Missionary Broadcasting.com

A few weeks ago I registered for a Twitter account, mainly so Deborah could keep up with what I was doing throughout the day at the office. Twitter is a microblogging application that asks “what are you doing?”; to which you can reply with a maximum of 140 words. I began posting with a Firefox add-on called TwitterFox. It is a great little program that appears in the bottom right corner of my browser, allowing me to type a quick note  while I work, which posts to my Twitter page immediately.

While I felt these notes might be of interest to those visiting this site, I have had difficulty finding a plugin for WordPress that does an adequate job of displaying them in my sidebar. In my pursuit to find just the right method, I came across an implementation on a tech site I often read called Scobleizer. Prominent blogger Robert Scoble shows all of his latest web activity via a service called FriendFeed. It captures and displays all his new entries in chronological order, whether they are from a blog RSS feed, a Twitter or other microblogging account, a Flickr photo stream, or a myriad of other social networking platforms.

Need a translation for any of this? Just visit our new FriendFeed and you should easily figure out what I am talking about. Here is a list of the various ways you can now stay connected with Missionary Broadcasting.com:

• Subscribe by RSS
• Subscribe by E-mail
• Our Twitter Account
• Our FriendFeed

Hopefully I can get a more Scoble-like sidebar application running within the next few weeks. Right now I have put in a request with our web host to upgrade the software we need to make it happen.

I read two very appropriate articles today that I wanted to pass along. I trust we are remembering the reason this day is celebrated and thanking God for the principles expressed in the following entries:

• Don’t Waste Your Freedom
• The Signers of the Declaration of Independence

The Portland Head Light is a great place to visit if you happen to find yourself in Maine. Some of our favorite pictures were taken at this Cape Elizabeth lighthouse during a deputation visit in 2006. The other day I happened to run across another beautiful series of Portland Head Light photos. Since we have made an image of this lighthouse sort of a theme on our blog, we thought you might like to see them.

I had the privilege of listening to a fantastic sermon by Dr. Charles Phelps this afternoon. Dr. Phelps pastored in New England for many years, and is currently the President of Maranatha Baptist Bible College. This message examines our need for revival, and expresses confidence that revival can indeed come to our nation.

“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” While I understand the tone of this question, in that it displays a lack of trust in God, I can’t help but identify with Moses’ sense of amazement. Who are we to minister for an almighty God? The answer would be no one at all, if it weren’t for our Lord’s propensity for turning nothing into something for His own glory. It seems these sentiments have both a hint of humility and reluctance. Humility in that all Christians feel inadequate to represent Christ, reluctance in that Moses seems less than prepared to obey. As the instructions get more specific in the following verses we see a transition into almost argument with God. It seems Moses let his understanding of human limitations become a justification for faithlessness. This is a common tendency, and it would be wise for us to make ourselves aware of it as we are continually called to greater service for our Savior. We are not naturally inclined to do everything God may ask of us; if fact doing what is easy is usually not part of His plan. Still, we should remind ourselves of His faithfulness and power to equip us for every good work.

“And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.” It is interesting to note that Moses has a conversation (of sorts) with himself about what he is going to do. Whether he was actually speaking out loud is not the relevant point. One way or the other it is clear he makes a conscious decision to turn toward the bush. Another important observation is that God waits for Moses to turn before He speaks. I wonder how often I have noticed a sign sent by God, choosing to press forward instead of adjusting course for a closer look? It is not insignificant that Moses made a choice to leave his “typical” path to hear from God. He displays an effort which results in the reception of God’s calling; just as we must seek – make an effort, with purpose – God’s will in our own lives through diligent Bible study and prayer. Those who make their “own way” in life, oblivious to circumstances and situations God may use to guide us into service for Him make a grave mistake. Our burning bush may not be nearly so obvious, but it will certainly catch our attention. Be preparing yourself to “turn aside, and see this great sight” each and every day.

Tonight I am posting an experimental podcast. It is an “off the cuff” recording based upon a series of lessons God has been teaching me lately. While I had been thinking about posting such material for quite some time, I could never find an opportunity to get a clear, quiet recording in my very busy (and noisy) three-child home. It seems the only free moments in my day recently have been in the car; so I took my favorite portable recorder on an errand tonight and captured the audio below.

Here’s a rundown on the topics we discuss:

• Purpose of my trip. (00:00)
• The difficulty of raising children. (01:58)
• How God uses children to teach us things about Himself. (05:10)
• Dumpster diving. (06:48)
• Military ministry opportunities. (09:07)
• Contentment during small sacrifices. (11:15)
• Off the cuff broadcasting. (15:50)

Download the Off the Cuff MP3

I don’t know if I will ever record a feature like this again - it was an experiment - but I found it just interesting enough to post online. It is extremely impromptu, very roughly recorded and edited (note the cars passing, turning signals, etc.), but it gives you a real-life Harper family update that is purely Alaskan; like us. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.

One note of clarification on the content of the recording: at about 06:10 I say that “God doesn’t work”. I understand the theological problem with this assertion, and only meant that He doesn’t work “in the same manner” we work. More specifically; He is void of all the fatigue and frustration that often comes along with human work.

I was prompted to republish this message because of a series of comments I read relating to an article linked on the Religious Affections Ministries site. I didn’t even listen to the songs mentioned, I just saw the names, remembered their significance, thought of a story, and decided to tell it. This is a related sermon I gave numerous times around the country, and it’s one I listen to again on occasion to refresh my memory about how God has led our family. It is subtitled; My Christian Broadcasting Story. Please play or download What is Best? below.

Download the What is Best? MP3

(This sermon was originally published in the Spring of 2006.)

I have been blogging for nearly three years and have never posted a blogroll. The truth is, I find very few blogs worth reading every day. Many post good articles regularly, but come from a philosophical (or doctrinal) perspective that is “less than the best”. Other fundamentalist blogs tend to ride one particular hobby-horse, or cultivate arguments that are tedious and unhelpful.

Recently, I have developed a short list of feeds that I browse every day, usually finding something fascinating enough to hold my interest.

Audio

• Maranatha Sermon Podcast - Excellent messages from MBBC Chapels
• Sermon Audio - Thousands of Quality Sermons from Around the World

Churches

• Northwest News! - Missionary Church Plant in Northern Ireland
• Vision News - Mission-minded Church in Georgia

Ministry

• Religious Affections - Conservative Perspectives on Church Worship

Missions

• The Gospel in China - Stories of Mission Work in China
• Snode News! - Church Planting in Northern Ireland

News

• Baptist Bulletin - Bi-monthly Magazine from the GARBC

Pastors

• an oxgoad eh? - A BJU Grad Blogs from Canada

Popular

• Sharper Iron - The Top Fundamentalist Blog
• Pulpit Magazine - The Shepherd’s Fellowship Blog

There are interesting stories behind how I found most of the smaller sites, but I won’t take time to relate them here. Obviously I cannot (and do not) endorse every one of them completely, but feel they all have something sane and relevant to say on a regular basis. Visit and let me know what you think.