What’s better that dinner & a movie? Dinner and sharing the the Gospel, of course! This past Friday night, we met at our house for dinner and then several of us (including my oldest son Miles) went to a nearby mall to hand out tracts and share the Gospel.

I had the chance to have several good conversations. The common thread through each of these conversations was that nearly everyone believes themselves to be a good person. Ours is a culture with no sense of holiness or sinfulness. Without a glimpse of God’s holy perfection, why wouldn’t we see ourselves as “good” people? After all, we can always find someone “worse” than we are. With no proper measure, we become the standard. Nearly everyone admitted to lying but denied having ever stolen anything. “Yes, but you’ve already admitted to being a liar,” elicited a chuckle but no conviction.

Even after admitting to breaking many of the Ten Commandments and admitting that, if God were to judge them on the these same commandments they would go to hell, there was no sense of remorse, repentance or conviction. If anyone doubts that “relativism” has indeed permeated our young (none of the people I spoke with that night was over 20 years of age), go to your local mall and talk about right and wrong.

The second observation was just how open to discussing matters of religion these young people were. With the exception of a group of three girls who just turned their backs and walked away, everyone was receptive and willing to talk. Though I did find one smart aleck girl who claimed to be atheist but couldn’t even define atheism, everyone else was willing to talk. This is much different than even a few years ago, when people would try to talk about the disparity between religion and science.

The third observation was just how little young people actually know about Jesus. When asked who Jesus is, one girl responded: “He’s the one who was born in the cow thingy, right?” When I told her that Jesus is God, I received a blank stare you wouldn’t believe! Others couldn’t tell me the basics of why Jesus came to earth at all, that He was killed and more than one didn’t know that He rose from the dead!

My heart was broken afresh for our culture. I am convinced all the more that “missions” is not just “over there,” but begins at our doorsteps. When we send a missionary to a foreign country, we take great pains to understand to understand the culture, the customs and the way of thinking. In other words, we “enculturate” the Gospel. We do not modify its contents, but we take great pains to communicate it accurately and effectively to that particular culture. Should we not the same pains in our own neighborhoods?

Please pray that we will be faithful stewards of the Gospel entrusted to us in and about Christ in the culture to which He has called us.

• Read the article “What Is A Missional Church” by Scott Thomas for Acts 29
• Read Planting Missional Churches by Ed Stetzer
• Read Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process For Making Disciples by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger
• Read Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century by Aubrey Malphurs
• Read 44 Questions for Church Planters by Lyle E. Schaller

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think my children are yet believers. As much as my heart aches for that to be true, I just don’t think it is yet. But every once in a while, every so often, God provides me with glimpses of the Kingdom through my children.

Our oldest son was given a special gift. We don’t often give gifts to just one, but Miles has been having a difficult time with the move and all of the transition. He likes to look at books as he goes to bed (something I personally will not discourage!), so we bought him his own special book light, you know, the kind that clips on to the book and shines directly on to the page. Anyways, this special book light disappeared as do many things in our household. It has been missing for a couple of weeks now.

This evening, as we were putting the boys to bed, Miles came into the room that Owen and Carson share and said that he had great news: he had found his special book light! Not only that, he wanted Owen (our second boy) to be able to use/sleep with it.

Earlier in the day, the two older boys were riding their scooters and Carson was following on his trike. Carson fell over and the other two stopped and came back to make sure he OK. In case you’re wondering, this is not typical. But it is profound.

Life with four boys often breaks my heart, providing reminder after reminder of the power and depth of our slavery to sin (Genesis 6:5, Romans 3:23, 6, etc.). We are constantly fighting selfishness, pride, anger, disrespect, quarrelsome spirits and as any parent knows, the list could go on. Yet, God, in His sovereign grace, every once in a while, provides glimpses of the Kingdom, even through my children. Some of the verses we continually try to teach our boys are Philippians 2:3-4:

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

It doesn’t take long to realize that this is not natural to any of us. And yet, one day, it will be the norm. I am thankful to our gracious God that He provides glimpses into the age to come.

• Read Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp
• Read Everyday Talk: Talking Freely and Naturally about God With Your Children by John Younts
• Read Teach Them Diligently: How To Use The Scriptures in Child Training by Lou Priolo

You know the drill:

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Read about The school board of a small central Ohio who “community voted unanimously Friday to fire a teacher accused of preaching his Christian beliefs despite staff complaints and using a device to burn the image of a cross on students’ arms.”

Read about the Mass. girls who apparently had a “pregnancy pact.”

