Blog is Moving
January 27, 2012
A Life Redeemed
52Books: Book 3
January 24, 2012 by Shawn Carpenter
When I was a kid, I wasn't a very good swimmer. I was allergic to chlorine, no lie. My feet would burst into flames. It was excruciating. That meant no pools for me. Can you imagine being allergic to pools as a kid. Miserable. So, in effect, I was reduced to the murky ponds and questionable lakes of Ohio to satisfy my 'not-a-good-swimmer' needs. I share those details with you to get to this: have you ever jumped into a lake and immediately sensed it was deeper than it looked? The water feels cooler. It seems darker. And there's a weight to it. For a kid that wasn't a very good swimmer it was terrifying. The better I got at treading water the less the deeper waters intimidated me. This is true of us, theologically. And Union with Christ is deep waters.
52Books: Book 2
January 14, 2012 by Shawn Carpenter
Grow in Grace is little book written by Sinclair Ferguson back in the 80s. I don't know when or where I got it but it was one of those books that you most likely wouldn't ever pick up and read today. No catchy title or tagline. No creative cover art. Not on anyone's radar. And yet, I was rocked by this little book.
52Books: Book 1
January 6, 2012 by Shawn Carpenter
A friend challenged me to join him in reading one book a week this year. I raised the ante and have decided to include a 'reaction' to the book I read each week. This 'reaction' isn't going to be some Tim Challies book review. Tim Challies can keep on doing that. It will be, however, a simple description of what I got out of the book, good or bad. Hopefully I will be picking good books to read... Book 1 is Gospel Wakefulness by Jared Wilson.
A Preach-Off? Really?
November 9, 2011 by Shawn Carpenter
I am fully aware that many shots have been taken at Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church (Seattle brand not the Grand Rapids brand), co-founder, establisher of all things Acts29, and movement maker. Many of these shots have been legitimate and necessary; many of them, unfortunately, downright sinful. I'm not inclined to heap on unnecessary jabs. Of what value would that be? However, as a pastor, ministering God's Word to people, wanting them to turn to Christ and make much of Christ to others who need Christ, there are times where I do want to respond to something that miscommunicates what the Bible says to those of us who lead and to those of us who follow. This is one of those times because this is just so absurd.
Technology and Our Sanctification
September 13, 2011 by Shawn Carpenter
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:33-34 We are an impatient bunch; seemingly always anxious for whatever is next.
Any Given Tuesday Afternoon and Our Sanctification
August 30, 2011 by Shawn Carpenter
Sanctification is for right now. It's not for some other day. It's not to be set aside for Sunday at 10am. Sure, it includes the other days and the Sundays but it is not to be reduced and limited to those. 'Other days' are too ambiguous. 'Sunday's are too narrow. Sanctification is for any given Tuesday afternoon and everything in between.
The Law and Our Sanctification
August 25, 2011 by Shawn Carpenter
The Law saves no one; not a single person. It cannot save because it does not know how to extend mercy. The Law is a standard by which no one can keep yet we find ourselves under this very responsibility. It is a burden that beats us up and beats us down. So, how do we go from the reality vividly portrayed in The Pilgrim's Progress to what the psalmist is calling us to do in Psalm 19? How does the Law go from 'bully' to delight? And what does this mean for our sanctification?
The Gospel and Our Sanctification
August 17, 2011 by Shawn Carpenter
You can't. No one likes those words. No one. It causes us discomfort to think we can't do something. To not be capable to accomplish something we want to accomplish leaves us empty and unfulfilled. Apart from the gospel, sanctification is impossible; impossible in every way. You can’t do it. And I'm not simply referring to the time when you made some sort of profession of faith in Christ. I'm referring to that and everyday afterward. Everyday we need the gospel for our sanctification otherwise we can't do it.
The Purpose of Our Sanctification
August 9, 2011 by Shawn Carpenter
I remember the moment when the duty of mowing the yard was passed down to me. I was the oldest of three; the firstborn son. The old man had enough and it was now my time. We lived in a shack of a home at that time. We were poor and frequently moved during my formative years, so there were many homes and many places. But I definitely remember this one. It couldn't have been bigger than 1200 sq feet and yet this tiny little homestead was on a lot that was just under an acre. Given the fact that we were 'blue lunch ticket' poor, there was no riding mower. Just an old, rickety, push mower that was all "push."