Aaron Armstrong's Blog, page 368
June 13, 2012
Links I Like
Dustin Neeley:
I was lying on the floor pushing Thomas the Tank Engine around his wooden track when I realized my young son had been speaking to me for the past 30 seconds, but I hadn’t listened to a word he had said. Instead, I was too preoccupied thinking about the church. Those precious moments were now gone—never to return. Sadly, I bet many other pastors can relate.
TemptationIs an Invitation
Casey Cease:
Several years ago I met with a young man who ha...
June 12, 2012
Book Review: Equipping Counselors for Your Church by Robert Kellemen
If someone came to you and said they wanted to start a biblical counseling ministry in your church, what might come to mind? That seems like a lot of work? Do we really need another ministry to administrate? After reading Bob Kellemen’s recently released book,Equipping Counselors for Your Church: The 4E Ministry Training Strategy, I’m convinced that’s the wrong question. Why? Because biblical counseling is really about discipleship.
The goal shouldn’t be to start a biblical counseling ministry...
Links I Like
Adrian Warnock, from his interview in the article, “What is the Gospel Coalition? on Christian.co.uk“:
There’s always been liberalism. What’s different about it now is it seems more reluctant to use the label. When I grew up in Christianity I spoke to people who would clearly say ‘I’m a liberal’. Evangelicals were seen as a pesky minority. That’s changed and there’s a trend to a more evangelical faith. The evangelical movement...
June 11, 2012
More Lessons I’m Learning from Other Preachers
I remember the first time I stepped into the pulpit. I was scared stiff. Sweaty palms, hands clenching my Bible and notes… but in the end, I did okay. Part of what helped was getting some help. The first meeting I ever had with our pastor was for him to give me some pointers. Then another friend took me under his wing, giving me the opportunity to get better.
Like writing, art, music, cooking or pretty much anything else, preaching takes practice. But it also takes a willingness to learn from...
Links I Like
Chris Castaldo:
…discomfort about Ian and Larissa may reveal a fundamental misunderstanding of Christian marriage. The Bible portrays marriage—especially when entered into by believers—not as a contractual agreement between two parties, but as a covenant relationship before God. Ian and Larissa Murphy know this.
TheologicalPrimer: The Attributes of Scripture
Kevin DeYoung:
Historically, Protestant theologians have highlighted four defining attributes of Scripture:necess...
June 10, 2012
Lord, Maintain the Faith Thou Hast Created
Heal us, Emanuel! Here we are, needing that healing. Good Physician, here is scope for Thee; come and manifest Thy healing power! There are many of us who have looked unto Jesus and are lightened, but we do confess that our faith was the gift of God. We had never looked with these blear eyes of ours to that dear cross, unless first the heavenly light had shone, and the heavenly finger had taken the thick scales away.
We trace therefore our faith to that same God who gave us life, and we ask no...
June 9, 2012
The Absolute Need of Self-Examination
There are multitudes who think occasionally about Christianity, but unhappily never get beyond thinking. After a stirring sermon, or after a funeral, or under the pressure of illness, or on Sunday evening, or when things go bad in their families, or when they meet some bright example of a Christian, or when they fall in with some striking, religious book or tract, they will at the time think a good deal, and even talk a little about religion in a vague way. But they stop short, as if thinking...
Links I Like (Weekend Edition)
Marc Cortez:
Almost every evangelism training I’ve ever been through has emphasized the importance of being able to share the gospel in one minute or less. The assumption seems to be that this is something every mature Christian should be able to do. And, to be honest, I agree. But with some significant reservations. From the right perspective, the One Minute Gospel can be very helpful. But far too often the One Minute Gospel leads us into a...
June 8, 2012
5 Books I’m Reading This Summer
With summer—and with it vacations—just around the corner, now’s a great time to think about what you’re reading if and when you’re taking time off. My summer’s going to be filled with all kinds of new and exciting changes at work (new responsibilities, new position with my current employer) and that will definitely going to impact what I read.
Here are a few books I’m planning to read this summer:
The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
I don’t have tweens in the house and I typically don’t...
Links I Like
Paul Levy:
Over the past few weeks I’ve been asked on three occasions about ministers and contracts and pay rates. It is a tricky subject and in each situation it was fraught with tension and frustration on both sides.
$5 Friday at Ligonier
This week’s selections includesThe Masculine Mandate: God’s Calling toMenby Richard Phillips (hardcover), and Dr. Sproul’sMeaning ForMen&Building a ChristianConscienceteaching series (download),among many other...
