A Christian sister...

My sister is getting a Biblical Counseling major at TMC. It is great to have a sister and a wife trained in the Scriptures. :)

A while back my sister wrote the following note. May we look to God at all times!


Psalm 27:13-14, I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen Your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord!

"Trust is not a passive state of mind, but a vigorous act of the soul by which we choose to lay hold of the promises of God and cling to them despite the adversity which at times seeks to overwhelm us." --Jerry Bridges

The Purpose of Pain

One of my favorite John MacArthur sermons is from 2 Cor 12 (Paul's thorn in the flesh). The sermon is called "The Purpose of Pain."

In this sermon MacArthur notes, In the deepest pains we learn life's greatest lessons; And the deepest pains in life normally come from those we're closest too. The closer we get to someone the more we typically open up to them and thus the more we arm them with the arsenal to unleash the deepest pains.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10, So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

The Proof of Faith

Dr. Don Whitney from SBTS was at our church this past Sunday. During the PM service he preached a sermon on "The Proof of Faith." This was a topical sermon that was very well done.

Whitney said that the Proof of Faith is how you and I respond to God when He doesn't answer our prayers (atleast not in the way we expected he would).

Whitney asked:

Can you trust God when doesn't answer?
Can you love God when he doesn't answer?
Will you worship God for who He is even if He doesn't give you ___?

He noted that the faithful Christian must trust in a "withdrawing God." We must worship God and not simply the gifts of God. You can hear the entire sermon at www.fbccarmel.com

My wife and I also were able to have Dr. Whitney and a SBTS student over lunch following the AM service. It was alot of fun being able to do this.

Word based worship

“Worship begins with the response to divine revelation. But if little time or attention is given to the revealed Word of God, read, proclaimed, or taught, then to what do people respond? The result is that worship becomes superficial or sentimental. If the church is truly interested in recapturing the spirit and nature of the prophetic and apostolic ministry of the Word in worship, then there will have to be a greater emphasis placed on reading, teaching, and preaching the Word of God, but it has to be with clarity, accuracy, power, and authority” (Allen P. Ross, Recalling the Hope of Glory, 429).

Commentaries and Bible Study

Check out Pyro's recent post on this very topic...

Dan writes, "No regular reader will expect this to be an attack on commentaries, or a plea for the lonely quicksand of solipsistic interpretation. Nor is it. I'm not sure which is the greater fool: the man who blindly depends on commentaries rather than looking directly to the Word (pace Matthew 15:1-9), or he who sniffs at learning from his olders, wisers, and betters (pace Proverbs 1:5; 5:13; 12:15; 18:2; 19:20; 26:12). Regardless, they're both fools."

Super Bowl thoughts

Alot could be said about Sunday's Super Bowl...I want to focus this post on what happened at the end of the game. It was a strange ending because all the coaches and players thought the game was over after Brady's last second Hail Mary was incomplete. The referees said "not so fast everyone" because their was one second on the game clock that had to be played out (lame, i know).

One sportswriter wrote, "As much as I like Belichick, his actions in the final seconds of the game were boorish at best and arrogant at worse. With two seconds left on the clock Belichick headed to the field for his handshake ... and then bolted. He didn't have the sportsmanship and decency to wait until the clock hit zero. It was yet a further display of arrogance by a franchise that has long been one of the models in sports." The Patriots of course had just gone from the greatest team of all time (or one of the greatest) to the greatest team to NOT win the Super Bowl!

When the Colt's choked again in this year's playoffs no one was more classy than coach Tony Dungy. He went to midfield and spent a lot of time congratulating coach Norv Turner. Dungy lost the game with class and humility.

How do you explain the difference between Dungy and say coach Belichick's reactions? Let's not make this more difficult than it needs to be...It's Jesus Christ!

Coach Dungy knows that LIFE is alot bigger then football. It was a really hard loss for him, just like it was for Belichick...But i have the impression that to many unbelievers the NFL is a major idol. Winning and losing becomes everything. The game meant alot more to Bill then it did to Tony; and you know that is no knock on Dungy.

