I mean, that thing is good. I wanna be friends with it.

I previously mentioned the concept of being an expository listener when I recommended the book, What Is a Healthy Church Member?

If you're interested, it's on sale for $6.50 via Westminster Bookstore, a great place to buy books, incidentally.

"With a wealth of biblical insight and practical instruction, Anyabwile calls Christians to do more than just attend church, but to be the kind of faithful, engaged church members that God intends. Given the state of so many of our churches today, this book arrives not a moment too soon."
~ R. Albert Mohler Jr. (President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)

N.B. For the Providence Church book club, this is the book we'll be discussing at our June meeting.

I'm not about love; I'm about showing you the money!

In 2011, for the first time ever, the credit rating of the United States was downgraded.

To help explain in terms that should show financial irresponsibility, I submit the following ...

US Tax revenue ....... $2,170,000,000,000
Federal budget ........ $3,820,000,000,000
New Debt .............. $1,650,000,000,000
National Debt ........ $14,271,000,000,000
New budget cuts .......... $38,500,000,000

Remove 8 zeros and pretend this is a family's situation.

Family income ........ $21,700
Money spent .......... $38,200
New CC Debt .......... $16,500
New CC Balance ..... $142,710
Budget cuts ............... $385

Would YOU loan that family money?

Snowman, you got your ears on?

I heartily recommend Thabiti Anyabwile's book, What Is a Healthy Church Member?

One of the things rarely mentioned in Christian literature is guidance for the church member with regard to his/her role in the preaching process. Thabiti addresses that topic in a chapter entitled, "A Healthy Church Member Is an Expositional Listener."

A few highlights:

"Expositional listening is listening for the meaning of a passage of Scripture and accepting that meaning as the main idea to be grasped for our personal and corporate lives as Christians."

What Are the Benefits of Expositional Listening?

1. It cultivates a hunger for God's Word.
2. It helps us to focus on God's will and to follow Him.
3. It protects the gospel and our lives from corruption.
4. It encourages faithful pastors.
5. It benefits the gathered congregation.

How Can Church Members Cultivate the Habit of Expositional Listening?

1. Meditate on the sermon passage during your quiet time.
2. Invest in a good set of commentaries.
3. Talk and pray with friends about the sermon after church.
4. Listen to and act on the sermon throughout the week.
5. Develop the habit of addressing any questions about the text itself.
6. Cultivate humility.

• Buy the What Is a Healthy Church Member?
• See also Mark Dever, What Is a Healthy Church? (An appetizer)