Jonathan Shradar

Last weekend I attended the Valued Conference dedicated to the topic of sexual abuse and the church's response to it in this cultural moment. There was much at the conference that was stirring and vital for leaders and the church as a whole. They have posted video of the whole conference online and I commend it to you. What struck me significantly during one talk leads me to reflect a bit more today. I can't remember for certain who said it, but a speaker mentioned that the devil was at work spoiling or corrupting those areas in which there is the most revealed of the goodness of God, really things meant to glorify Jesus and his gospel. Things so important, they are painting a picture of the glory of God, that Satan attempts to ruin them. This was first in the context of sex. A beautiful and wonderful thing rightly expressed and experienced (from a biblical worldview in the context of a one man one woman marriage). The act of fully giving oneself over to the other. Sacrifice.

Well Spring has sprung and March Madness has kicked off. How is your bracket?! Today I am looking forward to attending the Valued Conference here in San Diego. It is for equipping the church to prevent sexual abuse and help heal where it has happened. Fathom Magazine has a nice piece about the conference and I am hoping to share reflections afterward. A couple of items this week to enrich you and send you into the weekend. First on church membership (a favorite topic of mine and timely given last week's sermon on Awkward Community ). Then some reasons to desire and seek the spiritual gifts... Word and Spirit all day over here! The fine folks at Saturate want to equip the church to be the deepest of communities on mission where ever we are. So Nathan Cedarland invites us to see community from a new angle in the first of his posts on church membership. I think he is tackling some important questions and will be an encouragement to you. What does it mean to belong to a local chur

It is always encouraging to hear Matt Chandler share how his church is pressing into the gifts of the Spirit, and clinging to the Word of God. There is much from The Village Church, their intentionality as elders, and the testimonies they have, that all of us can glean from. Here Matt sits down with the guys form The Remnant Radio to talk about it all. It is a good hour-long conversation of his thinking and story of pursuing the gifts of the Spirit. Be encouraged. https://youtu.be/v8cvB_Iuvwg

Terrible news out of New Zealand last night and this morning. Gunmen killed 49 people and wounded dozens more as they had Friday prayers in Mosques there. It is sickening and white supremacy has no place in the hearts of those claiming Christ. Two tweets in response that sum it up well. From Daniel Balcombe and Russell Moore . Elsewhere, as Jared C. Wilson's newest book, The Gospel-Driven Church , released this week the usual self-sanctification tropes have been trotting out. In response to one typical misuse of Scripture Jared penned a piece asking if Hebrews 6 teaches us to move beyond the gospel. It is worth a read and some significant thought over. I am convinced that is you read Hebrews 6 wrong you miss the whole point of the book of Hebrews. So give it some time, its worthwhile . I can't wait to get my hands on this book by the way. And to close the week why don't we talk money! Dave Ramsey, the money and anti-debt guru who made it rich dolling out advice to mostly

Don't you just love how Friday can sneak up on you! Well here we are, another week and another opportunity to be encouraged, challenged, or educated by something worthwhile. Plagiarism, Calvinistic church planting, and a song, in that order. First off is another take on the Rachel Hollis phenomenon. The social media star and author has a second book, "Girl Stop Apologizing," making its way around and lots of women are checking it out. There is an itching ear lure to it, you are the dream holder, go get it. But it is quite another gospel as J en Oshman clearly shows . So the general message found on the pages is dangerous and not the Christian gospel. But it might also not be genuinely Hollis'. Katelyn Beaty has a piece on Christianity Today that outlines the ways in which this latest book is rife with plagiarism. Not only is the self-worshiping tome bad theology, it is stolen philosophy at best. Be warned! What's the big deal about church planting? Recently I hav

“Is there a more pleasing daily aroma that wafts up to the throne than the daily coming to Jesus of men and women around the globe, incense from every nation and every people? How pleasant that aroma must be when it ascends from a resistant people… Rare aromas can be especially delightful. We no longer offer lambs and grains upon physical altars, we now offer sacrifices of praise. How pleasant those praises when they spring forth in the tongues of unreached peoples.” - Dick Brogden HT: Matt Pilgrim

As I am preparing a sermon for Sunday on Awkward Worship I have been struck by this song from Influence Music. "We breathe to worship you." It is what we are made for, to worship. Our very breath is purposed for it. Let's get after it! https://youtu.be/rCuhrLLFK98