Scripture reveals that the great business of life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. In this paradigm-shattering classic, newly revised and expanded, John Piper reveals that the debate between duty and delight doesn’t truly exist: Delight is our duty.

Download your free audiobook copy here.  Just make sure you follow the instructions and enter the coupon code NOV2009

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Dr. Reid was my evangelism professor in seminary.  I thoroughly enjoyed his classes.  For more Alvin Reid, check out alvinreid.com

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Watch it here.Technorati Tags: Chick-Fil-A, Dan Cathy, Never On Sundays

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This past week, I went on a fishing trip to Emerald Isle, NC with the men from my father’s church.  I took the catamaran with me.  I ended up spending all night the night before the trip putting the boat back together.  The neighbors probably thought I was crazy raising the sails under halogen lights in the driveway at 3 am.  My father, brother and I had everything loaded up and were on our way by around 8:30 am.  We took a two hour detour through Wilmington, NC to pick up some cat trax beach wheels that I won on ebay.  We made it to the beach house around 1pm.  After unloading our gear, my brother and I sat out to find a public access boat launch ramp to put the catamaran in.  We found a NC Wildlife Boating Access Ramp along the intercoastal waterway in Morehead City, NC.  We were a bit nervous about taking the boat out for the first time, since neither of us had a clue what we were doing.  I read the instructions though, so I thought we could manage.  I almost changed my mind sitting there looking at the water.  I was pretty confident that we could make it out across the water.  I was more concerned about whether we could make it back!  We had some trouble rigging the boat.  The first problem was with the jib block.  The jib halyard wire kept coming off the block and getting stuck.  We raised and lowered the mast a couple of times trying to get the wire to stay free, but it kept getting stuck.  Let me tell you, it’s pretty nerve-racking raising a 28 ft mast in a parking lot crowded with boats and trucks worth as much as my home.  We finally got the catamaran in the water.  Then, we had a terrible time pulling it around to dock it and raise the sail.  We fought the wind and current the entire time.  Rigging and raising the sail that first time on the water was hard work.  After an hour of fighting the boat in the hot sun, we ended up begging an incoming boater for some drinks.  That was the best Diet Rite I’ve ever had.  We finally got the sail up and shoved off.  I was surprised at how easy it was after leaving the dock.  We sailed with just the main sail since we couldn’t get the jib sail up.  We sailed around four miles, passing under the bridge between Morehead and Atlantic Beach.  Here’s a map of the area we sailed.  We made it back to the dock just as the sun went down.  It was a great day and gave me a hunger for more.  Here’s the bridge we sailed under (picture snagged from

The next day, we put the catamaran in at the NC Wildlife Boating Access Ramp at Cedar Point, NC.  I had hoped to sail out of Cedar Point into Bogue Inlet and out into the Atlantic Ocean around the southern point of Emerald Isle.  We were able to fix the jib block and managed to get the jib sail up.  It was much easier rigging the boat this time.  We coated the main sail with SailKote and it went up without any trouble.  I wanted to sail right up to the cottage and land the catamaran on the beach.  It didn’t work out.  There was virtually no wind blowing and the little wind we had wouldn’t cooperate with our direction.  I learned how to tack the boat to sail into the wind, but it was very slow going the distance that I hoped to cover. My brother manned the jib sail, so I didn’t get any experience with it.  It appeared to have a bigger learning curve than the main sail.  About a mile away from open water, we decided to turn around due to darkening skies.  We could see a sizeable storm developing.  I really didn’t want to be sitting in the water with a big lighting rod during a storm.  The wind direction changed again and fought us all the way in.  The wind really whipped up just as we approached the dock.  I tried to gently approach the dock, but ended up running both hulls ONTO the dock.  The upside was that we didn’t have worry about mooring the boat to the dock.  We were mighty glad we came in when we did.  It began lightning and rained harder than I’ve seen it rain in a while.  It was a good learning experience.

