Washington Post on Redmond

I have blogged several times on my man Eric Redmond, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church. Those who know Eric know what a wonderful asset he is to the church and to our desire for Reformation among African-Americans. Apparently the Washington Post has discerned this as well. Eric and Hillcrest are featured in today's feature article on faith. Check it out.

BTW
The bow tie is not the left over remains of the Nation of Islam, but remnants of an academician turned pastor. We might need to reformed that as well.

"I'm a Grace Case"

Every year in August people from all around gather at Main Street Baptist Church for the annual Sovereign Grace Bible Conference (to some it is affectionately simply called "The Conference"). The conference has been pioneered these past 25 years by Elder D.J. Ward, pastor of Main Street Baptist Church. The conference features a variety of preachers, most from a movement of Calvinistic baptist churches known as Sovereign Grace Baptist (you can access last year messages here).

If you have ever had the pleasure of meeting Elder Ward, then you know what a magnanimous and gracious man he is. He has been in the pulpit ministry for many years and yet his enthusiasm for the truth of the Doctrines of Grace and God's Sovereignty in all things has not waned in the slightest. I have had the honor of sharing the pulpit with Elder Ward on a couple of occasions, and I can honestly say that he has encouraged my heart and ministry in the gospel. And don't let his slow gate and gray beard fool you. There is yet fire in his heart and power in his voice. Here is a small taste of what I mean.

One of his joys is singing of the grace and mercy of God. As you can tell from this video and the fact that he is reminded that he is "a grace case."

Bugging for Jesus

This evening during our family worship time we sang Be Thou My Vision (one of my favorites). After the song, my youngest daughter asked me what "be thou my vision" means. I told her that that was a good question. How do you explain to a normal six year old what the words "be thou my vision" means? I tried to explain to her that to have a vision is to have a goal, an ultimate objective and that Christ should be the goal and objective of every Christian. Of course, that did not register. Then suddenly I remembered that all of us have visions, even little children, even my daughter.

You see, last week she had a box of Gobstoppers, which I took her from her because she did not have a clean bill of health at her last visit to the dentist. Since then, everyday she has asked me when she can have those Gobstoppers back. She is quite diligent in this pursuit. She even reminds me when I forget that I took them. Well, tonight I reminded her that she has a vision. I told here that she has a vision for those Gobstoppers. Her desire and delight is to enjoy those Gobstoppers. Everyday she has designs on how she can get me to give her back those Gobstoppers. Those Gobstoppers is her vision. And Christians should desire God even more than you desire those Gobstoppers.

After I finished, I do believe a light went on because she said, "Oh, Christians should bug for Jesus even as I bug you for the Gobstoppers." I laughed and said "Yes, sweetheart, Christians should be bugging for Jesus."

Are you bugging God for more of Jesus? Or do you bug Him for Gobstoppers?

On George Leile

Check out this post on George Leile from my man Gunny. Excellent.

A Christ-Centric Life

A few years ago while I was in Maryland preaching at Hillcrest Baptist Church, I had the pleasure of meeting a dear brother whose commitment to theology and family really impressed me and encouraged my heart. I was also taken by his name. His name is Quincy Jones. I am sure when he tells people his name, he has become use to people doing double takes and asking questions about the other Quincy Jones. Yet, once you begin to speak with Q (as he is known), you will begin to see that this is the Quincy Jones you desire to know and meet more than the other guy.

Quincy is a husband, father, budding theologian and pastor, thoughtful blogger at Truth in the Innermost, seminary student, and accomplished hip-hop artist. He has been involved with ChristCentric for years. They have produced some the most biblical/theological hip-hop music in circulation. Their album The Reformation is the epitome of this theological labor.

As a student at Southwestern Bapist Theological Seminary, Quincy has been interviewed for the seminaries online newsletter. He tells part of his story in this video: http://www.swbts.edu/Qjonesvideo.

Even in the video you can hear a brother whose heart and mind are seeking Christ and his kingdom. Brothers like Quincy remind me and encourage me that God's kingdom is going forth and that He continues to raise up faithful African-American men with a passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Quincy I am reminded that the kingdom is Christ-Centric and so should our lives be.

Courageous Fatherhood and Manhood

"Courage is like a muscle. It only gets stronger when you use it."

