Reading for Re/Transform8tion

Blog moving!!!

2009-10-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

This blog is moving to be combined with my Applying the Word Blog.
They are both going to a new site...

Visit me here at Living Water blog.

What I'm Reading... If You're Interested...

2009-10-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

I often wonder if people wonder what pastors do with our "free time." I READ... And if you are interested in what I am currently reading, here is an update. I hope it helps and you will check out some of these books as well.
I tend to read in different areas of interest and growth...

Parenting/ Family
I recently finished Gospel-Powered Parenting by William P. Farley. (4 stars)

Church Health/ Pastoral
Rereading Twelve Challenges Churches Face by Mark Dever (4 stars)
Reading Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional by Jim Belcher

Personal Devotion/ Holiness
Reading Passion by Karl A. Olsson and
A Call to Spiritual Reformation: Priorities from Paul and His Prayers by D.A. Carson

Biography
Reading Filling up the Afflictions of Christ: The Cost of Bringing the Gospel to the Nations in the Lives of William Tyndale, Adoniram Judson, and John Paton by John Piper
Reading The Man Who Moved a Mountain by Richard C. Davids... the story of a pastor in the Blue Ridge Mountains by the name of Bob Childress.

Theology
Slowly reading and comparing Biblical Theology by John Owen and Biblical Theology by Geerhardus Vos
Reading Spiritual Birthline: Understanding How We Experience the New Birth by Stephen Smallman

Enjoy your reading...

Gospel Powered Parenting by William Farley (Chapter 1)

2009-09-29T07:44:00.000-07:00

"The thesis of this book is that the gospel empowers effective parenting." (p.37)

William Farley has given us another in a long list of parenting books. What makes this one different? I think he explains it well in the opening chapter as he lays out assumptions, or presuppositions that the book (and therefore we) need to deal with in order to move forward with the thesis of the centrality of the Gospel in parenting.

Assumption #1: Effective Christian parents know that parenting will not be easy. You will not and cannot be a perfect parent. "Your sins, failings, and inadequacies produce conflict with your children and misunderstandings with your spouse. At times you will deeply feel this inadequacy." (p. 20)

Our internal inadequacies are just part of the problem. External stresses such as illness, rebellion, talent (or lack thereof) make parenting difficult. And, let's be honest... not every child is easy to love... some take a lot of perseverance just to love them each day.

Effective parents don't expect a cakewalk. They assume it will be difficult but that the end result-- delightful Christ-centered adult children who are married to mates that you actually like-- will make it all worth the effort. (p.21)

Assumption #2: God is sovereign to save... but His preferred means of saving our kids is through parents. We cannot be passive... while we should trust God above all, we must know that we have a responsibility to parent in such a way as to show God to be glorious. "Parents are utterly dependent on God. He can save any child, no matter how dark the circumstances." (p.22) But God uses parents to speak the truth and love of the Gospel into the hearts of their children. "We are utterly dependent and responsible at the same time." (p. 22)

Assumption #3: Effective parenting is on offense... not defense all the time. A prevent defense in a football game can lead to disastrous results. As a team gets a lead, often their mindset changes to preventing a loss instead of pursuing a win. The best defense is a good offense. Parents can fall into the same trap.

Either we can focus on preparing our children to enter the world and conquer it, or we can concentrate on protecting our children from the world... Often this defensive mentality is the fruit of legalism. The legalistic parent usually assumes that his or her children are born again. But this parent has little confidence int he power of new birth. Therefore, parenting is all about protecting the children from evil outside influence. (p. 23)

Obviously, there is some defense that needs to be played in parenting. But our job is not to have our kids fear the world. Our job is to have them TREASURE CHRIST.

In other words, this book will assume that effective parents equip their children to overcome the world-- not by changing and controlling their environment (things external to their children), but by going after their children's hearts. We change their hearts by teaching the gospel, modeling the gospel, and centering our homes on the gospel. The gospel, rightly understood and modeled, makes Christianity attractive. Effective parents make the gospel so attractive that the world cannot get a foothold in their children's hearts. (p. 24)

By contrast, defensive parents have little confidence in the attractiveness of the gospel. They think the world is more powerful. Fundamentally, they are not confident in the gospel's power to transform their children from the inside out. They do not believe Jesus' words, "Take heart, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). They have little confidence in the world-conquering power of new birth.

Assumption #4: Effective parents must understand what new birth in Jesus Christ really is. Most Christian parents assume that their kids are born again. This could be a tragic mistake.

Christian Smith and Melinda Denton have coined the phrase MORALISTIC THERAPEUTIC DEISM to describe the beliefs of many American "Christian" teenagers.

These teens believe in a combination of works-righteousness, religion as psychological well-being, and a distant, noninterfering god. Ironically, many of these young deists are active in their churches... It is important for every Christian parent to discern MTD from Christianity. A child can be compliant and well-behaved, attend Sunday worship, and socialize with the church youth group, but merely possess MTD. Many "nice people are not Christians. Being "nice" has little to do with Christianity. (p. 27)

The facts are staggering... the statistics among so called "evangelical Christian" teenagers show them to be just as sexually active as their non-Christian friends... possibly even MORE ACTIVE. (p. 27) Have your kids experienced the real new birth?

Even a child's testimony that he "accepted Jesus" or "asked Jesus into his heart" means very little. That is because God initiates new birth. Of course, the child is responsible to respond to God with faith and repentance. But a child can go through these steps and not have the saving faith and repentance that point to new birth. That is why it is foolish for parents to presume upon new birth. New birth is a radical change of heart that ushers in new desires, new loves, and a new life direction. (p. 28) See I John 3:9.

Assumption #5: Effective Christian parents are not child-centered. It is possible to love your kids too much. Effective parenting involves being GOD-CENTERED. Is your family CHILD-CENTERED or GOD-CENTERED? Consider these examples.

Ken and Jackie were sincere parents. But their sincerity was their problem. They loved their children. In fact, they loved them too much. The oldest son was a talented athlete. He excelled on the local U16 soccer team. Because the team practiced during the dinner hour, the family stopped eating meals together. They had been in the habit of praying and reading the Bible after meals. This also ended.
Their daughter was an exceptionally talented ballerina. Her lesson were expensive. Ken and Jackie couldn't afford them and tithe at the same time. We will resume tithing when she graduates, they rationalized.
Soon the family was traveling to weekend soccer tournaments. Most were on Sunday, so church attendance became increasingly sporadic... At age sixteen, their daughter began to audition with professional ballet troupes in distant cities. Soon the family was traveling to her weekend auditions.
Eventually the children went off to college. Within a few years they had both quit attending church. They forgot God. They threw themselves into their real interests, athletics and dancing. Ken and Jackie were deeply troubled. What went wrong? What can we do to get our children back?
By contrast, Tim and Angie centered their home in God and His will. Tim told his son's soccer coach, "My son will be available any day but Sunday. I'm sorry if this inconveniences the team, but God is more important to us than soccer." This was a problem. Tim's son was the best player on the the team. They needed him to win. The coach and the other players put tremendous pressure on Tim to compromise, but he refused to budge.
In the same way, when Tim found out that his daughter's piano lessons would be during their family dinner hour, he gently asked her to find another teacher, reminding her that the family dinner hour was sacred. It was the only time for the family to be together, and that family unity was more important than her piano lessons.
Tim's decisions disappointed his children in the short run, but won them for Christ in the long run. Ken and Jackie thought they were loving their children, but they were actually forfeiting their children's respect, driving them away with overindulgence. (pp. 33-34)

Is your family God-centered or Kid-centered? Children will imitate their parents. If God is marginalized in your family in favor of the interests and activities of your children (or yourselves) then your kids will learn from you. When you ask what happened to your kids... they learned it by watching you. What example are you giving your kids to imitate?

What are the Best Books? (By Category)

2009-09-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

ReformedBooks.net has a great (and pretty exhaustive) list of books by category. If you are an avid reader and want to read some great (and deep) books as you grow in your faith in Christ, then check out their site. While I may not agree with all of the choices, the choices are nontheless EXCELLENT!
Check out the lists here.

Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will by Kevin DeYoung

2009-09-10T10:00:00.003-07:00

You need to read this book! It is a great treatment of the issue of God's will. How often do we find ourselves wondering what God's will is for our lives or in certain circumstances? Then there is the issue that an entire generation is growing up nearly unable to make decisions and stick to them.
DeYoung tackles the issue on a popular level, but remains thoroughly Biblical and sound in his discussion of finding and following God's will. I would encourage you to get and read this book.
The tag line should be enough to get your attention... It reads...
"How to make a decision without dreams, visions, fleeces, impressions, open doors, random Bible verses, casting lots, liver shivers, writing in the sky, etc.
Thoroughly practical and intensely helpful, Just Do Something is a great read.

4 Stars

Resources for Family and Private Worship

2009-08-30T12:13:00.000-07:00

Check out these great resources for Family and Private Worship.
1. A 30 day Family Worship Guide for Fall 2009
2. Daily Family and Private Worship Guide... updates daily. The updates are on our Apply the Word blog or you can subscribe to the feed yourself.

These are great resources as we fight the fight of holiness in our own lives and as families.

Biblical Prayer: Public and Private

2009-08-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

What is Biblical Prayer? How can I pray Biblically?
So often our prayers, both private and public, can become formulaic and stale. Here is a great resource (FREE resource at that) to aid us in the great privilege of speaking with our Father in heaven. Take advantage of resources like this. They leave us without excuse. Click the picture to check out this site.

New (But Really OLD) Directions for OPBC

2009-07-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

This Lord's Day, I unfolded the new heartbeat and identity reconstruction for a restored, renewed, and revived Old Powhatan Baptist Church. You can see some of the convictions and objectives here.
Here, I wanted to give you a few helpful books that will give you some insight on our purpose and mission as a church and as church members. This will serve as the First Installment in my new Recommended Reading List... as promised.

9 Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever
What is a Healthy Church Member by Thabiti Anyabwile
Why We Love the Church by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck
The Deliberate Church by Mark Dever
Twelve Challenges Churches Face by Mark Dever
Total Church: A Radical Reshaping Around Gospel and Community by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis
Vintage Church: Timeless Truths and Timely Methods by Mark Driscoll and Gary Breshears
Simple Church by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger
Essential Church: Reclaiming a Generation of Dropouts by Thom Rainer and Sam Rainer

Portrait of Calvin by THL Parker

2009-07-10T08:04:00.000-07:00

This short book (128 pages) is a wonderful outline of Calvin's life and ministry. Desiring God Ministries is running a special TODAY only in honor of Calvin's 500th birthday. The book is $2. Or you can download the pdf for free. Check out the book here.

