God is the Gospel

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Sep 27, 2005 in Church | 1 comment

Piper (who has threatened he’d write this book) releases his new work, God is the Gospel
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This book is a cry from the heart of John Piper. He is pleading that God himself, as revealed in Christ’s death and resurrection, is the ultimate and greatest gift of the gospel.

None of Christ’s gospel deeds and none of our gospel blessings are good news except as means of seeing and savoring the glory of Christ. Forgiveness is good news because it opens the way to the enjoyment of God himself. Justification is good news because it wins access to the presence and pleasures of God himself. Eternal life is good news because it becomes the everlasting enjoyment of Christ.

All God’s gifts are loving only to the degree that they lead us to God himself. That is what God’s love is: his commitment to do everything necessary (most painfully the death of his only Son) to enthrall us with what is most deeply and durably satisfying—namely, himself.

Saturated with Scripture, centered on the cross, and seriously joyful, this book leads us to satisfaction for the deep hungers of the soul. It touches us at the root of life where practical transformation gets its daily power. It awakens our longing for Christ and opens our eyes to his beauty.

Piper writes for the soul-thirsty who have turned away empty and in desperation from the mirage of methodology. He invites us to slow down and drink from a deeper spring. “This is eternal life,” Jesus said, “that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” This is what makes the gospel—and this book—good news.

Full Title: God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God’s Love as the Gift of Himself

Million Dollar Church Plant

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Sep 24, 2005 in Church, Culture | 4 comments

Ok, I remember seeing this when he had one pixel box sold! Now he’s made over $120,000! See milliondollarhompage.

I’m about to launch one for church plants!

Churches and Technology

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Sep 23, 2005 in Church, Church Technology, Monk Dev | 0 comments

Barna released a report about the extent to which churches are using technology…

Lord of War

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Sep 23, 2005 in Culture | 0 comments

I enjoyed the movie Lord of War with Cage. It does a great job of presenting James 1:

14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

The film doesn’t make any apologies for the actions of Cage. Cage’s desires lead him down a path of carnage and death all around him. But, he slowly becomes numb to these. The film also makes a strong social commentary about the US duplicity in arms dealing and both funding/supplying rebel factions to kill others as long as it fits our political agenda.

Sonrise Community Church

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Sep 22, 2005 in Church Technology, Sheep&Goats | 1 comment

“People thought [my becoming a pastor] was bogus,” said Pastor Stan Miller. “They said, ‘He’s lost his marbles’ and ‘He’s flipped out.’ It angered the media. They vilified me. Most of this came from my former colleagues at KUSI. It’s because I’m the only pastor and news anchor in the country,” said Miller. Pastor Miller took over Sonrise’s Unite service one-and-a-half months ago. “I was assigned this position. The guy who was doing it left for full-time mission work.” Unite is Sonrise’s “postmodern” evening service for young adults. I asked Miller what a postmodern service was. “I don’t know what the heck postmodern means. I tried to ask the old Unite pastor to explain it, but I still don’t get it completely. Your guess is as good as mine,” replied Miller. Miller concluded that it is a service geared toward younger people. “If you don’t reach kids by junior high, you’ve probably lost them by college. A lot of professors who are atheist preach a message against Christianity daily in their pulpits of the classroom. They can sway these kids and I don’t want to lose them. Kids are very much open-minded and receive [what the professors say], which is heresy.”

Three 15-foot video screens projected a timer countdown: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0. As the counter hit zero, the band emerged from backstage to lead worship. Noah Balcombe, the worship leader, yelled, “I’m excited to be here!” Balcombe bounced around and jumped as he led the worship. A pianist, drummer, bass player, two guitarists, and vocalists led the congregation in popular songs such as, “Here I Am to Worship,” “In the Secret,” and “Consuming Fire.”

Full Article: Sonrise Community Church