Easter is coming up soon. I wonder if you have ever thought carefully about Easter. Is the Resurrection of Jesus something that we simply belief by blind faith? Or is there actual evidence and proof that the Resurrection of Jesus actually was a true, historical event? I think so. And there are alot of smarter dudes than me who think that it has good evidence as well. Does that mean we base everything we believe on science? No! Not at all. Science has been wrong many many times in history. But the Bible has never been wrong. So we always trust the Bible, and when Science affirms what Scripture has already proclaimed is true, it is just even more convincing.
I am posting a series of videos that show a debate between Dr. Gary Habermas and Dr. Anthony Flew. Dr. Habermas is a Christian professor, scholar, and apologist. He is an expert on the Resurrection. At the time of this debate, Dr. Flew was a very popular atheist who denied the Resurrection. Recently, Dr. Flew has converted from atheism to theism. In other words, he now believes there is a God. He isn't a Christian yet - He hasn't confessed that Jesus is that God. But he is getting closer.
I hope this encourages you this Easter.
Habermas vs. Flew part1
Habermas vs. Flew part2
Habermas vs. Flew part3
Habermas vs. Flew part4
God Bless and Happy Easter!
-Aaron
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
I'm proud of you guys . . .
Hello students,
I thought I would take a few minutes to let you know how proud I am of you. I know that the last three months of life at church have been pretty hectic with lots of changes. We've began meeting in a new location, merging two churches and youth groups into one. We've had to make lots of adjustments - not bad ones, but adjustments nonetheless. It would be impossible to merge apart from making adjustments.
I know change is sometimes very hard. But I am so proud of all of you because I have heard no complaints from any of you. You have all been willing to go with the flow, even if the flow was at some points a little rough. There has been no whining or belly-aching (at least none that I have heard). All I have heard from you is encouragement and selflessness. And even more than that, you have had very gospel-centered concerns for your new-found brothers and sisters at Cornerstone. What do I mean by "gospel-centered concerns"? I mean that you have not passed judgment on them. You haven't looked down your nose as if you are better than them (and that is good, because you aren't). You have welcomed them as friends and equals in Christ, you have expressed heart-felt concern when they have shared their trials and you have given prayers for those who have asked for it. You have really showed your maturity in Christ. And for me, I consider it an undeserved blessing to be able to spend time with you every week. I look forward to living life with you and growing with you in the years to come. I love you guys and I hope that you know it.
See you Wednesday,
Aaron
I thought I would take a few minutes to let you know how proud I am of you. I know that the last three months of life at church have been pretty hectic with lots of changes. We've began meeting in a new location, merging two churches and youth groups into one. We've had to make lots of adjustments - not bad ones, but adjustments nonetheless. It would be impossible to merge apart from making adjustments.
I know change is sometimes very hard. But I am so proud of all of you because I have heard no complaints from any of you. You have all been willing to go with the flow, even if the flow was at some points a little rough. There has been no whining or belly-aching (at least none that I have heard). All I have heard from you is encouragement and selflessness. And even more than that, you have had very gospel-centered concerns for your new-found brothers and sisters at Cornerstone. What do I mean by "gospel-centered concerns"? I mean that you have not passed judgment on them. You haven't looked down your nose as if you are better than them (and that is good, because you aren't). You have welcomed them as friends and equals in Christ, you have expressed heart-felt concern when they have shared their trials and you have given prayers for those who have asked for it. You have really showed your maturity in Christ. And for me, I consider it an undeserved blessing to be able to spend time with you every week. I look forward to living life with you and growing with you in the years to come. I love you guys and I hope that you know it.
See you Wednesday,
Aaron
Monday, February 11, 2008
When Music Hinders Worship
We are a music-driven generation. We have the ability to have music playing 24-7. We have ipods, podcasts, radios, i-tunes, and etc. In church we have praise teams. At conferences and retreats we have worship bands with lights and big speakers. God honoring music played with excellence is an awesome thing. But have you ever wondered if sometimes the music takes the spotlight when in reality it should actually be the spotlot pointing to something greater? Here are a few questions posted by Gilbert Greg on the 9Marks blog that every Christian should read and consider. Let us always strive to put Christ and his Word in the spotlight, and everything else in its proper place in relation to Him.
Questions to consider:
- Do you get bored when someone reads a longish passage of Scripture in your church? Do you start wishing they’d get on with the music?
- Do you need music playing in the background for the reading of Scripture to affect your emotions?
- Does a prayer seem too “plain” or “stark” to you if it doesn’t have music playing behind it?
- Do you feel depressed a few weeks after a worship conference because you haven’t felt close to God in a long time?
- Do you desperately look forward to the next conference you’re going to attend because you know that, finally, you’ll be able to feel close to God again?
- If you’re in a big church with great music, are you able to worship when you visit your parents’ small rural church?
- Do you ever feel worshipful in the middle of the week, at work, at school, etc. just because of thinking about God and his grace? Or does that only happen when the music’s playing?
