GOSPEL ON REPEAT

This pic is from here. This lady does these cool index card sketches on her blog each week. Often very clever. She just got a book deal too.
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Thinking that we are at the centre of the universe is taught in schools. I think it is at the root of sin – thinking we are at the centre rather than the Son (not sun) in his rightful place at the centre of the universe. Pray that 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 would be worked out in your life.

This is an exciting story.  One of my favourite parables.
This is even more exciting.  It's not a parable.

‘For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.  I can hear the angels in heaven now!

Last week I spoke about saying sorry.  Here is a great example of an apology.  I appreciate his willingness to take responsibility and there are some helpful reflections on racism that apply to our context as well.  (We spoke about racism in Australia on The Poddy this week… with particular reference to the Cronulla riots.)  I'll repeat what I said last week: Sometimes we are slow to apologise. I need to be quick to apologise.  Maybe you do too…

Here is the latest episode of On the Poddy. Good times.

This blog post is being sent in from my email account.  It means that it's a lot quicker to update your blog.  I'm not planning on using it all the time – I don't think it will allow posting pictures – and I like having pictures.  So this is a bit of a test.  Some stuff:

• My brother has some reflections on infant baptism
• Dan is back on the blog for 2007
• Joshua Harris has a much better looking blog
• On the Poddy is making an assault on iTunes – click here to subscribe

Hope you've had a good weekend…

I’m not sure if you have followed this story in the last week. There have been stacks of great responses from Christians. Click here for a summary (h/t JT).

I just listened to John Piper give a brief blurb on his response. Listen here.

Eight Reasons Why I Believe That Jesus Rose from the Dead
By John Piper
A summary:

1. Jesus himself testified to his coming resurrection from the dead.
2. The tomb was empty on Easter.
3. The disciples were almost immediately transformed from men who were hopeless and fearful after the crucifixion (Luke 24:21, John 20:19) into men who were confident and bold witnesses of the resurrection (Acts 2:24, 3:15, 4:2).
4. Paul claimed that, not only had he seen the risen Christ, but that 500 others had seen him also, and many were still alive when he made this public claim.
5. The sheer existence of a thriving, empire-conquering early Christian church supports the truth of the resurrection claim.
6. The Apostle Paul’s conversion supports the truth of the resurrection.
7. The New Testament witnesses do not bear the stamp of dupes or deceivers.
8. There is a self-authenticating glory in the gospel of Christ’s death and resurrection as narrated by the biblical witnesses.

Read the full article here

Aaron “Plankton” Plunkett is back from his month long boot-camp with the army. It sounds like it was a good time for him… but it will be good to have him back. (He might be able to use his new skills to keep rowdy punks quiet at youth group!) I can’t believe he has a gun!! Guns don’t kill people – Aaron kills people! Go check out his site for some more pics.

Yesterday he posted on some thoughts on teamwork. He has some great reflections on teamwork in the army and for Christians. Here is a snippet:

It’s amazing how closely I bonded with the recruits of 16 platoon. We all had a common goal and learnt to work together on any given task and to rely on each other when times were tough… I reflected on this and how we as Christians have a common goal much more profound than that of the Australian Army. We are one in Christ with a common goal to glorify Him and further His kingdom. How much more should we as Christians be sticking together and working as a team!?!

Go read the rest here…