The Mac Progaganda Continues...

The truth about switching to...
PC users, here are some common misconceptions about why you think you should not switch over from the dark side. David Allison writes:

There are lots of reasons that people don't want to switch from Windows to Macintosh. I assume the most common reason is simply because Windows works for the people that are using it. The old adage "If it ain't broke don't fix it" tends to apply here. These people are not upgrading to Vista either, they're staying with Windows XP or even Windows 98 and are just fine.

There are however an increasing number of people that are moving to Macs now - many of them people like me that hated Macs at one time. I believe there are lots of reasons for this, not the least of which is that people that are running Windows XP are faced with an upgrade to Vista as their next logical step and feel that maybe it's okay to consider a Mac since they have to go through a full operating system refresh anyway.

One of the reasons I was not interested in Macs for a very long time was that I clung to many facts about the Mac that I felt eliminated it from contention. Well, as with many things in life it turns out the facts that I knew about the Mac were either hopelessly outdated or simply myths. What I wanted to do was tell you the ones that I was aware of and often cited when I dismissed Macs in the past.

His points are:

1. Mac's only use a single mouse button

2. There are not that many applications for Macs

3. Macs are closed machines that cannot be expanded

4. Macs don't work well with Windows machines on a network

5. Macs are more expensive

6. Macs can't run my Windows software

7. Macs are mouse centered machines. You constantly have to grab the mouse.

Read this whole post to see him flesh out these misconceptions about Macs.

Clarus Audio

Here you can find all the audio for our recent Clarus weekend featuring D.A. Carson and Michael Horton.

An Apostolic Disputation - and Justification - D.A. Carson

Panel Discussion 1 (Friday evening) - D.A. Carson and Michael Horton

Two Mothers, Two Mountains - Dr. Michael Horton

Justification/Righteousness and the Cross of Christ - D.A. Carson

Panel Discussion 2 (Saturday afternoon) Pt. 1 - D.A. Carson and Michael Horton

Panel Discussion 2 (Saturday afternoon) Pt. 2 - D.A. Carson and Michael Horton

The Promise-Driven Life - Michael Horton

Panel Discussion 3 (Saturday evening) - Michael Horton

"The Ironies of the Cross" - D.A. Carson

You don't want to miss these messages. These are some of the most helpful gospel related recourses I have ever heard.

Classical Music Still Alive?

Al Mohler reviews the book, "Why Classical Music Still Matters" by Lawrence Kramer.

These are the best of times and the worst of times for classical music. More music is available to more people than ever before. The digital revolution has made more music available than at any previous time in human history, and available 24/7 at very low cost. Musical performances silent for decades are now available in new digital editions.

Yet, enrollment in many musical education programs is dropping fast as children and teenagers play video games, spend time on the internet, join soccer leagues, and think of music as something they buy -- not something they do. Music programs in public schools are often cut for budgetary reasons or reduced in size and scope.

Lawrence Kramer, Professor of English and Music at Fordham University in New York City has written a wonderful and informative book intended to make the argument that classical music has a distinctive and much-needed place in our culture and in our individual lives.

Read the whole thing.



Speaking of classical music. I just bought this recording yesterday: Mozart for your Mind. I feel smarter already. WAY smarter.

In all seriousness it's really good. I wish I would have paid more attention when I was forced to learn this kind of stuff when I was a kid. My parents told me to, but I just wanted to play basketball. That's probably why I lean towards jazz today.

More Stuff Christians Like

Stuff Christians Like - #232 - This one hit a little too close to home.

The Magical Power of Denim

Caspian Reviews

Read reviews of Prince Caspian here.

Radiohead Concert Review

A great review of a recent Radiohead show in St. Louis. Oh how I wish I was there.

(HT: Brad)

How Do You Love A Porn Star?

Joe Carter asks this provocative question: How do you love a porn star?

Its a great short essay and absolutely vital to think through for the mission of God's people and his church.

Excerpt:

How do you befriend someone who relishes what you despise? Can you show someone love while keeping your distance? If not, how do you draw near to someone who wallows in unrepentant sin? We're told to follow the example of Jesus in loving our fellow sinners. However, we are rarely provided with practical advice on how to carry out this duty.