John Piper, in the book's forward, says,

“I am eager for people to know Calvin not because he was without flaws, or because he was the most influential theologian of the last 500 years (which he was), or because he shaped Western culture (which he did), but because he took the Bible so seriously, and because what he saw on every page was the majesty of God and the glory of Christ."

Pastor Dad by Mark Driscoll

2009-06-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

Here is a great little book for all Christian fathers. If you are looking for a POST Father's Day gift to encourage your husband or dad, here is the perfect gift. You can read it online, order the paperback, or download the pdf. Check it out here.

New Recommended Reading List Coming Soon...

2009-06-16T19:56:00.000-07:00

I will be putting out a 2009 recommended reading list later this summer. This list will cover the following areas.
1. Knowing Christ
2. Beginning with Christ
3. Growing in Christ
4. Family
5. Bible Study
6. Biography and Church History
7. Engaging the Culture
8. Evangelism and Missions

Look for the list in July... and a blog makeover at the same time.

Resolved Conference LIVE STREAMING VIDEO

2009-06-12T14:35:00.001-07:00

Register Here to view LIVE STREAMING of Resolved Conference
Looks Amazing... and it's FREE

Friday, June 12
4pm - Registration
8pm - Session 1, Rick Holland

Saturday, June 13
11am - Session 2, Steve Lawson
5pm - Session 3, C.J. Mahaney
6pm - Session 4, Enfield Concert

Sunday, June 14
11am - Session 5, Steve Lawson
5pm - Session 6, John MacArthur
7pm - Session 7, John Piper

Monday, June 15
9am - Session 8, Rick Holland
11am - Session 9, John MacArthur
5pm - Session 10, C.J. Mahaney
7pm - Session 11, John Piper

Preparing for Ezra and Nehemiah... Before the Pews

2009-06-05T07:02:00.000-07:00

This Lord's Day, I begin preaching through Ezra and Nehemiah. As I prepare for this series, a few thoughts come to mind about preparation.

Every week, I spend upwards of 25 hours preparing sermons. My goals...
1. To be faithful to the inspired text.
2. To be faithful to the meaning of the text.
3. To be faithful to the purpose of the text.
4. To clearly expose the meaning and purpose of the text.
5. To apply the meaning and purpose of the text to daily life in our families, church, work, relationships, and personal holiness.

What do you do to prepare yourself for hearing and applying the Word of God? How can you prepare yourself to hear the Truth and then go and live the Truth? Here are a few suggestions for an expositional listener... BEFORE YOU REACH THE PEW THIS SUNDAY.

1. Be a Bible reader... Read Ezra this week. It's 10 chapters and can be read in no time. Then read each chapter or passage as the weeks go on.
2. Pray for understanding... Pray that the Holy Spirit would illuminate your heart and mind and cut to your heart through the Truth of Scripture.
3. Pray for Your Pastor... As he prays, prepares and preaches... He is the conduit being used by God to bring the Word of God into your life. I need your prayers.
4. Pray for Ears to Hear... Come to the pew prepared to listen and apply.
5. Prepare yourself physically for Sunday morning... Use Saturday night as a time of rest, not a time to stay up as late as possible. A rested mind on Sunday will be a transformed mind on Monday.

For more info on being an expositional listener, check out Thabiti Anyabwile's What is a Healthy Church Member? And/Or check out my discussion of the book here.

Enough Said??? Consider This Graphic... Comments Anyone?

2009-06-05T06:09:00.000-07:00

DA Carson Books for Free

2009-06-03T12:45:00.000-07:00

I Love Free Books... Here are links to several FREE pdf versions of DA Carson's books... Some AMAZING STUFF here.

Letters Along the Way: A Novel of the Christian Life (Crossway, 1993)

Holy Sonnets of the Twentieth Century (Baker, 1994)

For the Love of God: A Daily Companion for Discovering the Riches of God's Word
Volume 1 (Crossway 1998)
Volume 2 (Crossway, 1999)

The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God (Crossway, 2000)

Love in Hard Places (Crossway, 2002)

Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor: The Life and Reflections of Tom Carson (Crossway, 2008)

A Reader's Guide from Monergism Books

2009-05-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a great reader's guide from Monergism Books. A great place to start growing and continue growing in Christ. Check it out.

John Piper Quote from reFocus Conference at Moody Bible Institute

2009-05-20T06:45:00.000-07:00

"The longer I live the less optimistic I am that I will end without sin and the more grateful I become for the blood of Christ imputed to me. As I grow older I do not feel myself becoming gloriously holy but I find myself feeling great love for the gospel."\
--John Piper

Do you love the gospel more each day?

Death is Not Dying

2009-05-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

I have been away from the blogging scene for a few weeks with trips to Chicago, N. Africa, and an upcoming trip to West VA... I promise to be back soon. In the meantime, listen to or watch this amazing and challenging talk from Rachel Barkley, a 37 year old mother and wife who has been battling cancer. Her cancer now is terminal, yet her message is strong.

Check it out here. It is worth every second of the 55 minutes.

Recap of the Not So Spiritual Moments of The Gospel Coalition Conference in Chicago

2009-04-24T17:46:00.000-07:00

What a great and challenging week at the Gospel Coalition National Conference. I had a great time with my friend Phil Auxier and I was encouraged and challenged by all the preachers and workshops. The audio and video are up and available for download or to listen/watch online. Just click here and click on the message title for the audio and video.

While there were TONS of spiritual highlights of the week that will bear much fruit... here are a few of the lesser known (and possibly less spiritual) moments to remember.
5. In one workshop the speaker Tim Savage, who I admire even more now (and that is difficult because I think he has written the MOST IMPORTANT BOOK ON MINISTRY EVER, outside the Bible) was heckled by some crazy guy... and he handled it wonderfully...
4. John Piper's Hunchback of Notre Dame impression... just watch the video to see what I mean.
3. D.A. Carson... "Pass the port..." you had to be there... or you can watch it when the video comes out.
2. Running into two old friends from college, one from Winston-Salem and one from Chicago... 2 guys I hung out with quite a bit in college and haven't seen for 12 years. We had a great (and late) night talking and catching up.
1. Paradise Pup... char grilled hamburgers from the Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives show... A great burger... watch what we experienced here.

Great Day One at Gospel Coalition

2009-04-21T20:52:00.001-07:00

What an amazing day at the Gospel Coalition National Conference... I can honestly say that I already see that this trip will bear great fruit at OPBC... I have been encouraged and challenged and fed tremendously... and this is just day one... Tomorrow looks to be another amazing day.
We will hear from two more pastors and will attend workshops. My workshops will be on Preaching in a Christianized Culture and Power in Weakness: The Heart of the Gospel Ministry.

For a great recap of Day One... see Phil's blog here... he links you to recaps of the messages. Live streaming again tomorrow and audio and video should be up soon.

The Gospel Coalition National Conference Day 1

2009-04-21T05:37:00.000-07:00

I arrived in Rosemont (outside Chicago) yesterday, and after about 45 minutes of waiting for the shuttle, checked into the Embassy Suites with my good friend Phil Auxier from Crestview Bible Church in Hutchinson, KS. We had a great meal of Chicago Style Deepdish Pizza last night and got a few essentials at Walmart... And today it begins...

10:00 AM Registration and FREE BOOKS
LUNCH
1:00 PM Intro and Worship
2:00PM Session 1 with Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian in NY
4:00PM Session 2 with John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist in Minneapolis and Desiring God Ministies
7:00PM Session 3 with Phil Ryken of 10th Presbyterian in Philadelphia.
8:00PM Session 4 with Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill in Seattle.

Watch the livecast HERE.

The Gospel Coalition 2009 Live Webcasting

2009-04-20T14:46:00.001-07:00

This week I have the great privilege of being in Chicago for The Gospel Coalition's 2009 National Conference. This should be an amazing week. Keep up to date with livecasting of each main session. The video and audio will be up within one day of each session. Should be awesome.

Finally Alive by John Piper (Part 3)

2009-04-14T09:01:00.000-07:00

Finally Alive by John Piper
(***** 5 stars): CPT

Part 3: How Does the New Birth Come About?

One of the unsettling things about the new birth, which Jesus says we all must experience in order to see the kingdom of God, is that we don't control it. We don't decide to make it happen any more than a baby decides to make his birth happen--or, more accurately, make his conception happen. Or even more accurately: We don't decide to make it happen any more than dead men decide to give themselves life. (p. 77)

This is why we should love the sovereign grace of God. We don't MAKE something happen IN us...

Something has to happen TO us. Jesus said we must be born again (John 3:3). The Holy Spirit has to work a miracle in our hearts and give us new spiritual life. We were dead and we need to be made alive. We need ears that can hear truth as supremely desirable, and we need eyes that see Christ and his way of salvation as supremely beautiful. We need hearts that are soft and receptive to the word of God. In short, we need new life. We need to be born again. (p. 78)

In Section Three, Piper dives into the "HOW?" of regeneration. I Peter 1:3-25 gives three actions God took to bring us into this new life...
1. God ransomed us by Jesus' blood.
2. God raised Jesus from the dead.
3. God call us into new life through His living word. (p. 81)

O that ever believer would know the glory of what has happened to him! Do you know what God has done for you and in you? You were ransomed with the imperishable blood of Christ. You were raised with Christ from the dead to an eternally living hope. You were called from death to life like Lazarus, and you saw Christ for the Treasure that he is. You were born again. You received him and were saved. (P. 85)

THROUGH THE WASHING OF REGENERATION...
We were once foolish, walking the ways of the world, sinful desires controlling us, slaves to sin and death. And then the greatest words in all of Scripture, displaying the true meaning of grace...
"BUT GOD..."

How does God do it? How does He bring us new birth? By cleansing and renewal. By His kindness and His goodness. By His work, not ours...

THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST...
How are we involved in this act of the new birth?

Your involvement in the event of the new birth is to exercise faith--faith in the crucified and risen Son of God, Jesus Christ, as the Savior and Lord and Treasure of your life. The way you are engaged in the event of your new birth is by believing on Christ. You are involved in the new birth because in it you receive Christ for who he really is, the supremely valuable Savior, Lord, and Treasure of the universe. (p. 102)

His giving of new life is the decisive cause of your believing. "He does the begetting and you do the believing at the same instant. (p. 102)"

If you have a hard time thinking of one thing causing another thing if they are simultaneous, think of fire and heat or fire and light. The instant there is fire, there is heat. The instant there is fire, there is light. But we would not say that the heat caused the fire, or the light caused the fire. We say that the fire caused the heat and the light. (p. 102)

Believing is the acting out of the new birth.

