Urban Calvinist

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus

2012-01-11T15:42:00.002-05:00

What does "Calvinist" mean?

2011-12-04T03:02:00.001-05:00

You may be wondering what a Calvinist is, as it is in the title of my website. If so, and if you're not someone who knows Jesus personally, at least not yet, don't worry about this too much - because it is predominantly an in-house title among those who love Jesus.

But in short, being a Calvinist basically means this is a deep truth: God saves sinners. Sinners don't save themselves, or other sinners. That's God's role as the sovereign ruler of all. We just love Jesus and want to share about him with everyone!

But, if you want to indulge in the details and learn specifically more, Pastor Mark Driscoll sums up the basic points of Calvinism and the opposing Christian theology Arminianism in the video below.

"Live & Let Live": Statik Selektah ft. Lecrae

2011-11-28T02:09:00.001-05:00

If you didn't know, evangelical Christian rapper Lecrae has been gaining momentum in the secular music scene for a while. Last year, Lecrae was nominated for a Grammy award for his album Rehab. Last month, he was featured in a cypher at the 2011 BET Awards alongside Estelle. Also, he has recently worked with secular DJ and music producer Statik Selektah, who recently invited Lecrae to collaborate with him, to produce the track "Live and Let Live" on his latest album "Population Control".

While I don't endorse Statik Selektah and his worldview, I am posting this to share and encourage all Christians to be even more missional as we witness Lecrae do so in the different scenarios he's placed in. We all may not make music, but we can take what we are gifted to do well by God and use it to be a testimony to others with similar gifts who don't know Jesus personally! Again, thank you Jesus. for Lecrae. Enjoy the track, guys.

Bloodlines: Pastor John Piper, From Fullblooded Racist to Champion for Racial Harmony

2011-11-12T01:14:00.001-05:00

Lecrae @ BET Hip Hop Awards 2011: International Flow Cypher

2011-10-12T00:56:00.002-04:00

One of my top picks when it comes to both rappers and role models, Grammy-nominated artist Lecrae was invited to "International Flow" cypher on the BET Hip Hop Awards 2011, hosted by English R&B singer- songwriter Estelle.

Thank you Jesus, for Lecrae's witness on one of BET's biggest nights.
Click here to get to a short film about his story.

Dear Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T01:04:00.003-04:00

As a fan of Apple, it is with great sadness I receive the news that Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, has passed away. I hope that those of you who gained from his work, like I have, would take some time to read a letter written last year to Steve Jobs by Josh Harris, an Apple fan, pastor and someone who has influenced parts of my life deeply through his service.

The original link to Josh's letter is here, from which I am adapting it further below.

Tonight when I left a prayer meeting at our church I found two text messages (on my iPhone) from friends telling me that Steve Jobs had died. I was surprised at how sad I felt at the news. My prayers are with his family and friends.The following is a post I wrote in April of last year when the iPad was first released. I share it again here to mark his passing.

Dear Steve Jobs,

Tonight my son Joshua Quinn and I drove to the Apple store in Montgomery Mall with our good friends the Marescos--Kenneth, Patrick and Braden--to see and touch your new iPad. On the way home we all talked about whether or not we "felt a connection" with it (we all did) and what our favorite features were. I loved looking at pictures on it--so much more personal and intimate than a laptop. Joshua Quinn liked playing a car racing game. Kenneth said reading a book on it made the Kindle look like a decrepit Palm Pilot.

I was thoroughly impressed. Yes, I agree with all the hype about the iPad being a game-changer for how we read books, surf the web and interact with all the digital stuff in our lives like movies, games and photos. Of course you already know all this.

I did not buy one, though sometime down the road I might. Even though I consider myself a foaming-at-the-mouth Apple fanboy, I'm glad to say I've grown in self-control a bit over the years. And I don't feel I need to own an iPad to enjoy the unfolding spectacle of public interest and your gift of stirring up media interest. I just enjoyed watching other people use the iPad at the store. I can't imagine what it's like for you to watch people using it. That must be fun for you.

It struck me tonight how many of God's characteristics your work embodies. The Bible teaches that man is made in the image of God. In other words man is the creature most like God on the earth. And that's on display in your life. The creativity and attention to detail and joy you take in unveiling your work to the world, are all qualities that point to the ultimate Creator and Inventor and Showman.

Mr. Jobs, you are created in God's image. He's the one who has given you all the incredible gifts and talents that have allowed you to succeed. I sincerely pray that you'll glorify him--that you won't be like the ancient King Nebuchadnezzar who proudly surveyed the kingdom he built and ascribed it all to his own majesty and brilliance. (If you've never heard his story, it's in chapter 4 of the book of Daniel and is worth reading.)

I've been using your computers now for 25 years. I'm grateful for the work you've done. I mean that. Thank you! And I want you to know that I pray for your good health often. I also pray that one day soon you'll come to know and worship God's son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life to save sinners like you and me. All the success you've achieved is meaningless apart from knowing him and finding through faith in him reconciliation with God.

God bless you, Mr. Jobs. And great work on the iPad.

Sincerely,

Joshua Harris

Lecrae - I Am Second

2011-10-01T09:07:00.000-04:00

I want my music to offer the hope and encouragement I didn’t get.

MAN UP: A Campaign Redefining Manhood (Biblically)

2011-08-14T03:54:00.001-04:00

"THE PROBLEM

There's an ongoing war within urban culture. Confusion over what manhood is has plagued our cities, families and lives. The concept of a biblical man has been lost in our generation. Unfortunately, many churches struggle to provide its urban members, much less those beyond their walls, with a tangible definition of a real man."

Reach Records, a music record company which features rappers like Lecrae and Trip Lee, are coming out with MAN UP, a campaign including a combination of a short film, curriculum, soundtrack, and current concert series all centered around promoting biblical manhood in an urban context. As a young guy who can definitely learn a lot from godly counsel, I look forward to the release of the materials of MU. If you're a guy like me, or know one - Christian or not - I strongly recommending referring them to this resource.

Click here to go to the official MAN UP website.

Celebrating Our Two Years of Dating

2011-04-30T23:56:00.002-04:00

What is God's Global Urban Mission?

2011-03-23T13:04:00.006-04:00

If you are someone that knows me pretty well, it will come as no surprise that I love cities. BIG, busy, highly populated, cities. Maybe part of this is personal, because I've lived in large cities a good portion of my life, and the crowded city atmosphere is more of a home to me than any other place.

However, besides my personal love for cities, after becoming a Christian and growing as one - my love for cities has grown more. Whether it be Minneapolis, Mumbai, Chicago, London, Atlanta or New York City, my passion to be a part of a big city has gotten even greater. While a simple way to ascribe this passion is to the fact that there are more people, I think upon critical analysis of how cities work and influence the world, the importance of reaching cities with the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ cannot be overestimated.

Tim Keller, a seasoned pastor and church planter of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, New York City, discusses the global urban mission of God and how cities play a crucial part of it, in the video clip below. Keller presented this at the Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization, in Cape Town, South Africa, on October 2010.

Click here to watch the video, if you can't already.

If you are a Christian, you need to have a love and yearning to see cities affected in great ways by the gospel, in order to have an overall global impact for Jesus' fame. It is my hope that if you haven't explored the part that cities play in God's great mission, you would learn a little about it through Keller's talk.

From the Grammys to the Gospel: Observations on America's Christian Music Industry

2011-02-13T19:23:00.020-05:00

I was intently following the 2011 Grammys on Twitter to learn who receives the Grammy on behalf of "Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album" and came to learn Switchfoot won the award, versus Lecrae, who was also nominated for the Grammy. When I heard of this, I was reminded of when Tobymac beat Flame (who I was rooting for) to win this same Grammy award in 2009.

While I am not trying to undermine Tobymac or Switchfoot in their talent or hard work specifically, it tells about the taste - and thereby the heart of the majority who are into Christian music today. And from what I am seeing, the view is pretty white. White, as in most Christian music predominantly caters to white culture, and doesn't go as much to recognize music of other peoples (even within just America). And it's WORSE when the popular self-titled Christian music isn't even really centered around Jesus (not worshipful).

Well, my post is to just highlight some factors (simple and complex) that reflect on the white predominance of American 'Christian' music. Here are some of my observations:

1. Mainstream nature of Christian music in genres that cater to primarily white audiences, and therefore their popular genres, namely rock, pop, and metal. More white artists in the industry I guess, and they want to primarily cater to their own. Conversely...

2. There is a relative lack of enthusiasm and support from white Christians for non-traditional (read: historically originated non-white) genres in Christian music, especially genuine R&B/hip-hop/blues/jazz. Compare that fact to the demographics of interest of whites in non-traditional genres when it comes to non-Christian music.

3. No love for doctrine/convictions? The more predominant non-white urban Christian artists today (like those from Reach Records, Lamp Mode Records, Cross Movement Records) are rock solid when it comes to doctrine and Christian conviction, as you clearly may have discerned from listening to them. There seems to be a general apathy when it comes to emphasizing doctrine and convictions in America's mainstream Christian music. Again, I'm not saying there isn't Christ-centric rock, pop or metal music. I've heard some: they DO exist. And I love them, as Christ transcends cultures. But interestingly in comparison to non-white Christian music, most white Christian music don't seriously reflect God/the Christian gospel as much, or as deep, or as clear, or as often.

But obviously I admit there are some faux Christian artists in non-traditional genres too. However, the most popular (for example, the Grammy nominated ones in hip including Lecrae, Flame, Da TRUTH) are gospel-centric.

4. There's definitely an undeniable twinge of white ethnocentrism in America's Christian music industry because ultimately there is a white ethnocentrism in (majority of) America's Christianity. Let's face it, non-whites and people of non-European heritage and background, a rising demographic in the US (and one that's here to stay), are not a primary evangelical focus for most American churches. This is not necessarily because white churches have actively shut their doors to others, but simply that in passivity they haven't gone beyond their comfort zone. Whereas if we are to model Jesus, it should be our aim to become all things to all people, for Jesus' fame. Personally speaking, somebody who had a heart for India actively reached out to me, and through this person and their passionately multi-culture loving church community, I came to know Jesus.

The point above is probably the biggest of the factors I wanted to share. I think if the deeper issue of ethnocentrism in white American Christians' lives were wrestled with on a personal and communal basis, American Christians, and therefore it's music industry, can be more representative of the multi-ethnic God we worship and His grace in their lives.

5. Finally? Just tune into your favorite Christian music radio station. ESPECIALLY those who live in my "city" Louisville. Boom, roasted.

