POC Blog

The random technotheolosophical blogging of Reid S. Monaghan

Martin Lloyd Jones - High Tech Style

Logos Libronix Users and fans of Martin Lloyd Jones (yeah, I know the club is HUGE - at least I know a couple of folks) will be pleased to see the following pre-publication announcement. If you can get past the pictures on the biographies (I think smiling was not allowed back then) I think you will be encouraged by the life of this 20th century preacher. A quick quote that I found encouraging:

Do not keep a record or an account of your work. Give up being book-keepers. In the Christian life we must desire nothing but His glory, nothing but to please Him. So do not keep your eye on the clock, but keep it on Him and His work. Do not keep on recording your work and labour, keep your eye on Him and His glory, on His love and His honour and the extension of His kingdom. . . . Have no concern as to how many hours you have given to the work, nor how much you have done. In effect leave the bookkeeping to Him and to His grace. . . . There is no need to waste time keeping the accounts, He is keeping them. And what wonderful accounts they are. May I say it with reverence, there is nothing I know of that is so romantic as God's method of accountancy. Be prepared for surprises in this Kingdom. . . .

Let me make a personal confession. This kind of thing has often happened to me in my ministry. Sometimes God has been gracious on a Sunday and I have been conscious of exceptional liberty, and I have been foolish enough to listen to the devil when he says, 'Now, then, you wait until next Sunday, it is going to be marvellous, there will be even larger congregations'. And I go into the pulpit the next Sunday and I see a smaller congregation. But then on another occasion I stand in the pulpit labouring, . . . preaching badly and utterly weak, and the devil has come and said: 'There will be nobody there at all next Sunday'. But, thank God, I have found on the following Sunday a larger congregation. . . . You never know. I enter the pulpit in weakness and I end with power. I enter with self-confidence and I am made to feel a fool. It is God's accountancy. . . . He is always giving us surprises. . . .

We should not only recognize that it is all of grace, but rejoice in the fact that it is so. . . . The secret of the happy Christian life is to realize that it is all of grace and to rejoice in that fact. . . . Was not this [Jesus'] own way? . . . He did not look at Himself, He did not consider Himself and His own interests only; He made Himself of no reputation, He laid aside the insignia of His eternal glory. . . . He humbled Himself, He forgot Himself, and He went through and endured and did all He did, looking only to the glory of God. Nothing else mattered to Him but that the Father should be glorified and that men and women should come to the Father. That is the secret. Not watching the clock, not assessing the amount of work, not keeping a record in a book, but forgetting everything except the glory of God, the privilege of being called to work for Him at all, the privilege of being a Christian, remembering only the grace that has ever looked upon us and removed us from darkness to light.

It is grace at the beginning, grace at the end. So that when you and I come to lie upon our deathbeds, the one thing that should comfort and help and strengthen us there is the thing that helped us at the beginning. Not what we have been, not what we have done, but the grace of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. The Christian life starts with grace, and it must continue with grace, it ends with grace. Grace, wondrous grace.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cures, (Eerdmans, 1965) p. 130-32.

And it seems he took his own advice. Here is an exert from the final days of his life:
Towards the end of February 1981, with great peace and assured hope, he believed that his earthly work was done. To his immediate family he said: 'Don't pray for healing, don't try to hold me back from the glory.' On March 1st, St. David's Day and the Lord's Day - he passed on to the glory on which he had so often preached to meet the Saviour he had so faithfully proclaimed. The MLJ Recordings Trust Web Site - http://www.mlj.org.uk/biog.htm accessed January 10, 2006. Emphasis added.
I think we all need heros of some sort - those we look to to see an example worthy of following. Primarily we see this in Jesus, he is our only pattern. And then there are women and men throughout history, both those we know and those we know at a distance, of whom we rightly can obey the injuction to the Hebrews:
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:7
Martin Lloyd-Jones - keen intellect, medical doctor whom God coverted to faith in Jesus Christ, called by God to wear the banner of "preacher," one who has gone before us worthy of our consideration. Now, should I spend the 150.00 bucks to have some of his works on my hard drive...ahhhh! Not a decision for tonight ...
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Church - an Old Vision

Long ago, someone described a Christian church....
And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration. Justin Martyr The First Apology, chapter LXVII
Reading of Scripture, verbal instruction and exhortation in the same, prayer, communion, an offering taken to use for widows, orphans, the sick, the slave, the poor and the stranger among them. Not a bad vision for today's conusmeristic churches. Not a bad vision at all.
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Wordliness is now cool...someone must be pleased