THROUGH INTELLIGIBLE GOOD NEWS (John 1:1-14)...

God's act in bringing about the new birth is the bringing into being of a BELIEVER where once there was only spiritual deadness and unbelief. The reason that the new birth is God's creation of a believer is that this new creation happens THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD (I Peter 1:23; James 1:18)--through the gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ, by the power of Spirit, creates spiritual understanding and faith where once there was blindness and unbelief. It does this as a narrative of historical events--the cross and the resurrection--that reveal the glory of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4-6). This narrative is the power of God bringing about the new birth and awakening faith (Romans 1:16). (pp. 118-119)

What are the folks at Desiring God reading right now?

2009-04-14T09:00:00.001-07:00

Check out the list of "50 Books DG Staff Are Reading Right Now."

What do you think of when I say "SBC?"

2009-04-14T08:39:00.001-07:00

Whereas I am an ardent supporter of the Southern Baptist Convention... and
Whereas I am, and always will be, concerned that the Gospel of Jesus Christ be central in all things in my life, our church, and the Southern Baptist Convention... and
Whereas our testimony before the world is not just perceived as individuals but corporately...
I do hereby find it disturbing, and somewhat humorous, that the world (at least the Twitter world) perceives the Southern Baptist Convention in this way.

I always wanted to write a resolution for the SBC, and this is probably the closest I will get...
Check out Timmy Brister's article about the "research" that led to this labeling and wordling.

Consider, when asked, what word would people use to describe YOU and OLD POWHATAN BAPTIST CHURCH?

A Conversation with Death on Good Friday: by John Piper

2009-04-10T07:58:00.001-07:00

(Author: John Piper) From Desiring God Ministries

CHRISTIAN:

Hello, Death, my old enemy. My old slave-master. Have you come to talk to me again? To frighten me?

I am not the person you think I am. I am not the one you used to talk to. Something has happened. Let me ask you a question, Death.

Where is your sting?

DEATH, sneeringly:

My sting is your sin.

CHRISTIAN:

I know that, Death. But that's not what I asked you. I asked, where is your sting? I know what it is. But tell me where it is.

Why are you fidgeting, Death? Why are you looking away? Why are you turning to go? Wait, Death, you have not answered my question. Where is your sting?

Where is, my sin?

What? You have no answer? But, Death, why do you have no answer? How will you terrify me, if you have no answer?

O Death, I will tell you the answer. Where is your sting? Where is my sin? It is hanging on that tree. God made Christ to be sin—my sin. When he died, the penalty of my sin was paid. The power of it was broken. I bear it no more.

Farewell, Death. You need not show up here again to frighten me. God will tell you when to come next time. And when you come, you will be his servant. For me, you will have no sting.

O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross. Edited by Nancy Guthrie (Holy Week Devotion Part 3)

2009-04-08T09:14:00.000-07:00

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross: Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter Nancy Guthrie, ed.
****1/2 (4 1/2 stars): BSC

"Cursed" by R.C. Sproul

his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God....
(Deuteronomy 21:23)

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"--
(Galatians 3:13)

Abraham was to be a blessing to the whole world. That was his calling. All that have faith are blessed along with Abraham.

In contrast to the blessedness that comes by faith, Paul says that all who rely on observing the Law as a means of salvation, all who trust in their own good works and their own performance, are under a curse... Any person who failed to keep every one of these laws are under the curse. Then Paul says clearly that no one is justified before God by the Law, "for the just shall live by faith." The object of saving faith is Christ because He and He alone is able to remove the curse from us. (pp. 91-92)

Jesus became the curse for us. He took all the penalties of the Law upon Himself. He died on the tree as a curse. He was handed over to Gentiles and hung outside the camp, the place of the curse. He was forsaken and despised, the scapegoat driven outside the camp.

I have heard many sermons about the physical pain of death by crucifixion. I've heard graphic descriptions of the nails and the thorns. Surely the physical agony of crucifixion was a ghastly thing. But there were thousands who died on crosses and may have had more painful deaths than that of Christ. But only one person has ever received the full measure of the curse of God while on a cross. I doubt that Jesus was even aware of the nails and the spear-- he was so overwhelmed by the outer darkness. On the cross Jesus was in the reality of hell. He was totally bereft of the grace and the presence of God, utterly separated from all blessedness of the Father. He became a curse for us so that we someday will be able to see the face of God. So that the light of His countenance might fall upon us, God turned His back on His Son. No wonder Christ screamed. He screamed from the depth of His soul. How long did He have to endure it? We don't know, but a second of it would have been of infinite value.
Finally, Jesus cried, "It is finished!" It was over. What was over? His life? The pain of the nails? No. It was the forakenness that ended. The curse was finished. (p.95)

Finally Alive by John Piper (Part 2)

2009-04-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

Finally Alive by John Piper
(***** 5 stars): CPT

Part 2: Why Must We Be Born Again?

In Section Two, Piper reveals to true need of every person for new birth. What is it about our nature and the nature of regeneration that makes it necessary for us? Here is a quote from each major section and idea. Read the book (download for free by clicking on the book cover to the right) to fill in the gaps.

We are Spiritually Dead.
Drawing from Ephesians 2:1-10, Piper writes,
1. Apart from the new birth, we are dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1-2).
Dead implies lifeless. Not physically or morally lifeless, but spiritually lifeless. So we are not dead in the sense that we can't sin. We are dead in the sense that we can't see or savor the glory of Christ. We are spiritually dead. We are unresponsive to God and Christ and this word. (pp. 48-49)
2. Apart from the new birth, we are by nature children of wrath (Eph. 2:3)
The point of saying this is to make clear that our problem is not just in what we do, but in what we are. Apart from new birth, I am my problem. You are not my main problem. My parents are not my main problem. My enemies are not my main problem. I am my main problem. Not my deeds, and not my circumstances, but my nature is my deepest personal problem... Our nature is so rebellious and so selfish and so callous toward the majesty of God that His holy anger is a natural and right response to us (p. 49).
3. Apart from the new birth, we love darkness and hate the light. (John 3:19-20)
4. Apart from the new birth, our hearts are hard like stone (Ezekiel 36:26; Eph. 4:18)
5. Apart from the new birth, we are unable to submit to God or please God (Romans 8:7-8)
6. Apart from the new birth, we are unable to accept the Gospel (Eph. 4:18; I Corinthians 2:14)
7. Apart from the new birth, we are unable to come to Christ or embrace Him as Lord (John 6:44; John 6:65; I Corinthians 12:3)

We are Willing Slaves to Sin and Satan.
The aim of this list is to give us an accurate diagnosis of our disease so that when God applies the remedy at great cost to Himself, we will leap for joy and give Him some measure of the glory He deserves (p. 56).

8. Apart from the new birth, we are slaves to sin (Romans 6:17)
Until God awakens us from spiritual death and gives us the life that finds joy in killing sin and being holy, we are slaves and cannot get free. That's why the new birth is necessary. (p. 57)

9. Apart from the new birth, we are slaves of Satan (Ephesians 2:1-2; II Timothy 2:24-26)
This is one of the horrible things about spiritual deadness. Our deadness is not unresponsive to the devil. It is perfectly in tune with the devil... The unregenerate may scoff at the very idea of a devil. And of course, nothing is more in line with the father of lies than the denial that he exists. (p. 57)

Apart from the new birth, no good thing dwells in us. (Romans 7:18)

Why do we need the new birth. There are things that we will never receive without regeneration.
1. Without the new birth, we won't have saving faith, but only unbelief.
2. Without the new birth, we won't have justification, but only condemnation.
3. Without the new birth, we won't be the children of God, but the children of the devil.
4. Without the new birth, we won't bear the fruit of love by the Holy Spirit, but on the fruit of death.
5. Without the new birth, we won't have eternal joy in fellowship with God, but only eternal misery with the devil and his angels.

Faith Justification, Adoption, Purification, Glorification

Why was it necessary for Jesus to come, be born of a virgin, and become flesh and dwell among us? What does Jesus' life have to do with our regeneration, adoption, purification, and glorification?
Piper writes that I John makes it clear.
The new birth we have is a new life... in and with Jesus, the incarnate one. Believing in THE Jesus, the Word made flesh, is the new life we have. (I John 5:10-12)

Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross. Edited by Nancy Guthrie (Holy Week Devotion Part 2)

2009-04-07T10:03:00.000-07:00

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross: Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter Nancy Guthrie, ed.
****1/2 (4 1/2 stars): BSC

"Betrayed, Denied, Deserted" by J. Ligon Duncan III

While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; seize him." And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came to do." Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?" At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled.
(Matthew 26:47-56)

Crises have a way of revealing our character... We cannot help but admire the dignity of the Lord Jesus Christ as He goes through this indignity. He does it with magnanimity and with the sense that He is not forsaken. He is not out of control. God' providence is ruling over all. So the character and calmness of Jesus remind us and provide an example for us in the midst of our own trials. ( pp. 38-39)

Jesus is not going to the cross because God lacks the power to stop it. He is going out of His own authority and power.

He is not a passive victim. He is the prime actor and has chosen to go to the cross. Jesus goes to the cross because of His desire to fulfill the word of God. He came intentionally to be the true Lamb of God, the Passover Lamb. He came to be the Scape-goat on whom the iniquities of the people were to be laid. His heart was set on accomplishing this great work. (p. 40. from J.C. Ryle)

Jesus did not just passively and sorrowfully give in to the will of God. No, He willingly accepted and reveled in the sovereignty of God.

Jesus said, " God has caused and decreed this to happen. This is in accordance with His holy will, which He has established before the foundation of the world. I embrace it, because it is the will of my heavenly Father, and it is good. It may be horrendous for me, but I willingly embrace it, because it is good for His people, and I love His people. He has promised to give them to me if I lay down my life for them." Jesus reveled in the sovereignty of God, and He proclaims it even to the multitude of captors. (p. 41)

In the midst of this horrendous trial, the disciples deserted Him. Faithless and full of fear, they run. Judas had already betrayed Him and now the rest will run. BUT, while they were faithless, He remained faithful to them.

