‘Twas the Night Before Summer

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‘Twas the Night Before Summer
By Anne Margaret Lewis
Illustrated by Wendy Popko
(Mackinac Island Press)

My mother pointed this book out to me, sending me a web link where the full book could be viewed online. The story is not a deep or theological one, but is a fun tribute to summer and imagination. It is obviously framed in the line of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” and is a poem. It is nicely written and illustrated.

I think my main point in mentioning it here, though, is the web delivery system. By clicking on the page you can turn the page and keep reading. It is well done.

Grant’s Psalms Booklet

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When James Grant spoke on introducing your church to Psalm singing last week he handed out a very helpful little booklet. He has now posted the booklet. In this post he links to the booklet and lists some other resources.

This booklet is great. It gives a basic overview of meter and lists some commonly known hymn tunes in some of the most common meters. With such a list in hand you can pick up a standard psalter and begin singing Psalms.

Second Coming of Christ Conference

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I was privileged last week to speak along with my dean, Greg Thornbury, at the Second Coming of Christ Conference at FBC Goodletsville (TN), sponsored by Union University, the Tennessee Baptist Convention and several local Baptist Associations. The people in attendance were wonderful and we had a good time studying the scripture. The messages (with links to audio) were:
Session 1 – Greg Thornbury – 666, The Apostle John, Emperor Domitian & What ‘Left Behind’ Didn’t Teach You
Session 2 – Ray Van Neste – How the New Testament Applies the Truth of Christ’s Return
Session 3 – Ray Van Neste – Pastoring and Serving in Light of Christ’s Return (2 Cor 4-5)

Greg’s address focused on the historical setting of Revelation making the point that this book is not about abstract speculation but is the ultimate tract of political resistance. It is a clarion call to remain faithful to the one Lord, Christ, in the face of persecution by would-be gods.

In my first address I sought to survey key NT references to Christ’s return demonstrating the the NT does not encourage us to speculation. Rather, when the NT refers to Christ’s return it uses this doctrine to urge us to holiness and to the task of taking the gospel to the nations.

In my second address I examined 2 Cor 4-5 noting how the truths of Christ’s return and the resurrection empowered the Apostle Paul to endure in difficult, unpopular ministry. These are not idle, abstract ideas but bedrock truths to help us look beyond what is seen, to live in light of eternity, and to endure joyfully.

Introducing A Church to Psalm Singing

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Last week James Grant, pastor of FBC Rossville, TN, spoke at Union as part of our Psalms Project. James’ title was “How I Introduced Psalm Singing to My Church…Without Getting Fired!”(link will take you to the audio). James knows more about Psalm singing than any other Baptist pastor I know and he did an excellent job. He has commented on this topic at his blog previously. He discussed how Psalm singing was a basic element of Christian worship from the beginning of the church until just about 150 years ago and then demonstrated how easy it is to begin singing metrical psalms to familiar hymn tunes.

Few of the people in attendance had sung psalms before but they easily caught on. We even sang Chad Davis’ version of Psalm 29 which no one had sung in a group before and went very well.

I encourage you to listen to James’ presentation and consider how your church might incorporate the songs which God gave us in His word.

Living in Light of Christ’s Return

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Tomorrow I will be in Middle TN along with Greg Thornbury for a pastors conference focused on Christ’s return. Our focus will not be on millennial theories, date setting, etc. but on how the New Testament urges us to live in light of this truth.

It is being sponsored by area associations, the Tennessee Baptist Convention and Union University. It will be held at FBC Goodlettsville (615-447-0401 OR EMAIL: srussell@uu.edu). You can contact today to register or just come on for the sessions.

The schedule is as follows:
9:00am- Greg Thornbury, “666”
10:15am- Ray Van Neste, “How Does the New Testament Apply the Truth of Christ’s Return”
11:30am- Lunch (if pre-registered)
1:00pm- Ray Van Neste, “Pastoring and Serving in Light of Christ’s Return”

Hansen, The Art of Pastoring

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Today while reading in Scott Hafemann’s excellent commentary on 2 Corinthians I came across this summary of key points from David Hansen’s The Art of Pastoring: Ministry Without All the Answers. Hafemann cites this on p. 201 of his commentary. These are good points about pastoral ministry flowing right out of 2 Corinthians 1-4.

1. Reading biblical studies, theology, and church history is more “practical” and helpful in the ministry than the mountain of “how-to” books on the market, since our primary need is for a greater sense of who we are and why we act, not more skills…
2. Ministry is a way of life, not a technology…
3. Those called to minister serve the church, but they do not work for the church. Instead, Jesus is their boss…
4. Ministry is not to be employer-driven, trend-driven, or task-driven, but is a following of Jesus Christ as the one who calls his pastors, so that the act of following Jesus is the act of pastoral ministry…
5. The Jesus whom we follow has a “general narrative direction” in his life, namely, the way of the cross…

The Lonely Sentinel

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The Lonely Sentinel, by Piet Prins
The Shadow Series, volume 1
(Inheritance Publications, 2006), pb., 140 pp.
Ages 6+

Since we had previously enjoyed the Struggle for Freedom series by Prins, I eagerly anticipated this book as well. This book is set in the Netherlands during World War II following the efforts of the Dutch resistance. The main characters are the Mulders family, particularly Frans (a sixth grader) and Dirk (a fourth grader). Their father runs a mill with the help of their older brother Dries. The family stumbles into the work of the Dutch resistance and begins helping Jews and others escape the Nazis. Eventually Dries also engages in a raid with other members of the resistance.

The action and suspense is seen primarily from the perspective of the young boys, which makes it all the more appealing to my young boys! It also helps the reader to enter into the risk of helping people in need during this time. It is easy to sense that it would be right to help. It is more helpful to also feel how challenging this must have been knowing you were risking not only your own life, but those of your family as well.

This book shares the same strengths as the other books from Prins which we have read. The Christian faith of the characters is real and integral to their lives (not some occasional “add on”). Also there is good adventure and suspense. It also shares some of the weaknesses of the other books. It is clearly a translation and at places the wording is awkward. At other times the wording is unclear. For example the people fleeing the Nazis are repeatedly referred to as “divers” but I have no idea why.

In the end this is a good book to read while studying World War II. It is good to hear about the event from a perspective outside the US; there is good adventure; and Christian faith features well.

Raising Bible Saturated Kids!

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David and Sally Michael, from Children Desiring God, recently led three breakout sessions on leading children in Bible Study as part of the “Word Within the Word” conference at Union University.

Too often the importance of teaching our children well is missed by both families and churches. The Michael’s passion is to change this. These are well worth listening to for pastors, children’s teachers, parents, grand-parents, and anyone concerned with children.

Session 1- God-Centered Bible Teaching for the Glory of God
Session 2- Raising Bible-Saturated Children
Session 3- Aiming for Application and Response in Teaching Children the Bible

Teaching the Bible to Children

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As part of our “Word Within the Word” conference a week ago, David and Sally Michael from Children Desiring God, led three breakout sessions on leading children in Bible Study. The Michaels were gracious enough to come even though their national conference was just this weekend. Their breakout sessions were packed and they did an excellent job.

Too often the importance of teaching our children well is missed by both families and churches. The Michael’s passion is to change this. These are well worth listening to for pastors, children’s teachers, parents, grand-parents, and anyone concerned with children.

Session 1- God-Centered Bible Teaching for the Glory of God
Session 2- Raising Bible-Saturated Children
Session 3- Aiming for Application and Response in Teaching Children the Bible