I latched onto John Piper and his preaching/writing ministry several years ago when I hit a personal crisis that had no quick, airtight solution. Both his approach and convictions stirred something within me and I’ve never been able to get over it. I continue to value his take on a wide range of spiritual/cultural issues, I find his sermons and books to be full of biblically-soaked truth, and he challenges me in virtually every area to live for God’s glory and not my own [a daunting task at which I fail daily!].

But where Piper has probably impacted me the most is how he shares his passion for God/truth with others. Though he holds his core convictions with a death grip, he graciously and patiently engages those who question or outright reject his beliefs in a way that fosters hope over judgment and dialogue over distance. His contention that God is sovereign over all things fuels his bold preaching/writing while providing people ample space to investigate Christ and His demands. I’d call him a compassionate fundamentalist.

Here are a few examples that highlight this…

…in a blogpost called Know a Christian Who Seems to Love Movies More Than Jesus? he writes, “Instead of dampening their enthusiasm for movies, clothing, apps, and events, let that go as an expression of God-given personality. Instead, model expressive joy in Jesus.”

…when a group of hardcore fundamentalists issued a resolution listing their concerns about Piper’s ministry, he responded with a post called Praise God for Fundamentalists and wrote:

“What I want to say about Fundamentalism is that its great gift to the church is precisely the backbone to resist compromise and to make standing for truth and principle a means of love rather than an alternative to it. I am helped by the call for biblical separation, because almost no evangelicals even think about the doctrine.”

…his latest book, Bloodlines, “thoughtfully exposes the unremitting problem of racism. Instead of turning finally to organizations, education, famous personalities, or government programs to address racial strife, Piper reveals the definitive source of hope—teaching how the good news about Jesus Christ actively undermines the sins that feed racial strife, and leads to a many-colored and many-cultured kingdom of God.” You can download a free PDF of the book here.

Like this guy and he will, time and time again, point you toward Someone to love.

Spend 5 minutes with Lou and you’ll quickly appreciate how much there is to looooove about her. She’s witty, caring, funny, kind-hearted, artsy, silly, etc., etc., etc. She strives to keep the peace, will take one [or 10] for the team, and is willing to step out of her ‘safety box’ to try new things or take a risk. Lexie is simply a joy to be around!

I love you Lou!

——-

Here are some pics over the past 12 months that provide a peek into her world…

Crazy hair

Speech contest winner!

Besties!

Rib eater!

Classic Lou!

Zipliner!

Lou and pal Jenna in a serious moment!

Swimsuit model! This one did not make the cut but it was a hilarious option. As her face indicates, Lou’s is obviously comfortable in her own skin!

Chocolate connoisseur!

Gymnast in training!

]]> http://ryanwill21.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/lexie-at-11/feed/ 1 ryanwill21 lou crazy hair lou speech contest Lou and emma Lou rib eater Lou face Lou zipline Lou and Jenna Lou swimsuit Lou strawberry Lou gymnastics http://ryanwill21.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/easy-on-the-lettuce/ http://ryanwill21.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/easy-on-the-lettuce/#comments Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:33:49 +0000 Ryan Williams http://ryanwill21.wordpress.com/?p=2711 ]]> Lexie started a gymnastics class this past Wednesday [more details soon!] so, after watching her get started, Meagan, Katie, and I headed to Panera to grab a quick bite to eat. We all chose the Pick 2 and had a sandwich and a cup of broccoli cheddar soup. To most observers, I’d guess we were an uncomplicated, predictable trio with an uncomplicated, predictable order.

Controversy, however, began swirling when I started prepping my ham and swiss on rye [I ordered it lettuce only] and found this…

That’s the lettuce [actual size] carefully located in the center of the swiss. For whatever reason, the sight of this parsley-sized twig of lettuce made us belly laugh [though inwardly I felt slighted]. I considered my options and decided to plead my case for more of the green stuff with the sandwich maker. He never blinked. He never questioned me. He never doubted my story. He simply made it right.

Just another reason to choose Panera over rival soup and sandwich shops. Get a twig and trade for the full head.

The girl can chew gum and ride the ab coaster!

“…easily train your obliques by simply turning your hips…” @#$%^&?

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Identity confusion is the reason people are able to affirm one thing and do another. And it’s the reason more worldview training on how to think like a Christian doesn’t stop people from wrecking their lives.

Most people don’t “choose” fiery tempers or alcoholic binges or torturing prisoners of war or exploiting Third-World workers or dumping toxic chemicals into their community’s water supply. Most people don’t first conclude that adultery is right and then start fantasizing about their neighbor swinging from a stripper pole. Most people don’t first learn to praise gluttony and then start drizzling bacon grease over their second helping of chicken-fried steak. It happens in reverse.

First, you do what you want to do, even though you “know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die,” and only then do you “give approval to those who practice them” (Rom. 1:32). You start to see yourself as either special or as hopeless, and thus the normal boundaries don’t seem to apply.

It might be that you are involved in certain patterns right now and that you would, if asked, be able to tell me exactly why they are morally and ethically wrong. It’s not that you are deficient in the cognitive ability to diagnose the situation. It’s instead that you slowly grow to believe that your situation is exceptional (“I am a god”), and then you find all kinds of reasons why this technically isn’t theft or envy or hatred or fornication or abuse of power or whatever (“I am able to discern good and evil”). Or you believe you are powerless before what you want (“I am an animal”) and can therefore escape accountability (“I will not surely die”). You’ve forgotten who you are. You are a creature. You are also a king or a queen. You are not a beast, and you are not a god. That issue is where temptation begins.

♦ Moore, Russell D. (2011). Tempted and Tried: Temptation and the Triumph of Christ (pages 36-37). Good News Publishers/Crossway Books. Kindle Edition.

Sisterly chefs

This was our first attempt at extreme pancakes…a monkey incognito? Bear? Any ideas?

This reminded of the YouTube hit below from a Miss Teen contest several years ago…an oldie but a priceless goodie. Enjoy!