Nick-Nacks, Notes, and Notions

I haven’t posted on this blog in a long time, and because of that I’m assuming that most who have read my articles here consistently have figured that it’s going to the blog graveyard… you are correct. I’m putting it to sleep for good. Over the past several months, nothing has come up that I’ve been able to uniquely contribute to the blogosphere on this blog. I have committed all my blogging time to Reforming Students and want to keep things combined over there for now — it’s going well and generating a lot of online conversation that I’ve been sharpened by. The bottom line is, I have come to realize, unless you have something unique to provide in blogging, you might as well be committed for no other reason than to publically journal through your random thoughts… most people aren’t interested in reading that, so I can do it in my personal journal and not expose my ignorance to the world on two different forums — I’ll just keep it to one!

 So, please join the conversation over at Reforming Students and don’t feel bad about removing me from your blogroll! I’m going to leave this up until I figure out how to download all my content and store it on my computer, and then it will be no more. Thanks for reading and commenting — I’ve grown a lot through this blog and hope to continue to do so on the other.

Amazing Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism is on sale until December 31st through nicenecouncil.com. The cost is $19.95 + shipping and includes the study guide.

View sample clips of the video here. 

 

 

Biblical illiteracy among the clergy has become so prevelant that we often find pastors getting annoyed and angry when their parishioners ask them to teach them the Bible. In many cases the pastor lives in mortal fear that his ignorance will be exposed by his being thrust into a situation where he is expected to teach the Bible.

R.C. Sproul, Knowing Scripture (Downers Grove: 1977, IVP), 19. 

It has been a while since I’ve posted on this blog. It’s not that I don’t have anything useful to contribute (I hope!) to the blogosphere, but I think everything I have that is useful is going up at my Reforming Students blog. I am working to expand that into a more extensive ministry, so this blog has taken a back seat. Now my big decision, which I knew would come, is if I should continue with this blog. My first thought is that I am rarely providing anything that is not found elsewhere on blogs with more readership, for the most part. Every once and a while I’ll produce a gem, but overall I’m just another average Christian blogger. This is NOT the case, I don’t believe, with Reforming Students, so I’ve been pleased with the response I’ve received from my efforts over there.

I will be writing, in the next few days, a post entitled “Why I Left the Southern Baptist Convention” — I am interested to see the response it generates. That may be the end of this blog — we shall see…

 Any thoughts or pleas for continued efforts in conjunction with Reforming Students, or should I just move on?!

I’m home now from the 2007 Desiring God National Conference — it was a fantastic weekend that will surely serve to encourage thousands of Christians for years to come. I always try to think about what my favorite part was, or who my favorite speaker was and have realized after many conferences that those efforts are futile — I loved every bit of it and since this is my blog, I’m not naming a favorite! So, do yourself a favor and listen to the audio, or watch the videos. It will be well worth your time.

I got to spend a lot of time with some friends, as well as make new ones! Devin and I were roomies, and we hung out a lot with Dr. David Nelson, his wife Phyllis, and their daughter and her husband, Rachel and Jason Short. What a great group — we had a lot of fun together. Thanks guys! I also got to meet Erik Raymond, the Irish Calvinist — he was very kind and actually found me while I was out and about searching for him! Sounds like Erik had some good runs — I always like to hear about that! I met Michael Spielman from Abort73.com and we talked for a while. If you haven’t spent some time on the Abort73 website, go there now. It’s a very important place for us to be and to learn. And while you’re at it, throw them some cash — they need support. I got a few signatures in books and shook hands with a few of the speakers: Jerry Bridges, Randy Alcorn and, of course, John Piper. Steve Mccoy was there as well as Phil Johnson, but I didn’t run into either one of them. I also made friends with Rick and Colleen Destree after sitting with them during the first session. They have a creation ministry geared toward children called His Creation. I also met Jon Bloom, hung out at the Eternal Perspectives Ministry booth and with the Don’t Waste Your Life crew.

Highlights

• Dr. MacArthur had 2 fantastic talks — his points were mostly based on 2 Corinthians 4 as he discussed the components of an enduring ministry.

• The Q&A session between Dr. Piper and Dr. MacArthur, moderated by Justin Taylor, was hilarious! I was particularly fond of Dr. Piper talking about his mothers arm skin flopping around while she played the marimba!!! Now that’s funny. There were also some wonderful moments as each man spoke candidly and lovingly about their fathers and the impact of their ministries on their lives as children and future pastors. Dr. Piper also offered great words of encouragement for those who struggle with discouragement and depression.

• Dr. Bridges delivered an excellent message, complete with every element I expected from him. He gave 4 essentials for finishing well that seem to be very elementary, yet rarely followed in the life of a saint. I was convicted throughout his message and need to listen to it again.