To conclude let me quote Paul from the Bible when he talks about what it means , to be effectively gospel minded in relation to the cultures around us, hoping his words would give us a direction to work towards for God's glory in all spheres, even Christian music:

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (Paul, 1 Corinthians 9: 19-23)

Of Vampires and Werewolves: A Christian Perspective

2011-02-07T22:46:00.004-05:00

I don't know how many of you out there heard of, or were actually into the Twilight series. Well, apparently it's had many people, especially young tween girls (and guys) caught up in its saga. What do Christians, as gospel-based individuals called to biblical discernment, have to say about this, and how do we see this phenomenon through the lens of truth?

Mark Driscoll shares a discerning Christian perspective on the topic. If like me, you have been unimpressed by the Twilight craze, you might get an extra kick from this. Enjoy.

Sin Ruining You? Get into "Rehab"

2010-10-06T14:27:00.007-04:00

Earlier this week, my Indian Fellowship pastor Jonathan Christman recommended getting "Rehab" the newly released album by rapper Lecrae. JC let me listen to a couple of tracks, which I enjoyed, and so I got it myself. And man, I've been bumpin' it all this week! Rehab is a great collection of musical treats with sound lyrics that are good for your soul. If you are a Christian, you need to listen to this. If you are a non-Christian, you need to listen to this. I'd personally recommend giving an ear to "Killa", "High", "God is Enough" and "Background", although the whole album is an eclectic experience you shouldn't miss.

For those of you who have not heard of Lecrae, he is a rapper going hard for the fame of Jesus Christ. For the past few years, he has worked hard to infiltrate the culture of hip-hop with the gospel of Jesus. Some of his other albums include 'Rebel', 'After the Music Stops', and 'Real Talk'. He also is part of a record label Reach Records which include other like-minded hip hop artists like Trip Lee, Sho Baraka, Tedashii and newly introduced KB.

Checkout the Rehab Center for more details!

Namaste!: Greetings and Reflections from India

2010-06-23T02:41:00.004-04:00

It's a week into my month long trip around the world to visit family, and I am writing this post from Kerala, India at my cousin's house! I wasn't expecting any access to the internet here in India this vacation, but I was pleasantly surprised.
Some things I miss about India that I got to enjoy after a six year hiatus: my relatives, (some) indigenous Indian dishes, and reminiscing on my childhood memories here. Some things that I definitely don't miss much about my motherland: the abundance of creepers and crawlers both indoors and outdoors, the highly dangerous vehicular traffic, and intermittent long-lasting power outages.

However, given that I have enjoyed what little time I've been here so far... I've been trying to look around me through the lens of the gospel. The prevalence of other Eastern religions as well as the sedentary and aloof nature of the professing Christians here is discouraging to see, but not something new to me, given that I was once just like them. But to be the only one here where I am staying now to profess an evangelical faith in Jesus Christ, it is daunting to witness the dead nature of religion that is void of the gospel.

Another aspect of life here that caught me off guard as I came here is the vast difference in the standard of living between India and the United States. After coming here and staying for a few days, my eyes are opened to so many things I take for granted when I live in America, and how materialistic I can be living there. It really is hard to be a faithful Christian in the US because we can receive instant gratification in many ways, like fast food, the internet, video games, smartphones, etc. and so we Christians residing in America are easily tempted to seek these temporary pleasures than to seek Jesus, the one true joy, first. Whereas here, many do not have the privilege of gratification, let alone getting it instantly. Neither is India as prosperous or stable as America. As a result, genuine Christians residing here are aware in a greater way of the need for God's grace, comfort, sufficiency, mightiness, sovereignty, justice and love to persevere in their race towards meeting Jesus face to face. I found this to really challenge the way I live and steward my resources back in the States.

In light of these couple of thoughts, I encourage you fellow believers to remember India in your prayers and pray that Christ would be magnified here and many would come to cherish him as their savior. Being the second most populated country with over 1.1 billion people, there are a lot of souls here that need to know the one true God.

In a week, I will be headed to another nation that I have spent a good portion of my life in, one that is close to my heart when it comes to the gospel, as it one of the least evangelized nations on earth - the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I hope that I will be able to post something up when I am there. but given Saudi Arabia's strict regulations on non-Islamic worldviews, it remains to be seen if I will even be able to access my own website. If not, I will try to put up a few reflections on my visit upon my return to the US in mid-July.

Until then, let's keep the nations in your prayers - and pray Jesus is made great among many Indians and Saudis, among other peoples!

The Rage Against God

2010-03-20T12:37:00.004-04:00

(adapted from a post on The Mass Conspiracy)

"The New Atheists... they're angry. They're angry with something."

The younger brother of world renowned atheist Christopher Hitchens, Peter Hitchens, has written a book called "The Rage Against God: How Atheism Led Me To Faith". Here is a little preview.

I look forward to learning more about God's work in his life.

Thank You Jesus for Tim Tebow

2010-02-09T14:59:00.007-05:00

Xbox Live and most of America, chose to glorify the Superbowl ads that featured beer, promiscious women, and boys with beards walking in their underwear, over a star athlete who is passionate about causes bigger than himself and football, seeking the fame of his maker and redeemer, caring the needy around the world, striving for the right of the unborn, among many things.

Well, I rather would like to thank Jesus Christ for the grace he has given to Tim Tebow to be a servant of grace where he is. Here is a part of his testimony of how God has blessed him.

An Update

2009-12-13T23:06:00.000-05:00

Hey guys,

It's been a while since I've written or posted anything on here. Life has been busy here, as well as harder, and so I've been negligent on posting here. However, even though my blog has been inactive, there has still been people emailing me and adding me on facebook telling me how encouraged they are with my blog. And as an imperfect siner trying to love Jesus faithfully, that's encouraging to hear.

Though I am busier nowadays, I still would like to continue blogging as a way to worship God. Please pray for me and that I may grow in my walk with Jesus. Please know that I need it a lot.

I hope to write again before Christmas comes by, but if I don't - have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Grace and peace,
Sean Roshan John

Busy Trying Not To Waste My Life

2009-09-28T16:02:00.005-04:00

This was the opening week of school... some of us from Campus Crusade for Christ at University of Louisville were handing out Freshman Survival Kits (which composed of the Bible, Lee Strobel's The Case For Faith, and Rick James' Jesus without Religion).

Sorry for not posting anything for quite a while. Sophomore year of college is a beast, and I'm out and about busy with a lot of things happening! Please keep me and my walk with Jesus in prayer as I try to be faithful to him daily!

Here are some stuff I'm engaged with, so you know to an extend what my plate's filled with:

It's all about Jesus. We're on a journey to meeting him... a Sojourn.
Sojourn Community Church
www.sojournchurch.com

Courting/Dating/Dorting my good friend and sister in Jesus, @bp518.

Computer Information Systems (CIS) Undergraduate
University of Louisville College of Business

Evangelism Team Leader
University of Louisville Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU)
www.louisvillecru.com

Manager, Eleos Urbana
www.eleosurbana.webs.com

Desk Assistant (DA) and
Leadership Living-Learning Community (LLLC) Member
in association with University of Louisville Housing & Residence Life

And of course, tending to you, when you need it!

All for Jesus' sake...

We Need God To Convert Us

2009-09-04T17:13:00.003-04:00

"Scripture is clear in teaching that we are not all journeying toward God - some having found him, others still seeking. Instead, Scripture presents us as needing to have our hearts replaced, our minds transformed, our spirits given life. We can do none of this for ourselves. The change each human needs, regardless of how we may outwardly appear, is so radical, so near our roots, that only God can bring it about. We need God to convert us."

Mark Dever

Testify: Shai Linne, Legacy 2009

2009-08-22T09:38:00.003-04:00

Watch the lower case mc rap one of my favorite jams at Legacy 2009!

Courtesy of Eleos Urbana

Rockstar: J.R. at Legacy 2009

2009-08-20T22:33:00.003-04:00

Watch here.

Mindfully: Old Spice God

2009-08-15T22:51:00.004-04:00

Check out this pretty funny commercial:
I think it's hilarious. The dude with the high-pitched voice reminds me of the chickified and religiously loose personality Rob Bell.

Anyway, the plagiarism of the good news of a redeeming savior isnt anything new. Sure, I use Old Spice, but is it anywhere close to being capable of such a transformation as the one true savior Jesus Christ rocks our pitiful lives?

Philippians 3:20-21
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

My Testimony: Blair Wingo at Legacy 2009

2009-08-15T03:26:00.004-04:00

I got to meet Blair at Legacy and talk with her personally. The interesting thing is she recognized me as she happened to visit my website not too long before then! I was encouraged by our meeting, and I want to take this opportunity to share her story with you all.

This is Blair Wingo's testimony composed into poetry. Be blessed with it.

Jesus Da King: Decipha, Legacy 2009

2009-08-13T12:42:00.004-04:00

Who is Jesus? Decipha spits the truth about that.

Move Out - J'son Ft. Flame and Future: Legacy 2009

2009-08-12T02:21:00.002-04:00

Are you movin' out? Watch here!

I Got Proof: Katalyst and Lecrae at Legacy 2009

2009-08-10T19:32:00.004-04:00

Watch Lecrae and Katalyst get proof at Legacy 2009!

The Legacy 2009 All-Star Line Up

2009-08-08T17:48:00.006-04:00

Introducing to you some of the pioneers of godly hip hop today... not so that we can out them up on a pedestal, but so that you all man learn more of their ministries and grow from them!

Taken from the artist forum at the 2009 Legacy disciple making conference.

"What U Missin" Sean John/Paul Diesel ft Talking Black Guy: Legacy 2009

2009-08-05T23:15:00.010-04:00

It started out a mini news update by me, ended up a freestyle. Enjoy!

Courtesy of Eleos Urbana

Odd Thomas: Legacy 2009

2009-08-04T21:18:00.003-04:00

To be honest, when this guy first came out onto stage at Legacy 2009, we were cynical of what he had to share with us. Even more so when we heard his intro to his song. However, many of you think the only talented white rapper out there whose pretty offensive is Eminem. Well we present to you Odd Thomas, the white guy with some animosity: and not just any hostility, but for the sake of Jesus. Watch Odd Thomas rep "The Divine Use of Animosity and Ridicule" and let me know what you think!

More about Odd Thomas here!

Courtesy of Eleos Urbana

Propaganda at Legacy 2009

2009-08-03T20:32:00.005-04:00

"Ima shake these dreads though!"
Here is Propaganda performing two joints at Legacy 09!

More about Propaganda here!

Courtesy of Eleos Urbana, and stay tuned for more soon!

Sound Effects - Azriel: Legacy 2009

2009-08-02T20:50:00.004-04:00

Check out Azriel performing at Legacy 2009!
More about the urban church planter and rapper here.

Courtesy of Eleos Urbana

The 2009 Legacy Videos Coming Soon!

