Quick Update
July 23, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
So we more or less missed out on our resource recommendations for the weekend. I am sure the sermon preparation time paid off though. The Lord is good. But now that I am away for the week, the blogging should really begin. You are right, it is more difficult to blog when we can see each other face to face everyday. Of course, we have plenty more to say, even if we talked all day (at least I do that is)! That being said, I don’t think it would hurt to post a short resource recommendaton. My question for you Lar (relating to resources that is) is this: If you could only give someone 5 biographical books, which ones would you choose?
I know your knowledge is by no means exhaustive on the biographies, but I was just curious to see what you would mention. For those interested, here is the link to our suggested biography list at Seek Him Ministries. It by no means covers everything, but it isn’t a bad place to start.
Also, let’s spread the word on the question of the week–even if it has to come from one of our two lovely wives, or from one of our other 4 readers. Let the questions come pouring in! By God’s grace we’ll seek to give some good, God-centered answers. The subsequent discussions could be fun.
Looking forward to blogging a bunch this week with you,
Joe
The Impact of The Big Picture Story Bible
July 22, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Among our thousands(?) of readers, I am sure there are a few of you who remember my recommendation of The Big Picture Story Bible last weekend. Well, a few days after that post, Erin (my wonderful wife) was reading a friend’s blog and found this great post. Her friend, Alexandra, doesn’t say it in there, but her kids love The Big Picture Story Bible. I think we can be sure that their strong convictions stemed from their numerous readings through this great book. Erin was also the one who recommended this book to Alexandra, so we enjoyed this story all the more.
In the end though, I had to ask myself this: why aren’t we as strong in our convictions concerning the Word of God? The first thing that came to mind is that we probably don’t fill our minds up with it as much as Nathaniel and Isabelle. I know they love this book and have read it numerous times. Might we be just as strong in our conviction if we would do the same? I can’t help but think so.
What fills our minds determines who we become and what we are willing to take a hard stance for. So let it be the Word of Truth!
Seeking to stand firm for Christ with you,
Joe
Laying it All Down and Raising up Others to Do So
July 21, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
Just the mere mention of Brainerd’s name brings conviction–particularly for my enslavement to comfort and ease. It is amazing isn’t it what the Lord does with a humble saint who lives with a single eye to the manifestation of God’s glory among the lost? I marvel at Brainerd and thus, at our great Lord. He dies at age 29 after ministering for what, 7 maybe 8 years? And the Lord uses his humble testimony to stir many to frontier missions and to sustain them while they work! His diary is read up until this day!
Brainerd wasn’t caught up in being great in the eyes of the world. He could preach with the best of them and was called to a suburban pastorate. But he forsook it all and considered it but rubbish for the sake of Jesus Christ. What was his gain? Christ was his gain! He lived to know Him and to make Him known. O for such a heart! O for such a single eye of devotion! Might the Lord see fit to raise up a harvest of men! Yet, He probably will not. Such men are few and far between, sadly. In this day and age, they are hard to find to say the least.
I would simply say this: Even if we might not be called to live such a life, we should at least learn of and from such men, and admire such men, and seek to raise up and encourage such men. This goes for us as parents and pastors and whoever really. We should be diligent to cultivate such hearts for the Lord. Brainerds don’t come out of nowhere. They are encouraged by a few they respect to follow their radical hearts to its desired end, even if it means death.
I have had to think about this much after having children. Well, I guess I haven’t had to, but I have. My heart seems to demand it. What if little Abigail or Elijah were called to live such a life? What if it was their heart’s desire to lay down their lives for the Lord–literally? Am I willing to encourage that, or will I stifle that passion? Is death for Christ success, or I am just as enslaved as every other American to the bogus old “American dream.” No. If the Lord would will, let them lay it all down for the kingdom and receive the martyr’s crown! It is difficult to say, but when the Lord has captured the inner essence of your soul, you cannot say anything else.
