In a world without God, there are still many questions that need answering: how do we define good and bad; what is the basis for morality; what is the meaning of our lives; how do we deal with suffering, etc? Everyone thinks about these questions at some level. So you don’t have to speak with an atheist for very long to discover that there is a wide range of doctrines and beliefs to which most of them subscribe— even though they may hotly deny it! (David Robertson, Engaging with Atheists: Understanding their world; sharing good news)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! It’s been a busy week, to say the least, so I hope this week’s links will be a means to re-calibrate our commitments to Christ and His church!

• Jay Adams makes a simple, but overlooked, observation, that the church must fight against error creeping in. Why? Well, it’s a theme that’s present in every New Testament book.
• When discussing the issue of so-called gay marriage, Christians need to learn to engage the conversation seasoned with salt, but how can we do that? Christopher Yuan, professor at Moody Bible Institute, who knows the struggle of same-sex attraction firsthand, was recently interviewed. He has been a faithful and compassionate evangelical voice on this issue in the past few years, and we would do well to heed his advice.
• If you have recently seen the new Pixar film Inside Out or plan on watching it, have you considered it an opportunity to discuss the role of emotions with your kids? If you’re not sure where to start, TGC gives some pointers, as does Ken Sande, author of The Peacemaker. Dan DeWitt, however, gets the worldview correct, which isn’t as positive as you may think. If you’re hoping to continue to have conversations with your kids, or would want to bring a Christian perspective to the movies your family, friends, and/or co-workers watch, you’ll want to bookmark this post.
• When asked if so-called gay marriage hurts anyone, there are at least 15 reasons to consider. Denny Burk, who thinks, as do many, that the Supreme Court will legalize so-called gay marriage, points to a new-ish resource, which has been newly revised by ERLC and ADF, on how churches can protect themselves from lawsuits for their stand on marriage. Are you prepared for what’s to come?
• Over at Dr. Greg Harris’ blog, a call to remove the battle lines between stay-at-home moms and working moms has been sounded. Will we listen to that call?
• In honoring the life of Elisabeth Elliot, Ligonier Ministries has now made available her video series, Suffering is Not for Nothing. This looks to be a very valuable resource at the best price available: free!
• With the upcoming missions trip to the Czech Republic (please remember to pray for the team!), opportunities to speak truth in love to unbelievers and believers will abound. It’s helpful to be reminded of the fact that Scripture gives counsel sufficient for every person in every culture. What a gracious God we serve!
• In line with the Czech trip, one of the biggest religious groups in the Czech Republic are Catholics. As a resource for the team, as well as those who have regular interaction with Catholics, how do we tell them the Gospel faithfully? Recently, Chris Castaldo was interviewed about his new book on the subject. Don’t miss out on Gregg Allison’s interview, linked in the same post, on an evangelical assessment of Roman Catholic theology.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the joint Bible study with three out of the four affinity groups tonight, as well as the finishing of VBS, and the Czech sendoff next week! See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

But it is always possible to be thankful for what is given rather than to complain about what is not given. One or the other becomes a habit of life. (Elisabeth Elliot)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Links abound, so get ready to do some major clicking!

• The New York Times recently profiled children of same-sex parents, yet noticeably absent were children who were raised by same-sex parents and do not support same-sex marriage. Ryan Anderson highlights a couple of those stories that underscores the desire for a mom and a dad to raise them. Anderson himself has been vilified by the media for his stance on marriage (as designed by God) as complementary, which Christians need to be prepared to give a defense for.
• The situation with Bruce Jenner continues to appear on media outlets regularly, though recently, so has the outing of Rachel Dolezal of being transracial. The obvious question that rises is, “If Rachel Dolezal isn’t black, how is Caitlyn Jenner a woman?”  Some have called the comparison fraudulent, which is telling, to say the least.
• Over at the Grace to You blog, in their series on sin, attention is drawn on the Hypergrace movement that has been gaining ground in evangelical circles. Emphasis in that movement is on our depravity and God’s forgiveness, while there’s a deemphasis on God’s transforming work in the life of the believer. Read this post and that post for more.
• How can parents, specifically fathers, reach their child’s heart? Pastor Richard Phillips gives some sage wisdom in this area. Pastor Ed Braswell broadens the focus for husbands and dads in how to lead in the home.
• Earlier this week, Elisabeth Elliot passed on to glory. Read a testimony about her influence, another testimony, yet another one, 9 things about her life, a tribute to her, and a reminder from Mrs. Elliot.