2009-08-02T17:00:00.006-04:00

J. Coll and I had a BALLIN' time growing at the 2009 Legacy disciple making conference. We had so much fun, we didn't have much time to share the fun with you all out there! And we feel kinda bad. So we wanna let you guys know that we have recorded a good amount of how things went down at the Legacy, with a special emphasis on the Godward music that was enjoyed there!

We're gonna have Azriel, Odd Thomas, Propoganda, Lecrae, Decipha, Katalyst, Json, J.R., Shai Linne, to name some of the people featured in these moments of Legacy 2009 to cherish, even though you may have not been there!

So fam, stay tuned for the videos coming on on a regular basis for you to view here at my website.

Courtesy of Eleos Urbana

Peace!

2009 Legacy Conference Fever EP3: Yummy For My Tummy

2009-07-30T01:01:00.003-04:00

Sean John gives a briefing on whats going down in Chicago at the Legacy conference before we head out there! And he advices you to kick it like you frick it... or not. Check it out here!

Stay tuned for more updates throughout the conference these ways:

Follow J. Coll and me on Twitter, and stay updated on Legacy:
http://twitter.com/jcoll116
http://twitter.com/urbancalvinist

Keep checking out my blog for Legacy briefings:
http://www.urbancalvinist.com

2009 Legacy Conference Fever EP2: World Baseball Classic

2009-07-29T20:10:00.005-04:00

J. Coll enlightens me that we are going to Chicago for the Legacy conference... well why should I ruin his talk for you? Check it out right here!

Stay tuned for more updates throughout the conference these ways:

Follow J. Coll and me on Twitter, and stay updated on Legacy:
http://twitter.com/jcoll116
http://twitter.com/urbancalvinist

Keep checking out my blog for Legacy briefings:
http://www.urbancalvinist.com

2009 Legacy Conference Fever EP1: Happy Mothers Day

2009-07-29T13:35:00.011-04:00

July 29th, 2009. 1:50 PM. J.Coll and I on the road -
Here's a shoutout from your boy J. Coll as I kick it with him!

Follow J. Coll and me on Twitter, and stay updated on Legacy:
http://twitter.com/jcoll116
http://twitter.com/urbancalvinist

Keep checking out my blog for Legacy briefings:
http://www.urbancalvinist.com

The Legacy Fever Begins! Stay Updated

2009-07-28T23:57:00.017-04:00

July 29th, 2009. 12:11 AM. Packed. Almost.

As you all may know, from July 30 to Aug 1, Legacy (the reformed urban hip hop conference) is gonna go down in Chi-town at Moody Bible Institute! Being a part of Eleos Urbana, you can bet we're all doped up about going there!

Now, what kind of pals would we be if we didn't share the fever along with you all? So, in that heart, J. Coll and myself of Eleos Urbana will be trying to capture video, take snapshots, blog and tweet as much as we can during the course of the conference and the time preceding it as it unfolds, so you guys can get a taste, a feel, of what it's like to be there!

So friends, make sure you guys keep up with the hype as we bring it to you as fast as we can! You can do that through these ways:

Follow J. Coll and me on Twitter, and stay updated:
http://twitter.com/jcoll116
http://twitter.com/urbancalvinist

Keep checking out my blog for Legacy briefings:
http://www.urbancalvinist.com/

Hope you guys benefit from our meager effort! Feel free to share with anyone interested. Glory be to God alone!

Sean John

Smoking Spiritualized

2009-07-26T21:33:00.012-04:00

This was shared to me by a godly believer when enjoying (but not indulging in) smoking a good cigar. Written by Ralph Erskine.

LAW:

This Indian weed now wither'd quite,
'Tho' green at noon, cut down at night,
Shows thy decay;
All flesh is hay.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

The pipe so lily-like and weak,
Does thus thy mortal state bespeak.
Thou art ev'n such,
Gone with a touch.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

And when the smoke ascends on high,
Then thou behold'st the vanity
Of worldly stuff,
Gone with a puff.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

And when the pipe grows foul within,
Think on thy soul defil'd with sin;
For then the fire,
It does require.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

And seest the ashes cast away;
Then to thyself thou mayest say
That to the dust
Return thou must.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

GRACE:

Was this small plant for thee cut down?
So was the plant of great renown;
Which mercy sends
For nobler ends.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

Doth juice medicinal proceed
From such a naughty foreign weed?
Then what's the pow'r
Of Jesse's flow'r?
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

The promise, like the pipe, inlays,
And by the mouth of faith conveys
What virtue flows
From Sharon's rose.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

In vain th' unlighted pipe you blow;
Your pains in inward means are so,
'Till heav'nly fire
Thy heart inspire.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

The smoke, like burning incense tow'rs
So should a praying heart of yours,
With ardent cries,
Surmount the skies.
Thus think, and smoke tobacco.

The Legacy Hip Hop Conference!

2009-07-23T18:25:00.009-04:00

I cant wait for the Legacy Hip Hop Conference going down in Chicago in less than a week! I'm hopefully gonna be meeting all the stars of reformed hip hop: Lecrae, Trip Lee, my friend Flame, Sho Baraka, Tedashii, Shai Linne, Json, Blair Wingo, and so many more! Not to mention Paul "Preacher" Washer is going to be there too! Here is a preview of what it's gonna be like.

Lord willing, I am planning to vlog (video blog that is, for the tech-unsavvy) the whole conference which runs from July 30th to August 1st. I'm excited to go there, and I hope that above everything else, I would come to enjoy God more.

For those of you that still wanna make it, but haven't registered - online registration is still open, but not for long!
Online registration ends at midnight July 26, so click here to register now!

To God be the glory alone!

Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words

2009-07-21T15:47:00.006-04:00

While there are some of us that are rash, there are too many of us that are chickified. Are we repenting? Why not?

I had taken the time to listen to Mark Driscoll on "How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words". It was truly convicting and has left me understanding the duty of the discerning Christian in a more helpful way. I found it so encouraging that I wanted to put it up on here. Watch it here.
Soli Deo Gloria!

Noah Wasn't a Righteous Man

2009-07-19T16:57:00.003-04:00

If you grew up in the church, you probably don't know this.
Discover the truth.

Mindfully: Why GTA Rocks

2009-07-18T17:38:00.011-04:00

If you know anything about video gaming (I do), you'll know the Grand Theft Auto games have been one of the most popular and the most controversial games out there in the past decade. Why? Two main reasons, I think:

1. Depravity: We are really really bad and jacked up people, all of us. Yeah. that includes Mother Theresa and Gandhi too. As a result, we cant help but see the thrill of sins (like killing, driving retarded, prostitution, extramarital sex, drunkenness and the sort) in the video game. It explores a side of us we often wouldn't act out because of our own innate pride ("atleast I dont do that is real life!").

2. Infiltrating Culture: This is the reason GTA interests me. As one observes the evolution of the GTA games throughout the years, they will be able to see that the games get better at tapping into the backbone of the culture it is selling itself to. You just have to walk aimlessly around in the game, and you will notice the attention to detail when it comes to relating of our (urban) culture today.

Now, lets turn to Jesus: the most famous person ever. When it comes to depravity, it is the complete anti-thesis of his perfection. Jesus was the all perfect all good God-man. Though he was accused of various sins by the religious people of his time, he committed no sin. So in this point, Jesus and GTA is at odds.

On infiltrating culture, Jesus was the perfect standard. Jesus left his home in heaven on the side of God the father, and came to this earth as a man and lived as a poor homeless carpenter with complete humility. Though he was the counter-cultural rebel of his time (and if you think about it he still is), he hung out with the "worst" people of his time in the streets including hookers, poor, and corrupt government officials. So, in this thought, we can draw a lot of parallels between Jesus and the genius behind the GTA games.

Finally, GTA is successful for a good and a bad reason. I play it sometimes too, to be honest! (Not everyone who plays it becomes a criminal mind, but at the same time individual discretion is recommended.) What we need to do to be effective for Jesus in our world today is to redeem the world around us, to use everything to proclaim Jesus' fame. Let's stand strong against the depravity that the world so loves, and instead give the good news of free grace of Jesus, like Jesus did: infiltrating culture.

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. (Jesus prays for his people, John 17:14-15)

Have Mercy, My Sin's Ever Before Me

2009-07-16T03:08:00.017-04:00

Do you find yourself grieving over your sin at times? I am currently grieving over my indwelling sin... and have sorrow over it. Killing sin is hard. And it leaves me hurt often. But as Paul says in his letter to the Corinthian church, we Christians are to come to godly sorrow: not because God will be mad at us because of our wrongs; but because through our sin we are turning our backs away continuously over the very one that came and live and died for us while we were his enemies. And I share this meditation in this spirit.

I find it comforting at discouraging times like this to meditate on the promises of God as He has spoken in His word, the bible. At this time, I meditate on Psalm 51. This is one among various songs written by David, a king at the time, to God. Yep, this is the same guy who as a younger kid killed Goliath with a few pebbles, that you learned about in Sunday school.

We have to consider the context in which David wrote this song. David writes this sorrowful song after being called out of his sins by another godly guy: in a nutshell, David commits adultery with a woman, and then kills the woman's husband so that he doesn't have to face his sin. (And the way he goes about it is just wrong too.)

In other words, the same dude who killed a giant of an enemy because of God's power, is the same guy who committed adultery and murder, which is against the purity of God. What does this show? That ALL humans are jacked up people: sinners. There is no good person besides the God-man Jesus Christ. All our favorite Bible heroes, but for Jesus, were all bad people.

Now one may ask, where is the hope in David's story for my grief now? In this fact alone: Jesus came and lived on earth the perfect life we should have lived as children of God, and died on a cross the death we should have died, for becoming enemies of God, and rose again, defeating our sin, so now through Jesus and his sacrifice, we can be dressed in the perfection of Jesus - and be loved as if we were perfect like Jesus. What greater love can there be for a guy as jacked up as David, or one even worse - ME?

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me. (Ps 51:1-3)

This is the good news. While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us. This is the promise I am absorbing strength and conviction now. God is a god of mercy: he is faithful to forgive if we turn away from our own ways, and seek joy in knowing God. And this I share with you, Christian or not, to keep close to your hearts, so we may know and keep knowing more about the great grace of our good God. That's what this is all about: it's all about Jesus.

Your sin, your guilt, your grief, may be ever before you. Don't leave it there. Let Jesus take it for you. Trust him with it. He's friend, comforter, savior of us jacked up sinners. Don't hesitate.

What Is Preaching?

2009-07-12T14:13:00.009-04:00

What is preaching? Does the way the Bible is preached affect the growth and depth of a church? Is it possible to preach truths of the Bible and still not bring God the glory? What helps Christians grow more, topical sermons on practical issues or expository sermons on books of the Bible, verse-by verse?

