I’ve been reading a little book entitled “Selections from the Spurgeon Sermon Archive“, and came across a sermon based on 1 Corinthians 11:24: ”And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (ESV)

Here is how Spurgeon opened his sermon:

IT SEEMS, then, that Christians may forget Christ. The text implies the possibility of forgetfulness concerning him whom gratitude and affection should constrain them to remember. There could be no need for this loving exhortation, if there were not a fearful supposition that our memories might prove treacherous, and our remembrance superficial in its character, or changing in its nature. Nor is this a bare supposition: it is, alas, too well confirmed in our experience, not as a possibility, but as a lamentable fact. It seems at first sight too gross a crime to lay at the doorof converted men. It appears almost impossible that those who have been redeemed by the blood of the dying Lamb should ever forget their Ransomer; that those who have been loved with an everlasting love by the eternal Son of God, should ever forget that Son; but if startling to the ear, it is alas, too apparent to the eye to allow us to deny the fact. Forget him who ne’er forgot us! Forget him who poured his blood forth for our sins! Forget him who loved us even to the death! Can it be possible? Yes it is not only possible, but conscience confesses that it is too sadly a fault of all of us, that we can remember anything except Christ. The object which we should make the monarch of our hearts, is the very thing we are most inclined to forget.

This cut me pretty deep. Scripture says that Jesus is Lord of All, yet I know I don’t always live with that in mind. As a pastor, people often think that I’m paid to be a “professional Christian” (ha!), and that everything in my life is, by default, Christocentric. Certainly being Christ-centered is my goal, but as with everything, it takes work. Since I’m pretty imperfect, I miss the mark regularly.

We all do, and that’s the point Spurgeon is making. Jesus must be elevated such that he is the most important thing in a Christian’s life. It’s too easy to forget (at least with our heart if not with our head) the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Note: You can read the whole sermon for free at the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.

Hi folks. Just a quick note to let you know that I’m still alive and kicking.

Sound familiar? That’s because I posted the same thing in August, right before I left my job at Samaritan to begin full-time pastoral ministry at North Country Fellowship.

I thought my vocational change would afford me more time to blog. Who was I kidding? I’m busier than I’ve ever been before!

However, there is a difference: I’m happier than I’ve ever been before, too! I miss the people at the hospital (and thankfully, am still in contact with many of them), but I don’t miss the specifics of the job. I love what I’m doing as a pastor, and it engages my heart, soul, mind, and strength in ways my former job (though a blessing) never did.

My wife keeps telling me I have stuff to say. “That would make a good blog post,” she says. Apparently I come up with random mutterings, mostly based on my ministry, on a regular basis. If I’d actually type them up, I’d really be doing well. My sister also thinks I should get back to blogging, and keeps nudging me to do so. 

But, like I said, I’m massively busy. Does that mean I’m shutting down the blog?

Nope. My goal is to both prioritize my blogging, and also to change some of the focus of the content so that it fits me better.

See, when I started this thing, I wanted to do web design and be some cool missional blogger like Todd, and I wanted to start seminary and be some scary-smart academic biblioblogger like Calvin and Mandy.

That didn’t happen, and for at least two reasons. First, I didn’t discipline myself to posting regularly (obviously). I averaged like a post a month(ish), when I should be posting multiple times a week. Second, I love my friends, but I’m not them. I wasn’t being myself, which was really lame, and a good way to sabotage the whole blog concept.

So, my posts will be increasingly more eclectic, to go along with my adult ADHD. I’ll continue posting about ministry, culture, and personal stuff. I’ll also be adding stuff about my family, technology, and stuff I’m reading and listening to. This shouldn’t be any big revelation to anyone, because that’s what most blogs are about anyway.

I’m just giving myself permission to be the geek I already am everywhere else.

Oh, and I promise to make another post again in the next week, unless I’m hospitalized or something equally as drastic happens.

I’ve come across a few freebies this week, and thought I’d share them with anyone interested. Usually the stuf I find is audio or text content. I may make this a more regular posting, perhaps even with a Freebie Friday meme, but for now, this is just a singular Freebie Wednesday.

