Daniel Darling's Blog, page 48
December 3, 2015
The Way Home: Episode 46 featuring Bob Welch
Although a century and a half after its publication, the familiar story of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge and innocent Tiny Tim remains popular and continues to reach millions of people. But Dickens wanted his story to do more than entertain- he wanted it to teach lessons about forgiveness, redemption, and faith. Welch’s book peals back some of the layers on this classic tale offering insights and implications for how to live in a spirit of love and forgiveness.
In today’s podcast we will talk with Bob about the Christmas Carol, what motivated Charles Dickens to write it, and what lessons can be learned from Ebenezer Scrooge.
Listen to this week’s episode
Show Notes:
Twitter: @bob_welch
Website: bobwelch.net
Book: 52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol
Register for Evangelicals for Life and use coupon code WAYHOME.
December 1, 2015
Joining Green Hill Church
One of the reasons I love my job here at ERLC is that our mission to equip the church to think through moral and ethical issues. I love the church, having grown up hearing the gospel preached, learning the hymns, and worshiping Christ every Sunday. I loved pastoring. I believe, with all my heart, that the most important meetings in the world happen on Sunday mornings when God’s people gather to say to themselves and to the world, “There is another King and another Kingdom.”
I also love public policy and I love cultural engagement. I always have. I began reading newspapers and political magazines when most other kids were doing what most other kids do. I love politics. I love the intersection between the gospel and the world. In my writing and my preaching and my speaking I’ve always tried to help connect the Scriptures to everyday life in a fallen world.
When we moved to Nashville, I gave up my pastorate in Illinois to work alongside Dr. Moore and the excellent team at ERLC. But I didn’t give up my role as a member of Christ’s body and as a churchman. When we landed here, we joined a wonderful, congregation, First Baptist Church of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, led by my friend, Andy Hale, a gifted and passionate preacher. I’m so grateful for this church and and their warm embrace of our family and the opportunities to serve the body of Christ. I learned and grew by sitting under Andy’s preaching.
A few months ago, I was approached by my good and godly friend, Daryl Crouch, pastor of a nearby church, Green Hill Church, a sister SBC congregation in Mt. Juliet. Daryl asked me if I’d consider serving Green Hill as a pastor of Teaching and Discipleship, in a way that would allow me to both continue my work at ERLC and also apply my gifts to this wonderful local church. Angela and I prayed about this and sought some council. We met with Daryl and his family and his team and we felt God was in this. We hated to leave First Baptist and the good people who have been so kind to us there, but after talking with Andy, we all felt God was in this move.
We have been members of Green Hill for several months, having transferred our membership, but we made it official on Sunday: I have joined their team as Pastor of Teaching and Discipleship. This limited role will allow me to help lead Green Hill and think through discipleship and theological education at the church level and be part of the wonderful team led by Daryl Crouch. Having seen him up close and personal these last few months, I’ve been impressed with Daryl’s passion for the gospel, great expository preaching, and shepherd’s heart.
God has been good to me, in allowing me to both work full-time in public policy and equipping the church for the ERLC and to be actively involved in a vibrant local church.
November 27, 2015
The Way Home: Episode 45 featuring Scott James
Every Christmas, Christians all over the world celebrate Advent season by reflecting on the arrival of the Messiah and the promises that were fulfilled at the birth of Jesus. In his new devotional, Scott celebrates the nativity by looking at the whole story of redemption and focusing on how Jesus’ birth and life and ultimately death and resurrection fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.
Designed for both family and individual use, each devotional serves as a beautiful reminder about the meaning of Christmas and why Advent season is important for Christians.
Scott also shares what it means to serve the Lord in his capacity as a pediatric physician and how parents can intentionally teach their children about Christmas and the incarnation of Jesus.
Listen to this week’s episode
Show Notes:
Twitter: @scott_h_james
Website: theexpectedonebook.com
Book: The Expected One: Anticipating All of Jesus in the Advent
Register for Evangelicals for Life and use coupon code WAYHOME.
November 19, 2015
Good Reading on Syrian Refugees
The plight of Syrian refugees, particularly their possible resettlement in the United States, has come under increased scrutiny in the days since the Paris terrorists attacks. The conversation online (much of it ugly) has centered around the tension of two American ideals: maintaining national security and welcoming those who are fleeing terror. I’ve done quite a bit of reading in the last few days on this issue, so I thought I’d pass along some of the best, most informed pieces on the settlement of Syrian refugees.
ERLC Explainer: What You Should Know About the Syrian Refugees
A short explainer on the crisis to get you up to speed.
Migration Policy Institute: US Record Shows Syrian Refugees Are Not a Threat
A policy blog examines the history and record of the US’ refugee resettlement program
Cato Institute: Syrian Refugees Don’t Pose a Serious Security Threat
The conservative think tank examines the rigorous processing and vetting of Syrian refugees
Bearing Drift, Virginia’s Conservative Source: Myths Versus Facts in the Syrian Refugee Issue
This conservative blog dispels some common myths about Syrian refugees
Lawfare (A National Security Blog): In Defense of Syrian Refugees
An outspoken national security hawk makes the case that accepting refugees might actually help national security
Ross Douthat: Europe’s Refugee Problem and Ours
Ross deftly explains the tension between security and compassion.