I am sharing this for us Christians (including myself) to assess carefully what kind of teaching we are sitting under, and what it is leading us to live like, in the light of eternity. We are here to bring God the most glory. Are we doing that with the preaching we are worshiping God with?

If I'm not wrong, Bethlehem Baptist church, which John Piper is a pastor of, is going through and studying the book of John. Here is Piper on "What is Preaching?" as he preaches on John 3:14-18.

James 1:22

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

John Calvin, Year 500: Still Hot, Still Hated

2009-07-10T13:14:00.015-04:00

Portrait of Calvin (a small and concise biography) only $2 today (July 10, 2009). Get it now!

There is not one blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice. (John Calvin)

All because he was focused on the glory of God alone.

“I am eager for people to know Calvin not because he was without flaws, or because he was the most influential theologian of the last 500 years (which he was), or because he shaped Western culture (which he did), but because he took the Bible so seriously, and because what he saw on every page was the majesty of God and the glory of Christ."(John Piper, Foreword of Portrait of Calvin)

Today, July 10th, 2009, marks the 500th birthday of John Calvin. This French theologian still is as hot and as hated, if not even more so today, as the time he was on earth. This often misuderstood and negatively viewed man is still remembered today in the hearts of many, including mine, because of his understanding and teaching of the blazing view of the glory and the sovereignty of God. Love him or hate him, John Calvin was what apostle Paul, Athanasius, or any prophet from the Bible was: a faithful servant in a fallen world. And as a result, there exists a controversy of Calvin and what he taught. No sinner naturally wants to be stolen of their authority to do anything worthwhile by an all-sovereign God. It doesn't surprise me that there are many even among Christians, who deny the teaching of the Bible (which John Calvin esteemed as most important), just because of this truth.

A dog barks when his master is attacked. I would be a coward if I saw that God's truth is attacked and yet would remain silent. (Calvin)

Desiring God ministries says this of John Calvin: Calvin's words and life point beyond himself to where the crucified and risen Christ sits at the right hand of God. Before he died, he saw to it that there should be no posthumous canonization. He left orders that he should be buried in an unmarked grave. So his death and burial were of one piece with his life. Calvin bent all his energies in life and death to making Jesus Christ alone great, and making that greatness visible.

No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief. (Calvin)

Prominent pastor and evangelical Sam Storms talks about some reasons why Calvin is controvertial. He is going to speak in this year's Desiring God national conference. Click here to watch the video.

God tolerates even our stammering, and pardons our ignorance whenever something inadvertently escapes us - as, indeed, without this mercy there would be no freedom to pray. (Calvin)

Finally, nothing I have shared here brings justice to the life and words of John Calvin, and his commitment to the glory of God. I recommend you to go read Portrait of Calvin, which is on sale for only $2 today. Open up your minds to John Calvin, and you will see yourself opening yourself to the blazing center of the glory of God.

God preordained, for his own glory and the display of His attributes of mercy and justice, a part of the human race, without any merit of their own, to eternal salvation, and another part, in just punishment of their sin, to eternal damnation. (Calvin)

Soli Deo Gloria!

MAKE WAR

2009-07-09T18:55:00.009-04:00

Christians, let's MAKE WAR.Here is the Make War music video, by Tedashii and featuring Flame as well.
This is a song that deeply convicts me, because often, I am quick to find satisfaction from my lust, my pride, and in general my old sinful self. Do we as Christians MAKE WAR? Because we are called to, as am I. Let us all help one another fight the good fight against sin so that we may find joy in Jesus.

Thanks to my Jesus fam, who help me strive to make war everyday im my walk. I praise God for it.

The Baby In My Womb Leaped For Joy!

2009-07-09T00:21:00.008-04:00

Many of you may have seen the video I posted a couple of months ago on here, called "No, Mr. President" where leading Christian evangelical pastor and theologian John Piper called out Barack Obama on the evil of abortion. Now here is the full message from which the clip was derived: The Baby In My Womb Leaped For Joy. If you're a Christian, strengthen your convictions by watching this - or reform your mind to look at the issue biblically if you haven't. And if you're not into Jesus, still recommend you to watch it to understand to a level of how and why its not a debatable issue for Bible-believing Christians.

The aim of this message is to awaken and intensify your joyful, grateful reverence for the gift of human life from conception to eternity. The beginning of human life is a magnificent thing. There is nothing else like it. (Piper)

Watch it here. Share with friends, family and others when possible.

Jesus vs Religion

2009-07-04T19:40:00.007-04:00

Hate religion. Love Jesus.
The difference between Jesus and religion explained by pastor Mark.

Turn from your plastic religion, and turn to Jesus.

Judging Like Jesus

2009-07-02T12:46:00.006-04:00

OK, probably the first thing you're thinking whether you're a Bible Belt Christian kid or you think you know all about Jesus while you're probably nowhere near the truth: Dont judge me, Jesus said not to! You can't judge me!

And to that, I present to you - Judging, like Jesus.

Mark Driscoll preaches on 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 at Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Like Seattle, the city of Corinth had a long history of gender confusion and sexual perversion. In a spirit of ‘tolerance’ the perversion of their culture had seeped into the Corinthian church. In response Paul rebukes them harshly by telling them to be judgemental of those in the church rather than judging those who are not Christians.

Judge - but judge biblically. Like Jesus. For Jesus.

Sin Vs the Christian: The Rap Battle

2009-06-26T17:04:00.009-04:00

Shai Linne representin' sin and Timothy Brindle repping the Christian lay it like it is in this rap battle. Which one wins? Let's see.

Shai Linne and Timothy Brindle are unashamed calvinists part of Lampmode Records. Check them out here.

Enjoy more of these guys on my website playlist.

Porn Again Christian

2009-06-22T01:45:00.002-04:00

Even as a guy excited and OCD about Jesus, one struggle that has kept me humble and broken, and sometimes brought me sorrow, is my continual fight with lust. It is of no wonder that I have an internet filter so I don't fall into tempting myself with pornography online.

If you're not into Jesus and you're reading this - yeah, we Christians ain't immune from sin either. And that's why we need Jesus and dont trust in ourselves - but in what He has done for us. So its no longer about what we did or do, but all about what Jesus did by dying in our place for our sin on the cross.

So, as a guy who loves Jesus, and wants to grow more in loving and serving Him, while also serving people, I recommend Porn-Again Christian to all those who struggle with temptations to gratify the lusts of ous sinful flesh. It's a frank discussion on pornography and masturbation, by a pastor dude Mark Driscoll who loves Jesus and has come across and counseled various people stuggling with this.

I hope you will find it helpful. You can get it free to download, read online, or buy a copy of the material here.

Let's fight the good fight for purity, fam.

Over The Grave: Sojourn

2009-06-19T22:06:00.008-04:00

Tonight I attended the CD release concert for Sojourn's new music album, Over The Grave. Hosted at one of the buildings of one of the largest megachurches in the country, Southeast Christian Church, it was a great night with hundreds of people there.

Resounding and making afresh some of the classic Godward hymns of Isaac Watts, Over The Grave is a deep and replenishing album that brings up back to celebrate the most cherished and essential aspects of our faith, the gospel: dwelling on the atonement, the sacrifice, and the mercy of God on the cross. As the three bands (the album was a mass effort of 39 musicians) played through the whole album tonight, plus a few other songs, it was clearly a night of worship and conviction at The Block, the building it was held in.

For those of you that may have been able to attend the recent 2009 Advance Conference (on the resurgence of the local church) featuring pastors John Piper, Mark Driscoll, and others, yes - the Sojourn band led worship there, and even played some songs from this new album.

If you guys don't know what it even is, Sojourn is a biblically solid and culturally laid back church rapidly growing in number with people meeting and loving Jesus here in Louisville, Kentucky. Their love for Jesus and for people is something that I am very excited about, and am looking forward to becoming a member there soon. If you are from the Ville, or you are ever visting town, feel free to come by in your best pairs of ripped jeans and high heels (or not) and check out Sojourn!

Again, this CD Over The Grave is awesome. Dont find an excuse to not get it: just do it. And refresh your love for Jesus.

Click here to buy Over The Grave by Sojourn.

Abortion Shift/The Numbers Don't Lie

2009-06-18T11:06:00.007-04:00

For the first time in recent history, the majority of America is pro-life. The numbers don't lie.

An article written by an atheist at the Denver Post explores the shift a little closer and why it may be happening now.

As an atheist and a secular kinda guy, I practice moral relativism regularly. Still, I've always struggled mightily with the ethics and politics of abortion. Apparently, I'm not alone.

A new Gallup poll claims that for the first time since 1995, when the question was first asked by the organization, most Americans consider themselves to be "pro-life" rather than "pro-choice."... Click here to continue reading

So what do you think?

Contemporary Calvinists: Reach Records

2009-06-17T14:13:00.006-04:00

They aint just Christian rappers. They're rap evangelists. And reformed ones at that. Yes, Lecrae is a Calvinist. So is Trip Lee, Sho Baraka and Tedashii.

The reason I mention this is because, as many may know, Reach Records along with my personal friend and rapper Flame are out and about repping the cause of Christ through the Dont Waste Your Life tour nationwide. And it is evident their popularity is increasing all across the country. As a result a lot more evangelicals from Bible Belt America are coming to know about them. And soon enough, when they listen to the joints these guys bring out, its evident they give all the props back to our God for the free grace given in saving them.

Apparently a lot of people wanted to confirm that these guys are indeed reformed: if you google for "lecrae the calvinist", my site is number 3 on search results! So to appease your curiosity, yes, it's true. They are indeed.

Lecrae's Rebel Intro off his album Rebel features Mark Driscoll, the evangelical rockstar who happens to also be a calvinist. The very next track is named Dont Waste Your Life, after prominent reformed pastor/theologian John Piper's radical book by the same same. In another joint off the album, Fall Back, Trip Lee is featured and he concludes with the line "We'd like fa you to desire God like Piper!" That's just to name a few.

It is important for me to mention here, it's all about Jesus. We are Calvinists, only because when we get to know the Bible more and more, it aligns with what history trditionally calls Calvinism. So in short, yeah - these guys, and myself, we're all Calvinists. But thats primarily because we love Jesus and the Bible!

To conclude, get some albums from these guys at Reach Records, and enjoy some lyrical theology. You can check some of their jams right here on my site playlist.

Where Are They?

2009-06-16T13:59:00.006-04:00

Are you anxious for the cause of the gospel?
Where are the faithful young men?

De-Churched

2009-06-14T01:14:00.007-04:00

If you came (or come) from a Christian background, I implore you to take a couple of minutes to check your thought process with this.

