[Can't see the video above? You may need to click through to the website to view it.]
After watching the video, I am definitely looking forward to snagging a copy of Nick Vujicic’s new book, Unstoppable.
Download the first chapter for free here.
Get the book here.
Don’t Give Up in the Lean Seasons from John Piper
If you live long enough, and serve faithfully enough, you will have rain-soaked seasons, and feel yourself sinking in the mud. But Graham survived. And look what God wrought.
Why Impostors Love the Church from Russell Moore
The New Testament warns us, of course, about spiritual impostors. Sometimes these “wolves” are there to introduce subtly false doctrine. But, just as often, it seems, these spiritual carnivores hold to true doctrine, at least on the surface. But they use this doctrine and service for predatory ends. The sons of Eli, for instance, use their priestly calling to co-opt the fat of the offering and to lay with the women at the altar (1 Sam. 2).Virtually every New Testament letter warns us about the same phenomenon (e.g., 2 Pet. 2; Jude).
But why, when there is so much opportunity for debauchery out there in the world around us, do such people choose the church?
Why the Southern Baptist Convention Must Exclude Christ Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church from Bart Barber
Christ Tabernacle Misisonary Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, has called sex-predator Darrell Gilyard as a pastor. The Jacksonville Baptist Association besought the church to resign its membership from the association, and apparently the church has agreed to withdraw from the JBA.
What You Need to Know About the New iPad from Geek for i
Overall, the new iPad is impressive, but I don’t think it warrants upgrading from the iPad 2. If you’ve got the first generation iPad or are new to tablets, then it’s a solid investment.
“Calvinism” — Breakdowns in Communication from Todd Benkert
Just what do we mean when we use the term “Calvinist”? Because the term is used in a variety of ways we often fail to communicate and misunderstanding occurs. Unfortunately, such misunderstanding too often leads to unnecessary division and offense
Are you paying attention to Kirk Cameron? from Denny Burk
What is instructive about this interview has been how openly vitriolic people have become to the idea of a Christian sexual ethic. It’s not just that people disagree with Cameron. No, they accuse him of engaging in “hate” speech and of being “homophobic.” I saw one public figure accuse him of being complicit in murder. The denunciations of Cameron have been relentless (see here, here). They accuse Cameron and his ilk of being intolerant. All the while, they seem to be blissfully unaware of their own malignant intolerance of Christian morality.
Children in Worship–Mom Tested Tips from Jason Helopoulos
11. Stop Worrying: Many parents are concerned about what other parents or members of the congregation think of their parenting skills or how annoyed someone else is with their child’s fidgeting during the service. DON’T! Commit as a congregation to welcome children into your services. This means that not only do our children have to adjust, but so do the adults. In reality, it is adults who have to adjust the most! Let’s just learn to have a little more tolerance on this front. If a baby is a little fussy, papers are rustling, or a few things are dropping on the floor it is o.k. As congregations, we need to willingly and joyfully join in this great privilege of welcoming our covenant children into corporate worship. And that takes some minor adjusting on our part.
The Future of Baptist Theology with a Look at its Past from James Leo Garrett Jr.
This is the first in a series of three articles by Dr. Garrett on “The Future of Baptist Theology with a Look at Its Past,” which was presented at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary at an event.
It was painful to part ways with that wonderful family who disagreed with us on baptism, and we miss them still. But our affection for them personally, our affinity with them theologically, and our emotional desire to welcome them into membership do not change the fact that Jesus gave instructions that we must obey. The separation from paedobaptists we love may be painful, but it is separation to obey Jesus. The surpassing greatness of knowing him is worth whatever it costs.
At What Age Should We Baptize? from Tim Challies
Though by definition baptists agree that a person should be baptized only after confessing faith in Jesus Christ, there are several views on how old a believer must be, or should be, before such a confession can be trusted and acted upon. The views range, on the one end, from baptizing a confessing believer no matter how young to, on the other end, not baptizing them until they are practically independent from their parents.
Fierce Tornadoes and the Fingers of God from John Piper
We do not ascribe such independent power to Mother Nature or to the devil. God alone has the last say in where and how the wind blows. If a tornado twists at 175 miles an hour and stays on the ground like a massive lawnmower for 50 miles, God gave the command.
An Apology from Limbaugh, But the Damage is Done from Denny Burk
Limbaugh’s remarks last week distracted the nation from this reality with a lowbrow personal attack. His subsequent apology was untimely and advanced the liberal narrative that this debate is about privacy and contraception. There’s no escaping the conclusion that he has set the cause back with his careless remarks, and his apology won’t fix that. We do not need cynical voices like his joining the debate on either side. America deserves better.
