May the Truth Set us Free

Hooray, I'm Fat!

2011-02-24T20:38:00.000-05:00

I am no longer "obese" - but simply "overweight" - according to BMI calculations.

It's been 2 1/2 years since I was last "overweight."

Two months of consistent exercise and healthy diet. God has been incredibly gracious in helping me stick to this - surrounded by great accountability partners (including my wife & kids, and some friends).

I think I'll go celebrate with a bowl of ice cream...or maybe instead I'll go play with my kids.

Charles Spurgeon Speaks Truth - Again

2011-01-31T09:00:00.002-05:00

"The Lord our Righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:6).

It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and peace, to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to be. I do not think they would if they could always see their perfection in Christ. There are some who are always talking about corruption, and the depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of the soul. This is quite true, but why not go a little further, and remember that we are "perfect in Christ Jesus." It is no wonder that those who are dwelling upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks; but surely if we call to mind that "Christ is made unto us righteousness," we shall be of good cheer. What though distresses afflict me, though Satan assault me, though there may be many things to be experienced before I get to heaven, those are done for me in the covenant of divine grace; there is nothing wanting in my Lord, Christ hath done it all. On the cross he said, "It is finished!" and if it be finished, then am I complete in him, and can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, "Not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." You will not find on this side heaven a holier people than those who receive into their hearts the doctrine of Christ’s righteousness. When the believer says, "I live on Christ alone; I rest on him solely for salvation; and I believe that, however unworthy, I am still saved in Jesus;" then there rises up as a motive of gratitude this thought-"Shall I not live to Christ? Shall I not love him and serve him, seeing that I am saved by his merits?" "The love of Christ constraineth us," "that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them." If saved by imputed righteousness, we shall greatly value imparted righteousness.

Charles Spurgeon Morning & Evening Devotional (Morning - January 31).

First Catechism #71-73 [November]

2010-11-09T15:13:00.002-05:00

First Catechism #61-70 [October]

2010-09-30T16:35:00.003-04:00

Here are Q&A #61-70 of the First Catechism, published by Great Commission Publishing. We have catechism booklets available for our church's families. Talk with Pastor Dan, or the church office, to get your ccopy. Here are the questions for October [September #55-60; August #43-54; July #35-42; June #25-34; May #14-24; April #1-13].

October 10
Q.61 - What does it mean to believe in Christ?
A. To trust in Christ alone for my salvation.

Q.62 - Can you repent and believe in Christ by your own power?
A. No. I cannot repent and believe unless the Holy Spirit changes my heart.

Q.63 - How can you get the help of the Holy Spirit?
A. God has told us to pray for the Holy Spirit's help.

October 17
Q.64 - How long ago did Christ die?
A. About two thousand years ago.

Q. 65 - How were sinners saved before Christ came?
A. By believing in the promised Messiah.

October 24
Q.66 - Before Christ came, how did believers show their faith?
A. By offering the sacrifices God required.

Q.67 - What did these sacrifices represent?
A. Christ, the Lamb of God, who would come to die for sinners.

October 31
Q.68 - How many offices does Christ fulfill as the promised Messiah?
A. Christ fulfills three offices.

Q.69 - What are they?
A. The offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king.

Q.70 - How is Christ your prophet?
A. Christ teaches me the will of God.

First Catechism #55-60 [September]

2010-08-31T15:49:00.002-04:00

Here are Q&A #55-60 of the First Catechism, published by Great Commission Publishing. We have catechism booklets available for our church's families. Talk with Pastor Dan, or the church office, to get your ccopy. Here are the questions for September [August #43-54; July #35-42; June #25-34; May #14-24; April #1-13].

September 12
Q.55 - What does God the Father guarantee in the covenant of grace?
A. To justify and sanctify all those for whom Christ died.

September 19
Q.56 - How does God justify you?
A. God forgives all my sins and accepts me as righteous through Christ.

September 26
Q.57 - How does God sanctify you?
A. God makes me more and more holy in heart and conduct.

Q.58 - What must you do to be saved?
A. I must repent of my sin and believe in Christ as my Savior.

Q.59 - How do you repent of your sin?
A. I must be sorry for my sin, and hate and forsake it.

Q.60 - Why must you hate and forsake your sin?
A. Because sin displeases God.

First Catechism #43-54 [August]

2010-08-08T07:48:00.002-04:00

Here are Q&A #43-56 of the First Catechism, published by Great Commission Publishing. We have catechism booklets available for our church's families. Talk with Pastor Dan, or the church office, to get your copy. Here are the questions for August [July #35-42; June #25-34; May #14-24; April #1-13].

August 8
Q.43 - Can anyone be saved through the covenant of life?
A. No. No one can be saved through the covenant of life.

Q.44 - Why can't anyone be saved through the covenant of life?
A. Because all have broken it and are condemned by it.

Q.45 - How did you break the covenant of life?
A. Adam represented all people, and so I fell with Adam in his first sin.

Q.46 - How, then, can you be saved?
A. By the Lord Jesus Christ through the covenant of grace.

August 15
Q.47 - Whom did Christ represent in the covenant of grace?
A. His elect people.

Q.48 - How did Christ fulfill the covenant of grace?
A. Christ obeyed the whole law for his people, and then suffered the punishment due for their sins.

Q.49 - Did Jesus ever sin?
A. No. He lived a sinless life.

August 22
Q.50 - How could Christ suffer?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became a man so that he could obey and suffer in our place.

Q.51 - For whom did Christ obey and suffer?
A. For all whom God the Father gave to Christ.

Q.52 - What kind of life did Christ live on earth?
A. A life of obedience, service and suffering.

Q.53 - What kind of death did Jesus die?
A. The painful and shameful death of the cross.

August 29
Q.54 - What is meant by atonement?
A. Christ satisfied God's justice by his suffering and death as a substitute for sinners.

Declaration of Dependence/Independence

2010-07-05T11:36:00.002-04:00

Echoing my sermon yesterday on the "Declaration of Dependence" from Mark 8:27-30, here is Mike Milton on the "True Believer's Declaration of Independence."

First Catechism #35-42 [July]

2010-07-04T07:32:00.006-04:00

Here are Q&A #35-42 of the First Catechism, published by Great Commission Publishing. We have catechism booklets available for our church families. Talk with Pastor Dan, or the church office, to get your copy. Here are the questions for July. [June #25-34; May #14-24; April #1-13].

July 11

Q.35 - How did Adam and Eve change when they sinned?

A. Instead of being holy and happy, they became sinful and miserable.

Q.36 - Did Adam act for himself alone in the covenant of life?

A. No. He represented the whole human race.

July 18

Q.37 - What effect did the sin of Adam have on you and all people?

A. We are all born guilty and sinful.

Q.38 - How sinful are you by nature?

A. I am corrupt in every part of my being.

Q.39 - What is the sinful nature that we inherit from Adam called?

A. Original Sin.

July 25

Q.40 - Can anyone go to heaven with this sinful nature?

A. No. Our hearts must be changed before we can believe in Jesus and go to heaven.

Q.41 - What is this change of heart called?

A. The new birth, or regeneration.

Q.42 - Who can change a sinner's heart?

A. The Holy Spirit alone.

The Five Vows of Church Membership

2010-05-26T10:35:00.002-04:00

The Book of Church Order [BCO] of the Presbyterian Church in America [PCA] gives us these "5 Vows for Church Membership."

(1) Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in His sovereign mercy?

(2) Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you recieve and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?

(3) Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ?

(4) Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?

(5) Do you submit yourselves to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace?

First Catechism #25-34 [June]

2010-05-26T10:22:00.002-04:00

Here are Q&A #25-34 of the First Catechism, published by Great Commission Publishing. We have catechism booklets available for our church families. Talk with Pastor Dan, or the church office, to get a copy. Here are the questions for June. [April #1-13; May #14-24]

June 13
Q.25 In the covenant of life, what did God require Adam to do?
A. To obey God perfectly.

Q.26 What did God promise in the covenant of life?
A. To reward Adam with life if he obeyed God perfectly.

Q.27 What did God threaten in the covenant of life?
A. To punish Adam with death if he disobyed God.

June 20
Q.28 Did Adam keep the covenant of life?
A. No. He sinned against God.

Q.29 What is sin?
A. Sin is any lack of conformity to, or transgression of, the law of God.

Q.30 What is meant by lack of conformity?
A. Not being or doing what God requires.

Q.31 What is meant by transgression?
A. Doing what God forbids.

June 27
Q.32 What does every sin deserve?
A. The wrath and curse of God.

Q.33 What was the sin of our first parents?
A. Eating the forbidden fruit.

Q.34 Who tempted Adam and Eve to this sin?
A. Satan tempted Eve first, and then he used her to tempt Adam.

