#4 on Forbes list of America’s Most Livable Cities

If you’re looking for a great city to live in that is in desperate need of the gospel, look no further.

Page CXVI is a project started with the idea of making hymns accessible and known again. They are some of the richest, most meaningful, and moving pieces of music ever written.

One of the best things that has happened alongside the recent resurgence of Reformed theology has been a renewed interest in hymnody. Whether it’s an old classic by Isaac Watts or Charles Wesley or a more recent one by Keith and Kristen Getty, hymns have a simple majesty that proudly praises our God and King. I grew up singing hymns in church and listening to them at home. They have had an immeasurable impact on my faith and my life. To this day, singing many of them brings tears of joy and delight to my eyes and I can’t wait to pass along this love to Malachi. Page CXVI has created two Hymns albums that are available for free download at www.pagecxvi.com/share. Download, listen, be edified, and share them.

My Re:Train class that starts tomorrow is Leader as King and for class we’ve read a number of leadership books. As I read the books I reflected on the various jobs I’ve had. Working for a creative company, leadership looks very different from what it looked like working for a school district. Here’s an interesting interview with Ed Catmull, the president of Pixar, the company who produced one of my favorite films of all time, Monster’s Inc. His thoughts on leading creatives is helpful as I look towards leading a church and hopefully building a culture of creative doxology.

Things to note

• People don’t like post mortems, but they are helpful. Be aware that people try to game the system and use them as another opportunity to praise the team
• “Hard rules don’t work”
• Pixar intentionally includes elements that young kids don’t understand because it’s a reflection of their world, that they’re daily figuring out new things
• “Fundamentally, successful companies are unstable and we need to operate in that unstable place.” This quote refers to dealing with the tension of competing interests in an organization.
• People with vision also need to draw the best out of other people
• It has to be OK for managers to learn of things out of order.
• It’s better for managers to fix error vs. trying to prevent it.

#1: Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

I don’t believe that this verse teaches that all people are the same, as it is often used when arguing for egalitarianism, the idea that all offices in the church are open to men and women. What I do believe this verse is presenting, and what I love this verse, is the truth that there is unity in the midst of our diversity and distinctions when we are found in Christ.

#2: Psalms 1:1-2

Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

I love this verse because it calls us to delight in the law, not tolerate it grudgingly. The law points me to Christ, and for that reason I should delight in it and dwell on it.

#2: Philippians 3:8

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

My family, my job, my health, my productivity, my life. All of those are trash and worthless when viewed in light of Jesus. Would that I lived that way.

#1: Air Jordan IV (photo of retro, not OG from Jumpman23.com)

These came out in 8th grade. Couldn’t afford them then, but I jumped on the retros in 2000.

#2: Air Jordan V (photo of retro, not OG from Jumpman23.com)

Got them as a 9th grader in this colorway. Also got the retro in multiple colorways. Still comfy to this day.

#3: Air Flight 89 High

Had the mids, LOVED the highs. Wish Nike would retro them

(in order of their impact)

#1: Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (Ivp Classics) by J.I. Packer

Demolished the tired arguments about reformed people not caring about the salvation of the lost and clinched my self-identification as Reformed

#2: The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Tim Keller

Absolutely wrecked me, realizing how much like the older brother I am (Luke 15:11-32). Read it through once, had beef with it. Read it again about a week later and boom. Every Christian should read this to guard against being the older brother. Every non-Christian should read this and long to know the Father who welcomes even the most wayward back into the family.

Key Quotes

Careful obedience to God’s law may serve as a strategy for rebelling against God. (Page 37)

If, like the elder brother, you seek to control God through your obedience, then all your morality is just a way to use God to make him give you the things in life you really want. (Page 39)

If we say “I believe in Jesus” but it doesn’t affect the way we live, the answer is not that now we need to add hard work to our faith so much as that we haven’t truly understood or believed in Jesus at all. (Page 124)

#3: The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne

Has revolutionized how I understand the role of the church and church leaders in ministering to and discipling the congregation. It’s not about programs, it’s about people. So much in common with Soma Communities, which is a very good thing.

Key Quotes

We must also see disciple-making as our central task in our homes and neighborhoods and churches. (Page 13)

It is very striking that Paul calls upon ordinary believers in Corinth to be imitators of him, as he is of Christ. And this imitating is not in some general sense, but in actively seeking the salvation of others. (1 Cor 10:33) (Page 51)

The call to discipleship is thus a call to confess our allegiance to Jesus in the face of a hostile world: to serve him and his mission, whatever the cost (Luke 9:60) (Page 42)

We must be willing to lose people from our own congregation if that is better for the growth of the gospel … A commitment to the growth of the gospel will mean that we train people towards maturity not for the benefit of our own churches or fellowships but for the benefit of Christ’s kingdom. (Page 83)

There are not two classes of disciples – we are all both disciples and disciple-makers. (Page 138)

Excellent wisdom from Scott Thomas in light of John Piper’s recently announced sabbatical on how to know your wife better.

• What are some ways that I can demonstrate my love to you in a meaningful way?
• When do you feel most appreciated?
• How do I make you feel emotionally distant?
• How can I pray for you?
• How can I help you to know God better?
• In what ways have I sinned against you?
• What would help you to be more satisfied sexually?
• How could I help us to reconcile our misunderstandings better?
• In what ways could I help relieve physical stress?
• What is one way I could tangibly serve you?