Packer on Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God

Timmy Brister with a great summary of J.I. Packer's teaching on the sovereignty of God in evangelism.

He quotes Packer:

“Some fear that belief in the sovereign grace of God leads to the conclusion that evangelism is pointless, since God will save His elect anyway, whether they hear the gospel or not. This . . . is a false conclusion based on a false assumption. . . . So far from making evangelism pointless, the sovereignty of God in grace is the one thing that prevents evangelism from being pointless. For it creates the possibility–indeed, the certainty–that evangelism will be fruitful. Apart from it, there is not even a possibility of evangelism being fruitful. Were it not for the sovereign grace of God, evangelism would be the most futile and useless enterprise that the world has ever seen, and there would be no more complete waste of time under the sun than to preach the Christian gospel.”

Read the whole post and be encouraged in your pursuit of people with the gospel! We pursue others because we have been pursued!

MuteMath Live CD and DVD

My deepest apologies that I have not reported on this sooner.

Download the audio recording here (iTunes) or here (Amazon).

Buy the live DVD here.

If you are not a fan of MuteMath yet, you will be soon after listening to this stuff. These guys are the real deal.

Accountability

Abraham Piper:

Accountability isn’t just weekly meetings with a “partner.”

It also means having friends who’ll punch your face when you need them to.

My comment:

I say Amen to Abraham's post and have written a bit about our notions of accountability in the past as well. You can read it here if you are so inclined. I think I got most of it from C.J. Mahaney, but can't remember... I am convinced of the ideas there for the purpose of sanctification. Very, very important stuff.

Cyclone in Burma

Eyewitness account of the cyclone in Burma.

(HT: Think Christian)

D.A. Carson on the Local Church

Jonathan Leeman reports:

Adrian Warnock has a good video interview with D. A. Carson filmed during the recent New Word Alive conference. Beginning at minute 2 is a discussion concerning the role of the local church and the role of the seminary and why professors should dream of being pastors. Here's a few lines:

• "The front line is the local church, and there's a sense in which the seminary is a back up slot."
• "The first impetus toward ministry and toward stamping people for what ministry ought to be ought to be within the context of the local church."
• "A good seminary, a good theological college, helps to provide the kind of training, and further exposure, more technical knowledge, grasp of the language, this sort of thing, that virtually no local church can produce."
• "Yet it's really important for those who teach in such places, nevertheless, to be pastors first, because if they think of themselves as teachers and scholars first, then they tend to produce teachers and scholars. So there's a stamping not simply from the course materials, but from your own values, what you think about, what you dream about."
• "So at our seminary, we always hire a certain percentage of faculty who wish they were in the pastoral ministry or else, quite frankly, we don't want them. Now, they have to be academically competent and all the rest. But we don't want people who just want to be in a seminary.We want people who, in many ways, would prefer to be in the local church."

Church Quote Of The Day

If you treat your church like a business, you will treat other churches like your competition.

-Jared Wilson

This Kind of Creeps Me Out

Seen the new Google Street View? I just found my house. Here is the picture.

What do you think? Kinda cool, but kinda not cool at the same time? I just typed in my address and the picture of my house came up. Wild...

New Mac/PC Commercials

Seen the new Mac/PC commercials? They are pretty funny. Watch them here.

(HT: Josh Harris)

Please Tell Me You Saw LeBron Unleash This Nasty Dunk Last Night...

I don't care what anyone says, he ain't 23 or whatever. Someone screwed up this dude's birth certificate.


** Update **

Here is the video. Great line from announcer = "Lebron James with no regard for human life!!!!" Maybe a bit of an overstatement, but I love it.

Er....?

(HT: Marc)

Accountability Software from XXXChurch

I was recently talking with a friend who has been struggling with on-line porn. Since it all centers around his computer we talked about getting an accountability software. I found out that there was a free version for Mac and PC from xxxchurch.com that sends a weekly listing of all the websites you have been on to any number of persons you choose as accountability partners. Looks really cool and it's free. Why not get something like this on your computer? You can find it here.

