Matthew 6:24 reads “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Though this passage is well known, what makes it somewhat odd is the idea of serving money. We tend to think of money serving us rather than the other way around. In What Jesus Demands of The World (Crossway, 2006), John Piper writes a succinct, helpful explanation of this passage:The surprising thing here is that serving God is compared to serving money. But how do you serve money? Not by helping … [Read more...] about You Cannot Serve God and Money
Archives for July 2008
Greg Laurie Loses Son Christopher (33) To Car Accident
Pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie (Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, CA) lost his thirty-three year old son Christopher in an automobile accident yesterday (July 24). The Christian Examiner reports: RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Christopher Laurie—the 33-year-old son of Harvest Crusade evangelist Greg Laurie and his wife, Cathe—died July 24 in a car crash in Riverside County in Southern California, ministry publicist Laura Swickard McGowan, said. According to local news reports, Christopher Laurie was traveling on Highway 91, when he entered a carpool lane that was being closed down by … [Read more...] about Greg Laurie Loses Son Christopher (33) To Car Accident
How Sweet and Awful Is The Place
This is the amazing hymn to which the Together For The Gospel 2008 Slideshow is set: How sweet and awful is the place With Christ within the doors, While everlasting love displays The choicest of her stores. While all our hearts and all our songs Join to admire the feast, Each of us cry, with thankful tongues, "Lord, why was I a guest?" "Why was I made to hear Thy voice, And enter while there's room, When thousands make a wretched choice, And rather starve than come?" 'Twas the same love that spread the feast That sweetly drew us in; Else we had still refused to taste, And perished in our … [Read more...] about How Sweet and Awful Is The Place
Rick Warren Defends His Upcoming Presidential Forum
Rick Warren responds to the concern that the August 16 Presidential Forum, a joint appearance with Senators Barack Obama and John McCain to be hosted at Saddleback Church, is co-sponsored by the social justice group Faith in Public Life, whose board president is Meg Riley, a Unitarian Universalist minister who previously ran the denomination's homosexual advocacy office.Warren says he is not troubled that a left-wing advocacy group will be co-sponsoring the forum at his California church. "Really we just are...co-hosting [the event]," says the pastor. "[T]hey came up with the original idea, … [Read more...] about Rick Warren Defends His Upcoming Presidential Forum
The Purpose of Marriage: Children and Societal Stability
In light of the upcoming CA vote on the marriage amendment, concerned Christians are wondering how to interact with others about this crucial issue. It may be tempting to immediately resort to the Bible, but that will probably be less than convincing to secularists or those of other religious traditions. An August 2003 Weekly Standard article from Maggie Gallagher is, I believe, an outstanding example of how to winsomely persuade others that unisex marriage is bad for society. Though somewhat dated now, the issues she raises remain quite valid. Her bottom-line is that children need mothers … [Read more...] about The Purpose of Marriage: Children and Societal Stability
Mohler-Dobson Interaction on Obama (Con’t)
The James Dobson - Albert Mohler interaction on Barack Obama was very provocative. Many topics arose, including (predictably) abortion and homosexual marriage. There was also an energetic exchange on whether evangelical interests have shifted away from traditional issues such as abortion and marriage toward other concerns such as poverty and climate change. Dr. Mohler noted that he had read virtually all of Obama's writings (I believe it) and that he regarded Obama as "probably the most liberal presidential candidate to gain a major party nomination in the history of our nation". To see … [Read more...] about Mohler-Dobson Interaction on Obama (Con’t)