Tomorrow we recognize Reformation Day — the anniversary of the posting of Martin Luther’s 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. That event is largely recognized as precipitating the Reformation. Now you might wonder what the Reformation really was all about. The Reformation is typically identified with five concise terms — […]
Read More Basics of the ReformationI’ve had a Kindle for a few months now, and have discovered a few ways to purchase books at reduced prices or find books for free — and not just older works. Even brand new e-books are regularly “sold” on Amazon for free. Here is how you can find some of those free books. [This […]
Read More Finding free Christian Kindle booksQueen Mary was known as “Bloody Mary” for a reason — some 288 Reformers were burned at the stake under her reign. That is fairly well-remembered. What is forgotten is why many of them were put to death. J. C. Ryle offers the astonishing explanation: The principle reason why they were burned was because they […]
Read More Why some Reformers were martyredRussell Moore answers the question, “Is My Music Warping My Child?” Two points he makes, and one reaction of my own — Lyrics are influential — they shape the way we think about the issues of life, so liberty cannot be applied indiscriminately to music choices. Music becomes a parent’s opportunity to be intentional about […]
Read More Grab bagHere is something to help you prepare for Reformation Sunday this week — one of the great affirmations of commitment to the gospel, Martin Luther’s “Here I Stand” statement, read by Max McLean. (and it’s free until Monday, 11/1).
Read More Here I StandTantalus was a mythological Greek king who stole ambrosia from the gods. For this crime, King Tantalus was sentenced to a life of eternal hunger and thirst. Whenever he would stoop to drink, the water would recede away from him. And when he reached to pluck fruit from a tree, it would lift its branches […]
Read More Tantalized by the pursuit of pleasureFor a short time, Christian Audio is offering the work, Martin Luther: In His Own Words for free. Just go to the page and add it to your shopping cart. This would be a good reference to consider this week as we remember the work of God in Luther’s life on the 493rd anniversary of […]
Read More Martin Luther: In His Own Words“If you are truly trusting in Christ, you can’t confess a sin for which God has not provided forgiveness in Jesus.Indeed, if you work at the discipline of confessing your sin, it should not lead to despair at all, but rather to rejoicing over the extent of God’s love to you in Christ.” — Mark […]
Read More Encouraged by self-examination and confessionYou will rarely find me talking about movies. But the latest adaptation of one of C. S. Lewis’ books from The Chronicles of Narnia series is coming in December. [This post is primarily for my daughters who have been anticipating this movie for about 18 months!] (HT: Justin Taylor)
Read More Voyage of the Dawn TreaderThere is a reason that not all confessions result in real reconciliation: (HT: Challies)
Read More When confession may not be confessionIt was when she was at the peak of her fame and fortune with 146 tournament victories behind her, married to tennis player John Lloyd that Chris Evert-Lloyd commented: “We get into a rut. We play tennis, we go to a movie we watch TV, but I keep saying, ‘John, there has to be more.’” […]
Read More Deceptive desiresI regularly listen to the interviews produced by 9 Marks. This month’s conversation is with Mez McConnell — probably a name unknown to most American pastors and church goers. His story is a reminder of grace in two ways. Few will have endured what he did in their childhood and young adult years — that […]
Read More An amazing testimony of God’s graceWhy is it that we sometimes remain unchanged in our walk with Christ? Or why does change sometimes seem to come slowly? Here are at least three reasons why transformation may degrade into stagnancy: We substitute rationalization for repentance (Acts 8:14-24, esp. vv. 20-24). We substitute our desires (i.e., sins) for God’s desires (i.e., righteousness; […]
Read More When change is slowHow dark is the darkness of sin? How black is the blackness of sin? Scripture tells us a number of realities about what it means to live in the dark: It is impossible to be “partially dark.” if one lives in any part of darkness, then he lives in full darkness and that darkness is […]
Read More Sunday Leftovers (10/17/10)