Plus coach Dungy lives his life for Jesus Christ and thus deals with trials in a way i would not expect unbelivers to match. The whole world saw this when Dungy lost his son last season.

Coach Belichick is perhaps the best coach in the NFL. That doesn't mean however that he knows how to lose with class or that he will ever be the NFL sportsman of the year. If you ask Coach Dungy to explain the differences between he and Bill I wouldn't be surprised if he told you the same thing: it's Jesus Christ!

January Reading Report

1 Peter 2:2 says we should be like newborn infants in our desire for the Word of God. One of the dangers in reading too many Christian books in place of the Bible is that they can take us away from the Word of God instead of doing what they are intended to do, in bringing us closer to it (and Him). If we spend time reading a book about the Bible instead of the Bible itself on a consistent basis somethings not right. Sometimes I know I sin in this way so i am not throwing stones in a glass house.

None the less, good Christian books can be very helpful in our pursuit of godliness...In other words, don't throw the baby out with the bath water. Read the Word and read good Christian books about the Incarnate Word.

Here is the latest update of the stuff i am trying to read outside of Scripture... What have you been reading??? Did you ask for any good books for Christmas?


Books I am currently reading:
Definite Atonement (Gary D. Long) Ch 4
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (Don Whitney) Ch 9
Future Israel (Barry Horner) Ch 9
The Exemplary Husband (Stuart Scott) Ch 3
Shepherding a Child's Heart (Tedd Tripp) Ch 11
Christian Living Beyond Belief (Cliff McManis) Ch 8
Numerous Jude commentaries (various authors)

Books i might never finish:
The Message of the O.T. (by Mark Dever)
What Jesus Demands from the World (by John Piper)
Institutes of the Christian Religion, Vol. 1 (John Calvin) (Book 1, Ch 17)

Books I’ve finished in the last year or so:
Pages from Church History (Stephen J. Nichols)
Assured by God: Living in the Fullness of God's Grace (various authors)
The Reformation (Stephen J. Nichols)
Spurgeon VS Hyper-Calvinism (Iain Murray)
A Scottish Christian Heritage (Iain Murray)
Meetings that Work (A Strauch)
The Truth War (By John MacArthur)
No Place for the Truth (by David F. Wells).
The Cross and Christian Ministry (D.A. Carson).
Women's Ministry in the Local Church (Ligon Duncan/Susan Hunt)
The Holiness of God (by R.C. Sproul)
Growing Up Christian (by Paul Graustein)
How America Lost Her Innocence (By Steve Gallagher)
From Pride to Humility (pamphlet by Dr. Stuart Scott)
Humility: True Greatness (by C.J. Mahaney)
Biblical Eldership (by A. Strauch)
Expository Preaching With Word Pictures (Jack Hughes)
The Reformed Pastor (by Richard Baxter)
Legacy of Sovereign Joy (by John Piper)
Whose Money Is It Anyways (By John MacArthur)
The Treasure Principle (by Randy Alcorn)
Baptist Life and Thought (By William Brackney)
By His Grace and For His Glory (Dr. Nettles) large sections
Knowing God (J.I. Packer) through ch 19
Way of the Master: Evangelism Training (Ray Comfort)
Evangelical Feminism & Biblical Truth (Wayne Grudem) large sections
Girl Talk (Carolyn Mahaney)
Various articles and commentaries on 1 Cor 11:2-16
Various articles and commentaries on 1 Tim 2:8-15
Various articles and commentaries on Titus 2
TMS Journal (on New Covenant Theology)

Books i've recently purchased:
Goldingay's commentaries on the Psalms.
The Minor Prophets editor McComisky
Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

Preaching and pancake syrup

As I was eating breakfast this morning the following thoughts on preaching came to mind.

My wife made blueberry pancakes for the family breakfast this morning. They were delicious ‘panners’ made perfect when topped off with maple syrup. The syrup I have grown accustomed to is imitation “light” syrup. As a matter of fact I really don’t enjoy “regular” syrup anymore. It is too sweet for my liking. I would even choose light syrup over tree-tapped genuine Vermont maple syrup.

