I'm sorry. It's just that I've never seen people celebrate mediocrity the way you do.

We continue with our series based on The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, by Mark Atteberry. The following are some notes from the Sunday school lesson (taught by Cody Dixon) at Providence Church.

DUMB MOVE #8: Settling for Mediocrity

“When we hear the word excellence, we think of God, the Bible, and all sorts of secular businesses, celebrities, and sports teams, but, apparently, we don’t think of the church.”

Sadly, when it comes to church, people often feel at liberty to slack off and not give their best, to not strive for excellence.

3 Reasons Excellence Matters:

1. God loves excellence.

God is consumed with His glory and does everything to the end of His glory, creation, salvation, governing providence, etc. Nothing is done half-baked.

2. The Bible commands excellence. (cf. Col 3:23-24; 1 Cor 10:31)

3. People respond to excellence.

“Everyone talks about how expensive Disney is, but people just keep paying the money no matter how high the prices get because they know they’re getting the best.”

“… we’ll probably get one chance to make a good impression.”

What does excellence require?

“Excellence is intentional. It happens when people make a conscious choice to meet its requirements.”

1. Excellence requires courage.

… to challenge the status quo.

2. Excellence requires giftedness.

“One of the greatest obstacles to excellence in the church is the mismanagement of God’s gifts.”

• Some people are ignorant of their gifts.
• Some people know their gifts but refuse to serve in those areas.
• Some people know their gifts are lacking but insist on serving in those areas anyway.

“No one ever wants to admit that he’s not the right person for the job, but sometimes it’s the truth. Excellence requires that we serve in areas where we can do the most good … and the least harm.”

3. Excellence requires money.

• Fact #1: Quality costs more, but generally pays for itself in the long run.
• Fact #2: Quality equipment and resources will be a blessing to your servants.
• Fact #3: High quality always makes a great first impression.
• Fact #4: A commitment to quality says something about your love for the Lord.

4. Excellence requires thorough planning and preparation.

“The bottom line is that a lack of preparation and planning in the Lord’s work is the straightest road to mediocrity.”

5. Excellence requires perseverance.

Excellence is not easily achieved and is the fruit of prolonged efforts.

Discussion Questions:

1. When speaking of excellence, why would church not be one of the first things Christians would think of?
2. “Name some areas where you feel your church demonstrates excellence. Are there some areas where you feel improvement is needed? What, specifically, could you do to improve the quality of those areas?”
3. Why do people often put forth less effort where church is concerned (e.g., punctuality, reliability, follow through on commitments, diligence, etc.) than in other areas of their lives (e.g., job, sports activities, clubs, physical family functions, etc.)? Doesn’t the Lord and His Bride deserve better?

Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son.

I came across this question about a month ago:

"Which would you rather have in your church, legalists or alcoholics?"

For discussion purposes, I'm defining legalist in the following manner:

"A legalist [in the realm of the biblical Christian] is one who elevates human rules/laws to the point where they are equated to or trump God's laws, considering violation of those human precepts to be sinful when done by others."

In other words, it's calling something sin that the Bible does not, particularly in the lives of others. I have no problem, for example, with a person making a rule for himself/herself to help prevent sin, but it becomes legalism when others are held to that rule as well. For example, it may be wise to say, "To avoid being drunk, I will never drink."

That being said, we return to the original question:

"Which would you rather have in your church, legalists or alcoholics?"

There's no doubt in my mind. I would rather have alcoholics in my church and for the following reasons:

1. Alcoholics tend to know their struggles, knowing drunkeness to be sinful. Legalists not only don't see their legalism as sinful behavior, but they actually see it as righteous. They take pride in their ability to perform according to those human standards, creating a pride and arrogance that are hard to combat.
2. Alcoholics tend to know what it's like to struggle with sin and they are more compassionate and encouraging to others in the church who struggle with sin. The legalists tend to be the least compassionate and encouraging people you'll meet in church, loving you only when you're meeting their standards of behavior.

