10 Indictments Against The Modern American Church

I have listened to a load of Paul Washer sermons.  Next to John Piper he is my favorite preacher.  I believe that out of all his messages, this is undoubtedly the most needed one for this epoch of the American church.  He just preached this last week at the 2008 SermonIndex Revival Conference.  If you're familiar with his preaching this is pretty much a summation of all that he stresses in his itinerant ministry.

One blogger has already said this sermon "may be the one that ends up being the 95 theses of our time in history." I cannot overemphasize how much I recommend that every single leader and lay person in the American church should listen to this wonderful exhortation.  It is two hours long.  Please set that time aside and listen.

Here is the link:

Paul Washer's "10 Indictments..." sermon on Sermon Audio

At my other blog I have posted a brief outline with notable quotes from the sermon.  I've taken it off here to preserve space and not make it so long.

Daughter Of The King

I did not intend to just end up posting lyrics/verses that I've written but they have just been pouring out of my heart lately.  I pray that this edifies and encourages you. I called this one "Daughter Of The King." 

(After you read this, read the warning/caveat that I give after the poem please).

Sublime and beautiful soul, my mind is losing control/ 

Pure radiance, you shine with an unusual glow/ 

Reminiscing to the time I said, “Excuse me, hello.”/

Now I know we go together like a shoe and sole/ 

Yeah, you’re a cutie and you’re truly a rose/ 

I am fully yours and you are fully my own/ 

Rebuke me but don’t go, if I ever foolishly show/ 

That I’m not treasuring your heart because I’m stupid and slow/ 

And every single year it’s like your beauty it grows/ 

Your love is brighter than the sun, sweeter than a honeycomb/ 

I know as our hands hold we’re both of the same mold/ 

Covenant blessed/ flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone/ 

Help me be a lovin’ husband and a man in the home/ 

Who leads you and our little crew to love the Lamb on the throne/ 

Ephesians Five as our story for His glory alone/            

Ecclesiastes 4:9 as the path of our road/ 

See I’m attracted to you because you’re attracted to Him/ 

A beauty deeper than skin reaching to virtue within/ 

Spent so much time at his feet, seeking Him, touching his hem/ 

That you’re reflecting off His glory like a radiant gem/ 

Pure and purchased/ You’re worth it/ I’m a servant to your needs/ 

This is my beloved; she’s such a precious thing to me/ 

I’ll keep the vows I avowed when I offered you my ring/ 

Understanding I’m entrusted with a daughter of the King/ 

Sometimes I get all mushy and junk and write these things.  I pray that God will mold me to be the kind of man who is a priest, prophet, provider, and protector in the home. A godly man who loves his wife like Christ loved the church.

But I did want to give a brief warning to those of us who are single.  I sincerely believe that one of the greatest idols in our Christian circles is the polished idol of relationships and aspirations of future marriage.  Especially with being in Seminary, sometimes if feels like this place is the equivalent of a sanctified meat market.  We affirm the importance of singles being content in Christ but continually deny that principle practically.  Let's just make sure that our desire to find our "soul mate" does not overtake our desire to seek the Lover of our souls.  Do you desire marriage more than communion with Christ? May it never be!  Let us seek Jesus and rest in His good providence.  May Christ be all!

Eternal Praise

I don't know why, but these last few days I've been compelled to write Revelation-inspired lyrics.  

Here's another I just wrote:

Radiating white rays emanate from Your face/ 

Prostrate in this place as I’m faced with Your grace/ 

All saints praise and tremble, the temple quakes and shakes 

As great Yahweh’s famous name is raised/ 

No mistakes/ The Sovereign preordained my fate/ 

I’m lowercase/ He’s the Capital Name of names/ 

Incredible, shameless bliss/ I celebrate/ 

Indelible elation gives sight to faith/ 

Hating, racism, faking/ done flying away/ 

As nations are made in/ one united state/ 

Before the foundations/ of earth were laid/ 

This scene was painted in eternity to further His fame/ 

Christ came as a slave, sliced in pain/ 

Smashed wrath on his back, sacrificed and slain/ 

Became a curse in his person, purging out my flames/ 

So forever I will worship in eternal praise! Yes!

Glory

I got inspired. It's a worship scene. I pray it ministers to you in one way or another.

"And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying, 'Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever, and ever!' Amen." Revelation 5:13

No trust, lust is before me / disgusting it’s gory/ 

So lowly, but He didn’t crush or abort me/ 

He laid His life down, yeah He blood-bought me/ 

I’m anticipating, waiting ‘til You’re taking me home free/ 

Risin’/ on eagle’s wings I’m soaring/ 

Flyin’ to Zion/ to El Elohim/ 

Finally, beholding the enthroned King/ 

Shaking and trembling/ Your holiness floors me/ 

Angels worshipping, Seraphim swarming/ 

You’re one time, two times, three times holy/ 

Falling on my face in the midst of Your glory/ 

Crying, “Worthy is the Lamb standing before me!” 

Creation extolling the One and Only/ 

Join me! / Glorify the Most High solely/ 

As I’m raising hands to I Am who I Am/ 

I still can’t believe that my hands are holy/

“Praise you for the cost, Praise you for the blood ya lost/ 

Praise you for the rugged cross. Yeah I truly adore thee”/ 

He comes down from His throne as He clothes me/ 

In a bright white robe through His blood atoning/ 

Overcome with love, my tears are flowing/ 

I’m a worm deserving wrath/ but He knows me!/ 

So sweet/ as eternity passes slowly/ 

Lord I’ve got to say that I’ve never felt so free!