First Catechism #14-24 [May]

2010-05-13T11:16:00.002-04:00

Here are Q&A #14-24 of the First Catechism, published by Great Commission Publishing. We have the catechism booklets available for our church families. Talk with Pastor Dan, or the church office, to get a copy. Here are the questions for May. Click here for the questions for April.

May 9
Q.14 Where do you learn how to love and obey God?
A. In the Bible alone.

Q.15 Who wrote the Bible?
A. Chosen men who were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

May 16
Q.16 Who were our first parents?
A. Adam and Eve.

Q.17 How did God create man?
A. God created man, male and female, after his own image.

Q.18 Of what were our first parents made?
A. God made Adam's body out of the ground and Eve's body out of a rib from Adam.

May 23
Q.19 What else did God give Adam and Eve besides bodies?
A. He gave them souls that will last forever.

Q.20 Do you have a soul as well as a body?
A. Yes. And my soul is going to last forever.

Q.21 How do you know your soul will last forever?
A. Because the Bible tells me so.

May 30
Q.22 In what condition did God make Adam and Eve?
A. He made them holy and happy.

Q.23 What covenant did God make with Adam?
A. The covenant of life.

Q.24 What is a covenant?
A. A relationship that God establishes with us and guarantees by his word.

First Catechism #1-13 [April]

2010-05-13T11:01:00.004-04:00

Here are Q&A #1-13 of the First Catechism published by Great Commission Publishing. We have the catechism booklets available for our church families. Talk with Pastor Dan, or the church office, to get a copy. Here are the questions for April.

April 11
Q.1 Who made you?
A. God.

Q.2 What else did God make?
A. God made all things.

Q.3 Why did God make you and all things?
A. For his own glory.

Q.4 How can you glorify God?
A. By loving him and doing what he commands.

Q.5 Why are you to glorify God?
A. Because he made me and takes care of me.

April 18
Q.6 Is there more than one true God?
A. No. There is only one true God.

Q.7 In how many Persons does this one God exist.
A. In three Persons.

Q.8 Name these three persons
A. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Q.9 What is God?
A. God is a Spirit and does not have a body like men.

April 25
Q.10 Where is God?
A. God is everywhere.

Q.11 Can you see God?
A. No, I cannot see God, but he always sees me.

Q.12 Does God know all things?
A. Yes. Nothing can be hidden from God.

Q.13 Can God do all things?
A. Yes. God can do all his holy will.

Sovereign Grace Sale

2010-02-01T15:30:00.001-05:00

Sovereign Grace Ministries is having an awesome sale through February on their books and music. Great stuff.

Hope for the Depressed

2010-01-27T19:38:00.000-05:00

Great article by Ed Welch

Coca-Cola Happiness Machine

2010-01-21T21:08:00.002-05:00

A Coca-Cola vending machine is transformed into a happiness machine delivering "doses" of happiness. Where will happiness strike next?

CCEF Free Shipping in January

2010-01-05T14:30:00.002-05:00

The books and resources of the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation [CCEF] are being offered with free shipping through January 31.

RTS on iTunes

2009-12-23T09:29:00.001-05:00

If you haven't found this yet, you should. Great stuff - I can't believe you can get it all for free.

Family Feuds

2009-12-10T10:33:00.002-05:00

Tim Lane (of CCEF) has an excellent article on how to love your extended family - incredibly helpful as Christmas approaches, and lots of family gatherings.

Why Read the Puritans Today

2009-11-13T19:25:00.002-05:00

I love this article written by Don Kistler.

CCEF Library of Classics - 52% off

2009-11-05T17:29:00.002-05:00

CCEF is offering these 13 great books together for $99 this week only.

The Psalms 33% Off

2009-10-15T16:14:00.002-04:00

The Psalms CD by Sovereign Grace is outstanding. In fact, Worship Leader Magazine just named it one of the "best of the best" for 2009. To celebrate, Sovereign Grace is offering the CD for just $8 and the download is just $6.

"Psalms contains twelve songs echoing the passion, prayers, and praises of the psalmists." You can download the song "Praise the Lord" for free here.

How to Defeat Calvinism

2009-09-22T17:26:00.001-04:00

"Are you sick of Calvinism creeping into our orthodox 21st century, contemporary, modern Christian church? Here are some various tips and propaganda useful to destroy the satanic lie of sovereign grace (Calvinism)"

The New Calvinism

2009-09-19T14:31:00.002-04:00

Time Magazine doesn't quite understand it (the mis-representations are interesting to read), but at least they understand that it should be noticed.

NFL Players Mentor Detroit Lions

2009-09-17T10:26:00.002-04:00

From Onion News - crack me up.

NPFT - What is Theology

2009-08-25T11:04:00.002-04:00

After a two chapter "prologue," chapter 3 of David Wells' No Place for Truth begins a three chapter look at "three aspects of faith that is in process of being shorn of its theology" (p.96).

In this chapter (entitled "Things Fall Apart"), Wells looks at how "Theology Disappears" by asking the important question, "What is theology?"

Working through this question with Wells is helping me as I prepare to teach a fall Sunday School class on the Westminster Confession. It is not my desire simply to teach what the Confession says, but to put feet on it - how does the Westminster Confession apply to our lives personally, and corporately.

The "three essential aspects" of theology, discussed by Wells (pp.98-100), is extremely helpful. (1) The Confessional Element - the stating of what we believe, emphasized during ages of heresy or schism); (2) Reflection on this Confession - understanding why we believe what we believe, emphasized during ages of social turmoil or ideological hostility; (3) The Cultivation of Virtues Grounded in the First Two Elements - developing a wisdom for life, emphasized during ages of confessional orthodoxy.

It is this third element - purposefully connecting it to the first two elements - that I am seeking for us to do in the Sunday School class. Pastoring in a church which is confessionally orthodox (though, of course, not perfectly) makes this possible. In other churches, understanding what we believe and why, becomes more of a focal point.

Modernity has meant that in academic circles, which eventually affects the church, the confessional element is lost; which then changes the course of the reflective element and the virtue element.

We now have the therapeutic gospel (read this outstanding article by David Powlison) and psychologized preaching in churches, which makes the Christian faith more about the self than about God.

The church is in danger oof embracing "this culture's two most admired types, the manager and the psychologist" (p. 101). Is this not reflected in the hiring of an "Executive Pastor" and a "Shepherding Pastor" I wonder?

This Shepherding Pastor is being careful not just to encourage refelction on self; but in encouraging and equipping for the "hard work of relating the truth of God's Word to the processes of modern life." The Christian Counseling and Education Foundation has been incredibly helpful in this (I plan to take another CCEF class starting in October).

We must not have simple reflection in the academy (without confession and virtue); and practice in the church (without confession and reflection). This chapter (and this fall's Sunday School class) will address this.

NPFT - World Cliche Culture

2009-08-19T18:43:00.005-04:00

David Wells' No Place for Truth: Or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology takes us chest deep into the waters of modernity with its impact on the church and the living out of our Christian faith.

The first two chapters form a "Prologue" to the book: If Chapter 1 made me wonder how people who grew up in different places (big city or small town) understood the chapter, then chapter 2 makes me wonder how people read it having grown up in different generations.

The oldest living generation, who were children during the depression and the World Wars, experienced some of the earliest manifiestations of modernity. The earlier Industrial Revolution and Scientific Revolution was now making an impact on the culture.

Wells speaks of an "historical divide" that has taken place: "On the other side of the divide (the 'Age of the West'), Judeo-Christian values were central to Western culture, even if they were not always believed personally. On our side of the divide ('Our Time'), such values have been dislodged and replaced with a loose set of psychological attitudes that we now know as modernity" [p.54].

There is much talk, today, about the "Judeo-Christian" values that were foundational to the forming of the United States of America. Many have experienced the crossing over of this historical divide at different places in their life journey.

Those who have lived longer and say they lived "back in the day when Judeo-Christian values were still national values" must also admit they have lived longer with the values of modernity. The younger generations have lived, with increasing exclusivity, in the modern age.

In fact, what I have always viewed as "post-modern" Wells has helped me to see as simply being thoroughly modern: "They are post-modern in the sense that they are often disillusioned with the emptiness of the old Enlightenment ideals, but they are entirely modern in that they they reflect the values of the impersonal processes of modernization" [p.61]. Wells wonderfully fleshes out this statement in pp.62-66 in psychology, medicine, architecture, arts, literature, philosophy, and theology.

I am an optimistic person. Is the glass half-full or half empty? I say it's half-full and there's more in the fridge. I do not say this naively; in fact, I am more of a pessimist with regards to the insight at the bottom of p.67.