Jesus Christ is coming soon, and we can be sure that before He comes, many will die for the sake of His great name. As far as I can see it, the church (all over the world, but especially here in American) is desperate for men and women who will become so captured by the truth that the Lord makes known His glory among the nations through suffering saints, that they will become jealous to do one of two things: either to be those radical saints themselves, or to raise up such ones!
O I pray that the Lord might capture the hearts of His people once again! For when He does, many will not only be willing to lay down their lives for His name’s sake; many will actually desire to do so. Then they will risk for His cause while staring death right in the face!
May the Lord grant us such grace to either be such ones or raise up such ones! And O how we need grace!
Longing to lay it all down for Jesus,
Joe
Brainerd and Sickness
July 21, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Last week I mentioned how valuable Christian Biography is to me, and I mentioned specifically David Brainerd. Well today I came across a quote of his that brought great conviction to me. For those who have not heard of him, David Brainerd was a young missionary to American Indians who died in 1747 at 29 years old from tuberculosis. Toward the end of his struggle, he was on his deathbed coughing up blood, coming in and out of consciousness, and saying out loud, “Oh for Holiness! Oh, for more of God in my soul! Oh, this pleasing pain! It makes my soul press after God.”
I have been bugged by a throat/cough thing for close to a week now, and I certainly feel rebuked as I read Brainerd’s words! My little sickness has been ever so slight, and yet I grumble in my soul and wonder how long this annoying cough will drag on. Yet this man sat on death’s doorsteps, coughed up blood and longed for more of God. The pain of sickness made his soul more thirsty for God. And as I read his words, I grew more thirsty be this zealous for more of God, whether in health or in sickness.
That is why I love reading Christian biography!
Larry
“Tell me some more about God”
July 20, 2006 | Leave a Comment
The student that I drove with today said this to me, and it was quite an amazing comment. I have shared my love for Christ with several of my students in the past, but I have never had someone who was so eager to hear than this guy today. And it really got me thinking, “Am I really prepared to give anyone who asks a reason for the hope that I have?” We all know we are supposed to, at least that’s what 1 Peter 3:15 says: always be ready. Well today, I was but I wasn’t. I shared with him, but these words, “Tell me some more about God” really made me think about how you communicate the glory of God to someone who has no clue.
I encourage anyone who is reading this to give that some serious thought. If someone asked you tomorrow at work or school or anywhere else, “What is God like?” how would you answer?
If He’s really that beautiful to us, let us be prepared to tell them!
Alright, brother, you know I must go to sleep!
Larry
Thanks Lar (with a few more words added)
July 19, 2006 | Leave a Comment
I appreciate those kind and encouraging words brother. I meant to tell you that today, but honestly, they were the most encouraging words that I may have ever received. I am thankful that the Lord has given me breath for these 27 years, and most importantly, that He has opened my eyes to the riches of His glory! I praise Him for His great and sovereing grace. What would I be doing now if He did not save me? I might still be playing hoops, but one thing is for certain, my life would be miserable and meaningless. What is life if we do not seek first the kingdom and His righteousness? What is life if it is not our life to delight ourselves in the Lord? How sad it is that so few taste of these pleasures! The narrow road is indeed narrow, but it is still the road of highest joy–bow now and forever!
As each year passes, I increasingly find myself reflecting on the final day when I meet the Lord. I had to ask myself, what changes do I want to make before I meet my Maker? Here is one: read more!
I think I have been slacking in this lately brother, and I need you to hold me accountable. It is so easy to get caught up in the rush of activity–good activity, but still activity–and to set reading on the back burner. Of course, I don’t mean the reading of novels. I mean some meaty reading, some reading that challenges the mind and fuels the fire of the soul, some reading concerning God and things eternal. Anyhow, I have something that I want you to hold me to (and maybe to join me in if you are ‘game on’). Here it is: read one page a day of the works of Jonathan Edwards.
