Interesting and sad videos on North Korea:
NK:PUSH from Acts1v8 on Vimeo.
North Korea from Acts1v8 on Vimeo. (HT: John)
Here is more to motivate for missions:
(HT: Z)This is quite impressive:
(HT: Z
John Piper models for us how to make a biblical apology as well as inform us about why he does not own a television.
The SBC Annual Convention was held earlier this week. Here are a few of the reflections: iMonk, Tom Ascol (from Founders), Owen Strachan, Peter Lumpkins, James Galyon, Timmy Brister, Micah Fries, and Wade Burleson
It is also worth mentioning this article by the iMonk: Why Mark Driscoll Shouldn’t Bug Ya
Kevin DeYoung reminds us that its not enough to believe in the authority and inerrancy of Scripture; we also need to like it.
David Powlison on Literature; Tony’s link is more extensive—check it out.
Check this out from Paul Washer:
(HT: Garrett)
That’s it for this week…all those SBC articles will keep you busy—that and reading everything about Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.
Having spent much time with teenagers I found this article intriguing: Study Links Teen Depression to Bed Times.
This was an interesting read. Dr. Mohler considers the need for children to have silence.
I really like Jared Wilson. If you are not familiar with him you need to be. I especially appreciated Jared’s take on the Culture War.
I am excited about this series by Bruce Ashford: On Disciplined Reading. Check out Part one and part two.
Tony Reinke tells us why he rarely uses Revelation in his devotional time, but also reveals why he is going to start. My take on the book of Revelation is also quite simple; Jesus wins. You can read Tony’s excellent thought’s here.
Being such a superstar I could really relate to this by John Piper: “Hero Worship and Holy Emulation”. Actually, I can relate because I am not a “superstar” but one that can be tempted towards hero worship. Kevin DeYoung also weighs in.
I am unfamiliar with Gary Lamb. Apparently he confessed to having an affair with his assistant. In light of this Jared Wilson offers some solid thoughts on pastoral falls.
Here is where you can get media from Advance09.
Colin Adams provides us with 8 common problems in evangelism and offers some solutions.
This is powerful: (HT: DG)
(HT: RT)
This is powerful: The Gospel and Personal Criticism.
Absolutely HUGE updates to TheResurgence. Be sure to check them all out.
Timmy Brister points out the truth behind the Christian Index’s statement: Denominations do not fulfill the Great Commission. Timmy asks some good questions in response.
Abraham Piper’s excellent blog 22 Words has been redesigned.
John Piper is now tweeting. Find out why.
This is the Carl Trueman article about Blog Attackers that CJ referenced in the first link.
I really appreciated this article by Don Dunavant (a guest post at Between the Times). He compares the downfall of GM with a few alarming trends in the SBC.
Helpful article for us young preachers. James McDonald offers advice on Common Mistakes Young Preachers Make:
If I comprised a list of the Top 10 people within the history of the church that I could hang out with and be mentored by John Newton would probably be in the Top 5. Here is one of the reasons why: The Peril of Pastorla Popularity and Pride
One of my favorite Shane and Shane songs:
(HT: Justin C.)
Today my wife and I are celebrating our 5 year anniversary!!!
Very passionate plea from John Piper to President Obama concerning abortion:
(HT: DG)
Kevin DeYoung shares why he is a Calvinist.
Dr. Moore writes an amazing article about the devil’s voting record. (HT: JT)
Thabiti points out a bleak statistic that 60% of baptisms within the SBC are “re-baptisms”.
Gregg Harris writes a letter to parents.
That does it…these videos should keep you busy.
This guy is everything I dream to be as a youth pastor.
(HT: CPC)
Audio is now available from the Sovereign Grace Ministries Pastors Conference.
This was really helpful for me. In the past couple of months the Lord has changed the way I think about blogging. Tony Reinke helps to confirm that by his message at the Band of Bloggers gathering: How can bloggers steward the teaching of the young, old, and dead?
Dan Phillips makes an excellent point with this one: Porn and paper pastors. This article is not about pornography or pastors that struggle with pornography. This article is about those that follow “paper pastors” instead of the one’s that God has given them.