The message... Jesus shows us faithfulness... and the disciples show us faithlessness...
We must learn to not trust ourselves, but to wholly lean on Jesus and His faithfulness.

.

Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross. Edited by Nancy Guthrie (Holy Week Devotion Part 1)

2009-04-06T07:46:00.000-07:00

Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross: Experiencing the Passion and Power of Easter Nancy Guthrie, ed.
****1/2 (4 1/2 stars): BSC

Nancy Guthrie has compiled a beautiful array of essays designed to help us survey the wondrous cross of Jesus Christ. Too often we rush past the cross. These essays are meant to help us linger "near the cross." This week, as we celebrate our CRUCIFIED and RESURRECTED Lord Jesus, I will take one of these essays each day and give a synopsis. This book is an excellent devotional tool and worthy to be added to your library and read with your family.

"The Cup" by C.J. Mahaney
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."
(Matthew 26:39)

As Jesus prays in the Garden, there is no doubt what is on His heart and mind.
He makes this plea repeatedly. With His face to the ground, we can see sweat on His temples. He lifts His head, and His expression reveals an agony so intense that His sweat is "like great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (p. 27)

What is the cup He speaks of? It is the wrath of God poured out for your sins and mine.

In the crucible of human weakness, He's brought face to face with the abhorrent reality of bearing our iniquity and becoming the object of God's full and furious wrath. What Jesus recoils from here is not an anticipation of the physical pain associated with crucifixion. Rather, it's a pain infinitely greater--the agony of being abandoned by His Father. (p. 28)

Jesus cries out to His Father... once... twice... three times... Is there another way.... SILENCE.

Listen to this verse for the very first time: For God so loved the world... that He's silent at this moment when His Son appeals for an alternative. That's what bearing our sin means to Him-- utter distress of soul as He confronts total abandonment and absolute wrath from His Father on the cross, a distress, and an abandonment, and a rejection we cannot begin to grasp. (p. 29)

And now we have been given a new cup to drink from... the cup of salvation, full and free. We drink from this new cup because Jesus drank every drop of the cup of God's wrath.

As we watch Jesus pray in agony in Gethsemane, He has every right to turn His tearful eyes toward you and me and shout, "This is your cup. You're responsible for this. It's your sin! You drink it." This cup should rightfully be thrust into my hand and yours. Instead, Jesus freely takes it Himself... so that from the cross He can look down at you and me, whisper our names and say, "I drain this cup for you-- for you who have lived in defiance of me, who have hated me, who have opposed me. I drink it all... for you."(p. 30)

Listen to CJ Mahaney preach a sermon on this same topic here...

Check out the New Books...

2009-04-06T07:43:00.001-07:00

Check out the new books being read for re/transform8tion...

Come to Powhatan High School at 6:00PM on Sunday

2009-04-03T16:36:00.001-07:00

An Invitation from Rick... say what???

2009-04-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been a while since I have posted here, but things have been a bit hectic. We will be back on schedule and introducing new books in the next week. Stay tuned... Now on to the frivolity.

Admittedly, I am not a big fan of Rick Warren's. I have gone on record before saying that I think that the Purpose Driven Church model is glorified spiritual racism, singling out people groups that you want to use to build your church, decrying methods used and the watering down of so much of the message of the Gospel. I do appreciate the fact that Warren has introduced so many to Christ, I just have always wondered which Christ? Well, now I think he may have gone overboard... because this is just crazy. Check out this invitation from Rick Warren...

Come to Jesus and get a copy of my best-selling book... say what????

John G. Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides by John G. Paton

2009-03-16T12:42:00.000-07:00

John G. Paton: Missionary to the New Hebrides by John G. Paton
***** (5 stars): BSC

John Paton (1824-1907), Scottish missionary to the New Hebrides Islands, is one of my missionary heroes. His autobiography is on my annual reading list and has been for the past 8 years. This man's life is challenging, encouraging and fascinating all in one. From his life we learn of love and devotion for Christ, of hardship and suffering to take the Gospel to a heathen world, and of joy in partnering for the Gospel. Here are but a few of the great reminders and challenges I receive every time I read this book.
1. I am challenged as a father. John Paton was blessed with a godly heritage, led by his father. His father was a faithful prayer, consistently praying for his family. The scene of John and his father walking together as John leaves home to minister in Christ's name is so moving that it is ingrained in my mind.
2. I am challenged as a minister of the Gospel. Paton was blessed by God with a highly successful ministry in Scotland, when God called him to the New Hebrides. This island group was known for its cannibals and the danger for missionaries. But Paton's devotion to Christ led him to leave his ministry to go to the ends of the earth. In a meeting as he announced his calling to the New Hebrides, the following discourse occurs:

One gentleman protested, "The Cannibals! you will be eaten by Cannibals!" to which Paton simply replied, "Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is so to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms: I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honouring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms; and in the Great Day my resurrection body will arise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer."

3. I am challenged as a beard grower... just look at that thing. :)
4. I am challenged and encouraged as a sufferer. We all suffer, but the suffering endured by Paton and those he loved should challenge us all to suffer for Christ to take the Gospel to the world.
This is one of my favorite books of all time. I would encourage EVERYONE to read it.

When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey (Chapter 10)

2009-03-16T12:28:00.000-07:00

Our marriages here are an imperfect picture of what we are looking forward to enjoying in eternal relationship with our Savior... Friends, not matter where your marriage is at this time, it is pointing to the greatest reality possibility. As real as our marriages are to us on this earth, they are just a shadow of the reality we will experience when Christ comes to claim His bride. Then we will have a wedding feast to celebrate our union with Christ that is unlike any feast that has ever been celebrated before. The entire family of Christ will be there-- not one missing from the whole earth. The joy at the feast will not be marred by sin, struggle, pain or disappointment. We will be forever with Christ in our new home. What glory is set before us as sinners who say, "I do." (p. 183)

What is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti Anyabwile (Chapter 4)

2009-03-12T09:20:00.000-07:00

What is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti Anyabwile
(***** 5 stars): WC

Chapter 4: A Healthy Church Member is Genuinely Converted

This is really the starting point for being a healthy church member. We must be genuinely converted ourselves. But the reality is, so many church goers are ignorant of the truths of the Gospel. So many don't know of and haven't experienced the true greatness of God's grace. No wonder there are so many nominal or social Christians who are not really walking with the Lord. The Church has failed far to often to teach a Biblical view of conversion. This chapter unfolds the truths and the need of genuine conversion.

Conversion is the radical turn from an enslaved life of pursuing sin to a free life of pursuing and worshiping God. Conversion is a change of life, not merely a decision. This change is not a matter of moral rectitude, self help, or mere behavior modification. It is not accomplished by outward displays or religious practices like “walking the aisle.” It cannot be accomplished by human effort but only by the power of God. Conversion is a change so dramatic that it requires the intervention of God the Holy Spirit. In conversion the Spirit of God grants the twin graces of repentance and faith to sinners who turn from sin and turn to God through faith in Jesus Christ. (pp. 49-50)

How does an understanding of Biblical conversion change our lives in church in a practical way? It starts with looking at and examining our own souls. Anyabwile gives good insight into how we can examine our own spiritual state.

Do We Walk in the Light or the Darkness?

Genuine converts to Christ grieve at their sin. They hate their sins, and they desire the light of life in Christ, which is to say they desire and work to walk in integrity and righteousness. Persons habitually and unrepentantly living in sin, who deny that they are sinners , are not genuinely converted. (p. 51) See I John 1:6-10.

Do We Love God the Father?

There is but one God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There is no way to love both the world and the Father. And there is no way to embrace Christ without embracing the Father, or to come to the Father without believing on Christ. Love for God the Father is a test of genuine conversion. (p. 52) See I John 2:15-23

Do We Love Other Christians?
Those who love God are lovers of those born of God. A true test of genuine conversion is love for one another. Listen to Pastor Brad's sermon from 3/8/09 here.

Do We Have the Testimony of the Spirit that We are Children of God?

The Father has not left us without a testimony of his love. We may be assured of our adoption into his family by God himself, the Holy Spirit, assuring us. (p. 53) See I John 3:24 and 4:13-14

Are We Persevering in the Faith?

Those who believe and continue to believe are those who overcome the world by faith in Christ. Genuine faith is a persevering faith. This doesn’t mean that hard things in life don’t sometimes cause doubt or discomfort. But it does mean that the genuine Christian presses onward in faith, trusting God and his good plans and will. (p. 53) See I John 5:4-5

How does this apply to the church? Anyabwile writes,

Asking these kinds of questions is best done in the fellowship of the local church, among committed and growing Christians who can help us see ourselves accurately. Some people are given to an “easy believism” that resists careful curation of their own souls, while others are too easily tempted to doubt and despair. In a church culture, we can love each other both by pointing out evidence of God’s grace in each others’ lives and by asking tough questions about our profession and walk. By doing both, we help one another avoid the extremes of despair and complacency, and we encourage one another to see ourselves in the light of God’s saving work in our souls. (p. 54)

When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey (Chapter 9)

2009-03-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

1 Corinthians 7:1-5
(1) Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." (2) But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. (3) The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. (4) For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. (5) Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Sex is a God issue. It is an issue of rights and privileges, and issue of cause and effect, and an issue of intimacy or division. Sex is a touchy issue that is often skirted around because we are uncomfortable with it. But Harvey attacks the issue with a desire to uncover how sex in a marriage can and should honor God by honoring one another.

