tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-172751782012-01-02T05:54:09.721-08:00A Christian blog primarily dedicated to the Word and sound theology.Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.comBlogger4531100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-66889662282545169002011-12-19T07:50:00.000-08:002012-01-02T05:54:09.734-08:00

Many years ago i read the first volume of two on the late great David Martyn Lloyd-Jones written by premier Christian biographer Iain H Murray. This month I decided to try and finish volume two (volume two is 831 pages). The second volume of this bio is aptly titled "the Fight of Faith." If you want to know what makes MLJ's ministry so enduring check out this series of exceptional articles

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-73938970506755326752011-03-01T14:12:00.000-08:002011-10-05T05:15:28.467-07:00

Books I’ve somewhat recently completed:The Pastor As Scholar & the Scholar as Pastor by Carson and PiperJesus Loves the Church and So Should You by Earl BlackburnUneclipsing the Son by Rick HollandThe Mighty Weakness of John Knox by Douglas BondReformation: yesterday, today, and tomorrow by Carl TruemanWesley and Men Who Followed by Iain H MurrayThe Exemplary Husband by Stuart ScottExpository

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-45467555410925282032010-10-28T07:34:00.000-07:002010-10-28T07:36:07.563-07:00

Jude learned some new tricks during our recent trip to Carmel, Indiana.

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-85733534793381249932010-10-08T05:59:00.001-07:002010-10-08T06:04:26.377-07:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-52010197764809306402010-09-09T11:59:00.000-07:002010-09-09T12:00:53.229-07:00

Commenting on Colossians 1:25-29, “This charge has preaching as its main function, and specifically Biblical exposition. The phrase ‘to present to you the word of God’ literally reads, ‘that i might complete the Word of God.' The idea is to lay out the Word of God fully. People cannot know Christ better without knowing the Word of God fully. Preaching (exposition) was the heart of God’s call

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-58187869518778862172010-05-31T05:47:00.000-07:002010-05-31T05:57:59.151-07:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-61287101114317341132010-04-15T17:44:00.001-07:002010-04-15T17:46:22.633-07:00

The consistently insightful and discerning pen of Phil Johnson strikes again. Read on readers because this article is worth your investment of time."So (in case you hadn't heard) Rick Warren will headline the list of speakers at next October's Desiring God Conference.Of course I think it's a bad turn of events, and I didn't find Dr. Piper's rationale for handing his platform over to Warren

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-40137491789341363502010-04-05T13:13:00.000-07:002010-04-05T13:49:13.711-07:00

They will be preaching at the same national conference hosted by John Piper.Please check out the following blog post/review by Mr. Tim Challies www.challies.comIt is always good to remember that 'the best of men (Mohler, Piper, Graham, MacArthur, your Christian grandfather, etc) are still men at best.' Only Jesus and the Holy Scriptures are without error. That doesn't mean these men shouldn't

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-8674238393572443502010-03-08T05:59:00.001-08:002010-03-08T06:13:58.139-08:00

Most of my reading has to do with my current ministries at home and at First Baptist Church. I have been reading some of these books for many months. I tend to read alot of material at once and therefore don't finish some of the books for a long time.Currently Reading1. When People are Big & God is Small by Edward T. Welch2. He is Not Silent: Preaching in a Postmodern World by Albert Mohler,

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-78682484215677690162010-02-24T09:23:00.000-08:002010-02-24T09:24:19.307-08:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-26615112543936669162010-02-23T12:23:00.000-08:002010-02-23T16:47:43.057-08:00

This year our church congregation is celebrating 165 years of God's faithfulness. One of the things we wanted to do to highlight this anniversary celebration was to have a bible conference or two. I am a bit of a dreamer so i decided to create my Fab 5 list of faithful expositors. Included on my list were John MacArthur, Steve Lawson, R.C. Sproul, Al Mohler, and John Piper. I have heard all these

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-56387983563554457872010-02-19T04:52:00.000-08:002010-03-08T06:17:41.076-08:00

I've heard these sentiments many times myself. Sadly, I'm sure at some immature points in my Christian walk i thought the very same things. The real tragedy is when elder boards and pastors begin changing their ministries because of complaints like this. I've witnessed this happen before and it is very sad! Dr Al Mohler wrote the following article at http://www.albertmohler.com/. "It is well