Sadly, I realized that many people are wired the same way when it comes to preaching. Many Christians have become so accustomed to shallow evangelical principalizing that when real expository preaching is tasted it’s rejected (at least initially).

R.L. Dabney refers to a period in church history when Scriptural truth is presented but not in its Scriptural dress. That has become the most accepted and familiar mode of preaching in most evangelical pulpits these days. I’m not thinking about the Joel Osteens of the world in this particular post; I’m talking about men who honestly think they’re presenting an expository sermon and of congregations who think they’re actually hearing one. It’s not unbiblical truth that’s presented, its good doctrine that’s just not presented in Scriptural dress.

Dabney rightly believed that the golden age of preaching is when Scriptural truth is presented in Scriptural dress. That of course is the power of true expository preaching. When we preach, we’re called to speak as it were, the very words of God (1 Peter 4:10-11). This is best accomplished when gifted men commitment themselves wholly to Bible exposition.

The problem is that many people want so many illustrations, stories, or application points that no time is left for true exposition. Who wants to hear about the historical background of Romans when in that time 3 or 4 stories, illustrations, or jokes could be shared? Now most people wouldn’t say that aloud but that is in fact what they’re thinking.

Those who are most gifted in oratory are often most prone to this extreme. It’s what I call shallow evangelical principalizing. I noticed this response over 10 years when I was a student at the Master’s College. During a school sponsored Bible conference three gifted men brought the Word. All were great communicators but one was especially humorous and “relatable”. Unfortunately his sermons were also the lightest of the three. His preaching was thoroughly evangelical but not truly expositional or deep. Still most of the students I talked with in the dorms during and after the conference thought his sermons were the “best.”

Engaging oratory and great communication is not synonymous with a great sermon. In our preaching we should seek both light and heat. I’m not calling for dry, lifeless, preaching here. Passionate, clear, text-driven preaching is what our people most desperately need. Just don’t be surprised if you bring that type of syrup to your people if they initially reject it in favor of the “light” stuff.

The Spoken Word?

Some people may wonder why we at First Baptist Church commit almost half of the public worship service to the individual proclamation of the Word of God? Certain Evangelicals have suggested that preaching itself is outdated and should be replaced by more modern alternatives. Dr. R. Albert Mohler was recently asked the following question: “Must the sermon be a monologue? If not, should it be?”

Dr. Mohler’s response to this question is very insightful. “The very shape of this question is interesting. In the first place, I would not consider the public proclamation of God’s Word to be best characterized as monologue. It is one voice speaking, but this voice is not speaking on behalf of himself, but as the one charged with proclaiming and teaching the Word of God. At the same time, there does not seem to be a biblical warrant for a more dialogical form of preaching. If anything, the biblical model appears to assign the preaching responsibility to an individual who dares to speak on behalf of God by presenting and applying God’s Word.

I think of a text like Nehemiah 8:1-8. In that setting, Ezra and his colleagues "read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood their reading." Earlier in this text, we are told that "the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law." Those preaching spoke with authority. At the same time, it would not be appropriate to suggest that these hearers were passive. They were active recipients of the preached Word. They were "attentive."

In the same way, a church congregation is not to sit passively in the pew merely observing the preaching of the Word. To the contrary, the congregation should be actively involved in the disciplines of hearing, receiving, and responding to God’s Word as it’s preached by the one who is invested with those responsibilities and gifts.

A similar approach is evident in the New Testament. When Paul instructs Timothy about his preaching responsibilities, nothing in the text suggests that Timothy will be involved in a dialectical enterprise with the congregation. Instead, Paul charges Timothy with the sacred and solemn responsibility to preach the Word "in season and out of season." If anything, he warns Timothy against taking the response of his hearers into too much consideration. This can hardly be described as a dialogue.

As I see it, the push for a more dialogical form of preaching is a redefinition of preaching as described in the Scriptures. This shift seems to go hand-in-hand with larger cultural movements against the idea of teaching authority and the very idea of an authoritative Word. The last thing modern evangelicalism needs is the substitution of congregational "dialogue" for biblical preaching. This plays into all of our modern temptations and, in the end, threatens to remove the authoritative Word from our midst.”