First, a free PDF copy of Essential Church by Thom and Sam Rainer. This is being distributed by B&H Leadership. The book seeks to answer the question, “Why do so many young adults (18 to 22) leave the church, and what will it take to bring them back?” I’ve heard much about Simple Church by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger, and am looking forward to reading this book. (HT: Bob Hyatt)

Second, a free audiobook copy of All of Grace by Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Christianaudio.com posts one book a month as their free selection. In September it was In His Steps by Charles Sheldon and in August it was The Confessions of Saint Augustine. If you have an iPod, or enjoy audiobooks on your PC, this is a great resource to check each month. Hurry soon; the book they give away is available for free only once. (HT: Dr. Carl Trueman)

Third, a free ebook copy of Porn Again Christian by Mark Driscoll. Driscoll is incrementally releasing the modified chapters of a booklet he did for his church on the topics of pornography, masturbation, and lust. Be advised, this is an “adult” booklet in that it deals frankly and directly with a major issue facing the church. When all of the chapters are released, it will be available as a whole PDF. I’m looking forward to this one.

Fourth and finally, free audio and video from the Desiring God 2008 National Conference is now available online. The speakers include Sinclair Furguson, Bob Kauflin, Mark Driscoll, Dan Taylor, Paul Tripp, and John Piper. The conference was held over the past weekend, and the bits that I have heard were excellent.

That’s all for now…  Maybe I’ll do this again soon.

Part of the deal with me going full-time in the church was that the company Pastor Mike co-owns would provide me with an office from which to work during the week. We’ve never had offices at the church, and this one isn’t in the church either, since it’s in a business. However, I love the setup for a few reasons. First, I get to see Pastor Mike on a regular basis, so we can pray, chat, and generally be more connected than we were when he was full-time and I was part-time. Second, the business is in “downtown” West Carthage, right in the heart of the community we exist to serve. Missionally speaking, it’s a fantastic location to be in, because now we’re both able to be in the mix with local folks during the week.

Most of my first week full-time was spent getting my new office into a usable condition. Pastor Mike and I removed old furniture and files, painted, and then set things up. I purchased and installed a locking door handle, and also have brought a number of personal items and whatnot in. It’s spacious and usable.

However, it still seems bare. That’s where you, my faithful readers (all two of you), come in.

How should I decorate? What should I add? We have an idea for a possible wall-mounted shelf, but beyond that, what should I do?

One of my heroes, a 19th century British pastor named Charles Haddon Spurgeon, once said the following:

If you can do anything else do it. If you can stay out of the ministry, stay out of the ministry.

I’m living the flip side of that quote. I first felt the call to the ministry as an intern in the summer of 2003, and have served as a bi-vocational pastor since fall 2006. However, my passion to preach Jesus has steadily continued to grow. I now have an insatiable desire to fill my time with ministry. I can no longer do anything else.

That is why I am leaving my job at Samaritan Medical Center. This morning I submitted my resignation and notice of intent to terminate my employment next Friday. I have worked in the Medical Education Department for over three years, coordinating clinical rotations and educational lectures, and providing technical support to the graduate and postgraduate physician education programs. Overall it was a decent job with good pay, and I’m thankful to have had it; it allowed me to start and provide for my young family. I am especially thankful for the personal relationships I developed with my two bosses, and I pray that they continue.

However, God has made it clear that this is the time for me to exit. Why?

On Sunday, September 7th, I will transition into full time pastoral ministry at North Country Fellowship Church.

Through many months of prayer and private conversation, God has given both Pastor Mike and myself a unified vision for the church. We believe that in order to see this vision realized, Pastor Mike needs to shift his focus to discipleship ministries and administrative work. I need to assume additional responsibilities, including a large portion of the preaching, teaching, and counseling in the church. In order to provide me with a full time salary, Pastor Mike will be going bi-vocational, taking a position in the printing company he co-owns.

This is a major shift, but one that God burdened both of us with separately. After a series of independent confirmations, we believe this is the best way to be faithful to the mission of the church and to use our gifts and talents for God’s glory.

With that said, I’m excited. I’m truly looking forward to being shaped, molded, and used by God in this new role. Please be praying for the church, our families, and ourselves as we seek to follow His will.