As you probably assume, I do not regard the consumption of alcohol as sinful in and of itself, whether it be in a cough medicine, vinegar, or beverage alcohol. However, I am convinced the Bible condemns drunkenness.

They think he's a righteous dude.

John Calvin (i.e., Jean Cauvin) was born 10 July 1509.

If not for sin, he would have celebrated his 500th birthday today. Of course, if not for sin, we would have never had his great teaching concerning justification by faith alone.

If you've never read his Institutes of the Christian Religion, you might be surprised to know that's not some polemic for T.U.L.I.P., but a very nice treatment of Christianity in general. In it's beginning we learn that "the sum of human wisdom consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves."

That's always stuck with me. The more I know of the holiness of God, the more I know of my need and dependence on a gracious God who is at the same time forgiving and sin avenging.

Happy Birthday to my favorite Frenchie.


P.S. Check out Ligonier Ministries' special today only: Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, & Doxology for a donation of any amount. This one day offer can be ordered online or by calling 1-800-435-4343.

The book is a collection of authors (e.g., Jerry Bridges, John MacArthur, Sinclair Ferguson, Jay Adams, and Tom Ascol) writing about Calvin's life & theology. John Piper has high praise for the authors: "To my knowledge, there never has been a collection of authors of any edited volume under whose ministry I would rather sit than these."

I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.

Ligonier Ministries, in honor of John Calvin's 500th birthday is offering the black leather (ESV) Reformation Study Bible for ANY AMOUNT.

Today only, get a black leather Reformation Study Bible for a donation of any amount. This is a call-in offer only and is not available online. To take advantage of this special one-day offer, call 800-435-4343 today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. (No substitutions. Color maps not included.)

"The Reformation Study Bible is a milestone in evangelical publishing. This magnificent resource offers insightful commentary, study notes, and background material on every book of the Bible, written by some of the most faithful and insightful evangelical scholars of our times. The notes combine theological clarity with genuine scholarship and practical application. This is a serious study Bible for serious students, and it belongs in every Christian's library."
-- Al Mohler, President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Well, I got her number. How do you like them apples?

Tomorrow is the 8th of July, which affords us some neat numerical slooge.

At five minutes and six seconds after 4 AM on the 8th of July this year, the time and date will be ...

04:05:06 07/08/09

Sounds like somebody's got a case of the Mondays.

I don't eat boiled eggs, but if I did, this is how I would quickly peel them.


Read Bob Kauflin's thoughts on the question, "Should July 4th affect our Sunday planning?"

Check out this neat visual illusion that helps understand the effectiveness of the curve ball. (HT Phil Johnson)

Read about the Houston suburb pastor who was hospitalized after being tazered by a police officer. Really, this will be an interesting case to follow.

Read 5 myths about America's origins.

Read about the strange ingredients in fireworks.

Read Tom Ascol's thoughts on the 2009 SBC annual meeting.

Read about the warrant out for the arrest of a Killeen mother ... because she hasn't returned a library book.

Read about the man who allegedly sprayed his wife with the water hose for smoking.

Check out this inspiring story of 3 brothers serving in Afghanistan. (HT Jade)

Check out these great National Geographic photos of the Statue of Liberty, rare views inside and out.

Read about the woman who was dead in her home for 5 years before discovered.

Read about the young woman who was hit by a train, while she was laying on the tracks to clear her mind.

Check out Keith Mathison's list of the top 5 commentaries on every book of the Bible.

Learn about the stunning new technology that will allow parents to hold a life size model of their unborn child in their hand.

Check out these 4 simple tips for decluttering your home.

Read (Part 1 - Part 2) Chuck Swindoll's "Stuff I've Learned" after nearly 50 years in ministry.

You've got to watch this FoxNews video clip. Among other things @2:19 Bill Clinton identifies himself as a Calvinist! (HT Tom Ascol)

Read about an Oregon man's wallet being returned ... after 63 years.