That’s all for this week! Please be in prayer for the graduating youth and their families as we celebrate their transitions into the next stage of life, and look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

This battle will last more or less all our days. If sin is always acting, we are in trouble if we are not always mortifying. He that stands still and allows his enemies to exert double blows upon him without resistance will undoubtedly be conquered in the end. If sin is subtle, watchful, strong, and always at work in the business of killing our souls, and we are slothful, negligent, and foolish in this battle, can we expect a favourable outcome? (John Owen, The Mortification of Sin)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! I hope your weeks have been filled with the joys of obedience and triumphs over sin. With God’s glory in view, here are this week’s links!

• Christian philosophy professor James Anderson points out a common inconsistency found in atheism in the sense of its general acceptance of homosexuality and its general rejection of religion. Computer programmers may take a liking to his post, as he puts it in terms of ‘bugs’ and ‘features.’
• Ryan Anderson, one of the very few public intellectuals advocating marriage as the union of a man and a woman, points us to the three things we need to know about marriage and the Supreme Court, who will rule on whether to redefine marriage for all 50 states by the end of June.
• Tony Campolo, on the other hand, has finally turned around and compromised biblical truth in calling for gay marriage to be accepted in the church. Carl Trueman has written a fitting response.
• There is no doubt that people in the church are currently suffering from dementia, or have friends and/or family who suffer from this debilitating disease. Jeff Robinson, senior editor for The Gospel Coalition, writes a sorrowful yet joyful look at the effects of dementia on his mother. This will certainly be a help to those who are going through similar circumstances.
• What would you consider to be Puritan manliness? Other than posing for a portrait with a stoic face, a black robe, and extended white collars, there is more than meets the eye. J.I. Packer wrote of some of the stark contrasts between Puritan manhood and contemporary ‘manhood’ among Christian men. May we grow to be men who had the spiritual depth and moral character of the Puritans.
• Are you aware that God wrote a book? John Piper has not overlooked that basic fact, and has provided a sizable hub of articles, even a video, focused on that theme. We would do well to spend time in the Word today, if you haven’t already.
• Biblical counselor Brad Hambrick provides a guide to handling conflict in marriage. Grace Lifers, is your marriage gospel-centered in terms of communication? Read this post to find out!
• Over at the True Woman blog, Kim Jaggers answers the question, ‘Does speaking truth mean we’re judging others?‘ You may not be surprised at her answer, but you will be helped by her insights.
• Have you taken a selfie recently, or ever? Do you know why you do that? Nathan Bingham has much food for thought concerning this common act by both believer and non-believer. Consider it a meditation on why we do the thing(s) we do, and how Scripture addresses it.
• On the flip side, have you considered why believers are called to practice the spiritual disciplines? Steve Childers gives some wise counsel regarding this pursuit that Scripture commends, while Don Whitney (the spiritual disciplines ‘guru’) reminds us that there is no secret key to the Christian life.

That’s all for this week! Continue to pray for our youth and collegians, some of whom are graduating this weekend! See you all on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

A spiritual application of the Word of God consists in applying it to the heart, in spiritually enlightening, sanctifying influences.  A spiritual application of an invitation or offer of the gospel consists in giving the soul a spiritual sense or relish of the holy and divine blessings offered, and the sweet and wonderful grace of the Offerer in making so gracious an offer, and of his holy excellency and faithfulness to fulfill what he offers, and his glorious sufficiency for it, so leading and drawing forth the heart to embrace the offer and thus giving the man evidence of his title to the thing offered. (Jonathan Edwards, The Religious Affections)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! Another week has passed, but not the links! Here they are, in no specific order:

