Archive for March, 2009
The Power to Forgive a Murderer
Posted by: | CommentsGod truly desires to glorify Himself and provide grace in abundance to His children, even (especially) in the midst of unspeakable tragedy. What an amazing God we serve!
Those were my thoughts after seeing this video: an interview with Cindy Winters, the wife of Fred Winters, the pastor who was shot and killed while he preached on March 8th. Watch it at the Founders Ministries blog.
Head and Heart
Posted by: | CommentsI thought this to be an excellent post by John Piper in regards to our using both, our minds and our hearts in our daily study of Gods Word.
Who was Jonathan Edwards?
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Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was a Puritan theologian, pastor, and devout Calvinist and was the most significant American churchman of the 18th century. Said to be one of America’s greatest preachers, he was a leading figure in the (first) Great Awakening.
From the Theopedia entry
I thought I would pass along a few resources for those who want to learn more about the man:
The Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University – complete works online, etc. A good start is the About Jonathan Edwards section
Theopedia – a “Christian Wikipedia”. A risky-sounding proposition but seems to be pretty solid and the Jonathan Edwards entry has some great multi-media content.
Puritan Library – several download-able versions of his writings in pdf format
Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (MP3 audio) – Edwards’ most famous sermon (July 8, 1741), here preached by Mark Dever.
Monergismbooks - hardcopy books by Edwards and books about Edwards
The Double Influence of the Christian
Posted by: | CommentsJosh Harris quotes John Stott on Matthew 5:13-14.
2009 Ligonier National Conference: The Holiness of God
Posted by: | CommentsJust a quick heads up on this. Not that many would jump on a plane with 24 hrs notice to attend it live in Orlando (although some may!)….but they’re showing a live webcast of the whole thing, all three days. Click on the Live Webcast link for more info.
The Lamb-like Lion
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Photo Credit: The Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale University
“If Christ accepts of you, you need not fear but that you will be safe, for he is a strong Lion for your defense. And if you come, you need not fear but that you shall be accepted; for he is like a Lamb to all that come to him, and receives them with infinite grace and tenderness.”
Jonathan Edwards, “The Excellency of Christ”
(Hat tip: Of First Importance)
EDIT: added photo credit
Reminder: Men’s Breakfast on 3/28/09
Posted by: | CommentsThe next Men’s Breakfast for the Men’s Ministry of High Pointe Baptist Church is Saturday 3/28 at 7am in the Children’s Church room.
Steve Whitlock will speak on Chapter 4 of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.
If you’re attending for the first time, please feel free to go here to see what a typical Men’s Breakfast looks like.
You can easily invite someone by using the “Share This” button at the end of this post.
(The following are thoughts concerning this post: Cultivating Expositional Listening – #4: Listen to and Act on the Sermon Throughout the Week . I broke the post up into two parts to avoid it being too long..but of course if you need to review the prior post then it kind of defeats the purpose…oh well, sorry, I did try!)
Thoughts
Simple concept but very powerful! Of course we don’t want to be mere hearers of the Word, we want to be doers. At least we say we do. At least I tell myself that. I least that’s the “right thing to say” isn’t it?
James speaks a good word to us in James 1:22-25 when he mentions the concept of deception. Self-deception, that is. Let us not deceive ourselves into thinking that we are one type of man, when we are in fact another!
How many times have I listened to a sermon and been so encouraged, convicted, awed, impacted by God’s truth, only to have it fade to the back of my mind as I float through the week to next Sunday? No intentional plan for application, just kind of “wingin” it. A few too many times if I’m honest. I often seek to apply what I hear but I’m encouraged to be even more intentional.
How carefully am I handling God’s Word? Do I take Him seriously as He speaks to me through His Word by the power of the Holy Spirit? Did He intend for me to forget what I so clearly comprehended, by His grace, that Sunday (or in my devotions for that matter)?
I’m reminded of the early years of my career, fresh out of college, when my boss used to get upset with me as he would be telling me something in a meeting and I wouldn’t write it down. Several times he said to me “Write it down!” as he saw me listening to him as he gave me instructions but not writing anything down. I just “knew” I would be able to remember. Now, it might have only been one or two action items for me but not taking the time to write down the instruction of my boss was perceived as lazy, disrespectful, careless. For many (many) years now of course, I don’t show up to a meeting with my boss without a pen and paper, and I use it.
How much more should we take care with what the Sovereign God of the Universe tells us?! To take care to write down, pray about and then act on instruction for our soul and our joy and God’s glory! I’m not implying some empty, ritualistic exercise of “writing stuff down”….but a more focused, intentional attitude towards application by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Man, am I motivated to think a little differently in this area. You? Thoughts?
Pastor Juan Sanchez: Men’s Conference Keynote (Psalm 37)
Posted by: | CommentsA direct and encouraging word for men, by way of an overview of Psalm 37. From a Men’s Conference at High Pointe Baptist Church on 2/21/09.
James 3: A Story
Posted by: Site Admin | Comments (1)A short film by Desiring God Ministries.
(HT: I stumbled across this video originally at a site called Man or Rabbit)
3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
James 3:1-12