Read about Helen Thomas hitting the White House for a lack of transparency.

Read about the woman stealing from ladies' purses while they are kneeling in worship.

Check out some intriguing pairs and trios who died on the same day, in addition, of course, to Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.

Learn about the pet python who strangled the family's 2 year old daughter. Am I the only one who thinks it's whacked to have a snake for a pet?

Read John F. MacArthur's sermon entitled, "Can God Bless America?"

Read about the McDonald's drive-thru employee accused of spitting on a police officer's Egg McMuffin.

Check out 11 literary references people make without realizing it.

Read about Alaska's Rat Island finally being free of rats after 229 years.

Learn about 7 medical myths which are widely believed.

Read about the Bronx teen who awoke about 10AM Sunday morning to find a boa constrictor. I think that would motivate me to get to church.

Read about 2 California elementary schools having to extend their school year until July 31st, due to a clerical error. Unbelievable! "A mistake in the length of state-permitted short days means students at two elementary schools must stay in school till July 31, or the district will lose $7 million in state funds."

Read Chris Braun's post about the "problem" of Esther.

Read about the government of Venezuela banning Coke Zero, citing unspecified health dangers.

Read Al Mohler's thoughts on the Gov. Sanford adultery.

Check out this picture of what 1960s folks would have thought of Twittering.

Read about the phenomenon of being self-conscious during worship.

Read about a parking space in Boston selling for $300,000.

Read an egalitarian's perception of the link between Calvinism & complementarianism.

Read about hard financial times in Britain leading to fewer divorces.

Find out how many sermons one must preach before he can preach well.

Read about a "Good Samaritan" mugged while helping a motorist.

Read about 10 stories behind Dr. Seuss books.

Read about the prosecutor wanting to ban fast food toys.

Check out the name tag I'd like to wear to my upcoming high school reunion.

Check out some video clips on DesiringGod.org of what we can gain from Calvin today.

Read about a daughter who broke her mom's legs while learning to drive.

Read (Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3) Tom Ascol's Long Journey in Church Discipline.

Read about the Washington judge deciding a 6AM blaring car horn is not protected free speech.

Check out Matt Waymeyer's 9 Hindrances to Fruitful Intercessory Prayer.

Read about QB Steve McNair's death being ruled a homicide.

Read 7 keys to creating a great list by Joshua Harris.

Read about a Missouri family's Christmas card photo surprisingly being used in advertising campaigns in the Czech Republic.

Read Randy Alcorn's alarming post about birth control pills potentially causing abortions.

Read about the problem of "groping" on Tokyo trains leading to requests for men only & women only train cars.

Check out these free training materials for Sunday school teachers.

Check out the 11 people every youth group "needs."

Read William Mounce's thoughts on whether or not Jesus was rude to his mother, Mary, in John 2:4.

Read some insightful words from D.A. Carson on worshiping worship.

"We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies."
– Martin Luther King, Jr.

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

We continue with our series based on The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, by Mark Atteberry. The following are some notes from my Sunday school lesson at Providence Church.

DUMB MOVE #7: Missing Golden Opportunities

Outreach "programs" are good and all … “But sometimes I wonder if we haven’t overlooked and undervalued those moments that can’t be structured to fit into a program.”

5 Practical Lessons from Acts 8:26-38, Philip’s Encounter with the Eunuch

Lesson #1 … Some opportunities, if they are missed, will be lost forever.

“ask God to open your eyes and help you recognize whatever divine appointments He has set up for you.”

“The kingdom can be advanced or hindered depending on your readiness.”

Lesson #2 … God will give special opportunities to those who are committed and prepared.

Remember the Boy Scout motto: “Be prepared.”

“The single most important thing you can do to prepare yourself to be used by God is study the Scriptures.”

Lesson #3 … Some opportunities are much larger than they first appear.

“Clearly, you cannot know when you look at an opportunity what its potential is.”

Lesson #4 … Some opportunities bear immediate fruit for the kingdom.