Last week I linked to Kevin DeYoung’s series on high places. A couple days ago he put up his final one, Part 5: Prayerlessness.
Scot Sterner gives great counsel on “What to do with criticism”. (HT: Z)
The video for LeCrae’s Don’t Waste Your Life is now available:
(HT: JT)
NFL Draft is this weekend. I am going to be really sad when the Browns trade Brady Quinn, Braylon Edwards, and who knows who else to get a host of rookies that will be traded in two more years for another host of rookies. Still wondering why I was happy when the Browns signed Mangini as their coach.
I thought this was a pretty good summary by John Samson on the 5 Big Myths About Calvinism. I’m sure an Arminian could easily write 5 Myths about Arminians as well. But articles like these are beneficial to keep us from discussing around the issues and burning straw men in the process.
What we’ve seen in our churches is now proven in statistics: The SBC is continuing to decline says Ed Stetzer.
Thoughtful article by C. Michael Patton on The Forgotten Pulpit. (And he means pulpit literally).
Alongside The Gospel Coalition, D.A. Carson and John Piper had an evening session about The pastor as Scholar and The Scholar as Pastor. Thankfully Andy Naselli live-blogged it here.
If you get a chance watch Piper’s message from The Gospel Coalition:
John MacArthur confronts explicit teaching on Song of Solomon. (AKA Mark Driscoll) Read part 1, 2, 3, and 4.
The more I read the writings of Kevin DeYoung the more I appreciate him. He has begun a series (that is almost finished) on our high places. In these he is focusing on our idolatrous blind spots. Read The lack of Psalm singing, Worldliness in entertainment, The idol of youth, and Our lack of church discipline. Part 5 should be up some time within the next day or so.
Did Christ Have Gray Hair? Turns out your answer is more important than you think…
Great words from Dr. Moore: The Devil is a Boring Preacher: The High Stakes of Dull Sermons. Here is an excerpt: “If lost people don’t like your message because they’re hostile to the gospel, you’re in good company. But if you’re boring the people of God with the Word of God, something has gone seriously awry. It may be that you preach just like the devil, and that you don’t even know it.”
It sure is sad that Piper is defiling himself by having such conferences as this: Advance ‘09. UPDATE: I apologize for not being initially clear--I'm being silly by saying Piper is defiling himself by having such a conference as this. I think Advance '09 will be awesome. I even would love to attend--but will probably not be able to. So, sorry if anyone misunderstood and thinks I'm hating on the Advance conference.
Nathan White wonders why we have “altars”…I’ve wondered the same thing.
JT points us to an interview with Paul Tripp about marriage.
This is powerful:
Cardboard Stories from The Austin Stone on Vimeo.
HT: Jared
What Happened to the 12 Apostles as Proof of Easter; a great article by C. Michael Patton.
What is the significance of the shedding of blood in the atonement? RC Sproul answers.
Tim Challies hits this one out of the park: Evil as Entertainment. Combine this with Steve Camp’s “disclaimer” and you have a really excellent article.
Joe Thorn’s “Note to Self” was a good note for me too.
Sometimes I read the sermons from Geoff Thomas for my own sermon preparation. I was very excited to find this by Colin Adams: Preaching on Preaching.
“World” has a broad range of meanings. John Samson outlines the meaning of “world”. UPDATE: I should mention that he outlines the meaning of the word "world" in the Gospel of John, not the entire NT.
I have not gotten a chance to read this yet but it looks interesting. Michael Patton gives us a primer on Ghosts, or The Christian View of the Supernatural.
Tim Chester continues his discussion of Creating Communities of Grace.
I really like John Piper’s take on his visit to a main-line Protestant church; read it here.
Jay Adams asks, "Is All Help Truly Help?”
Alvin Reid continues his discussion of Towards a Great Commission Resurgence. This time he tackles Convergent Evangelism.
Tonight you can watch the Mars Hill Good Friday service live.
Didn’t know there was a third one of these…if you haven’t seen first 2 you should……but don’t think less of me after you do.