why knowing what you believe (foundationally) is important

Well, it's important for all sorts of reasons, of course, not least of which is the simple matter of truth. But in terms of inter-personal & organisational dynamics, Fried & Hansson put their finger on it:

When you don't know what you believe, everything becomes an argument. Everything is debatable. But when you stand for something, decisions are obvious.

(Fried & Hansson, Rework, p.44)

sinclair ferguson: praying for our dispositions

it's so important for us to pray that our dispositions, as well as our minds, will be sanctified. Otherwise the disposition in which we teach the scriptures can actually have the function of distorting the very scriptures that we teach.

from The Pastor & His Heart

apps that make iPad desirable

I've already mentioned the free ESV app but of course there's so much more to come in terms of Bible software (think Laridian, Olive Tree and Logos).

But here, for me, is a huge draw to the iPad: the Evernote app. Fabulous. Almost peerless.

And if the iBooks experience is one you hanker for, then this announcement of material from Zondervan will only deepen the desire.

C'mon, keep this ball rolling you guys!

a bible for your iPad

You know you want one.

Now you'll want one even more.

Free ESV Bible app for iPad.

(HT: Justin Taylor)

ono: nobody sees me like you do

I wanna quit moving
I wanna quit running
I wanna relax and be tender
I wanna see us, together again,
rocking away in our walnut chairs

(from the album Season Of Glass, 1981)

a book of the conference - for free

Talks from a recent Desiring God conference are now available as a pdf, free to download.

Looks like it's chock-full of good stuff.

Go here.

well said, john ortberg

Reflecting on the search process for a church leader, John Ortberg writes:

But I do have a conviction that when it comes to getting leadership right, 98 percent of the ballgame is relationship. I believe where there is a relationship of joy and commitment and mutual submission and trust and authentic love—then the division of labor issues can flow freely and effectively. But where the relationship is broken, all the org charts in the world can't save it.

Well said, says I.

john stott: the cross of Jesus

There is wonderful power in the Cross of Christ. It has power to wake the dullest conscience and melt the hardest heart, to cleanse the unclean, to reconcile him who is afar off and restore him to fellowship with God, to redeem the prisoner from his bondage and lift the pauper from the dunghill, to break down the barriers which divide [people] from one another, to transform our wayward characters into the image of Christ and finally make us fit to stand in white robes before the throne of God.

from The Preacher's Portrait

don't plan

Fried & Hansson recommend that we downgrade our planning for the future into guessing about the future - that way we're freed from obsessing over it and able to improvise along the way. They make a number of helpful points and conclude with these words:

Working without a plan may seem scary. But blindly following a plan that has no relationship with reality is even scarier.

(They're talking businesses but you can think 'church' too and find their work stimulating and helpful. The above example put me in mind of James 4:13ff.)

judgement: the return to chaos

I linked a few weeks back to some posts by Peter Enns in which he mentions that in both the flood and the exodus plagues, judgement is seen as a return to primordial chaos. The point was well made and securely-grounded.

I think the same is also seen at the cross when the sun is darkened - it's Genesis 1 in reverse: the sun is (effectively) blotted-out and the earth returns to the chaos of darkness.

Maybe those instances help to clarify the nature of God's judgement upon sin, that it results in de-creation, in chaos and an absence of meaning and order and vitality and the associated anguish of such a state.

step outside, posh boy

A deeply perceptive article in The Guardian, laying bare the British electorate's underlying sympathies with 'the hard man'.

keller on proverbs, via the city

In a piece on why he puts an emphasis on Christians and churches aiming to reach cities with the gospel, Tim Keller says something about the book of Proverbs that I've found, over the years, really helpful in handling the book - but he probably says it far better than I could (and the thought wasn't original to me anyway):

When I studied the book of Proverbs, I came to see that a proverb is not the same as a command or a promise. Proverbs say things like, "In general, if you work hard, you won't find yourself lacking the basics, but there are plenty of exceptions. So work hard, but don't be shocked if something goes wrong." That's not an iron-clad promise (that everyone who works hard will be well off) nor a command. It is a statement about a wise course of action. When I say that we need to put more emphasis on city ministry, I'm speaking 'proverbially.' The Bible and history shows us how important cities are as centers for ministry, yet the amount of effort the church puts into cities is not proportionate to the need or opportunity.

sample chapters on preaching

You might want to check out the samples of these couple of books on preaching - and maybe even then buy the books.

William Willimon - Undone By Easter (Keeping Preaching Fresh)

T. David Gordon - Why Johnny Can't Preach

blending stories and doctrine

This is a really helpful article by Brandon O'Brien, reflecting on the ministry of Walter Wangerin.

rework

I liked the sound of this book and I really like Mike Rohde's graphic work, so it's on order with Amazon.

Here's a clip of the authors chatting about it on ABC.



(HT: Mike Rohde)

in extension

Inspired by an album I saw on spotify, I decided to put together a playlist of my favourite extended versions of old 80s hits.

So, without apology for the unashamed nostalgia, here's the link:

The 80s extended remixes playlist

Any additional suggestions welcome.

friday night spotify (again): the best of the pretenders

Some bands are best remembered this way - all the joy of their singles crammed onto one disk. This collection by The Pretenders is so full of memories - ah, the early 80s - what heady days you were! We remember you well and without blame.

And who could ever resist the sublime I Go To Sleep? The autumn of 1981 was its natural home all along.

friday night spotify: london calling

Punk and post-punk was never my bag especially, so The Clash were never on my list, although I did quite like the title-track of this album. But what a treat this is! For sheer musical variety and general fun (despite some of the themes) it's a standout album. I guess it has a chance of making it onto my list of great albums...

If you're into physical product, Amazon have it on sale at £3.93.

eat that frog

(Disclaimer: this has nothing to do with people on the other side of the English Channel)

Some great advice from Gina Trapani on handling procrastination, especially in terms of 'eating your frog' (which is Mark Twain-speak for the worst thing in your day).

Get it done first thing.

So, what's your frog?

a great food blog

I don't think I've ever mentioned food on here before, but I love cooking (not that I do that much of it) and I love cookbooks (not that I have that many of them).

I just came across a great food blog that you might also like to visit - Stonesoup. It helps that it's a terrific-looking blog.

I'll feedback any results if I ever try out some of the recipes. In the meantime, here's a photo of some broccoli and chick peas with tahini sauce. Looks great!