Sex in Marriage is an Adventure in Devotion...
Devotion to Protection. Sex helps to protects husbands and wives from sexual immorality. Protection from sin is one of the CORE reasons for sex in marriage, not just a good byproduct.
Devotion to One Another's Rights. We don't belong to ourselves. Harvey writes,

But marriage becomes an adventure by underscoring the other-centered nature of our union. Marriage means that our bodies are now claimed by God for the pleasure and service of another. Our connection is so comprehensive that God gives our spouse a claim over our body. It's a remarkable picture of the actual scope of "the two becoming one flesh." We are called by God to become devoted to sexually satisfying our spouse. (p. 157)

Sex in Marriage is an Adventure in Delight
Is your greatest joy in sex GETTING or GIVING delight? Harvey writes,

God intends for our greatest joy in marriage to come from being the primary source of joy to our spouse. God has designed the sexual relationship as a key expression of this reality, for when sex is at its best, my delight in and enjoyment of sex is almost indistinguishable for the pleasure experienced by my spouse. The joy of sex, then, is the pleasure derived from giving our spouse his or her conjugal rights. Notice Paul doesn't emphasize taking from our spouse our conjugal rights. By instead emphasizing the giving of these rights to one another, Paul locates the key for great sex as generosity. (pp. 158-159)

For those who are not married... FLEE SEXUAL IMMORALITY. Sex is designed for marriage. Sex is a God issue and therefore God determines when and where sex is glorifying to Him.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20
(18) Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. (19) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (20) for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

What is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti Anyabwile (Chapter 3)

2009-03-09T07:50:00.000-07:00

What is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti Anyabwile
(***** 5 stars): WC

Chapter 3: A Healthy Church Member is Gospel Saturated

The greatest need in the church today is the gospel. The gospel is not only news for a perishing world, it is the message that forms, sustains, and animates the church. Apart from the gospel, the church has nothing to say—that is, nothing to say that cannot be said by some other human agency. The gospel distinguishes the church from the world, defines her message and mission in the world, and steels her people against the fiery darts of the evil one and the false allurements of sin. The gospel is absolutely vital to a vibrant, joyous, persevering, hopeful, and healthy Christian and Christian church. So essential is the gospel to the Christian life that we need to be saturated in it in order to be healthy church members. (p. 39)

So how can we become Gospel-saturated? Anyabwile gives great insight into growing in the Gospel.

KNOW THE GOSPEL--

It’s helpful to rule out some ideas frequently presented as the gospel. The gospel is not simply that (a) we are okay, (b) that God is love, (c) that Jesus wants to be our friends, or (d) that we should live right.1 Neither is the gospel simply that all our problems will be fixed if we follow Jesus, or that God wants us to be healthy, wealthy, and wise. All of these ideas may be true in some sense, but only in a partial sense and never as a solely sufficient statement of what the gospel is. (p. 40)

Learn the true Gospel. In order to be Gospel saturated, it is necessary to dive into learning the TRUE Gospel.

DESIRE TO HEAR THE GOSPEL AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO YOURSELF--
Memorize it, sing it, look for it in sermons. Don't tune out your pastor when he makes a Gospel appeal to unbelievers. Look for it and love the Gospel so much that if it is absent in a sermon, you miss it and long for it.

TAKE THE GOSPEL TO ITS CONCLUSION--
Embrace God Himself... He is the Good News.

ORDER YOUR LIFE AROUND THE GOSPEL--
The Gospel should not simply affect every area of our lives... it should animate, give life, to every area. Use vacation time for mission trips, frequent the same shops and restaurants to build relationships for the Gospel, host Bible studies in your workplace, etc. Don't leave the Gospel at church.

SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH OTHERS--
Does your life demonstrate that the Gospel is meant to be proclaimed far and wide? Or does your life demonstrate that the Gospel was meant to be proclaimed far and wide until it reached you... then it is meant to be hidden and sheltered? Even in church we have the opportunity to share the Gospel. Anyabwile writes,

We have an opportunity to improve the work of our pastor by planting and watering gospel seeds even as he plants and waters through his pulpit ministry. We can greet and talk with visitors to our churches and invite our non-Christian family and friends. We should use the occasion of their visit to discuss spiritual things, particularly their understanding of and their acceptance or rejection of the good news. We can meet together with other Christians specifically to plot and pray for evangelistic opportunities. A gospel-saturated life is a life that splashes out onto others with the good news. A healthy church is built, in part, on healthy gospel-motivated members. (p. 44)

GUARD THE GOSPEL--
The Christian has a responsibility to guard the Gospel from corruption or dilution. When we don't study, share, and love the Gospel, we leave it open to all sorts of heresies and dilutions.

When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey (Chapter 8)

2009-03-09T06:52:00.000-07:00

Our temptation is to believe that the way to a good Christian marriage is right teaching, right action, working harder, repenting more, and feeling different. Sure, these are crucial, but they are not grace. Again, for you and me there is no more urgent need than a deepening awareness of what the grace of God really means when sinners say "I do." (p. 138)

Grace gives us power to renounce the old, ungodly, worldly passions of life. To renounce the sinful urges that rise up in times of strife. Grace gives us power to hold our tongues when sinful words are on its tip.

Grace gives us the power to not only turn FROM sinful urges, but to turn TOWARD living upright and godly lives. Grace teaches us to replace the worldly urges with godliness and with godly motivations.

Grace gives us the power to wait for God to work to truly transform us and our spouses. Harvey writes,

God is not a Mr. Fixit spiritual handyman armed with duct tape and superglue. He is a patient craftsman who lavishes attention on the smallest detail. The creation of character that exhibits godliness and self-control is crafted slowly over time. (p. 144)

Graces gives us the power to want, to desire, to be zealous for good works. Graces trains us and transforms us from the inside out.

Harvey concludes this chapter with a call to "export" grace to our spouses. We are called to encourage our spouses in the grace of God.

Your spouse is inclined to drift from grace to self-effort... so PREACH THE GOSPEL to your spouse and encourage your spouse to rest in and meditate on the riches of the Gospel.
Your spouse may tend to be discouraged... so remind your spouse that God works beneath the surface before change is evident and celebrate the change you can see, even if it is not directly part of the desired change.
Your spouse can lose sight of the ultimate goal, heaven.
Your spouse must be pointed not to grace, but to the Giver of grace.

Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health by Don Whitney

2009-03-04T10:21:00.000-08:00

Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health by Donald S. Whitney
(****1/2 4 1/2 stars): BibSp

Don Whitney, Associate Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Senior Associate Dean at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, is a best selling author of books designed to lead believers in spiritual disciplines. He is the founder of The Center for Biblical Spirituality, a treasure trove of resources for believers and churches. But, in this book he focuses not on the activity of the Christian life, but on the health of the Christian's soul. This volume is a great resource for consistent examination of the believer's heart and love for Christ. In this review, I will simply give you the ten questions with little commentary. I suggest you read this book. It will give you a thermometer for your soul.

Do you thirst for God? A God-initiated and God-satisfied thirst to know Him more. Marked by the study and meditation on Scripture.
Are you governed increasingly by God's Word? In all segments of life... Church, Discipleship, Family, Money, Work.
Are you more loving? The truest, clearest mark of a Christian is love.
Are you more sensitive to God's presence?
Do you have a growing concern of the needs of others? Both Spiritual and Temporal?
Do you delight in the Bride of Christ? How do you demonstrate of love for the people of God?
Are the spiritual disciplines increasingly important to you? Do you discipline yourself to godliness?
Do you still grieve over sin?
Are you a quicker forgiver?
Do you yearn for heaven and to be with Jesus? Do you treasure Him above all things?

READ THIS BOOK...

Finally Alive by John Piper (Part 1)

2009-03-04T07:07:00.000-08:00

Finally Alive by John Piper
(***** 5 stars): CPT

Introduction and Part 1: What is the New Birth?

I am extremely excited about this new book from John Piper. Admittedly, I am a fan of his ministry and I greatly appreciate what God continues to do through him in his church and around the world. I am not the biggest fan of Piper's writing style, however. I would much rather listen to him preach. In this case, however, I have been pleasantly surprised. As Alistair Begg said in his blurb for the book, this is "crystal clear exposition" at its finest.

The subject matter of Finally Alive is so essential to the life of the church and to church goers worldwide. The new birth in Jesus Christ is often misunderstood, overlooked, and incorrectly explained. This book does a great job of uncovering the truth of Jesus' words "You must be born again."

One thing that has always bothered me, and evidently Piper as well, is the term "born again" Christian. Barna polls, political polls, and censuses don't seem to get that fact that to be a Christian you MUST be born again. There is no separate category. So I ask you, have you been born again?

In Section One, Piper unpacks what the new birth is. He does this through careful and practical exposition of John 3:1-10, where Jesus exposes the truth to Nicodemus. Piper masterfully unpacks three great truths from this passage. I want to give you a quote from each major point. You will have to read the book (it's a free download) to fill in the gaps.

1. The New Birth is New Life, not New Religion.

What Nicodemus needs, and what you and I need, is not religion but life. The point of referring to new birth is that birth brings a new life into the world. In one sense, of course, Nicodemus is alive. He is breathing, thinking, feeling, acting. He is a human created in God's image. But evidently, Jesus thinks he's dead. There is no spiritual life in Nicodemus. Spiritually he is unborn. He needs life, not more religious activities or religious zeal. He has plenty of that. (p. 29)

2. The New Birth is Experiencing the Supernatural, Not Just Affirming It

What happens is not merely affirming the supernatural in Jesus, but experiencing the supernatural in yourself. The new birth is supernatural, not natural. It cannot be accounted for by things that are already found in this world. Verse 6 emphasizes the supernatural nature of the new birth. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." The flesh is what we are naturally. The Spirit of God is the supernatural Person who brings about the new birth. (pp. 30-31)

3. The New Birth Gives a New Nature, not Just Improving Your Old Nature
Looking at Ezekiel 36:24-28, Piper exposes what it is to be born of water and the Spirit. He talks about the new heart that we get in Christ, not just forgiveness, but newness.

But forgiveness and cleansing are not enough. I need to be new. I need to be transformed. I need life. I need a new way of seeing and thinking and valuing... The picture I have in mind is that this new, warm, touchable, responsive, living heart is like a soft lump of clay, and the Holy Spirit presses himself up into it and gives spiritual, moral shape to it according to his own shape. By being himself within us, our heart and mind take on his character-- his spirit. (pp. 41-42)

To close the section, Piper pens these words to sum up what happens in the new birth.

In the new birth, the Holy Spirit supernaturally gives us new spiritual life by connecting us with Jesus Christ through faith. Or, to say it another way, the Spirit unites us to Christ where there is cleansing for our sins (pictured by water), and he replaces our hard, unresponsive heart with a soft heart that treasures Jesus above all things and is being transformed by the presence of the Spirit into the kind of heart that loves to do the will of God. (p. 42)

ESV Study Bible Online Free Trial

2009-03-03T06:19:00.000-08:00

Crossway has announced that for March only, they will offer the online version of the ESV Study Bible (what I use in my personal study) for FREE. Just follow the instructions here.

What is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti Anyabwile (Chapter 2)

2009-03-02T17:13:00.000-08:00

What is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti Anyabwile
(***** 5 stars): WC

Chapter 2: A Healthy Church Member is a Biblical Theologian

JI Packer, in his classic Knowing God, says that most, if not all of the church's problems today stem from an ignorance of God and His attributes. Instead, church members (and some so-called pastors) have bought into a swollen view of man's importance, leaving only a small amount of room for great thoughts of God. Anyabwile wants us to grow in our knowledge of God and thus grow as a healthy church member. We must grow to know God and His story of redemption. And the Bible is the only place to come to know God.