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-66733749275782327132010-02-17T06:21:00.001-08:002010-02-17T06:22:29.833-08:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-45904191480764487472010-02-03T06:47:00.001-08:002010-02-03T06:48:12.586-08:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-77474028596824132912010-01-28T12:04:00.000-08:002010-01-28T12:05:46.636-08:00

How low can this culture go? Apparently even lower http://specials.msn.com/A-List/Second-pregnant-man.aspx?cp-searchtext=second%20pregnant%20man

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-52718618017856913072010-01-26T12:01:00.000-08:002010-01-26T12:02:17.213-08:00

This post is from my friend Paul Lamey over at Expository Thoughts http://expositorythoughts.wordpress.com/. Charlie looked at the bewildered victims of the crash on the beach and spoke for all when he said, “Guys, where are we?”If you want to know how we got here (telegraph–television–blogs–Facebook–Twitter) I would highly recommend Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-51353391363644691652010-01-20T05:29:00.000-08:002010-01-20T05:30:34.102-08:00

Dr. Al Mohler notes the following, "Preaching has fallen on hard times. So suggests a report out of Durham University's College of Preachers. The British university's CODEC research center, which aims to explore "the interfaces between the Bible, the digital environment and contemporary culture," conducted the study to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the College of Preachers. The report is not

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-76326724557952988112010-01-18T15:55:00.000-08:002010-01-18T15:57:00.511-08:00

Dr. Mohler posts another brilliant blog. "The images streaming in from Haiti look like scenes from Dante's Inferno. The scale of the calamity is unprecedented. In many ways, Haiti has almost ceased to exist.The earthquake that will forever change that nation came as subterranean plates shifted about six miles under the surface of the earth, along a fault line that had threatened trouble for

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-29929053503500932012010-01-15T17:32:00.001-08:002010-01-15T17:45:16.408-08:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-66229207357080153262010-01-01T05:40:00.001-08:002010-01-01T05:42:18.574-08:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-52059771282116263752009-12-27T04:46:00.001-08:002010-01-13T05:29:06.852-08:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-46154138426390801082009-12-27T04:23:00.000-08:002009-12-27T04:50:07.612-08:00

The kids were thrilled to finally be able to meet Annie. Because of H1N1 fears kids under 12 are not allowed to visit anyone in the hospital.

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-69951612465077822072009-12-19T18:10:00.000-08:002009-12-19T18:12:02.521-08:00

Today I enjoyed 20 of the best minutes in 2009!!!

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-80407728347980451312009-12-18T14:57:00.000-08:002009-12-18T14:59:48.171-08:00

We were finally able to hold her today during feeding time!

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-38038961600266639662009-12-17T08:57:00.000-08:002009-12-30T04:59:16.199-08:00

What Is Pragmatism & Why Is It Bad?Wednesday, Dec 16, 2009 By John MacArthur"In a column published some years ago in a popular Christian magazine, a well-known preacher was venting his own loathing for long sermons. January 1 was coming, so he resolved to do better in the coming year. "That means wasting less time listening to long sermons and spending much more time preparing short ones," he

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-24093864631702062842009-12-16T19:04:00.000-08:002009-12-17T13:03:04.897-08:00

Our new little girl just a few minutes after God brought her into our world. :) We are praying that her lungs get strong soon so we can hold her!

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-38780927066206963192009-12-10T04:59:00.000-08:002009-12-10T05:05:32.278-08:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-11874978392892470722009-12-10T04:56:00.000-08:002009-12-10T04:57:32.926-08:00

Dr. Sproul provides some good insight below."On November 20, 2009, a document called the Manhattan Declaration was presented to the public by a coalition of cobelligerents. The document is concerned primarily with three very important biblical and cultural issues: the sanctity of life, the meaning of marriage, and the nature of religious liberty. Without question, these issues are up for grabs in

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-32131261206513598552009-12-03T14:28:00.000-08:002009-12-03T14:29:54.671-08:00

Helpful response #3 (by James White)The Troubling Aspects of the Manhattan Declaration11/23/2009"Because we honor justice and the common good, we will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo¬destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other anti¬life act; nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-68854685411613655892009-12-03T14:26:00.000-08:002009-12-03T14:36:04.534-08:00

