Is true Christianity collapsing in the West?

A church in Spring Lake Michigan has removed the Cross from their church building because they have come to believe that the Cross, and the teachings of Christ, are simply too divisive. They have also decided to make their church more "inclusive" to all religions and changed their name from Christ Community to C3Exchange.




This news comes on the heals of a press conference announcing another development at the Claremont School of Theology in which the Board of Trustees has voted to transform the school to a multi-faith seminary. The stated goal of the school is to “set in motion the University Project as a means to rethink classical models of theological education in an effort to promote interreligious cooperation and ethical integrity in the training of religious leaders for a variety of religious traditions, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and others".

Initially The United Methodist Church, the schools affiliate denomination, moved to sanction the school. However, the sanction has since been lifted by the denomination.
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Blessing and cursing

How do we treat our families during the week and before church on Sunday morning? How do we treat them at church? Are they consistent? Hang with this video, it packs a punch in the end.


James 3: A Story from Peter Ostebo on Vimeo.

... but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

- James 3:8-10 

“Welcome and safe” by Sinclair B. Ferguson - Tolle Lege

“Can we really be righteous in God’s sight? Yes, but the truth is even more remarkable—in Jesus Christ, I am as righteous in God’s sight as Jesus Christ Himself.

How can that be? The only righteousness with which I am righteous is Jesus Christ’s righteousness.

It is as if He has said to me: ‘Here is my righteousness. Wear it; it is yours. It fits your needs perfectly and completely.’

As I stand in God’s presence and He looks at me, I hear Him say: ‘Where have I seen that righteousness before? Come near. I recognize it now. That is My Son’s righteousness you are wearing. Enter! You are welcome—and safe—here.’”

–Sinclair B. Ferguson, By Grace Alone (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2010), 59.
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Monday music smile - 'Don't Know Why', the literal version

A charming Norah Jones sings a more literal (and humorous) version of Don't Know Why.

The Backstreet Boy dropout

Burk Parson and Lou Pearlman

Ligonier Ministries just completed it's 2010 conference; keynote speakers included R. C. Sproul, John MacArthur, and Michael Horton, among others.

One of the 'others' is a man by the name of Burk Parsons. When Parsons was a teenager, he had the opportunity to become one of the Backstreet Boys, but he decided to take a pass.  About a year ago he was interviewed by Tim Challies about the whole experience and the allure of wealth and fame. It's a fascinating story. What I find most interesting is that, as a teenager, he had the wisdom to forgo the world and answer God's call on his life. Secondly, as it turns out, some of his band-mates were professing Christians who thought that they could use their platform of fame to witness for Christ. Needless to say, that plan did not work out to well.

You can read the interview here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

On a final note,  Lou Pearlman, the impresario behind the 90's boy band phenomenon, was later convicted of various fraud charges as his entire enterprise crumbled. Here is a clip of Pearlman as he appeared on ABC's Making the Band while putting together another boy band. What a vivid reminder of Mark 8:36.

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Let nothing stand between you and Christ

A true Christian will strive to do his duty in whatever station or position he finds himself, and to do it well. Whether statesman, or merchant, or banker, or lawyer, or doctor, or tradesman, or farmer, he will try to do his work so that no one can find occasion for fault in him. But he will not allow it to get between him and Christ. 

If he finds his business beginning to eat up his Sundays, his Bible-reading, his private prayer time, and to bring clouds between him and heaven, he will say, “Stand back! There is a limit. This is as far as you can go, and no further. I cannot sell my soul for position, fame, or gold.” Like Daniel, he will make time for communion with God, whatever the cost may be. He will deny himself anything rather than lose his Bible-reading and his prayers. 

In all this he will find he stands almost alone. Many will laugh at him, and tell him they get along just fine without being so strict and particular. He will not listen. He will resolutely hold the world at arms length, whatever present loss or sacrifice it may seem to entail. He will choose rather to be less rich and prosperous in this world, than not to prosper about his soul. To stand alone in this way, to run counter to the ways of others, requires immense self-denial. But this is genuine Scriptural separation.

~ J.C. Ryle