Sep 3rd 2010

Friday Five Interview: Tullian Tchividjian

Its a great privilege to interview Tullian Tchividjian. William Graham Tullian Tchividjian (pronounced cha-vi-jin) is the Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Tullian comes from a very famous family. He is the grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham.

I first learned about Tullian Tchividjian after reading his terrific book, Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different. Recently, I read his latest book, Surprised by Grace: God’s Relentless Pursuit of Rebels. (Read my review here) This is a terrific book that I highly recommend.

Tullian is also a contributing editor to Leadership Journal. He speaks at conferences throughout the US and his sermons are broadcast daily on the radio program Godward Living.

I’m grateful that Tullian stopped by to answer five questions for Friday Five:

1) I thoroughly enjoyed Unfashionable. I really think it spoke to today’s younger generation of pastors and Christian leaders about the tendency to want to fit in. Do you think this is a struggle for our generation?

Yes! Many well-meaning Christian’s have concluded that the best way to reach the world is to become just like the world. And so we become preoccupied with persuading the world around us that we’re cool, that we can “hang.” But I’m convinced that serious seekers today aren’t looking for something appealing and trendy. They’re looking for something deeper than what’s currently in fashion. New generations are thirsting for truthfulness, not trendiness. They long for someone to speak to them truthfully about a time and a place other than their own, about something and someone other than themselves. They want to know that there are different people out there who are willing to die for what they believe. That’s why, if you stop and listen, you’ll hear that the cry of our times is for something completely otherworldly. People are up to their necks in up-to-date structures and cutting-edge methodologies. They’re beginning to understand that modern capabilities cannot make us better and more satisfied people, nor make this world a better, more satisfying place. They seem desperate to recover a world that once was, a world that allows for mystery, miracle, and wonder—a world with windows to somewhere else. So, the point I make over and over in Unfashionable is that Christians make a difference in this world by being different from this world; they don’t make a difference by being the same. This is critically important, because in our trend-chasing world it’s tempting for Christians to slowly lose their distinctiveness by accommodating to culture. But by trying so hard to fit in, many Christians risk having nothing distinctive to say to those who feel, in Walker Percy’s memorable phrase, “lost in the cosmos.” In contrast, I’m calling this generation to embrace the delicious irony Christ demonstrated in bringing a message of God’s kingdom that subversively transforms both individuals and the world. Only by being properly unfashionable can we engage our broken world with an embodied gospel that witnesses to God’s gracious promise of restoration, significance, and life.

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Sep 2nd 2010

Resources for Studying John

I’ve been preaching through the gospel of John at Gages Lake Bible Church for two, going on three years. I’m on chapter fifteen at the moment. I’ve been blessed with some incredibly helpful resources for study. I’m a guy who likes to dive in and really soak up what the text is saying.  I like to read a lot. A few people have asked me for some helpful resources on the Gospel of John, so here is my list. I don’t read every single one every single week. Some weeks I have to study more–because the text is more difficult. Other weeks I study less. Even on the so-called “easy texts,” those well-known ones, I really do quite a bit of study, because I believe God wants me and the congregation to learn new and fresh things about the old truths.

So, here is my list. Hope you find it helpful:

Commentaries:

James Mongtomery Boice’s five-volume set The Gospel of John. This is an awesome, thorough commentary. What I love about Boice is that he is a pastor at heart. He brings a depth and clarity and richness and practicality. He’s also very, very thorough, doesn’t skip anything. Some who are not of the Reformed persuasion might be scared off by the former pastor of Tenth Presbyterian in Philadelphia, but you needn’t be. Boice, in his commentary on John, is definitely Reformed, but is balanced. You will get much out of this.

Ray Stedman’s Sermons at raystedman.org. This is a free, treasure-trove of sermons. Not just on the Gospel of John, but on many books of the Bible. Great stuff, from one of the greatest expositors of the Word.

Warren Weirsbe’s Bible Exposition Commentary. One of my favorite pastors, authors, and commentators. I usually read Weirsbe first, just because he gives a really thorough overview of the text, he outlines well, and gives you a snapshot of every chapter, every book. Plus he’s rich with cross-references and language study.

Preaching the Word Commentary with R. Kent Hughes and others. This is a wonderful commentary. Dr. Hughes, now retired, was a fantastic preacher at College Church in Wheaton. I love his background information. He gives such cultural depth.

