Free e-Book: "What is the Gospel?"

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up: Greg Gilbert's excellent new book, "What is the Gospel?", is available for free for a limited time in e-book format. You can download it in Kindle format here. If you don't have a Kindle, you can download the Kindle app and then have it sent to your iphone, ipod touch, or ipad. You can also download the e-book through the iTunes store if you have the free ibooks app (requires iOS4).

This book provides clarity in a time when the message of the gospel is, sadly, often presented in an unclear manner. I pray you find it helpful to fuel your passion for the God who sent His Son to absorb the Father's wrath that we deserved, because of our sin. You can read Justin Taylor's brief review of the book here.

Enjoy!

Reblog: Video Games, Idols, and Your Child’s Heart

Reblog from

Sovereign Grace Ministries Blog C.J. Mahaney's view from the cheap seats & other stuff

Video Games, Idols, and Your Child’s Heart
By Chad Mahaney7/6/2010 3:56:00 PM

Video games are one of the most influential and time consuming recreational activities in our society today. On average gamers spend 18 hours per week playing video games. This extensive time investment is reflected in the money invested in video game consoles and software. In 2009, $19.7 billion was spent on video games worldwide, $2.6 billion more than was spent on movies in both box office ticket sales and DVD sales combined.* Many parents are surprised to discover that video games generate more profit than Hollywood.

What this all means is that few children escape the influence of video games, and the temptation to idolatry.

So how can parents lead their children in such a media-crazed world?

In this Q&A session C.J. answers one father’s question about how to monitor his child’s use of video games. The following excerpt was originally recorded during a Pastors College meeting on December 4, 2009.

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Question: As kids get older, how do you deal with idols in their lives?...For example, my 12 year old son is generally obedient, but he loves to play video games. If that privilege is lifted he is like a different kid. How much do we restrict? Do we just say no more of this? What have you done in those situations?

C.J. Mahaney: Great question. We are always reluctant to answer parenting questions because they are so child specific, and the more you know about the child the more, I think, wise and precise you can be.  But, in general, you want your child to be convinced that you can identify with them. So I want to find illustrations from my life that parallel an illustration in his life. So I could say, “Son, this is not a foreign topic to your dad. We are fellow sinners both in need of a savior.”

So I want to do two things. I want to try to introduce my son to a study that isn’t correction specific to an occasion. I want to study the heart, I want to study anger, I want to study idolatry, unrelated to an occasion where I am bringing discipline, so that the study hopefully can have the most effect. I want to engage in a study from Scripture. I want to choose age-appropriate material. I want to choose appropriate passages. And then my study with my son is supplemented by stories from my life, because I do the same thing. I don’t cry anymore like a child but I know how to cry in adult ways. I want my child to know that no matter what the category, I can identify.

So let’s say for my son fear of man would be a category. “Well, your dad is just as familiar with that, son, and here are the ways fear of man will play out in my life today.” Not “Here are the ways fear of man played out when I was 16.” No—“Here are the ways fear of man is a real temptation to your father this week.” I think by humbling myself, I hope I make it easier for him to receive from me, so that when I say “Listen,” it’s not “Listen to your self-righteous father who is angry at you because he doesn’t understand why it requires this kind of attention to help you to see how stupid a video game is.”

It is too easy for me to view my son’s form of idolatry as childish, but in essence, at root, there is no difference between our idolatries. His expression is consistent with a 12 year old, mine is consistent with a 56 year old, but in essence it’s no different. Therefore I must make sure my heart is softened by my own sinful tendencies. I don’t want the study to be punitive, I don’t want it to be (if possible) connected or related to discipline, because I think that can make it more difficult for a child to comprehend and to be convinced I have their best interest at heart. I want to supplement it with my own stories.

At 12 years old I would want to start leaving your son with questions to consider rather than pronouncements. But from 12 years old on up, it is far more complicated than when they are younger. For a toddler, discipline is pretty simple. You are not having to work through heart issues. It is a blatantly ethical world, at that age, nothing but right/wrong, yes/no. But as they get older you want to draw your child in and give him an opportunity to think about his own heart, think about it in relation to material, think about it in relation to Scripture, think about it with time for the Spirit to possibly convict. You are not bringing every conversation to a conclusion that he must agree with.

With your restrictions, you want to explain why you are doing what you are doing. Restrictions are important. We are fully for restrictions as long as the purpose is explained—so your child doesn’t think this is just punitive action we are taking in your life without explanation, without a why, without a purpose. We want to create an alternative. We want to anticipate this temptation, anticipate this restriction and [ask] what alternative can we present to wean our child from that particular form of idolatry.

Helping our children identify idols is hard work. Your son may grow out of his love for video games, but he will not grow out of the idol factory in his heart. So as parents, we need the Lord’s help, and we can be confident that he will lead and guide us as we serve and lead our children with the gospel.

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Special thanks to Chad Mahaney (son of C.J. Mahaney) for writing this post during his work as a Sovereign Grace Ministries intern.