Christianity Today: A Church Welcome for the Tired, Poor
Mark Galli from CT on the church’s response
Desiring God: Building His Church In a Refugee Crisis
John Piper’s ministry on the church’s response
Ed Stetzer: We Are All Parisians Now
Good word from Ed on balancing security and mission
Alan Cross: Considering the Facts, a Christian Response from Alabama to the Syrian Refugee Crisis
An SBC pastor and immigration expert offers the facts about Syrian refugees
Micah Fries: Let’s Help Syrian (and other Refugees)
Regardless of your political views, here are ways for ordinary Christians to physically help refugees
The Exchange with Ed Stetzer: Announcing the GC2 Summit
An important conference on refugees at Wheaton College
Samaritan’s Purse: The Rising Tide: Europe’s Rising Refugee Crisis
This video, of refugees coming ashore in Greece, will break your heart.
Buzzfeed: Where Syrian Children Sleep
This too will break your heart
Photo credit: Freedom House
The Way Home: Episode 44 featuring Nathan Finn
. Listen to this week’s episode
Show Notes:
Twitter: @nathanafinn
Website: nathanfinn.com
Book: The Baptist Story: From English Sect to Global Movement
Register for Evangelicals for Life and use coupon code WAYHOME.
November 12, 2015
The Way Home: Episode 43 featuring Josh Reich
, came out in October.Listen to this week’s episode
Show Notes:
Twitter: @joshuareich
Websites: joshuareich.org
Book: Breathing Room: Stressing Less & Living More
Register for Evangelicals for Life and use coupon code WAYHOME.
November 5, 2015
The Way Home: Episode 42 Featuring Jason Duesing
Listen to this week’s episode
Show Notes:
Twitter: @JGDuesing
Websites: jgduesing.com and MBTS
Book: Seven Summits in Church History
Register for Evangelicals for Life and use coupon code WAYHOME.
October 29, 2015
The Way Home: Episode 41 featuring Jefferson Bethke
He burst onto the scene with the viral video: Jesus > Religion. Since then, Jefferson Bettke has been a creative gospel witness online and to audiences around the country. His videos have been seen by tens of millions on Youtube and his books have reached the bestseller lists. So what is it about the digital world that offers unique opportunities to communicate the gospel? I’ll talk to Jefferson about this and about his new book, It’s Not What You Think
, where he tackles several misunderstood spiritual topics in light of Christ’s coming kingdom.
Listen to this week’s episode
Show Notes:
Twitter: @JeffersonBethke
Website: notwhatyouthink.tv
YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/bball1989
Book: It’s Not What You Think: Why Christianity Is About So Much More Than Going to Heaven When You Die
Register for Evangelicals for Life and use coupon code WAYHOME.
October 23, 2015
ICYM: Some recent articles
In case you missed it, here are some recent articles I’ve written:
No Quick Fixes – In Touch Magazine
A. W. Tozer famously said, “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.” Maybe this is what Paul was referring to when he told the believers at Corinth that God uses the comfort we receive in times of trial to comfort others (2 Cor 1:4). Comfort, I learned, is not a five-step process and it doesn’t come quickly … or easily. Read the Psalms and hear the lament of men like David who longed for God to come near, to hear the pain, to usher in hope. Hear the wails of Job, the most righteous man on earth, as he scratches around for some fragment of faith. Or Jeremiah, the weeping prophet. Or Isaiah, a man of woe.
This isn’t to say that spiritual friendship doesn’t mean applying Scripture and encouraging the act of prayer. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t point people to the hope of their resurrected Lord. But genuine, Christ-like empathy doesn’t push people through a spiritual assembly line. Instead, it drips with grace, is spoken through tears, and comes wrapped in the patient presence of brotherly (or sisterly) love.
The Essential Art of Forgiveness – Leadership Journal
Forgiveness is not ancillary to spiritual leadership. It’s vital. A leader’s ability to forgive others directly impacts his ability to lead others. I’m convinced of it, not only from the life of Joseph who became a wise and capable leader in Egypt.
I had to forgive those who had hurt me deeply not only for my own personal spiritual growth, but also because I had a congregation of people watching me. How could I preach of the forgiveness Christ offers and yet harbor bitterness in my heart? How could I help my people apply the gospel to their own relational struggles if I ignored what the gospel was telling me?
I’ve seen bitterness tear at the heart of a leader and poison his leadership. I’ve seen it up close in ministry and I’ve read about it in countless biographies. Look closely at tyrannical leaders–in ministry, in government, in business, anywhere—and you’ll find a common trait. Somewhere in their past was a deep hurt that wounded them so deeply they couldn’t move on. Bitterness and cynicism became embedded in their psyche, making them insecure and power-hungry.
When we can’t or won’t forgive, we communicate something other than the gospel we claim to declare. We say, with our lives, that God is less than all-powerful and that our circumstances are outside of his control. What’s more we offer a limited gospel, one that only heals certain kinds of pain. Ultimately, we lead our people away from the living water their hearts crave.
The Possibility of Beautiful Orthodoxy – Christianity Today
Beautiful Orthodoxy matters because of both words. Beauty originates, not with the artists and poets who stir our emotions with their work, but with the Creator who created us to create. Beauty, regardless of the intent of its human maker, always points back to the Triune God, the original artist and craftsman. And orthodoxy matters because it is the body of truth passed down from generation to generation, through 2,000 years of church history, that tells us about ourselves, how we relate to God, and about the world. To wed the two: beauty and orthodoxy is what Christianity Today does best. Holding fast to “the faith once delivered to the saints” and communicating this in a way that tells the beautiful story of salvation history in Christ.
photo credit: Epicantus
October 22, 2015
The Way Home: Episode 40 featuring Matthew Hall
Matthew Hall serves as the Vice President for Academic Services at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
Listen to this week’s episode
Show Notes:
Twitter: @matthewjhall
Bio: sbts.edu/students/vice-president-for-academic-services
