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, […]

A testimony of grace and suffering

This is a five-minute video that is well worth your time. Wrestling With An Angel. My favorite statement in the video: God brings us to the end of ourselves — to the end of our strength, to the end of our wits — He destroys our pride and our self-confidence in order to reveal to […]

He learned his lesson

First David was being chased relentlessly by Saul. He was discouraged and evidently despaired of receiving God’s promise of ascending to the throne of Israel. Then Jonathan came and encouraged his friend in the Lord. But you wonder, don’t you, “did he learn his lesson?” “Did the truths about God that Jonathan used to strengthen […]

Courage for the day

To my knowledge, no one has ever wanted to kill me. Oh sure, I’ve had people angry with me. I’ve had people want to use me as a punching bag (a couple did back in the junior high years). I’ve had people speak to me in angry and hostile tones. Some have shaken in rage […]

The world hasn’t ended. Now what?

Yesterday, the world did not end, despite the warnings and prophecies of Harold Camping. It would be easy to say, “fool…” (he is), and disassociate ourselves from him. But is that the best response for the believer? A couple of thoughts on our response: Jesus will return, and He will return in judgment — “Be […]

Sunday Leftovers (5/22/11)

Somewhere around the end of my junior year in college, a buddy and I decided to take a camping trip. Living in the Southeast at the time, we decided to spend about a week in the Great Smokey Mountains — a decision that proved to be an excellent choice. What proved not to be such […]

What leadership is not

Last week I alluded to a blog post about what submission is not. Here is a good reflection on what leadership (particularly in the home) is not. Leadership is not: Simply or singularly a man’s issue Elevating Loud Prideful A call to be master Limiting Mindless Weakening Autonomous Self-Focused [Beggar To Beggar.] Again, a helpful […]

What submission is not

Simply or singularly a marriage issue Degrading Silent Fearful Joyless Stifling Dumb Weak Automatic Self-Focused Read the entire post and the brief explanations at The Resurgence. A number of years ago John Piper put together a similar list in his sermon, “Women of Valor for Non-Promise Keepers.” He defined submission in these ways in that […]

The Gospel Coalition Workshop audio

The workshop audio from last month’s Gospel Coalition Conference is now available. All 38 sessions are available, plus a number of special events, including a few that will be posted soon. A few titles that looked particularly interesting to me: The Pastor’s Counseling Ministry (David Powlison) Is Your Church a Safe Place for Sad People? […]

Monday morning mirth

Both my daughter and dog star in this product of 12 years of public education:

Sunday Leftovers (5/15/11)

Toxicologists Frank LoVecchio and Jeffrey Suchard at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Phoenix did some research on rattlesnakes a few years ago and came up with this conclusion: Dead rattlesnakes can bite. They discovered that 15% of Arizona rattlesnake attacks occurred after the snakes “had been mortally shot, bludgeoned, or even beheaded.” A […]

Preparing for Sunday

This afternoon, going over my notes for tomorrow’s sermon, I was reading a number of things about sin, Satan, and temptation. As is often the case, Thomas Watson had a good word about the subject: What can one do to offer violence to himself in mortifying the flesh? Withdraw the fuel that may make lust […]

Good, inexpensive Christian e-books

Thanks to Tim Challies, I came across this website today that has a good selection of inexpensive and free ebooks for the Kindle. Check out Gospel eBooks. Check out some of the following deals: The Holy Bible: ESV (FREE) The Holy Bible: HCSB (FREE) John Piper – Don’t Waste Your Life ($2.84) A.W. Tozer – […]