August 2010
5 posts
Moving to losgriego.com
In an effort to take blogging more seriously I have moved to LOSGRIEGO.COM .
If you follow please update accordingly if you want to keep track of this dude’s crazy life that is just about to amp up a notch!
What Every Church Planter Needs
Guest Post by Dane Ortlund
“It does not seem that I can trust anyone,” said Frodo.
“It all depends on what you mean,” put in Merry. “You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin–to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours–closer than you yourself keep it. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends,...
July 2010
51 posts
“18 And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt. 28: 18-20
To think this means,...
Tim Keller: Ministry Movements
A great piece, from Tim Keller, on what makes a ministry movement and how it differs from an institution:
The word “movement” is often used to describe a kind of vital, dynamic human organization, in order to distinguish it from what are called “institutions.” Both of these words can have broader meanings, but for the sake of this discussion let us define them in the...
9 Years Later...Blown Away By Grace.
[15] The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. (1 Timothy 1:15 ESV) God’s grace should day in and day out blow us away. The reality that God would love us rebels and sinners, that he would manifest his love in the person of Jesus Christ who came lived and died on the cross should stop us in our...
Troubled Souls and Pastors
Scott Thomas, President of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network, has a great post today regarding the troubled souls of pastors.
In it he offers indicators and 7 possible solutions for dealing with a troubled soul if you are a pastor.
Here is an excerpt:
Pastors are often overwhelmed with ministry. I am concerned for their souls. I spoke last week to the widow of a pastor who committed suicide...
FEEDBACK: "radical" christianity →
i’m getting tired of being interviewed for or asked to endorse books that are about “radical christianity.” especially when those books typically use that term to describe what should be garden variety, everyday christianity. it shouldn’t be the work of the “radical” to reach out to those who are…
Preacher, Are You Doing This??
Greg Koukl:
Why is it that there’s so much Biblical illiteracy in the church? Certainly the Bible is taught, and by well-meaning people who care about the Bible. But still people are ill equipped, it seems, to understand the nature of reality as characterized by the foundational pieces of the Christian worldview, to understand the scope of the Biblical message, and be able to explain it. ...
Michael Kelley Reviews: “Inception” →
The more I hear about this movie, the more i want to go see it.
5 Dangers Facing Over-Churched Kids
Via Life2gether:
Tony Kummer with a thought-provoking post describing the spiritual dangers over-churched kids can face:
1. Familiar Stories Lose Their Power: When kids hear the same Bible stories year-after-year they can become a little boring. Even worse – these stories are often told without imagination or any listener interaction. Most over-churched kids have heard the same 100+ Bible...
Real Cussing and Bad Words.
Using the name of our Lord flippantly or apathetically on a Sunday morning, or when trying to talk down to “sinners”, is far more offensive than any 4 letter words. Yet those are the ones that seem most acceptable to the Christian Bubble.
Ironic and sad.
Learning to Be Miserable
Life is gonna be tough. Such a great post from John Bryson.
Here is an excerpt via Acts 29:
In our age of spoiled kids, privileged kids, over-indulgence, helicopter parenting, and the lies we tell kids and young men and women that they “can be and do anything they want to be and do”…many are launching “soft” young adults into the world who have no idea how to struggle well or thrive through...
WatchUltimately Jesus builds His church, we don’t, we are called to be stewards of what He has given, here is a good video explaining more of what that means from a practical standpoint.
Andy Stanley Interviews Jim Collins | Catalyst
When someone, or some organization says that they are “just keeping it real” and that they want to be “authentic”, it is usually a good indicator of just the opposite.
Spiritual But Not Religious....What!?!?
Before I was a Christian I remember telling people that I believed in God, but didn’t believe in organized religion. Looking back, I realize that I had no idea what I was saying. It was a way to feel independent, self-righteous, and yes, spiritual.
Who is gonna say that something that sounds as cold as “organized religion” could be healthier than something as hip and cool as...
Telling people that being part of the local church is optional for the health of the Christian, is like telling a married couple they can replace living together with being friends on Facebook to grow closer and become One as God intends.
Rio Rancho Needs The Gospel
Hearing the news that suicide rates have risen in Rio Rancho is heartbreaking. It also further deepens a desire to plant a church that is passionate to proclaim the gospel, and live out it’s implications in the city.
Via KOAT 7:
The number of suicides and suicide attempts has recently jumped in Rio Rancho.
“In my 22 plus years of working here, I’ve seen an increase in the past...
WatchEd Stetzer will be preaching at Desert Springs Church, tomorrow morning.
Ed Stetzer on How Leaders Are Vital to Church Transformation | TheResurgence
13 Signs Teaching Is Becoming an Idol for You
Via Missional in Suburbia:
THIRTEEN SIGNS teaching has become way too important for you…
On a weekly basis you travel from a great distance to hear a particular preacher. At the same time you find that you are disconnected from meaningful community but that is OK because you place such a premium on teaching.
You believe the primary reason you are part of a local church is to be fed...
WatchEven Hipsters need a hug.
The Problem of Pastor as Rock Star
Ed Stetzer guest posted for Tim Challies on the dangers of the pastor becoming a rock star.
Here is an excerpt:
A gifted communicator can draw a crowd, but biblical community will sustain a congregation. A great orator is fun to have at worship, but cannot build community during the other six days and 23 hours of the week. Great preaching will be used by God to bring others to faith and ...
Driscoll: Our Problem, God's Love, The Gospel
“Indeed, the human problem is sin, the divine motivation is holy love, and the death and resurrection of the God-man Jesus is the solution. Consequently, the death of Jesus is the most important event in the history of the world and the crux of how a relationship with God is made possible. Because of this, Christianity is not based upon ideas of philosophies, but rather upon the man Jesus...
LeBron James and Jordan
Michael Rosenburg from CNNSi, has I believe the best insight into what is driving LeBron and his over the top one hour special tonight, ego. LeBron thrives on adoration, on being loved and his free agency run this off-season has shown that. LeBron will never be MJ, and he knows it, we know it, but he is desperate for that kind of legacy
Rosenburg hit the nail on the head here:
But free agency...
Acts 29: Every Shepherd Needs a Shepherd
Great Stuff from Scott Thomas on the Acts 29 blog, writing about the need of shepherd leaders to be shepherded as well.
Here is an excerpt:
The church leader is not exempt from problems. Quite frankly, the supernatural spiritual attack on church leaders is enormous and relentless. Who is shepherding the shepherds? Where do church leaders find their pastoral care? For many church leaders, they...
3 Diagnostic Questions
via Justin Buzzard:
Most of us reading this know we need to make some changes in order to best invest (instead of bury) the “talents” God has given us. But we often don’t know how to discern what changes to make. I think we often make this process too complicated. Here’s one simple way of diagnosing how you’re stewarding the life God has given you. Ask yourself these 3 questions. And ask a...
WatchAmazing video, showcasing God’s unstoppable, transforming love through the Gospel.
This is why we plant churches!
HT: Ben Terry
AWOL Ambassadors
Yesterday I preached at Desert Springs Church on 2 Corinthians 5: 11-21. In it Paul describes his motivation, and ministry invovled in being an Ambassador for Christ.
Over at the Acts 29 blog Reid Monaghan has a great piece on what being an AWOL Ambassador looks like.
He starts off:
I have always found it a bit amazing that God chooses to transform rebellious, sinful and wayward people into...