Anyabwile outlines five great benefits of studying theology. These are summaries of Wayne Grudem's same benefits outlined in his Systematic Theology.
1. Practicing biblical theology helps us grow in our reverence for God.
2. Practicing biblical theology helps us to overcome our wrong ideas.
3. Practicing biblical theology helps innoculate the church against doctrinal controversies.
4. Practicing biblical theology is necessary for fulfilling the Great Commission.
5. Practicing biblical theology helps us in our knowledge and use of the Gospel. (pp. 29-31)

In all, without a healthy, growing knowledge of biblical theology, we cannot know what to teach, we cannot know how to obey, we cannot distinguish between truth and heresy, and we cannot proclaim the truth in love to a dying world. So how can we become healthy church members and healthy biblical theologians? Anyabwile helps us out.

Read a good book on biblical theology. (I suggest starting with Vaughan Roberts' God's Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible)
Study the Scriptures thematically. While the steady diet of the Christians life should be exposition of Scripture, spend alotted time on the redemptive themes of Scripture.
Adopt the New Testament's attitude toward the Old Testament. Explore the links between the two testaments and the one story of Scripture as you see the promises and the fulfillment.
Study the Old Testament with Jesus and the New Testament in view. A knowledge of the Old Testament is essential and foundational for New Testament Christianity.
Study the books of prophecy in the Old Testament. Learn what the "Minor Prophets" say about Jesus and His supremacy.
Know and agree to support your church's statement of faith. Uphold the doctrinal integrity of your church. (Check out OPBC's and the Southern Baptist Convention's statement of faith, the Baptist Faith and Message)
Seek doctrinal unity and avoid needless disputes. “In all things essential, unity; in all things nonessential, liberty; and in all things, love.”

Commit yourself to being a healthy church member by being a biblical theologian.

Free Audio Book Download

2009-03-02T10:46:00.000-08:00

Christianaudio.com offers monthly free audio book downloads. This month is Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Don Whitney, one of my old professors. This is a book you should download and listen to. It helped me restore joy in my spiritual life. Download it here.

When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey (Chapter 7)

2009-02-26T07:28:00.000-08:00

When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage by Dave Harvey
(**** 4 stars (Rereading)) : FMarr

Note: The **** (4 star) review is from a previous reading of the book. I am currently rereading the book for review and posting.

Chapter 7: "The Surgeon, the Scalpel, and the Spouse in Sin"

David needed Nathan in his life. King David, the man after God's own heart, falling, nay, diving into heinous sin, need a reprover, a reconciler. And he found that in the God-appointed man for the job, Nathan. Often in marriages, a spouse will fall headlong into a pattern of sin and joylessness. And the other spouse will be left wondering, "What do I do now?" Your spouse needs a reconciler. And you are just the person for the job. After true self-examination (ie. getting the log out of your own eye), you should then be able to mercifully serve your spouse in grace and truth by helping them remove the sin from his/her life.
Interesting, isn't it, how sinners who say "I do" exist in an ironic biblical tension? We are called to be merciful and withhold judgment. But we are also called to challenge one another-- to correct, exhort, and speak truth to the one we love (Hebrews 3:12-13). This can seem like a paradox, even an apparent contradiction in our call. But it's not. On the contrary, God has set us in our marriage, at this time, with this person so that we can perform an extraordinary task of ministry. We can fulfill the call of reconciliation-- turning a wandering believer back to the God who saves. We can love by bringing truth in gracious ways; applying grace through speaking the truth. When we do this ministry, we not only fulfill the role of Nathan, we represent our Lord Jesus Christ, who cam and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). (p. 120)
When it comes to surgery of the soul, Harvey gives some great wisdom for you as you begin the work of reproving your spouse. Some spiritual pre-op questions for you, the surgeon.

"Have I prayed for God's wisdom and acknowledged my need for his help in serving my spouse?
"Are my observations based upon patterns of behavior or merely a single incident?"
"Am I content to address one area of concern, even if I'm aware of several?"
"Am I committed to making incisions no larger than absolutely necessary?"
"Am I prepared to humbly offer an observation rather than an assumption or conclusion?"
"Is my goal to promote God's truth or my preference?"(pp. 124-126)

As spouses, we need to be good surgeons of the soul for the person we love the most. We need to display courage in our wisdom. We must be careful and repentant in our courage. Repentant in our whole lives, attesting to the working of God's truth in our lives. We need to be meek, desiring to connect our spouse back to Christ. In displaying these characteristics, we can be agents of Christ in communicating the merciful grace and truth of Jesus Christ in reconciling our spouses back to us and to Christ.

What is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti Anyabwile (Chapter 1)

2009-02-23T08:12:00.000-08:00

What is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti Anyabwile
(***** 5 stars): WC

"How can you, an individual member of a local church, contribute to the positive health of your church?" (p. 14) This is the focus of Thabiti Anyabwile's book, What is a Healthy Church Member? Many books have been written on the subject of reforming churches and working toward church health but few (if any) have been written on how individual members of churches can be healthy in the context of the church according to Scripture. Anyabwile's book is a helpful and practical look at life in the church. It is an encouragement to pastors and a challenge to all church members.

Chapter 1: A Healthy Church Member is an Expositional Listener

Expositional listening assumes expositional preaching, the preaching of Scripture that makes the main point of a passage the main point of a sermon. Expositional preaching and teaching allows Scripture to teach and to set the agenda for the local church. This is an essential part of a healthy church. But how can individual members help in the process of church health? By being expositional listeners. Don't just be listeners looking for a boost to self-esteem or for simple "how to" advice.

Rather, as members of Christian churches we should listen primarily for the voice and message of God as revealed in his Word. We should listen to hear what he has written, in his omniscient love, for his glory and for our blessing. (pp. 20-21)

The benefits of expositional listening are a hunger for God's Word, a focus on God's will, a protection of the gospel and our lives from corruption, the encouragement of faithful pastors, and the benefit of the entire congregation. As we learn to listen to God's Word, we are learning to listen to God's voice, look for God's agenda, and discern false teaching and teachers. Faithful expositional listening encourages the continued preaching of God's Word and the continued growth and unity of God's people.

But Anyabwile does not leave us with just the benefits of expositional listening. One of the great strengths of this book are the practical applications for each mark of health among church members. He gives the reader six practical ways to cultivate the habit of expositional listening.

Meditate on the sermon passage during your quiet time. Ask your pastor what passage he is planning to preach on the following Sunday. Then read it and study it and meditate on it in the days leading up to hearing your pastor preach it. Outline the passage and pray through it. Use the truths to inform your prayers and your daily life. Then use your outline as a "listening guide" when you listen to the preached Word of God. (p. 22)
Invest in a good set of commentaries. "Add to your quiet times some of the greatest minds in Christian history."(p. 23) Ask your pastor for good commentaries or see commentary resources. "Tremper Longman’s Old Testament Commentary Survey and D. A. Carson’s New Testament Commentary Survey are excellent resources." (p. 23) (Or see the website www.bestcommentaries.com)
Talk and pray with friends about the sermon after church.
Instead of rushing off after the service is over, or talking about the latest news, develop the habit of talking about the sermon with people after church. Start spiritual conversations by asking, “How did the Scripture challenge or speak to you today?” Or, “What about God’s character most surprised or encouraged you?” Encourage others by sharing things you learned about God and his Word during the sermon. (p. 23)
Listen and act on the sermon throughout the week. Don't treat the sermon as a one time event that fades away during the week. Apply it's truths. (And if you need to listen to it again, most sermons are online at www.powhatanbaptist.org)
Develop the habit of addressing any questions about the text itself. Wrestle with questions. Followup with your pastor and leaders with questions you have on the text of Scripture. Don't be passive. Seek out answers.
Cultivate Humility. Don't become a "professional sermon listener" who always hears but never learns. Put aside pride and humble yourself before the Word of the Lord. (p. 25)

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones

2009-02-20T15:16:00.000-08:00

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd-Jones
(***** 5 stars): Ch

Jesus the the star of the Bible. The Deliver, the Redeemer, the Rescuer, the Fulfiller... Jesus is the source and the substance of the Bible. Sally Lloyd-Jones, esteemed writer of inspirational books for children, puts together a superb collection of Bible stories unfolding the beauty of the redemptive plan of God in Jesus Christ. This is one of my family's favorite books to use in family worship. I believe it should be a staple in any family's library. Here are a few great strengths.
1. This book is basically a primer in Biblical Theology. Always keeping an eye on the horizon of the big picture of God's redemptive plan, Lloyd-Jones reveals the whole plan.
2. Not only does this book stay true to the Biblical narrative, but Lloyd-Jones masterfully captures the imaginations of children of all ages.
3. One of the tests of a great kid's book is whether parents will be fed by reading the book to their kids. This book delivers. I am challenged and encouraged every time I read it.
4. Jesus is the star. Noah, Moses, David, Abraham, and Joshua are not the heroes... God is. And every story points to the Promised One, the Real Rescuer.
5. This book explains the covenant love of God better than any kid's book (or maybe any book period) that I have read. I found myself praising God for His "Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love."

How to use this book... Anyway possible!!! A Must Have and a Must Read.

When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey (Chapter 6)

2009-02-19T17:41:00.000-08:00

In the Valley of Vision, one of the Puritans prayed, "Let me never forget the heinousness of sin lies not so much in the nature of the sin committed, as in the greatness of the Person sinned against. (p. 103)

We must begin to look at our sin as heinous, as extremely serious, no slight thing. Then we understand forgiveness.

The appreciation of a massive debt forgiven (our sin against a holy God) forms the base and starting point for our forgiveness of one another's much smaller (by comparison) offenses. Without understanding the depth of our sin against God and the riches of his forgiveness toward us, we will never be able to forgive others. (p. 104)

Harvey admits that forgiveness is not easy. In fact, forgiveness is costly and can cost more than we can give. "But true forgiveness see another's sin for the evil that it is, addresses it, then absorbs the cost of that sin by the power of God's abundant grace." (p. 108) There is nothing natural about true, biblical forgiveness. It is supernatural. It is through His power alone.

Forgiveness restores and forgiveness transforms. A marriage marked by true forgiveness will be a marriage transformed into a God-honoring union. Repent and forgive, repent and forgive.

