The Village Muse

Believe It or Not: A Telling Hermeneutic

2011-10-04T23:29:00.004-05:00

"How can this strange story of God made flesh, of a crucified Savior, of resurrection and new creation become credible for those whose entire mental training has conditioned them to believe that the real world is the world which can be satisfactorily explained and managed without the hypothesis of God? I know of only one clue to the answering of that question, only one real hermeneutic of the

We are seeking to accomplish what God himself wills to happen

2011-07-30T14:11:00.003-05:00

It's been a very long while since posting here. Lot's of reasons -mostly good methinks. However, the following link merits chasing. Enjoy :-)So all our missional efforts to make God known must be set within the prior framework of God’s own will to be known. We are seeking to accomplish what God himself wills to happen. This is both humbling and reassuring. It is humbling inasmuch as it reminds us

Holy Love :: Offensive Cross :: Needed Win

2011-03-02T14:00:00.002-05:00

With my thoughts turning towards the Lenten and Easter seasons and the continued shaping of our community, I'm often - and may it always be so - reminded that the benefits of the Gospel and Kingdom come only on the basis of the blood, death and resurrection of our King. Whilst being boldly loving folk and doing "good" things should lead us towards the peaceful fruits of justice, mercy, humility

A Needed Glimpse @ Nehemiah

2011-01-25T11:41:00.004-05:00

For the Love of God , a daily devotional designed to walk a person through the Bible in a year, remains a helpful compliment to the M'Cheynne Reading plan. Sunday's commentary was particularly striking. Partly because of the pastoral context and needs in our community. Partly because of the tendency to drift that remains a resident lure in my own heart.Reflect: A Swim Upstream AwaitsONE OF THE

A Seamless Robe & Theology's Common Grounding

2010-09-30T15:52:00.009-05:00

“When you encounter a present-day view of Holy Scripture, you encounter more than a view of Scripture. What you meet is a total view of God and the world, that is, a total theology, which is both an ontology, declaring what there is, and an epistemology, stating how we know what there is. This is necessarily so, for a theology is a seamless robe, a circle within which everything links up with

The Gospel - know it well, teach it to others, & beat it into their heads continually

2010-07-23T13:26:00.006-05:00

“The law is divine and holy. Let the law have his glory, but yet no law, be it never so divine and holy, ought to teach me that I am justified, and shall live through it. I grant it may teach me that I ought to love God and my neighbour; also to live in chastity, soberness, patience, etc., but it ought not to show me, how I should be delivered from sin, the devil, death, and hell.Here I must

Blasted Gourds Towards Growth in Grace

2010-07-22T08:26:00.012-05:00

Here's a hymn that resonates with experience. Sanctification is messy and uncomfortable. Making progress in grace towards formation increasingly into the image of Jesus involves suffering, joy, repentance and faith. Moreover, it is the gracious work of God that makes it so.An excerpt from this John Newton hymn underscored a point in a recent message I heard on the subject of suffering and the

...with Feeble Fingers Cling

2010-07-20T07:09:00.011-05:00

The following clip is worth the look.

The Intrusion of Discipleship

2010-07-15T15:19:00.001-05:00

There are advantages to working across multiple time zones. Catching up on work and ministry back home whilst wrapping up a late dinner in the Ukraine is one of them. And, that's a good thing. It's nice to wrap up a fruitful day of work here and still have time to tend to things in ATL . Anyway, enough of that.If you're reading this, you can likely tell I don't post much these days. In fact,

Ed Stetzer - A LifeWay Research blog on theology, missiology, missional church, church planting, church revlitalization, and innovation.

2010-03-02T13:44:00.003-05:00

Ed Stetzer - A LifeWay Research blog on theology, missiology, missional church, church planting, church revlitalization, and innovation.Posted using ShareThis

O Lord, Our Lord, How Majestic is Your Name

2009-08-07T08:57:00.005-05:00

Wrapping up a short but refreshing break in the WNC mountains I thought it good to sort out a quick post. The reading schedule I follow is returning to the Psalms again for this year. This morning's reading reminds me why I so much enjoy the Scripture's hymn book that spans from generation to generation.This appreciation of the Psalms hasn't always been there for me. In fact, I found it difficult

Piper and Preaching: Worth a View & Listen

2009-05-14T20:25:00.004-05:00

The following is straight from Desiring God website.Some of you may have little or no experience with what I mean by preaching. I think it will help you listen to my messages if I say a word about it.What I mean by preaching is expository exultation.Preaching Is ExpositoryExpository means that preaching aims to exposit, or explain and apply, the meaning of the Bible. The reason for this is that

Praying the Lord's Prayer

2009-05-12T12:03:00.006-05:00

The Model Prayer can be taken as intended or become a rote recited ritual that lacks vitality; yet, when taken to heart, and grappled with under the ministry God the Holy Spirit, great awe, humility, growth and encouragement issue from the instructive example of Christ as He instructs his disciples.What follows is and excerpt from "Praying the Lord's Prayer" by J.I. Packer. It's small in size

An Encouraging Perspective

2009-05-02T09:48:00.009-05:00

I met Penn Jillette about two years back. A simple nice to meet you near the elevator at the Rio. Too many people and not much time to say much else as folks began to approach with paper and pen in hand to ask for his autograph.I was struck by his willingness to stay put and meet the folks that drew near when it seemed clear he'd probably like a little space and a chance to enjoy a coffee in

A Puritan Prayer

2009-03-10T17:55:00.010-05:00

Wrapping up an evening on the road, I'm spending a bit of time reflecting backwards along the tapestry of those in Christ who, together with all the saints, comprise the continuum of God's covenant people. Pausing to look a bit further into a Puritan point in the thread, I think the following prayer merits sharing. Giver of all, another day is ended and I take my place beneath my great redeemer's

Divine Afterthought or New Community?

2009-01-27T13:37:00.005-05:00

Pure Church: What God Has Joined Together, Let Not Man SeparateTaking time over coffee today to read a bit, I really must pass on the above post with pure and simple gratitude to Thabiti Anyabwile, at Pure Church, and the heart expressed in the above post. Follow the link. It merits note.Grace and Peace-THere's an excerpt:"First, I am assuming that we are all committed to the church. We are not

Truth or Tunes? A Needed Note

2009-01-08T08:47:00.004-05:00

Bob Kauflin's observations on Truth and Music merit note. Whilst the video has been "in the cloud" quite some time, I just came across it this morning and really think the comments on truth and tunes needs a hearing.Grace and Peace,-TP.S. For more worship related content and resources, Bob Kauflin's blog, Worship Matters, can be found here.

An Unpopular Message : A Needed Word

2009-01-07T13:41:00.005-05:00

The Word of the Lord.To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:Greetings.Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:1-4; ESV)Thanks be to GodAmenNote: Sir Norman Anderson is mentioned by Dr Piper.

Whilst Rivers Clap Their Hands: His Righteousness Revealed

2009-01-06T07:40:00.006-05:00