Book Review: Be Still, My Soul

Title: Be Still, My Soul: Embracing God’s Purpose and Provision in Suffering Editor: Nancy Guthrie Publisher: Crossway, 2010; 175 pp. $12.99 Recommendation (4-star scale): There are many tests in the Christian life. How will the believer respond to temptation to sin? Will he remain faithful to Christ to the end? Will he wisely and generously […]

Shepherds’ Conference audio

The audio from almost all the sessions of last week’s Shepherds’ Conference has now been posted (only three of the 38 sessions have not been posted). You can download all the audio for free here. The notes from the workshops are typically posted within a few weeks; you will be able to find them here. […]

What does it mean when the Bible repeats itself?

Frequently the Biblical writers will use repetition of words and phrases as a means of emphasis. For instance, the word “believe” appears in John’s gospel 100 times — an obvious means of reinforcing not only the importance of belief in Christ, but also of the key verse in the book — “but these have been […]

Shepherds’ Conference recap

The Shepherds’ Conference is always a highlight for me, and one of the things I look forward to is reflecting over what I heard over those days — of assimilating a few ideas that will stimulate me spiritually to greater godliness and provided direction for ministry decisions in coming days. To that end, here are […]

Shepherds’ Conference Session 9 – John MacArthur

Note: All these notes are rough and are not exact transcriptions. There will be errors (typos) and things that are missed from the messages. What contributes to a lasting ministry? Separation, sincerity, and sympathy. They need to know that you care. You can tell them that God is sovereign, but you had better be there […]

Shepherds’ Conference Session 8 – Steve Lawson

Note: All these notes are rough and are not exact transcriptions. There will be errors (typos) and things that are missed from the messages. Also, I missed the first few minutes of this seminar. This war is an invisible war — unseen conflict between God and Satan, heaven and hell, good and evil and there […]

Shepherds’ Conference Seminar 4 – Carey Hardy

Note: All these notes are rough and are not exact transcriptions. There will be errors (typos) and things that are missed from the messages. Also, I missed the first few minutes of this seminar. A balanced Christian life is completely avoiding both liberty and legalism. There is a third way — the gospel. Not just […]

Shepherds’ Conference Session 7 – Phil Johnson

Note: All these notes are rough and are not exact transcriptions. There will be errors (typos) and things that are missed from the messages. In the past 10 years alone every fundamental doctrine has been placed on the table for debate — and it has even become shocking when someone stands up for truth. The […]

Reading Numbers

The book of Numbers, while often regarded among the less “interesting” books in Scripture to read, is an important book for it is the book of testing for the nation of Israel. And through the testing, the nation discovers that God is faithful to His promises and His people. In addition, the holiness of God […]

Shepherds’ Conference Session 6 – Al Mohler

Note: All these notes are rough and are not exact transcriptions. There will be errors (typos) and things that are missed from the messages. The disappearance of the pulpit is the hallmark of the age. Have you noticed the sermons of the age? They’re small. Not short. But small. Preaching needs to be big. Not […]

Seminar 3 – Paton, Turning Spectators into Servants?

Note: All these notes are rough and are not exact transcriptions. There will be errors (typos) and things that are missed from the messages. In a culture where entertainment and being a consumer and spectator is considered the norm for every area of life, how do you turn people into servants? In a simple word […]

Shepherds’ Conference – Phil Johnson on Spurgeon

Note: All these notes are rough and are not exact transcriptions. There will be errors (typos) and things that are missed from the messages. Additionally, Phil Johnson used extensive quotes, which it was not possible to transcribe. It will be worth listening to the audio to capture the full sense of his argument. Criticism in […]

Shepherds’ Conference – Session 5 – John MacArthur Q & A

Note: All these notes are rough and are not exact transcriptions. There will be errors (typos) and things that are missed from the messages. John MacArthur and Rick Holland addressed ten questions that were commonly asked at the conference. Session 5 – MacArthur.pdf

Shepherds’ Conference Session 4 – Rick Holland

Note: All these notes are rough and are not exact transcriptions. There will be errors (typos) and things that are missed from the messages. Of what is the preacher afraid? And how should the preacher respond to that fear? Of what should he really be afraid? Rick Holland offers four contrasting principles of fear from […]

Music and misc. from Wednesday’s Shepherds’ Conference

A couple reflections on the Shepherds’ Conference from yesterday (and a couple pictures). I always look forward to the music at the Shepherds’ Conference, and yesterday fulfilled all my expectations. Amazing congregational singing and the Master’s Seminary men’s chorus (250 men!) was amazing in the first session. Add special music by Jubilant Sykes, Phil Webb […]