When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey (Chapter 5)

2009-02-18T08:29:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought that passing along God's mercy may be one of the main reasons you're married? Think about it like this: Marriage is a place where two sinners become so connected that all the masks come off. It's not only that we sometimes put on our best faces in public, it's that when we're married we see each other in all kinds of situations, including some very difficult ones. All the wonderful diversity (in this case, a polite word for our personal quirks, weaknesses, and sin patterns) that was kept refined and subdued before the wedding tumbles out of the closet after the honeymoon. We begin to see each other as we really are-- raw, uncensored, and in Technicolor. If our eyes are open, we discover wonderful things about our spouses that we never knew were there. We also discover more of the other person's weaknesses. It's no wonder that Martin Luther called marriage "the school of character." Without mercy, differences become divisive, sometimes even "irreconcilable." But deep, profound differences are the reality of every marriage. It's not the presence of differences but the absence of mercy that makes them irreconcilable. How manny sinners who say "so long" would remain as lovers who said "I do" if they understood the place of mercy in marriage? (p. 81)

Harvey then goes on to give practical ways to pour out mercy in our marriages.
1. Mercy before the fact... practice kindnesses. Building up a history of kindnesses will help our spouses have a storehouse of mercy to call on in times of conflict when mercy is needed.
2. Mercy when under attack... Do unto others. Instead of judging on the basis of how much mud is being slung at you, begin to ask yourself how much mud you have been slinging. Remind yourself that you are a sinner and your greatest enemy is "the enemy within." (p. 86)
3. Mercy after the fact... Cover sin. He or she "did it again." You've tried to be godly in your responses, but he keeps it going. How do you deal?

Maybe you didn't know this, but the Bible gives you a special privilege in dealing with sin against you. It's called forbearance... In forbearance, we know (or at least suspect) we have been sinned against, but we actually make a choice to overlook the offense and wipe the slate clean, extending a heart attitude of forgiveness and treating the (apparent) sin as if it never happened. Proverbs 19:11 tells us it is a "glory to overlook an offense." Forbearance is preemptive forgivenes, freely and genuinely bestowed. (p. 88)

Can mercy actually triumph over judgment? Is this realistic? Harvey states,

Mercy is never strained because it is able to cover all it touches. It sweetens all it touches because it comes from heaven-- from the very throne of the merciful Savior. Mercy is a blessing to those who receive and those who give. Take all you can get. And don't forget to pass it on. (p. 96)

When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey (Chapter 4)

2009-02-16T07:11:00.000-08:00

As the worst of sinners, in the day-to-day conflicts of marriage, I should be primarily suspicious and regularly suspicious of myself! To be suspicious of my own heart is to acknowledge two things: that my heart has a central role in my behavior, and that my heart has a permanent tendency to oppose God and his ways. (p. 64)

Harvey contends that marriages would be better is husband and wife would admit their sinfulness and humbly grow in the knowledge of their own hearts.

Second Gear: In Integrity, Inspect Yourself
We all have the tendency to want to fix the problems we have with our spouses. We usually start with the idea that they must be the problem, not me. But that is not the place to start. Quoting Matthew 7:3-5, Harvey states that our sin must loom large in our sight. Inspection must start with me. I must see my heart and see my sin that I contribute to conflict. In that way, we can work together to remove the logs from our own eyes. Don't be a "speck-hunter."

Third Gear: Admit that Circumstances Only Reveal Existing Sin

Our problems come from how our hearts engage with the circumstances around us. If we are applying gospel wisdom, we see the hand of God in every situation, working for our ultimate good. In marriage, this means that God will create opportunities to reveal and then deal with sin that keeps us from living in wisdom. (p. 68)

Instead, we often become "blame-shifters" in marriage. We are quick to shift fault to our spouse.

Have you ever considered why there are no accounts of Jesus slamming a door in angry frustration or inflicting the "silent treatment" on someone who hurt him? Why didn't Jesus get irritated or bitter or hostile? The simple but astounding answer is that when his engine was heated by circumstances, what was in his heart came out: love, mercy, compassion, kindness. Christ didn't respond sinfully to the circumstances in his life--even an undeserved, humiliating, torturous death--because the engine of his heart was pure. What was in his heart spilled over. It was love! (p. 71)

Fourth Gear: Focus On Undeserved Grace, Not Unmet Needs
"According to Scripture, the source of angry words, unforgiving looks, and cold shoulders is not unmet needs. It's unsatisfied desires." (p. 72)

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
(James 4:1-2) ESV

The issue is, even good things, "legitimate" desires, can become sinful when we desire them so much that they lead us to sin and to tempt our spouse to sin. We want satisfaction and when we don't get it, conflict erupts.

It's not wrong to desire appropriate things like respect or affection from our spouses. But it is very tempting to justify demands by thinking of them as needs and then to punish one another if those needs are not satisfied. A needs-based marriage does not testify to God's glory; it is focused on personal demands competing for supremacy. Two people, preoccupied with manipulating each other to meet needs, can drive their marriage down the path of "irreconcilable differences." (p. 74)

But those who walk in wisdom and in the knowledge of their sinfulness and God's grace walk down a road of undeserved grace. This is a road that shows us the problems AND the solutions in our marriage.

2009-02-14T11:21:00.000-08:00

Robert Murray M'Cheyne by Andrew Bonar

2009-02-13T16:44:00.000-08:00

Robert Murray M'Cheyne: by Andrew Bonar
(***** 5 stars): BSC

Simply state, Robert Murray M'Cheyne is a hero of mine. Since Dr. Michael McMullen introduced me to M'Cheyne at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, I have returned to this short biography once a year to be challenged and encouraged to godliness and faithfulness in ministry. Now, at 33 years old, I am even more challenged by the short 30 year life of M'Cheyne.

Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813-1843) is still known as a master among Scottich Presbyterians preachers. His tenure at St. Peter's Church in Dundee, his numerous letters, his passion for souls, his missionary zeal among the Jews of Palestine, his poetry, and his preaching serve as a daunting reminder of what God can do through a man fully committed to His Lord. M'Cheyne's preaching and piety matched each other well. He was a man known for his personal holiness and for his passionate preaching. Oh to be a man and a pastor like M'Cheyne.

I HIGHLY recommend this biography and every work by M'Cheyne. Learn about and from M'Cheyne. For any young man entering ministry, RM M'Cheyne can and should serve as a great model for ministry. Learn to be "poured out" from a true instrument of God's grace.

Here are some other works by and about RM M'Cheyne:

The Passionate Preacher: Edited by Michael McMullen
Memoirs and Remains: by Andrew Bonar (GET THIS BOOK!!!)
Sermons of R.M. M'Cheyne
R.M. M'Cheyne's Bible Reading Plan (pdf format)*****

Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

2009-02-11T09:47:00.000-08:00

Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate by Jerry Bridges
(**** 4 stars): BibSp

Jerry Bridges has spent years diving to the depths of the issues surrounding personal holiness. In Respectable Sins, he returns to this theme, taking time and care to uncover the tolerated sins in our own lives and in our church culture. This book is a great treatment of the dangers of tolerating sin. The battle against sin is a WAR and we must seek to eradicate all sin, putting it to death in our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. Bridges writes,

The motivation for this book stems from a growing conviction that those of us whom I call conservative evangelicals may have become so preoccupied with some of the major sins of society around us that we have lost sight of the need to deal with our own more "refined" or subtle sins. (p. 9)

Bridges begins by outlining the call of Christ on the lives of Christians to be "set apart" and sanctified. We are to be separated for God. Instead, we don't think of ourselves as "saints" nor do we look at refined sins as real sin. In the end, sin is sin. And we are called to hate sin. The only hope to eradicate sin is the cleansing and disciplining work of God in our lives. We need the surgery of God's Spirit working through His word to cut out the cancer of sin in our lives. This is our only hope of holiness.

Sin is a spiritual and moral malignancy. Left unchecked, it can spread throughout our entire inner being and contaminate every area of our lives. Even worse, it often will "metastasize" from us into the lives of other believers around us. (p. 23)

The only remedy for sin is the work of Christ in our lives and the freeing, sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works in us to "empower us to deal with our sin." (p. 43) But the Spirit also works monergistically, "that is, He works alone without our conscious involvement." (p. 43) Bridges urges the reader to pray that the Holy Spirit will "enable you to see the hidden, subtle sins in your life." (p. 43)
In dealing with sin, Bridges encourages the reader with Biblical directions. The summary goes as follows:

Apply the Gospel
Depend on the Holy Spirit
Recognize your responsibility
Identify specific respectable sins.
Memorize and apply appropriate Scriptures
Cultivate the practice of prayer.
Involve one or a few other believers with you. (p. 51)

From this point, Bridges unleashed a list of so-called "acceptable" sins that we often overlook and that cause such deep, penetrating damage is our relationship with Christ and with others. He deals with Ungodliness, Anxiety and Frustration, Discontentment, Unthankfulness, Pride, Selfishness, Lack of Self-Control, Impatience and Irritability, Anger, Judgmentalism, Envy, Jealousy, Sins of the Tongue, and Wordliness. Each chapter is helpful and the reader is forced to identify themselves as the "chief of sinners" in a new, more penetrating way. I found the chapters on Pride, Lack of Self-Control and Impatience and Irritability especially helpful and convicting. Any Christian who reads this will be aided in identifying and rooting out these "respectable sins" in his/her own life.
In conclusion, Bridges rightly places the hope for defeating sin in our lives. He writes,

Remember that our progressive sanctification--that is, our putting off sin and putting on Christlikeness--rests on two foundation stones: the righteousness of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Always look to Christ and His perfect righteousness for your standing and your acceptableness to God... And always look to the Holy Spirit to enable you to deal with sin in your life and to produce in you the fruit of the Spirit. (p. 181)

When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey (Chapter 3)

2009-02-11T08:12:00.000-08:00

Certainly, the New Testament Epistles assume the active, warmongering presence of sin in believers. Thankfully, however, they also provide both instruction and hope for how to battle sin. The benefits of the new birth-- the pardon of our sins and our relationship with Christ-- do not remove us from the battle. Instead, they guarantee our victory! Informed by the Word of God, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, you can make your battles fewer, shorter, and not merely less harmful, but actually redemptive, allowing your marriage to steadily grow in sweetness. (p. 47)

So often we see the battles in marriage as "women are from Venus and men are from Mars." We see the conflict in our marriages as being about the differences between men and women, essentially a conflict between man and woman, husband and wife. But the deeper reality is actually something quite different. Galatians 5:17 makes it clear that our war is not against one another, but that the warfare is between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit.