Helpful Response #2 (by Pastor MacArthur) Tuesday, Nov 24, 2009 "Here are the main reasons I am not signing the Manhattan Declaration, even though a few men whom I love and respect have already affixed their names to it:• Although I obviously agree with the document’s opposition to same-sex marriage, abortion, and other key moral problems threatening our culture, the document falls far short of

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-24724118731697641812009-12-03T14:22:00.000-08:002009-12-10T04:59:27.397-08:00

A lot has already been posted on this topic. I am in agreement with ideas conveyed in the articles written by MacArthur, White, and Begg. I greatly disagree with men i greatly respect (Grudem, Mohler, and DeYoung).Here are the reviews i found most helpful.(Pastor Begg) "The release of The Manhattan Declaration (an ecumenical document addressing the issues of life, marriage, and religious liberty)

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-44272577315288160872009-11-09T10:23:00.000-08:002009-11-09T10:24:05.216-08:00

As a pastor’s kid growing up in a Christian home I have listened to more sermons than many believers twice my age. In addition to this privilege/stewardship I spent close to 13 years at the Grace Community Church (to borrow a humorous expression from Dr. Mohler). Besides sitting under the regular preaching ministries of John MacArthur, Rick Holland, Ken Ramey, Phil Johnson, Carey Hardy, and

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-7968644367797186132009-10-19T04:25:00.000-07:002009-10-19T04:26:05.814-07:00

Article by Phil Johnsonhttp://teampyro.blogspot.com/search/label/languageCussing is back on the table for debate again, it seems. Last week I was twitted by Twitterers, poked by Facebookers, IMed by chatmongers, and berated by bloggers on this subject. (Apparently there's a gang of angry people prepped and ready to throw down any time I breathe a sigh of disapproval about cussing—especially if

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-31638333784480296862009-10-09T11:47:00.000-07:002009-10-09T12:04:42.132-07:00

It has been some time since my last reading report. I must admit I have not been reading as much as i can/should lately. Too much TV i guess. What good books have you read lately?Books I've recently read1. Heroes by Iain H Murray2. Jesus Christ: the Prince of Preachers by Mike Abendroth3. Revelation 20 and the Millennial Debate by Matt Waymeyer4. The Rapture: 3 Views by various authorsBooks I'm

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-17156372715385719322009-10-01T05:22:00.000-07:002009-10-12T07:13:32.731-07:00

I have been the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Freeport for close to a year and a half now. After a short topical series on "biblical preaching" i decided to take my new congregation through the book of Revelation. The most common response i get when sharing that bit of information with others is "Are you crazy, stupid, or a little bit of both, son?" OK not really, but i can see

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-25195262935703043992009-09-28T15:50:00.001-07:002009-09-28T16:02:27.472-07:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-66314719734018984172009-09-26T08:32:00.000-07:002009-09-26T08:33:49.060-07:00

In one of John Piper's finest sermons on preaching he said this, “God did not ordain the cross of Christ or create the lake of fire to communicate the insignificance of belittling his glory. The death of the Son of God and the damnation of unrepentant human beings are the LOUDEST SHOUTS under heaven that God is infinitely holy, and sin is infinitely offensive, and wrath is infinitely just, and

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-55686435355796475112009-08-13T10:53:00.001-07:002009-08-13T11:05:39.680-07:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-71434663702295868262009-08-11T06:50:00.000-07:002009-08-11T06:52:59.499-07:00

As a senior teaching pastor I find myself working very hard to stay afloat almost every single week. Throw a funeral or two into the mix and you have yourself a really exciting week. I find it challenging to prepare a Sunday AM sermon and a Sunday PM lesson week in and week out. Pastors have so much to do and so little time to do it in. Thank goodness God does not want us to accomplish these

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-16346962413356134172009-07-13T06:02:00.000-07:002009-07-13T06:08:45.893-07:00

On August 1st, we will own our 2nd home (we sold our first home a little over a year ago). This "new" home was built in 1939 but has been kept up very well by the current homeowners of 31 years. We hope our out of town guests will drop by to see it very soon! We're certain our new house will be great for fellowship, rest, and hospitality. We praise the Lord for His many blessings!