I figure it will take about 15-20 minutes, but I think you would agree that that is 15-20 minutes well spent. I need grace, everyday grace to pull this off and persevere in doing it. This idea came to me one day after reading a post by Al Mohler concerning reading at the Together for the Gospel blog. He mentioned setting a goal of reading through the works of one great theologian. Who’s better than Edwards? Some might have a few names on their lips, but he is definitely among the best in the history of the church. So what do you say? You in? Think about it. The fruit could be quite sweet! Well, even if you’re not, at least keep make sure I stay the course and finish the race (even though it might be quite long!).
Also, I would mention to those who read this blog (so Michelle and Erin listen up!), that it seems wise to find someone to sit under, to read all their works, to inundate yourself with their theology and thought. It is wise to have a primary teacher. Of course, we must choose wisely, but I would encourage others to find one. And if you need help, don’t hesitate to ask either one of us! We have our strong opinions, with some good reasons to back them I might add!
Anyhow, thanks again for the encouragement brother. Those words go a long way to stir me up to love and good deeds. The Lord is good.
Basking in His goodness with you,
Joe
Wow
July 19, 2006 | Leave a Comment
I mean really, where do we go after that little nugget from 1 Kings?! Just a light theological lesson there, huh? And you know what may be even more breathtaking than the fact that God does this is that 99% (maybe an overstatement, I don’t know?) of evangelical Christians read that passage and just ignore it. ”That is not possible,” they reason, “that God could ordain that an act happen and then judge the person for doing the thing that He had ordained.” And they elevate their own finite, fallen, human logic over the infallible Word of God. That is breathtaking, in a horribly shocking way!
When I consider the story that you just wrote about (and you are certainly right in saying there are several examples of this throughout God’s Word), I can think of only one verse: “God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ”” (Ex. 3:14). God is who He is, and nobody’s opinion of what He should and shouldn’t do really makes any difference.
Anyway, the real reason I was planning to write (before I got floored by your 1 Kings meditation) was to salute my brother in Christ on his 27th birthday. This is posted on the Crispin family blog, but I thought I would also publish it here (with one minor modification) since I know our readership here is so vastly different than that of the family blog! Erin had asked us to think of a word to describe Joe and then write a few sentences on why that word describes him. This is what I wrote:
FRUITFUL
A couple of weeks ago I (Larry) found this quote from John Piper:
“O for more fruitful people! You know them. They are refreshing and nourishing to be around. You go away from them fed. You go away strengthened. You go away with your taste for spiritual things awakened. Their mouth is a fountain of life. Their words are healing and convicting and encouraging and deepening and enlightening. Being around them is like a meal.”
So the word we would use to best describe you is the word “Fruitful”, because there is no one else in our lives who consistently serves up a spiritual feast the way you do. Thanks for not filling us with triviality, but always bringing us back to the One Thing that we need most: Jesus.
I trust that anyone who’s reading this can bear witness that these words are indeed true of Joe, and for that I am very grateful to God. May all of us strive to point all who encounter us to the thing they need most: Jesus Christ. Thanks, Joe, for doing it so consistently. You are far from perfect brother (as you well know), but you certainly are striving hard to enter by the narrow gate.
By His Grace,
Larry
A Meditation on 1 Kings 14-16
July 18, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Hey there everyone. Joe again. Larry was a little under the weather today, but again, I didn’t want to leave the blog empty. Something has to get up each day–at least in my mind! Take this for what it is worth…
I am reading 1 Kings right now. A few days ago I read chapters 14-16. Chapter 14 recounts the prophecy against the wicked king of Israel (the northern 10 tribes) Jeroboam. If you don’t recall, he led the northern tribes into idolatry, immediately after the split of the nation (after Solomon died and his son Rehoboam took over). Anyhow, the Lord pronounced judgment on Jeroboam for his great sin and for leading the people of Israel into sin. The Lord said through His prophet Ahijah, “behold, I will bring harm upon the house of Jeroboam and will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both bond and free in Israel, and will burn up the house of Jeroboam, as a man burns up dung until it is all gone” (1 Kings 14:10). Of course, the Lord says more, but that sums things up well.