There it is. The sides in this war are not male versus female, husband versus wife, or controller versus enabler. It is a clash of desires--desires of the flesh against desires of the Spirit. It is trench warfare for supremacy of the human heart. (p. 48)

Harvey then goes on to expose the lying battle sin wages in us. He outlines some important truths to help us recognize sin in the fog and confusion of this battle raging in and around us.

Sin is Crafty. It is by nature deceitful. "Although we have been blessed by God, sin would have us think of ourselves as victimized by God. That's how sin works now. That's how sin worked "in the beginning." (p. 55)
Sin is Alluring. Sin distorts God's character. Sin wants us to trust in it, not in God. Sin makes God out to be selfish and an egomaniac, not benevolent.
Sin Betrays Us. Sin uses its craftiness and allurement to deliver us into the hands of our enemies. "It's the ultimate bait-and-switch, a promise of blessing that in the end delivers a curse." (p. 56)

The great hope in this battle is that the victory is won. God ALWAYS wins. And, as believers, we fight on the side of God, the VICTOR. This reality makes this war over sin an opportunity to strengthen and sweeten our marriages and our life in Christ. Remember, "each day is a day of new mercy and power to confess, love, forgive, and restore." (p. 58)

"Our real opponent is not on the opposite side of the bed, but within our hearts." (p. 58)

When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey (Chapter 2)

2009-02-06T16:37:00.000-08:00

There are two things that are suited to humble the soul of men... a due consideration of God, and then of ourselves. Of God, in His greatness, glory, holiness, power, majesty, and authority; of ourselves, in our mean, abject, sinful condition. (p. 44)

Paul calls himself the chief of sinners and Harvey, in Chapter 2, discusses the role of a proper view of our sinfulness in relation to how we will humbly come to fulfill our roles in marriage. How often have we been quick to speak and slow to forgive. How often have we known what buttons to push to make our spouse fly off the handle and yet still pushed them. How often we justify our crabbiness and bitterness by pointing the finger rather than examining our own hearts.

This chapter is a bit disappointing to me. While I completely agree with Harvey's assessment of sinfulness and marriage, I wish he had spent a little more time on laying this essential groundwork for the rest of his book. This chapter is the basis/ thesis for the rest of the book and yet seems to be a cursory explanation of the problem. For example, Harvey makes this statement, to which I add a hearty "Amen." "The big deal is that my sin is not first against myself or my marriage. All sin is first against God. And that changes everything." (p. 41) And then he misses the great opportunity to dive into the holiness of this God to Whom sin is such an afront. Sin is only seen as sinful when we see it in light of the holiness of God.

This may be the weakest chapter in the entire book, and if this is the biggest problem, we are in for a great ride. FYI... for a great treatment of the issue of God's holiness, here are a couple of resources.
This Great Salvation by Sovereign Grace Ministries Chapter 3 (free pdf download)
The Holiness of God by RC Sproul (free MP3 download)

18 Words by J.I. Packer

2009-02-04T09:12:00.000-08:00

18 Words: The Most Important Words You Will Ever Know by JI Packer
***** 5 stars: CPT

JI Packer is a master wordsmith. He has an amazing ability to take difficult concepts and vast arguments and dissect them and represent them in practical and applicable ways. And this book is no exception. Packer unpacks (yes, pun intended) 18 essential words and the great theological weight behind those words.

Why this book? Because, the more time one spends in churches in leadership, the more one realizes the ignorance of many church members in areas of Scripture and Theology. Packer's concern is that Christians understand their God and His revealed Word. So, he unpacks these words, showing the reader the importance of words and the dangers of misusing and misinterpreting words. The rules for words...
1. Don't let them mesmerize you. Often we get so emotionally tied to certain words that we lose sight of the fact that other words may describe the same truths and in a better context to some.
2. Words have meanings and should be used in an accepted way. When the Biblical writers wrote words, they had (and still have) meanings.
3. The roots of words do not necessarily best describe the accepted meanings of words. Pay close attention to what words MEAN.
4. Context, context, context. Words only have meaning in context.

So, in light of the dangers and delights of words, Packer dives into each word with gusto, with depth, and with practicality. Each word and the following explanation gives theological truth and depth and gives practical application that truly shows that these words are "the most important words you will ever know." So what are these words?

Revelation/ Faith/ Scripture/ Justification/ The Lord/ Regeneration/ The World/ Election/
Sin/ Holiness/ The Devil/ Sanctification/ Grace/ Mortification/ The Mediator/ Fellowship/ Reconciliation/ Death

This book is useful in many ways. As a basic theology primer and a great resource for growing in your knowledge of your life in Christ. As a resource for discussion among believers. As an encouragement toward holy living. As a resource to help answer questions from friends and family. To prepare yourself to make a reasoned defense. For all these reasons and more, I would suggest 18 Words as a vital part of your resource library.

When Sinners Say "I Do" by Dave Harvey (Chapter 1)

2009-02-03T07:55:00.000-08:00

This is why the Bible is so important. As God's Word, it fills marriage with eternal and glorious significance. It also speaks as an authority on what marriage is meant to be. It is both the evaluative standard for marriage and the key to joy in marriage. It's a wonderful, freeing thing to realize that the durability and quality of your marriage is not ultimately based on the strength of your commitment to your marriage. Rather, it's based on something completely apart from your marriage: God's truth; truth we find plain and clear on the pages of Scripture. (p. 23)

The Fountain of a lasting, fulfilled, God-honoring marriage MUST be the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is not just for evangelism, it is the very source of transformation in the believer's life. The Gospel makes it clear that we are sinners and that we continue to sin even as believers. The Gospel gives us power to resist sin. The Gospel is the key to the Christian life and therefore the key to your marriage. Harvey writes,

This also means that the Gospel is an endless fountain of God's grace in your marriage. To become a good theologian and to be able to look forward to a lifelong, thriving marriage, you must have a clear understanding of the Gospel. Without it, you cannot see God, yourself, or your marriage for what they truly are. (p. 25)

The Focus of a lasting, fulfilled, God-honoring marriage MUST be the Glory of God. Marriage was not just invented by God, but it also belongs to God. Marriage is not nearly as much about a bride and groom, a husband and wife, as it is about a holy God. "God is the most important person in a marriage." (p. 25) Married couple must realize that romance, pragmatism, and personal needs must take a back seat to God's glory. Then romance is made deeper by true love, which finds its definition in God. "What works" is replaced by what God says. Personal needs are replaced by a desire to preserve and protect what God has brought together. Marriage is a living parable designed to demonstrate Christ's relationship to His people, the Church. Harvey writes,

The months of preparation, the Big Day, the memorable honeymoon-- these are all important, but there's something more important at stake than a great wedding album. When a man and woman are joined in marriage, a new and lifelong model of the relationship between Christ and His Church is launched. (p. 27)

Marriage is about God. Marriage is from God. Marriage is for God. Marriage is God's.

Harvey concludes chapter 1 with thoughts on making these theological truths part of every day reality. We don't live in a vacuum. We sin. Our spouses sin. And until we hate our sin, until we hate our selfishness and self-centeredness, until we see God in His rightful place of preeminence in our marriages, marriage will not be as sweet as it should be.

Like buttoning a shirt, it is important to get the first button in the right hole. Otherwise, the whole shirt will go on crooked and you will be a fashion mess. Get this first button right and the rest of your marriage will line up correctly.

Big Truths for Little Kids by Susan and Richie Hunt

2009-01-30T10:19:00.000-08:00

Big Truths for Little Kids: Teaching Your Children to Live for God by Susan and Richie Hunt
***** (5 stars) : Ch

You may say, "Why start with a Kid's book?" That's an easy one. Because I wish I had stopped reading so many Hardy Boys books and started reading books that would change my life at an earlier age. As a father, my hope is that books like Big Truths for Little Kids will start my girls on a path of reform8tion and transform8tion early in their lives.

Big Truths for Little Kids is written by a mother/son duo intent on introducing families to the First Catechism. Catechisms are a wonderful way to teach young children to think and live under a Biblical framework. Big Truths accomplishes this on a magnificent scale. Here's how it works.

1. Each story is preceded by several questions and answers. The answers are designed to be memorized by your kids. Each time you read through the book your kids can memorize one question and answer, or you can repeatedly read the same questions and answers and stories until they memorize them.
2. The questions and answers are followed by short stories unpacking one great truth from the catechism. These stories play out around the lives of brother and sister Caleb and Cassie and their friends, including Angus and Daniel. The "Catechism Kids" (Caleb and Cassie) live their lives under the framework of the truths of the catechism and impact their friends and family with the truth of God and His glory.
3. The stories are followed by comprehension questions that help your kids tie the stories and the catechism together. In doing so, the stories and the truths of the stories sink home in real, applicable ways.

One of my favorite stories in Big Truths for Little Kids is titled "A Bad Decision." In it the family has just returned from vacation and is on their way to church. God is forgotten, the stress of the day triumphs, the excitement of vacation trumps the worship of God. And Daniel, their friend who is a new believer, is confused. Caleb and Cassie's dad realizes the sin in the situation and leads the family to repentance and in understanding the importance of worshiping and honoring God. A lesson for the whole family.

READ AND REREAD this book with your kids. And if you are a new believer, don't be too proud to read and learn from this book yourself. Here are a couple of possible uses for Big Truths for Little Kids:
1. Family Worship every night. Read and reread the book every night and learn one question and answer each time you read it through.
2. Family Worship for the week. Read and reread one story and the questions and answers associated. Learn these answers and find ways to apply them that week.
3. I use this book for Children's Sermons on Sunday Mornings. We are working our way through the book this year and encouraging parents to work through the catechism at home.

About Reading for Re/Transform8tion

2009-01-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

I am a husband, father, and pastor. I LOVE reading, not just because books are amazing, but because God has used books to REFORM and TRANSFORM my way of thinking about life, love, holiness, and eternity. And this REFORM8TION and TRANSFORM8TION works itself out every day in relationships, ministry, and personal holiness. This site is dedicated to exposing others to the JOY found in being REFORMED and TRANSFORMED through good books and to help sift through the so-called Christian books that have become so popular. Each week I will review and blog "through" various books... ranging from Theology to Pastoral Ministry to Academic Subjects to Biography to Children to Marriage and Family. Check the sidebar for what I'm reading (or rereading) now and join in the RE/TRANSFORM8TION today.