Bob Deffinbaugh’s That You Might Believe commentary series in John. You can buy the book or you can look them up at the Net Bible (netbible.org). I actually bought Bob’s book, because it was easier than having to search for his John stuff on netbible. Plus I like books. Bob is excellent. Lots of background and language stuff, also is able to see clearly what the purpose of the passage is.

Merril Tenney’s commentary on John. Merril is very succinct, not a lot of extra stuff, but good, original insights on language and culture and structure of the book.

I also regularly listen to these guy’s sermons:
Rich McCarrell, pastor of Byron Center Bible Church
Michael Easley, former President of Moody Bible Institute

I also read these regularly:

Bible Knowledge Commentary
Bible Background Commentary
Harry Ironside Commentary
John Butler’s Commentary
Rod Mattoon’s Commentary
King James Bible Commentary
ESV Study Bible
Ryrie Study Bible
Complete Biblical Library
J. Vernon McGee

Then sometimes I’ll read:

Wilmington’s Guide to the Bible
Archeological Study Bible
Barnhouse – Illustrating the Gospel of John
John Gill’s Commentary
Calvin’s Commentary


Aug 27th 2010

Friday Five Interview: Tricia Goyer

Tricia Goyer is a multi-published author and speaker. I got to know Tricia when my first book, Teen People of the Bible was released. Her career has really taken off since.

Tricia is the author of 25 books, including historical and contemporary fiction as well as nonfiction. She has published over 300 articles for national publications such as Guideposts for Kids, Focus on the Family, Christian Parenting Today, Today’s Christian Woman and HomeLife Magazine. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from American Christian Fiction Writers, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer’s Conference in 2003. Tricia’s book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion Book Award in 2005.

She also speaks and conducts workshops for teens around the nation, and offers programs to assist teens and teen moms. Tricia is a frequent workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Convention, and the founder of Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Northwestern Montana.

Her latest project is a book with Kristin Andersen, whose compelling story of attempted suicided and God’s grace is told in the book, Life, In Spite of Me.

1) For those who aren’t aware of Tricia Goyer, tell us a bit about your writing journey and how you got started. I know some of it began with Dr. Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God:

I first thought about writing in 1993. A friend from church, Cindy Martinusen told me about her aspirations to become a novelist. My first thought was . . . Real people do that? She invited me to attend Mount Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference with her. I was new as new can be. I was also 22-years-old and pregnant with my third child, but I learned enough at that conference to start off on the right track. For many years I wrote parenting articles, but I really wanted to get a book published. I tried and tried and although it became very close I didn’t get a contract. I was so disappointed. I questioned God … how come I couldn’t get published? After all, my books would glorify Him. It was during that time when I started attending the Experiencing God Bible Study. The key phrase that stuck with me was, “See what God is doing and join Him.” God was doing a lot … just not in the writing realm. So I started following God. I helped start a Crisis Pregnancy Center and mentoring teen moms, and I discovered I loved it. I did a little writing, and a lot of serving. Yet it was amazing what came out of that. I started speaking, and I got a contract for Life Interrupted: The Scoop on Being a Teen Mom. Then, after the center was up and going I got a novel contract! I truly believe that since I was willing to follow God He gave me the desires of my heart.

2) Interestingly, you write across many genres, from books about parenting, to collaborative books with celebrities, to novels. Is there a running theme across your work?

There is a running theme … liberation. In my WWII novels the liberation is real. They are freed from the Nazis. For my parenting books, hopefully my readers will be liberated by what the “perfect” parent looks like. In each book I write I hope the reader puts it down with a new sense of freedom, hope and inspiration.

3) You recently finished a project with my good friend, Kristin Anderson, whose life story is so compelling. How did you and Kristin find each other?

God has his hand in that! I was at a publisher’s brunch when I sat down next to a woman named Margaret McSweeney. We were introducing ourselves and I was telling her about my writing, and she turned to me, eyes wide: “I feel the Holy Spirit tapping my shoulder. I think you’re supposed to write a book about a young woman named Kristen Anderson.” I’d never heard of Kristen at that time, but Margaret soon introduced us. As soon as I heard Kristen’s story I knew I wanted to write it.

4) You seem to have a special place in your heart for teens, especially young teen mothers. How did God birth this in your heart?