• Randy Alcorn told his story about civil disobedience at an abortion clinic followed by an arrest and an $8 million lawsuit. He told of how he refused to pay an abortion doctor and how he has found ways to endure beyond previous years difficulties. I found his discussion regarding daily decisions to be very helpful. He talked about the fact that cumulative decisions that we make day after day add up, just like food in our bodies. Since it’s all adding up, it all matters. “You are going to be what you are now becoming.” Good stuff.

• The full panel (minus Dr. MacArthur) Q&A session was helpful and encouraging. These sessions are always a time I look forward to a great deal — I wish there were more.

• Dr. Roseveare was engaging, intelligently simplistic, and a great show of true faith and devotion onto the Lord Jesus. I was particularly encouraged in her proclamation that no one should retire when there is still work to be done — retirement age is when we finally have time to serve Jesus even more! O that the retired of our country would embrace this mindset and lifestyle for the glory of God.

• Dr. Piper’s message “Getting Old For the Glory of God” was absolutely outstanding. It had many elements of Don’t Waste Your Life, yet was fresh and empowering. He encouraged us to “die in a way that makes the world look worthless” and reminded us that “treasuring Christ is what faith is - if you don’t want Christ, you don’t believe in Christ.” Psalm 71:7-18 served as his main text, but also tied into several other verses. Another great section was when he talked about how perseverance is not what we do that God might be for us (works), but is what we do because God is for us (grace). “You are as secure in Christ as God is righteous and God is just.” Amen.

Again, it was a fantastic conference that I will certainly listen to again on many occasions. I would recommend that everyone download the audio and keep in on hand for times of discouragement, discontentment, or disobedience. The Lord has certainly used all 5 of these individuals in incredible ways — we would do well to listen to what they have to say.

  I am currently sitting in my hotel room in Minneapolis, MN with eager anticipation for the 2007 National conference. Last year was  the best conference I’ve been to, so my expectations are high. If you’ve spent any length of time with me or if you’ve read my blog for more than a week, you know that it doesn’t take a whole lot for me to get excited about being at a conference, especially when John Piper is preaching.

I spent the day with friends walking around Minneapolis yesterday, taking in this great city with too much sales tax. The weather is perfect for running and riding my bike, but unfortunately I am feeling stuffed up and coughing quite a bit. We just finished an incredible continental breakfast here at the Embassy Suites and will be taking a walk to Bethlehem Baptist Church in about an hour. I miss my wife already and wish she were here — maybe next year!

I will not be live-blogging, but I will be writing about the conference on a regular basis while I’m here (there will be live blog updates at the DG blog). As I was thinking about the lineup of speakers this year I realized that I am pretty well read in the works of each of them except Helen Roseveare. I have heard from Drs. Piper and Macarthur several times, and have never been disappointed. My wife and I were greatly influenced by Randy Alcorn’s book Money, Posessions, and Eternity several years ago, and I have benefited a great deal from Jerry Bridges’ The Pursuit of Holiness. What a great lineup!

 I have noticed that several other bloggers will be attending the conference as well. Steve McCoy posted his top 10 hopes for the weekend while he’s here with his wife. Erik Raymond (AKA the Irish Calvinist) will be here with a group from OBC, so I look forward to the possibility of shaking his hand in the book store. Additionally, one of my favorite ministries will be here raising awareness and getting more devotees — Abort73. In the latest e-mail update, Michael Spielman shared that the ministry is coming up short on its monthly budgeting, but expressed a great trust in the sovereignty and providence of God. I look forward to meeting Michael and hope that you (my 3 readers) would consider making a generous contribution to this much needed and incredibly influential ministry. You can also check out Maximum Vapor, the quarterly newsletter.

I am particularly excited about this year’s subject matter and see it coming at a great time while I’m in the midst of a ministry transition (more on this in a few days). In addition to the great speakers, the corporate worship in song and prayer at the National Conferences is worth the trip to Minneapolis in and of itself. It’s amazing to be in a room of thousands, hands lifted high with tears soaked faces as we sing praises to our King.

Oh — I almost forgot (not really!) — there is always a fantastic bookstore to behold. I remind myself of our dog, Gangster, a retired racing greyhound. When I come home each afternoon, he knows it’s time to eat. He gets very excited, jumps up and down and sticks his nose in the corner of the door to run outside to his food bowl for dinner. When he’s done eating, he stretches his legs by hitting top speeds in the backyard while running in circles and stirring up dirt. That’s how I am at a conference bookstore (or any bookstore for that matter). I get in there gungho, look around and reading as long and as much as I can, and then leave with a great sense of excitement and joy because I’ve been filled with literary encouragement. Of course, I hope to always have this and much more excitement for the Lord, His word, and His goodness in my life and I rejoice in His giving so many great books and resources to the Church so that we can develop a greater passion and desire for Him.

Great things ahead over the next few days! Stay tuned if you want my thoughts on this great conference.

Wow — this is absolutely hilarious! Enjoy!

(HT: FIDE-O)