Intro To Gospel of Luke

Click here to download the intro to the Gospel of Luke from the forthcoming ESV Study Bible that comes out Oct. 15th. It looks exceptional. I already pre-ordered my copy which comes with an electronic version.

Planet Earth

My family and I have steadily been pounding through the 5 DVD set, Planet Earth. I can't recommend this series highly enough. It has been such a blessing to watch this and a delight to be able to do it as a family. As a Christian it will make you stand back in awe at the boundless creativity of our Creator. Watch this series and you will worship Him with new affections.

Here is the description of the DVD series.

Click here to read Tim Challies' review.

We got ours from Netflix. You can find it here.

The Tough Sayings Of Jesus - II

Recently my friend Michael Kelley released, The Tough Sayings Of Jesus II for Threads Media, a division of Lifeway. I would encourage you to check out this Bible study series. Below is an interview that I conducted with Michael concerning Tough Sayings I and II.

You've done two studies on tough sayings from Jesus now. Why did you choose the particular eight in these studies?

Jesus obviously said more than 8 tough things in the Gospels. In fact, it seems like most of the stuff He said left people with more questions than answers. So it's a challenge do trim it down to eight. I tried to pick 8 that were personally meaningful to me. For example, the John 11 passage—the death of Lazarus—has meant a lot to our family in light of my 3-year-old's battle with leukemia.


In your opinion, what is the most controversial tough saying?

That's tough to say, mainly because Jesus was and remains controversial in general. However, I think it would probably be to me this passage from Matthew 15 where a lady asks Jesus to heal her daughter. Simple request, right? Nothing bad about that, right? It is after all a sick child in question. But before healing the child, Jesus essentially calls her mother a dog. Interesting...


What do you feel like you learned in the process of writing this study? Anything new stand out to you?

To return to the John 11 passage, I think we often get in a hurry to get to the good part of the story. We want to see Jesus exercise His power over death and raise Lazarus. But we get there in such a hurry that we forget that by His intentional period of waiting Jesus at best allowed the death to occur, and at worst, caused it. He goes so far as telling His disciples that He's glad Lazarus is dead. But then He actually weeps over the situation, the same situation He had control over from the very beginning. In that I believe we catch a glimpse of the emotional complexity of who God is. And we don't often think of God as being that emotional.


Are there any ways that this study is unique?

I believe the subject matter is unique. I tried to write in a way that was engaging and conversational, but unapologetically asking difficult questions about life and faith. So hopefully, each session isn't like a sitcom where at the end there is a neat little bow tying up all the loose ends. Hopefully, the study encourages the process of asking questions and through that struggle walking more deeply with Jesus.

On another front, some unique stuff about it is that each study has an accompanying leader kit with audio and video elements to help supplement the study.


Between Tough Sayings I and II is there a particular saying of Jesus you find particularly challenging to you personally?

The first session of the first book deals with the story of the rich young ruler. I continue to find that passage a struggle to cope with, and it's not just because Jesus seems to contradict that salvation is by faith, and not by works. I mean, here was a situation tailor-made for Jesus to walk the Roman Road and give this guy 4 spiritual laws to live by, but instead, Jesus gives him one more thing to do. I find it challenging also because it is a reminder that so many things compete to define us as people, and Jesus doesn't want a faith from us that is supplementary. He wants a defining faith, a Christianity that is THE essential element of who we are.


What do you think is a common misconception of the parable of the shrewd manager?

I think when you look at it, it's notoriously difficult to stomach that Jesus was actually commending a guy that was shady in his business dealings and seemed to lack any real character. That's certainly not the Jesus that I am comfortable with. So it would be easier to look for the good in this character, to try and justify Jesus' commendation, saying that we are reading the story wrong, or that maybe he wasn't as bad of a person as he seems to be. But I think he was that deceptive and underhanded. To me, the key is to isolate exactly what Jesus is commending and then try and find how that principle works into the lives of believers.


Is there a Tough Sayings III in the works? If not, what are you working on that we should be looking out for?