I'm sure this will be exposed more in the chapters to come.

NPFT - A Delicious Paradise Lost

2009-08-12T20:48:00.002-04:00

Were you born and raised in a small town or a big city? That will affect how you read chapter 1 of David Wells book No Place for Truth: or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology.

I was raised in the suburbs north of Detroit during a period of incredible growth; but for the past 12 years I have lived in rural communities in western Pennsylvania. This, along with my sociology background, and a genuine love for people, makes this a most interesting chapter to read.

Lovers of history - especially early American History - may also enjoy the reading at a superficial level; but the true pleasure comes in reading the story behind the story.

Wells takes us into the life of an imaginary woman (the "True Woman") in small-town Wenham, Massachusetts, in the mid 19th century - imagining what her life may have been like; and then considers the changes to the modern woman (the "New Woman"). The implications on the feminist movement alone would make for interesting conversation.

Yet Wells wants us to consider this not just on the secular level, but at the spiritual level.

The key sentence(s), for me, in this chapter says, "Perhaps when our Whenham townswoman (the "True Woman") became depressed she would have gone into the church to pray; her counterpart today (the "New Woman") would probably go to the mall to shop. Therein lies the difference between these two worlds, worlds that are so close in time but so far in mentality" (p.46).

More Biblical than the Bible

2009-08-11T12:28:00.001-04:00

An interesting post from Trevin Wax who writes

In recent years, I have noticed a tendency in some Reformed circles for Calvinists to bristle at the very mention of Jesus dying for the sins of the world or at an evangelist’s call to choose Christ. Other Calvinists can’t stomach the song, “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” After all, they might say, doesn’t this type of language mislead people into thinking they can decide for Christ apart from the Holy Spirit?
I recommend that Calvinists and non-Calvinists alike follow the example of John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon and others in not refraining from using biblical language when speaking of these matters.

Justin Taylor adds a helpful thought.

NPFT - Introduction

2009-08-10T15:43:00.004-04:00

On Sunday - September 13, 2009 - our church's Theological Book Club will be discussing David Wells' No Place for Truth (You can buy it here or here). I will blog my reading of the book between now and then.

Subtitled "Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology" No Place for Truth asks an intensely practical question disguised as a theoretical question. In truth, it is not the question, but the church that has been in disguise.

Theology is not theoretical, but practically answers our "What does the Bible say about" questions. Unfortunately, the Christian Church is filled with believers who are practical atheists - professing belief, but not living it out. David Wells shows us why this is the case; and shows us the wonder of reuniting profession and practice.

In the words of the Introduction (pp. 1-14) Wells vividly describes the day he decided to write the book (revealing the relevancy of theology to life). He gives some inital insight into the role of modernity in the church's loss of theological literacy affecting real life.

In these first couple of pages, already, I have found great conviction and comfort in realizing how the modern world continually pulls me away from the eternal truths revealed in God's Word, and the invitation to engage in theology by which the Lord draws us near.

The "central purpose" of No Place for Truth "is to explore why it is that theology is disappearing" (p.12). May we - sooner than later - recover the church as "The Place for the Truth which Sets us Free."

Fear of Man

2009-08-05T09:37:00.002-04:00

Chris Brauns on the fear of man

(Thanks Matt for finding this one).

The link at the bottom of the article to Brian Regan's "Me-Monster and Walking on the Moon" is a must see (warning: you will laugh out loud).

Does the Shoe Fit?

2009-07-29T00:30:00.003-04:00

David Powlison & CCEF have now put the full article on-line.

The Next Book I Plan to Buy

2009-07-20T12:32:00.003-04:00

Here's the next book I plan to buy, but a number of books ahead of it that I need to read.

Powlison: "Fair-minded Criticism Is One of Life’s Best Pleasures"

2009-07-16T10:41:00.001-04:00

Justin Taylor posts a portion of this excellent article by David Powlison.

NOTE: The full article is now available on-line. Thanks David Powlison and CCEF.

Praying for your Pastors

2009-07-07T16:27:00.001-04:00

This Morning's Devotion from Charles Spurgeon's Morning & Evening Devotions

“Brethren, pray for us.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:25

This one morning in the year we reserved to refresh the reader’s memory upon the subject of prayer for ministers, and we do most earnestly implore every Christian household to grant the fervent request of the text first uttered by an apostle and now repeated by us. Brethren, our work is solemnly momentous, involving weal or woe to thousands; we treat with souls for God on eternal business, and our word is either a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death. A very heavy responsibility rests upon us, and it will be no small mercy if at the last we be found clear of the blood of all men. As officers in Christ’s army, we are the especial mark of the enmity of men and devils; they watch for our halting, and labour to take us by the heels. Our sacred calling involves us in temptations from which you are exempt, above all it too often draws us away from our personal enjoyment of truth into a ministerial and official consideration of it. We meet with many knotty cases, and our wits are at a non plus; we observe very sad backslidings, and our hearts are wounded; we see millions perishing, and our spirits sink. We wish to profit you by our preaching; we desire to be blest to your children; we long to be useful both to saints and sinners; therefore, dear friends, intercede for us with our God. Miserable men are we if we miss the aid of your prayers, but happy are we if we live in your supplications. You do not look to us but to our Master for spiritual blessings, and yet how many times has He given those blessings through His ministers; ask then, again and again, that we may be the earthen vessels into which the Lord may put the treasure of the gospel. We, the whole company of missionaries, ministers, city missionaries, and students, do in the name of Jesus beseech you
“BRETHREN, PRAY FOR US.”

Calvinist at an Arminian Church

2009-04-28T11:48:00.002-04:00

An interesting post from C. Michael Patton about why he, a Calvinist, goes to an Arminian church.

The comments are as interesting to me as the blog post itself.

6 Biblical Guidelines for Loving Each Other Amid Differences

2009-04-16T12:03:00.002-04:00

From John Piper

(1) Let’s avoid gossiping.

(2) Let’s identify evidences of grace in each other and speak them to each other and about each other.

(3) Let’s speak criticism directly to each other if we feel the need to speak to others about it.

(4) Let’s look for, and assume, the best motive in the other’s viewpoint, especially when we disagree.

(5) Think often of the magnificent things we hold in common.

(6)Let’s be more amazed that we are forgiven than that we are right. And in that way, let’s shape our relationships by the gospel.

Read the whole thing.

What Do You Believe?

2009-04-14T14:28:00.002-04:00

For the longest time I have been wanting to read all the way through David F. Wells' book No Place for Truth: Or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology. It comes highly recommended, and having read the first 100 pages of the book ("The Prologue") - twice - I can see why.

I just re-read the Introduction again (for the 3rd time) - and plan to scan the first 100 pages, so that I can move on to the main part of the book.

In the introduction, Wells rightly observes, "When we believe in nothing, we open the doors to believe anything."

What an apt description of the world, and the church! Whether it is a result of ignorance and/or apathy (and/or a host of other factors) - refusing to think about what we believe, and why we believe it, is the slippery slope to the rampant individualism we see today.

Doing theology is a practical, profitable and joyful exercise.

Thanks, Matt, for getting me going on this again.

Shootout Goal for Hockey Fans & non-Hockey Fans

2009-04-08T13:05:00.001-04:00

Goalie turned into Swiss cheese.

50 x 4 = 3

2009-04-05T17:27:00.002-04:00

The Red Wings became just the 3rd team in NHL history to win 50 games in 4 consecutive seasons - joining the 1971-74 Boston Bruins and the 1976-79 Montreal Canadians.

Charge to the Pastor

2009-03-28T09:25:00.002-04:00

My dear friend Bill Kriner issued the "Charge to the Pastor" at my Installation Service. He blogged the four parts of the charge:

(1) Pastoral Principles: Humility & Tears
(2) Pastoral Principles: Repentance & Faith
(3) Pastoral Principles: A Life Testifying to God
(4) Pastoral Principles: Declare the Whole Counsel of God

By God's grace may I follow these pastoral principles (the 3x5 card with these principles listed sits on my desk leaning against the rock from Lystra).

God in a Bod

2009-03-10T12:18:00.002-04:00

Check here for sermon text and audio. Our webmaster has been doing a great job revamping the church's website. He is in the midst of retooling the sermon page so that the sermon text and audio will be available together.

This past Sunday's Sermon was on 1 John 1:1-4 (God in a Bod) and begins a 10-part series on 1 John.

The next two Sundays will feature Dr. Jack White - former President of Geneva College and our guest speaker for this weekend's Mission Festival; and then Walt Coppersmith who is the candidate to serve as our Executive Pastor.

I'll be back in the pulpit on March 29 preaching 1 John 1:5-11.