I didn’t get to go back out sailing this week, but I really want to go.  We stopped at a couple of NC Wildlife Access Points looking for good places to put the boat in.  We found one in Beaufort, which is one of my favorite places to visit at the beach.  I’ll save that one for when I have a bit more experience.  The prospect of navigating through all of the expensive yachts anchored in Beaufort is not one I want to consider yet. 

We also stopped at Union Point Park in New Bern.  I’ve stopped by this park on the last couple of trips I’ve made down to the beach.  I’m not sure why, but I’m really drawn to this spot.  I thought I remembered a boating access there.  I was right, there is a pretty good access leading to the convergence of the Neuse and Trent Rivers.  There is also a nice section of dock on the other side of the park.  I think that this may be one of the most beautiful sections of water in NC.  There are sailboats everywhere, so it must be a pretty good spot for sailing.  If it hadn’t been raining off and on, we probably would have gone out for a bit.  I can’t wait to come back explore.  There’s a Comfort Suites adjacent to the park, maybe I can plan a weekend trip soon.

I’m off work this Friday.  If the weather’s good, I might try out Jordan Lake in Raleigh.  There just might be a sailor inside me.Technorati Tags: Sailing, Catamaran, Hobie Cat, Emerald Isle, Morehead, Beaufort, New Bern, NC Wildlife Boating Access

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This has been on my mind quite a bit recently as I have encountered this exact situation in my life.  I’m not going to name the person or give much detail about the situation.  However, I will briefly describe what I’ve encountered to provide an idea of the situation that is framing my interest in this topic. 

There is a person with whom I interact on a regular basis who has treated me terribly since shortly after we met.  We met through my work at the Sheriff’s Office and quickly learned that we were both Christians and very involved at our respective churches.  That may be where our similarities end, or to put it another way…where our differences began.  This person comes from a fundamental, independent baptist background - the same sort of church I grew up in.  At the time we met, I had just completed my M.Div. from a Southern Baptist Seminary and had been ordained in a Southern Baptist church.  He seemed to have an axe to grind with Southern Baptists.  During our very first conversation he immediately began to shift the topic toward areas which he thought we would disagree on, seemingly just for the sake of argument.  Wanting to show off my shiny new seminary education, I pridefully let him suck me into debate. 

I’m sure that there is a time and a place for discussing the legitimacy or illegitimacy of different translations of Scripture, appropriate worship styles or whether women should wear pants to church.  Seriously, I’ve heard that last one more times than I’d care to think about.  The first time you meet a fellow Christian is not the time for such discussions.  I’m no stranger to this confrontational attitude among some of our independent fundamental brethren.  It seems to be a very pervasive and not just directed at Southern Baptists, but any church or denomination that doesn’t declare itself fundamental.  Were it merely disagreement, there would be little to mention in this post.  This goes beyond mere disagreement into something else.  This person has since treated me terribly.  He has been dismissive and condescending at best and openly hostile at worst - all presumably over our disagreements in the faith.  So, how do we deal with our fellow Christians in a situation like this?

I came across a short podcast of Discover the Word on the topic, how to respond to biblical disagreements.  One of the panelists in the podcast provided this insight into the attitude behind many Christian disagreements: 

Our tendency is to believe that the other person who disagrees with us is unspiritual and therefore, we are attributing a difference of opinion to a difference in our relationship with God.

I believe this podcaster hit the nail on the head with that statement.  It seems to me that we need to be very careful in making assumptions about others’ spiritual condition based on our disagreements with them.  After all, there is the possibility that we may be wrong.  Especially in matters of Christian practice to which the bible doesn’t directly address or areas that are open to interpretation.  The podcast referenced a quote by church father Augustine in which he said,

In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.

There is excellent counsel in that quote. There are certainly areas (essentials) of the faith in which we must stand firm.  It doesn’t seem as if these are the topics that we disagree on though.  It seems as if most disagreements are over nonessential matters - matters, not of faith, but of practice.  Our attitude is perhaps the most important aspect of handling christian disagreements.  We cannot control how the other person responds to us, but we can respond toward them with an attitude of charity. 