This March we celebrate 34 years of faithful Bible exposition from Pastor Joe Flatt. As we thank God for his faithfulness we must constantly ask ourselves am I an active or a passive listener when it comes to the Word of God? James 1:22 reminds us, But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

Christians and Muslims unite?

If you are not aware a group of Muslim Clerics recently wrote “A Common Word Between Us and You” an attempt to find common ground between Christian and Muslims.

Even more recently “300 Leading Christian Scholars” (Obviously ever word in that statement is open to interpretations!) published an endorsement of this document in the NY Times: (just like with “Evangelicals and Catholics Together” some of these folks are a real disappointment! i.e. Timothy George, Bill Hybels, Tony Jones, Brain McLaren, Richard Mouw, Robert Schuller, John Stackhouse, John Stott, Rick Warren, Christopher Wright) – see all the of the signatories to this “Christian Response” which was published in the NY Times here.

Hear and watch John Piper’s response to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTY-9FY13kw

Back from Cincy

14 teens and 7 adult staff enjoyed a great trip to S. Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio this past weekend. Greg Stancil brought us the Word. We were all blessed by his practical sermons from the fourth chapter of James. We went to Perfect North for some fun on the ski slopes and to the Newport Aquariam for some fun with the sharks. We spent a couple nights at the Cincy Marriott and enjoyed our traditional skit night and some floor hockey. We are praying that the Lord will use His Word to impact the lives of all who attended this winter retreat. Thanks for your prayers!

Postseason Fun

It was a great weekend here in Indy. Besides quality time with my family and church friends I was able to enjoy some great football games. My Chicago Bears did not qualify for the postseason this year but I love the league especially during the playoffs.

Football was meant to be played outdoors…The classic snow game in Green Bay saw the continued resurgence of the living legend Brett Favre. The game in New England saw Mr. Tom Brady one up himself in a flawless game to top the well coached Jaguars.

Every team I cheered for won on Saturday and on Sunday…or maybe I should say every team I cheered against this weekend lost. It was great to see Peyton Manning go down Sunday. He once again failed to deliver a pass when his team needed one most. What’s Peyton’s career playoff record again??? Manning played a very good game but not a great game like Brady. Had Tom Brady thrown 2 INTS (like Manning did) New England would not have gotten by Jacksonville. The Jags played a great game and still lost.

The Colts on the other hand could not beat San Diego even though the Chargers were playing with an (average) backup QB during the 4th Qtr with the game on the line and with their team MVP (LT) injured on the sideline. It was another devastating loss for an underachieving franchise.

I did feel bad for the classiest coach in the league (Dungy), especially seeing this could be his last game as a Colt’s head coach. Tony Dungy is an example to everyone about how to lose a hard fought battle with class.

As much as don’t like Eli Manning, I had to cheer against Jerry Jones, TO, and Tony Simpson Romo. Romo is now 0-2 in the postseason but does have a bright career in front of him.

It looks like Tom Brady and Brett Favre will battle for this year’s Super Bowl trophy (MVP). If the Packer’s play like they did on Saturday they could beat New England. Of course if Tom Brady plays like he did on Saturday we should crown the Patriots right now.

Integrity

The Freedom of Integrity - Part III
Not As Pleasing Men

Post by Jerry Wragg taken from http://expositorythoughts.wordpress.com/

Paul’s second non-negotiable of integrity is to serve with spiritual courage. The Thessalonians were being told that the missionaries spoke bold words to gain manipulative power over the new converts, and that at the first sign of opposition they would abandon the sheep. Essentially, Paul was being defamed as a mere hireling. Jesus had chided hirelings who feign protection but are cowards in the face of danger (John 10: 11-15). Self-preservation at all costs is a weakness, not a virtue. But was it true of Paul and the others? Again, he appeals to the spiritual courage they had demonstrated some one hundred miles to the northeast in the city of Philippi. Even after they had “suffered and been shamefully treated”, they “had boldness in…God to declare…the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict” (1 Thess 2:2). Paul literally hobbled into Thessalonica—blood still drying on his body from the beating in Philippi—and began to teach in the synagogue, the most confrontational and dangerous environment the truth of Christ could infiltrate. After several weeks (perhaps even 2 to 3 months by some calculations) of unvarnished gospel ministry, the truth hit hard upon stony hearts, at which point the missionaries were secretly whisked away by the new believers who wanted to preserve the lives of their only trusted shepherds. I can almost hear Paul, reluctant to be sent away, strongly contending for the opportunity to remain and teach yet again in the synagogue.