I Have Moved - Praise the Lord

2009-03-05T10:46:00.002-05:00

As a pastor, no longer in the PC(USA), I no longer have to deal with this.

Instead, as a pastor in the PCA I am finding great joy in the genuine Christian fellowship now surrounding me. My devotions, this morning, from Charles Spurgeon brought me great joy, because of where the Lord has placed me:

“Let us not sleep, as do others.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

There are many ways of promoting Christian wakefulness. Among the rest, let me strongly advise Christians to converse together concerning the ways of the Lord. Christian and Hopeful, as they journeyed towards the Celestial City, said to themselves, “To prevent drowsiness in this place, let us fall into good discourse.” Christian enquired, “Brother, where shall we begin?” And Hopeful answered, “Where God began with us.” Then Christian sang this song-
“When saints do sleepy grow, let them come hither,
And hear how these two pilgrims talk together;
Yea, let them learn of them, in any wise,
Thus to keep open their drowsy slumb’ring eyes.
Saints’ fellowship, if it be managed well,
Keeps them awake, and that in spite of hell.”

Christians who isolate themselves and walk alone, are very liable to grow drowsy. Hold Christian company, and you will be kept wakeful by it, and refreshed and encouraged to make quicker progress in the road to heaven. But as you thus take “sweet counsel” with others in the ways of God, take care that the theme of your converse is the Lord Jesus. Let the eye of faith be constantly looking unto him; let your heart be full of him; let your lips speak of his worth. Friend, live near to the cross, and thou wilt not sleep. Labour to impress thyself with a deep sense of the value of the place to which thou art going. If thou rememberest that thou art going to heaven, thou wilt not sleep on the road. If thou thinkest that hell is behind thee, and the devil pursuing thee, thou wilt not loiter. Would the manslayer sleep with the avenger of blood behind him, and the city of refuge before him? Christian, wilt thou sleep whilst the pearly gates are open-the songs of angels waiting for thee to join them-a crown of gold ready for thy brow? Ah! no; in holy fellowship continue to watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.

Keeping Watch

2009-02-01T20:09:00.001-05:00

Link to sermon on Acts 20:27-32.

Link to sermon audio.

Christian Football

2009-01-16T12:27:00.001-05:00

Grapevine Faith High School, of Grapevine, TX, surprised Gainesville State in the “oddest game in high school football history.” You decide who won. Read more here.

Moving to Butler

2009-01-15T12:05:00.003-05:00

For quite some time my wife & I have been discerning the Lord's leading of us out of the mainline Presbyterian Church.

I have received a call to Pastor the Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Butler, PA.

We are extremely excited - particularly by the Lord's clear call and provision. We anticipate beginning our ministry with Westminster on March 1.

I Finished Yet Another Book

2008-12-13T10:30:00.003-05:00

Actually I have finished two books in the past two days.

Two days ago I finished Snickers from the Front Pew: Confessions from Two Preacher's Kids. My wife found this book on the shelf at the local goodwill; and splurged the 50 cents to buy it for me.

The Hafer brothers (Todd & Jedd) have a great sense of humor, and I'm sure they would be fun guys to hang out with; but the book wasn't worth much more than 50 cents. It mixes exaggerated personal anecdotes with stories copied & pasted right out of the "humorous stories" that get forwarded to my e-mail on a daily basis. For 50 cents I was able to enjoy the Hafer's "Dave Barry-like" wit; and it made for occasionally enjoyable - very light - bedtime reading.

If anyone would like to borrow my copy, you are more than welcome - and you don't have to worry about returning it.

Book #2 that I finished was excellent, but not really a book - in fact, I'm not sure it could even be called a book-let because it was so short. The Banner of Truth has recently produced four "Pocket Puritan" books. Anger Management by Richard Baxter; Heaven: A World of Love by Jonathan Edwards; Impure Lust by John Flavel; and Living Faith by Samuel Ward.

I was able to start and finish reading Anger Management during the time it took my home computer to run its Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter programs (about 20 minutes). The Lord was pleased to used this time to Clean-up and De-frag my heart a bit.

Retailing for $6.00 (and that's the price at Amazon), but just $3.60 from Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service - these are still a bit overpriced. These are great little books that I would love to pass out by the dozens - but not at $3.60, and certainly not at $6.00 each. Perhaps they will eventually come down in price to under $2.00.

Favorite Christmas Carols

2008-12-12T13:38:00.002-05:00

I love Christmas and I love music - so it would stand to reason that I love Christmas music.

BBC Music Magazine polled 51 music directors in the UK and US to come up with the top 50 Christmas Carols. The top 10 are:
1. In the Bleak Midwinter
2. In Dulci Jubilo
3. A Spotless Rose
4. Bethlehem Down
5. Lully, Lulla
6. Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day
7. There is No Rose
8. O Come All Ye Faithful
9. Of the Father's Heart Begotten
10. What Sweeter Music

Suddenly, I'm feeling a bit ignorant. The report acknowledges that 9 of these carols are known better in the choral world. My in-laws are choral directors and are going to be quite disappointed in me when they find out that I barely know the top 3 - and have never heard 6 of the other 7. I feel I may be receiving a tutorial when we are home for Christmas.

Derek Thomas on the Reformation 21 Blog reports that his favorite - Once in David's Royal City was #11. Away in a Manger - which became one of my favorite Christmas carols two years ago when I preached a Christmas Song sermon series - barely made the list at #50. Joy to the World was #48; Silent Night was #25; Hark the Herald Angels Sing was #14.

A couple years back I came across the Norwegian Christmas Carol "Mitt Hjerte Alltid Vanker (My Heart Always Wanders [back to where Jesus Christ was born]" (listen to it here).

All of this is a reminder to me that the truth of Christmas - the incarnation of the Christ - never gets tiresome. I look forward to my continued discoveries of Christmas songs and the continual work that Christ is doing in me.

Whatsoever thy Hand Findeth To Do

2008-11-26T08:50:00.002-05:00

Charles Spurgeon brought me to the cross again this morning with his morning devotion on Ecclesiastes 9:10 - "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

This part was especially convicting to my procrastinating tendencies:

Let us not wait for large opportunities, or for a different kind of work, but do just the things we "find to do" day by day. We have no other time in which to live. The past is gone; the future has not arrived; we never shall have any time but time present. Then do not wait until your experience has ripened into maturity before you attempt to serve God. Endeavour now to bring forth fruit. Serve God now, but be careful as to the way in which you perform what you find to do-”do it with thy might.” Do it promptly; do not fritter away your life in thinking of what you intend to do to-morrow as if that could recompense for the idleness of to-day. No man ever served God by doing things to-morrow. If we honour Christ and are blessed, it is by the things which we do to-day. Whatever you do for Christ throw your whole soul into it.

My procrastination is clearly rooted in dreaming about tomorrow, and in trying to fix the past. Today I am bringing my past errors and future hopes to the cross - to the throne of grace - and finding the mercy and grace that helps me today.

Bearing Fruit

2008-11-13T15:40:00.003-05:00

This is one of those devotions I should probably read daily; at least weekly. Charles Spurgeon's Morning Devotions for November 13:

“The branch cannot bear fruit of itself.”
-John 15:4

How did you begin to bear fruit? It was when you came to Jesus and cast yourselves on his great atonement, and rested on his finished righteousness. Ah! what fruit you had then! Do you remember those early days? Then indeed the vine flourished, the tender grape appeared, the pomegranates budded forth, and the beds of spices gave forth their smell. Have you declined since then? If you have, we charge you to remember that time of love, and repent, and do thy first works. Be most in those engagements which you have experimentally proved to draw you nearest to Christ, because it is from him that all your fruits proceed. Any holy exercise which will bring you to him will help you to bear fruit. The sun is, no doubt, a great worker in fruit-creating among the trees of the orchard: and Jesus is still more so among the trees of his garden of grace. When have you been the most fruitless? Has not it been when you have lived farthest from the Lord Jesus Christ, when you have slackened in prayer, when you have departed from the simplicity of your faith, when your graces have engrossed your attention instead of your Lord, when you have said, “My mountain standeth firm, I shall never be moved”; and have forgotten where your strength dwells-has not it been then that your fruit has ceased? Some of us have been taught that we have nothing out of Christ, by terrible abasements of heart before the Lord; and when we have seen the utter barrenness and death of all creature power, we have cried in anguish, “From him all my fruit must be found, for no fruit can ever come from me.” We are taught, by past experience, that the more simply we depend upon the grace of God in Christ, and wait upon the Holy Spirit, the more we shall bring forth fruit unto God. Oh! to trust Jesus for fruit as well as for life.

a Goer, a Sender, or Disobedient

2008-11-11T07:33:00.002-05:00

In the November 2008 Tabletalk (pp.64-65), John Piper contributed an article entitled: "Holding the Rope" which looks at five points for building a vision of world missions in our congregations.