Not right now there's not. Maybe there will be. I'm actually working on a book deal that will take the 8 tough sayings from Bible study format and place them into a more traditional book format. I've also been writing some about our family's struggle with leukemia, putting together some thoughts about faith and walking with Jesus in light of that, so who knows? Maybe soon...
Why did you create these two different studies?


What are you hoping to accomplish with these studies? (Beyond making millions in royalties)

Oh, you said beyond making millions in royalties...

I really hope these studies will encourage people that faith is an all-encompassing endeavor, one that includes the intellectual, emotional, and physical faculties as well as the spiritual. I think a huge way that kind of faith is developed is through being willing to journey into these difficult places.


I noticed that II comes with DVD’s? How do those serve the study?

Actually both studies come with a DVD, and in both cases, the videos on there are meant to inspire discussion in a small group setting. The second volume in particular uses the videos to isolate a key question raised in the study, and to start the conversation surrounding that key question.

You can find both studies here (I) and here (II).

Redemptive Parenting

Walt Mueller on parenting:

I’ve been involved in a very encouraging adult class at our church the past few Sunday mornings. Dozens of young parents (kids mostly elementary and pre-school age) have been gathering to hear about today’s youth culture. A rotating group of adults, including myself, have taken turns teaching on a variety of topics. I was asked to speak on the topic of “redemptive parenting” and I did so last week. We followed up yesterday with a panel discussion that featured five older and more seasoned couples talking about their experiences of living with and raising teenagers. It was moving to hear their stories.

After class a mother of three younger kids approached me and said how encouraging it was to see and hear “Godly parents who I look up to” speak openly about the fact that there have been struggles. Lisa and I sat on the panel. I struggled a bit with her use of the word “Godly” as a descriptor of my parenting skills – or as I usually see it, lack thereof. I know for me – and every other couple on that panel – I would more readily admit that while I’d love to be classified as “Godly,” honest introspection reveals more accurate descriptors. I would be much more comfortable with the phrase “struggler,” realizing that anytime I might get it right is purely by the grace of God. In all honesty, this is a realization that’s come over the course of time, as it’s very easy to think more highly of yourself and your parenting expertise when your own kids are young.

As a follow-up to yesterday’s class and at the request of someone who was there, I thought I would post a list of the main points I addressed in last week’s class. It’s not exhaustive, but it reflects personal lessons learned in the school of life as seen through the eyes of God’s Word. These are some of my thoughts on redemptive parenting:

WHAT TO KNOW NOW. . . BEFORE THE DIFFICULT TIMES HIT:
• Embrace a proper theology of the sovereignty of God. Yes, God is in control of all things.
• Embrace a proper theology of human depravity. Yes, all of us and all of our kids are fallen beings.
• In a sinful and fallen world there are no guarantees. . . . even if we do everything just right.
• Adolescence is a primetime for difficulty. Because of where they’re at developmentally, our kids are perfectly positioned to mess up.
• Our identity should not be rooted in our children and their performance. Our identity must be found in Christ. Anything else is idolatry.
• Your foundation must be the truth’s of God’s Word. When the difficult times hit, you will need to constantly remind yourself of the “This I know” foundational truths of life.
• God is parenting and growing us as we parent our teens.
• Helpless is a good place to be. It drives us to God and away from ourselves.
• Embrace a theology of pain and suffering. . . . and “consider it all joy!”
• Be vulnerable. Admit your own struggles with sin.

SO THEY SCREW UP. WHAT NOW? ELEMENTS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR REDEMPTIVE RESPONSE:
• Think of your children first. Your first priority is to see the situation and your child redeemed.
• Don’t worry about what other people think.
• Don’t blame yourself. Your child can make his/her own choices.
• Be a person of grace. Remember John White’s great advice: “As Christ is to me, so must I be to my children.”
• Respond. Don’t react.
• Get support. . . . prayer, professional, etc.
• Shoot for heart change, not behavioral conformity.
• Let them suffer the consequences of their behavior.
• Be free to lament. Embrace the opportunity.
• It’s never too late. No situation is irredeemable.

