39 Lessons, 20 Tips and 10 “Don’ts” For Parenting

Matt & Elizabeth Schmucker have written a collection of 39 Lessons, 20 Tips and 10 “Don’ts” For Parenting, which is included in this month’s 9Marks newsletter.

A sample:

Lessons

13. Pack in truth while your children are little and trust the Lord to unpack it in his time.
18. On some days, it’s just fine to accomplish nothing more than keeping your kids fed and safe.
21. There’s nothing wrong with boredom for your children. It causes them to be creative.
25. Kids can memorize scripture very quickly.
39. God elects. God saves. Parents cannot do this heart-changing work. At best we can pray and point to the One who can cause our children to be born again.

Tips

3. Talk to both good and not-so-good parents; you’ll learn lessons from both.
15. Martin Luther said he had the responsibility to be the worship leading pastor in his own home. His home was to be both a school and a church. Fathers, do you have this mindset?
17. Don Whitney encourages “brevity, regularity and flexibility” in family worship.

Read the rest

Dispensationalism, the Church, and the New Covenant

Matt Waymeyer links an article on dispensationalism:

For those of you dispensationalists out there who are wrestling with the question of the relationship between the church and the New Covenant, here is an excellent online resource. The article is “Dispensationalism, the Church, and the New Covenant” by R. Bruce Compton, and it was published in the fall of 2003 issue of Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal. Compton concludes that the church presently participates in the soteriological blessings of the New Covenant, but the covenant will be fulfilled in a future restoration of the ethnic nation of Israel at the second coming of Christ. Regardless of where you land on this issue, or whether or not you end up agreeing with Compton’s conclusions, you will find his discussion of the subject and his exegesis of the relevant passages to be very helpful. Definitely a must-read on this issue.

Read more.

Tom Ascol 100%

Timmy Brister gives an update on Tom Ascol:

That was the report we received at the conclusion of this evening’s service when Tom Ascol (our senior pastor) returned from Alaska. When asked how he feels in relation to his health prior to the lightning strike, he responded that he feels 100%. We praise God for the way God has been answering the prayers of so many people.

(Earlier post, original post)

I’m Workin’ on a Road…

I was driving in this morning, listening to a CD that’s not primarily a “Christian” CD, but it had a Gospel song that I really enjoyed… The song is called “I’m Workin’ on a Road (To Glory Land).” The album is Tis Sweet To Be Remembered: The Essential Flatt & Scruggs. The track is disc 1, track 3, which you can “preview” with the button to the left on that link.

I’m Workin’ on a Road (To Glory Land)

(Chorus)
I’m workin’ on a road that leads to glory
I want to shake my Saviour’s hand
I’m building my hope on things eternal
I’m workin’ on a road to glory land

Each day I get so lonely while living here below
My Savior’s waiting patiently, I’m planning now to go
I want a firm foundation that’s built with God’s own hand
So now I’ve started building a road to glory land

Chorus

Oh listen to me sinners, don’t you want to go?
You know we have no promise of living here below
You know he suffered for our sins and died upon the cross
For all who did believe on Him, their soul will not be lost

Chorus

And when this world is finished, I want to travel on
I can hear the angels singing, up there around the throne
I want to see my mother, and take her by the hand
As soon as I have finished the road to glory land

Chorus

Thin Blooded Teaching

Three reasons I enjoy reading blogs about preaching:

1. I tremendously respect those who labor in the Word.

2. I myself teach, though not preach (but perhaps one day), and I find 98% of what they talk about is applicable to all teaching in the church.

3. That said, “teaching in the church” is not just a formal office. We do it when we fellowship with our friends and neighbors. We do it in our homes. We do anywhere 2 or 3 are gathered in His name.

So, when I read a post like Michael Quicke’s 10 leading questions for preachers, I ask myself, how can I apply this in my small group, when I meet with friends, in my family, etc.?

Here’s the short list, but see the full article for more detail:

10 Marks of Preaching All Teaching That Lacks Courage

1. Individualistic.
2. Aimed at head or heart but rarely at both.
3. Spineless theology.
4. Generic application.
5. Avoids conflict.
6. Low compliance.
7. Absence of process issues.
8. Solo role.
9. Cowardice.
10. Missionally defective.

(HT: Unashamed Workman)