(1) The Word of God is the Foundation of World Missions

Piper’s book on this is excellent – Let the Nations Be Glad: The Supremacy of God in Missions

(2) World Missions are God’s Work

God working in and through us.

(3) The Purpose of Missions is Worship

Missions exist where worship doesn’t.

(4) Go to Unreached Peoples

Don’t just seek to reach people; but peoples/people groups.

A book that really helped me in this is Praying through the 100 Gateway Cities of the 10/40 Window edited by C. Peter Wagner, Stephen Peters, and Mark Wilson.

(5) God Calls Some to be Senders

Conclusion: "So, you have three possibilities in world missions. You can be a goer, a sender, or disobedient. The Bible does not assume that everyone goes. But it does assume that the ones who do not go care about goers and support goers and pray for goers and hold the rope of the goers. Paul was linked with many churches, and they sent support to him over and over again. So it should be with every church and its missionaries."

Read the whole article

Getting Your Inbox to Zero Every Day

2008-11-07T10:47:00.003-05:00

Matt Perman - Senior Director of Strategy for Desiring God Ministries - has written an article on "How to Get Your Email Inbox to Zero Every Day."

Some of his principles made immediate sense, and will help me be more productive. I'm not so sure about what he says to do with E-mail's containing information you need to keep.

I agree that I could do more copy and paste of just the information I need. I also agree with filing in "My Documents" e-mails. However, there are a number of e-mails with information that I can access more readily in my e-mail folders.

I'm going to begin applying the principles, and see if that helps me do better with "information e-mails" as well.

Three Books

2008-11-06T10:52:00.004-05:00

I have been asked a few times "Along with the Bible, what are the three books you think every Christian should read?" Over the years that answer has changed for me.

It also occurs to me that the answer would vary from location to location and from generation to generation.

Right here, right now, I think that I have settled on three books:

(1) Knowing God by J.I. Packer (hardcover) - First published in 1973 (re-published in 1993) I have yet to meet anyone who, after reading this book, does not affirm it highly. Most people talk about how God used this book to affect them deeply. Why? Because the book directs us to the God, whom we can know.

(2) The Mortification of Sin - First published in 1656, but abridged and re-published by The Banner of Truth in 2004, this book is now readable - and ought to be read by all who know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Why? Because the book directs us to the God who saves us from sin. Jesus Christ came not just to bring us eternal salvation by paying for our sins; but came to break the power of sin over us right here, right now.

I am currently blogging on this book - applying it directly to the sin of gluttony:
Part 1 - Getting Started
Part 2 - Introduction
Part 3 - Romans 8:13b
Part 4 - "Always be killing sin or it will be killing you"
Part 5 - Two Evils
Part 6 - Vain Methods of Mortification
Part 7 - Praying Before Meals
Part 8 - Evidence of Mortification
Part 9 - The Spirit and our Responsibility
Part 10 - God is Still God

(3) When People are Big and God is Small by Edward T. Welch - Published in 1997, I buy these books in bulk and pass them out like candy. The subtitle of the book is: "Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man." The issue which Welch addresses not only applies to everyone, but is probably the root issue behind all of our presenting problems. This book is intensely practical, and incredibly helpful. Why? Because it points us to the living God who is so much bigger than we realize.

Revelations in Voting

2008-11-04T11:37:00.002-05:00

My wife & I took our kids with us to our voting place. The oldest stated her objection to going, because "voting is not very exciting." This may speak volumes of our entertainment-oriented society, or perhaps just our sinful nature (or both), that we only want to do things that are exciting.

Then it occurred to me that the act of voting is really not very exciting. What is exciting is living in a country with the freedom to vote for our leaders.

Then it occurred to me that I don't vote for the excitement; and that I don't vote "because my one vote may make the difference" (how incredibly indivualistic). I vote because it's my civic duty and privilege.

Then it occurred to me that many of the activities we do as Christians are not very exciting in and of themselves. What's exciting is living in freedom from sin because of the atoning work accomplished by Jesus Christ and applied by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer, itself, isn't very exciting; however, being in the presence of the living God in prayer is incredibly exciting.

Bible reading, itself, isn't very exciting; however, having the Holy Spirit bear witness by and with the reading of God's Word is incredibly exciting.

Going to church on Sunday, itself, isn't very exciting; however, worshiping the living God with fellow believers is incredibly exciting.

Today, I'm thankful to live in a free country where I get to vote for our leaders; and I'm thankful for the reminder that the Truth (Jesus Christ himself) has set me free from sin.

Prayers are Instantly Noticed in Heaven

2008-11-03T09:03:00.002-05:00

Charles Spurgeon's morning devotion for today pointed me to our gracious God who hears our prayers.

“Behold, he prayeth.”
-Acts 9:11

Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears; yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of heaven. “Thou puttest my tears into thy bottle,” implies that they are caught as they flow. The suppliant, whose fears prevent his words, will be well understood by the Most High. He may only look up with misty eye; but “prayer is the falling of a tear.” Tears are the diamonds of heaven; sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah’s court, and are numbered with “the sublimest strains that reach the majesty on high.” Think not that your prayer, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded. Jacob’s ladder is lofty, but our prayers shall lean upon the Angel of the covenant and so climb its starry rounds. Our God not only hears prayer but also loves to hear it. “He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.” True, he regards not high looks and lofty words; he cares not for the pomp and pageantry of kings; he listens not to the swell of martial music; he regards not the triumph and pride of man; but wherever there is a heart big with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a penitential sigh, the heart of Jehovah is open; he marks it down in the registry of his memory; he puts our prayers, like rose leaves, between the pages of his book of remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last, there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom.
“Faith asks no signal from the skies,
To show that prayers accepted rise,
Our Priest is in his holy place,
And answers from the throne of grace.”

And That's Why I Was Excited

2008-10-07T10:30:00.002-04:00

The Detroit Lions went 4-0 in the preseason. They are now 0-4 in the regular season. They have fallen behind by a combined score of 94-3 to start their first four games.

Is there any question, now, why I was celebrating in the pre-season.

Hockey starts on Thursday. Go Red Wings!

A God-Ordained Mortgage?

2008-10-03T13:51:00.003-04:00

Time Magazine: Did God Want You to Get that Mortgage?

Has the so-called Prosperity Gospel turned its followers into some of the most willing participants — and hence, victims — of the current financial crisis?

Meeting the President and First Lady

2008-09-07T17:18:00.008-04:00

Link to sermon on Exodus 34:6-7 - God's Justice, Goodness & Truth.

The introduction of the sermon tells briefly about the Ledford Family meeting George & Laura Bush in Gettysburg last Friday (click the link above or read below).

As reported in The Progress.

Still can't believe it happened! We are also going to have the photo sent to us that was taken by the White House Photo Office. I'll post it when we get it.

The sermon introduction:

Our girls are learning about the Civil War at the beginning of this school year, and so we made a field trip down to Gettysburg this past Friday. One of our stops was at the Gettysburg National Cemetery.

As we walked around the cemetery we saw some security personnel show up and asked what was going on. They said, “We were told a VIP might be showing up, but we’re not sure.” We walked around some more and then saw a full motorcade pull up to the Gettysburg Address memorial. It was the President of the United States.

The Secret Service invited us over and – standing at the spot where Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address, We met the President and First Lady. We got our picture taken with George & Laura Bush. And then the President stood and talked with us for a few minutes.

He told us how much he has valued the prayers of the people. He talked to us about how – he didn’t do it when he was younger but – he has read the Bible every day in the Oval Office. And I told him that I was a Presbyterian pastor and with a huge smile on his face he said, “Thank you for preaching God’s Word.”

What an incredible experience. We left trembling, in shock at what had just happened. The President gave Abbi, Rachel and Noelle official Presidential Pins. Noelle was trying to put hers on, and dropped it. The President of the United States kneeled down and picked it up, and pinned it on her shirt.

Wow! I’m still trembling as I tell you about this.

Over the past 36 hours since then, replaying it in our minds and talking about it, I realized that I want to have more times when being with the Lord leaves me trembling like that.

This morning we conclude a look at the 11 attributes of God given in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, which asks, “What is God? God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.” Charles Hodge described this as “probably the best definition of God ever penned by man.”

It is our goal that in looking at these attributes that we would know God – that he would draw us even closer to himself. Exodus 34:6-7 is the Scripture cited by the catechism for the last 3 attributes of God. So we will look at all 3 together in that passage. May we draw near to God, so much so that it may leave us trembling.