Read about the “open” Bible translation project.

Read about the study finding that scientific fraud being widespread.

Read about church groups espousing fair trade.

Read about officials turning to churches for advice on air pollution.

Read about the death of George Carlin (I hesitate to say R.I.P.).

Read about Facebook finally overtaking Myspace.

Read as USA Today suggests that “More Americans Dropping Dogma For Spirituality.”

Read about James Dobson accuses Obama of “distorting the Bible and pushing a “fruitcake interpretation” of the Constitution.”

Read Barna’s newest research on what American’s now perceive to be the “American Dream.”

Visit the newly launched Re:Lit site.

Read about the new study finding that “most” Americans don’t feel their faith is the only way.

Is the iPhone misogynistic?

Read about Don Imus saying his latest comment about race was “misunderstood.”

Read an interview with Louisville’s Sojourn Lead Pastor Daniel Montgomery on the relationship between the lead pastor and the worship ministry.

Read about the controversy surrounding sites like Friendfeeder “stealing” comments from blogs (thanks Jim).

Read about Google’s thoughtfulness: search for “gay” and you’ll be greeted with a rainbow! How thoughtful (thanks again Jim).

Watch N.T. Wright with Colbert.

Watch Dr. Orrick’s “Philosophy Rap” (thanks Darren).

Read about Swedish jazz pianist Esbjörn Svensson dying in a scuba diving accident (ht: Steve McCoy).

Read Christianity Today’s interview with Tim Keller.

Read about the PC(USA)’s changes to the Heidelberg Catechism, “dropping references specifically prohibiting homosexuality.”

Read about the recent study that found that Californians are less religious than other Americans.

Send your name to the moon.

Read Christianity Today’s review of the new album from Seabird.

Read Christianity Today’s overview of the Cornerstone Festival.

Read as Sojourn gives more information about their Isaac Watts project.

Read about Planned Parenthood’s pursuit to become “the LensCrafters of family planning.”

Allow the Resurgence to introduce you to Matt Chandler.

Read as Mark Driscoll says “If you haven’t read The Shack, don’t!”

Read this piece examining the theology of Sufjan Stevens.

Read about the Supreme Court saying that Americans have a right to guns.

Read Tom Schreiner’s review of N.T. Wright’s Surprised By Hope.

Yes, yes y’all (OK, so I’ve used that one before but really, it’s hard to get the hip hop vibe outta your system, especially with all the wicked beats floating around in my head and no musical talent to get them out, but that’s really not the point here is it?), it’s time for another round of what we here like to call the Weekly Town Crier. This is really nothing more than a compilation of some of the things that interested me over the past week. Some of them made me go “hmmmm,” while other made pause and they all made me think, to one degree or another. So enjoy, always remembering that linking does not equal endorsing, just thinking. Thanking you.

See what I hear at Last.fm.

Sign up for eMusic, find lots of DRM-free downloads and help me earn free downloads in the process. Everyone wins!

While you’re out there exploring, you’ll need some music to listen to. Please consider subscribing to our podcast, the Habañero Hour at iTunes. Be our friend at Facebook, Myspace or last.fm.

For my Louisville, friends, here is the lineup for the Forecastle Festival.

Read about one of Rome’s leading bishops saying “Satanism and the occult are in fashion.”

Read about Paul Verhoeven, director of that cinematic classic Basic Instinct, saying that Jesus was “probably was the son of Mary and a Roman soldier who raped her during the Jewish uprising in Galilee.”

Read John Piper’s thoughts about what to do with the money from the “economic stimulus package.”

Read Douglas Groothius’ suggestions for how to write a letter to the editor.

Read about Alister McGrath joining King’s College.

Consider Abraham Piper’s 12 suggestions for improving your blogging.

Read as Barna examines the way churches use technology.

Read as T.M. Moore wonders if Evangelicalism is going senile.

Read about New Testament scholars questioning the story of the woman caught in adultery.

Read as Christianity Today contrasts recent “tell-all” memoirs against Scriptures commands to honor your parents.

Read about the growing trend of many companies having chaplains on staff.

Read an update on the retired John Stott, who recently celebrated his 87th birthday.

Read Al Mohler’s thoughts on “pagan” Quakers.

Read about Rowan LeCompte, whose life work has been the stained-glass windows of the National Cathedral.

Read about continuing efforts to combat human trafficking.

Read Christianity Today’s review of the new album from Telecast.

Check out the new website for For The Fame of His Name Ministries.

Visit the great new resource “Gospel Translations.”