Are these the actions of a man without integrity? The answer is a resounding “No!” A godly man has nothing to fear because his conscience has been “approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel,” and he speaks “not as pleasing men, but God” who sees what’s in the heart (1 Thess 2:4). Solomon, not to be outdone, declared that “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Prov 28:1). Check spiritual leaders! Do they demonstrate spiritual courage? Do they trust the work and the word of God? Do they unfold the scriptures without shrinking back? Do they give an answer with biblical clarity? Do they willingly invite questions about doctrine, ministry, character, service, etc? If not, the sheep will become vulnerable, and accusations will eventually have a legitimate target. Integrity marked by courageous leadership is a tremendous safeguard.

Check out ET for the full post....

In defense of Hillary...

I am not going to vote for Hillary Clinton in the next major election. As a Christian my convictions are both pro-life and pro-family (among many things). I see the pro-choice movement and the homosexual agenda going against both those essential things. Much more could and should be said about those issues but that is not the purpose of the post.

The other day while campaigning in New Hampshire Hillary Clinton had a moment where reporters thought they saw her tear up (or start to cry). The News jumped on this, many saying it would ruin Clinton’s hopes of winning this state’s primary, etc, etc. They called it a potential “Muskie moment.” Muskie was said to have cried after reading a newspapers attack on his wife. Muskie fervently denied that was the case (since heaven forbid a man cry over someone slandering his wife in public) saying it was snow flakes.

The logic behind this thinking is that people in public office have to be strong (which I agree with). The logic continues that people who cry (at least in public) demonstrate a lack of toughness and composure (which I don’t agree with).

I look to the strongest person who ever lived as proof to back my opinions. Jesus Christ was the ideal man’s man because he was 100% God and 100% man. This Man never sinned! He was the most amazing Person to ever walk the face of this earth. To endure the weight of the cross I believe he was stronger then anyone whose ever gone before him (or who will come after him). That strength was both outward and inward! He was a real man.

None the less the gospels do record some occasions in which our Lord wept (Luke 19:41, John 11:35). Weeping is not simply crying, it’s crying like a baby. As an adult I have only wept on one occasion (at least that I can remember). Jesus cried, and even did so in public.

So what’s my point? If Hillary Clinton did tear up during her campaign run I don’t think that’s a very big deal. As a matter of fact I think it’s potentially a good thing since I don’t want a robot running our country. The fact she is a woman and thus may be more emotional is not a huge deal to me either. (I'm not voting for her because of her voting record and because her convictions are not, atleat in my humble opinion, biblically informed).

One reporter commenting on this story put it this way, “But Clinton may shed no tears on the campaign trail. The same people who complain that she is cold and unemotional would seize on it as a sign of weakness and vulnerability.” Just because you might not like what Mrs. Clinton stands for don’t hold her to an unreasonable or an unbiblical standard.

Genuine tears do demonstrate vulnerability but not necessarily weakness! If you don’t agree with me just look to the gospels my friends!

Are you ready for some (more) football?

Congratulations to Mr. Tom Brady for his MVP season in which he broke Manning’s season TD record! I was sure glad to see Mannings record go down. Since I moved to Indy almost 3 years ago I have had some fun debates over “who is the top QB in the NFL.” The argument for a long time was Manning has better regular season numbers but no ring. Brady has very good regular season numbers and amazing postseason numbers (3 championship rings). This year Brady looked like Manning in the regular season (4000+ yards and 50 TD’s). Manning put up great numbers as well...

Won’t it be strange if Manning plays great this year in the postseason and if Brady does not? It will be like years past but vice versa of course. Tom Brady is the still the guy I’d pick to lead my team in any big game. He is the 2nd coming of Joe Montana. If only he were a Bear!

