Sunday Leftovers (6/26/11)

Tychicus was a faithful servant (lit., “deacon”). Don’t read over those words too quickly, assuming that it is a standard and ordinary commendation for a friend. Only two men in the NT receive this commendation, or the similar “faithful slave” — Tychicus (Eph. 6:21; Col. 4:7) and Epaphras (Col. 1:7). This, then, is a remarkable […]

Back from vacation

We have recently returned from vacation. Our daughter is now a registered student at Texas A&M (the first part of the vacation) and we have returned from 10 days of R&R in New Mexico. Lots of games, reading, movies & popcorn, walking, the creation of an art website for Elizabeth (she did the work; I […]

Praying Ephesians 6

Lord, you have invited — no, commanded — us to always pray with every kind of prayer, acknowledging our dependence on you. So we come to you this day in submission to the Spirit of God and seeking His wisdom and His intercession on our behalf. And we pray not only for ourselves, but we […]

The power of the gospel

Of First Importance publishes a quote each day that relates to the power of the gospel. Here are a few recent ones that have particularly encouraged my heart: I never despair of anyone becoming a decided Christian, whatever he may have been in days gone by. I know how great the change is from death […]

Sunday Leftovers (6/5/11)

A Christian in ancient Rome was being pursued by a lion. He ran through the city streets and into the woods, dodging back and forth among the trees. Finally it became obvious that it was hopeless. The lion was going to catch him. So he turned suddenly, faced the beast, and dropped to his knees. […]

When criticized

David was in a tough spot. His son Absalom was after his throne and his life. He was led to believe by a dishonest counselor that Mephibosheth, the son of his beloved Jonathan and the one for whom he had cared for many years, had turned against him also (cf. 16:3-5; 19:24-25). Those he loved […]

More Kindle book deals

If you own a Kindle, there are many deals on good, biblical books to be found this weekend. Among them: Church Planter by Darrin Patrick – $2.99 Think by John Piper – $2.99 Son of Hamas by Mosab Hassan Yousef – $2.99 The Attributes of God by A.W. Pink – $0.99 Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper – $1.99 […]

Thinking and praying about Sunday

As I was preparing for Sunday morning’s sermon, I came across a number of helpful statements about prayer, including these three: “No heart can conceive that treasury of mercies which lies in this one privilege, in having liberty and ability to approach unto God at all times, according to His mind and will.” [John Owen] […]

Free audio book: A Place of Healing

Christian Audio’s free book download this month is Joni Eareckson Tada’s A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God’s Sovereignty. I listened to one chapter of it several months ago and was very encouraged by it. This looks to be a very beneficial book.

John Piper’s Think eBook on sale

Here is a good deal on a great book: John Piper’s excellent book Think is on sale (eBook) for $2.99 at Amazon’s Kindle Store. They’ll have this price for a while, but it won’t be permanent, so it would be best to act soon!

When a boy is born blind…

How will the father of a blind boy respond when his pastor preaches on John 9 — the story of the man born blind? Watch the interview of the pastor, John Piper, with his church member, John Knight, for one redemptive example. This will not only be helpful for those with disabilities or family members […]

Living a life of faith

“Taking up the shield of faith…” Paul says (Eph. 6:16). His words are an encouragement exhortation to trust the Lord in all things. We safely nod in agreement, but all too often our lives reveal a different source of trust. We trust ourselves, our reason, our strength, our intuition, our sight. And, should our hearts […]

Sunday Leftovers (5/29/11)

When attacked by Satan, we will be tempted to give up on God’s promises. Those realities that we know and have experienced about the sufficiency and ability of God will seem distant to us when the burdens of life are close. So in our hearts we will question God (though we likely would not do […]

Graduation Day

Today is the day for my firstborn’s graduation from high school. How did it happen that fast? She has been an instrument of God’s grace in our lives in multiplied ways. But mostly we are profoundly gratified to see the grace of God and His salvation actively working in her life to conform her to […]

The sword of the Spirit

In my reading to prepare for Sunday, I came across this helpful statement by Charles Hodge about the sword of the Spirit — the Word of God: In opposition to all error, to all false philosophy, to all false principles of morals, to all the sophistries of vice, to all the suggestions of the devil, […]