This Saturday will mark my thirtieth birthday. I am not typically one who takes much notice of occasions such as birthdays or who makes a big deal of them, but as I considered passing a decade barrier, it seemed appropriate that I should spend some time thinking about the last ten years. I was convicted…
Yesterday I broached the always-difficult subject of the Regulative Principle. As I should have expected, there was a good bit of discussion about it. I assume it was clear that I was not personally defending the Principle but merely attempting to explain it in a way that accurately represented those who hold to it. Today…
Thursday November 30, 2006 Church: Benny really needs your help buying him a new jet. Perhaps you should consider skipping Christmas this year to help him out. He is asking for an initial $6 million to help cover the down payment. Television: Here is a new series you’ll all want to watch. “One Punk Under…
It is a rare occasion that a film is better than the book it is based on. The book is almost always superior. However, a book that precedes a film by the same name is typically far better than a book that is based on the film. Only rarely does a textual adaptation of a…
I receive all kinds of interesting questions from readers of this site. Recently one of these, a friend, asked my opinion of lighting advent candles in worship services. “Would you say the lighting of advent candles fit under the category of imagery,” he asked, “or would it be considered symbolism? What’s the difference? Does observance…
Women: The ladies over at GirlTalk provide links to several good articles from the latest issue of the “Journal of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.” Du Jour: A new book tells us something we already know: women talk three times as much as men. “Women also speak more quickly, devote more brainpower to chit-chat – and…
When I was a child my parents explained to me how important it is to make time every day for reading the Bible and praying. Wanting to please them, and knowing it was the right thing to do, I began to have a brief period of devotions each day before bed. I do not remember…
Tuesday November 28, 2006 Film: Al Mohler has an early review of “The Nativity Story.” “Here is my instant review — the movie is in season and on message. In other words, the movie faithfully presents the main thrust of the Christmas story. That is no small achievement.” Books: Tony Reinke needs a hobby. He…
This weekend a friend sent an article to myself and to a list of other people. He was outraged at a story that appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He is no doubt right to be outraged. Here are some excerpts from the story. Just how far will people go to get their hands…
Monday November 27, 2006 Worship: Bob Kauflin answers a question about candles in worship services. Books: Audubon Press is offering a great deal on the MacArthur Commentary series. You can save 35% on individual volumes or 50% on the set (that’s just $311.87 and free shipping for 25 volumes). Blogging: Phil Johnson sets a new…
I wrote a couple of days ago about poetry and its power in communicating. I do love poetry in general, but certain poems stand out. And there is one that I love more than all others. I thought I’d share it with you today, though I suspect most are already familiar with it. It is…
War is terrible. It’s an understatement, I know, and something that is almost too obvious to bother saying. Yet the horrors of war can only really be understood, it seems, by those who have been involved in them. In the annals of warfare, few battles have been more brutal than the battle of Iwo Jima.…
While I was slurping down lunch today I spent a few minutes playing with LibraryThing’s “Unsuggestion” feature. For those who have no idea what I am talking about, LibraryThing is a neat little site that allows you to catalog your books. Or as the site says, “LibraryThing is an online service to help people catalog…
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about words. This must sound fascinating, I know, so congratulations if you have even made it to the second sentence of this article! With this being an unofficial holiday in the United States (and National Sleep-in Day, or something like that) I don’t expect too many people to visit…
Friday November 24, 2006 Birth: Congratulations to my friend Julian on the birth of his first child, Susannah Lynn (and thanks, Julian, for finally posting some pictures). Du Jour: If you don’t read Josh Harris’ blog, now is a good time to start. He is in Japan and writing interesting reports on his time there.…
“As a husband, I know it is my responsibility to pray for my wife. Often, though, I do not know the words to use, and I end up feeling that my prayers for her could be more effective. From marriage counseling and pastoral experience, I have met many men who share the same concern. The…
Thursday November 23, 2006 Purpose: Marianne Williamson, a popular figure within the New Age Movement, has sprung to Rick Warren’s defense. I assume (and hope) that Rick Warren is less than pleased that she has chosen to do so! Scripture: This video was recorded at WorshipGod06 and shows Ryan Ferguson reciting a portion of Hebrews.…
I was thinking this morning about one of my favorite passages of Scripture. While the story is well known, the part of it that appeals to me is often just passed over. It is in Acts 9 and involves just two people, the disciple Ananias and Saul. Saul, notorious for persecuting Christians, has departed Jerusalem…
Wednesday November 22, 2006 Theology: Peter Bogert has been preaching about the spiritual gifts. A recent post highlights four important principles regarding the gifts. History: “The 18th century evangelist George Whitefield had a gift for dramatic oratory and was known to reenact Bible stories during his sermons. So it was fitting when Whitefield came to…
I had great plans for the site for today, but real life very rudely interrupted those plans. Hence I’ll haul out a ramblings column I had hoped to post on Friday. Ramblings are, of course, things I have wanted to say but things that haven’t seemed worthy of a post all their own. I also…