• Wisdom calls for both sides to be heard in a conflict when counseling, advises biblical counselor Paul Tautges.
• Pride can come in many forms, but what does God have to say about pride, and what is the cure?
• Ever heard the expression, “You Only Live Once”? Well, a number of errors hide behind that common phrase, so a biblical perspective would help address that.
• You may have heard that many youth in the church leave it entirely upon entering college, or before they finish their undergraduate degree. Many have cited a lack of apologetic training that would keep them in. Others have blamed it on the secular professors at the university. But what are the real reasons youth leave the church? Fred Butler gets it better than I’ve seen before.
• Wives, moms, are there signs that you can tell whether you have been influenced by feminism? Courtney Reissig draws out some heart indicators for you to be on the lookout for.
• With the many problems that may arise in church due to a lack of prayer, how then shall we pray? At the Christward Collective, a number of factors play in to this. The answer? Read on to find out!
• This week brought the 451st anniversary of John Calvin’s death. If you haven’t had a chance to catch up with Stephen’s Church History class, check out this primer on Calvin’s life, death, and legacy.
• Meditation is usually seen as an emptying of the mind, but what truly is meditation, and how do we encourage one another towards greater faithfulness? Paul Tripp will definitely get you thinking.

That’s all for this week! Please keep the flocks in prayer as they meet for the last time in the academic year, and that Christ would be honored in all discussions! See you Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

[I]t should grieve us when Jesus is not adored, not worshipped, when his glory is not acknowledged— when he is ignored, sidelined and derided. It should grieve us when that happens in our hearts and lives; and when it happens in the hearts and lives of those around us. (Rico Tice, Honest Evangelism)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! In preparation for the long weekend, here are this week’s links!

• Desert Springs Church recently held a regional conference for The Gospel Coalition that addressed the topic of preaching. The goal was to gain a better understanding of what preaching is, how it works, and what it does. All of this was designed to better prepare the church to know how to listen to a sermon in their own respective churches. Spiritual food for thought (and action).
• If you have ever taught the Bible or would like to in the near future, wouldn’t you like to know how to teach it well? Popular Bible teacher Nancy Guthrie has begun a new podcast called Help Me Teach the Bible where she interviews different pastors, asking them specific questions that help believers learn how to teach a book of the Bible in your church. Her first interview is with John Piper on the book of Philippians.
• Engaging in discussion with Muslims is typically not a common thing Christians do, probably to our shame. How can we reach Muslims for Christ? St. Helen’s Bishopgate, a church in London, has begun posting videos that introduce Islam to Christians in the hopes that Christians will be better equipped to engage Muslims in conversation within the context of friendship. For a deeper discussion, Dr. James White gave a presentation on Islam and Inerrancy from the TMAI Symposium that would well worth your time.
• If you have spoken to a Roman Catholic about their beliefs, praying to the saints will likely come up. What is Rome’s official teaching, and how does it square with Scripture? Eric Davis gives a careful analysis that will help.
• A recent debate took place with regards to abortion, and how best to end it: either incrementally or immediately. Scott Klusendorf, of the Life Training Institute, wrote an insightful commentary that lays out the issue and how to proceed.
• What happens when you turn friendship into more than it was designed to be? Probably more than you might initially think.
• Is it arrogant to claim to know God? Christian philosopher James Anderson doesn’t think so. Check out his response.

That’s all for this week! Let us give thanks to God for the men and women who have died serving this country, never neglecting their sacrifice. Let us also be pointed to the ultimate sacrifice in Christ, who gave His life as a ransom for many.

Soli Deo Gloria

The Christian call to evangelism is a call not simply to persuade people to make decisions but rather to proclaim to them the good news of salvation in Christ, to call them to repentance, and to give God the glory for regeneration and conversion. We don’t fail in our evangelism if we faithfully tell the gospel to someone who is not converted; we fail only if we don’t faithfully tell the gospel at all. Evangelism itself isn’t converting people; it’s telling them that they need to be converted and telling them how they can be. (Mark Dever, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! It has been quite the week with the weather change (where is the sun?), new baby in the LBC family, and more as we come to the end of the week. However, we can’t let you start the weekend without your links, so here you go!

