Why the mandolin will be in Heaven...

Mandolin playing by Chris Thile

Tiger Woods Walks On Water

It appears there was a glitch in the Tiger Woods '08 video game where Tiger could walk on water. For Tiger Woods '09 the game's publisher, EA, shows it wasn't a glitch after all.

Knee injury? I think not...

Why singing will be in Heaven...

Outside of various scriptural references of course.



O Magnum Mysterium composed by Morten Lauridsen

I had the privilege of singing this in college, and every time I hear it I find myself in a state of reverence. Simply beautiful. Here are the lyrics with translation.

Latin text
O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum,
jacentem in praesepio!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera
meruerunt portare
Dominum Christum.
Alleluia.

English translation
O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
Christ the Lord.
Alleluia!

Why the banjo will be in Heaven...

Banjo playing by Bela Fleck

The Sin of Introspection

About six months ago, my pastors and fellow leaders confronted me on some sin areas that were in my life. It was very difficult to hear, and even though I have grown in the area I was originally confronted in, pride, I have taken on a whole new issue that has just about worn me down to the point of exhaustion.

When people are confronted by others in the area of perceived sins, it is very easy for the person on the receiving end to do a few different things.

1. They become angry and accusatory
2. They accept the communicated issue, but do not agree and continue in sin
3. They accept the communicated issue, and as a result become repentant towards God and desirous for grace and restoration.

There are more responses, but it seems like these are the most prominent. I thought that I was doing #3. In reality, I had created a sort of hybrid. I wanted to be humble, and I wanted to be at peace before Christ, and yet I felt angry and frustrated. The underlying problem was that I became so focused on defeating pride that I drowned myself in my own introspection.

When all a person can see is themselves, Jesus becomes almost impossible to see and almost more impossible to hear truth from. At least, that is where I have been over the last few months. In my mind all I wanted was to follow Christ and enjoy Him alone, and yet the fear of man and the sin of introspection began to drown out truth and bog me down to a breaking point. I became so consumed with over-analytical thoughts that I began to feel like I couldn't say anything worth saying and couldn't do anything worth doing. In other words, I not only thought too deeply about my thoughts and actions, but I also analyzed every result that could come from those thoughts or spoken words.

O how terrible is the sin of introspection. It steals joy and hides all truth. Thankfully, through the kindness and steadfastness of my wife as well as much prayer and reading through scripture, I began to see the hope that lies only in the Savior. I also ran across a message by David Powlison which was no doubt a balm to my weary soul. I highly suggest that you listen to it. Powlison is a very gifted counselor and I highly recommend any and all of his materials. If you have ever struggled with introspection, or you know of someone who does, I believe this may be of immense benefit.

While I may have grown towards humility in some respects, it is clear that I cannot rid myself of pride by mere introspection alone, but by mainly trusting in Christ and constantly and consistently applying His grace in my life. What a Counselor we have in Jesus!

You can download David Powlison's message here from Sovereign Grace Ministries.

iTunes "Religion & Spirituality Barometer" - 9/15/08

Barometer Reading: 9/15/08



This Week's Winner: Joel Osteen. Interestingly enough, Focus on the Family was in the top spot a few days ago. Apparently Joel just wouldn't let that stand.

Honorable Mention: John Piper and R.C. Sproul in the Top Ten! It looks like the Desiring God podcast is just about as consistent as Oprah and Osteen. Sadly, Mark Driscoll dropped to 19! I think he needs to cuss more...

Hurricane Ike

Might I suggest that if you haven't prayed for the people who will be affected by Hurricane Ike, it would most likely be worth your time to do so. Right now if possible. Thank you.

How does this even happen?

It must be video day in the blogosphere. Here are two videos that I'm not sure whether to laugh at, or feel sick over. The first was featured on Justin Taylor's blog, Between Two Worlds. The second was featured on the Reformation21 blog. I'll let you judge which is worse.





Let's throw in some Rowan Atkinson for good measure...

Voddie Baucham on CNN: Sarah Palin & Women's Roles

What began as a simple discussion about Sarah Palin quickly became an impassioned discussion about the roles of women and the truth of the gospel.

Voddie Baucham = Titus 1:9

iTunes "Religion & Spirituality Barometer" - 9/9/08

Barometer Reading 9/9/08



This Week's Winner: Joel Osteen! I'm starting to wonder if I am going to be writing that name a lot over the next few weeks.

Honorable Mention: John Piper and Mark Driscoll in the Top Ten! Maybe John Piper needs to come out with a magazine like Oprah. Yes...I can see it now.

iTunes "Religion & Spirituality Barometer" - 9/3/08

Well, after a relaxing Labor Day I suppose it is about time I start posting again. I am a few days late on this one, but hopefully you can all forgive me.

Barometer Reading - 9/3/08



This Week's Winner: Joel "Numero Uno" Osteen. Trying to dethrone this guy is like trying to knock down the walls of Jericho. I think the Reformed podcasts need a little more cowbell.

Honorable Mention: John Piper and Mark Driscoll both moved up one spot bringing them a little closer to the land of Osteen & Oprah. Also, R.C Sproul moved from position 16 to 10! Perhaps the tides are changing...