My Chicago Bears ended the season beating up on G.B. and New Orleans with a 3rd string Q.B. , GO figure?!? 2008 may be another great season for the Bears if we can find a reliable QB (McNabb), stay healthy, and get a consistent running attack. That's alot to wish for i know.

Since my favorite team is out of the playoffs here are the teams I will be pulling for (or against):

For
1. Titans
2. Chargers
3. Patriots
4. Jacksonville

Neutral
5. Washington
6. Packers
7. Tampa
8. Seahawks

Against
9. Dallas
10. New York Giants
11. Indianapolis
12. Pittsburgh


My little brother is a huge Titans fan. They are an overachieving team with an amazing coach. I doubt they will get by San Diego. The Jags are one team that could beat both Indy and New England. I really like their coach.

Obviously I can’t stand the Mannings (especially Manning the older). The Steelers franchise is one of the best (if not the best), but I don’t like them at all. I do like coach Tomlin much more than Bill Cower.

If any of teams listed above (1-8) win the championship I’d be content. I can’t believe Chicago is not playing in the postseason this year? How things can change in a year… Well for those of you who are TRUE team fans or NFL fans in general enjoy the postseason!

Happy Anniversary!

Today marks 4 years of marriage for my wife and I. Time has really flown by fast for us. When I married Andrea I received from the Lord a double portion of Divine blessings. She is a Proverbs 31 type woman and thus deserves to be honored at the gates (and on the blog-o-sphere). In 4 years the Lord has seen fit to double our family (size) as well. It is a wonderful privilege and joy to note that my wife is every bit as good in her role as mother as she is in her role as my covenant companion. It is a bit intimidating being married to your best friend, hero, and lover but welcome to my world! “He who finds a wife, finds a good thing.” I’m praising God today for the daily companionship of my wife. She is my greatest earthly treasure!

Here are some lyrics to a song that brings tears to my eyes as I think about my Andrea (baby love).

“Walking Her Home" (Lyrics by Mark Schultz)

Looking back He sees it all

It was her first date the night he came to call

Her dad said son

Have her home on time

And promise me you’ll never leave her side

He took her to a show in town

And he was ten feet off the ground

(Chorus)

He was walking her home

And holding her hand

Oh the way she smiled it stole the breath right out of him

Down that old road

With the stars up above

He remembers where he was the night he fell in love

He was walking her home

Five more years and a waiting room

At half past one

And the doctor said come in and meet your son

His knees went weak

When he saw his wife

She was smiling as she said he’s got your eyes

And as she slept he held her tight

His mind went back to that first night.

Chorus

He walked her through the best days of her life

Sixty years together and he never left her side

A nursing home

At eighty-five

And the doctor said it could be her last night

And the nurse said "Oh, Should we tell him now"
"Or should he wait until the morning to find out?"

But when they checked her room that night

He was laying by her side

Oh he was walking her home

And holding her hand

Oh the way she smiled when he said this is not the end

And just for a while they were eighteen

And she was still more beautiful to him than anything

He was walking her home

He was walking her home

Looking back

He sees it all

It was her first date the night he came to call

December Reading

1 Peter 2:2 says we should be like newborn infants in our desire for the Word of God. One of the dangers in reading lots of good Christian books is that they can take us away from the Word of God instead of doing what they are intended to do, in bringing us closer to it (and Him). If we spend time reading a book about the Bible instead of the Bible itself on a consistent basis somethings not right.

None the less, good Christian books can be very helpful in our pursuit of godliness...We should not throw the baby out with the bath water.

Here is the latest update of the stuff i am trying to read outside of Scripture... What have you guys been reading??? Did you ask for any good books for Christmas?

