Think about what you say online. In our age information is:
Instant
Constant
Global
Permanent
But don’t let that prevent you from speaking and writing boldly.
Even still, choose your words well.
(The list of four above was mentioned by Pastor Mark Driscoll in response to the question, "What have you learned, Mark, from those who have criticized you?" in the panel discussion at the Desiring God conference: "The Power of Words and the Wonder of God."
I’ve been reading the book and am challenged on a number of levels. My soul and mind resonate with the subtitle: “A radical reshaping around Gospel and community.”
A helpful quote from Chester:
One of our catchphrases is “ordinary people living ordinary life with gospel intentionality.” It means doing the chores, having meals, watching sports, and so on with an intention to talk about Jesus, to pastor one another with the gospel, and to share that gospel with unbelievers.
May God allow us to serve in the church with this trajectory.
Biblical truth is in the closed hand. (It doesn’t change!)
But changing methodologies and adapting to culture is in the open hand. (It can change.)
Keeping that in mind will be helpful when giving younger leaders are given opportunities to lead in the church.
Mark Driscoll briefly discussed this in preparation to the 2006 DesiringGod conference. He makes a point that if younger men feel stifled and are not able to venture out and lead in creative ways, well, they will probably leave.
I want to take a moment to share with you a strategy or paradigm of sorts that I have used in seeking to invest myself in the mission God has given me in my workplace. Recognizing that this is something I have been developing in recent months, I know that there are some aspects to be challenged, critiqued, or contributed to, so feel free to share your thoughts.
There are four areas or facets of work that I would like to elaborate in this post. They are: the work of the mind (exegesis), the work of the heart (prayer), the work of the hands (service), and the work of the lips (gospel).
I like that: mind, heart, hands, lips — all for the glory of God, displaying the excellency of Christ and His Gospel, and engaged in the love of people.
Brister’s brief synopsis has a helpful conclusion:
There will be times or days where you will be able to do all four areas of work, but that is not often. Rather, one day you will find yourself given more to the work of the mind in cultural exegesis as you are surrounded by other coworkers; other days, you will be given considerable time alone where you can do the work of the heart in prayerful participation; hopefully, there will be days were you will have opportunity to do the work of the lips in gospel proclamation. But we are to do all four of them and do them well. Do you see the difference between simply showing up for work, doing what is minimally expected of you, collecting a paycheck, and going home–as compared to what I have mentioned above? That is the difference between work and missional work. The former is meaningless; the latter is missional; the former is wasted; the latter is worshipful; the former is ritualistic; the latter is redemptive; the former is self-centered; the latter is God-centered and others-directed.
How do you relate to God? Have you believed the good news (Gospel) of His Son Jesus? Further, are you continuing in the Gospel, or has the Christian life become all about religion to you?
How are you motivated? By fear or by love? Do you enjoy God? Do you obey Him order to be accepted? Or, because you are accepted by Him do you then obey?
It is a summary of Gospel-centered teachings by Tim Keller, given in table form by The Journey Church in St. Louis. I come back to it time and time again.
We must not think of the Gospel as merely our ticket to Heaven. We must see it is all of life, as in living out the Gospel, and seeing everything through the Gospel.
Darrin Patrick and The Journey Church, have provided the following, in the model of Tim Keller (download as PDF):
In the last couple of years I’ve come to appreciate the wisdom, research and clarity of Ed Stetzer, now Director of LifeWay Research (and their Missiologist in Residence). He is a veteran church planter and one who speaks into the issues facing Jesus’ church here in the States especially, and abroad.
The two Greek words de ("but") and Theos ("God") are the first two words of Ephesians 2:4: "But God, who is rich in mercy..."
Because of God's great love and grace extending to us in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, redeemed and able to know, love + enjoy God more fully, ever-increasing and forever.
This site contains the thoughts and conclusions and journeys of the Patterson family -- Jeff, Kari and Dutch -- who have experienced the front-end of God's amazing grace, and continue to delight in His unfailing love.
Read more about us, and what we hold most precious.
The audio from the 