There are few people who I desire to hear preach on fatherhood and the courage necessary to faithfully fulfill that call than Crawford Loritts. Here is the message he delivered yesterday at the 2008 Desiring God Conference for Pastors. Listen and be challenged and encouraged. Thanks Crawford, we needed that (at least I did).

The NFL: No Friend Left?

According to a pastor friend of mine, today the NFL stands for No Friend Left. As you know, today is the annual national holiday known as Superbowl Sunday. People will be scrambling to find a place and a seat to watch the most over-hyped sporting event in the world. And sense it is on a Sunday, churches and Christians will seek to take advantage of the world's preoccupation with "the game." My above-mentioned friend told me that this year his church is calling today NFL Sunday, or as he put it, No Friend Left Sunday. He has instructed his parishioners to invite all their friends and family to church on this Sunday with the service being themed around the Superbowl and with the goal of evangelizing them with the effort. He informed me that he would be preaching a sermon on "The Game of Life."

While I applaud his desire to reach the lost, I fail to see how encouraging the saved to engage in worldly thinking on Sunday morning is a good means of reaching this ends. You see, the challenge for the Christian is not knowing how to think worldly and mundane thoughts. That is easy to do. The challenge is to somehow get our minds trained on things above and not on things below. The church and the preacher is to be a primary instrument in the facilitation of this challenge. For the past two weeks our minds have been bombarded with Superbowl propaganda. When we come to church should we receive more of the same? Or should there be a marked difference between the place where football is king and worshipped (namely the world) and the place where Christ is king and worshipped (namely the church)?

Don't get me wrong. I am not against the Superbowl. Let people have their Superbowl and the propaganda that goes along with it. Let people enjoy the hype and festivities that accompany "the game." And may the game be competitive and entertaining. However, when it comes to Sunday morning as we gather to corporately worship our God and Savior, let us leave the temporal and the mundane and let us set our mind on things above and remind each other that we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies. Let those who come to be with us recognize that our minds are not being conformed to the propaganda, but are being renewed and that there is a distinct, unmistakable difference between the worship in the Kingdom of God and the worship in the kingdom of this world.

All week the world has said this is Superbowl Sunday. When the church of Jesus Christ gathers let us tell the truth. This is a day that the Lord has made. This is the Lord's Day. Let us rejoice and be glad in him.

Onward!

As you can see I have not blogged in a while. I am busy with a few important projects so my blogging will be light for the next week or so. But I will be checking in from time to time to let you know that I am still alive and in fact better than ever (golf game included). Also, I am always excited to find other African-Americans on the internet who delight in Reformational truth. Thus, I point you to a new blog Forward to the Reformation. According to its self description, "This blog is for the glory of God. Its theology is based upon the Westminster standards as well as the London Baptist Confession of 1689. It is geared to engage in discourse regarding Reformation among traditional African American churches such as National Baptist churches. It invites all to contribute."

It is always encouraging to see another voice for change (Obama withstanding) and reformation on the internet. As ML King, Jr. would say, "Something is happening (in the church); something is happening in our world." Indeed, God continues to raise up in this generation men and women committed to the reclamation of truth and the positing of that truth in the church of Jesus Christ. I, for one, am so happy that God is granting me the blessed privilege of seeing and being a part of His wonderful move among His people. I pray we will be faithful with this stewardship and not have the next generation look back at us and say, "What could have been." Rather, I pray they will hear one generation calling out to the next, "Onward! Continue to believe in the sovereign God of your fathers and mothers. Rise up! Continue to trust that He who began this blessed work will complete it through you."

Where Are The Brothers?

A few months ago I had the distinct pleasure of reading the manuscript of a book from my friend and comrade Eric Redmond. I am excited to learn that the book is close to being released. The book is entitled Where Are The Brothers: Straight Answers to Men's Questions About the Church (read more about it). It is available for pre-order from Amazon and we hope to see the release of it from Crossway Books early this Summer. When I read this book I could not help but say what a timely and critical work this is. I immediately envisioning ways in which I was going to put this book to use. As far as I am concerned, June can't get here soon enough. Also, Eric is the thoughtful and passionate pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church . And finally we have the church and Eric's sermon's online. Great!

Georgia or Michigan?

Help! I can't seem to remember if I am driving in Georgia or back in Michigan.

The kids seem to have found a new friend. Tiger the Snowman! I hear he has a ice cold short game.