Books I am currently reading:
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (Don Whitney)
Future Israel (Barry Horner)
The Exemplary Husband (Stuart Scott)
Shepherding a Child's Heart (Tedd Tripp)
Christian Living Beyond Belief (Cliff McManis)
The Message of the O.T. (by Mark Dever)
What Jesus Demands from the World (by John Piper)
Institutes of the Christian Religion, Vol. 1 (John Calvin) (Book 1, Ch 17)
Numerous Jude commentaries (for sermon preperation/various authors)

Books I’ve finished in the last year or so:
Pages from Church History (Stephen J. Nichols)
Assured by God: Living in the Fullness of God's Grace (various authors)
The Reformation (Stephen J. Nichols)
Spurgeon VS Hyper-Calvinism (Iain Murray)
A Scottish Christian Heritage (Iain Murray)
Meetings that Work (A Strauch)
The Truth War (By John MacArthur)
No Place for the Truth (by David F. Wells).
The Cross and Christian Ministry (D.A. Carson).
Women's Ministry in the Local Church (Ligon Duncan/Susan Hunt)
The Holiness of God (by R.C. Sproul)
Growing Up Christian (by Paul Graustein)
How America Lost Her Innocence (By Steve Gallagher)
From Pride to Humility (pamphlet by Dr. Stuart Scott)
Humility: True Greatness (by C.J. Mahaney)
Biblical Eldership (by A. Strauch)
Expository Preaching With Word Pictures (Jack Hughes)
The Reformed Pastor (by Richard Baxter)
Legacy of Sovereign Joy (by John Piper)
Whose Money Is It Anyways (By John MacArthur)
The Treasure Principle (by Randy Alcorn)
Baptist Life and Thought (By William Brackney)
By His Grace and For His Glory (Dr. Nettles) large sections
Knowing God (J.I. Packer) through ch 19
Way of the Master: Evangelism Training (Ray Comfort)
Evangelical Feminism & Biblical Truth (Wayne Grudem) large sections
Girl Talk (Carolyn Mahaney)
Various articles and commentaries on 1 Cor 11:2-16
Various articles and commentaries on 1 Tim 2:8-15
Various articles and commentaries on Titus 2

Books i recently purchased:
Future Israel (Barry Horner)
Preaching and Preachers (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Commentary on the New Testament Use of the O.T. (D.A. Carson)
Resurrection and Redemption: A Study in Paul's Soteriology (Richard Gaffin)
By Faith, Not by Sight: Paul and the Order of Salvation (Richard Gaffin)
The Future of Justification (John Piper)
Genesis: A Commentary (Bruce Waltke)
Chosen for Life: The Case for Divine Election (Sam Storms)
Believer's Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ (Tom Schreiner)

More pictures of Jude

Well we were hoping for a nice family picture for our Christmas cards but Evelyn and Jude decided they were not interested in pictures last night. :)

Our friend Chris posted these at
http://picasaweb.google.com/Chris.Laura.Micah/Kolstad?authkey=6V6eQW7X3ls


Merry Christmas,

Caleb

Should Christians go and see the Golden Compass?

Read one helpful Christian review here http://www.narnia3.com/mt/Blog/Archives/000149.html

What happened to the Bears this season?

What happened to the Bears this season?

1. Inconsistent Q.B. play has killed us.

I love Rex but Rex did not come through this season. Chicago has not had a good QB since Jim McMahon and a great QB since Sid Luckman.

2. Way too many injuries to key players.

I don't even want to start a list here because it makes my stomach turn. I know the Colt's have managed to win despite some key injuries...They have not had as many key injuries but the Colt's have been impressive this season despite those set backs. The Bears on the other hand have not...

3. A poor running attack for a run first team.

Cedric Benson has not been very good (he is out for the season of course). Thomas Jones was the team captain and a better running back (he's in NY because he and Benson did not get along). We were good when we had those guys carrying the ball 20 times (each) a game. Benson was a #4 pick bust.

4. Rex and Brian need guys who can catch the ball. The Bears lead the league in drops. Enough said!

5. The ball has clearly not bounced Chicago's way this season (bad luck/providence).

6. The NFC North got alot better this season. Green Bay is actually very good. The Vikings hit the jack pot with A Peterson. The Lions have been so bad for so long they have top 10 picks at every position (and they still are not great).

7. Not enough off season upgrades. We thought this team with most our returners would return to the Super Bowl. Why 31 teams did not go after Randy Moss is indeed a mystery?