as the marker to which all can look and find their place in human existence. Are you lost, have you found your way home? Are you at home?
So as Christians when we lift up the glory of God we are providing an ever increasingly prominent tower, as it were, a directional marker for the culture...
March 2009
7 posts
The Law of Obedience - Theologically-informed...
From a Parenting Seminar Lynn conducted in 2004
#5 The Law of Obedience to Parents
Children obey your parents, this pleases the Lord. However, it is a law of obedience that cannot be kept perfectly. This very point helps a child to understand their inability to fully obey the law.
This law of obedience to parents is God’s tool of pedagogy – his teaching tool for children.
While there are...
The Chattering Messes:
Ever talking never …
What is the contrast to incessant talking?
Occasional thinking? It seems more like they are partners.
Shutting up? Someone said it is better to be quiet and thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt. But quiet fools are still just that.
Have you ever met a person who seemed to be a deep well of substance but once you peered in, there was no water? And...
1 tag
The Lost Art of Theologically-Informed Parenting
Lynn Hatcher McGary - Master Teacher
#4 The Lost Art of Theologically-Informed Parenting
From a Parenting Seminar Lynn presented in 2004
PART 1:
Today I will give two stories from the childhood life of our son, John, to illustrate how to parent according to theological understanding of behaviors in children.
Parenting with biblical understanding has become a lost art. This is clear from the...
February 2009
9 posts
The Narcissistic God? Part 2/5
#2 THE WATER TOWER
Imagine you are about 7 years of age. You have just moved to a quaint traditional town. The streets are laid out in a standard North-South and East-West grid. All the streets in the residential section have trees growing between the street and side walk and look very much the same.
Now imagine that for some strange reason there are no street signs, taken down for repainting,...
The Narcissistic God? Part 1 / 5
#1: THE QUESTION
One of my fellows asked me a startling question about 3 years ago.
How is it that God isn’t somewhat narcissistic?
What do you mean?
Well God asks, really expects, everything we do to be done to His glory. It seems like God saying, “Its all about ME!”
So how would you answer this question?
This question came about as a result of me encouraging the fellow to read through...
The Secret of Jewish Boys
In Honor of Lynn Hatcher McGary - Master Teacher
September 1949 to January 2009.
Mother of five children who are faithful in service to Christ.
#3 The Secret of Jewish Boys is taken from a parenting seminar conducted by Lynn in 2004 and the general approach used in our family.
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A secret is generally a fact that is purposefully hidden from...
The Evil Among Us
What consitutes the greatest sin among Christians?
Daniel Block, an evangelical scholar, a few years ago wrote what is widely considered the leading commentary on the book of Judges. He identifies the greatest sin of Israel as “Canaanization” - or the acts of Israel that were assimilated from the surrounding Canaanite culture and form of religion.
Christianity in America: Is it not...
Who is God?
What words would you use to describe the God of the Bible?
In early 2003, I attended a presentation Josh McDowell made to about 1,000 pastors and leaders of student ministries. As Campus Crusade for Christ evangelist for many years, Josh has likely spoken to more youth and college students the world over than anyone else alive today.
He made an alarming statement about youth who attend the big...
Scientific Theories and Christianity
The Question: What is the role of scientific theories to Christianity?
Answer: You tell me.
Here is MY thought: (Help me understand if I need redirecting.)
When was the last time someone tried to take developing scientific theory and read it back into Christianity? Seems to happen everyday that a new book comes out to address these kind of approaches. And as about as often someone has to...
January 2009
4 posts
The Thread of Endearment and Severe Mercy
Edith Schaeffer spoke of life as a God-woven tapestry.
An intricate tapestry often has patterns that do not appear obvious from a small swatch. Only upon seeing a larger portion of the tapestry do we realize the weaver was slowly but determinedly bringing small touches at short intervals that make them all the more significant for their rare but brilliant appearances.
One such part of the...
Art Forms in Churches
This is an interactive blog, so play a (mind) game with me for this one.
This only takes a moment.
QUICK! Name the art forms given in scripture for churches to use.
(30 seconds and STOP)
NEXT:
Move One: Take out your driver’s license and give it to me.
Move Two: I am now holding your driver’s license so you can see the front of it. I am pointing to the image on the...
Question 2
Across from me sat a rather quiet man who spoke softly but had searching eyes - almost piercing looks. A university professor, the chief operating officer of a leading company, me, and this quiet guy were sitting at a table talking. The quiet guy was not too talkative, obviously. Not much was said that would give hints about him in much of a personal way.
So I asked him Question #1: What do you...
Two Questions to lead to some of life's grandest...
Some of the grandest adventures in life are embarked upon by asking two simple questions to many of those you meet. These two questions will immediately lead you into amazing discoveries and authentic discussion.
Are you tired of discussing the hottest band’s music, the latest tech toy, whether or not a friend is with so-and-so? Well I am. It is one thing to chat about anything on occasion...