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-41443274022056118612009-07-12T06:00:00.000-07:002009-07-12T06:07:22.001-07:00

How Sweet and Awful Is the PlaceThese lyrics were written by the great hymn-writer, Isaac Watts.How sweet and awful is the placeWith Christ within the doorsWhile everlasting love displaysThe choicest of her stores.While all our hearts and all our songsJoin to admire the feastEach of us cry with thankful tongues,"Lord, why was I a guest?""Why was I made to hear thy voiceand enter while there's

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-63321322611133594582009-07-10T17:59:00.000-07:002009-07-10T18:03:14.393-07:00

"Whatever lasting impact John Calvin has had on the church of Jesus Christ, and on the whole world for that matter, is owing to his commitment to understanding and explaining the word of God. From sermons to lectures to letters to tracts to treatises to confessions to catechisms to books, his adult life was consumed with one thing: the word of God–the word as a summons to obedience, the word as a

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-48053889610202973952009-07-03T07:08:00.000-07:002009-07-06T12:39:09.549-07:00

July 1st marks the 1 year anniversary of our time here in Freeport, Illinois. I have been a vocational pastor for just over 4 years now and a senior teaching pastor for a year. To serve Christ's precious church as an undershepherd is a tremendous delight and a great privilege indeed (1 Peter 5, Hebrews 13:17).I am blessed to have a fine group of fellow leaders working alongside me each and every

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-75296418965326090992009-07-01T12:58:00.000-07:002009-07-01T12:59:29.027-07:00

Here is a great quote from a new book linked below:Perhaps Christians are leaving the church because it isn't tolerant and open-minded. But perhaps the church-leavers have their own intolerance too--intolerant of tradition, intolerant of authority, intolerant of imperfection except their own. Are you open-minded enough to give the church a chance--a chance for the church to be the church, not a

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-68139069140445746492009-06-26T11:41:00.000-07:002009-06-28T20:06:27.477-07:00

One of the main reasons why the Holy Angels and the Holy Saints honor Holy, Holy, Holy God in heaven is because of His work of creation (see Revelation 4). The theory of evalution is not spiritually neutral! It is a slap in the face of the Omnipotent Creator. It questions the veracity of one of God’s greatest miracles. It detracts from God’s transcendent glory! So I repeat one more time,

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-13985461357052761582009-06-25T05:17:00.000-07:002009-06-25T05:20:47.160-07:00

Hero Worship and Holy EmulationBy John PiperI have unanswered questions about how to navigate the new world of media-driven celebrity attention to pastors. As Advance09 started in Durham, North Carolina, the News & Observer ran the headline “Celebrity Pastors Visit for Conference.” One might wish they had printed: “Imperfect, Passionate Pastors Come to Serve.” But that’s not news.When I say

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-63670517583467916152009-06-24T13:07:00.000-07:002009-06-24T13:08:50.585-07:00

Check out this book here http://www.ligonier.org/publishing_reformationtrust_catalog_unwaveringresolve.phpJonathan Edwards is well known as perhaps the greatest theologian the United States has ever produced. He is equally noted for his preaching and writing. But in this Long Line Profile, Dr. Steven J. Lawson considers the unique focus and commitment with which Edwards sought to live out the

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-24324626409187432812009-06-20T14:15:00.000-07:002009-06-20T14:27:19.018-07:00

Why don't I blog more often? That is a good question. Here is my short answer to a very fair question.1. The primary reason is that each and every week my main writing project is the Sunday morning sermon. In total 15+ hours are spent trying to craft sermons from Biblical texts that will be doxological, edifying, and convicting. I normally don't have time to edit down the sermon manuscripts

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-9743309023251180552009-06-16T13:33:00.001-07:002009-06-16T13:33:45.884-07:00

I came across this great quote today.“I know the vanity of your heart, and that you will feel mortified that your congregation is very small, in comparison with those of your brethren around you; but assure yourself on the word of an old man, that when you come to give an account of them to the Lord Christ, at his judgment-seat, you will think you have had enough.” -- John Brown, to a newly

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-10624934593638523592009-06-15T08:40:00.000-07:002009-06-15T08:41:11.717-07:00

