David Platt: SBC Pastors Conference 2009 from Todd Thomas on Vimeo.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Huxley quote
"For myself, as, no doubt, for most of my contemporaries, the philosophy of meaningless was essentially an instrument of liberation. The liberation we desired was simultaneously liberation from a certain political and economic system and liberation from a certain system of morality. We objected to the morality because it interfered with our sexual freedom."
-Aldous Huxley
Faith is a complex thing. It involves desire, intellectual knowledge, emotion, and most importantly, will- what you want to believe.
-Aldous Huxley
Faith is a complex thing. It involves desire, intellectual knowledge, emotion, and most importantly, will- what you want to believe.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Brett's First Poem
The Things I Now See
-A 2009 remix of "The Rich Man and Lazarus"
As I sit here and think of the chance that I missed,
I guess I didn’t buy that it would all end like this.
So many fun times, there was always a fling
Looking back, what I had didn’t amount to a thing,
My friends, even family, close relatives too,
TV shows, and books, most people I knew,
They all said “don’t worry, have fun while it lasts,
Live up this life, it’ll all soon be past,”
“But when you die, don’t worry, my friend
You’re a pretty good person, you’ll be fine in the end. “
So that’s what I did- I lived without care.
Though people went hungry I didn’t think to share.
Being born here, God gave me great things,
I did what the rest did, I lived like a king.
My days had great comfort while under the sun,
I bought what I wanted, my idol was “fun”.
I knew all about Jesus, he was alright with me,
I called myself “Christian”, what else would I be?
I went to church, I called God #1,
Though I only “obeyed” when he didn’t ruin my fun
That included my time- that’s not God’s to keep,
It included my money, I work hard- life’s not cheap.
Most of all, my sex-life was mine.
Let’s not be old fashioned- let’s get with the times.
I joined in the fun, many nights were a “win”
Though I sensed something wrong, I never called it sin.
As the time passed, I found myself grown,
A job, a house, and a wife of my own
Though I admit, I didn’t always treat her,
With the respect she deserved, but hey, I didn’t beat her.
My kids too, I just couldn’t relate,
So I’d crack a few beers, mow the lawn to escape
As the kids went off, made the same mistakes I did,
My emptiness complete, I was a master to hide it.
And that’s how I died, with a wife, but alone.
A muffled despair in my high-priced home.
I thought God was just love, life a wide path.
If I’d just read His book, I’d read of his wrath,
That justice had for me, for all of my sin.
When I think it’s extinguished, again it begins.
You see I thought Hell was a place for the worst,
Hitler, Stalin, those men were cursed
But little old me, I’m nice- never mean
Hardly any sin, here. I’m a good guy- I’m clean.
“I wasn’t that bad”, I thought up on Earth
Everyone told me how much I was worth.
But 10,000 years later, I'll still be here.
I thought there’d be flames; turns out its clear.
The only things missing down here are love,
joy, peace, and that guy, God, up above.
People here hate me, most days it’s just tears.
All my friends made it too, but there’s no friendship down here.
No days are good, I'm always depressed.
It's like I haven't slept in years, but I can never find rest.
If only I’d thought of the God –man come down,
for sinners like me, he laid down his crown.
Was tortured and beaten and nailed to a tree
And he took God’s wrath, he took it…. …. For me.
So I could be right with the Father who loves,
So I could be with him, King Jesus, above.
So I could live life with purpose anew,
And say “not my will, Father- It’s all about you.”
If I had only given in, submitted to Christ,
His death covering my sin’s unpayable price.
And his perfect life credited to me,
I wouldn’t know hell- In heaven I’d be
With the God who once put his love on display
Who’d rather die than see me go my own way.
Your death is a day on the calendar friend,
Look to Him now, you don’t know when it ends
Dying seemed mostly an idea to me,
If I only knew then, the things I now see.
Luke 16:19-31
-A 2009 remix of "The Rich Man and Lazarus"
As I sit here and think of the chance that I missed,
I guess I didn’t buy that it would all end like this.