• Nancy Pearcey points out the freeloading nature of materialists when it comes to moral ideals. In other words, atheists tend to steal concepts like equality and human rights from the Christian worldview. Her incisive analysis is definitely worth the read.
• Ever wondered how to do analytic philosophy? Ever been confused by your philosophy professor? Christian philosophy professor James Anderson gives a wonderful primer on learning how to do philosophy. If you want to be a clear-headed thinker (remember, Christ does command us to love God with our minds), this would definitely be a good place to start!
• Pastor Mark Jones wrote a convicting post on the death of corporate prayer meetings. Believe me, we need to be convicted in this area. More than that, we need to come together to pray. May our church be a church that prays.
• Russell Moore considers some reasons why Islam is growing in the world, and it has less to do with ISIS and more to do with Christians. Moore was also asked five questions that range from singleness to same-sex attraction to Catholicism. Wise words.
• Tim Challies writes of the one sure mark of maturity. Do you know what that is?
• Did you know that Mormon leaders claim their temples are patterned after Solomon’s temple? Would you know how to counter that claim? Look no further.
• One of the Core Devotionals on the Glory Books website focused on the busyness of life and the possible idol it has become in the lives of believers. Don’t be too busy to read this and reflect on your priorities. FYI, the passage cited is Philippians (not Ephesians) 4:19, in case you were wondering.
• What does it mean to be a man in today’s culture? At the beginning of the week, Paul Tripp wrote about what makes a man, and was asked a number of questions since then. He chose to answer them on video, and we are all the better for it.

That’s all for this week! Be in prayer for Sam Chung and Stephanie Leung as they tie the knot tomorrow, and for us to come together and worship the Lord with gladness this Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

It’s important to understand that the message you are sharing is not merely an opinion but a fact. That’s why sharing the gospel can’t be called an imposition, any more than a pilot can impose his belief on all his passengers that the runway is here and not there. (Mark Dever, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! I hope your weeks have been filled with opportunities to glorify our Lord, and hope this week’s links will help it to increase. Without further ado, here they are!

• Why should believers think about heaven? Nathan Busenitz gives us three reasons.
• Michael Kruger gives a succinct argument against same-sex “marriage” that the media refuses to acknowledge, and provides a video that highlights this argument in glowing colors.
• Denny Burk gives a quick analysis challenging the notion that churches must make room for non-Christians who want a sense of belonging in a community that affirms the gospel, yet includes those who don’t within their membership.
• Russell Moore was asked recently (and has been asked multiple times) how to find a mentor. His first bit of advice? “Don’t ask someone to mentor you.” Read on to find out more.  Gavin Peacock at CBMW lays out the call for men to mentor younger men in a culture that downplays and denigrates biblical manhood. This couldn’t come at a more opportune time. 
  
• While we’re on the theme of mentoring, here’s a reminder from an older, godly woman, that Christian women must be involved in the work of spiritual motherhood.
• Are you seen by others as being teachable? Not sure how to respond? Here to help is Eric Davis, who gives a brief refresher on why we should maintain a teachable attitude.
• One spiritual discipline that has been neglected of late is self-examination. John Fast calls believers to come back to this vital discipline that Scripture itself commends to us.
• Sam Waldron recently wrote a series of articles summarizing a debate amongst evangelicals concerning the doctrine of the Trinity and its implications. Partly church history, partly biblical examination, all thoughtful and worth sinking your teeth into.
• What does Scripture say to those whose parents divorced? This is relevant to everyone, since you either are a child of divorced parents, or minister alongside or care for those who have divorced parents. A comforting read.
• If you haven’t had a chance to listen to the oral arguments presented in the same-sex “marriage” case before the Supreme Court, here are six errors that were made during that time. This is worth noting, in case you get into conversation about it at work, school, or home.