Now, later on in chapter 15, we find the fulfillment of those words. Baasha conspired against Jeroboam’s son, Nadab and, after killing Nadad and becoming king, killed the rest of Jeroboam’s house. Verses 29 and 30 of chapter 1 Kings 15 say this, “And as soon as he [Baasha] was king, he killed all the house of Jeroboam. He left to the house of Jeroboam not one that breathed, until he had destroyed it, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite. It was for the sins of Jeroboam that he sinned and that he made Israel to sin, and because of the anger to which he provoked the Lord, the God of Israel.”
That seems pretty clear enough to me. You too? I would think. The cutting off of Jeroboam’s house was clearly the Lord’s judgment. Right? Yes, right. But there is still more. Take a look at the beginning of chapter 16. Baasha has become king and also led the people in idolatry. Therefore the Lord sends His prophet and pronounces the same judgment on Baasha. Fair enough yes, but don’t miss verse 7. It says, “Morever, the word of the Lord came by the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha and his house, both because of all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam, and also because he destroyed it.”
Did you catch that? It takes your breath away doesn’t it? You have the Lord pronouncing judgment on Baasha for two reasons: 1) B/c he also led the people into idolatry and walked in rebellion himself and 2) B/c he killed the house of Jeroboam!
This is glorious and makes me marvel at our awesome God! The judgment upon Jeroboam’s house was from the Lord, but that does not mean that Baasha did not sin in doing so. God ordained the sin, but Baasha was wholly responsible for it! Our great, sovereign, all-wise God ordains and uses sin to accomplish the will of His good pleasure. He dishes out judgment through means and men that He will soon judge for those same acts. And you find this all over the Scriptures!
Let it take your breath away brothers and sisters! By God’s Spirit, let such truth make you appreciate and admire the glory of our sovereign, infinitely wise God!
Admiring Him with you,
Joe
That’s a Great Question
July 17, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
I am excited that you put that on the table Lar! What a blessing. First though, I have to let everyone know that Rummikub is actually pronounced rummi-cube! And secondly, that what we are apart of here is the blogosphere, not the blog nation. Of course, maybe we can start something here and see it reach to the furthest nations of the earth–the phrase “blog nation.” Or maybe not. It is probably much better to focus on reaching the nations with the gospel!
So your question. Yea, I loved it and have a few thoughts.
In short, it is my conviction that you should in no way be ashamed. I am serious about this and believe that the whole of the Scriptures support it. Think about it. The whole of the Scriptures are filled with pictures or symbols–particularly the Old Testament. And what do they point to and magnify but the person and work of Jesus Christ? The Lord ordained various pictures and symbols to give His people a greater understanding of and appreciation for Jesus Christ. He used…
1) Events: Israel’s deliverance from Egypt points to our deliverance through Jesus Christ.
2) People: Moses was the mediator through whom the Lord delivered the Israelites. He was one who spoke with God face to face. And he was the one who said that the Lord would one day raise up one like himself for His people. Or take David or Solomon in their glory. Or Joseph in his faithfulness and role in providing for God’s people.
3) Offices: It has already been touched upon in the last point, but the offices of prophet, priest and king and meant to point to the One Prophet, Priest, and King–Jesus Christ. Whether it be Moses or David or Isaiah or whoever! Their lives and calling are meant to give us a greater understanding and appreciation for Jesus Christ.
4) Institutions: Sacrificial system of the Old Covenant. The High Priest. (The Kingship could also be put in here). Day of Atonement. Passover. Etc. Etc.
So there is much more as you can imagine, but that, I trust, is a good taste. And with that said, is it not faithful to say that all these things serve the ultimate end of magnifying the glory of Jesus Christ? Could it not be said that the Lord ordained the whole of Old Testament history in order to heap up pictures and symbols and people and whatever else that would help His New Covenant people gain a proper understanding and appreciation for the glory of His Son’s Person and work? I believe so.
I am sure you have thought of this, but can you imagine what it was like for those two disciples who unknowingly met Jesus on the road to Emmaus? My heart burns just thinking about it. “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). Imagine the eye opening truths that Jesus presented! O how I long for such glorious insight!
