justindetmers.com

Some quick thoughts that came from a February XXX Church article about John Mayer’s interview in Playboy magazine:
On one hand, the piece deeply saddened me. A talented guy oriented in such a way that may permanently damage his ability to have a committed relationship, not to mention participating in and perpetuating a dark and objectifying system - that sucks. Yet I love his honestly, it’s gutsy to be that real. And what’s more, I was actually encouraged. If you can read between the lines, you’ll catch an accidental/subtle insight that lust will ultimately isolate and leave it’s patrons discontented. Word.

Here’s an excerpt:

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1 Timothy 1: 15-17

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

- Paul, The Apostle

Well, if you have to put up with winter and snow, you might as well do something morbid with it:

The Tub Is A Sink from Justin Detmers on Vimeo.

- AND - A recent photo courtesy of Mikenna White Photography. 14 weeks, squealing, squawking, and healthy.

In the time of my confession, in the hour of my deepest need
When the pool of tears beneath my feet flood every newborn seed
There’s a dying voice within me reaching out somewhere
Toiling in the danger and in the morals of despair.

Don’t have the inclination to look back on any mistake
Like Cain, I now behold this chain of events that I must break
In the fury of the moment I can see the master’s hand
In every leaf that trembles, in every grain of sand.

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Those who think it is permissible to tell white lies soon grow color-blind. ~Austin O’Malley

A half truth is a whole lie. ~Yiddish Proverb

If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything. ~Mark Twain

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[You may say,]“Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be mastered by anything. ” …  The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

- St. Paul

If we name Jesus and claim to understand His Gospel, we must acknowledge that His gracious and sinless blood was not shed to give us a license to be selfish and live without self-control. Our lives tell God, “This is how much I love You.” Our lives also give others a picture of God, regardless of how well we are representing Him.

Oh, may we live new lives that are for His glory and pleasure (which oddly produces the most possible joy for us in the process). May we not take lightly or ignore the one called King, Lord, Almighty, Alpha & Omega, Savior, Holy, Master, & Redeemer. May we imitate, not frustrate the One who was pierced for our transgressions. May we trust His way is actually better than ours.

Amen.

Jon Hamm is a serious and dignified man. That is why I love this:

Tonight on ESPN; I’m not a gracious winner.

VERSUS

Very cool news from the fellas themselves:

Mark your calendars now…
This Saturday, January 23, we are performing on the longest-running music series in American television history, Austin City Limits!

To get you all ready for the big show:
You can read our program preview, set list, and a have a look at photos from our recording now on austincitylimits.com.

ACL is also featuring a clip of our “I and Love and You” performance, which you can watch here!

Austin City Limits airs on PBS: check here for your local listing.

Can’t wait for you to see it!

Best,
The Avett Brothers

*Disclaimer - A man wiser than myself has said that people should think about the word “heretic” like they would the word “rape.” Heresy is a such a serious claim that it must only used when it has to be. I concur and I squirm in the presence of excessive suspicion and those who want to split hairs.

But, because I hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that I can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it (Titus 1:9); I must be the provocateur, faithful to my theological & intellectual commitments. Thus, from my historical examination, I do not see King as a faithful steward of the Gospel of the risen God-man Jesus Christ, who is to get primacy and priority in everything. Further, I wonder if King could be called a Christian, as far as historical orthodoxy is concerned.

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This is the first of 2 posts on MLK, simply highlighting a few of his provocative quotes. I have great respect for the bravery, truth, and boldness King demonstrated as a leader - I would have loved to have marched or have done a sit-in with him. Yet, the next post (which should happen by tomorrow) will take a critical look at his theology; if you want to hear (read) me scrutinize an icon, stay tuned. In the meantime, the Social Studies teacher in me can’t resist presenting you with these:

1 - “If a man hasn’t discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.”

2 - “…power without love is reckless and abusive and…love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice.”

3 - “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defence than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.”

4 - “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

5 - “It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that’s pretty important.”

6 - “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

7 - “Most people…are thermometers that record or register the temperature of the majority’s opinion, not thermostats that transform or regulate the temperature of society.”

8 - “The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.”

9 - “The profit motive, when it is the sole basis of an economic system, encourages a cutthroat competition and selfish ambition that inspires men to be more concerned about making a living than making a life.”

10 - “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

Since 8 weeks old, Violet has been seriously paying attention to and enjoying her books; thank all of you who bought her one! We have enjoyed the literature, which has focused on things like the color of certain objects, the noises animals make, and counting. My baby knows fire trucks are red and that doggies say, “woof!” Awesome.

As far as literacy goes, we’re off to a good start indeed! Yet, my goal is to move her on to refereed scientific journals & existential philosophy by her second birthday…there’s nothing cuter than a toddler quoting Nietzsche!

“The gospel of justifying faith means that while Christians are, in themselves still sinful and sinning, yet in Christ, in God’s sight, they are accepted and righteous. So we can say that we are more wicked than we ever dared believe, but more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope — at the very same time. This creates a radical new dynamic for personal growth. It means that the more you see your own flaws and sins, the more precious, electrifying, and amazing God’s grace appears to you. But on the other hand, the more aware you are of God’s grace and acceptance in Christ, the more able you are to drop your denials and self-defenses and admit the true dimensions and character of your sin.”

— Tim Keller