"The first thing is to delay as long as possible the moment at which he realises this [worldliness] as a temptation. Since the Enemy's servants have been preaching about 'the World' as one of the great standard temptations for two thousand years, this might seem difficult to do. But fortunately they have said very little about it for the last few decades. In modern Christian writings, though I see much (indeed more than I like) about Mammon, I see few of the old warnings about Worldly Vanities, the Choice of Friends, and the Value of Time. All that, your patient would probably classify as 'Purtanism' -- and may I remark in passing that the value we have given to that word is one of the really solid triumphs of the last hundred years? By it we rescue annually thousands of humans from temperance, chastity, and sobriety of life. -- C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters"
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Teenagers Mix Churches for Faith That Fits - New York Times

There is a name for this in my parts - "Multichurching" - not a good scene...we are American consumers in all things - inlcuding church and religious stuff. Link over at The New York Times ...
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Texas Church Plans to Give Away a House

Is this just sick or what? I am all for swimming in a culture with people - connecting with people where they live etc...but is there some prostitution going on here before the world? Have the money changers moved venue and now offer the gospel in the name of prize packages and giveaways? Why not just find some poor people in the church and give them a house? A sad thing going on here... http://www.newsobserver.com/24hour/religion/story/3006864p-11693734c.html HT-Challies ...
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Humility - A Christmas Reversal at Covenant Life

Joshua Harris has posted to his blog the reasons why his church is now having Sunday services on Christmas Sunday. For many this is not an issue about "Christmas" but cancelling gathered worship for Christmas. I guess Harris has come to this conclusion: Link - Josh Harris Blogs: The Wrong Decision
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Christmas and Church - Vote Now

Just for fun - A very non-scientific power of change poll:
Christmas and Church
Will you be attending Church on Christmas Sunday?
Yes, but my home church is closed
Yes, at my home church
No, my home church is closed
No, but my home church is open
Church? Yeah, right
View Current Results
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Stand to Reason Blog: No Church on Christmas?

Melinda Penner over at Stand to Reason Blog weighs in on the Christmas issue... Link - No Church on Christmas?
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Na - Recommended Singles Conference

Now for those who know me, I'm not a big fan of certain types of "singles" ministry that goes around in some parts. You know, "Hi I want to get married, lets all act weird now" sorts of gigs. But this looks like a great conference for Singles...plus, they people behind it are pithy. This is from their "Save the Wheel" Campaign:
Like the wheel, Truth never changes. You can’t reinvent or improve on Truth. This is the Wheel: unchanging Truth established by God.
Here is the skinny on the conference: * History * Speakers * Travel & Lodging * The Details * Register * Testimonies * The Stuff ...
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TIME.com: The Fight Before Christmas

Time Magazine is running a piece on their web site on the recent discussions about closing church on Sunday - Christmas Sunday. Link - TIME.com: The Fight Before Christmas HT - Justin Taylor - Theologica
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Sorry, We're Closed

Justin Taylor has an interesting discussion on the phenomena of Christian churches not holding services on Sunday morning, Dec 25th. Many out there are making a huge deal about this, Taylor's post links to two sides on the issue... Link - Between Two Worlds: Sorry, We're Closed ...
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Hall of Contemporary Reformers

Some funny bios and caricatures of some contemporary reformed dudes. Link - Hall of Contemporary Reformers
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Cussing and Sin in the Emerging Church

I did not engage this whole entry, but let me just call it Exhibit A that we have too much time (or too damn much time for the "cussin is cool" crowd) on our hands as we continually engage in such foolish arguments. Just look at the title, see how loooong this debate goes on, and then go do something profitable with your time (Ephesians 5:15-17) Link - Emergent What? � Cussing and Sin in the Emerging Church: ...
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Emerging Church

Justin Taylor has a multi part series on the Emerging Church - It is very fair and highlights much of the positive aspects of the emergent conversation. Taylor is not critical in these posts (there is some very concerning stuff about some emerging thought) but rather informing the public as to the nature of the movement. Very helpful and gracious in tone Link - Between Two Worlds
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One of the more ridiculous things I have read