Interestingly enough, we have a record of the disciples reply, “They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures” (Luke 24:32)?
Think of it. Their hearts burned! Why? Because Jesus opened up to them the whole of Scriptural truth concerning Himself. And remember, there was no New Testament around then! No doctrinal statements or concrete theological insights. Only the Old Testament Scriptures.
Conclusion: their hearts burned as Jesus opened up their eyes to see His glory in all the Old Testament pictures and symbols–and there are so many of them! It was through the pictures that they were stirred! Amazing isn’t it?!
Our God is so good and gracious to us, His people, isn’t He? He ordained the whole of Old Testament history, in all its various details to clarify and magnify the Person and work of His Son–Jesus Christ. And now that we have the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies and pictures, we should appreciate them and be stirred by them all the more! Our hearts should burn as we see and savor the Christ revealed through the OT.
I could go on (as anyone who reads this blog can imagine!), but that is enough for now. I’ll end by saying this: we should not only not be ashamed by our need for pictures, but we should embrace it and thus, become better readers of the Old Testament–always looking for Jesus Christ! And second, we should not by shy about gaining a solid understanding of biblical theology–which I made mention of over the weekend. Those books (and many more) are great for giving us a better appreciation of the whole of the Scriptures–and thus, the Person and work of Jesus Christ!
Enough is enough!
Basking in the revelation of His glory with you,
Joe
p.s. in case you were wondering, I not only saw the movie, but loved it!
Narnia and the Crucifixion
July 17, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Joe,
Sounds like Rummikub may cause you to have a little less time to be posting for all of us here at Blog Nation! I’m surprised you didn’t mention that as one of your recommendations (maybe next week).
Anyway, I had a thought a little over a week ago that I never was able to get up here, so here goes. Last weekend when we stayed at the Bowers’ house we all watched the Chronicles of Narnia. You guys were in Italy when it was released and if you haven’t seen it I do think it is a good investment of two hours.
Well the part that really gripped me, I think the part of the movie that really was the best done in the whole thing, was the “crucifixion” scene. Obviously I am only speaking allegorically, but I mean the part when Aslan gives himself up to the Witch and she kills him. Of course the imagery of Christ making the agonizing journey to Calvary is in view, and as I watched this scene in the movie my heart was just so engaged in what I was watching. I’m watching the way they taunt this lion and my whole insides wanted to scream out “No!” It really is a horrible scene.
Now what really struck me is that during that same weekend I was reading through John 19 in my devotions. I was reading the reality of this fictional allegory that I had been so gripped by. And as I read John 19, my affections were just so paltry. I felt pathetic, feeling no sense of the horror of this atrocity, that the perfectly spotless Son of God should be mocked and spit upon and beaten and bloodied. Yet I was thoroughly engaged in this movie which was nothing in light of the reality that it was seeking to portray.
So I concluded my reflection on these things with two feelings: gratitude to God for ordaining the making of a movie like Narnia to give me a sense of the great evil that happened two thousand years ago on Calvary; yet at the same time, very frustrated with myself that it takes a fictional movie to stir my heart while the real thing made so little an impression on me.
So what do you think my problem was/is? Was my reaction to the movie simply what Edwards would call “animal spirits”, which really has no spiritual value in and of itself? And what can I do to make the reality of the Cross as dreadful in my experience as this simple movie made it to my heart?
You know as well as anyone (except my wife) how handicapped my emotions are; but this has been on my mind over the last week, so I thought I would throw it out there for discussion. The same could be said over Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ movie. Should it really take a movie such as this for people to say that they saw for the first time the terrible suffering of the crucifixion. Should not the infallible Word of God be enough to make us tremble at these astounding realities?
Let me know what you think,
Larry
A Few More Suggestions…
July 16, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Larry’s preaching tonight as normal, but I don’t want to let the day go by without a post! So here are a few more suggested resources that line up with what I mentioned yesterday. The topic: Biblical Theology–gaining a firm grasp on the overall message and story and theology of the Bible. It is an essential for the Christian to say the least.