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* Sources: http://bit.ly/4ICbOL http://bit.ly/5cZVcf"

View Original Post

A Singles Guide to Ephesians 5

The past couple of weeks at Crew have been highly focused on marriage as we have been going through Ephesians 5. This can be discouraging or even boring to those of who are currently far from marriage and applying these messages. I have to confess that Sunday morning I doodled  through most of the sermon because I just couldn't focus on what Josh was saying and guard my heart/mind at the same time. I'm sure he could feel the disconnect because I'm normally attentively looking and nodding through his sermons, occasionally looking down to tweet a quote or thought. Anyway, I want to encourage you (as well as myself) to strive for biblical manhood and womanhood now, even as a single person.  We were born single, will be single again because of death or divorce, and we will definitely be single in heaven.

I am well aware of the constant battle with our gender twisting society, social circles (that includes the Crew Gospel Community/small groups), and relatives pushing marriage and asking why you aren't married yet (aka what's wrong with you?). Just tell those people to shut up and mind their own business. The truth is that single people need encouragement in staying content and strong. Married people, don't tell us things like "there's someone out there for you" or "your time will come", etc. Lies. Those statements never really encourage us, just make us wanna roll our eyes. There's no guarantee of marriage in the bible; Jesus never married.

Married people, I implore you to not ignore your single friends. Too often people get married, have kids, and ignore the others in different stages of life. Truth is that married people need single people, single people need married people, unmarried couples need married couples, etc. Invite people over regardless of their life stage, you might be able to connect more than you think. (see this previous blog post "Singleness and the Christian Community. Ok, stepping off the soapbox to married people, and back to single people.

Desiring marriage is not a sin, but letting the desire for it to consume you is. Satan knows it is a mental weakness, and he will use it in his spiritual warfare tactics. Fight his lies. You are desired more than anything in the world by our savior Jesus Christ. Find contentment and strength in Him. Fight society, it really doesn't like you anyways. Remember that Jesus never married, and that marriage is only temporary in the eternal perspective. Singleness is your superpower to make a difference in your city and church. Use your free time (both mentally and physically) to serve Christ and glorify him. (1 Corinthians 7:32-35)

Guys, practice leadership, provision, and the protective mission of women now (prove people wrong when they say chivalry is dead). Gals, let guys be chivalrous (let them open doors, pay for dinner, etc), fight our feminist society, and treat guys with respect and affirm male leadership in the church. You can build your home by being hospitable to others. Those who desire nothing more than to be a parent, you can still do this as a single. Be a spiritual parent, dive into kids lives at church, the community, etc. We have the gift of free time and can be mothers and fathers to far more kiddos than if we have them naturally.

I think most importantly, practice sexual purity mentally and physically (1 Corinthians 6:12-19). Behave in a way that you would want your (potential) future husband or wife's current significant other to act (aka, don't embarrass your grandma). If porn is your vice, see this previous post. Please talk to a church leader and/or get an accountability partner if this is an area of struggle for you. The battle can be won, even in our sex-saturated society. Many of us probably will get married, so be praying for your future spouse and be the person you want to marry.

There are many theologians who have done a much better job than I could ever do on talking about singleness /biblical manhood and womanhood so I'm just gonna point you to these sermons that I've found helpful:

• Carolyn McCulley - We're Not on Hold: Biblical Femininity for Single Women
• Mark Dever - Sex and the Single Man
• Village Church - Paul Matthies: Single Minded
• Mars Hill Church - Single Serving
• Mars Hill Church - Single Like Jesus
• Mark Driscoll - Why Am I Single? Clip from Marriage and Men

New Attitude 2004 Conference (now called NEXT)

1. Is He Enough? (Psalm 73) by Joshua Harris
2. Ruth: God's Providence in a Single Woman's Life by Mark Dever
3. Men and Women: Similiarities and Differences by Dr. Wayne Grudem
4. The Mystery of Marriage by Dr. Al Mohler
5. Cravings and Conflict (James 4:1-2) by C.J. Mahaney

• And on a lighter note, check out this previous post on {{real}} from stuffchristianslife.com:Stuff Christians Like #550. Surviving church as a single.

And as a single lady, I would love to talk with and support any other single ladies out there. I have a ton more resources, books, and ammunition. E-mail me at kim@crewcommunity.org. Dudes, I would suggest talkin' to Crew's elder-in-training/bachelor Jason "Jaybles" Black, jason@crewcommunity.org.

Break-In Membership Class - Starts June 27

If you are interested in who and what we are are Crew, then you need to check out our membership class - Break In.  Each Break In course consists of 8 sessions of about 1 hour each.  This class is required for membership, but feel free to sit in and see what we are all about.  Childcare will be provided if requested.  


This round of Break-In will be June 27, July 11, July 18, and July 25 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (we'll be presenting two sessions each week).  


For more info, or to sign up, e-mail info@crewcommunity.org.