Peace!

Treasuring HIM

2009-06-11T17:56:00.007-04:00

What does it mean to be a Christian? The answer is explained in the video.

What is your ultimate treasure? Is it Jesus - or something else?
Because that makes all the difference.

Donating Blood: A Reminder

2009-06-10T16:46:00.003-04:00

Ever donated blood before? Well today, I did it for the first time. It was for a younger friend of mine who will be undergoing three major surgeries for her spine in the course of this month, the first being tomorrow.

While the whole procedure took about an hour, and the blood extraction was only for ten minutes. Feeling a little woozy after it was over, I had a couple of cookies and an orange drink. That put me back to normal.

The visit to the American Red Cross Society and the personal situation of my friend opened my eyes to the need for blood for many. A poster in the Red Cross center said that one pint of blood (the amount they take from one donator in one sitting) could save up to three lives.

This reminded me about the blood of Jesus. How much more does the blood of Jesus shed on the cross saves us from our sin...

Ephesians 2:13

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Contemporary Calvinists: Flame

2009-06-09T11:51:00.005-04:00

"I'm trying to tell you something you probably have never heard
And if you have you probably perceive them as dirty words
Words like election and predestination
Can get you stoned and thrown out of a congregation
But they're in the Bible we gotta talk - talk about it (run it back)
But they're in the Bible we gotta talk - talk about it (one more time)
But they're in the Bible we gotta talk - talk about it"

'Who Can Pluck Us',
from his Grammy nominated album Our World Redeemed.

I am excited to write on my homeboy and personal friend Flame! He has been a great inspiration for me both through his music and his love. It was amusing how I got to meet him. I had been a fan of Flame since the past one and a half years. Then, about a year ago, the first time I came to Immanuel Baptist church, I saw him getting baptized, and heard his testimony. A couple of weeks later I even got to meet him and his really nice Indian (brown pride) wife after church, and learnt that he lives in an apartment complex right by ours.

Here's the catch: I didn't recognize he was Flame throughout this time, and he never, in his testimony or personal meeting, mentioned that he was indeed Flame. As a result, I didn't know I had met one of my favorite artists. Then a few weeks later, when I was casually reading more about some of the rap evangelists I listen to and trying to learn of their testimonies, I came across a bio of Flame. reading then, it then struck me with surprise that I met Flame and did not know it!

Anyway, speaking personally, Flame has been a great guy to hang out with and look upto. When it comes to his music, he proclaims clearly and unashamedly the gospel of Christ, and the various outcomes of gospel-centered worship. In a track "World View" he expounds the fallenness of the world across vaious nations. In "Goodness to Repentance" he reps on the goodness and grace of God and how that is shown through the fact even the worst of sinners are invited to repent from their ways. Another song "L.A.D.I.E.S." is about women, and and how they are precious in consideration to Jesus. He also doesn't shy away from talking about the weightier matters of the faith. Joints like "Who Can Pluck Us", "I Been Redeemed", proclaims the sovereignity of God, which would be the biblical truths that are traditionally called calvinism. Another interesting fact is in another song "Sola Scriptura" he defends the sufficiency of scripture, and alludes to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith!

A bigger break when it comes to the music industry came for Flame when he was nominated for a Grammy around the end of 2008. That for being a solid rapper for Jesus, and clearly being a calvinist, not shying away from the sovereignty of God. That, is God's great grace on this brother.

He also came to perform a free concert in April at the University of Louisville, which I'm a part of. And being part of the team that helped make the concert possible, we got to be a part of God's work in bringing a few African Americans to know Jesus. I heard from a friend who now disciples them, that some of them have even started to listen to and enjoy John Piper's messages! Praise God!

This summer of 2009, he is part of the Dont Waste Your Life tour with Lecrae, Sho Baraka, Trip Lee and Tedashii, going around to 25 cities all around the nation, repping for Jesus!

All this to say: Praise God for our brother Flame. May God keep using him to bring more people to Jesus. Here is his official website if you'd like to learn more about him, or his albums!

Jesus Wants the Rose!

2009-06-04T14:17:00.006-04:00

"The minister got up and said we would talk about sex. He took a red rose, smelled it, and threw it out in the crowd and told them to smell the rose. He then began one of the worst, most horrific handlings of what sex is and isn’t that I ever sat through..."

Another reason religion sucks, and we need to go to the good news of the gospel. Listen to Matt Chandler expound this incident.

Romans 5:8

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Some Thoughts for Year 20

2009-06-03T16:20:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was my birthday, I turned 19. I had a good day, full of loving people who shared their heartfelt wishes. Sitting here in my room late at night, I ponder on where I was last year this time, and where I'm headed for the future. Here are some reflections that I have come upon:

Last Teenage Year: I didn't "feel" like I got a year older today, but the truth stands that I am at the last year of being a teenager, and I'm slowly transitioning into young adulthood. This means I will need, now more than ever, God's grace and wisdom to keep fighting to make much of my life for Jesus; to fight sin, and to find joy in God alone.
Growing in Understanding Biblical Manhood: Becoming older makes me realize how I'm moving further away from my adolescence and moving even closer to taking full responsibility for myself (and my future family, Lord willing) as a biblical adult. This thought is daunting, but there is hope that Jesus has led me so far, and that spiritual discipline and grace will help me continue faithfully.
Engaging in Tighter Community: While I am part of the Indian Fellowship, a church plant effort with faithful teaching led by Jonathan Christman, a friend and pastor I love, the last year has been a trial not being integrated into an actual church, being committed to a local community of people who love and seek Jesus earnestly. One thing I will be pursuing seriously is to be plugged in completely and intentionally to a biblically faithful local church in the city.
Leading Other Guys in the Walk: This coming year, I will be a sophomore in college. Knowing from last year how its like to be a new freshman in college, I hope to make some genuine friendships with guys who are believers coming to University of Louisville, and mentor them to walk faithfully with Jesus. This makes me nervous, but excited at the same time!
Intentional, Honorable Relationships: As I grow in grace with all fellow believers on campus, I am striving for even more purity and a servantful mind to pursue worthwhile friendships with sisters in Jesus: loving them as God loves them, and not seeking selfish gain; seeking to offer genuine love when pursuing a woman who God may (have) put in my life, to grow together with both connection and clarity to what God's will is for romantic relationships: marriage.
Cultivating Humility: That I would remind myself of the gospel at all times, and remember and I am nothing, and Jesus is everything - leading me to live in humble, confident joy.

Lecrae Performs at John Piper's Church

2009-06-01T14:43:00.011-04:00

Rappers Lecrae, Sho Baraka, Trip Lee, Tedashii (all part of Reach Records) along with my personal good friend and Grammy-nominated artist Flame had performed a concert at Minneapolis Saturday night. The concert was sold out with over 1400 people. These guys are on the Dont Waste Your Life tour around the country to about 30 different cities. Here is the schedule of the summer tour. The following Sunday Lecrae performed his hit song "Dont Waste Your Life" at Bethlehem Baptist Church, of which pastor-theologian John Piper, author of the book Lecrae's song is named after, and leader of Desiring God ministries, is a part of. Watch the performance by Lecrae at Bethlehem Baptist here.

Tim Keller said something that definitely is relevant and wise. As Christians, if we want to make any long-lasting progress to push forward the cause of the gospel, rather than shunning the culture, we ought to go into the urban culture-making spheres and make and shape gospel-centered culture.

I am excited and grateful for these rappers and brothers in Jesus as they are doing just that.

"It Was Sunday" Official Music Video

2009-05-31T00:53:00.009-04:00

Featuring three of my good friends Kfust(K-Money), No-Money and T-Money from University of Louisville's evangelical campus ministry Campus Crusade for Christ, this is their first shot at some creative rap. What do you think of it? Here is the music video. Enjoy.

I've heard enthusiastic rumors that there's more to come!

Don't Shoot Other Christians: Reflections from Romans 14

2009-05-30T15:41:00.000-04:00

It would be great if we could read the whole chapter, but I will quote verses 1 - 4 here. Romans 14:1-4 -

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything while the weak person was only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains. And let not the one who abstains pass judgement on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the lord is able to make him stand.

This is an eye-opening passage from the book of Romans, that I am blessed to have you all to share of with. And I think it is encouraging to just be able to interact with you all in the spirit of the Holy word.

I think this chapter talks about two main ideas - one is judgment against one another, and another is quite interestingly, the opposite, encouraging one another. But when we look at the chapter closely we will see that both of these ideas go hand on hand.

In the very first verse in the bible passage above, Paul talks about "the one who is weak in faith"... And that the people of god should “welcome him". This shows how it is of our character, not just duty, as Christians, to encourage all other Christians. For aren’t all of us fallen short of Christ's perfection and glory, and technically aren’t we all "weak in faith"? So this part shows me how I should glorify and be happy for another one in Christ, and welcome him or her as my own brother/sister.

The other half of the verse adds "not to quarrel over opinions". This is essential to being a Christian. Many a time we often fall into situations where we "quarrel over opinions" - I know I definitely have, too many times. I used to quarrel about different things like rituals, practices, and other stuff. But then, doesn't this passage show how by quarrelling, we are doing nothing but passing judgment upon one
another. And imposing judgment over another is such a disgrace to God... and his sacrifice to us.

If I were to pass a judgment on the way you do something, am I not forgetting Christ's sacrifice for me and you upon the cross? Christ saved us from righteous judgment and wrath from the Holy Father. It is because Jesus has saved us from judgment, that we of the faithful,are resting in Christ. And when there is
no judgment against us believers, how can we judge others on their practices? That's a hard lesson I'm trying to teach myself everyday. To understand Christ's amazing mercy and love, I have to stop passing judgment, and love all people, no matter how different they are, just as Christ loved his people. I must end judgment, and cultivate encouragement instead.

Therefore, I am praying to God that I may get rid of my sinful nature to judge, but instead represent God's divine love is a small way... to all people, despite all differences. Let me not discourage or oppress a fellow soul yearning for Christ.. but welcome them with an open heart, that we may rejoice and exalt him to the highest. May I end judgment, but cultivate encouragement, for the glorification of Christ.

Let me conclude with a couple of verses from our passage, Romans 14:13 -

"Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother." v. 19 - "So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding."

What is the New Atheist message?

2009-05-28T13:58:00.006-04:00

Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennet: You've probably heard of alteast one of these bestselling authors. They are popularly known as the New Atheists. I have had the opportunity to read some of their works, and to see what they're like. I've also read responses to them by Christian evangelicals like Ravi Zacharias and Albert Mohler.

Listen to what the New Atheist message is like, and how Christians ought to go about engaging it.

