Piper and Preaching

This video was posted a week ago and I found it to be very encouraging. I have often thought that I will not be able to proclaim God's Word in an adequate way although I have an extreme passion and desire to do so. I wonder sometimes why the bridge from my mind to my mouth tends to collapse without warning.

After watching this video, my prayer has become reinforcement and fortification of that bridge. And I have come to the conclusion that it starts in the heart.

Don't Waste Your Life Sentence

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

-Luke 4:16-20

A Caution to the New Reformed Movement

Click here if you can't see the video.

Wallpapers

I made a wallpaper. I am sharing it with you.

Just click on the image, click "download", and then save the image...

Also check out the Don't Waste Your Life wallpapers. Those are cooler than mine.

Changing Translations

I have often asked this question: if someday I am a pastor, how will I address particular subtle changes that may be a point of stumbling for a portion of the congregation?

In this video, John Piper is asked about changing from KJV to a more contemporary translation. I found the principles communicated in his answer, although brief, to be helpful in answering the question that I posed at the outset.

Doug Wilson talks Collision

Here is a nice follow up to yesterday's post.

Last night Doug Wilson spoke at the Desiring God National Conference about the debate between himself and Christopher Hitchens. This may be a more helpful tool for those who have actually watched the documentary, but you can always come back to this interview once you watch the film.

Again, Collision is due out October 27.

A Good Investment

I have lots of thoughts in a day. And out of those thoughts quite a few I wish I could remember at the end of the day. Having a simple place to write down my thoughts is always a good idea, but I never want to lug around a full-sized journal or a backpack with a notebook in it. A solution to this conundrum recently presented itself.

While at the Desiring God National Conference in September everyone was given a pack of three Don't Waste Your Life Journals. Perfectly sized, this journal fits nicely in my back pocket and provides a place for me to write down a thought that I don't want to forget.

"Keep a journal and write out your thoughts as you meditate on the Scripture. Writing is a way of seeing that is deeper and sharper than most other ways. We see more when we write than when we just read. You don't have to use the journal every time or every day. But do it sometimes and you will soon see the fruit, so that I won't need to convince you." 

-John Piper, If My Words Abide in You... 

The journals are reasonably priced at $5.99 for a pack of three or $4.99 if you buy ten packs or more. And of course free shipping on all orders over $25 at the Desiring God Store.

Resol-you-tions

Resol-me-tions? No, resol-you-tions are Scottish resolutions as demonstrated by Sinclair Ferguson at the Desiring God Conference National Conference.

In his message, The Tongue, the Bridle, and the Blessing, Sinclair outlined twenty resolutions drawn from the book of James concerning the tongue.

Here is the list:

1. I resolve to ask God for wisdom to speak out of a single-minded devotion to him (1:5).
   
2. I resolve to boast only in the exultation I receive in Jesus Christ and also in the humiliation I receive for Jesus Christ (1:9-10).
3. I resolve to set a watch over my mouth (1:13).
   
4. I resolve to be constantly quick to hear and slow to speak (1:19).
   
5. I resolve to learn the gospel way of speaking to both rich and poor (2:1-4).
   
6. I resolve to speak in the present consciousness of my final judgment (2:12).
   
7. I resolve never to stand on anyone’s face with the words I employ (2:16).
   
8. I resolve never to claim as reality in my life what I do not truly experience (3:14).
   
9. I resolve to resist quarrelsome words as evidence of a bad heart that needs to be mortified (4:1).
   
10. I resolve never to speak decided evil against another out of a heart of antagonism (4:11).
    
11. I resolve never to boast in any thing but what I will accomplish (4:13).
    
12. I resolve to speak as one subject to the providences of God (4:15).
    
13. I resolve never to grumble. The judge is at the door (5:9).
    
14. I resolve never to allow anything but total integrity in everything I say (5:12).
    
15. I resolve to speak to God in prayer whenever I suffer (5:13).
    
16. I resolve to sing praises to God whenever I’m cheerful (5:14).
    
17. I resolve to ask for the prayers of others when I’m in need (5:14).
    
18. I resolve to confess it whenever I have failed (5:15).
    
19. I resolve to pray with others for one another whenever I am together with them (5:15).
    
20. I resolve to speak words of restoration when I see another wander (5:19).
    

Shoot the Wolves

At the Desiring God Conference National Conference this weekend Mark Driscoll delivered a talk entitled How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words. I encourage you to take a look, listen, or read.

Driscoll included five contexts and what kind of words should be used in each.

1. Feed the sheep
2. Rebuke the swine
3. Shoot the wolves
4. Bark at the dogs
5. Pray for the shepherds

Desiring God Conference

I am beyond excited for this year's Desiring God Conference. What really jumped out at me in reading the preliminary material for the conference was the theme: The Power of Words and the Wonder of God. And further, the description of Mark Driscoll's talk is particularly intriguing. Here is how John Piper describes it:

Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, has agreed to tackle the knotty issue of tough and tender words, words in controversy, words in confrontation, words like Jesus and Paul used when they called people vipers and said, “If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed” (1 Cor. 16:22).

Fitting.

Rebekah and I are planning on attending. I pray that every Christian would consider going to this conference. I went last year and was greatly encouraged and edified by the teaching and testimonies of God's faithful servants. And if you cannot make it, you can always listen to the sessions at the website of Desiring God.

I trust that it "will be mind-sharpening, heart-humbling, mouth-seasoning, backbone-strengthening, and Christ-acclaiming."

American Idolatry: What Others Are Saying

In light of yesterday's post regarding American Idolatry, watch Mark Driscoll in this video:



In addition, Tom Stellar writes concerning 1 John 5:21:

"What, then, is idolatry? Idolatry is valuing any thing or any person more than the one true God. An idol is any thing or any person that takes center stage in our affections. God is a jealous God. He deserves center stage in our lives. Anything that usurps that place becomes an idol, whether it be a spouse, a child, a humanitarian project, or pornography, or drugs, or power over the poor, or religion. An idol is a god-substitute. Archeology limits idols to stone statues; biblical theology teaches that idols are any things that take the place of God in our lives. When understood this way, we can realize that idolatry is not ancient history but is alive and flourishing in America as we rush toward the twenty-first century.

"So John's closing command 'Little children, keep yourselves from idols' has as much relevance for our day as for any generation since creation."

Chirst-Exalting Poetry

I believe that God is exalted in art. It is a gift from Him and should be given back to Him. Art is essentially worship and is a great way to express the glory that has been revealed to us. I would challenge you to not view art as a waste of time. Many of us live in a very goal-oriented environment where only practical, result-driven activities consume our day. Lay them aside for a few moments and pursue the Lord through Christ-exalting art in your life.

Here's a place to start. I found this poem posted on the Desiring God blog. It's called Luke 18.25. Enjoy it. I believe God is glorified in it.