Thursday Three For All: Introspection, Welcoming Guests, and Driving Around the World
It’s Thursday, kiddies: the day when I roll out a few things I’ve been reading over the past week. Three of ‘em, to be exact. Enjoy. (Remember: click on the big bold print to read the entire article.)
The Duty of Introspection
(via @challies) Introspection is a two sided coin. We dare not embrace one without the other.
Christian introspection originates and terminates at the gospel. It begins with the good news of Christ’s completed work that has been applied to us. It is founded upon a firm knowledge that Christ has already borne God’s wrath for our sin and that God has already imputed to us his perfect righteousness. This means we are not searching ourselves to see if we been good enough or become righteous enough to merit the favor of God, for through Christ we already have the favor of God! Rather, we are searching ourselves to see if we are honoring God and displaying evidence of his power and presence in our lives—whether we are “walking in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called,” (Ephesians 4:1).
6 Dos and Don’ts for Welcoming Church Guests
(via @martyduren) Amen and amen. And while we’re at it…amen and amen and amen and amen.
I remember attending a local revival meeting in the area where I used to pastor. I did not know the pastor of the host church well, but I wanted to be supportive, so I attended with my daughter.
After we sang a few songs, the pastor ascended the pulpit area, gave a greeting, and then asked for guests to raise their hands, state their names, and say where they were from. If there had been room in the pew rack between the Bible and the hymnal, I would have crawled in. To my dismay, he recognized me, pointed right at me, and waited. So I reluctantly gave my daughter’s name and my own. After the service, I assured her I would never do that to guests at our church.
The Geographical Challenges of Building a Continuous Drivable Road Around the Earth
(via @laughingsquid) Admit it: you have wondered this. Well now ya know.
photo credit: Jason Mathis