1) Bible overview sermons by Mark Dever. Mark Dever serves as the senior pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C. He has his share of books out and is a great preacher. Anyhow, he preached a series of sermons on the Bible that he has since made into two books: Promises Made: The Message of the Old Testament and Promises Kept: The Message of the New Testament. I would like to read them both someday. Anyhow, those actually were not the resources I wanted to recommend (although I wholeheartedly do!). Would I would like to recommend is a sermon that I listened to tonight. It was the first sermon he preached for this series of messages. It serves as an overview of the whole Bible.
The sermon itself is about an hour long and it can be found if you click right here. If you want to download it, just right click on that link and click on save it as (or whatever your button is). If you want to just listen to it on your computer, just clicking on the link should do the trick. Again, it is a simple, but needed sermon for any Christian. It is well worth the listen. Husband and wife together would be a great idea. Or if you are not married, go for it yourself or invite a friend. No doubt it will be an hour well spent.
2) According to Plan by Graeme Goldsworthy. I can’t say much, b/c Erin and I are due for an intense game of Rummikub ( it’s a fun one!), but suffice it to say that it is a step up from God’s Big Picture, which , in case you did not know, I recommended yesterday. In fact, Vaughn Roberts (the author of God’s Big Picture) borrow Goldsworthy’s central thesis for his work. It’s a great intor to biblical theology. So if you think God’s Big Picture is to easy for you, check out this work. Also, I’ll mention in passing that Goldsworthy has another one called Gospel and the Kingdom, but more on that later!
Alright, time to beat my beautiful wife in Rummikub! Well actually, she won this afternoon with some fancy moves, so I’m going to have to pray for some wisdom to beat her!
Seeking our great God with you,
Joe
Amen and a Little More
July 15, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
I can’t imagine I won’t like any recommendation you give brother. Of course, if you throw a little number out there that is ‘buster’, I won’t back down from telling you so; and I trust, neither will you if I do the same! Anyhow, yea, Brainerd I need to check out in full. I have only read bits and pieces. And Piper’s Men of Whom the World is not Worthy if phenomenal. I am through almost all of these messages. But the good thing is, they just keep coming every year. Those messages in particular have stirred my soul on plenty a long bus ride.
So, this is tough for me. I felt like I spent the whole week making recommendations. Of course, I am in no way searching for material. In fact, I was just looking at my shelves to see what book I should pick out. Here is what I am thinking.
The topic is Biblical Theology, and it is an important one. Having an overall sense of the unity of Scripture is so vital in the life of the believer–in my humble opinion at least. It really aids one in studying the Scriptures and most importantly, appreciating the glory of God’s infinite wisdom in His perfect plan of redemption. I’ll start with the easiest and move on up.
1) The Big Picture Story Bible — some of you might laugh when you realize that this is a children’s book, but I am telling you, it is wonderful! We use this book for our Family worship time with Abigail and it is covenant theology for children. At first we thought that “Big Picture” referred to the fact that the book has big pictures, but when we started reading through it, we understood. Honestly, it is great for both children and adults. It is centered upon Jesus, and highlights the main points in the story of redemption. Great stuff. In my humble opinion, every family with small children should have a copy and be reading it daily. And if you are an adult who wants a really, really easy intro to God’s Big Picture, here is your start.
2) God’s Big Picture –After you get through with The Big Picture Story Bible, this is the place to go. A simple, introductory book to Biblical Theology. It really is not a hard read at all and includes study questions at the end of each chapter. In my opinion, this is one of the first books a new Christian should read–at least within the first ten, because it serves to make the Bible much less intimidating. How many of you out there have a hard time understanding what in the world is going on in the Old Testament? I did, and for awhile, I read very little because of it. If only I had read this book! All of that would have changed. It won’t take you long, but you will see fruit and, by God’s grace, have a better overall understanding of the Scriptures and, most importantly, a better appreciation for the glory of our great God!
Alright, that is enough for now. I have a few others, but maybe I will put them up tomorrow.