Lesson #5 … The goal of every opportunity should be to point people to Jesus.


3 Reasons Opportunities Are Easy to Miss:

1. We have our own hurts and needs to contend with.
2. People are great actors.
3. The pace of our lives.

Discussion Questions:

1. “Some opportunities are larger than they first appear. Can you think of a time when you seized what you thought was a small opportunity, only to have it produce a huge result?”
2. “One of the reasons we miss opportunities to serve is because people are such good actors. What about you? Do you pretend to be happy and healthy even when you’re hurting?” … “How could you be more genuine about your needs without becoming a chronic complainer?”
3. How can we slow down the pace of our lives to better see and take advantage of opportunities?
4. What can be done to cultivate a passion for the lost?

“So one of the biggest challenges we face is to become more aware of the opportunities around us. We need to take our eyes off ourselves. We need to look for subtle signs of distress in people who may be too proud or too afraid to admit they’re struggling. And we need to slow down.”

All right, remember - alcohol equals puke, equals smelly mess, equals nobody likes you!

I had a discussion once with a Baptist brother who was convinced the consumption of an alcoholic beverage in any amount was sinful, the context of which was the use of wine and grape juice in the Lord's Supper.

I was trying to show from the Scriptures that drunkeness was prohibited and that historically God's people, including the Lord Jesus, have had liberty with regard to moderate alcoholic consumption.

Yet, he was adamant that alcohol was sinful in and of itself.

At one point I made mention of the fact that there is alcohol in some cough medicines and even vinegar (i.e., soured wine). I was curious if it was sinful to consume those, but he said it was not.

When pressed on what I felt was an inconsistency, he explained that there was no way anyone was ever going to get drunk on cough medicine or vinegar.

As you might imagine, the conversation ended abruptly as I pointed out that even he really didn't regard the sin as being consumption of alcohol, but drunkeness. He did not, however, agree with me.

Sounds like somebody's got a case of the Mondays.

This is pretty neat and I'm surprised it's this easy. Here's how to get a cork out of a bottle.


Read Tim Challies' notes from Al Mohler's talk on John Calvin at the Ligonier conference.

Read Mary Mohler's prayer for wives of pastors.

Read the Newsweek article about the controversy over military chaplains using the armed forces to spread the Word of God. [Uh ... isn't that what they're supposed to be doing?]

Read about the high school secretary busted for changing her daughter's grades to improve her class rank.

Check out John Piper's explanation of why Doug Wilson is speaking at the national Desiring God conference this fall.

Check out a "gentle rebuke" to John Piper for having Doug Wilson speak at the national Desiring God conference this fall.

Read about the Craigslist pot ad leading to a pot bust.

Read this statement from Jenny Sanford, wife of South Carolina governor, Mark, who's in trouble over his adultery.

Read about the woman who put a sleeper hold on a man almost 100 pounds her larger, stopping a bank heist.

Read about Abraham Piper's disdain for saying, "Every Christian is a missionary."

Read about Rick Warren speaking at annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America,the largest yearly gathering of Muslims on the continent, addressing the theme "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."

Read about the study that links teen depression to bedtimes.

Read Michael Spenser's thoughts on the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting.

Read Timmy Brister's reflections on his 1st SBC annual meeting: 10 Highlights.

Read thoughts on the removal of pulpits and the use of Christian "furniture" in conveying priorities.

Read about the new dress code policy for certain Florida employees that includes deodorant and underwear, which cannot be visible. [How, then, do they know they're wearing underwear?]

Read Michael Horton on Joel Osteen and his theology.

Read You've Got Lies: Chick Flicks and the World's Approach to Men and Marriage (pdf). [Lots of good stuff to share today, but this may be the chief nugget in the bunch.]

Read about the inmate who escaped prison using the cardboard tube from the toilet paper roll.

Check out 40 Ways for Fathers to Make a Difference.

Read about the progress that has been made toward Rhode Island changing its name.