Because the Days Are Evil by Carolyn Mahaney Biblical Womanhood Series Current SeriesI was in bed with a stomach virus one morning and wanted to distract myself from how miserable I felt, so I turned on the Today Show. Co-Host Ann Curry was interviewing two moms who recently wrote a book entitled Getting to 50/50. The point of the book is this: A woman can have a great career, a great

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-47831867826306180482009-06-10T15:00:00.001-07:002009-06-10T15:02:08.281-07:00

From albertmohler.comThe issue of homosexuality presents all morally serious persons with an unavoidable question: What is the moral status of homosexual acts and relationships? One way or the other, some judgment on this matter will be made.Are homosexual acts inherently wrong, dishonorable, and sinful? Or, is homosexuality morally neutral, with specific sexual acts and relationships determined

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-82361386024150216082009-05-30T05:43:00.000-07:002009-05-30T05:44:44.216-07:00

We are going to climb Mount Sinai this Sunday and begin Revelation 4 & 5. Pray for me!

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-4746306598979862212009-05-16T07:41:00.001-07:002009-05-16T07:48:15.640-07:00

My sister graduated from college on Friday and then we had our first Kolstad family reunion (since 2003).

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-48645966340389624292009-04-30T10:41:00.001-07:002009-04-30T10:43:33.324-07:00

By Dr. Al Mohler for entire article click here http://www.albertmohler.com/...The outbreak of swine flu now dominates the headlines and news programs, with at least 150 deaths in Mexico already recorded even as the disease is now confirmed around the world. For many years medical authorities have warned of a coming influenza pandemic -- a modern plague -- that could kill on a magnitude similar

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-62341464635296357712009-04-23T10:48:00.000-07:002009-04-23T10:51:37.612-07:00

From Dan Phillips at http://teampyro.blogspot.com/..."But others do attend a church — physically. They come in, they sit down. They sing, they may give financially. They may look at you, Pastor, as you preach.But you know their heart belongs to another.Their real pastor isn't you. It's Dave Hunt. Or it's John Piper. Or it's John MacArthur, or Ligon Duncan, or Mark Dever, or David Cloud, or Joel

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-14739345336525273242009-04-14T11:37:00.000-07:002009-04-14T11:40:44.307-07:00

The Rape of Solomon's SongTuesday, Apr 14, 2009By John MacArthur from http://www.shepherdsfellowship.org/pulpit/Posts.aspx?ID=4168Apparently the shortest route to relevance in church ministry right now is for the pastor to talk about sex in garishly explicit terms during the Sunday morning service. If he can shock parishioners with crude words and sophomoric humor, so much the better. The

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-62362140884586715082009-04-08T14:13:00.000-07:002009-04-08T14:14:05.597-07:00

From http://unashamedworkman.wordpress.com/Discouraging sights from the pulpit:yawningsleepingincessant talkingclosed biblesfolded armsphones being checkedpeople walking out (rejecting the message)people taken ill Encouraging sights from the pulpit:bibles being examinednote takingleaning forward with interestpeople walking out (under conviction)tearsjoy at the truth preached

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-51735156092843046042009-04-06T13:23:00.000-07:002009-04-06T13:24:39.635-07:00

Full article from foxnews.com http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/04/06/obama-arrives-turkey-strengthen-ties/Obama, who spent part of his childhood in Indonesia, underscored his personal connection Monday with Muslim culture and said the United States seeks "broader engagement" with the Muslim world than just the fight against Al Qaeda. "We will listen carefully, we will bridge

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-37703446807623988132009-03-30T21:08:00.000-07:002009-03-30T21:09:25.809-07:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-54404684137751179202009-03-29T12:20:00.001-07:002009-03-29T12:24:35.808-07:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-68031510581359962582009-03-29T12:13:00.001-07:002009-03-29T12:19:42.583-07:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-75368680775680006582009-03-20T08:49:00.000-07:002009-03-20T08:56:42.994-07:00

It is difficult not to think more highly of ourselves than we should. The flesh is the souls greatest enemy, even though Christians are no longer enslaved to it, see Rom 7-8. Do you want to know a practical Remedy For Dealing with Pride? Read Christian biographies like Iain Murray's The Forgotten Spurgeon or Dallimore's Susanna Wesley. But even better read John Foxe's The New Foxe's Book of

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-40445109490165096252009-02-26T14:39:00.000-08:002009-02-26T14:40:37.408-08:00

