Sin and Suffering

The most surprising aspect of my CCEF classes should have been the least.

I was surprised by the depth and breadth of sin and suffering in the world.

In these classes, we learned about marriage problems, addictions, depression, bi-polar mania, chronic pain, anger, sexual victimization, bulimia, anorexia, and so on for almost 80 hours of classroom experience.

It was overwhelming at times--the sheer weight of the suffering experienced by sinners.

Yes, the Gospel speaks to these suffering sinners.

God has something truly transformative and life-changing to say to us in Jesus.

But still, my eyes were opened again to the effects of the Curse.

Marantha! Come, Lord Jesus.

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Biblical Counseling and Physiology -- The Question of Medication

David Powlison offers some helpful clarifications on the Biblical Counseling perspective on psychoactive medications.

This is the kind of thing I am learning through my CCEF Classes. This is not the only thing that can or should be said, but I do think it is insightful.

Very interesting, thought provoking, and, I think, helpful.

[HT: JT]

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The End of Acts and the Beginning of Romans

Byron Harvey has just finished the biggest preaching project he's ever undertaken--the Book of Acts.

And now, he's turned the page and is taking on the greatest epistle ever written--the book of Romans.

Looking forward to his exposition and applications.

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Quietness of Heart - Psalm 62

RCO on PS62

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CCEF Class Update - Post Course Assignment Time

In case you thought it was all over, you need to know that it's only half way there.

For all four of my CCEF classes, I have a post-course assignment that is bigger than the pre-course assignment was, and due in a shorter amount of time (mid-November).

So, I'm still a man standing in the need of prayer, and I appreciate every one.

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Vote for Jesus

You don't hear about politics here at Hot Orthodoxy.

It's not because I don't have opinions (boy, I've got 'em!), but because I'm mainly a Christian pastor who is trying to point people towards Jesus in a spiritually hot and doctrinally orthodox way.

Of course, what we believe about Jesus affects what we believe about politics! He is Lord, after all! But I'm not sure that my many ruminations about these things are maturated enough to blogcast to the world. If I have something wise like that to share someday, I will.

But I do think these posts by my friend and fellow EFCA pastor, Marty Schoenleber -- the Chosen Rebel, are worthy of consideration as we march towards the next election. Marty is running a new blog called Vote for Jesus which includes penetrating thoughts from the book of Proverbs and neat stories about elections.

Check it out.

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The Congregation United in Song

John Piper on the importance of corporate singing.

I agree wholeheartedly. I have heard him say this part before:

Thirteen years ago we asked: What should be the defining sound of corporate worship at Bethlehem, besides the voice of biblical preaching?

We meant: Should it be pipe organ, piano, guitar, drums, choir, worship team, orchestra, etc. The answer we gave was “The people of Bethlehem singing.”

That has been so helpful to me as we've navigated the worship-style-waters here at Lanse Free Church.

What's important? That the congregation unites in song.

Read the whole thing.

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The Beauty of Living and Dying

Kendra Petras, church-re-planting pastor's wife of Mark, recounts the moving story of Mark's mother's home-going at about the same time she got to see her son Nathan come into the world.

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Kingdom Families

The most recent 9marks E-journal is devoted to developing Kingdom Families.

I profited from reading all of it.

I especially was blessed by the bullet-point list of do's and don'ts for parenting by Matt & Elizabeth Schmucker.

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