The Undefeated Detroit Lions

2008-09-01T11:49:00.003-04:00

The Detroit Lions were the only NFL team to finish the pre-season undefeated at 4-0.

They say, of course, that the pre-season doesn't mean anything.

-You can say that if your team has ever won a Super Bowl.
-You can say that if your team has ever been in a Super Bowl.
-You can say that if your team is regularly in the playoff hunt.
-You can say that if your team regularly has winning seasons.
-You can say that if your team isn't regularly an embarassment.

As for me, I am going to celebrate that the Detroit Lions went 4-0 in the pre-season.

It's easy for Steelers' fans to be rated #1 because you so frequently have something to cheer about. "Loyalty through the early eighties?!" Try being loyal through the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and into the third millennium!

Book Sale - CVBBS

2008-08-27T14:30:00.003-04:00

Cumberland Valley Bible Book Store is having a "Customer Appreciation Sale" on September 3-4. They will have 10% off their already reduced prices AND free shipping on orders over $50. I plan to stock up on 4 titles in particular that are already at half-price, and will thus be 60% off. Whoa!

First is Ed Welch's When People are Big and God is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codepencency and the Fear of Man - which will be just $6.75.

I will also be restocking my supply of Paul David Tripp's Instuments in the Redeemer's Hands - which will be only $7.65.

These are two books I find myself recommending and giving out on a regular basis.

One of the books I have on my shelf, but have not yet finished is Kris Lundgaard's The Enemy Within. I suspect that once I do I will want to have these available to give out as well - especially since it will only cost $4.50.

Another book on the shelf to be read is Elyse Fitzpatrick's Idols of the Heart. At $6.30, I will want a few copies to give away as well.

In addition to these 4 books there are a few others that I've been thinking about:

I'm about to teach on The Psalms - and have long been interested in James Boice' Three-Volume Commentary on Psalms. At $27.00 it will be hard to pass up. Are there any other Psalms resources you would recommend as "must haves?"

I am also interested in D.A. Carson's Christ & Culture Revisited. I read Niebuhr's book years ago and am sure to appreciate Carson's work here - especially if it is just $15.30.

Any other books you would recommend?

Specializing in Reformed & Puritan books, there really isn't a bad book that CVBBS sells. The problem is the time to read them.

Stanley Cup Used for Baptism

2008-07-29T12:41:00.002-04:00

And all of my baptistic friends ask, "How can you dunk a whole adult in there?"

And here's some more tales about Stanely's travels.

The Church of Baseball

2008-06-16T11:00:00.002-04:00

I have called it the god of many Americans - sports.

I don't think there is a fine line - but a rather wide line - between enjoying sports, and worshiping sports - and "sports heroes." Many have crossed over that line. Not just with professional sports, but with kids/school sports.

Bull Durham, a favorite sports movie of many (I've never been able to sit through the whole thing), made it okay to worship at the Church of Baseball.

It's moments like this that I think about turning sports off altogether. But then I remember that this isn't my besetting sin.

I enjoy hockey - particularly enjoyed watching the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup; but I don't "follow it religiously."

I enjoy college & pro football - particularly a Michigan Wolverine trouncing of Ohio State (haven't seen that in awhile); and a Detroit Lions win of any kind. And the Super Bowl is a great cultural event.

But the day I put sports ahead of my worshiping the Lord, caring for my family, and serving in society for the Lord's sake, is the day I move with the masses to the dark side of sports idol worship.

Back to Work

2008-06-05T08:57:00.003-04:00

Now that the Detroit Red Wings have won the Stanley Cup, I can get back to work. "All's Well That Ends Red" - Mitch Albom column.

44 Reasons Why You Should Watch the Stanley Cup Finals

2008-05-24T10:52:00.003-04:00

I could hardly sleep last night just waiting for it to start. For those just picking up on the great game of hockey, here are 10 Dynamic Duos of today and yesteryear.

For more hockey info go to TSN (Canadian - this is now my preferred sports news website) or the ESPN NHL page.

A Dream Come True: Hockey Heaven

2008-05-20T12:57:00.002-04:00

My all-time favorite team - the Detroit Red Wings vs. my favorite Eastern Conference team - the Pittsburgh Penguins.

This Stanley Cup Finals should be a great series between two skilled teams. Beware you people who aren't hockey fans, watching this series will make you one.

Prediction: Red Wings in 6 games.

I will be unreachable on the following evenings (all games at 8:00pm ET)

Game 1 - Saturday (May 24) at Detroit
Game 2 - Monday (May 26) at Detroit
Game 3 - Wednesday (May 28) at Pittsburgh
Game 4 - Saturday (May 31) at Pittsburgh
Game 5 - Monday (June 2) at Detroit (*if necessary)
Game 6 - Wednesday (June 4) at Pittsburgh (*if necessary)
Game 7 - Saturday ( June 7) at Detroit (*if necessary)

Going Beyond Guideposts

2008-05-20T11:37:00.002-04:00

Tabletalk is a magazine produced by R.C. Sproul's Ligonier Ministery. Daily devotions and theological articles are designed to help believers become more grounded in God's Word. Far beyond the fluff and stuff (and sometimes heresy) of Guideposts, Tabletalk offers depth and solid biblical truth that will convict you to put your faith into action.

Each Elder of our Session now receives the magazine - and it has certainly promoted talk around the table at Session meetings. Each month some of the articles are free online. This month's focus was "The 7 deadly sins and 7 heavenly virtues."

My Wife's a Winner

2008-05-05T09:52:00.002-04:00

Jen was the 7th caller to the Family Life Network and won a Veggie Tales DVD. If you were listening to the radio at about 9:45am you would have heard her cheery voice.

Wanting to Die

2008-05-02T09:11:00.002-04:00

Charles Spurgeon meditates on the words of Jesus: “I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world" (John 17:15).

It is a sweet and blessed event which will occur to all believers in God’s own time-the going home to be with Jesus. In a few more years the Lord’s soldiers, who are now fighting “the good fight of faith” will have done with conflict, and have entered into the joy of their Lord. But although Christ prays that his people may eventually be with him where he is, he does not ask that they may be taken at once away from this world to heaven. He wishes them to stay here. Yet how frequently does the wearied pilgrim put up the prayer, “O that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest;” but Christ does not pray like that, he leaves us in his Father’s hands, until, like shocks of corn fully ripe, we shall each be gathered into our Master’s garner. Jesus does not plead for our instant removal by death, for to abide in the flesh is needful for others if not profitable for ourselves. He asks that we may be kept from evil, but he never asks for us to be admitted to the inheritance in glory till we are of full age. Christians often want to die when they have any trouble. Ask them why, and they tell you, “Because we would be with the Lord.” We fear it is not so much because they are longing to be with the Lord, as because they desire to get rid of their troubles; else they would feel the same wish to die at other times when not under the pressure of trial. They want to go home, not so much for the Saviour’s company, as to be at rest. Now it is quite right to desire to depart if we can do it in the same spirit that Paul did, because to be with Christ is far better, but the wish to escape from trouble is a selfish one. Rather let your care and wish be to glorify God by your life here as long as he pleases, even though it be in the midst of toil, and conflict, and suffering, and leave him to say when “it is enough.”

I Read Another Book!

2008-05-01T17:14:00.003-04:00

Okay, a booklet actually - Lou Priolo's Divorce: Before You Say "I Don't" (32 pages for $2.75).

This booklet is written for those who are seriously contemplating unbiblical divorce to escape a troubled marriage. Pastorally and persuasively, Priolo gives sound biblical counsel.

He begins with 5 consequences that will bring misery if you decide to proceed with an unbiblical divorce:

(1) You will be confirming to all your brothers and sisters in Christ that you have a hard heart (Matthew 19:3-9)

(2) You will bring shame to the name of Christ (Romans 2:23-24).

(3) You will be subject to God's discipline (Hebrews 12).

(4) You will multiply your misery by the guilt and bitterness you will inevitably experience (depression).

(5) You will cause much hurt and potential harm to others (especially your spouse and children).

Priolo gives a great quote from the Puritan pastor Richard Baxter, which reminds us that we married a sinner knowing they were a sinner and must resolve to bear with one another.

The author also snuffs out the sinful rationale: "I know it is a sin for me to initiate this divorce...but I also know that God will forgive me."

He also provides helpful counsel on the experience of "feeling trapped" in an unhappy marriage, reminding us that "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man..." (1 Corinthians 10:13). You are not alone in this feeling, and God will be faithful in bringing the trial to an end (in his perfect timing). Here, he gives much hopeful counsel.

Priolo then provides biblical responses to 9 common excuses:

(1) "My feelings have changed. I've fallen out of love with her." (Feelings follow actions, and will return if you repent and forgive.)