Read about governors of all 50 states issuing proclamations for the National Day of Prayer.

Read about the “Last Church Standing in North Cyprus.”

Read about technology leaders saying that the internet is still “in its infancy.”

Read about the United Methodist church adopting full communion with the ELCA.

Read as Tony Jones offers “Seven Dispatches From the Emergent Frontier.”

Read as the Washington Post considers Twittering.

Read about the 35th birthday of the political phrase “God Bless America.”

Read about the NIV topping the list of Bibles used by Evangelical leaders.

Read about the death of Albert Hoffman, the scientist who invented LSD.

Browse as the Monolith Music Festival announces its lineup.

Browse this list of suggested children’s books that should be made into movies.

Read about the case in which “The highest court of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has reversed a lower court’s censure of a lesbian clergywoman who performed what critics called same-sex weddings for two lesbian couples in California.”

Read this piece which calls the shared set of American ideals our “civic religion.”

Read about the forum considering the “plight” of gay Muslims.

Read about the Florida state senate sinking a bill that would have required women to have an ultrasound before an abortion.

Read about the Kansas senate failing “by two votes Wednesday to override the veto of a bill aimed at strengthening late-term abortion laws.”

Read as the Christian Science Monitor asks how “inclusive” the National Day of Prayer really is.

Read about Australia’s efforts to improve gay rights.

Read about Tony Blair details the role of his faith.

I know, I know, we did this yesterday too, but really, can you go wrong with the words of Jesus? I’m preaching this weekend on church discipline, so I’ve been meditating quite a bit on these ideas and these doctrines in particular. There seems to an unspoken decorum in our culture: “Don’t talk about politics and religion in mixed company and certainly, don’t talk about, much less practice church discipline.” After all, who are we to judge, right? But what if Jesus really meant it?

If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them (Matthew 18:15 -20).

Think about how many Christians (and churches) live as though Jesus didn’t really mean these words. But what if He did?

• Read Jesus and the Gospels by Craig Blomberg
• Read Jesus the Messiah by Robert Stein
• Read Synopsis of the Four Gospels (English Only) by Kurt Aland

• Visit the Abort 73 website

On Fridays, I like to take a little time and promote artistic expression. Not necessarily my own, but moreso the grand idea of artistic expression. I do so by linking to the photography of Steve McCoy, Joe Kennedy, Alex Forrest, Timmy Brister, Joe Thorn, Will Turner and the Friday Flickr Group in which they participate. I also highlight a poet by including at least one poem as well as a musical artist who makes at least one track available for free and legal download.

Today’s poet is John Newton (1725-1807). A former slave-ship captain who later became an Anglican clergyman, Newton is best-known for his hymn Amazing Grace. Newton, however, was a fairly prolific writer and even partnered with William Cowper on a volume of hymns known as the Olney Hymns in 1779. Today’s poem is entitled: Joy and Peace in Believing:

Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord who rises
With healing in his wings:
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain.

In holy contemplation,
We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God’s salvation,
And find it ever new:
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
E’en let th’ unknown to-morrow
Bring with it what it may.

It can bring with it nothing
But he will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing,
Will clothe his people too:
Beneath the spreading heavens,
No creature but is fed;
And he who feeds the ravens,
Will give his children bread.

Though vine nor fig-tree neither
Their wonted fruit shall bear,
Though all the field should wither,
Nor flocks nor herds be there:
Yet God the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice;
For while in him confiding,
I cannot but rejoice.

• Read the Wikipedia page on John Newton
• Read the works of John Newton

Today’s musical artist is a three-piece band out of Melbourne, Australia known as Silver Ray. Incorporating piano, guitar and drums, Silver Ray makes epic, sweeping instrumental music. Yet whereas much modern instrumental music leans towards despair, Silver Ray’s music exudes a sense of hope. The music is based in the basic rock idiom yet incorporates many jazz elements and the group is known to improvise heavily in live performances. Today we feature two tracks from the band as well as two tracks from the band’s guitarist, Cam Butler who has himself released three solo albums. Enjoy

• Download No Need To Try Now by Silver Ray
• Download Burning Romance by Silver Ray
• Visit the band’s official homepage
• Visit the band’s Myspace page
• Purchase the band’s music
• Download Silver Ray from iTunes
• Download Brothers and Sisters by Cam Butler
• Download Broken City by Cam Butler
• Visit Cam Butler’s official homepage
• Visit Cam Butler’s Myspace
• Purchase Cam Butler’s music
• Download Cam Butler from iTunes