Random Stuff for the Week of 11/4-11/10

* While just about every other blog I know has mentioned that Dr. Al Mohler will debate Dr. Paige Patterson in the 2006 SBC Pastor's Conference on election, I thought I should at least throw the announcement up on RS post. There have been many to share their preliminary take on the possible outcome, and I have mine (which I will reserve for the time being). It will be interesting, however, to see whether Dr. Mohler will wear the political hat of the SBC or the theological hat of Calvin. All I know is that there will be many anxious ears, earnest hearts, and high expectations. * Another major headline this past week on the blogosphere has been about the Alabama Baptists who refused to hand out water to victims of Hurricane Wilma because they were bottled and delivered by Anheuser-Busch. This definitely puts a new spin on the alcohol debate! Should they "avoid the appearance of evil" or "give a cup of cold water in Jesus' name?" This recent news is a sad reality to where Christians hold to the form of religion and miss the essence of Christianity. What was it, by the way, that provoked Jesus' accusers to call him a "glutton" and "drunkard" and "friend of tax collectors and sinners?" It was his deeds. * Nathan White, who has been heavily involved in the rebuilding of Lakeshore Baptist Church (pastor Don Elbourne Locusts and Wild Honey), has informed us of the new site online called Rebuild Lakeshore which is dedicated to the coordination and rebuilding of the church which was totally demolished by Katrina. If you are interested on volunteer, be sure to contact Nathan (who will be going back soon) or check up with the updates on the website. May the Lord continue to show Himself glorious through His Church! * Tim Bayly was recently written a post called Rick Warren: the Quintessential Evangelical . . . Warren always seems to make it on the national seen, whether it be Ashley Smith, Larry King, or Rwanda. With all this hoopla around this man, it is necessary to view him with a biblical perspective, one which Bayly does well in his post. Evangelicals need to be aware of how unbiblical this man and his ministry is, and Bayly helps to reveal this to us. * Alan Kurschner (Calvinist Gadfly) has informed us that Jack Graham's sermon "The Truth About Grace" is no longer available online. This seems to make sense if you are Graham, since if one does a Google Blog Search of his name, almost every post is revealing his erroneous message. This isn't the first time that I have seen this done. Earlier in my ministerial life, I approached a pastor about some of his outrageous comments against the doctrine of election only to later find that the sermon is no longer in the church's library. One must wonder if this is the start of a new trend. Has anyone even heard Graham attempt to explain or correct himself since his sermon??? **** Blog of the Week **** Internet Monk (Michael Spencer) The iMonk is no stranger to the blogosphere. I can remember reading his stuff before I ever knew what a blog was. As of late, he has written elucidly on some important matters (most recently about Kyle Lake, deceased pastor of University Baptist Church, Waco who was electrocuted while baptizing). Other recent posts worth checking out are: > That Flushing Sound: Evangelicals Worship Till There's Nothing Left > Smelling Calvinism On My Breath: How The SBC Looks From Under The Table > Book Review: God Is The Gospel by John Piper > An Optimistic View of Blogging Evangelicalism: Community, Confessional Conversations and Adventures In Self-Criticism - t.n.b.