After a conference

I typically attend two or more conferences each year. I usually travel to at least one — sometimes two — and usually attend to one or more locally. The benefit of attending conferences is being focused for a particular time on a given topic and interacting on those topics with like-minded people without the distraction […]

Taking a risk

I had been looking forward to David’s sermon Sunday since he told me several weeks ago what he was planning on preaching. I’ve listened to several sermons on the same theme and found myself provoked, but was particularly wanting to hear how David processed his thoughts, having lived through several “risks” that are uncommon for […]

Today’s Quote – Godliness (Brainerd)

David Brainerd, Life and Diary: Some signs of godliness. The distinguishing marks of a true Christian, taken from one of my old manuscripts; where I wrote as I felt and experienced, and not from any considerable degree of doctrinal knowledge, or acquaintance with the sentiments of others in this point. He has a true knowledge […]

Today’s Quote – Heaven (Brainerd)

David Brainerd: I viewed the infinite excellency of God and my soul even broke with longings that God should be glorified. I thought of dignity in heaven, but instantly the thought returned, “I do not go to heaven to get honor, but to give all possible glory and praise.” Oh, how I longed that God […]

Why do you want to go to heaven?

John Piper has refined gospel presentation by asking the question, “If you could have everything good about heaven — no suffering, trouble removed, no pain, no death, no tears, fellowship with others, eternal life, etc… — and God is not there, do you still want heaven?” If the answer is “yes,” then the person has […]

Today’s Quote – Music (Bach)

J. S. Bach: The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. If heed is not paid to this, it is not true music but a diabolical bawling and twanging.

Today’s Quote – Spiritual Growth (Brooks)

Phillips Brooks: We never become truly spiritual by sitting down and wishing to become so. You must understake something so great that you cannot accomplish it unaided.

The Shepherds’ Conference is over…

The Shepherds’ Conference is over (much too soon), but ministry awaits at home. God calls us to minister in particular places for particular purposes. And where He has placed us (and me) is to serve in Granbury, TX for His glory. And this ministry is a joy. So, while it was a privilege to be […]

A few things particularly well-said at the Shepherds’ Conference

It is impossible to condense a dozen or more sermons and presentations over the three days of the Shepherds’ Conference into any kind of concise thoughts (though I’ve tried). Some of the impact of the conference is the cumulative effect — a cacophony of voices all singing the same tune. Yet over the days, there […]

Shepherds’ Conference Reflections

A few remaining thoughts after the Shepherds’ Conference — Good preaching. Good is not the correct adjective. How about — exhorting, precise, convicting, penetrating, stimulating, passionate, articulate, helpful, equipping, joyful, consistent, and of course, Biblical. What impacted me in fresh ways this year was the similarities and the distinctions. The preachers were all different — […]

Today’s Quote – Worship (Piper)

John Piper, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals: If the inward essence of worship is satisfaction in God, then worship can’t be a means to anything else. You simply can’t say to God, I want to be satisfied in You so that I can have something else. Because that would mean you are not really satisfied […]

Session 8 – John MacArthur

What about the problem of evil in the world? How about trouble in the world (Lk. 13)? How will we help our people through trouble? Larry King — “I can’t believe in your God because there is just too much trouble in the world.” There is trouble in the entire world — even crime in […]

Session 7 – Steve Lawson

“GUARDING THE GOSPEL” GALATIANS 1:6-10 Every generation of believers has had to fight for the purity and exclusivity of the gospel of Christ. Starting in the 2nd century, Iranaeus, Polycarp, Ignatius, then Cyprian in the 3rd century, Athanasius in the 4th C., Augustine, Wycliffe, Hus, and Luther against the RC church, Calvin against Rome and […]

Session 6 – Phil Johnson

This is an admonition from Paul to Titus, his son in the faith. I chose this text because of the tendency of pastors lately to use filthy jokes, erotic language and the like in preaching today. The “pornification” of the pulpit. The idea is that this is the “tool of contextualization.” But Paul said otherwise. […]

Nathan Busenitz – A New Kind of Fool

WHAT IS THE NEW ATHEISM? Term coined by Ronald Aronson — Wayne State Prof. Key books — Dawkins, Harris, etc. Mohler’s book, Atheism Remix very helpful The New Atheists are evangelistic in intent — see atheism as the only plausible world view for our times Simon Hooper, CNN — religion should not simply be tolerated, […]