David Whiting Live

North Baptist Podcast

Before my sabbatical we had a lot of people who received my sermons by podcast. Because we had planned to use the website as the host for the podcast, we allowed our subscription to expire.  But we haven't used the website as the podcast host, so we have started over when it comes to rebuilding our podcast subscriptions. 

A podcast is a way that you can sign up to automatically download every sermon onto your MP3 player or computer.

In case you are interested or want to pass it on to someone else - here is a video teaching you how to sign up for the podcast.
The North Baptist Podcast from David Whiting on Vimeo.

As always - if you receive this by email - you must go to the blog to watch the video.  Just click HERE.

Celebrity Apologies

Two recent celebrities have gotten in some trouble: Michael Phelps and Charles Barkley.  Micheal Phelps had a photo taken of him using a marijuana pipe.  Charles Barkley was arresting for drunk-driving.

And although both of those choices are sad to me - what interests me even more is the response of these two men.  One takes responsibility and the other acts like a victim.

MICHAEL PHELPS:
"I've come to realize people want to bring you up but more people want to bring you down and that's how our public is."

You've GOT to be kidding me.  Who didn't root for Michael Phelps at the Olympics?  Who didn't celebrate his dominance? Who wants to see an Olympic hero embarrassed? And Phelps indicates that a MAJORITY of people want to bring him down. In other words - what he did wasn't wrong.  What WAS wrong (from his perspective) is that some "jerk" took his picture and went public with it. You'd think that someone manipulated the picture.  But no, that didn't happen. He is just mad because he got caught. He later said in the interview that he thought everyone at the party was a friend of his. In other words, his habits aren't going to change. What will change - is he will make sure he doesn't smoke pot around anyone with a camera, or he will do it only with REALLY close friends (who aren't out to get him).  How sad - he chooses to smoke pot yet paints himself as a victim.

Now contrast that with Charles Barkley...

CHARLES BARKLEY:
"Getting a DUI was the best thing that ever happened to me."

Although I do not approve of his actions or his lifestyle, AT LEAST he took complete responsibility for his choices. He paid his price. He apologized to his employers and family and he took it like a man - NOT like a victim.

When counseling - I always listen for excuses ("I'm a victim") or statements of responsibility ("I did wrong!"). It is SO MUCH easier to help people that take responsibility.

Does Satan Exist?

If you get this email in time - do all you can to watch or tape NIGHTLINE tonight (on ABC after the local news).  Tonight there is a debate called "Does Satan Exist?"  Representing our view is a former stripper, who has been saved by God's grace, and Mark Driscoll, a pastor in Seattle, Washington, who shares our love for God and our theology. I watched most of the debate today while working, but haven't finished it yet.

What I've seen so far, I rejoice in the truth that Mark Driscoll speaks.  If you can't watch it or tape it, you can watch it at the NIGHTLINE website.  You can also reach it through Mark's blog.

I hope you get some time to check it out!

Raising the Stakes

Here is the story Brad shared by video last Sunday (3/15).  What a great challenge about "raising the stakes" when it comes to spiritual habits.  Just in case you missed it - or wanted to hear it again - here's the video.

Brad Files - "Raising the Stakes" from David Whiting on Vimeo.

And if you are receiving this blog by email, you have to click HERE to see the video.  Or simply click on "David Whiting Live" above to take you to the video. 

New Calvinism

I was shocked to read TIME magazine this week.  Here is the cover:

Look carefully at the ten ideas that are "changing the world right now." One of them is "New Calvinism."  It was listed as #3 inside the magazine!!  You can read the article HERE.

It is about the resurgence of "Calvinism" among the younger generation. And it is described as the "3rd most influential idea" coming in the world today.

There is SO much I want to comment on with this topic.  The article is just ok (nothing great about it) - but I LOVE that they have recognized the influence of a younger generation thinking "theologically."

Am I a Calvinist? It depends on how you define Calvinism. But historically, yes, I am an unapologetic Calvinist (it is similar to the term "fundamentalist" - no longer a term viewed accurately or positively in our culture).

