New Wineskins - Page 102 of 104 - an apologist for the modern church

The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell

September 11, 2012 By Josh Daffern

Gladwell’s The Tipping Point is a cerebral journey into the psychology of mass movements. As he puts it, the book “is the biography of an idea . . . ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do” (7). He attempts to discern how trends become fashionable, how unexpected societal changes come to be. It’s a well-researched and audacious explanation of something that for most people is unexplainable: how do movements (fashion, cultural, societal) happen? His three… Read more

Why Do People Get Married Anymore? (Part 1)

September 10, 2012 By Josh Daffern

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Last week a friend from church emailed me a question that seemed simple at first, yet had some profound implications. Here’s a portion of her email to me: “I have had a question stated to me in conversation with a coworker. It was really meant more as a statement, not as a question to be answered. But it has come up several times, and I’ve been thinking next time it comes up I’d like to have a good answer. I… Read more

Five for Friday

September 7, 2012 By Josh Daffern

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This week’s links are all over the place. Some will make you mad, and some will inspire you. Enjoy! Carrying the Gospel to the ‘Roof’ of the World – Guys like this are my hero. I idolize them. NewSpring Church (A Video Celebration) – Take a second and rejoice with an amazing church who dreamed big and saw 1521 people accept Christ in one weekend. University of Texas Backs Professor in Battle with Gay Blogger – The gay blogging world is enraged… Read more

The Definitive Church Label Guide

September 6, 2012 By Josh Daffern

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Anyone who’s been to high school knows the power of labels. Whether you’re a ‘cheerleader,’ ‘jock,’ ‘band nerd,’ or ‘mathlete,’ your label defines you. It shouldn’t be this way, but it is. Why do the hard work of actually getting to know someone when you can just stick a label on them? Let’s be honest, sometimes church people are weird. They’re unique. So even in church, we have labels. We shouldn’t, but we do. Maybe one of these labels describes… Read more

Things You Learn in a Cave

September 5, 2012 By Josh Daffern

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BIG Idea: Don’t lift your hand against the Lord’s anointed. Everyone’s had “that boss.” At one time or another, you’ve probably worked for someone who was a mix between the TPS-reports-boss from Office Space and Kevin Spacey from Horrible Bosses. Someone who stopped having fun in life a long time ago and made it their personal goal to suck the life out of every one of their workers. Even though it’s not very Christian to think thoughts like this, you hated… Read more

The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey, by Candice Millard

September 4, 2012 By Josh Daffern

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Theodore Roosevelt has always been one of the most fascinating characters for me in American history. The River of Doubt is perhaps the fourth or fifth book I’ve read on him. Edmund Morris’ books, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt and Theodore Rex are especially good reads. Candice Millard succinctly captures the essence of Roosevelt that makes him such a larger-than-life enigma: “In a lifetime of remarkable achievement, Roosevelt had shaped his own character—and that of his country—through sheer force of… Read more

Labor Day Special

September 3, 2012 By Josh Daffern

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According to the Department of Labor, Labor Day is “dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.” First started in New York in 1882, this national observance quickly swept the nation and became the beloved holiday that we know and love. At its core, Labor Day celebrates the work ethic that has made America what it is today. The same work ethic that founded this nation and carved civilization out of the wilderness is the same work ethic that… Read more

Five for Friday

August 31, 2012 By Josh Daffern

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Another great week! In between college football games, check out these five links to articles guaranteed to make you think a little bit . . . Dear Stay-At-Home Mom – to all the stay-at-home moms out there (including my wife), this article is for you. Be Bold, Go Out and Chase Your Dreams – challenging post based off of Diana Nyad’s failed attempts to swim from Cuba to Florida. Christians Victims of Rising Hostility – do you think Christians are… Read more

Children of Hope

August 30, 2012 By Josh Daffern

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If you’ve come to Mt Vernon the past few weeks, you’ve heard about an incredible ministry partnership opportunity. For those of you who haven’t heard, let me share an incredible ministry opportunity we have called Children of Hope. Several years ago, Mt Vernon took a mission trip down to the Dominican Republic. While there, our church saw God open a door for us in the Batey (slums) of Baharona. If you don’t know, Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the… Read more

Work Hard

August 29, 2012 By Josh Daffern

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BIG Idea: Work hard at whatever you do. When I landed my first “ministry” job, I had a choice to make. I had just returned from a missionary stint in Africa and got a job as a youth pastor in Mississippi. I was in full-time pursuit of my Master’s degree from seminary. I was engaged to be married to my wife Robin. The pastor at the time told me honestly, “this is a full-time job, but we can only pay… Read more