I stumbled upon a link to this NPR interview with John Piper while reading some comments at Justin Taylor’s weblog. This is a thoughtful, biblical response to people that question the sovereignty of God in the face of tragic events, in this case the 2005 Tsunami. The interview is about 30 minutes long but well worth the investment of time.
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Related: You can listen to or download the interview at Desiring God.
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Another inspirational quote from the folks at Of First Importance.
Know Jesus. Sit as His feet. Consider His nature, His works, His sufferings, His glory. Rejoice in His presence; commune with Him day to day. To know Christ, is to understand the most excellent of all sciences. You cannot fail to be wise if you commune with Incarnate Wisdom; you cannot lack strength if you have constant fellowship with God.
—Charles Spurgeon
All Round Ministry
Via: Of First Importance
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August 5, 2008 · Posted in Life
This is a very encouraging thought from Mark Altrogge for those of us struggling to discern how our dreams mesh with God’s plan for our vocation.
If your dreams are on hold, be encouraged – God is probably preparing something far better for you. Something you could never imagine.
Via: The Blazing Center
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This is an excerpt from a terrific article by Terry Delaney over at the Said at Southern weblog:
We are more than happy to flex our theological brain power in a debate, but what about actually living what we believe? I am the first to admit that I am a hypocrite in that I do not always practice what I preach, but that does not excuse me from behaving in a manner worthy of my calling. The same is probably true for most of us. How many of us would be found in compliance with the commandment given by Jesus in John 13:34, “just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” The very next thing Jesus says is that “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
As Baptists we could probably learn a thing or two about loving one another. For example, though there are some that are able to discuss the subject of Calvinsim and agree to disagree, there are many who cannot. This is antithetical to what Christ taught. I think we should strive to be called Christians rather than telling everyone that we are a Christian.
I am not saying that we should quit preaching the gospel with our mouths. This is the means by which God has ordained that His people will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (see Romans 10:14-17). However, if we do not live out our faith in opposition to the world, then can we really preach the gospel effectively? It is my prayer that we who proclaim Christ with our lips will do so with our lives as well.
Via: Said at Southern
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July 26, 2008 · Posted in Hymns
I have a shelter in the storm
When troubles pour upon me
Though fears are rising like a flood
My soul can rest securely
O Jesus, I will hide in You
My place of peace and solace
No trial is deeper than Your love
That comforts all my sorrows
I have a shelter in the storm
When all my sins accuse me
Though justice charges me with guilt
Your grace will not refuse me
O Jesus, I will hide in You
Who bore my condemnation
I find my refuge in Your wounds
For there I find salvation
I have a shelter in the storm
When constant winds would break me
For in my weakness, I have learned
Your strength will not forsake me
O Jesus, I will hide in You
The One who bears my burdens
With faithful hands that cannot fail
You’ll bring me home to heaven
—Words and Music by Steve & Vikki Cook and Bob Kauflin
Copyright 2008 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
From the album Come Weary Saints
Related: Free MP3 download of “I Have a Shelter” available from Sovereign Grace Music
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July 21, 2008 · Posted in Heaven
This world is the closest the unbeliever will ever come to heaven, and this world is the closest the follower of Jesus Christ will ever come to hell.
—Randy Alcorn
Resolved 2008 Session 2
Related: You can download the message at the Resolved.
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The following audio excerpt is from John Piper’s first sermon in a short series on the importance of church membership.
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The message was entitled “How Important is Church Membership?” and I thought these two quotes were particularly insightful:
The New Testament knows of no Christians who are not accountable members of local churches in the sense that we have just seen. “Lone-Ranger Christians” are a contradiction because becoming a Christian means being united to Christ, and union with Christ expresses itself in union with a local body of believers. It seems to us that in the New Testament, to be excluded from the local church was to be excluded from Christ. This is why the issue of membership is so important.
Church membership is a blood-bought gift of God’s grace. More than most of us realize, it is a life-sustaining, faith-strengthening, joy-preserving means of God’s mercy to us. I urge you not to cut yourself off from this blessing.
Related: You can read or download the message at Desiring God.
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