Zondervan is hosting a Pastor's conf this year with a featured "Emerging Church Track" - I could not believe the quote I read commenting about the "Emerging" church.
"Is it a movement or a conversation? Is it dangerous or the church's last hope?"
Last time I checked Jesus was the eternal hope of the church. He is the author and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12), he is our eternal faithful high priest (Hebrews 9 and Hebrews 10), he makes continual intercession for his people, not one of his sheep shall be lost, and all that the Father gives him shall come to him and be raised up on the last day (John 6 and John 10) What the heck could it possibly mean that the emerging church is the church's last hope? How is this not hype and marketing crap? The sickening man-centeredness of that sentence is beyond comprehension...especially talking about a movement which is abandoning penal substitutionary atonement, denying the reality of God's judgment of sin and sinners (and thereby making the work of the cross quite an unecessary event), and and presenting a weak, new age like, universalist, pacifist Jesus, that needs us to become "Postmodern" (however one defines this) or the church dies. Link - to the quote in context is found here Critical Concerns Courses | National Pastors Convention 2006 ...
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Brennan Manning: "I Lied"

Justin Taylor has a thread going on the embelishments made by Brennan Manning on his involvement after Katrina. As much as people seem to love Manning - I am sure this will not hurt his reputation. God's grace is sufficient for all of our lies...yet making up stuff like this is a bit self-promoting and disappointing. Original Story with Editor's Update - http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/140/42.0.html Link on Theologica - Between Two Worlds: Brennan Manning: "I Lied"
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An Anatomy of Megachurches - The new look for places of worship

Slate.com is running a piece on the architecture of the modern Megachurch. An interesting read and some very good questions are asked. An Anatomy of Megachurches - The new look for places of worship. By Witold Rybczynski Who looks big - humans or God due to our buildings our gatherings, etc.? Very good question. .
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This is a must read for our generation....

This is one of the best things I have seen come through the pages of Relevant Magazine A New Kind of Hipster Also, see my mini-review of the book referenced at the end of this article. I highly recommend the book: Prophetic Untimeliness - A Challenge to the Idol of Relevance by Os Guiness
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Men Standing for The Black Family

A coalition of ministers, sponsored by the Seymour Institute (a Black Christian think tank and a project of the Azusa Christian Community in Boston, Massachusetts) has just published a new book entitled God's Gift: A Christian Vision of Marriage and the Black Family. Looking at the table of contents and chapter headings in this work is very encouraging. The following is the opening paragraph from the official press release:
(Washington, DC) Not since 1965 when the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan authored an historic and controversial study entitled The Negro Family: The Case for National Action, has there been an analysis of the Black Family that transcends partisan politics – so thorough, insightful, penetrating, and so complete that it resonates with every faction of the Black community. God’s Gift: A Christian Vision of Marriage and the Black Family, prepared by the Seymour Institute for Advanced Christian Studies is that critical report. “This crisis has been long in the making, as was memorably noted by [Moynihan]. The failure of the family bodes ill for the future of the Black community given the family’s critical role in preparing the next generation for a fulfilling and productive life and for transmitting values to children that will sustain the welfare of the community.”
Read the full press release here:Black Think Tank Releases God’s Gift: A Christian Vision for Marriage and the Black Family You may order a copy of the book from the Seymour Institute web site. .
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Jan Hus of Bohemia

Jan Hus Monument in Old Town Square, Prague, Czech Republic
I have been studying for an upcoming two-part message series on the subject "What is Truth?" and have again come across a beloved quote from the early 15th century Czech Reformer Jan Hus. After spending quite of bit of time in the Czech Republic from 2000-2004, Hus has become a great interest to me among those condemned for views of reform in the late middle ages. Here is the quote:
Dear Faithful Christian...Search for Truth, Hear Truth, Learn Truth, Love Truth, Speak the Truth, Hold the Truth, and Defend the Truth til Death
For a brief biography see - Jan Hus of Bohemia
The Execution of Jan Hus at the Council of Constance 1415 "God is my witness that I have never taught that of which I have been accused by false witnesses. In the truth of the Gospel which I have written, taught, and preached I will die today with gladness." Thereupon the fire was kindled. With uplifted voice Hus sang, "Christ, thou Son of the living God, have mercy upon me." When he started this for the third time and continued "who art born of Mary the Virgin," the wind blew the flame into his face; he still moved lips and head, and then died of suffocation. On December 18, 1999 Pope John Paul II apologized for the execution of Jan Hus.
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