CJ Mahaney offers his tips on how to watch the Super Bowl, including how to be discerning as you watch the game, as well as offering a prediction.
Russell Moore provides some very helpful and practical advice regarding what it means to honor one’s parents in all stages of life and the true nature of submission. Sometimes we have “good reasons” for permanent decisions, and we need to realize that more is at stake than the implied good intentions of our desires.
This is “must-read” counsel.
I found this at Justin Taylor’s site and found it helpful.
From Peacemakers Ministries:
As God opens your eyes to see how you have sinned against others, he simultaneously offers you a way to find freedom from your past wrongs. It is called confession. Many people have never experienced this freedom because they have never learned how to confess their wrongs honestly and unconditionally. Instead, they use words like these: “I’m sorry if I hurt you.” “Let’s just forget the past.” “I suppose I could have done a better job.” “I guess it’s not all your fault.” These token statements rarely trigger genuine forgiveness and reconciliation. If you really want to make peace, ask God to help you breathe grace by humbly and thoroughly admitting your wrongs. One way to do this is to use the Seven A’s.
1. Address everyone involved (All those whom you affected)
2. Avoid if, but, and maybe (Do not try to excuse your wrongs)
3. Admit specifically (Both attitudes and actions)
4. Acknowledge the hurt (Express sorrow for hurting someone)
5. Accept the consequences (Such as making restitution)
6. Alter your behavior (Change your attitudes and actions)
7. Ask for forgiveness
See Matthew 7:3-5; 1 John 1:8-9; Proverbs 28:13.
I’m not an avid golf follower. I mostly follow the majors each year. But I admit it. Tiger Woods is my favorite golfer. I suppose it is because I started attempting to play golf about the same time that Tiger burst onto the national golf scene. It’s probably also because we are the same age. It’s not because our financial portfolio’s mirror one another. The last time I checked Tiger Woods will soon become the first professional athlete to earn over 1 billion dollars during his career. I think I’ve earned about $500,000 in my lifetime!
The Tiger Woods saga saddens me, not just because Woods is my favorite golfer, but because it breaks my heart to see the effects of sin upon this world. CJ Mahaney has posted an excellent article on the Tiger Woods story.
…sin is an enemy Tiger can’t manage. He can’t shape this story like he does a long iron on a par 5. Tiger doesn’t need a publicity facelift; Tiger needs a Savior. Just like me. And just like you. And if by God’s grace he repents and trusts in the person and work of Christ, Tiger will experience the fruit of God’s promise that “whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).
Read the rest of it here. I think it will change the way that you read the headlines in the future.
John Piper was not always a pastor. He was once a professor at Bethel Seminary. John Piper didn’t even want to be a pastor. Yet God had other plans. Read about the encouraging story of how God called John Piper into the pastorate, a calling that has created an ever-expanding ripple effect for the glory of God as revealed in the Gospel.
Ray Ortlund has a great post on why we should show our love for God’s Kingdom by loving and serving His body, the local church.
“My passion isn’t to build up my church. My passion is for God’s Kingdom.”
Ever heard someone say that? I have. It sounds large-hearted, but it’s wrong. It can even be destructive.
Suppose I said, “My passion isn’t to build up my marriage. My passion is for Marriage. I want the institution of Marriage to be revered again. I’ll work for that. I’ll pray for that. I’ll sacrifice for that. But don’t expect me to hunker down in the humble daily realities of building a great marriage with my wife Jani. I’m aiming at something grander.”
If I said that, would you think, “Wow, Ray is so committed”? Or would you wonder if I had lost my mind?
If you care about the Kingdom, be the kind of person who can be counted on in your own church. Join your church, pray for your church, tithe to your church, participate in your church every Sunday with wholehearted passion.
We build great churches the same way we build great marriages — real commitment that makes a positive difference every day.
I didn’t get to watch the entire match. I saw the majority of the 2nd half and highlights (if you can call them that) from the first half. The US continues to lethargically march through the final round of World Cup qualifying, and unless there is a dramatic turnaround in both philosophy and energy over the next month, the US could find itself in significant trouble in their next two qualifying matches versus Honduras and Costa Rica. In fact, the only saving grace for the US is that Costa Rica is actually playing worse than the US right now. After leading the group heading into September, Costa Rica now finds itself in the precarious fourth position, staring down a home and home match with the 5th place team from South America, which right now is Argentina!
The play of the US last night is simply inexplicable. Read the rest of this entry »
The United States came into tonight’s match desperately needing three points as they attempted to keep a clean slate on home soil. They entered the match sitting in third place in CONCACAF with 10 pts behind Costa Rica (12 pts), Honduras (10 pts w/+ 2 goal differential), and only 1 pt ahead of Mexico after last months 2-1 loss at Azteca Stadium. With Mexico playing at Costa Rica and Honduras hosting Trinidad & Tobago, the US could ill-afford to tie or loss tonight in Utah. El Salvador came into the match needing three points to keep their fading World Cup hopes alive.
The US started the match by controlling the possession, but it became apparent early on that they would significantly miss the presence of Oguchi Onyewu, who was unavailable due a yellow card accumulation suspension, and Jay DeMerit, who injured his groin during training this week. Their absence cause Coach Bob Bradley to move Carlos Bocanegra back to central defender and Jonathan Bornstein at left back. Chad Marshall also earned the start beside Bocanegra after a strong Gold Cup.
A poor clearance by Bornstein and passive defending by Bocanegra, Marshall and Michael Bradley led to the US conceding the first goal around the 32′ minute of the first half. Unfortunately, neither the defenders, Michael Bradley or Clint Dempsey learned from this mistake as the US repeatedly gave away the ball in very dangerous places on the pitch. If this continues, even if the US advances to South Africa, it won’t matter because they won’t get out of their group unless they get the easiest draw of the tournament. As a matter of fact, if the US doesn’t begin to play better they will be fortunate to qualify for the World Cup at all. Read the rest of this entry »