So many fun times, there was always a fling
Looking back, what I had didn’t amount to a thing,
My friends, even family, close relatives too,
TV shows, and books, most people I knew,
They all said “don’t worry, have fun while it lasts,
Live up this life, it’ll all soon be past,”
“But when you die, don’t worry, my friend
You’re a pretty good person, you’ll be fine in the end. “
So that’s what I did- I lived without care.
Though people went hungry I didn’t think to share.
Being born here, God gave me great things,
I did what the rest did, I lived like a king.
My days had great comfort while under the sun,
I bought what I wanted, my idol was “fun”.
I knew all about Jesus, he was alright with me,
I called myself “Christian”, what else would I be?
I went to church, I called God #1,
Though I only “obeyed” when he didn’t ruin my fun
That included my time- that’s not God’s to keep,
It included my money, I work hard- life’s not cheap.
Most of all, my sex-life was mine.
Let’s not be old fashioned- let’s get with the times.
I joined in the fun, many nights were a “win”
Though I sensed something wrong, I never called it sin.
As the time passed, I found myself grown,
A job, a house, and a wife of my own
Though I admit, I didn’t always treat her,
With the respect she deserved, but hey, I didn’t beat her.
My kids too, I just couldn’t relate,
So I’d crack a few beers, mow the lawn to escape
As the kids went off, made the same mistakes I did,
My emptiness complete, I was a master to hide it.
And that’s how I died, with a wife, but alone.
A muffled despair in my high-priced home.
I thought God was just love, life a wide path.
If I’d just read His book, I’d read of his wrath,
That justice had for me, for all of my sin.
When I think it’s extinguished, again it begins.
You see I thought Hell was a place for the worst,
Hitler, Stalin, those men were cursed
But little old me, I’m nice- never mean
Hardly any sin, here. I’m a good guy- I’m clean.
“I wasn’t that bad”, I thought up on Earth
Everyone told me how much I was worth.
But 10,000 years later, I'll still be here.
I thought there’d be flames; turns out its clear.
The only things missing down here are love,
joy, peace, and that guy, God, up above.
People here hate me, most days it’s just tears.
All my friends made it too, but there’s no friendship down here.
No days are good, I'm always depressed.
It's like I haven't slept in years, but I can never find rest.
If only I’d thought of the God –man come down,
for sinners like me, he laid down his crown.
Was tortured and beaten and nailed to a tree
And he took God’s wrath, he took it…. …. For me.
So I could be right with the Father who loves,
So I could be with him, King Jesus, above.
So I could live life with purpose anew,
And say “not my will, Father- It’s all about you.”
If I had only given in, submitted to Christ,
His death covering my sin’s unpayable price.
And his perfect life credited to me,
I wouldn’t know hell- In heaven I’d be
With the God who once put his love on display
Who’d rather die than see me go my own way.
Your death is a day on the calendar friend,
Look to Him now, you don’t know when it ends
Dying seemed mostly an idea to me,
If I only knew then, the things I now see.
Luke 16:19-31
Thursday, September 17, 2009
"Christian"
This is the state of things in America. Tozer talked about it. Edwards entire ministry philosophy was based on this. When I saw Keller live, he talked about it. He said, "the greatest travesty of 20th century American Christianity is false converts" - people sitting in church having never been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Why is this such a big deal to me? Because this was me.
Christians still sin, but their hearts are new and the Spirit is in them.
Christians still sin, but their hearts are new and the Spirit is in them.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
The Frightful, Awesome Holiness of God
We sing about the holiness of God all the time. It's the attribute that is ascribed to the Lord more than any other attribute in the Bible. Indeed, his holiness inspires deep awe. At the same time, what a horribly-depressing, frightful thing for a sinner to sing about the holiness of God. It's the very attribute of the Lord that promises to rip us to shreds- condemn us now and forever.
BUT, if we have put on Christ's righteousness, we are free to embrace and even enjoy all of God- we can enjoy his holiness without its previously terrifying implications for sinners like you and me.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
A Son's Guide to Adoption
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”(Rom 8:15)
The truth is that we who are in Christ have been adopted. We’re sons (and daughters). What does this mean? Well, what would be the first thing that you’d look forward to after adopting a new child? For me, I think it’d be getting past the empty rhetoric that is inevitable for a new kid in a new home. To get that cute little guy out of “guest” mode and into “son” mode.