(2) "That man has killed all the love I ever had for him." (No longer loving your spouse violates the second part of the great commandment. Biblical love bears all things, Jesus tells us to love our neighbor and our enemies.)

(3) "It is not good for the children to have to live in a home with so much conflict, hatred and disharmony." (No it isn't, but you're trading one difficulty with a worse one - like trading a cold for double pneumonia.)

(4) "I'm tired of trying." (That's why the bible repeatedly calls us [and encourages us] to endure.)

(5) "I have peace about it." (So did Jonah - slept in the boat. Peaceful feelings are deceptive.)

(6) "He has lied to me repeatedly. I will never be able to trust him again." (Trust is not a pre-requisite to remaining married. Instead, you must give him opportunity to earn back the trust.)

(7) "I cannot continue to live in this constant state of confusion that this marriage keeps me in." (God often puts His people in perplexing situations to work out His perfect plan).

(8) "I've lived with her for umpteen years, and I know that she will never change." (You are not a prophet.)

(9) "My family and friends are all advising me to get out of this horrible marriage." (Are they offering biblical counsel. We are always receiving counsel, and must weigh which is God's counsel.)

An appendix is included on being "in love" with someone other than your spouse.

There is a great deal of good counsel in this short booklet. I plan to buy a bunch of these to give to people.

The Sale Continues

2008-04-30T14:18:00.002-04:00

Cumberland Valley Bible Book Store has decided to continue their free shipping sale through May.

I Actually Finished a Book

2008-04-24T11:07:00.002-04:00

I'm on "Study Leave" this week - so I had time to start a book and actually finish it! I read D.A. Carson's Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor - The Life and Reflections of Tom Carson (D.A. Carson's father).

The very fact that I finished reading it should be taken as a ringing endorsement of this book. I enjoyed it at many different levels: as a (very) ordinary pastor, as a husband and father and as a man who is loved by God.

It may be argued that Tom Carson was more than an "ordinary pastor." His son acknowledges that the book could also be titled, "Memoirs of an ordinary missionary." Indeed, Tom Carson worked to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to Roman Catholic French Quebec during some rather turbulent years [1940's - 80's] in that area of the world.

But there is a sense in which ordinary pastors are also missionaries - seeking to evangelize their community (no matter how small).

Tom Carson dreamed big dreams, because he served a big God. He knew failure - personal and pastoral. He dealt with church politics, "sheep-stealers," lean times and times of blessing. He was a man of integrity, who was never content with the status quo.

There were tears in my eyes as I read the final paragraphs [really the final two chapters], including this summary: "Tom Carson never rose very far in denominational structures...He never wrote a book, but he loved the Book. He was never wealthy or powerful, but he kept growing as a Christian: yesterday's grace was never enough. He was not a far-sighted visionary, but he looked forward to eternity...He was not very good at putting people down, except on his prayer lists. When he died, there were no crowds outside the hospital, no editorial comments in the papers, no announcements on television...But on the other side all the trumpets sounded. Dad won entrance to the only throne room that matters..."

This book convicted me of some of my sin, and directed me to the only Lord who can save me from my sin. This book, by God's grace, will make me a better pastor, husband, father and person - most especially by making me content to be an ordinary pastor who serves an extraordinary God.

Technological Doping

2008-04-11T16:12:00.003-04:00

Interesting story from the world of swimming - "New Swimsuit Could Break Olympic Records."

Is technology simply an aspect of any sport, or is this an "unfair advantage."

I'm remembering the old Air Jordan commercials: "It's gotta be the shoes."

Bingo What a Shame-o

2008-03-28T17:12:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, a little after 5:00pm, I received a phone call from a woman who said, "This will seem like a bizarre question, but I'm new to the area and I'm looking to find out who has Bingo on Thursday nights; and thought who better to ask then churches and fire companies."

The question didn't seem bizarre, just quite sad.

Free Shipping

2008-03-25T14:09:00.002-04:00

Starting today thru the end of April, Cumberland Valley Bible Bookstore (www.cvbbs.com) is offering free shipping for orders over $50.

I have found that their prices are very competitive - yes, even with Amazon - until you factor in shipping. Their bookstore is located in Carlisle, PA - and when I'm in that area I always stop by.

They specialize in Reformed and Puritan books - and I tell people that I can recommend everything that they carry (as opposed to Amazon, or CBD, or local "Christian" bookstores).

I'm definitely planning to buy Tedd & Margy Tripp's Instructing a Child's Heart ($9.99) - the sequel to my favorite book on parenting, Shepherding a Child's Heart ($9.99); and brother Paul David Tripp's book Age of Opportunity ($10.99) is also a must read for parents of teens.

I'm also hearing lots of good things about D.A. Carson's Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor ($11.50).

I am taking a week of Study Leave to do some reading at the end of April - so I'm compiling my list of books to read during that week.

Turn off Your TV, Turn on your Spouse

2008-03-18T07:26:00.001-04:00

A social experiment gone right.

Getting Ready for the Golf Season

2008-03-10T17:26:00.001-04:00

Golf is just around the corner.

Spurgeon Speaks Truth

2008-03-10T09:32:00.002-04:00

Kind of blows that prosperity-gospel theory, eh?

“In my prosperity I said I shall never be moved" Psalm 30:6

"Moab settled on his lees, he hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel.” Give a man wealth; let his ships bring home continually rich freights; let the winds and waves appear to be his servants to bear his vessels across the bosom of the mighty deep; let his lands yield abundantly: let the weather be propitious to his crops; let uninterrupted success attend him; let him stand among men as a successful merchant; let him enjoy continued health; allow him with braced nerve and brilliant eye to march through the world, and live happily; give him the buoyant spirit; let him have the song perpetually on his lips; let his eye be ever sparkling with joy-and the natural consequence of such an easy state to any man, let him be the best Christian who ever breathed, will be presumption; even David said, “I shall never be moved;” and we are not better than David, nor half so good. Brother, beware of the smooth places of the way; if you are treading them, or if the way be rough, thank God for it. If God should always rock us in the cradle of prosperity; if we were always dandled on the knees of fortune; if we had not some stain on the alabaster pillar; if there were not a few clouds in the sky; if we had not some bitter drops in the wine of this life, we should become intoxicated with pleasure, we should dream “we stand;” and stand we should, but it would be upon a pinnacle; like the man asleep upon the mast, each moment we should be in jeopardy.
We bless God, then, for our afflictions; we thank him for our changes; we extol his name for losses of property; for we feel that had he not chastened us thus, we might have become too secure. Continued worldly prosperity is a fiery trial.
“Afflictions, though they seem severe,
In mercy oft are sent.”

Charles Spurgeon - Morning Devotion for March 10

Birds of a Feather

2008-03-07T10:06:00.002-05:00

In this story about a golfer who killed a protected bird with a golf shot, the golfer is compared with Michael Vick and closes with this quote from the Humane Society executive vice president, "Americans have no tolerance for cruelty to animals. Such a petty, mean-spirited act against a wild bird is inexcusable and prosecutors are right to hold Isenhour accountable to the law."

Americans have no tolerance for cruelty to animals...but have plenty of tolerance for murdering unborn babies. Wow do "Americans" have their priorities seriously awry.

Sinclair Ferguson Speaks Truth

2008-03-01T12:44:00.002-05:00

I was looking for a sermon illustration, and when I pulled up my Bible Illustrator software, the following quote from Sinclair Ferguson popped up automatically:

When we look back on what the masters of the spiritual life have written and said, it's hard to escape the conclusion that we have been the victim of a confidence trick in our century. Over the past few decades, the evangelical church has been gripped by a series of issues and concerns that have primarily been marginal, or at best of secondary importance. Conferences, seminars, and books on a whole series of "vital concerns" have dominated center stage and determined the agenda in many churches and for many individual Christians. "But strikingly absent has been concentration on God Himself." Indeed, on the rare occasions when this absence has not been the case, we have sat up to take notice as though something out of the ordinary were being said!
-- Sinclair B. Ferguson in A Heart For God. Christianity Today, Vol. 32, no. 1.

Really?! I hadn't noticed

2008-02-26T07:39:00.001-05:00

CNN report: Americans switching faiths or dropping out.

The Apostle Paul on Church Bulletins

2008-02-16T10:17:00.001-05:00

I will be laughing as I lead the announcements this Sunday.

Sex, Lies and MP3

2008-02-14T14:25:00.003-05:00

Winston Smith gives some great analysis on parenting kids through the turbulent waters of our media-driven culture.