That’s all for this week! Make sure you don’t miss out on Pep Rally for the ladies tonight, and come out to support them for Mission Bowl tomorrow! And see you all on Sunday to worship our Lord for who He is and what He has done!

Soli Deo Gloria

To the Christian theist, good and evil have a point of reference. With the naturalistic starting point, good and evil are either emotionally sensed or pragmatically driven, both of which fall victim to the reasoning processes of our diverse cultures. This is a glaring inconsistency within naturalism. (Ravi Zacharias & Vince Vitale, Why Suffering?: Finding Meaning and Comfort When Life Doesn’t Make Sense)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! I pray your week have been filled with opportunities to reflect Christ in your life, and would love to extend that to you all with this week’s links!

• Nathan Busenitz has written an excellent article giving biblical reasons why Christians accept the 66 books of the Bible as the Word of God. Do you know the answer? Click to find out!
• Russell Moore reminds us that Christians may contend for religious freedom, but that shouldn’t lead us to believe that we will be free from ridicule. Great thoughts.
• Dan DeWitt, in a style that’s short and sweet, argues for apologetics to be a non-negotiable in discipling our children and youth. I wholeheartedly agree, and think you will too after reading his post.
• What influence does a godly wife have? What does a Christlike husband look like? What kind of love should he demonstrate? The answers are just a click away.
• The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood just came out with their Spring issue of JBMW, which you can access for free online. With the direction our culture is rapidly heading towards, you would be wise to stay informed of how the Christian worldview shines the light of Christ in this dark world. We are indebted to CBMW for standing firm in the truth.
• Last week, I mentioned Courtney Reissig gave a talk concerning the four myths of feminism, which didn’t have a link to the audio. Fortunately, since then, she did give a couple messages that were similar in content at her church. Listen in!
• If you’re on the fence about whether to dig into Kevin DeYoung’s new book on the issue of homosexuality, be sure to watch his interview with Justin Taylor.
• How do you practice gospel-centered spirituality? Don Whitney answers.
• The True Woman blog has been promoting their new resource True Woman 201: Interior Design, which is a sequel to their previous workbook on biblical womanhood. This time around, their focus is on the ten elements of biblical womanhood, with accompanying videos, all from the book of Titus! This looks like a wonderful complement to Pastor Patrick’s Sunday sermon series!

That’s all for this week! Don’t forget this week is flocks week, so enjoy your time together, and see you on Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

It can be said that the Israelites had their own Great Commission (Deut. 4), only it was a call to stay and obey rather than go and proclaim. Theologians refer to this as “centripetal missions.” That term conveys the idea that rather than scattering through the world, as modern missionaries would, they were to stay and attract the world to them. Instead of global scattering, the Israelites were to demonstrate global gathering, by acting as a light to the nations. The surrounding nations would hear of the greatness of the Israelite laws, and they would be drawn to Israel. When they came to investigate the source of the wisdom the Israelites possessed, they would see that this wisdom ultimately came from Yahweh. In short, Israel, as a kingdom of priests and a light to the nations, formed ‘the essence of the Old Testament.’ (Jesse Johnson, Evangelism: How to Share the Gospel Faithfully)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! There’s lots of links this week, so I hope you have some time to click through and be blessed with what has been posted!