“May I put my feet up? Thank you for the meal, Mr. Ripley. Should I call you that? Or Brett… or Dad? Can I use the car? Are you sure you want to give all this to me? You know that I didn’t do anything to deserve this…”
I think I’d want to skip right to where the sheepish formalities fade away- where the little guy is comfortable enough to be real around me- to be himself. Where he doesn’t have to address me in a fake, smiley tone. Where honesty could give way to, “Dad, I need help,” or “Dad, I’m not alright. I’m kinda lonely,” or even “Dad, I screwed up. Could you forgive me… and help me out of the mess I got myself in”.
This is the place where he can trust me. Where I can take him on adventures though he might not know exactly where he’s going. Where I could discipline in love to keep him on the right track. Where the little guy can fall asleep in my arms. Where relationship begins. Where love can happen.
Christian, where are you at with God? Still have the “all-together” smile on? Still wondering just what kind of words he will accept for your prayer? Or can you tell him that you’re not that great even if you probably should be? Where you can be real with the ugliness of issues and sin struggles? Are you at home enough to say, “Hey Dad, I just need you here now.”
If you still feel like a stranger in the house of the holy Father, trying not to wrinkle the sheets or spill your Coke, I encourage you: move in your stuff (yeah, the yucky stuff too), eat from the fridge, grab foods from the cupboards. When things go wrong talk to your dad. Not because we deserve all of it, but because Jesus died, in love with you, to make it possible. And your dad wants it so much. In all of our modern adult problems and responsibilities we are all little children next to a wise, powerful, and lovingly adopting father.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:16)
The truth is that we who are in Christ have been adopted. We’re sons (and daughters). What does this mean? Well, what would be the first thing that you’d look forward to after adopting a new child? For me, I think it’d be getting past the empty rhetoric that is inevitable for a new kid in a new home. To get that cute little guy out of “guest” mode and into “son” mode.
“May I put my feet up? Thank you for the meal, Mr. Ripley. Should I call you that? Or Brett… or Dad? Can I use the car? Are you sure you want to give all this to me? You know that I didn’t do anything to deserve this…”
I think I’d want to skip right to where the sheepish formalities fade away- where the little guy is comfortable enough to be real around me- to be himself. Where he doesn’t have to address me in a fake, smiley tone. Where honesty could give way to, “Dad, I need help,” or “Dad, I’m not alright. I’m kinda lonely,” or even “Dad, I screwed up. Could you forgive me… and help me out of the mess I got myself in”.
This is the place where he can trust me. Where I can take him on adventures though he might not know exactly where he’s going. Where I could discipline in love to keep him on the right track. Where the little guy can fall asleep in my arms. Where relationship begins. Where love can happen.
Christian, where are you at with God? Still have the “all-together” smile on? Still wondering just what kind of words he will accept for your prayer? Or can you tell him that you’re not that great even if you probably should be? Where you can be real with the ugliness of issues and sin struggles? Are you at home enough to say, “Hey Dad, I just need you here now.”
If you still feel like a stranger in the house of the holy Father, trying not to wrinkle the sheets or spill your Coke, I encourage you: move in your stuff (yeah, the yucky stuff too), eat from the fridge, grab foods from the cupboards. When things go wrong talk to your dad. Not because we deserve all of it, but because Jesus died, in love with you, to make it possible. And your dad wants it so much. In all of our modern adult problems and responsibilities we are all little children next to a wise, powerful, and lovingly adopting father.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:16)
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
I'm still alive
Short post. Praise God. He is so good. I have money in my bank account. I got to go to the Tetons (for free). The day I got back from the trip I got 800 bucks from Pracs. I currently have a job that pays over twice as much as my job last summer.
In short, he came through as always. I could have just slid through the summer as planned. However, I am so much closer to him, having experienced him much more, for having been put in a tough situation and being in a radical position of need, trust, and faith.
Praise be to the only one who can sustain us. All other apparent security is illusory.
In short, he came through as always. I could have just slid through the summer as planned. However, I am so much closer to him, having experienced him much more, for having been put in a tough situation and being in a radical position of need, trust, and faith.
Praise be to the only one who can sustain us. All other apparent security is illusory.
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