This was birthed in my heart because I was a teen mom. I had my oldest son Cory when I was 17. Women from my mom’s church gathered around me and showed me love. Because of their love I rededicated my life to Christ. I want to offer the same type of hope and love to teen moms.

5) If you could give one piece of advice to someone who feels the call to write for God, what would that be?

Attend a writer’s conference. God will connect you will the most amazing people and you’ll also get the tools to write well. After all, if we’re going to write for God we need to do it to the best of our ability!

Aug 27th 2010

H is for Hope – FAITH Series

If there is one vital ingredient the Christian culture fails to instill in kids, it is hope. You don’t have to look very far to see that we live in a world devoid of hope. From the violent streets in our urban centers, to the staggering number of children abandoned and orphaned, to the increasing number of at-risk behaviors among young people—the hopelessness quotient is spiraling out of control.

But as parents, equipped by the truth of God’s Word, we can reverse the tide by instilling solid, truth-based hope in our children.

I think Christian parents are often so focused on righting wrong behaviors, discipline and teaching, that we forget to give our kids a healthy dose of confidence, so they can face the world without fear. Sadly, there are many kids who grew up in good Christian homes, who look around and have no hope.

I believe the most important thing a parent can do for their children is to believe in them. Not in an irrational, flattering sort of way, but to cheer them on in a way that lifts them up, that challenges them to reach newer and bigger heights.

Part of hope-building involves intentional identification of their God given gifts and talents, helping to polish those tools toward their God-given purpose. Kids need and want guidance.

As influencers, parents have a unique opportunity to study their children, find their strengths, and steer them toward the best opportunities for success.

Quite often I will talk to young people and I ask them, “What do you think you will be or do when you grow up?” Invariably I get some version of the expected Christian answer, “Serve the Lord” or “Do God’s Will.”

And that sounds great. In fact, that gives me a sense that a child is fully surrendered to God’s will. But it doesn’t go far enough. It makes it seem as if a child’s purpose and calling are somehow shrouded in mystery. Only Indiana Jones can find the real “center” of “God’s perfect will.”

This is where the Christian community really needs to step up. Parents, pastors, youth pastors, teachers, Grandparents, and any other influencers. You are needed to help shape young people and steer them toward their purpose.

Notice I didn’t say your purpose for them. I said “their purpose.” Every single child, who has been redeemed by the Gospel, has been restored to their original, God-given purpose.

God’s will isn’t for young people to spend their lives navel-gazing, hoping and praying God’s will smacks them on the head. No, each has a specific calling by God.

How do they find that calling? Well, its not as hard as we make it. And its up to parents to help kids make decisions based on their God-given gifts, their skill sets, their life experiences, their opportunities, and their personalities. All of those form the unique package that is them.

Guess what happens when you start to help a child identify his calling? It gives them a sense of hope. They need grown-ups to communicate their belief in them.

This is part five of a five part series of devos featured by Mark Elfstrand of The Morning Ride on WMBI 90.1 FM Chicago

I will never forget the teacher in High School who told me that I should pursue writing. Her words have helped to carry me to this day.

So parents, in your quest to instill faith, accountability, integrity, and truth in your kids, don’t forget the final ingredient. Don’t leave hope behind.

Aug 26th 2010

T is for Truth – FAITH Series

You don’t have to be a cultural expert to know that we’re living in a post-modern era, where truth is relative and everyone’s beliefs hold equal merit.

So the question for parents is how do we equip our children to be difference-makers in a world of shifting values?

The answer is one word. Truth.

Jesus said “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). There is a freedom in knowing the truth. And by truth, we don’t mean a static set of beliefs, but truth as embodied in a Person. In John 14:6, Jesus actually claims to be truth personified.

And so our child-training efforts must have a singular goal in mind: pointing our kids to the truth of who Jesus is and who they are in Him.

This is not a passive job. It’s not something that happens by osmosis. Nobody will teach our children the truth if we, as parents, do not. The culture certainly won’t instill truth. The public education system won’t instill truth. And their friends, largely, won’t have the wisdom and sense to teach our children the truth.

So this enormous responsibility is up to us, the parents. The question is this. Are we, as parents, doing a good job? If you believe the latest polling data, the answer is a definitive no.

Why is that? Well, perhaps our paradigm is wrong. For decades now, parents have largely outsourced their spiritual education to the church. Sunday School, youth group, Awana clubs, Vacation Bible School, and summer camps.

