I've been sick as a space dog...which is really sick.

I'll resume posting on the Lord's Prayer as soon as I can, but this past week was supposed to include preparation time for my new job as a math teacher next week. But alas, my illness has been utterly debilitating. I am back to about 60% though.

One more thought. Every hip (mega church/obsessive about being reformed/in your face discontented) pastor wannabe that cites Charles Spurgeon as an historical example of what he is trying to accomplish, take note. You should actually try to imitate the man's example. If you do your own thing and claim Spurgeon's pedigree while really coveting his results, you'll fail to do what he did.

The man read a mountain of books a day.
He prayed often.
He did not quit serving other people even in the face of severe physical trauma.
He himself recommended not trying to accomplish in a year what twenty years of work in one place is meant to accomplish. (like becoming a leader in a church and ousting a bunch of people for not being like you, even though they paid your salary)
He learned Greek and Hebrew.
He met with people regularly...even non-staff members.
He cared about the poor, the drug addicted, and the mistreated.(and did things about it..personally, not through "ministries")
He invested in young men and trained them to fulfill the great commission with the gifts of teaching and pastoring, without enlisting them into his own employment.
He put effort into teaching the entire church where he was preaching how to evangelize (make disciples).

Why I still love John Piper

Because he really wants people to understand the Bible as an inspired witness to Jesus Christ. See here.