I believe that this is what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote:

1Co 8:1-13  Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.  (2)  And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.  (3)  But if any man love God, the same is known of him.  (4)  As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.  (5)  For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)  (6)  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.  (7)  Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.  (8)  But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.  (9)  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.  (10)  For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;  (11)  And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?  (12)  But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.  (13)  Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

While we may not now argue over meat offered to idols, certainly similarities can be found in other areas of our christian lives or worship.  I believe that this type of situation is what Augustine had in mind.  The point is that we approach these disagreements with humility and love.  As I have grown in Christ, I have developed a disdain for arguments between brethren over nonessentials.   There are much more important issues on which to spend our time and energy.  Let us keep our focus on proclaiming the Gospel of Christ and being a witness for Him with the way we conduct ourselves…especially when confronted with difficult or disagreable people.

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Battle Ready -Joshua and Caleb By Steve Farrar / David C. Cook Are you prepared to fight the good fight? Farrar arms you with the weapons you need to be a powerful warrior of God! Exploring the lives of Joshua and Caleb, he shows how to meet challenges head-on, trust the Lord when all hope seems lost, and stand firm in the assurance of God’s provision. 256 pages, softcover from Cook.

Finding Organic Church: A Comprehensive Guide to Starting and Sustaining Authentic Christian Communities By Frank Viola / David C. Cook Frank Viola, author of Pagan Christianity and Reimagining Church, believes that planting the seeds of God’s kingdom in good soil is essential if congregations are to flourish. But how does one grow a vibrant Christian community? In Finding Organic Church, Viola draws upon his experience in nourishing home, organic, and missional churches, and gives you scripturally based insights, real-world tools, and practical suggestions to help your church thrive!

I was introduced to Steve Farrar’s writing when I was still in high school.  Our high school Bible teacher assigned all of the guys in the class to read Farrar’s book, Point Man: How a Man Can Lead His Family.  Point Man is an excellent book and I highly recommend it.  I still have a copy of it on my shelf and I’ve bought copies to give away in the past.  I just started reading Battle Ready a couple of days ago.  It has a feel very much like what I remember from Point Man.  So far, it is easy and engaging to read.  Look for the complete review in another week or so.  

Point Man, Revised & Expanded By Steve Farrar / Multnomah The bestselling classic Point Man encourages and equips Christian men to lead their families successfully through hazards and ambushes like divorce, promiscuity, suicide, and drug addiction. Men will find practical insight on topics such as a father’s influence, maintaining purity, and husband-and-wife teamwork. In this war, renowned men’s author Steve Farrar emphasizes that Jesus Christ is looking for men who will not die, but live for their families.

I first picked up a Frank Viola book when I was in seminary.  I was (and still am) interested in church leadership, authority, and worship.  I read two of his books while preparing a paper on church leadership.  I read, Rethinking the Wineskin: The Practice of the New Testament Church and Who’s Your Covering?: A Fresh Look at Leadership, Authority and Accountability.  I understand that both of these books are now out of print individually, but have been combined into a singular text - Reimagining Church

Reimagining Church: Pursuing the Dream of Organic Community By Frank Viola / David C. Cook Should a house of worship be a home? Contending that many modern believers secretly wonder why there isn’t something more to “church,” Viola suggests a return to the early Christian model of organic house churches. Biblically grounded and intensely practical, this radical proposal calls for a more vibrant, integrated, and active community of faith. 208 pages, softcover from Cook.

I am very impressed with Viola’s writing.  He challenges many of our contemporary concepts of church and urges his readers to dig in the Scripture for guidance on how we should live this Christian life together.  Don’t read a Viola book if you don’t want to have questions about why your church is doing some of the things it is doing.  I have been wanting to pick up a copy of Viola’s Pagan Christianity - it looks like a very interesting read.  If I can get a chance to read it, I’ll definitely be posting a review.

As soon as I’m done reading Battle Ready, I’ll be posting my review of Viola’s Finding Organic Church.  I’ve thumbed through it and it looks like it’s going to be a great book.  Stay TunedTechnorati Tags: Book Reviews, Frank Viola, Steve Farrar, Battle Ready, Finding Organic Church, Point Man, Reimagining Church, Christian Book Distributors, David C Cook

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