Contemporary Calvinists: Timothy Keller

2009-05-27T05:07:00.000-04:00

He leads one of the fastest growing, ethnically and professionally diverse, faithfully biblical churches in the nation. In Manhattan, New York City. Yes, edgy, liberal, Manhattan. And he's known as the 21st century C.S. Lewis.

"Tim Keller's ministry in New York City is leading a generation of seekers and skeptics toward belief in God. I thank God for him."
–Billy Graham

"In a flood of bestsellers by skeptics and atheists charging a nonexistent God with crimes against humanity, Timothy Keller stands out as an effective counterpoint and a defender of the faith."
–The Washington Post

"Fifty years from now, if evangelical Christians are widely known for their love of cities, their commitment to mercy and justice, and their love of their neighbors, Tim Keller will be remembered as a pioneer of the new urban Christians."
–Christianity Today magazine

Tim Keller is the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, a thriving church of orthodox Christian faith in one of the most secular cities of the nation. Author of bestselling book and skeptic engaging The Reason for God and gospel celebrating masterpiece The Prodigal God, this humble yet clear and rather professor-esque pastor has come to gain much respect and admiration by me and Christians nationwide. He has been featured in the New York Times, and been on their top 10 bestsellers list. Keller is also active in leading the evangelical movement on America, being one of the pioneers of the largest uniting evangelical front in the country, The Gospel Coalition.

What excites me is that Keller loves Jesus and the Bible. Which means he believes in and teaches what the Bible actually says, which leads to him being what we traditionally call a Calvinist. But most of all, I love Tim Keller for all that he does for Jesus' fame in the culture forming urban context. If you know me well, you would know I am a city person. Lord willing, if I get to move to a city in the future, NYC will be one of my top picks because of Redeemer.

I recommend you look up Tim Keller, and especially the two books written by him. Be enriched by God's grace in his ministry!

You Can't Scare People Into Heaven

2009-05-25T15:21:00.005-04:00

Heaven will be inhabited by people who love God! You can't scare people into going there. Listen to what I mean in this video clip.

Has Christian America Come to an End?

2009-05-23T13:05:00.006-04:00

Last month, Newsweek published a cover story about The End of Christian America. Fox News invited Pastor Mark to write a response, which was recently published online. He states:

I do not find the report surprising or discouraging…With the social benefits of professing to be a Christian no longer in place and the social stigma of not professing to be a Christian now lifted, those who were [nominally] part of Christian America are simply no longer pretending to be part of Christian America. Since those who professed faith but did not practice faith were confusing to account for, this is actually a good thing. Now, it is more likely that if someone is a Christian or non-Christian, he or she will state so plainly.

Read the full article at FoxNews.com.

Source: The Mars Hill Blog

Becoming All Things to All Men for the Sake of the Gospel: Avoiding the Extremes of Religion and Culture

2009-05-22T22:23:00.002-04:00

This is a paper I wrote about missiology for my English class last semester. It is a brief view overview of how love for the gospel is leading men of God today to grow in a robust missiology.

The Paper is viewable here:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dc3fgg7d_2dzdpz3f6

Your insight is always appreciated!
Sean

No, Mr. President

2009-05-16T14:22:00.010-04:00

You can watch the whole message from which this video clip was derived here.

Christians, let's keep this in prayer with a burdened heart for the weak, but at the same time, take joy that our God is completely sovereign over all things.

Psalms 82:3
"Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute."

Isaiah 40:11
"He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young."

777 Intro

2009-05-13T19:09:00.003-04:00

Dwayne Tryumf, most popular for his speedy solo in Lecrae's hit song "Don't Waste Your Life" off the 2008 album Rebel, is a British hip hop artist who loves Jesus. He is currently working on his album 777 soon to be released this summer. Here is the official music video to the intro track of the album!

Who's Afraid of the Fetus?: The Case against Abortion

2009-05-11T14:42:00.004-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, I talked about an essay I was writing for my philosophy/critical thinking class against abortion, and how it led me to stronger convictions about defending the unborn among us. By God's grace, I got an A for the paper, and ended up getting an A for the whole semester of the class. I definitely enjoyed the class and I look forward to taking more philosophy classes in the future, as my professor had recommended me to do.

But yes, I finally got the paper online and formatted it as neatly as I could. Here is my humble take against the social injustice of abortion: Who's Afraid of the Fetus?: The Case against Abortion.

Also, I thank abort73.com for their vast study and analysis on the issue and their dedication to the cause of contesting abortion. I am also encouraged that their love for the unborn is coming as a fruit of loving God.

Feel free to offer your insight on the topic after you read the paper!

The Grand Demythologizer

2009-04-30T08:52:00.008-04:00

Recently Dr. Tim Keller, author of the book The Reason For God, pastor of the rapidly growing diverse church in Manhattan, New York, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, gave a talk during the first session of The Gospel Coalition conference, which featured various leading evangelists from around the nation. I've taken the time to listen to this talk, and it has been enriching to understand even better our need for the transforming power of the gospel. Do we have idols in our culture? Are we idol worshipers? In this talk Dr. Keller engages various kinds of idolatry found in the world around us and within the evangelical Christian circles.

Click here to watch Dr. Keller's talk titled The Grand Demythologizer: The Gospel and Idolatry.

We Were Chosen by God: Affirming the Biblical Doctrine of Election

2009-04-27T17:25:00.022-04:00

Some of you out there who are trusting in Jesus today think that God looked down a corridor of time, foresaw that you would choose Him, and then saved you. That's unbiblical.

The doctrine of predestination, election and atonement is something thats hotly debated in the Western church, but ought not to. This is something that needs to be celebrated by all Christians! We were chosen by God!

I'd like to humbly, as a sinner saved by God's grace alone, exhort you to challenge your views with the Bible, the Word of our God. Recently, Matthew Emadi, a friend of mine attending the SBTS, spoke at the Louisville Indian Fellowship, on the doctrine of election. I encourage you to listen to it and contemplate on God's great grace. Click here to download and listen to the message.

Salvation is of the Lord!

Triune Praise

2009-04-26T10:18:00.004-04:00

"according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you."
- Peter, 1 Peter 1:2

Athanasius, one of the earliest leaders of our faith, once said that if we ignore the trinity, we'll become heretics, and if we tried to fully understand the Trinity, we'll go crazy. What a profound majesty we behold in our triune God!

If God the Father didn't send God the Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins, we would have no Savior from sins. If Jesus Christ was not fully God, he could not have lived out in perfect obedience of God the Father. And if the Holy Spirit did not come into our hearts we would not understand the things of God and the cross would still be foolish to us. Without the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit we would never come to know God. Without the Trinity there is no salvation from sins.

Blessed be the Trinity!

The Culture of Death Speaks - Is Anyone Listening?

2009-04-25T10:19:00.000-04:00

As Christians, we ought to look at our world and the issues concerning our lives here on earth in a careful way, honorable to God. Lately, I’ve been reading and learning more about abortion, contraception, procreation, family and their place in culture, in a way that I haven’t done a lot before. I recommend you to read and contamplate on this post written by leading evangelical and president of the SBTS in Louisville KY, Dr. Albert Mohler.

***********

The Times [London] reports today that the abortion rate in Great Britain has taken a significant upward turn. While some expressed dismay at this news, others took a very different view. Consider this section of the paper’s article:

Ann Furedi, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, Britain’s leading abortion provider, noted that the rate was highest for those aged 18 to 24, at 31.9 terminations per 1,000 women.

This is part of a growing trend for women in this age bracket opting to end unwanted pregnancies, she said. Most women are at least 29 before they have a child and the increase in abortion rates of women aged 20 to 24 reflects that.

“Women today want to plan their families and, when contraception fails, they are prepared to use abortion to get back in control of their lives,” Ms Furedi said.

“Motherhood is just one among many options open to women and it is not surprising that younger women want to prioritise other things. We should stop seeing abortion as a problem and start seeing it as a legitimate and sensible solution to the problem of unwanted pregnancy.” She added that nowadays women who do want children want fewer of them later in life. Marriage was decreasing in popularity and unmarried couples were more likely than married couples to end an unplanned pregnancy, even if they were living together.

Ms Furedi said that women, particularly those in the professional classes, were increasingly reluctant to take breaks that could hinder their careers.

Ms. Furedi wants people with modern sensitivities simply to accept abortion as “a legitimate and sensible solution to the problem of unwanted pregnancy.” She is simply saying what the “pro-choice” lobby usually will not admit — that abortion is “a legitmate and sensible solution” when pregnancy is not desired. Note carefully that Ms. Furedi did not even claim any kind of hardship or emergency as moral justification. In her opinion, no justification is needed, even when the abortion is performed for nothing more than professional advancement. The Culture of Death speaks. Is anyone listening?

A Personal Praise to God about the Paper

2009-04-22T14:21:00.009-04:00

As some of you may know, I was working on a philosophy class argumentative paper against abortion in the past few days. On Monday alone, I spent roughly eight hours studying and researching the controversial issue. As I was doing my study, I was deeply convicted about the passivity with which I considered myself "pro-life" without understanding much of what I claimed to be. But after learning so much about the topic and its complexities, it has helped me stand strong and rooted in what it means to stand for the weak and defenseless when it comes to abortion. And on that note, I continued to finish my essay against the social injustice of abortion Monday night and turned it in.

As per the class, I was supposed to do a revision on my paper and rebuild my paper in a week's time, after I receive feedback from my professor regarding it. But I just got an e-mail from him, in which he commended my paper and offered to give me an A for it (this is 25% of my grade in the class) without me having to refine it into a final draft. I thanked him in my reply back accepting the offer. He replied back suggesting me to take more philosophy classes to grow in my "talent".

It may be one small insignificant thing for many, but isn't that good? But no good story goes complete without mentioning who really gets the credit for this. I may have worked on the paper for several hours, I may have wrestled with many different dilemmas, and I may have a yearning and interest for meaningful discussions, which has led to me to writing the paper.

But behind all that is God, our creator, who is so good to give us all the gifts that we do have, yet we have strayed and forgotten Him. We have gone our own ways, not acknowledging or obeying Him as our father. But yet again, while God could have let us go our own way - away from Him - Jesus Christ, Son of God, comes down to us and lives the life we ought to have lived, acknowledging and obeying God as our Father perfectly, and then takes our deserved punishment and sentence, dying the death we should have died, as we walked away from our creator. Christ agreed to die in our place, so that through his death and his resurrection (defeating the hold of death) we could come to know God, not based on what we do (like religion) but based on what Jesus did, and live free in grace as children of God.