Read about the monkey urinating on Zambia's president.

Read some good J.C. Ryle on parenting.

Scope out the pictorial descent into "Credit Card Hell."

Read, download, or buy Mark Driscoll's booklet entitled, "Pastor Dad: Scriptural Insights on Fatherhood."

Read about the fleeing suspect who was apprehended when his cell phone rang, giving him away.

Check out some conversation worthy "Tweets" from the SBC annual meeting.

Check out a collection of posts regarding Michael Jackson, death, celebrity, and culture.

Read about President Obama's occasional cigarette.

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome."
-Booker T. Washington

Your rage has unbalanced you. You, sir, would fight to the death, against a knight who is not your enemy.

We continue with our series based on The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do, by Mark Atteberry. The following are some notes from my Sunday school lesson at Providence Church.

DUMB MOVE #6: Fighting Among Ourselves

“I doubt that anything causes God more anguish and Satan more delight than Christians attacking one another.”


When a feud breaks out in the church … 7 terrible things always happen.

1. the church’s leaders are distracted.

“Time and energy that could be spent planning for the future, organizing new ministries, or seeing to it that the flock is well cared for, are instead spent chasing down rumors, smoothing ruffled feathers, and negotiating cease-fires.”

2. the noncombatants are discouraged.

Sometimes it’s the bystanders who leave the church when they get beat down by drama.

3. the Lord’s work is disrupted.

“… no Christian can advance the cause of Christ while punching the bride of Christ.”

4. the community’s seekers are disenchanted.

They’re already looking for excuses and want to see us fail, but interested parties will have perceptions reinforced in light of church conflict.

5. long-held beliefs are disregarded.

You may see folks do a Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde transformation.

“I’ve watched believers who were otherwise kind and gentle suddenly become mean and ruthless in the middle of a church fight.”

“… the rules of common decency are generally thrown right out the window like yesterday’s garbage.”

6. the congregation’s testimony is discredited.

“the entire body is branded.”

7. the Lord is dishonored.

When His children fight it’s an embarrassment to the Father.


7 Priorities (all verbs/action) that Will Create a Culture of Calm (instead of conflict):

Priority # 1 – Obey leaders.

Priority #2 – Confront troublemakers.

“Confrontation is hard. It’s an emotional, gut-wrenching experience.”

Priority #3 – Refute heresy.

Priority #4 – Meet needs.

Priority #5 – Suppress legalism.

“While never winking at sin, we must be tenderhearted and understanding toward thow who struggle in their faith and haven’t yet overcome all the bad habits they picked up in the world.”

“… giving them adequate time to grow into the faith that is second nature to those of us who were privileged to grow up in strong Christian homes.”

Priority #6 – Discourage arguments.

Better to lose an argument than risk blow up.

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Priority #7 – Forgive sinners.

“… we are never more like Jesus than when we forgive.”


Discussion Questions:

1. “Church conflicts are minimized when the members of the church are submissive to the leadership. Can you think of a time when you disagreed with the leadership, but chose to be submissive for the sake of peace? How difficult was it for you to do that? How do you feel about that choice today?”
2. The church is to be both like an army and a hospital. What can you personally do to minimize the threat of “friendly fire” as well as providing a place of comfort for the wounded?
3. Atteberry refers to legalism as “spiritual nit-picking.” In what areas are you prone to such legalism? In what areas have you experienced being on the business end of legalism?
4. Why and how should we prioritize John 13:35 at Providence Church?

When you are a man, sometimes you wear stretchy pants in your room, just for fun.

Who is the man in Romans 7:14-25?

Is it a non-Christian? Is it an immature Christian? Is it a mature Christian?

Cogitate about that some and share your thoughts in the comments section.

Paul writes in the first person in the present tense, which plays a large role in my thinking that he's speaking of the normal Christian life, the Christian's ongoing struggle with indwelling sin.

