Wednesday, April 6, 2011

James MacDonald, David Platt, and the Question of Radical Sacrifice

This is a great blog responding to the discussion between James MacDonald and David Platt concerning finances and sacrifice. Click the link below to read it.

James MacDonald, David Platt, and the Question of Radical Sacrifice

Thursday, March 10, 2011

A Beautiful Thing

You formed their inward parts; you knitted them together in their mother's womb.
I praise you, for they are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
(Psalm 139:13-14 adapted)

You are right, Nick, it is a beautiful thing.

Monday, February 28, 2011

A Godly Husband

I was thankfully reminded of this today when I read Justin Taylor's blog.

Former president of Columbia Bible College and Graduate School, Robertson McQuilkin, resigned in 1990. The reason? To care for his wife Muriel. It is a blessing that someone recorded his resignation speech. A portion of that speech can be heard below. I highly recommend you listen to it.

I want to be a man like this. May the Lord fill me with a love for my precious wife, Shawna, that increases til the grave.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Divine Mercies (Puritan Prayer)

Thou Eternal God,

Thine is surpassing greatness, unspeakable
     goodness, super-abundant grace;
I can as soon count the sands of ocean's 'lip'
  as number thy favours towards me;
I know but a part, but that part exceeds all praise.
I thank thee for personal mercies,
   a measure of health, preservation of body,
     comforts of house and home, sufficiency of food and clothing,
   continuance of mental powers, my family, their mutual help and support,
     the delights of domestic harmony and peace,
     the seats now filled that might have been vacant,
   my country, church, Bible, faith.

But, O, how I mourn my sin, ingratitude, vileness,
   the days that add to my guilt,
   the scenes that witness my offending tongue;

All things in heaven, earth, around, within, without,
     condemn me -
   the sun which sees my misdeeds,
   the darkness which is light to thee,
   the cruel accuser who justly charges me,
   the good angels who have been provoked to leave me,
   thy countenance which scans my secret sins,
   thy righteous law, thy holy Word,
   my sin-soiled conscience, my private and public life,
   my neighbours, myself -
     all write dark things against me.

I deny them not, frame no excuse, but confess,
   'Father, I have sinned';
Yet still I live, and fly repenting to they outstretched arms;
   thou wilt not cast me off, for Jesus brings me near,
   thou wilt not condemn me, for he died in my stead,
   thou wilt not mark my mountains of sin,
     for he levelled all,
   and his beauty covers my deformities.

O my God, I bid farewell to sin by clinging to his cross,
   hiding in his wounds, and sheltering in his side.

The Valley of Vision, pg 16-17

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Help for Prayer

I want to pass along what has been a good help for me in my prayer life. Matthew Henry's Method for Prayer is a great tool. You can use the site to find specific areas of prayer (Adoration, Confession, etc.) if you like. However, what I have found to be most helpful is the link to sign up for prayer emails.


If you sign up, you will receive an email with a specific, focused prayer each day. The thing that I love most about it is that it is all Scripture. The entire prayer is Scripture. I encourage you to make use of this. One of the best ways to fan the flames (or create a spark) of prayer is through the use of Scripture as prayer. This is the prayer for today... just to whet your appetite.

The Lord of peace himself give me peace, all peace, at all times in every way: 2 Thessalonians 3:16(ESV) That peace which Jesus Christ has left with his people, which he gives to me; such a peace as the world can neither give nor take away; such a peace as that my heart may not be troubled or afraid. John 14:27(ESV)
Let the effect of righteousness in my soul be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. Isaiah 32:17(ESV)
Speak peace to your people, to your saints, and let them not turn back to folly.Psalm 85:8(ESV)
O create the fruit of the lips, Peace, peace to those who are far off and to those who are near; and restore comfort to your mourners. Isaiah 57:18-19(ESV)
Where the sons of peace are, let your peace find them out and rest upon them.Luke 10:6(ESV)
Let me hear of your steadfast love and taste that you are good, 1 Peter 2:3(ESV)for in you do I trust. Psalm 143:8(ESV)
Let the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus; Philippians 4:7(ESV) and let that peace rule in my heart, to which I have been called. Colossians 3:15(ESV)
May the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit I may abound in hope. Romans 15:13(ESV)
May God use this resource to draw you into His presence more and more. 


Matthew Henry Method for Prayer

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The History of Redemption & the 100 People Network

I encourage you to watch this video. It is the gospel, presented by using Scripture only. It was wonderfully worshipful. It's called The History of Redemption and was done at Austin Stone Community Church.

Click the link below, the video is available on Justin Taylor's blog.
The History of Redemption & the 100 People Network

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Desiring God 25th Anniversary

I am currently in Minneapolis, MN. The convention center to be precise. The Desiring God Pastors Conference ended a few hours ago and I was scheduled to fly home this evening, but the Lord had other plans. The weather has caused the cancellation of both of my flights.

It is not for loss. I will be having dinner with a dear friend and then attending the evening service at Bethlehem Baptist Church. Something I have wanted to do for many years.

Speaking of Bethlehem, I wanted to post this video. It is an interview with John Piper concerning the 25th anniversary of his book, Desiring God. I loved this book. In fact I am hungry to read it again, having seen this video. I commend it (the book) to you. May it encourage your heart toward a happier and all-satisfying relationship with the Lord.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Parenting: The Joyful Impossibility

This is a wonderful article by Paul Tripp on parenting. If you are a parent, I encourage you to read it.

Parenting: The Joyful Impossibility