All praise be to this one true God, who is worthy of infinitely more that we can give. So even this meager forthcoming paper that I wrote, let it be only to the glory of God.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Love the Least: A Response Regarding Abortion

2009-04-21T01:33:00.005-04:00

I was working on an argumentative paper for my philosophy class against abortion, and in between my 8 hour (true story) study and research on the topic, I became deeply regretful that a few weeks ago I said "abortion is wrong - except in cases of rape" in my class. I mentioned this on Twitter. In response, a friend/acquaintance of mine wrote back, obviously upset at my status. Here is the message I received, and the reply sent back. I just want to keep my exchanges an open book, that I may be held accountable.

You will never be impregnated by rape, so what right do you have to say that a woman should be forced to bear the child of her attacker? It’s hard enough to recover from something like rape; having to bring a child to term that is the result of a sexual crime can create lifelong scars and a child that even if put up for adoption statistically has little chance of leading a positive and successful life. When an accidental pregnancy occurs a woman’s entire life is changed, ruined. Forcing a woman to bear a child can ruin her entire life, she will never have any of the opportunities she had before the child, and although it can affect the father the effect will never be as great. Bringing a child to term stops a woman’s entire life, while for the father no change has to occur. Although adoption is an option much of the damage is already done in the 9 months of pregnancy. There are already more orphans in the world than will ever find families and the foster care system is already overloaded with children. If an abortion is performed early in pregnancy like it’s supposed to be the fetus is hardly more than a mass of what has the possibility of becoming body parts, the fetus cannot sustain life, it is not aware of anything, it’s a mass if growing tissue that will eventually become a child, it’s hardly more than a tumor. If abortions were outlawed it would by no means end them, the wire hanger method would reemerge and young girls would die as the hack-job abortions were performed. If your issue is religious I’d like you to consider the separation of church and state, no one has any right to press upon others rules set out by a religion, if something is against your religion don’t do it, and let others decide what they want or don’t want to do. I realize you have a right to your own opinion, but my views on this subject are very strong and I feel the need to share them with you.

My reply:

Hey! How’ve you been? Hope the last weeks of school are treating you alright. It's good to hear from opposing views.

I may never be impregnated by rape, but that doesn't mean I have cold feet when it comes to speaking out on abortion. I have some friends who are children of rape victims. And when I do contemplate on this social injustice, I keep my friends in heart, who would've not been here had it been for abortion. Also I know people who have experienced the hurt of suffering miscarriages, and what it means to lose a life in the womb (and I cant get the horror of how abortion allows this voluntarily). So I hope you are not framing me out to be this indifferent arrogant religious guy who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

I cannot agree with the fact that an unplanned pregnancy (even in the case of rape) would ruin the entire life of a woman. There is restoration and there is reconciliation, which is to be done with much love and care. She has been done much offense, no one denies that. But to say there is no hope for her to still live her life is being fatalistic. Especially in this nation. I've lived in (and I come from) other countries where it could be true that an unplanned pregnancy can ruin a woman's life - but not because of the child in the womb, but because of ignorant social stigma of the people around them.

Life begins at conception. How can I say that? We were all once that supposed “mass of growing tissue… hardly more than a tumor… not aware of anything” (which is scientifically inaccurate by the way).

Just because there are too many orphans already out there in the world or the foster care system is overloaded, doesn’t mean we should terminate individuals before they are born. This is not very sharp logic. In fact this is logic similar to those used by Muslims in Saudi Arabia, where I’ve lived. “We have too many rape cases out in the public, so we’re going to outlaw women from driving and seeking a job, so it will protect them from having to be outside where they may get raped.” The consequences of one issue should not be the deciding factor for another issue.

Murder is outlawed. But there are still murders taking place. That doesn’t mean murders should be allowed. So the argument that back alley abortions will come back if abortion was outlawed doesn’t say anything, except for how depraved we are as humans. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty  important."

You mention separation of church and state. Just an interesting side note, if we read on history, we’ll learn that the pioneers of the thought of “separation of church and state” are no other than the fathers of the Christian Protestant reformation, Martin Luther and John Calvin. But back to separation of church and state. Firstly, you’re using it in the wrong context. The separation of church and state is to be implemented when something is being imposed by religion directly and authoritatively on the government itself. For example, the roman catholic popes who basically controlled the dukes, kings and queens of their day, and the people were being ignored. In our context, when I, or any other person, talk about outlawing abortion, its not because we say because our religion says so, or because our pastors will overtake the government, but rather we do it as part of the people representing the government we vote for. Not that anything that has to do is religion affiliated has to be ignored in all ways by the public. Look at men like MLK Jr (a pastor), William Wilberforce (British evangelical who was the leader to abolish slave trade), Martin Luther and Calvin (pioneers of democratic and western thought who fought against the political control of the church). These were all deeply pious men whose faith led them to fight for social reform. That’s what the “separation of church and state” ideology really means.

But to the real reason I oppose abortion. I see it as a grave social injustice: a moral, ethical and legal issue. I recognize that the life of every unique individual begins at conception, and I seek to love the least of us, which means love the unborn individuals as well. They have the right to their life as we have a right to ours. For we all once began growing there. We fought slavery, we’ve fought genocide, we’ve fought infanticide, we’ve fought oppression, sexual oppression, political oppression… and we must fight abortion, neonatal oppression, as well. Not because we hate women and we don’t care for them. But because we ought to love the least of us, and that includes the weak and the defenseless. Because we ought to care for all people.

And I haven’t even addressed it as a religious issue. Because I don’t have to, secular thought on abortion is compelling in itself. My view on protecting the least of us is growing strong as well…

I just finished a paper on opposing abortion morally for my philosophy class. Hopefully, in a week's time, I will do a final revision of it, and then post it on here for others to contemplate on!

It is late, I must go to sleep. Thanks for sharing!

Sean

The True Prosperity Gospel

2009-04-20T12:16:00.006-04:00

Mark 8:34-36:

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?

(Source)

MAKE WAR!

2009-04-15T00:39:00.009-04:00

Are we radically violent against the desires of our flesh? Do we hate the evil that is in us? Do we make war?
MAKE WAR!

"Much more important than fighting Satan is fighting sin. My biggest enemy is not Satan - my biggest enemy is John Piper!" - John Piper

We Killed God

2009-04-10T09:26:00.003-04:00

If we were in their place, we would have done what they did. Indeed, we have done it. For whenever we turn away from Christ, we ‘are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace’ (Heb. 6:6). ‘Were you there when they crucified my Lord?’ the old negro spiritual asks. And we must answer, ‘Yes, we were there.’ Not as spectators only but as participants, guilty participants, plotting, scheming, betraying, bargaining, and handing him over to be crucified. We may try to wash our hands of responsibility like Pilate. But our attempt will be as futile as his. For there is blood on our hands. Before we can begin to see the cross as something done for us (leading us to faith and worship), we have to see it as something done by us (leading us to repentance). Indeed, ‘only the man who is prepared to own his share in the guilt of the cross’, wrote Canon Peter Green, ‘may claim his share in its grace’.

John Stott, The Cross of Christ

Step Up, Shut Up, Man Up

2009-04-03T08:50:00.002-04:00

Listen to pastor Mark's recent message titled Marriage and Men. This one's primarily for the guys, but girls are welcome to join in. This is good stuff.

"Gird your loins. I'm going to talk to you like a man."

Get Off Your Blessed Assurance: Get Missional

2009-04-01T22:16:00.003-04:00

“Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.”
- Charles Spurgeon

Which one are you?
Examine yourself.

New Calvinism: The #3 Idea Changing the World

2009-03-19T16:38:00.009-04:00

As you may know or not, Jonathan Edwards is my homeboy. I.E. I'm a New Calvinist.

TIME Magazine has recently compiled a list of the top 10 ideas changing the world today. New Calvinism is number 3.

It's awesome to see biblically saturated and God-centered doctrine making a comeback to Christians all around the world in the 21st century.

Read the article on New Calvinism here.

Jesus Didn’t Die for a Campus Ministry

2009-02-28T15:44:00.007-05:00

This post is dedicated to my Christian brothers and sisters on campus who are not part of a local church here yet. Yet I recommend you read this, churched or unchurched, to gain biblical insight on the distinction between a campus ministry and a local church.

I read about this article from a post on my Indian Fellowship pastor Jonathan's blog The India I Know that I often read from. The article called "Jesus Didn’t Die for a Campus Ministry: The Spiritual Danger of Unchurched Spirituality" is written by Dr. Russell Moore, Senior Vice President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary here in Louisville.

Katherine grinned slightly as she saw the banner out of the edge of her eye. “Welcome Back Students,” it read. The sign hung above the familiar brick building that, despite the cold, seemed to radiate with warmth and light, as students played table tennis inside. This was Katherine’s campus ministry group headquarters, a place very different from the awkward, often dead, congregation she knew back home. Here she learned to share her faith, and to cry with hurting friends. Here she learned that Christianity was about more than the Southern Gospel quartet tunes and awkward church committee meetings she’d seen at her home church. This seemed like home.

Many college and university students know exactly why Katherine resonates more with her campus ministry than with any particular local church. A campus ministry can be unmatched in helping students connect with other like-minded believers, especially in an ideologically hostile academic or social setting. Campus ministries can help equip Christian students to defend the faith, to serve the poor, to be held accountable to one another. A good campus ministry is a gift from our Christ. But it is no church.

The reason many college students identify primarily with a campus ministry rather than with a church is not because of any flaw in most campus ministry organizations. It is because, too often, we evangelical Christians have a deficient view of the church. We assume that it is any gathering of people who believe in Jesus and who do churchly things. Many Christians assume the church exists simply to help us learn more about Christ and pool our resources for missions. If that’s the case, a campus ministry can do all those things, and more. But the Scriptures tell us the church is much more than that...

Click here to read further.

The Calvinist

2009-02-21T01:00:00.000-05:00

The Calvinist is the Christian who confesses before men in his theology just what he believes in his heart before God when he prays. He thinks and speaks at all times of the sovereign grace of God in the way that every Christian does when he pleads for the souls of others, or when he obeys the impulse of worship which rises unbidden within him, prompting him to deny himself all praise and to give all the glory of his salvation to his Saviour. Calvinism is the natural theology written on the heart of the new man in Christ, whereas Arminianism is an intellectual sin of infirmity, natural only in the sense in which all such sins are natural, even to the regenerate.

J.I. Packer

Mark Driscoll now on CNN

2009-02-19T00:15:00.013-05:00

This is crazy. Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill church in Seattle WA, has definitely getting a lot of air time so far this year. Not so long ago he was featured on Nightline as well. Here you can watch Driscoll on D.L. Hughley's show on CNN. This was aired on Valentine's Day.

P.S. - If you're one to just giggle, be embarrassed or get offended about frank issues, don't waste time watching this.

