If I found a key on the road, and discovered it fit and opened a particular lock at my house, I would assume most likely that the key was made by the lock maker. And if I find set of teachings set out in pre-modern oriental society that has proven itself of such universal validity that it has fascinated and satisfied millions of people in every century, including the best minds in history and the simplest hearts, that it has made itself at home in virtually every culture, inspired masterpieces of beauty in every field of art, continues to grow rapidly and spread and assert itself in lands where a century ago the name of Jesus Christ was not even heard; if such teaching so obviously fits the locks of so many human souls, in so many times and so many places, are they likely to be the work of a deceiver or a fool? In fact it is more likely that they were designed by the Heart Maker.

- G.K. Chesterton

“Abram, like Noah, marks a new beginning as well as a return to God’s original plan of blessing ‘all people on earth’ (cf. 1:28). Notable is the frequent mention of God’s ‘blessing’ throughout the narratives of Abram and his descendents (12:1-3; 13:15-16; 15:5, 18; et al.). He is represented as a new Adam and his seed as a second Adam, a new humanity. Those who ‘bless’ him, God will bless; those who ‘curse’ him, God will curse. The way of life and blessing, which was once marked by the ‘tree of the knowledge fo good and evil’ (2:17) and then by the ark (7:23b), is now marked by identification with Abram and his seed. The identity of the seed of Abraham is one of the chief themes of the following narrtatives. At the close of Genesis (49:8-12), a glimpse of his future seed is briefly allowed. This one seed who is to come, to whom the right of kingship belongs, will be the ‘lion of the tribe of Judah’ (cf. 49:9); and ‘the obedience of the nations is his’ (49:10).” 

From Dr. Black’s convention report:

So, how was Orlando? Expensive. The seminary very graciously put me up in the Hilton. Not cheap. However, I noticed a nearby Days Inn whose rooms went for half the price. That’s where I spent my second night. Felt good to be able to save the school some money. Besides, little David had something Goliath lacked: An internet terminal in the lobby where guests could check their email.

Thank you, Dr. Black, for the reminder that a Great Commission Resurgence begins with myself. The issue of how to handle such matters is a difficult one, and it is easy to slip into either legalism or license. I don’t pretend to have all the answers. However, I can say that we should continually examine ourselves so that we’re using our money as strategically as possible for the cause of Christ.

A principle I’ve learned is that he who is faithful with the small matters is more likely to be faithful with the large. Something like a hotel room or the cost of dinner may seem trivial, but the way we handle these matters will ultimately reflect how seriously we believe that God cares about every last penny (which He provided in the first place). 

When we’re not directly footing the bill, it’s easy to spend in a more liberal fashion. For those of us who depend on the generosity of others to make a living, this is a continual challenge. And a mindset of “it’s only one night,” or “it’s only one meal” is ultimately what got us into this mess that required a GCR in the first place. The problem is not “out there” but starts with you and me - what will we do about it?

With tomorrow’s imminent 8 hour drive down to Orlando for the Southern Baptist Convention, a Great Commission Resurgence prayer:

Lord, we are a means to an end and that end is your glory.

We pray not just for a passed motion but rather a new movement,

that is not the end of lobbying but the beginning of new behavior,

and a call not to “others,” but first to myself to to make disciples of Jesus.

Let a “yes” vote not further our kingdom but rather Yours,

and please allow us to finally experience what it is like,

to be a Great Commission people sold out for your fame and mission.

Amen.

A fascinating article from the New York Times on the price of being “hooked on gadgets.”

Excerpt:

Even after he unplugs, he craves the stimulation he gets from his electronic gadgets. He forgets things like dinner plans, and he has trouble focusing on his family.

His wife, Brenda, complains, “It seems like he can no longer be fully in the moment.”

This is your brain on computers.

Scientists say juggling e-mail, phone calls and other incoming information can change how people think and behave. They say our ability to focus is being undermined by bursts of information.

These play to a primitive impulse to respond to immediate opportunities and threats. The stimulation provokes excitement — a dopamine squirt — that researchers say can be addictive. In its absence, people feel bored.

From Justin Taylor: 

Tim Keller, Gospel in Life: Grace Changes Everything, p. 201 (my italics):

The gospel produces a constellation of traits in us:

1. We are compelled to share the gospel out of love.
2. We are freed from the fear of being ridiculed or hurt by others, since we already have the favor of God by grace.
3. There is a humility in our dealings with others, because we know we are saved only by grace, not because of our superior insight or character.
4. We are hopeful about anyone, even the “hard cases,” because we were saved only because of grace ourselves.
5. We are courteous and careful with people. We don’t have to push or coerce them, for it is God’s grace that opens hearts, not our eloquence or persistence or even their openness.

“What you are as a person is far more important that what you are as a basketball player.” - John Wooden

R.I.P. Coach Wooden

Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 6:25-34) -

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  ²⁸ And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

³⁴ “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

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Paul, Romans 16:1-16 -

1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. 3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.