I embraced Calvinistic theology in college, but have often wanted distance from others who would call themselves "Calvinists" by their attitudes and behaviors. Does that make sense? So when I recently heard the phrase "New Calvinist" - I immediately knew what it meant and I fully embraced it.

What is a "new" Calvinist compared to an "old" Calvinist. Well, in a simplified way, the three things that separate the "new" Calvinism from the "old" Calvinism are these:

• Old Calvinists "talk about" human responsibility, but don't practice it often whereas New Calvinists actually believe that it is our responsibility to win every person to Jesus.
• Old Calvinists have often been called "The Frozen Chosen" - they don't seem very happy about most things - especially when talking about theology. In fact, they seem mad. New Calvinists are not angry about Calvinism or theology.
• Old Calvinists seem to carry a theological chip on their predestined shoulders. There is a humility to the New Calvinists that I align myself with. I love the phrase "humble orthodoxy." That is how we much teach the truth.

So I happily call myself a "New" Calvinist (but I'm probably not young enough to truly be included). People who best represent "New Calvinism" would include: John Piper, C.J. Mahaney, Louie Giglio and Mark Driscoll (among many others). So, I'm surprised and happy about the #3 idea in TIME magazine.  BUT - I wish it were "The Gospel" that was having such a profound impact that TIME magazine just HAD to write about it. I don't think it is the "New Calvinists" fault. I think it is just a surprising movement that many thought was dying with an older generation. I, for one, am thankful it is not!

May the day come when the Gospel has such a profound impact on our society that all major media outlets cannot ignore it!!  And may Jesus Christ be praised!

We Are Going Vertical

After months and months of decision-making, earth-moving, piling-pounding, foundation-laying, cement-pouring, problem-solving prep work - we are FINALLY going vertical (prep work always seems to take forever)!

The walls are going up!  The next five to eight weeks will be among the most dramatic changes you will see week to week when you drive by the church.  No matter what entrance and exit you use each week, be sure you take weekly detours around the corner of St. Paul & Ridge. I'm amazed at these guys laying block. They are fast!

The pictures below are of Miranda Byrd (white coat) running the bulldozer (and yes, it was moving), and Kim Gagarinas (green coat) on the backhoe. Miranda and Kim were helping with the Thursday meals, so we went out for a few minutes to help them "work."  So I guess this is a warning... when you provide a meal - we just might put you to work.

37 Day Challenge - Did You Sign Up?

This past Sunday I challenged every one in our church to take a 37 day challenge: to read the Bible every day for 37 straight days.  We had an amazing 66.3% of those attending on Sunday who signed up!!  That's amazing.  I'm still hoping to get it closer to 70% before Sunday (for the last 30 days of the challenge).

So - would you consider signing up?  First, I would encourage you to listen to the message if you missed it.  Go to our website (www.northbaptistchurch.org) or just click HERE. This link will take you straight to that sermon on the website.  You can download it onto your computer or MP3 player and listen any time.

Second, would you hit "reply" to this email and and let me know that you are "in" for the last 34 days of the challenge? Each morning you will receive a very brief email encouragement that I'm sending to all those who have signed up.

TAKE UP AND READ!!!

Very ALARMING!!!!

I turned 40 this past week.  One year ago several "friends" tin foiled my office.  Here is a picture from last year:

Being more aware off this being an even more significant birthday - I locked my office the night before my birthday this year.  But it wasn't long enough.  The next night - these same "friends" made themselves at home again and positioned alarm clocks - 40 of them - around my office.  They were hidden everywhere - behind books, inside my desk, taped under my chair, in the curtains... everywhere...  Many were set for the same time, but others went off at various times.  Here is a picture of 35 of the alarm clocks...  Five were still missing as of Thursday.

When I have friends like this - who needs enemies?