(Some of) God’s Purposes in This RecessionNow what are some of God’s purposes in this recession?1. He intends for this recession to expose hidden sin and so bring us to repentance and cleansing.2. He intends to wake us up to the constant and desperate condition of the developing world where there is always and only recession of the worst kind.3. He intends to relocate the roots of our joy in his

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-79843219383965331952009-02-26T11:09:00.001-08:002009-02-26T11:12:30.286-08:00

“George Whitefield believed in preaching and gave his life to it. By this preaching God did a mighty work of salvation on both sides of the Atlantic. His biographer, Arnold Dallimore, chronicled the astonishing effect that Whitefield’s preaching had in Britain and America in the eighteenth century. It came like rain on the parched land and made the desert spring forth with the flowers of

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-86073240334269179782009-02-25T11:02:00.000-08:002009-02-25T11:17:45.577-08:00

February Book ListRecently Finished:Feed My Sheep: A Passionate Plea for Preaching by various authors.Singing and Making Music by Paul JonesStill Reading:The Mischief of Sin by Thomas WatsonThe Message of the Old Testament by Mark DeverNumerous Commentaries on Revelation God's Indwelling Presence: The Holy Spirit in the OT and the NT by James Hamilton Jr.John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion,

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-83803040667527566192009-02-21T11:56:00.000-08:002009-02-21T12:00:19.125-08:00

David Wells, in his new book The Courage to be Protestant:“Preaching is not a conversation about some interesting ideas. It is not the moment in which postmoderns hear their own private message in the biblical words, one unique to each one who hears, and then go their own way. No! This is God speaking! He speaks through the stammering lips of the preacher where that preacher’s mind is on the text

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-35734270253687262882009-02-19T07:47:00.000-08:002009-02-19T07:49:14.945-08:00

Pastor Steve J. Lawson contributed the following chapter in the helpful new book John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion Doctrine & Doxology. This book provides fresh insights into the life and ministry of the "controversial" Reformation pastor. Lawson points to 10 Distinguishing Marks of Calvin’s pulpit ministry.1. Calvin’s preaching was biblical in substance.2. Calvin’s preaching was sequential in

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-21074772526891397192009-02-18T07:40:00.000-08:002009-02-18T07:41:13.264-08:00

Should A Pastor Set Goals?Yes! Derek Prime and Alistair Begg suggest that every pastor should set the following six goals:to feed the flock (John 21:15-17)to proclaim the whole will of God (Acts 20:27)to present everyone perfect in Christ (Colossians 1:28-29)to prepare God’s people for works of service (Ephesians 4:12)to equip God’s people to be fisher’s of men (2 Timothy 4:5)to keep watch over

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-61151800556310813352009-02-16T06:56:00.000-08:002009-02-16T06:57:23.590-08:00

In his chapter The Primacy of Preaching from the book Feed My Sheep Dr. Al Mohler has written, “Evangelical pastors commonly state that biblical preaching is the hallmark of their calling. Nevertheless, a careful observer might come to a very different conclusion. The priority of preaching is simply not evident in far too many churches.We must affirm with Luther that the preaching of the Word

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-92054054082285769802009-02-14T09:08:00.000-08:002009-02-14T09:10:47.620-08:00

Media's Clamor Over True Woman `08 is Anti-WomanArticle by Jeff Robinson; February 9, 2009The mainstream news media has discovered-with a vengeance, emphasis on vengeance-True Woman `08 nearly four months after the Revive Our Hearts women's conference took place. Last week, Gender Blog interacted with an article published by Religion Dispatches that typified TW as a "counter-cultural movement,"

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-16839228592506669102009-02-14T08:53:00.000-08:002009-02-14T09:01:31.913-08:00

You know you live in the Midwest when you actually get excited about a February day in the 40's. The kids loved jumping in the snow puddles as you can see!