Those are all vital and necessary ministries. But they don’t replace the daily, consistent influence of parents. In fact, the Bible speaks in great detail about a parent’s job to pass the torch of faith from generation to generation. “Teach your children, and your children’s children,” is an oft-repeated line in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 4:8-9).

In the New Testament, we see the example of Timothy, who Paul says was intentionally trained by his mother and grandmother. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, we read of the “sincere faith” passed down from grandmother to mother to son.

This was a sincere faith. What we want to pass to our children is a simple, humble dependence upon God, a knowledge of who God is, an understanding of the Scriptures.

Too often, however, we pass down rules, systems, and methodologies that grow old with generations and have no spiritual impact in and of themselves. We must instead allow the Holy Spirit use our humble teaching of the Word to grow the see we’ve planted in each child’s heart.

The next generations’ expressions of faith, both in music and style may look different than ours. But that’s okay. Because our primary responsibility is to connect them with God and allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest of the work.

This is part four of a five part series of devos featured by Mark Elfstrand on The Morning Ride on WBMI 90.1 FM Chicago

Why is it so important to instill truth in our children? Because they will grow up in an increasingly ungodly world, where their character and values and foundations will be assaulted.

But if they know the truth, that is if they know Jesus, He will use what we’ve poured into their lives to enable them to be difference-makers in their generation.

For the complete audio of this message, click here.

Aug 25th 2010

I is for Integrity – FAITH Series

This is part three of a five part series of devos featured by Mark Elfstrand on The Morning Ride on WMBI 90.1 FM Chicago

Henry Clay said, “Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character.”

If there is one virtue we want to see embodied in the next generation, it is integrity. Why? Because integrity, like a rock, will endure in the good times and the bad.

Today, as we see our world come apart at the seems, many Christians want to blame the media, the politicians, or Hollywood. But all of those entities are just reflections of us, the people. And if there is on deficit worth sweating over, its not the federal deficit, but the character deficit.

William R. Allen said, “Certainly it is a world of scarcity. But the scarcity is not confined to iron ore and arable land. The most constricting scarcities are those of character and personality.”

So what do parents do? We can complain about the lack of integrity in our society or we can do something. We may not be able to control the media, the politicians, or Hollywood, but we can have influence on how the children entrusted to our care live their lives.

Integrity begins at home. In Ephesians 6, Paul gives father’s a challenge. He says that Dads can either frustrate their children or raise them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

In today’s language we might say that a father can make a mark or leave a scar. And nowhere is a father’s influence greater than in the way he carries himself every single day.

Children want to see authenticity in their parents. Not perfection. Not legalism. But authentic character that resists the temptation to compromise. It has been said that kids hear what you tell them, but they internalize what you show them.

And let’s be clear, by integrity we don’t mean Phariseeism, more man-made rules. We don’t mean arrogance that boasts of self-righteousness. In fact, the hypocrisy of living by lists often leads children to reject the faith of their parents, because they see the holes in a works-based relationship with God.

Integrity is something different. We’re talking about Christian character, like humility, sacrifice, honesty, loyalty, and faith. The old fashioned virtues so absent in our society.

So how does a parent instill these values in their children? Besides modeling integrity, parents must be intentional about teaching integrity in the everyday. Use real-world examples from the playground, the classroom, and the living room. Conflicts with friends, neighbors and siblings provide rich opportunities to train children to do the right thing, every single time.

The important thing is to pepper correction and instruction with Scripture, so the children understand that the rules are not Mom and Dad’s rules, but are based in something higher. It will teach them to be accountable to God, so when they leave home, they will remember to Whom they answer.

Most important, remember that children have eyes that see everything, even those things we think we’ve carefully hidden. Our own dishonesties or shortcuts don’t escape their notice. Which means we actually have to live the life we want them to live.

But remember, the sacrifice is worth it. Because in passing down the values of character and integrity, you’re giving your children a gift.

For the complete audio message, click here.

Aug 24th 2010

A is for Accountability – FAITH Series

This is part two of a series of devos featured by Mark Elfstrand on The Morning Ride on WMBI, 90.1 Chicago.

Believe it or not, children want boundaries.

They want rules.

They want structure.

They even want discipline.

Of course, they’ll raise their hand at dinner time and ask you for this. But deep within their hearts, they crave the security that comes from parents who care enough to tell them where the lines are.

