#2 I'm really looking forward to T4G next week. The refreshment of live gospel preaching is something I need for ministry and just my general well-being. Also looking forward to reconnecting with some friends at the Band of Bloggers event and beyond, and of course meeting some for the first time face to face.
#3 Band of Bloggers and T4G may be sold out, but if you're a student minister or youth worker, The Calling May 8 is still open. It's in beautiful Maine. All registrants get a free copy of my new book Abide.
#4 The wife flies in tonight for her last temporary visit until permanent move in May. To say I'm looking forward to being with her is an understatement. The last 9 months have been some of the hardest of our lives, but because God is sovereign and sweet, they have been a blessing in some surprising ways. I think as they've "watched" us be apart in this time, the people of our church here have developed a deeper affection for both of us.
#5 Brian McLaren is a big baby. If you disagree with him, you are a poor brainwashed zombie under Pharisaical control. Or so says he.
#6 So much whining in evangelicalism today. We'd do well to remind ourselves that whining is not a sign of repentance. I think of this whenever I think to peruse the public statements of a fallen pastor who is on the fast track to planting another church. With his girlfriend. I have two things to say about this: "The stuff you've been through" is not stuff that happened to you. It's stuff you did. You are not a victim. And acting like you are is more sign of unrepentance. Secondly: Only in the spiritually and theologically retarded landscape of the Bible Belt can a guy and his mistress crush their spouses, plant a church together, and have it fill with people (and have other Christians applaud them and offer cheap platitudes about "grace").
#7 I leave you with this: My eldest singing "Morning Has Broken" during the offertory on Easter Sunday:
Macy Singing "Morning Has Broken" from Jared Wilson on Vimeo.
11 comments:
I pray you have a great weekend with your wife. The video of Macy singing is just wonderful. She is growing up so fast. I pray your house sells. May the peace of the Lord be always with you.
"Brian McLaren is a big baby." This made me smile.
I haven't read the book yet, but I've read enough McLaren; one thing that is just utterly maddening about this dude is the onesidedness of his critique. He literally abandons any meaningful place for Christian evangelism or conversion by building a giant hellbent fundamentalist strawman - the Burning Man of strawmen, perhaps.
Ugh.
That's one talented little girl there, Jared.
Hi Jared -
First time at T4G - what to expect? Also, not a pastor - will I be in a extremely small minority?
Bmassey, this is my first time at T4G as well. I attended The Gospel Coalition Conference for the first time last year, and that was my first conference in 13 years, so I'm sort of a newbie myself.
I suspect it's a lot like TGC last year. You can expect great congregational singing in a room of thousands of mostly men and wonderful gospel-rich preaching.
I don't think you will be a minority if you are not a pastor, but I am sure most attendees are ministry-minded in some way: seminarians, associates, interns, college students with ministry aspirations, etc etc. But I wouldn't bet on the majority of people being pastors.
Jared,
Great post, but what most impressed me was Macy.
Trust me on this - your daughter is gifted musically, and I think in a big way. I've heard her play piano and noted the rhythm, sense of timing, and feel that you don't often see so young. And to see her in this video, so grown up, and with such voice control and presence . . . These are all the building blocks that come naturally to gifted musicians but are so rare otherwise. She's got the skillz!
#6 So true, personal experience in 2 churches with 2 pastors....never could understand how they got back into the pulpit so quickly.
A Piper/Warren controversy? I thought Piper was on sabbatical and wasn't doing anything?
I guess I should clarify since if you are not aware of the "controversy" my text may imply there's some conflict between Piper and Warren.
Piper invited Rick Warren to speak at the Desiring God conference this fall. Many ppl on the internet find this invitation outrageous and some have taken to insulting Piper and doubting his sanity/spirituality/maturity/reliability.
Ah, now that makes sense. People freaking out (again) because Piper has been supportive of people they consider unworthy of truly Christian ministry rings some bells. :)
Your girl can sing, bro!
Let me know if you want to do interview part dos for your new book, would be blessed to have you again!
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