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-7267693569127763612009-01-23T11:22:00.000-08:002009-01-23T11:38:15.848-08:00

Should God continue to bless America? http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/01/23/obama-lift-ban-overseas-abortion-funding/After reading the story above you really need to watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2CaBR3z85cAnd this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJETjte7Os8Here was President Obama's statement on abortion yesterday, released late in the day:On the 36th

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-44441236908664542942009-01-19T06:08:00.000-08:002009-01-19T06:20:08.891-08:00

2009 is here! Hopefully you have made some time to think back over 2008 to evaluate your personal (spiritual) growth. As we move into 2009 may the Church strive to be more like the Lord of the Church (Jesus) with each passing day. Make some personal resolutions for 09 because if you aim at nothing you will hit it every time.We enjoyed a very nice weekend with some great friends from Carmel (see

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-23743217375747810262009-01-12T13:57:00.001-08:002009-01-12T13:59:08.688-08:00

As a NFL fan I have never liked Peyton Manning or the Indianapolis Colts. As a Christian, i can not help but love Hall of Fame to be coach Tony Dungy.He retired today and you can read about it here http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=mortensen_chris&id=3827287It is interesting that even many non-Christians respected his character and his faith in Christ.

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-67179045906979781062009-01-07T13:11:00.000-08:002009-01-07T14:44:46.659-08:00

I am currently presenting a lecture series on Sunday nights on WORSHIP. You can check it out on our new website at http://www.fbcfreeport.com/sermon/january2009.html or http://www.fbcfreeport.com/Defining WorshipArticle by Bob KauflinDutch humanist Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) once said “Every definition is dangerous.” That may explain why when we try to define a word simply and precisely we

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-31630981424453519752009-01-05T07:52:00.000-08:002009-01-05T07:59:44.061-08:00

Some good friends from Carmel stopped by for a visit and some fellowship. These pictures are especially for Mrs. Marshall. :)

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-71451751401527315492008-12-28T13:55:00.000-08:002009-01-04T14:10:05.028-08:00

This year we enjoyed a visit from my parents (Thanksgiving) and Andrea's (Christmas). We are grateful to God for our Christian families.

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-34627558671416225272008-12-22T10:05:00.000-08:002008-12-22T10:10:38.444-08:00

Nationwide ChillBelow average temperatures expected all across the country today; snow spreads to Intermountain West. (Meanwhile Al Gore takes his personal Lear Jet to Caribbean for Christmas vacation)...Freeport weather:Currently -2 FFeels like -13 Fhttp://www.weather.com/outlook/health/coldandflu/local/61032?lswe=61032&lwsa=Weather36HourColdAndFluCommand&from=searchbox_localwx

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-22201980038937052572008-12-20T06:56:00.000-08:002009-01-01T07:42:32.595-08:00

1. Numerous Revelation Commentaries by various authors2. After Darkness Light by various authors3. The Mischief of Sin by Thomas Watson4. Singing And Making Music: Issues in Church Music Today by Paul Jones5. Current TMS Journal on Homosexuality6. A Passionate Plea for Preaching by various authors

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-69744570139269535072008-12-15T05:36:00.000-08:002008-12-15T05:39:37.311-08:00

Application via exhortation is an important aspect of expository preaching. One of the great challenges in preaching is trying to manage your time. I rarely have enough time to say all that I want to say on a given passage. One of the things i try and do from time to time is provide “application handouts” for my congregation. These handouts typically go along with the morning message but

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-76570942361056645532008-12-08T09:14:00.000-08:002008-12-15T05:36:35.073-08:00

My favorite Christian blog author has posted another wonderful article (see below)Turning the Bible on its Head -- Newsweek Goes for Gay MarriageBy Al Mohler at http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=2881Newsweek magazine, one of the most influential news magazines in America, has decided to come out for same-sex marriage in a big way, and to do so by means of a biblical and theological

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-86186496172165292982008-12-04T17:32:00.000-08:002008-12-04T17:36:06.034-08:00

Here are some suggestions parents might want to consider.1. Limit the total media exposure experienced by your children. The statistic that the average child and adolescent is immersed in the media for 45 hours a week should be sufficient motivation for parents to hit the brakes and gain control of media exposure. Access to entertainment media should be a privilege earned, not a right assumed by

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-10082479940787274972008-12-04T13:20:00.001-08:002008-12-04T13:26:34.747-08:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-48133319708285669142008-12-01T14:41:00.001-08:002008-12-01T14:46:02.563-08:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-10255731431184189552008-12-01T14:34:00.000-08:002008-12-01T14:40:02.076-08:00

Here are some pictures from Grandma and Grandpa Kolstad's recent visit. We were very grateful to have family in town for the holidays. The other grandparents will be with us during Christmas. We are most thankful for our Christian parents (grandparents)!