(HT: Doug Wolter)

Islamification

Along the lines of the most recent post below, check out this artice:

Practicing Muslims 'will outnumber Christians by 2035'

(HT: Joe Carter)

Our Churches Are Shrinking

Over 31 million Americans are saying “check please” to the church

Read C. Michael Patton's reflections on this reality. He breaks it down with a progression that he says usually goes like this:

Step one: Doubt
Step two: Discouragement
Step three: Disillusionment
Step four: Apathy
Step five: Departure

We need to continually beat the drum or organic and structural evangelism in our lives and in our churches. If we don't, we'll most likely continue to see these numbers climb.

Introverts and Extroverts and the Mission of the Church

Dr. Anthony Bradley from Covenant Theological Seminary, asks some interesting questions dealing with introverts and extroverts as it pertains to the mission of the church. As a guy who leans more toward the introverted side I found it worth thinking over.

Happy Mother's Day Kim!

I am so blessed to be married to such an amazing Proverbs 31 type woman who loves her children well. We are all so blessed to have her.

Owning a Mac Will Help You Catch Criminals

Yet another reason to own a Mac. This is great:

Stolen Laptop Helps Turn Tables on Suspects

The thieves were voracious, filching flat-screen televisions and computer games, purloining iPods and DVDs, even making off with a box of liquor and a set of car rims in a burglary two weeks ago at an apartment three young people shared here. Luckily, they also took two laptop computers.

One of the laptops was a Macintosh belonging to Kait Duplaga, who works at the Apple store in the Westchester mall and thus knows how to use all its bells and whistles. While the police were coming up dry, Ms. Duplaga exploited the latest software applications installed on her laptop to track down the culprits and even get their photographs.

Read the whole thing to see how she did it.

(HT: Josh Harris)

The Dark Knight - Coming Soon - Looks Cool

Mac OS - Leopard

I just got the new Mac OS 10.5 Leopard. It's pretty dang cool. You can see all the new stuff here. If you are Mac user (any sane person should be) and have not upgraded, you should consider it.

5 Things Never To Give To Your Wife On Mother's Day

See them here.

(HT: Dr. Lucas)

The ManCrush/Stalking Continues...

I am so geeked about this:

Running

I have started running again. At the Albuquerque elevation of 5,000ft and not having done anything cardio for about 6 months equates to one thing... PAIN.

This too shall pass. For my wife and I running is the fastest way to get a decent workout and with three little kids, doing things in a timely manner is important.

CT Interviews AI Contestants

Christianity Today has an interesting interview here with American Idol former contestants.

Was Isaac A Type Of Christ?

...it is assumed by many Christians that Isaac, the only beloved son place on the alter by his father Abraham as a sacrifice to God, is a clear and definite type of Christ who, as the heavenly Father's only beloved Son, was sent by his Father to die on the cross. When, however, it comes to explaining precisely in which way Isaac was a symbol of Christ and his sacrificial death for sinners, and then an actual forward-looking type of Christ on the cross, persistent difficulties have not been overcome.

But Isaac was not sacrificed; he was not put to death; he was not burned as an incense gift to God and he made neither expiation nor propitiation for others. It was the ram provided at a suitable moment that became a substitutionary sacrifce on the alter, substituting, in fact, for Isaac. Thus, the ram slain served as a symbol and was a type of Christ who died in the place of others.

-Dr. Gerard Van Groningen, Messianic Revelation in the Old Testament, p. 144, 145

Musical Notes, Roller Coasters, Zurich Chamber Orchestra

Very creative advertising.



(HT: The Crimson Window)

The Sounds Really Cool - Desiring God Moving Locations

May more churches rise up to crazy stuff like this!

Grace of God

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days or never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.

~ Jerry Bridges

(HT: Doug)

The Great Exchange

"This is that mystery which is rich in divine grace to sinners: wherein by a wonderful exchange our sins are no longer ours but Christ's, and the righteousness of Christ not Christ's but ours. He has emptied himself of his righteousness that he might clothe us with it and fill us with it; and he has taken our evils upon himself that he might deliver us from them."

-Martin Luther, quoted in J. I. Packer and Mark Dever, In My Place Condemned He Stood, page 85

(HT: Ray Ortlund)