Some Great Questions to Ask as You Read the Bible

In Sunday's sermon - I will talk about the spiritual discipline of of daily time with God's Word. I will mention this blog in the sermon (so if you are receiving this by email - don't delete it until after the sermon - you might need it).  If you are new to reading the Bible and aren't sure how to get the most out of reading the Bible - perhaps try these questions as you read. 

1. What part of the reading stands out to me? Why?
2. Is there an example for me to follow?
3. Is there an error for me to avoid?
4. Is there a command for me to obey?
5. Is there a promise for me to claim?
6. Is there a sin for me to confess?
7. Is there an area that I should explore for growth in my life?

These seven questions can keep your Bible reading from being simply an exercise that results in little change.  I believe that the most effective way to use these questions is to journal about one or two of them every day.  Or to talk to someone else about them. That leads to real application and transformation.

Will you take the 37 day challenge?  Not to miss spending time with God through his word for the next 37 days?

Teammates Who Are Friends...

At our last building committee I began thinking about this group of people that I'm partnering with as we build this building.  We are working for a cause greater than any of us.  And I appreciate this group of people SO much - more than I could describe.  Here they are:

Here's who they are and what I appreciate about them (moving clockwise):

Alan Matthews (with his back to the camera with the red shirt) - Alan is soft-spoken but always asks the right questions. I've noticed - when Alan speaks, the committee listens. He has been particularly helpful with site issues.  His experience with RG&E has been able to predict things with insight that even our consultants haven't been aware of.

Adam Congdon - Adam has become a very good friend in the years that he has attended North. He is one of the most teachable people that I know. I am SO glad that my daughters get to be influenced by him in our youth ministry. He's a quick learner and one of the best question-askers I know. I LOVE to have him in meetings where tough questions have to be asked. He's great at it!

Dave Kipp - Dave has had a long-standing reputation as a great secretary for committees.  He has proven that over and over and over.  In fact, his minutes can be clarifying, insightful, and entertaining. I have full confidence in Dave's ability to concisely summarize our meetings. He is an indispensable part of our team.

Scott Bixby - Scott brings experience to this team that we wouldn't have without him.  He's been through all of this before and sees things in advance and helps us navigate those things. Scott is a teammate in ministry I would never want to be without!! When he takes part of a project, I never have to think about it again.  It will be done.  If you work with a team in your job, you wish you had a Scott Bixby on your team!

Steve Powell - It is a good thing Steve is retired because he puts in SO MUCH time here at church. I keep telling Cogun that they should be paying Steve a paycheck because he is helping them do the job we are paying them for.  Last Friday Sue and I stopped in to see how the dust wall was coming, and there was Steve on a ladder working. He is here almost every day - checking in with Wes, keeping me updated on what I need to know so I can stay in my office. I'm still waiting for Cogun to pay him... They really should!

Wes Neller - Wes isn't part of our building committee - he is our Cogun rep.  He is wearing two hats for our project. He is both the project manager and the site supervisor.  You may see him at church.  He flies home about every other weekend, but shows up on occasion on Sundays.

Kim Gagarinas - Along with Steve, Kim is another member who spends hours on this project. I remember when Jack first asked her to serve on this committee, she wondered why we were asking her.  Now - the entire committee would agree - we'd be in serious trouble without her.  I think everyone on our team would say she is our committee's MVP... just ask them.  I'd never want to be part of a team without someone just like Kim.

Aaron Malbone - Aaron is the one with all the construction experience.  He oversees projects MUCH larger than we are building here.  So I always ask Aaron, "What do you think?"  And his humility is as admirable as his incredible knowledge and experience. Aaron's brilliant.

Jack Redfield - Jack serves as the chairman for this group. He keeps us organized, motivated and working hard.  His commitment to this project, this church, and to me is humbling for me. I don't deserve to have a friend and co-laborer like Jack.

OK - thanks for letting me brag on my team. They work behind the scenes with no credit, but I know God is paying attention and will richly reward them.  When you see them - thank them for all their work. It isn't just showing up twice a month. We know that the church expects a lot from us, and this team of people is taking their role seriously. THANKS GUYS!!