NIV 1984, NIV 2011, ESV, or NASB?

I have been giving some consideration to changing to version of the Bible from which I preach on Sundays. When I entered the ministry in 1987, I preached exclusively from the NASB. My Bible College professors had drilled into my head that it was the most literal and accurate English translation. I suppose I will always be partial to the NASB, but when I moved to a different congregation in 1991, I switched to the NIV because nearly everyone in the church used it, and the Pew Bibles were NIV. I have preached from it ever since. (Once, in a campmeeting I reverted to the NASB and I stumbled over my words – they do not exactly roll off one’s tongue – the NASB is syntactically clunky).

Last year, Zondervan introduced an updated NIV (NIV 2011). It is quite a bit different from the previous version, primarily due to the “chickification” of the text (okay, the politically correct term is “gender neutral”).  For example, I’m preaching from James 1 this week – the old NIV renders verse James 1:2, “Consider it pure joy my brothers…”; the update says, “Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters…”. There are many such changes in James 1 alone. (I will save the debate on gender neutrality for another time, but I have to wonder if at its core, the driving force is about gaining greater market share). Since there is such a difference between NIV 1984 and NIV 2011, is now the time to change my primary preaching version? Some church members have the old version and some have the new one. I have been enjoying the English Standard Version (ESV). It lands halfway between the NIV and NASB; better accuracy without the awkward syntax.

I was just about ready to take the plunge and go with the ESV, but I think for now I will stick with NIV 1984. However, I think this provides me with a good opportunity to explain to the church about the different translations. I’m not as concerned about the particular version that they are reading as I am about the fact that they are reading.

Ferris Bueller Returns

Warning: If you are not a child of the 80′s, the video above is likely to make
no sense to you at all. If you are a child of the 80′s, this is going to be the
best thing that happens to you today.

Annual Men's Retreat

Tonight begins Cedar Creek's annual Men's Retreat at Lake James Christian Assembly. It is always a great time of fellowshp and learning. I’m excited about the guest speaker we will have with us. Dr. Mark Scott served for many years as a professor at Ozark Christian College. Recently he moved to Denver Colorado to serve with a church there. He is a terrific communicator of God’s Word. I have been blessed by his preaching several times over the years. He will also be preaching at Cedar Creek on Sunday.

Over the past few years, we have been blessed by a number of great preachers at the retreat and during Sunday morning worship -- men like Matt Proctor, Mark Moore, Mark Christian, Bob Russell and David Willis. Each has their own style and unique way of delivering the Word. Phillips Brooks defined preaching as "truth through personality" -- I like that. Regardless of who it is delivering the Word, God can use that man to speak to his people. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Rev. 2:7).

Though Your Sins Be as Scarlet, They Shall Be White As Snow

This was the view from my back porch this morning. It's mid-January and this is the first measurable snow of the season. I actually enjoyed shoveling my driveway (as well as the neighbor's). It's beautiful today as the sun shines down on the fresh blanket of the white stuff.

Tomorrow I'm preaching about forgiveness, so I couldn't help but think of the scripture that says: “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool". Isaiah 1:18

Isn't that a great promise?

New Series Begins Sunday

Reset: Ctrl-Alt-Delete

If you have a computer, you know that sometimes things get messed up and you just need to start over and reboot. When that happens, the most important three keys on the keyboard are Ctrl-Alt-Delete. Punch them all at the same time and help is on the way. You can reset and begin again.

 We have all wished we could do that in life, haven’t we? Reset is about learning three crucial keys which God will use to change the way you live: surrender control of your life now, find an alternate way to life in the future, and ask God to delete some things from your past.

Jan. 8 Ctrl – Who is in control of my life?

Jan. 15 Alt – What changes must be made in my life?
Jan. 22 Delete – How can I get rid of past mistakes in my life?

Merry Christmas from the Kjergaards

Things I Don't Understand, part five

Churches that cancel services when Christmas is on Sunday.

Tebow haters.

Preachers who seem to spend more time talking about themselves in their sermons than they do sharing the good news about Jesus.

 Why the GOP can’t seem to produce a stellar presidential candidate. Newt Gingrich is leading the polls, really?

Foursquare (news flash: nobody cares).

People who vote no on a church budget, with no explanation of why they did so (um, we’re not mind-readers folks).

Things I Don't Understand, part four

Obnoxious “Merry Christmas” Christians (see previous post).