Again though, in my estimation, you cannot have a good understanding of God and the glorious plan of redemption without reading a good book on bibilical theology. So I would commend to everyone these two books, first for our kids and second for ourselves. In this we simply cannot go wrong.
Catch you later Lar, Lord willing,
Joe
p.s. Are those pictures money or what? Don’t worry Lar, I’ll give you some lessons!
p.s.s. If anyone has anymore questions concerning resources at any point, please feel free to email me about it. I would love to help!
A Book Recommendation
July 15, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Joe,
So I guess I will begin with the first book recommendation. I have been reading several books at the moment, some of which have more to do with ministry and may not be beneficial for everyone. But one book that I can highly recommend is the Diary of David Brainerd, compiled by Jonathan Edwards. Brainerd was a missionary to an Indian tribe in Northern New Jersey, and reading his words make me wonder if I am even a Christian! This is a man whose whole life was wrapped up in the pursuit of God, and it is refreshing to read the journey of his soul as he journeyed toward heaven.
In reality, I would really recommend any Christian biography. Hebrews 13:7 calls us to remember our leaders, and reading about the lives of those who have walked with the Lord and done great things for His glory always inspires me to press on after the Lord.
An outstanding introduction to some inspiring Christian lives would be John Piper’s Men of Whom the World is Not Worthy MP3 series. He tells the stories, and shares the theology behind the lives of many men of God who have left an enduring mark on the Church in some way. The $20 to purchase these 18 messages may be the best investment you can make into exploring Christian biography. But please note that because it is an MP3 CD, the messages can only be played on computers/Ipods, not regular CD players.
Joe, I trust you’ll give me a hearty “Amen!” on these recommendations. Now give me something that will stir my soul!
Larry
New Blog Things
July 14, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
Erin and I really enjoyed our time at dinner tonight. Fellowship is always sweet, particularly at Bonefish Grill, b/c their food is phenomenal. You made a great call on that one for sure. And one more time, happy birthday Michelle!
Anyhow, I thought I would fill everyone else in on our few ideas for the blog–a few ideas that we came up with while at dinner. So folks, here are two things…
1) “Question of the Week” On Monday of each week, we would like to have a discussion that revolves around a submitted question. So as you might deduce, this means that we need some questions–from all of you! Of course, we could come up with some things on our own, but that wouldn’t be a whole lot of fun. Ask us anything. Really! It will be good for us and everyone else (at least we hope!). (In order to submit one, just ask us something in the comments section. We’ll receive it through email.)
2) “Weekend Recommendations” The weekend will be our time for resource recommendations–mostly books, but also websites and sermons and anything imaginable really–usually focused on fueling your fire for Jesus. And if you have any questions in this regard as well, please feel free to ask!
So with that being said, I will leave you til’ tomorrow, when I will return with some sort of recommendation of something good! But before I go, please keep these things in mind. Let the questions come!
Loving Jesus with you,
Joe
I’m Back
July 14, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Alright Joe, I’m back after my “semi-private” admonishment. But one thing I do not want to do is write something on here just for the sake of writing something. When I do an entire day of sermon preparation, generally the last thing I want to do when I finish that is write more. So if I was trying to just manufacture something on here I think I would be a hypocrite, which I do not want to do.
So sorry I am letting down Blog Nation, but when something comes that burdens my heart to share on here, I assure you I will write about it. That’s really the best I can do. Well actually, that’s not true. The best I can do is share some Scripture, so here is something that made my heart glad this morning:
“13And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:13-15).
How remarkable, that we who are exposed in all our sin before the Holy One are exhorted to draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that Christ has mediated with the Father on our behalf and has atoned for all our massive weight of ugliness and sin that is exposed before Him.
So let us not put up walls and smiles to hide before each other what cannot be hidden from the King of kings. Let us run to Him in our filth, glorying in the Cross of Christ and in the Christ of the Cross, who paid the debt for our pardon.
Larry
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
Joe's Current Book
Larry's Current Book