A Snow Day in Atlanta

It's snowing in Atlanta this morning!

I moved to Atlanta from Michigan many moons ago to get away from God's fury of flakes. Once again this morning I am reminded that not only do I not know where the snow is stored (Job 38:22), but I don't know the manner of its falling (Job 37:5-6). I would not pretend to compare this morning in Atlanta, to the many years I spent growing up during the wintry months of Michigan, yet for a now established Southerner who sees no fascination with the so called anomaly of snow in Atlanta, today I would prefer to stay in doors. My children, on the other hand, relish the opportunity to get out in the wintry precipitation. I can only marvel at their excitement and naivete and say to myself, "If they only knew."

Reformed Grows on You

One of the best preachers I have had the pleasure to hear is Crawford Loritts. In fact, someone recently told me, after hearing me preach, that I reminded them of Crawford. Well, if I can communicate the way Crawford has for all these years, then I am more than thankful for God's grace to me. Nevertheless, I have always been encouraged and impressed by Crawford's heart and gifts. He has always been a man who walks what he talks and takes his calling to the gospel ministry seriously.

I recall on one occasion many years ago (let's call it 13 or 14 years ago) having the opportunity to listen as Crawford preached in our church in Atlanta. During the sermon he made a very interesting statement that I have never forgotten. He said, "The older I get the more Reformed I become." I found that interesting because I remember listening to him and wondering if the theology of this preacher is as good as his oratory skills. When he made that statement, I was somewhat comforted, but as you can imagine, still had my questions.

Over the years I have heard him make some statements and have even heard reports of statements made by him (right Lou?) that would seem to suggest that his above statement is true in his life (actually the statement itself is true apart from Crawford, for all those seriously considering the theological truth of the Bible do become more and more Reformed as they embrace more and more of Biblical truth). It would seem that we have been given more evidence of late as none other than John Piper has somewhat confirmed Crawford's reformed theological sympathies (listen here).

If it is true that Crawford identifies himself as reformed, then we can only thank God that He has allowed Crawford to continue to grow older and wiser right before our eyes. I can only pray that I would do the same (and you too).

Change and the Gospel

In every church either people are being changed by the gospel, or the gospel is being changed by the people.

A Vision for the Future

Do you have a vision for your children? Whether you realize it or not, you are articulating a vision through your words and actions. The emphases of your life will often become the emphases of theirs and the vision you live will have an enormous impact on them for glory or for shame. With this in mind, our brother Quincy Jones has encouraged us to have a vision for the next generation that God has so graciously placed in our homes. Today I am reminded and encouraged to be ever diligent in making sure that I am passing on Christ to my children and praying that my passion for Him will only be surpassed by theirs.

Thanks Quincy, and may your children grow to faithfully love and serve the Lord you so faithfully love and serve.

On Loving Your Enemies

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday. While the nation will commemorate it next Monday with the official national holiday, actually he was born on this day in 1929. I was raised on the speeches of King and learned many of them verbatim from my early childhood. I have read much of his writings and have found them inspiring at many levels. My favorite book from King is Strength to Love. It is a small collection of some of his sermons and speeches on moral authority and Christ-like social actions. Today I want to share an interesting quote from the sermon Loving Your Enemies taken from the text of Matthew 5:43-45. Consider these words from Dr. King:

Now we can see what Jesus meant when he said, "Love your enemies." We should be happy that he did not say, "Like your enemies." It is almost impossible to like some people. "Like" is a sentimental and affectionate word. How can we be affectionate toward a person whose avowed aim is to crush our very being and place immeasurable stumbling blocks in our path? How can we like a person who is threatening our children and bombing our homes? This is impossible. But Jesus recognized that love is greater than like. When Jesus bids us to love our enemies he is speaking neither of eros nor philia; he is speaking of agape, understanding and creative, redemptive goodwill for all men. Only by following this way and responding with this type of love are we able to be children of our Father who is in heaven.

After all these years, I am still wondering if he is right. What do you think?

Is This a New Church?

This church has just started a couple of miles down the road from our home. Check it out. What do you think? Is there something conspicuously missing or is it just me?