(However, I've not always held that view, and at one time I adamantly held that Paul was speaking of the experience of the pre-conversion person. Perhaps I'll finally put together an argument for my view, but not today.)

Although not conclusive, it is encouraging to me that so many of my theological heroes* share the view that Paul is speaking of a converted person's struggles.

The following quote is from John Piper speaking about J.I. Packer on this topic. (I've not been able to track down Packer's original source, but will cite it when able.)

J. I. Packer wrote an article on this passage two years ago to defend the view that I am taking here. He said...

Paul is not telling us that the life of the "wretched man" is as bad as it could be, only that it is not as good as it should be, and that because the man delights in the law and longs to keep it perfectly his continued inability to do so troubles him acutely. . . . The "wretched man" is Paul himself, spontaneously voicing his distress at not being a better Christian than he is, and all we know of Paul personally fits in with this supposition.

So I think what Paul is saying is not that Christians live in continual defeat, but that no Christian lives in continual victory over sin. And in those moments and times when we fail to triumph over sin, Romans 7:14-25 is the normal way a healthy Christian should respond. (emphasis Gunny's)

*This is not an appeal to authority per se, but rather an appeasing confirmation for me personally. Though these lads may disagree on various other things, the following all agree that the man in Romans 7:14-25 is a converted individual:

• Matthew Bradley
• John Calvin
• Jonathan Edwards
• John D. Hannah
  
• Charles Hodge
• John F. MacArthur, Jr.
• John Murray
• John Owen
• J.I. Packer
• Arthur W. Pink
• John Piper
• J.C Ryle
  
• R.C. Sproul
• Charles Spurgeon

(There may be others, but I didn't want to speak of those where I was unsure.)

Sounds like somebody's got a case of the Mondays.

Wow! This girl MUST be the best beat boxer of all time. I thought I had it goin' on back in the day, but I realize now I got a big bag of nuthin'.


Read about the coupled stunned when their last viable fertilized egg was implanted into the wrong woman. (HT Jade)

Check out these 100 super cute animal photos that will make you go "Awww."

Check out Stuff People Like #126: Vespa Scooters.

Check out this outstanding review of the UBS Greek New Testament Readers Edition, comparing it to Zondervan's Readers Greek New Testament (1st & 2nd editions). (HT Ragan Ewing)

Check out the 100 most beautiful words in English.

Read Jim Elliff's thoughts on why we still need the local church, despite the plethora of resources options for growing in Christ.

Check out this list of the Top 100 Children's Books of All Time.

Check out the results of polling MLB players about the pitcher vs. hitter match-up they'd most like to see. Incidentally, while the choice for pitchers varied, the hitter was unanimous.

Read about China's growing problem of finding "ghost brides" for the recently deceased unmarried males.

Read 101 Common Sense Rules for Leaders.

Read this nice Horatius Bonar quote about how God necessarily must change a man's perception of himself and of God in the process of conversion.

Read about Facebook eclipsing MySpace with more users, at 70.28 million in May.

Read about research that proves fingerprints DO NOT improve our grip friction, as previously believed.

Read about Scientology's "creepy" new advertising campaign.

Read about Peter Masters' criticism of the "new Calvinism" for its lack of holiness.

Read Doug Wilson's response the Peter Masters' criticism, criticizing the critic.

Read Newsweek's interesting look into the mind of West Point's class of 2009.

Read Rebecca Brown's [necessary] reminder of some basic manners.

Check out the sermons from the Banner of Truth conference in PA. (HT Jade)

Read about the potential benefits of tag-team vegetarianism (my label).

Read Kim Riddlebarger's thoughts on what would happen if Calvinists were in the majority.

Read Tozer's thoughts on pragmatism in the church.

Check out this interesting piece entitled, "Is preaching killing your church plant?"

Read (Part 1 - Part 2) What Your Pastor Wishes You Knew about Him. (HT Benji)

Read Tim Challies' thoughts on God answering prayer for Acts 12.

"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why."
-Eddie Cantor