John Piper is Bad!

2009-02-17T19:05:00.004-05:00

It's true. Watch.

If Sinners Be Damned

2009-02-07T08:44:00.006-05:00

If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.

Charles Spurgeon

I was on the Al Mohler Radio Program!

2009-02-05T23:15:00.006-05:00

It's true.

Today on his radio program, Dr. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and one of today's leading reformed evangelicals, spoke about Facebook and offered some Christian reflections on it, being the 5 year anniversary of the now widely famous social networking site.

I was on Facebook around 5:30 this evening and saw Dr. Mohler's status update on my home page. It said that he was talking about Facebook and that we were welcome to offer our insight into the talk. As soon as I read this, I called the number on the status.

I was asked to share my comment by a person on the line, and then a few minutes later I was connected with Dr. Mohler. I shared with Dr. Mohler how I thought FB brought influential men of the faith like Joshua Harris, Mark Dever and himself closer to us who may not be able to meet them face to face, and who have made their lives connected to ours on a more personal level, rather than just through their publications or public talks - making them more likable among the younger generation of Christians today.

Then Dr. Mohler asked me for a negative aspect of FB from a young Christian perspective. I said that FB has an addicting force to it, which can make our social lives dependent on it, like how some of my friends think it's a great accomplishment to not be on FB for over a day. After this, I was thanked by Dr. Mohler for calling and then was let off air.

As I cut the phone, I got a call from a friend asking me if I was on the radio program, and another friend ask me the same on FB. I was surprised that there were people I know listening! I told them I felt a little nervous about it, but they said I spoke well.

I was further humbled when Dr. Mohler responded to my FB status update (which said I was on the program) thanking me for my insight. It is certainly an edifying act of humble grace to me.

Not many 18 year old immature Christians get to offer their insight with leaders of the Christian faith. I certainly believe it is by God's goodness I was given this opportunity. It has certainly humbled me, encouraged me and has increased my respect for the men of faith who fight for God's glory tirelessly.

I praise God for Albert Mohler.

Your Banner Owes My Banner An Apology!

2009-02-03T17:14:00.006-05:00

This blog post was written by rap evangelist Sho Baraka (and good friend of Lecrae and Trip Lee) on the Reach Records website. As a freelance writer who loves Jesus, this one hits me pretty close to the heart, and has convicted me of some of my sinful tendencies. I hope it edifies you as well. Enjoy.
_______________________________

"Excuse me, but is my banner blocking your view? Believe me, I raise it with the best intentions."
by (some dude I know)

I have hurt many people because they didn't believe what I believed. Not that they didn't believe Jesus was God or that salvation came by grace through faith. It wasn't because they disagreed with me thinking the Holy Spirit wasn't God or that the Bible wasn't the final Authority. It wasn't debates over the eternal existence of the Godhead. I've smashed them because they believed that they could call their pastor "Bishop". I've sparked arguments over Christians working in Non-Christian markets. I've called people out at conferences because they don't share my method of discipleship. I've blasted people because they actually wanted to study for a test rather than go to a bible study...
Read More

The Good News

2009-02-02T23:30:00.003-05:00

You have been told that God is a loving, gracious, merciful, kind, compassionate, wonderful, and good sky fairy who runs a day care in the sky and has a bucket of suckers for everyone because we're all good people. That is a lie... God looks down and says 'I hate you, you are my enemy, and I will crush you,' and we say that is deserved, right and just, and then God says 'Because of Jesus, I will love you and forgive you.' This is a miracle.

This is the good news.

(Mark Driscoll: Jesus Took Our Wrath, Mars Hill Church.)

Mark Driscoll on Nightline

2009-02-01T00:58:00.013-05:00

One of my respected pastors and men who love Jesus, Mark Driscoll, was on ABC Nightline about a week ago.

He is a pastor of Mars Hill church, a church in Seattle, WA - one of the fastest growing churches in one of the least churched cities in America.

For those who are in Louisville, he is also the leader and founder of the Acts 29 church planting network, which Sojourn Community Church is a part of.

This video feature is available to watch on his church website here:

http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/other/nightline

Testimony II

2009-01-30T14:52:00.003-05:00

Before Christ:
Jeremiah 17:9

After Christ:
Romans 5:8-9

Jesus Is Alive

2009-01-29T02:05:00.005-05:00

Elvis is dead, Picasso is dead

Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin are dead

Marilyn Monroe is dead- however...

Jesus is Alive

Brando is dead, James Brown is dead

Princess Di and John Lennon are dead

Biggie and Pac are dead- however

Jesus is Alive

...

Plato is dead, Socrates is dead

Aristotle and Immanuel Kant are dead

Neitzsche and Darwin are dead- however

Jesus is Alive

Buddha is dead, Mohammed is dead

Ghandi and Haile Selassie are dead

Elijah Mohammed is dead- however

Jesus is Alive

...

Nero is dead, Constantine is dead

Genghis Khan and Attila the Hun are dead

Alexander the Great is dead- however

Jesus is Alive

Napoleon is dead, Lao Tzu is dead

Che Guevara and Henry VIII are dead

Saddam Hussein is dead- however

Jesus is Alive

...

Pharaoh is dead, Cyrus is dead

Darius and Sennacharib are dead

Nebuchadnezzar is dead- however

Jesus is Alive

Caesar is dead, Herod is dead

Annas, Caiaphas and Judas are dead

Pontius Pilate is dead- however

Jesus is Alive.

- Shai Linne, lyrics of 'Jesus Is Alive' from the album The Atonement

Testimony I

2009-01-28T14:48:00.003-05:00

Me before Jesus:
Genesis 5:6

Me after Jesus:
Ephesians 2:4-5

Converts and Christianity

2009-01-27T08:32:00.008-05:00

Yet another issue (and a serious one too) of the church here that I can see personally, and want to carefully consider. Do we let young converts know of the promises of God? Do we test if their profession of Christ is a possession of the Holy Spirit as well?

In this culture, where a majority of Christians believe that one gets saved when he/she makes the decision to follow Christ, and not understanding from scripture that one is saved when he/she has the Holy Spirit is in them i.e. when God saves them, and that the convert lives out not just BELIEF(trusting in Jesus) but REPENTANCE(turning away from worldliness).

Do we let converts know of the promises of God?

1. Do we Christians let them know that if God indeed has saved them, he has saved them once and for all from slavery to sin and has secured eternal redemption for them?

2. Do we Christians let them know that if indeed the Spirit is in them God is gracious and merciful, and very patient - and that God sanctifies them as they grow?

3. Do we Christians let them know that if they fall away and depart from the faith that the Holy Spirit was never in them and they just had an emotional experience, and the wrath of God remains on them?

4. Do we Christians let them know that if indeed God has rescued them, that the evidence for it lies not in their profession of Jesus one day, but in the ongoing process of sanctification and growth in Jesus Christ?

In the american church, we often skip out on questions 3 and 4. Some of us may even disagree on including 3 and 4. I say it's necessary. Why? Because in this culture, a lot of fake converts being "manufactured" by profession of faith, and relatively lesser real ones God has worked in by possession.

Ome small example, take the sheer number of people getting re-baptized. Now if you were made to be baptized (like in infant baptism), this doesn't apply to you. Also, if you are walking with God and are convicted that you ought to be water baptized again as a genuine depiction of God's grace, praise God! But what does this say about the other baptism(s) you had? False testimony?

I hope that we (myself included) grow to be very careful and walk with truth and in integrity, in the way we deal with converts who profess the faith, lest we may speak false assurance into someone's life, and build a false testimony to the lost. But don't be discouraged: I fall into the same snare often. Lets encourage one another to faithfully dealing with converts.

The Cup

2009-01-26T09:44:00.008-05:00

"Recognize His love for you in His darkest hour."

C.J. Mahaney walks us through Gethsemane to reveal what it meant to the Holy One to bear away our sin. He encourages a heart of gratefulness for the love Jesus showed for us as he drank the cup of God's wrath for our salvation.

One of the most moving expositions of God's grace I've listened to personally. I recommend that you watch this video clip.

DWYL group study: Week 1

2009-01-24T22:28:00.009-05:00

Eric Cox, a friend of mine from the Baptist Campus Ministry here on University of Louisville's campus, and I have begun a group study of John Piper's book Dont Waste Your Life aimed towards Christians on campus.

Our first group meeting together was just this past Friday at 6pm at the BCM, with 11 of our friends joining us with excited and bright faces. Nothing could substitute the joy Eric and I received when these guys joined us in a passion for God that was contagious.

Our first meeting went pretty well. We started off with prayer asking God to give us a passion to not waste our lives. Then Eric came and shared why he was interested in leading the DWYL study, and then I came and shared my reasons for the study. Then we transitioned to watch an introduction to the message of DWYL from it's author, pastor and theologian John Piper. As we concluded this video, we moved to discussion with each of us sharing a little where we're coming from as to our walk with Jesus. Finally we talked about what it means to live the unwasted life and how pursuing our joy and pursuing God is essentially the same thing.

I praise God for my brothers and sisters in Christ, and for the zeal God has put in them. And I pray that God will help me grow through this as well.

"Fire N' Brimstone": Why Open-Air Preach the Gospel?

2009-01-21T12:45:00.029-05:00

What should we do if you were a blind man about to fall off the edge of a cliff? Do we say it to you softly ad slowly or yell that out to you urgently?

Well... you probably are.

Here is University of Louisville's Intervarsity Christian Fellowship student leader Greg Wilburn preaching by the food court during lunch hour. He is currently coaching me for personal evangelism, and is committed to preaching atleast three days every week. I pray for God to keep working through Greg.

Here is an amazing story of God working on our campus, for the first time in front of my own eyes, as I got to lead someone to Christ!

Just last week today, one of my high school friends Stef was scared and agitated by Greg's preaching. She wasn't a Christian.

Later that day when Stef and I were talking, she shared her disapproving opinions with me about Greg's "angry yelling". So, I invited her to join me at our Campus Crusade for Christ meeting Thursday night to show her what Jesus' body looks like here on campus. By God's amazing grace, she was broken during our music worship, and then during our discussion group meeting after the service, she told us she hadn't been to church in seven years. That night, two friends shared with Stef the gospel and their testimonies personally. Then the next night, she professes faith in Jesus Christ and prays for the very first time.

Today, not more than a week after her conversion, when Greg was preaching out in the cold, Stef had bought for him a hot chocolate drink, and brought it directly to him. She turned and said to me as I watched in amazement, "Greg is freezing! He deserves atleast this for what he is doing for Jesus."

And that, dear people, is a miracle of God. And the glory of open-air preaching the gospel.

Trial

2009-01-07T19:13:00.002-05:00