One Day at a Time

Have you ever seen the commercials from Nationwide with the tag line, "Life comes at you fast?" Here is one of the more popular ones



Seems lately I have been understanding just what that means when it appears that life is coming at you fast. It seems deadlines and commitments never cease. Yet, yesterday as I was spending time quietly listening to my prayers to God, I was impress with these thoughts. As you go about your time, perhaps you too would find similar words to express to God and find comfort in Him knowing and loving you.

"Thank you Lord for your grace one day at a time. As I try to understand and to accomplish all that is set before me, everyday you desire to bring me to yourself and remind me that yesterday is gone and tomorrow on this earth may never be mine. So here is today and you remind me of your grace one day at a time. Perhaps our lives would be less anxious and indeed more fulfilling if we would take more seriously and believe more earnestly in our Lord's words in Matt 6:34 "Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." And might I add, "Its own grace."

Thanking God for Ken

I first met Ken Jones in the 2000. Late in 1999, Sherard Burns and I were working at Ligonier Ministries and thinking seriously about the need to bring a direct assault of Reformed theology upon the predominantly Black church. We discussed ideas of writing, conferences, websites, sermons, church planting, and a wide range of avenues in the pursuit of our vision. Working at Ligonier gave us the opportunity to speak with many African-Americans who appreciated the ministry of Ligonier, but wondered how to get more Reformed teaching into the Black church and who was trying to do it. We also wondered who was out there doing the work we dreamed of doing. Even as we were contemplating these ideas, God brought across our desk an article that changed everything.

The January/February 2000 issue of Modern Reformation came to Ligonier. The theme of the issue was "Wish List for the 21st Century." One article in particular caught our attention. It was written by Ken Jones. It was on, "What We Wish For....The Reformation for the Black Church." We had heard Ken on the White Horse Inn, but had never met him, nor had we heard his heart for Reformation. Yet, when we read this article, our hearts were greatly encouraged and we knew that we had a brother in arms. We decided that we must meet him.

Later that year the National Pastors Conference for Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals was being held in Atlanta GA. Ken Jones was one of the speakers. We knew this was our chance. Sherard contacted Ken to see if we drove to Atlanta would he have time to meet with us. He graciously consented to do so. Six hours on the road from Orlando to Atlanta resulted in us forging a friendship with Ken that I am still thanking God for today. We talked and fellowshipped into the wee hours of the morning, and genuinely enjoyed each others company. We shared ideas and visions, and even laid the foundations for the Miami Pastors Conference that is quickly becoming a must on everyone's calendar.

I mention this because the latest issue of Modern Reformation is available (HT:JT). Ken is in the this issue as well. However, the website is also highlighting the article that first grabbed our attention some 8 years ago. Needless to say, I still have a copy of that issue, but seeing it online again reminded me of how much I appreciate Ken's labor for the gospel. I have done it before, but I want to do it again and thank God for my friend, Ken.

Love you man.

Decline of AA Theology VI

In the chapter on soteriology, Thabiti briefly compares and contrast the theology of popular contemporary preachers Tony Evans and Creflo Dollar. While both basically hold to an Arminian position on the doctrine of salvation, and according to Thabiti,

"both defined justification as 'right standing before God,' Dollar stressed that, 'I am righteous; therefore I can be healed. I am righteous; therefore I have angelic protection. I am righteous; therefore I will always triumph in Christ Jesus.' Dollar continued with the claim that, 'Every promise in the Bible hinges on my acceptance of the righteousness of God. By simply realizing His righteousness in me, the wrong in my life can be fixed. If I am poor, I have the right to prosperity. If I am sick, I have a right to be healed. If I am in bondage, I have a right to be delivered. Everything can be received through God's righteousness in me'" (p. 210).

In reading this section, it would appear that there was some difference between the position of Evans and Dollar. However, according to some recent reports, the difference there was may have only been cosmetic as Evans has now begun to show that he is more Dollarian than even Arminian, much less Biblical.

We should thank Thabiti for his labors in producing this most important book. God has favored our time with this resource. And let us be reminded that only a sound biblical, historical, and accountable theology keeps us from such sloppy and destructive theological teachings.

Ken Jones Online

Our brother Ken Jones has finally done us all a gracious favor and placed his weekly sermons online. However, perhaps the thanks should go to Greater Union Baptist Church and the faithful servants there, since we know it was not Ken's computer literacy that made it possible.
Thanks Greater Union for being 21st century computer literate Christians, though your pastor has yet to come. We yet hold out hope!