A snippet:
"We want our kids to know that the culture is always telling them something. As salt and light, we must first hear what the particular message is and then respond. We do not want to be separatists; that is not how Jesus intended us to live. As Christians, we hear, digest, and consider; then we can send back a message that is positive and redemptive. Some parents are afraid of the media's influence on their kids, but the solution is never to hide. Rather, it is to engage, thoughtfully and lovingly. We must live in this fallen world as it is. Even if we could go to some faraway place to hide, that fallenness would find us even there."

Read the whole thing.

Abraham Piper introducing his dad

2008-02-07T14:56:00.000-05:00

Laugh and cry at the same time - especially if you're a dad.

Good Answer to a Often-Asked Question

2008-02-06T11:04:00.000-05:00

Tim Challies does a nice job answering this tough question: Why are we held guilty for Adam's sin?

In, but not of?

2008-01-31T11:15:00.000-05:00

Justin Taylor links to great stuff in his blog - Between Two Worlds.

This link about how the church should be "in the world, but not of the world" is incredibly helpful.

I will carry the D.L. Moody image with me - “The place for the ship is in the sea; but God help the ship if the sea gets into it.”

Read also the links to two additional articles (for the future book, Unfashionable) on the extremes by Tullian Tchividjian:
Culturally Removed - "Spatial separation is wrong; spiritual separation is right" (and I'm totally going to use the Martin Luther illustration)

and Culturally Relaxed - "Contextualization without compromise is our goal" (and a helpful quote from Marcia Segelstein).

Tullian advocates being "Culturally Resistant." I'm looking forward to the release of his book.

Cryptic Mormon

2007-12-18T11:28:00.000-05:00

What incredibly cryptic answers given by the Mormon church.

God's Quarterback

2007-11-08T10:31:00.000-05:00

ESPN on "the biggest story nobody is talking about."

Willow Creek Repents?

2007-10-18T14:21:00.000-04:00

A multiple year qualitative study of Willow Creek's ministry has caused them to say, "We made a mistake."

Bill Hybels says, "Some of the stuff that we have put millions of dollars into thinking it would really help our people grow and develop spiritually, when the data actually came back it wasn’t helping people that much. Other things that we didn’t put that much money into and didn’t put much staff against is stuff our people are crying out for."

May the Lord be honored in their humility, and in a re-focus on "the age old spiritual practices of prayer, Bible study and relationships."

Cat-Man-Do

2007-10-16T04:27:00.000-04:00

The Progress reports on our family's adventure with a stray cat.

Free Will-iamson

2007-10-09T16:29:00.001-04:00

I was re-reading G.I. Williamson's excellent study guide on the Westminster Confession of Faith - on Free Will (chapter IX of the WCF):

"However, we must carefully note that liberty is not identical with ability. Confusion of these distinct things accounts for much false thinking on the subject of free will. Many people really mean ability when they speak of liberty. They speak of man being free to do good or evil when they really mean to say that men are able to do good or evil. In this they seriously err."

One might illustrate this by saying that we have the liberty to flap our arms and fly, but we don't have the ability (and will look pretty ridiculous in the process).

He cites John 6:44 (among other verses) where Jesus says: "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."

He then discusses the 4 estates where man enjoys the same liberty, but different ability:

(1) Man before the Fall had full liberty AND ability to do that which was good and well-pleasing to God.
(2) Unregenerate man after the fall also has full liberty BUT no ability.
(3) Regenerate man has full liberty AND SOME ability, but not like man before the Fall.
(4) Man in glory has full liberty AND now has fuller ability to do ONLY that which is right, without the slightest desire for evil.

Praise the Lord for his grace in regeneration and the glorious future of full liberty and fullest ability.

The Christians go to the Lions

2007-10-05T17:11:00.000-04:00

An interesting story about Detroit Lions QB Jon Kitna and the affect his Christian faith is having on the team.

Here's the story as it comes from the Detroit Free Press.

10 Tips to Read More and Better

2007-09-17T10:41:00.000-04:00

Tim Challies gives some helpful advice.

Here is the link to Discerning Reader and the recommended reading lists of R.C. Sproul, John MacArthur, etc.

Hot-mail

2007-09-06T16:07:00.001-04:00

Our Post Office went up in flames late yesterday afternoon. It was a surreal sight to see.

The mail will still go through.

Appalachian State 34, #5 Michigan 32

2007-09-01T17:47:00.000-04:00

Yet another reason why I put my hope in Christ and not in favored sports teams.

What was supposed to be a tuneup turned into a stunner: Appalachian State 34, No. 5 Michigan 32.

Further reasons:
The Detroit Lions - after opening the pre-season with two wins - were pummeled in the third game and lost the fourth game.

The Detroit Tigers - after a great first half to the season - continue to lose and may miss the post-season.

But "He who began a good work in me will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).

Dunkin' is for Donuts

2007-08-22T15:13:00.000-04:00

I am incredibly appreciative for the recent blog discussion on baptism. What a glorious example of the way in which brothers in Christ should discuss and debate disagreements.

Ligon Duncan begins expressing his thoughts here.

Here is the Justin Taylor summary with links to the discussion.

May God be glorified as the truth is spoken in love.

Read a Good Book (or Sentence) Lately

2007-08-22T11:28:00.000-04:00

The AP Poll came out yesterday with the reading habits of Americans. One in four Americans say they did not read a single book last year. If it wasn't for Jesus - the truth who has set me free - I would easily be a non-reading American.

Reading doesn't come naturally to me. My laziness would rather see me plopped on the couch with a remote rather than reading.

Bob Kauflin has recently blogged on the importance of reading in which he quotes John Piper(reference supplied in the comments) "Books don't change people; paragraphs do. Sometimes even sentences."

I have finished 17 books in the past 12 months; but it has been the numerous articles I have read (particularly from the Journal of Biblical Counseling) and portions of books that have impacted me even more.

While I love being able to finish a book; I need to remember the goal is not just to finish the book - but to meet the Lord in the sentences where the truth is proclaimed. To this end, I need to remember especially to put "The Good Book" always at the top of my reading list.

The 2-0 Lions

2007-08-19T20:44:00.001-04:00

Again, I realize that this is the Preseason, and we were playing the lowly Browns. But the Detroit Lions are 2-0! And this time they scored more points than the opposition while the starters were playing (i.e. the first half).

Of course, Browns rookie QB Brady Quinn got most of the press.

The Lions Win!

2007-08-10T09:06:00.000-04:00

I know it is only the preseason, but for Detroit Lions fans - a win is a win. Here's hoping for more of them.

All of this shows the clear difference between secular hoping (wishful thinking) in your favorite sports teams and our sure hope in Christ.

Where'd All These Calvinists Come From? (9-10)

2007-08-09T16:45:00.000-04:00

Mark Dever finishes his 10-part series exploring the reasons for the resurgence of Calvinism - particularly among us young-uns.

In Part 9, he lifts up the contribution of John Piper. I give a hearty AMEN! to this, as does my friend Matt Mitchell.

In Part 10, Dever concludes that God is sovereign over "the rise of secularism and decline of Christian nominalism." Indeed, the Lord of the universe is sovereign - even (and especially) over evil. The Calvinist answer is much more satisfying than Arminianism, which simply says "God is good; it's our fault." No! No! No! The God of the Bible is not a god whose hands are tied together hoping that man will help him.

The true God "is sovereign and exercises His sovereignty. This God is centered on Himself. And this God is understood to be morally good in being so Self-centered. In fact, it would be evil, wrong, deceptive for Him to be centered on anything other than His own glory. There is no apology about this.

"This God saves to make His name known (read Exodus, or Ezekiel!). This God has created us to display His own power and glory, His holiness and mercy to His creation. Creation is a theatre for His glory. This is the God of Genesis 1 and Revelation 22. Even as the book of Revelation came not from John’s philosophical discussions in the king’s court, but from the crucible of persecution by worldly powers opposed to God, so this world’s increasingly open and categorical denials of God and His power will likely be met not by retreats, compromises, edits and revisions, but by awakenings and rediscoveries of the majesty and power of the true God who reveals Himself in the Bible, the God who made us and who will judge us, the God who in love pursued us even to the depths of the incarnation and humiliation of the cross.

"This is Christianity straight and undiluted. And the questing, probing spirit of the rising generation has, by this God’s grace, found this Rock. May they stand upon it faithfully in these unbelieving times, until God calls them home to Himself. "

A Barry Bonds Primer on Sin

2007-08-08T13:04:00.000-04:00

Rick Phillips is eloquent in his post on the Reformation 21 blog.

Carl Trueman Speaks Truth

2007-08-01T14:18:00.000-04:00

On the Reformation 21 blog, Trueman addreses Pride the True Heresy.

He rightly rebukes those for whom the "desire is not to teach but to be teachers." That one hit close to home.

I appreciated the full text of this post on a number of levels.