In our morning Bible study yesterday, Preston Atkinson discussed the reality and implications of and our responsibility toward God’s common grace. In light of that discussion I couldn’t help but post this quote from D.A. Carson: “It comes as an enormous relief to recognize that, however odious and sweeping sin is, whether in personal idolatry or in its outworking in the barbarities of a Pol Pot or an Auschwitz, God […]
“The worship which is pleasing to God is offered by his people together, who have assembled in order to do so. Our Reformers understood the implications of this principle, namely that everybody should participate. Whereas the medieval mass was celebrated by the priest at the high altar, and the lay people were spectators, the Reformers deliberately brought the action down from the chancel to the nave and ensured that the […]
It’s all about the numbers: 4,100 Americans killed. 30,000 Americans wounded. $600 billion invested $130 per barrel $4 per gallon I’m the last to assume the Iraq War has an easy fix. For some, staying costs more than leaving. For others, leaving costs more than staying. I have no idea. I’m thankful God has made me a citizen of another kingdom; therefore, my interests lie there. I want to draw […]
For some bizarre reason, I found it easy to meditate more on pastoral discouragement. In so doing I was drawn to Paul’s exhortations to imitate him (1 Cor 4.16; 11.1; Phil 3.17; 1 Thess 1.5; 2 Thess 3.9; cf. also Heb 13.7). Certainly, Paul hoped the churches would imitate his zeal for Christ and his word. However, he also was a model for dealing with life’s pain and discouragement (more […]
It’s another Sunday afternoon in the pastor’s house. He lives for Sunday mornings but dies by Sunday night. Like Elijah, he slinks from Carmel to cave in a few short hours. He wakes up eagerly with glorious expectations only to lay down fitfully with questions. Does anybody care about the things of God? Is there a bud on any of the trees? Is anyone hungry for something, anything resembling godliness? […]
My dear brother in Christ Steve Burchett offered a provocative comment on the most recent post. I’d hoped to skirt the issue (no pun intended), but he’s forced my hand. Rather than offer sound bites in the comment section I thought I’d respond with a new post. What follows are the worm can-opening ramblings of an ignorant man with which a grain of salt would be a complement. You’ll find […]
The three observations I offered in the previous post have prompted several more. God commands us through Paul to always “Rejoice in the Lord” (Phil 3.1; 4.4; 1 Thess 5.16). I want to obey God’s commands; therefore, I must (1) repent of the sin of joylessness and (2) strive for greater measures of Christ’s joy he both promised to me and prayed for me. All of this is possible by […]
Those who know me worst know I struggle for, with and in joy. Yes, I’ve read Desiring God. Yes, I’ve read When I Don’t Desire God. And if Piper ever writes When I Don’t Desire to Desire God then I’ll read it, too. My problem, however, is not ignorance that needs educating. It’s sin that needs killing. We recently finished a study through Philippians at our church. As you know, […]
In studying for a sermon on Ps 109 I ran across this quote from John Calvin. In light of those who would consider Calvinism antithetical to evangelism, consider this: “As we cannot distinguish between the elect and the reprobate, it is our duty to pray for all who trouble us; to desire the salvation of all men; and even to be careful for the welfare of every individual” (Commentaries, vol. […]
I was humbled last weekend to preach the funeral of a dear sister, new member of our church and soldier in the U.S. Army. Her memorial service earlier in the week was my first experience with a military funeral. Folks warned me about the “Last Roll Call” and they were right. It was a moving experience filled with great dignity and honor. So it was a tremendous privilege to preach […]