- Do you tend to feel closer to God when you’re alone with your iPOD than you do when you’re gathered with God’s people in your church?
- Do you feel like you just can’t connect with other believers who haven’t had the same “worship experiences” that you have? Can you only connect with other believers who “know what it feels like to really worship?”
- Is your sense of spiritual well-being based more on feeling close to God, or knowing that you are close to God because of Jesus Christ?
Questions to consider:
- Do you get bored when someone reads a longish passage of Scripture in your church? Do you start wishing they’d get on with the music?
- Do you need music playing in the background for the reading of Scripture to affect your emotions?
- Does a prayer seem too “plain” or “stark” to you if it doesn’t have music playing behind it?
- Do you feel depressed a few weeks after a worship conference because you haven’t felt close to God in a long time?
- Do you desperately look forward to the next conference you’re going to attend because you know that, finally, you’ll be able to feel close to God again?
- If you’re in a big church with great music, are you able to worship when you visit your parents’ small rural church?
- Do you ever feel worshipful in the middle of the week, at work, at school, etc. just because of thinking about God and his grace? Or does that only happen when the music’s playing?
- Do you tend to feel closer to God when you’re alone with your iPOD than you do when you’re gathered with God’s people in your church?
- Do you feel like you just can’t connect with other believers who haven’t had the same “worship experiences” that you have? Can you only connect with other believers who “know what it feels like to really worship?”
- Is your sense of spiritual well-being based more on feeling close to God, or knowing that you are close to God because of Jesus Christ?
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Theological Tongue-Twisters
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the words "rap music?" The glory of God, the Reformation, the doctrine of Justification, propitiation, sanctification, the sovereignty of God? Probably not!! But if you listen to this new generation of Christian rappers those themes just might resonate in your head!
Even though Christian rap had in years past been a breeding-ground for horrible beats, cheesy rhymes, and even worse theology, there is a great movement of Christian rappers in the urban community who are ruthlessly committed to good, sound theology and doctrine such as justification by faith, biblically inerrancy and sufficiency, the sovereignty of God, and even regenerate church membership and restorative church discipline. The days of lyrics such as "poppin' caps into demons" has given way to song titles such "Justified" and "Lyrical Theology" These guy are pastors and theologians before they are rappers.
Here are a few you should check out:
1. Timothy Brindle. This guy is too good to be true. He basically rhymes systematic theology. He's a white dude that was gaining alot of popularity in the underground free-style rapping world. He was saved in 2001, and by the time 2004 came around, this guy was a theological powerhouse. Rock solid. And not only did He know his theology, but he was able to put it to a beat.
2. Shai linne - His best known album is "The Solus Christus Project" and he's got a new one coming out called "The Atonement."
3. Curtis Allen (aka "Voice") This guy is a pastoral intern at Covenant Life Church in Washington D.C. (where C.J. Mahaney and Joshua Harris serve) He grew up in the hip-hop community, and was radically saved when during a rough season of his life a Christian friend stuck by his side and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with him. This guy went from being a criminal, drug dealer, convicted of assault with a deadly weapon. And I just realized that one day when I visited Covenant Life Church, Curtis Allen actually performed some of his songs. This guy is hoping to plant his own church one day.
Read more about Voice: http://theologica.blogspot.com/2006/06/i-hear-voice.html
Listen to some of his stuff at: www.ihearvoice.com
I praise God for anyone who seeks to spread good theology for the glory of God.
Even though Christian rap had in years past been a breeding-ground for horrible beats, cheesy rhymes, and even worse theology, there is a great movement of Christian rappers in the urban community who are ruthlessly committed to good, sound theology and doctrine such as justification by faith, biblically inerrancy and sufficiency, the sovereignty of God, and even regenerate church membership and restorative church discipline. The days of lyrics such as "poppin' caps into demons" has given way to song titles such "Justified" and "Lyrical Theology" These guy are pastors and theologians before they are rappers.
Here are a few you should check out:
1. Timothy Brindle. This guy is too good to be true. He basically rhymes systematic theology. He's a white dude that was gaining alot of popularity in the underground free-style rapping world. He was saved in 2001, and by the time 2004 came around, this guy was a theological powerhouse. Rock solid. And not only did He know his theology, but he was able to put it to a beat.
2. Shai linne - His best known album is "The Solus Christus Project" and he's got a new one coming out called "The Atonement."
3. Curtis Allen (aka "Voice") This guy is a pastoral intern at Covenant Life Church in Washington D.C. (where C.J. Mahaney and Joshua Harris serve) He grew up in the hip-hop community, and was radically saved when during a rough season of his life a Christian friend stuck by his side and shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with him. This guy went from being a criminal, drug dealer, convicted of assault with a deadly weapon. And I just realized that one day when I visited Covenant Life Church, Curtis Allen actually performed some of his songs. This guy is hoping to plant his own church one day.
Read more about Voice: http://theologica.blogspot.com/2006/06/i-hear-voice.html
Listen to some of his stuff at: www.ihearvoice.com
I praise God for anyone who seeks to spread good theology for the glory of God.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Merry Christmas!