Bob Dylan’s popularity.

Why those who insist that Acts 20:7a is binding precedent, but 20:7b is not.

News segments designed to inform people how to prepare for winter (e.g. “have a shovel handy” or “wear gloves when it’s cold outside.”).

My Yearly Rant

Ugh, here we go again. I received the following in my inbox this morning:

Sign your pledge to boycott Walgreens this Christmas season.

November 21, 2011

Dear Friend,

Yesterday, Walgreens placed a 24-page circular in newspapers all across America. It had all the festive markings of that day known as...Holiday? It's true! At Walgreens, they advertise "Holiday Candy," "Holiday Gift Tags," "Holiday Gift Wrap," "Holiday Decor," "Holiday Accessories," "Holiday Nuts and Snacks" and "Holiday Hats and Stockings." But no Christmas! In total, Walgreens used the term "holiday" 36 times, rather than using "Christmas."

Oh, the trees advertised in their circular? It's just "Prelit" trees. Go to Walgreens' website and you can shop their "Holiday Shop" and take advantage of their "Holiday Shipping." If you want Christmas, it's not there.  At Walgreens, Christmas doesn't exist! Walgreens wants you to do your "Christmas" shopping with them, while refusing to recognize that Christmas even exists.

Walgreens doesn't want to offend non-Christians by using the word Christmas. The fact that they're censoring the use of Christmas and might offend Christians by doing so seems to be of no importance.

TAKE ACTION, blah blah blah.....

Seriously, "Christians" are still pulling this crap? See previous rants here and here.

Invest in Young People

I read something today that was a much-needed reminder:

What causes some young people to walk away from the faith after they graduate from high school? And, more important, what causes other young people to hang on to their faith during those post-high-school years?

A few years ago, I heard a Christian sociologist offer his assessment: "The most important factor is not whether the young person "accepted Christ' or was involved in a youth group or even went on a missions trip. The key factor seems to be how many meaningful relationships the young person has with Christian adults who are not his or her parents."

ReChurch

The staff and some elders from Cedar Creek just returned from the ReChurch Conference hosted by Indian Creek Christian Church in Indy. This was our second year attending. It was great last year, and this year it again exceeded my high expectations. The theme was  Surrender: A Surrendered Church. A Surrendered Team. A Surrendered Life. The worship was powerful and the messages were convicting. The Holy Spirit moved the hearts of our team members, especially mine. ReChurch came at just the right time. God has a way of doing that.

These past two days have served as a catalyst to motivate us to clarify our vision and redefine our roles. We have a lot of work to do. But I’m excited and looking forward to seeing how the Lord leads us.

Things I Don't Understand, part three

The Occupy Wall Street protesters.

Anti-Halloween messages on church signs.

Dancing with the Stars.

Vegans.

Revival in Virginia

I spent this past week in Roanoke, Virginia preaching in a Revival Meeting with the Edgewood Christian Church. It was a wonderful week. I got to meet some terrific brothers and sisters in Christ. And it is always a privilege to preach God’s Word. But the best part of the week was that I got to spend it with my son Luke. His school allowed him to take a few days off so he could accompany me. The father/son time that we had together was really great.

One of the church elders hooked us up with tickets to a big-time college football game on Saturday night. Virginia Tech hosted Clemson. The Hokies didn’t play well (and Clemson is now ranked number 8 in the country), but it was a really cool experience. Luke is now a VT fan.

The Roanoke area is a beautiful part of the country. The leaves on the trees were just starting to turn. Things were gorgeous. We spent an afternoon with another one of the church elders and his wife. They took us out for a boat ride on Smith Mountain Lake. It was a lot of fun.

We also enjoyed spending time with the staff from Edgewood. They are genuine servants of the Lord. It’s good to be back home now, but we truly enjoyed our week in the Old Dominion.

How to be a Christian Hipster

Preaching Matters!

Things I Don't Understand, part two

The random dual bathtubs (usually outdoors) in the Cialis ads.

Farmville.

9-11 Conspiracy Theories.

Why we need a remake of Footloose.

Preachers who feel compelled to use questionable language from the pulpit (yes, there are still quite a few people who find freakin’, flippin’ and frickin’ offensive and inappropriate).
See my rant here.

People who forget to silence their cell phones in church, theatres, meetings, etc. And then when the ringtone blasts, they act like they’ve never used it before and can’t seem to figure out how to turn it off.

Televised poker tournaments.