Dave Kraft recently wrote about Dawson Trotman's conversion at The Resurgence (Mark Driscoll's ministry):

Dawson Trotman, the founder of the Navigators, was deeply impacted by the memorized Word of God. Dawson spent his growing-up years in Lomita, California, a short drive from LA. He worked in a lumberyard and, prior to meeting Christ, lived for self and pleasure. (Read the whole thing)

We agree with John Piper's reasons given recently for his church:

1. The impulse to avoid painful growth by disappearing safely into the crowd in corporate worship is very strong.
2. The tendency toward passivity in listening to a sermon is part of our human weakness.
3. Listeners in a big group can more easily evade redemptive crises. If tears well up in your eyes in a small group, wise friends will gently find out why. But in a large gathering, you can just walk away from it.
4. Listeners in a large group tend to neglect efforts of personal application. The sermon may touch a nerve of conviction, but without someone to press in, it can easily be avoided.
5. Opportunity for questions leading to growth is missing. Sermons are not dialogue. Nor should they be. But asking questions is a key to understanding and growth. Small groups are great occasions for this.
6. Accountability for follow-through on good resolves is missing. But if someone knows what you intended to do, the resolve is stronger.
7. Prayer support for a specific need or conviction or resolve goes wanting. O how many blessings we do not have because we are not surrounded by a band of friends who pray for us.

Contact Ernie with registration questions via email  @ ernieha@charter.net

Most people who were alive during the 1980's and 1990's are familiar with the popular advertising phrase "I wanna be like Mike." The slogan referred to Michael Jordan, arguably the best basketball player ever--and many people did want to be like him.

Recently Michael Jordan was inducted to the NBA Hall of Fame, as was David Robinson. Both men were great athletes who deserved the honor. However,  Robinson shows us how to magnify Christ and remain humble in our achievements, while Jordan shows us that we really never wanted to be like him anyway.

Read Voddie Baucham's wise comparison for a believer's perspective. Read ESPN analyst Rick Reilly's article for the secular take.

(HT: Justin Taylor)