Hey guys! I hope all of you have a merry Christmas! I thought you might enjoy a photo that Sarah and I took while we were at her home in Hickory, N.C. There will be more to come!
We love all of you,
Aaron and Sarah
We love all of you,
Aaron and Sarah
Monday, December 17, 2007
Wake Forest and 40 West Ministries
As we rapidly approach the end of 2007 and as our church approaches one of the biggest decisions and opportunities that we've had in many years, I thought it would be good to let you see one of the things that I am most excited about concerning the potential merge and the potential ministry that I am excited about. Many times we think that because Southeastern is in Wake Forest that Wake Forest must be a town that automatically loves Jesus and knows the gospel. That couldn't be further from the truth! Wake Forest desperately needs Jesus. SEBTS sends out lots of missionaries to Africa and Asia each year, but for those of us who live here, we need to be missionaries right here and right now in Wake Forest. In the same way that we seek to identify with the Ugandan culture whenever we take trips to Africa, we need to do all that we can to identify with those in our own communities. As we approach the potential merger, I pray that you would do your best to identify with the people of Wake Forest. I promise you, you will see how much these people need Jesus and I pray that your heart would break for them.
How can you begin to identify with the people of Wake Forest?
1. Spend some time in Wake Forest. Tell your parents that you want to go eat at the restaurants, shop at the shops, get gas at the gas stations of Wake Forest. Grab a hot dog at Shorty's or a sandwich from Over the Falls Deli and talk to some of the regulars. I make it a point each week to buy gas from one of the shady downtown gas stations, and by now the cashiers know me. I see people of Wake Forest that desperately need Jesus and the more I see them, the more my heart breaks for them.
2. Read the Wake Weekly newspaper. If you want to reach a community and love a community, you have to know what's going on in the community. This really lets you know whats going on in WF, and it helps you to connect with whats going on there, so that as you meet folks in the community, you know where they are coming from.
I don't know what will happen as far as the merger goes. But I know that downtown Wake Forest is a field that is white unto harvest and I would love to be see lives changed there. I know that most of you are familiar with the 40West Ministries because OMV has worked with them in the past. I love what these folks do and what they stand for. They minister to those in the lower income housing developments in Wake Forest. Check them out at www.40westministries.com It is ministry opportunities like this that really gets me excited about what might be in the future. Who knows what God might do. He is Sovereign and He sure is an amazing God.
How can you begin to identify with the people of Wake Forest?
1. Spend some time in Wake Forest. Tell your parents that you want to go eat at the restaurants, shop at the shops, get gas at the gas stations of Wake Forest. Grab a hot dog at Shorty's or a sandwich from Over the Falls Deli and talk to some of the regulars. I make it a point each week to buy gas from one of the shady downtown gas stations, and by now the cashiers know me. I see people of Wake Forest that desperately need Jesus and the more I see them, the more my heart breaks for them.
2. Read the Wake Weekly newspaper. If you want to reach a community and love a community, you have to know what's going on in the community. This really lets you know whats going on in WF, and it helps you to connect with whats going on there, so that as you meet folks in the community, you know where they are coming from.
I don't know what will happen as far as the merger goes. But I know that downtown Wake Forest is a field that is white unto harvest and I would love to be see lives changed there. I know that most of you are familiar with the 40West Ministries because OMV has worked with them in the past. I love what these folks do and what they stand for. They minister to those in the lower income housing developments in Wake Forest. Check them out at www.40westministries.com It is ministry opportunities like this that really gets me excited about what might be in the future. Who knows what God might do. He is Sovereign and He sure is an amazing God.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Just a few reminders . . .
Here are some upcoming events and dates!
Event: Caroling with the Church
Date: Wed. Dec 12, 2007
Time: Leaving the church at 6:30
Place: Going to the homes of shut-in's
----------------------
Candlelight Communion
Date: Wed. Dec 19, 2007
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: The Sanctuary
-----------------------
No P.M. Service
Date: Sun. Dec 23, 2007
-----------------------
No Wednesday Service
Date: Wed. Dec. 26, 2007
-----------------------
New Years Fellowship
Date: Wed. Jan 2, 2008
Time: 7:00 (normal time)
Place: The Shed
-----------------------
The Swain Wedding
Date: Sat Jan. 12, 2008
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Place: Binkley Chapel @ SEBTS
Event: Caroling with the Church
Date: Wed. Dec 12, 2007
Time: Leaving the church at 6:30
Place: Going to the homes of shut-in's
----------------------
Candlelight Communion
Date: Wed. Dec 19, 2007
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: The Sanctuary
-----------------------
No P.M. Service
Date: Sun. Dec 23, 2007
-----------------------
No Wednesday Service
Date: Wed. Dec. 26, 2007
-----------------------
New Years Fellowship
Date: Wed. Jan 2, 2008
Time: 7:00 (normal time)
Place: The Shed
-----------------------
The Swain Wedding
Date: Sat Jan. 12, 2008
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Place: Binkley Chapel @ SEBTS
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