The natural human inclination is to bow to every whim of each child, to give them what they want. On the surface it seems cruel to withhold something a child desires. It’s so much easier to just give in or to passively ignore issues and hope they go away.

But if you think that’s what your children want, you’d be wrong.

If parents wish to establish a culture of faith in their family, their first priority is to recognize their God-assigned role as the authority in their children’s lives.

Because God wired children for authority and accountability.

Discipline and accountability are words that often strike fear in the hearts of parents. Perhaps they evoke bad memories of their own childhood, filled with abusive authority and unnecessary control.

But it isn’t the presence of authority that harms kids. It’s the misapplication of authority. In fact, God established authority structures way back in the Garden of Eden, even before the Fall of Man. He gave Adam and Eve rules, roles, and responsibility.

When sin entered Eden, the need for accountability became greater. Man needs accountability because man is a sinner. Left to our own devices, we always drift toward evil.

All through the Scriptures, from Old Testament to New, you’ll see God dealing with his people, laying down clear lines of authority.

Even in an age of grace, God hasn’t abandoned His law. Romans 13 is just one of several New Testament passages that articulate a biblical approach to authority. Paul writes that “the powers that be are ordained of God.”

So if parents wish to prepare their children for life, they must intentionally and lovingly enforce their authority. They must show them that a healthy respect for authority brings freedom.

Ephesians 5-6 outlines God’s blueprint for the family. And while each member has their roles, each member is also accountable to each other and to God. Proverbs 25:18 reminds us that an undisciplined individual is like ‘a broken down city without walls.”

Biblical, loving, consistent discipline is a gift to a child. It sends them into the world equipped to make a difference.

I’ve had conversations with many adults who grew up with little or no guidance, nobody to tell them how to live. Do you know how they feel? Unloved and alone.

To be sure, rules have no power to change a heart. Paul reminds us in Galatians that the law is like a schoolmaster. It brings us to Christ. Rules and boundaries are continual reminders to a child that his heart is sinful and tends toward rebellion, that left alone they are “prone to wander.”

When a child butts up against the consistent application of God’s law, he realizes his brokenness and his need for a Savior to rescue him. It opens the door so grace can enter in.

So don’t be afraid of rules. Seek God’s wisdom in establishing fair, biblical, and sensible boundaries in your home. Not only will you give your child a sense of self-respect, discipline, and love.

You also help point them to the Gospel.

For the complete audio message, click here.

Aug 23rd 2010

F is for Faithfulness – FAITH Series

This is part one of five devos featured on The Morning Ride with Mark Elfstrand.

“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart.”

For most Christian parents, this verse in Proverbs 22:6 is a foundation stone of their home. But it’s a verse that often brings guilt rather than inspiration. Guilt that stems, I believe, from an unbiblical interpretation.

At first glance, it seems to offer an ironclad promise. Raise your children “the right way” and they will automatically “turn out.”

But here’s the problem. It doesn’t always work. We all know people who were raised in godly homes, yet have abandoned the faith in their adult years.

So what happens to Proverbs 22:6? Because we have been taught that this is an ironclad guarantee, we then assume that parents must have failed somewhere. Racked with guilt, parents travel back through the child-raising years, searching, looking, and sleuthing for their big mistakes.

Is this right? I don’t think so. You see, Proverbs 22:6 was never written to be the stand-alone, foundation verse for the Biblical model of parenting. It is merely one verse in the entire comprehensive model of parenting found from Genesis to Revelation.

Furthermore, the common interpretation of Proverbs 22:6 as a promise or a doctrine is faulty. Students of the Bible understand that Proverbs, while inspired Scripture, are just that, Proverbs. They represent the best collection of the wisdom anywhere in the world. They rise above all other literature, both classical and contemporary.

But the proverbs are not doctrine and they are not promises.

We don’t apply the other proverbs this way. For instance, Proverbs 15:1 suggests that a soft answer turns away wrath. And this is true, the majority of the time. A kind word often diffuses an angry confrontation. But not always.

But there are also moments when a soft answer will inflame. I’ve had a soft answer land me an uppercut to the jaw.

Do you see the folly of reinterpreting the Proverbs as promises? To be sure, God does include many wonderful promises in the Scriptures. Promises that are ironclad guarantees that rest on the unchanging character of God.

But not Proverbs 22:6.

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