The Mars Hill Blog » 7 Things To Do To Get Your Schedule in Line

Original Post: The Mars Hill Blog | Blog Archive » 7 Things To Do To Get Your Schedule in Line

7 Things To Do To Get Your Schedule in Line

Earlier, Joel, 25, talked to us about what he’s learned about stewarding his time. Here’s a list of practical steps that have been key for him:

1. Fill your bucket.
2. Start keeping track of your time to see if you are wasting it. Either keep track of what you actually do, or set a schedule and see how and where you miss the mark.
3. Set your priorities once you know how much time you actually have: Decide what the five most important things are in your life.
4. Be prepared for what you have to do.
5. Plan to have downtime where you can do anything you want. If you live in Seattle, have plans for sunny days. (Not being ironic, here.)
6. Pick people to invest in and ask them or others to invest in you.
7. Get around someone who’s in that next stage of life. Figuring out what you want to do is sometimes as simple as talking to someone who’s doing it.

Here’s what part of Joel’s Ideal Week schedule looks like. (FYI, he gets up most days between 7 and 9 am. “P&T” is his job, in the Preaching & Theology department here at Mars Hill.) Click on the image to view in full:

Support Will Crabtree for Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids' Sake

From Crew attendee Will Crabtree:

"Hello All,

I'm participating in a Bowl for Kids' Sake event next Monday, which is primarily to raise money for the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.  For those unfamiliar, this organization helps kids by matching them with mentors for various activities (for more details, check out www.bbbs.org) 

For those who would like to help support BBBS, all I need is your name, address, and an amount you would like to contribute.  BBBS will contact you via mail to collect the money you pledge, so I won't be collecting the cash.

Please feel free to share this information with anyone whom you think might be willing to contribute.  I'll be taking pledges through Monday, May 17th, so please send all information to me by then.

Thanks everyone!

Will"  


Wanna support? e-mail will_crabtree@mail.com

The Gospel Coalition: How do I discover my spiritual gift?

How do I discover my spiritual gift?

The question about discerning particular spiritual gifts is probably the primary question on many a Christian’s mind. However, I want to propose that it is the wrong question. It is the wrong question because as I have already argued, the lists are representative, not exhaustive. Consequently, any spiritual gifts inventory will be limiting.
Another reason this is the wrong question is because once we believe we have found the answer (”I have the gift of ___________.”), it will limit how, where and when we serve. For example, I may have the gift of teaching (so it has been affirmed by others), but that is not the limits of my service. Can you imagine if we were breaking down after a church-wide meal and other brothers were moving tables and chairs, then they looked at me to assist them, but I said, “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m THE teacher! That’s my spiritual gift; I don’t do tables and chairs.” That would not be Christian; it would not be helpful; and I would not blame the guys throwing a few chairs in my direction.
The Right, Better Question: How can I serve the body?
We tend to get hung up on particular gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul broadens the categories of gifts under the umbrella the manifestation of the Spirit and argues that we manifest the Spirit when we serve one another in faith and in love (1 Corinthians 12:7; 13:1-3). Therefore, let us serve one another in faith and in love. How?

1. First, find out what help the body needs. What are the biblical needs of any body? There are, of course, word ministry needs (preaching, teaching, etc. – Ephesians 4:11). There are also serving needs: widows, orphans, elderly, parents, children, single mothers, etc. (1 Peter 4:10-11). Ask the leadership of your church to find out what specific needs exist.
2. Once you see and begin to understand the needs of the body, PRAY! Pray for the particular needs of the body (Ask the leadership how you can join them in praying for the needs of the body). Pray that the Lord of the harvest would raise up laborers. Pray that the leadership of the body would have wisdom in guiding these ministries. Then, ASK the Lord if He is calling you to serve in one of those areas.
3. Ask yourself, “What do I enjoy doing?” Why do we think that doing the Lord’s will has to be miserable? If the Spirit has gifted us, and if we are growing in grace, then we will enjoy serving the Lord and the body with these particular gifts. However, there may be areas of need that you may not be thrilled about (i.e., nursery) but that are important needs. The Lord may also have equipped you with certain capacities (i.e., accounting) that would serve the body well but which you may be reluctant to use because that is what you do all day, every day. Serve the body! Normally, it will be a delight!
4. Seek godly counsel – from elders (leaders), mentors, small group leaders, etc. Mature Christians with whom you spend much time will be observing you and caring for you. They will be a valuable asset in either confirming or denying whether or not you have particular gifts in certain areas. Listen to them wisely.
5. Serve! Don’t just sit there, do something! Each of us is gifted for the common good; therefore, let us use our gifts (1 Peter 4:10-11). We don’t have to wait until we have discovered our gifts to serve. Serve the church! As you are serving, you may even discover that you really enjoy it; the leaders in your church may confirm what they see; and you will have discovered one of the areas where the Spirit has equipped you to build up the body in love.  Imagine that! You discovered your gift(s) while serving. Don’t just sit there, do something! May the Lord deliver us from consumerism!

by Juan Sanchez. Juan is the Senior Pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, TX and a Council member with The Gospel Coalition.

View the original article on thegospelcoalition.org.