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-21535795089150078032008-12-01T14:27:00.000-08:002008-12-01T14:31:16.078-08:00

For Dr. Mohler's full article click http://www.albertmohler.com/blog.phpRegularly, The Los Angeles Times makes for interesting reading. In terms of political slant, the paper has moved to the left of The New York Times, and it now occupies a major position among the nation's most influential newspapers. Even as paid circulation has dropped significantly since the 1990s, the editorial slant to the

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-57501632453177211362008-11-22T11:00:00.000-08:002008-11-22T11:10:13.757-08:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-7968274972663752862008-11-22T10:37:00.001-08:002008-11-22T10:51:10.823-08:00

Thanks to all who made this a wonderful day! Highest praises to the Lord for two wonderful children. We had a nice birthday lunch at Pizza Hut and came home for cake and presents. It is hard to spend too much time outside when it is 20 degrees. Happy birthday son!!!!

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-68299035451594957882008-11-08T20:11:00.000-08:002008-11-08T20:14:16.536-08:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-73502961338710514802008-11-08T20:10:00.001-08:002008-11-08T20:11:25.508-08:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-54253771677478638222008-11-08T20:09:00.000-08:002008-11-08T20:10:23.421-08:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-42193706157271225332008-11-08T20:03:00.000-08:002008-11-08T20:08:54.734-08:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-68526495883384280492008-11-07T13:04:00.001-08:002008-11-07T13:05:16.311-08:00

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-88746028184037223252008-11-07T07:04:00.000-08:002008-11-07T07:08:28.273-08:00

A great blog post by Dan Phillips at PYRO http://teampyro.blogspot.com/"Everything old is new again," and the saying certainly holds true when it comes to heresy, false doctrine and plain old unbiblical nuttiness.For instance, back in the anti-establishment 60s and 70s, Christianoid kids would verbally trash the "organized church." Didn't need to go to a building, they'd say; they were the church

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-6882804319436234492008-11-05T12:14:00.000-08:002008-11-07T07:09:31.887-08:00

Taken from http://www.almohler.com/ Another wonderful article by Dr. Mohler on how we Christians should pray after yesterday's election.The election of Sen. Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States came as a bang, not a whimper. The tremors had been perceptible for days, maybe even weeks. On Tuesday, America experienced nothing less than a political and cultural earthquake.The

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-15280293903364538772008-11-04T06:42:00.000-08:002008-11-04T06:43:13.670-08:00

I came across this well written article this morning from Dr. Mohler..."Americans head for the voting precincts today as the 2008 election is now at hand. Already, some 20 million citizens have voted through early voting options. Some expect a record turn-out for today's election. In any event, millions of citizens will participate in the first duty of freedom -- the freedom to vote.There is so

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-66795426002804476492008-11-03T05:53:00.000-08:002008-11-03T05:54:07.356-08:00

Check out this news storyhttp://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,446085,00.html

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-84406977742197641732008-11-03T05:33:00.001-08:002008-11-03T05:34:30.918-08:00

I ended up in the Freeport paper again....This time with my Chicago Bear shirt.http://www.journalstandard.com/news/x199484723/Pounding-the-pavement-with-the-Bivins-campaign

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-21272953056668934732008-10-30T11:27:00.000-07:002008-10-30T11:30:04.286-07:00

From the pen of the brilliant Al Mohler....http://www.almohler.com/"Election cycles serve to confuse as well as to reveal. Reading voting patterns is not quite like reading a CAT-scan, but something does appear to be happening among some parts of the electorate that had been solidly pro-life in voting patterns.The Boston Globe reports on developments that now appear among at least some Roman

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17275178.post-91467789107687536882008-10-27T11:15:00.000-07:002008-10-27T11:36:55.858-07:00

Every since Sarah Palin decided to join the McCain ticket she has been barraged and attacked from all over the place. For one example of this hatred click here http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/27/effigy-palin-hanging-noose-halloween-fun-says-owner/One of the surprising groups that has consistently attacked Gov. Palin has been the "Feminist camp." Now you would think that this group of

Caleb Kolstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16430229005942296570noreply@blogger.com1