• Courtney Reissig recently spoke on the four myths of feminism, with four truths from Scripture contrasting these four ideas. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be audio, though there is a detailed report on her talk. Seems to be coming from her recently published book, The Accidental Feminist: Restoring Our Delight in God’s Good Design.
• At the April 2015 Mormon Sunday General Conference, Mormon Apostle Dieter F. Ucthdorf gave a talk that sounded strangely like salvation by grace alone, though upon closer inspection, didn’t contradict official Mormon teaching. If you’re hoping to engage in dialogue with a Mormon, Mormon Coffee’s analysis of the talk would be a helpful place to start.
• For the congregation, what are some tangible, practical ways to encourage our pastor? Look no further!
• Pastor Richard Phillips calls all Christians, particularly Christian men, to work heartily unto the Lord as a way to please Him, and what that means in everyday life. This applies at work, school, and in everyday relationships. Is it your aim to please the Lord today?
• Did you know the father of microbiology was a Christian layman-scientist? Look into the life of Antony van Leeuwenhoek, and be amazed at the accomplishments of a follower of Christ. Better yet, be amazed at the accomplishments of our Creator and Lord!
• In a culture where male leadership is downplayed while female leadership is continually accepted, Pastor John MacArthur explains the biblical concept of headship, and challenges us to consider the implications of living in light of this clear teaching.
• Did Jesus believe (and still believe) that believers have everything we need to be an effective apologist (defender) of the faith? By looking at the way He approaches His followers on the road to Emmaus, the answer is, “Yes!”
• Kevin DeYoung’s new book on homosexuality came out this week, which explains what Scripture teaches on the topic, as well as address common objections from many, Christian and non-Christian, who would contend that the Bible doesn’t condemn homosexuality. Crossway has posted multiple videos from DeYoung answering some of these questions, all of which you can find on their blog.
• For those of you taking Stephen’s class on church history, there was a recent debate between Pastor James White and a Roman Catholic priest on the issue, “The church would have been better off without the Reformation.” Hour one contains the debate and emails, while hour two continues emails and calls from the audience. If you want a good summary of what the issues of the Reformation were about, this would be worth your while.
• The Public Discourse has been front and center in writing articles that clearly articulate the ramifications of accepting same-sex marriage as a legitimate form of marriage by the state and country. This week, their articles have laid bare the fruit of adopting and promoting this lifestyle: from testimony by an adult who grew up in a same-sex home, to observable evidence from other nations and states the unintended reduction of marriage norms, to rebutting conservatives’ arguments for embracing same-sex marriage.

That’s all for this week! Please pray for the upcoming Women’s Seminar on Saturday, and looking forward to worshiping our Lord together this Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria

Obviously, there are non-Christian families that appear to be successful, to a point. They may have orderly homes, with well-behaved children and close, lasting relationships between family members. But wherever Christ is not recognized as Lord of the family, the seeds of that family’s ultimate breakdown are already present. Such a family has no real spiritual stability, and (especially in a society where the family is already under siege) that family is courting disaster. To borrow imagery from Matthew 7:26–27, such a family is like an impressive structure built on sand. When the floodwaters come, its fall will be great. (John MacArthur, The Fulfilled Family)

by Cesar Vigil-Ruiz

Feliz Friday! I pray you had a fruitful week in the Lord, and look forward to continue bearing fruit for His glory. With that said, let’s look at this week’s links!

• With all of the talk concerning marriage and the culture’s pursuit of refedining it, John MacArthur’s article on the fallout of failed marriages is a timely and sobering read.
• Clint Archer has written a post on religious liberty that is very helpful to keep in mind.
• Denny Burk continues to stand for the truth and publish helpful material for the church. He gives a short retelling of the newly passed Indiana RFRA law, with a question for those who seek to silence dissenters of ‘same-sex marriage.’ He also wrote a journal article that gives an answer to the question, “Is homosexual orientation sinful?‘
• Tim Challies, with the help of Nancy Pearcey, gives the lay of the land when it comes to culture’s view of truth and its inherent separation into two spheres.
• Paul Tautges gives a quick look at Scripture in its perspective on walking through depression, while Dr. Charles Hodge writes about the relationship between medicine and sadness.
• Pastor Kevin DeYoung, in anticipation of his new book addressing Scripture’s view of homosexuality, spoke on the issue at College Church last month, which included a panel discussion. This is well worth your time.
• How does Buddha compare to Christ? Kenneth Samples has the answer. This is especially helpful for those who grew up in a Buddhist home or have Buddhist extended family members.

That’s all for this week! Hope you all can make it out to Mission Bowl on Saturday, but primarily, to worship our God together this Sunday!

Soli Deo Gloria