It’s Texas Independence Day from NBCDFW.com
A handwritten document proclaiming Texas was freeing itself from rule by Mexico is 176 years old Friday.
It was March 2, 1836, Texas Independence Day, when historians believe the original and five copies of the declaration were made and signed by 59 men at Washington-on-the-Brazos.
With the creation of the revolutionary document, settlers broke away from Mexico to create the Republic of Texas. The new republic was led by interim-President David G. Burnet until the election of President Sam Houston later that year.
The Pain and the Gain of True Holiness from Michael Horton
We have a lot of work ahead of us. It will be a battle; we’ll win some and lose some. However, the war itself has been decided. We live from Christ’s victory over sin’s guilt and power toward Christ’s victory over sin’s presence. In the meantime, it’s choppy waters.
Can an Unjust Law Be a Law at All?: The Contraceptive Mandate from Evan Lenow
That leads to the second question: Can an unjust law be a law at all? Turning to Aquinas again, he answers with a resounding “No!” Speaking of unjust laws, Aquinas writes, “The like are acts of violence rather than laws; because, as Augustine says, a law that is not just, seems to be no law at all.”
Don’t Focus on Your Strengths from Jon Bloom
We tend to think of our strengths as inherently part of our identity. Strengths are our value-add; our competitive edge. But gifts connote grace. A gift does not originate with us. It’s something we receive from God and steward for his sake. Therefore our gifts are not so much our identity as our offering.
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A Purpose-Driven Cosmos: Why Jesus Doesn’t Promise Us an ‘Afterlife’ from Russell Moore
Often we Christians start our gospel proclamation with triumph over sin. Fair enough: The gospel of Christ is indeed the reversal of sin, and of death and hell. But without a broader context, such teaching can treat Christ as a means to an end, a step from the alpha of Eden to the omega of heaven. In a truly Christian vision of the kingdom of God, though, Jesus of Nazareth isn’t a hoop we jump through to extend our lives into eternity. Jesus is the kingdom of God in person. As such, he is the meaning of life, the goal of history, and the pattern of the future. The gospel of the kingdom starts and ends with the announcement that God has made Jesus the emperor—and that he plans to bend the cosmos to fit Jesus’ agenda, not the other way around.
Comparison Kills from Ryan Huguley
Though it’s common place in our lives, our constant comparison is killing us. NOTHING good comes from comparing ourselves to anyone else. Think about it…comparison kills you because it inevitably leads to one of two places…
Did President Obama Support Infanticide? from Denny Burk
The President’s extreme pro-abortion views were well-known before he was elected in 2008. Indeed, I wrote about it numerous times on this blog in 2008. The reason that most people don’t know about this is that the press gave him a pass on this issue in 2008.
10 Benefits of Ebooks that Will Surprise You from Eric McKiddie
Did you know that ebooks are even better than you think? There are obvious benefits to ebooks, with lower prices and portability topping out the list. But in my use of ebooks, I have noticed other benefits that I haven’t seen anyone mention yet.
4 Basic Life Lessons from Basic Training from The Art of Manliness
As an enlisted member of the Army, and now an Officer, I’ve gone through what was essentially two separate stints at basic training. The first as enlisted and the second as an Officer. During the training, it’s difficult to see the lifelong lessons being drilled into you. Now, however, years after finishing, it’s easier to put a finger on those lessons and apply them to everyday life.
Why are there “Christian Mean Girls?” from Diane Montgomery
But, why? Why does the world only see judgment, jealousy, and competition? Why do they not see a united, loving, supportive sisterhood? Why have we become “Christian Mean Girls?”
Is it Greek to You? Interpreting Romans 16:7 from Candi Finch
I think Junia was a woman, though, if it turns out that she was a man, it doesn’t wreck my faith. It is possible that she was married to Andronicus and that they served as missionaries—forerunners to the likes of Jim and Elisabeth Elliott or Adoniram and Ann Judson. The fact that I disagree with an egalitarian understanding that says that Junia was an Apostle does not mean that I am diminishing the real significance of Junia’s ministry.
The Best Thing You Can Do For Your Pastor from Stephen Altrogge
What is the best thing that you can do for you pastor? Compliment him on his “outstanding, almost Charles Spurgeon-like sermon”? Give money to the church? Give your time and skills to the church? Not heckle him? Admire him for his manly beard? While those are all wonderful things, they are not the best thing that you can do for you pastor.
From Street Preacher to SBC Leader: An Interview with Fred Luter from Joe Carter
“Fred Luter is a hero,” says Russell Moore, dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for academic administration at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. “He stood with conviction and compassion and shepherded his flock after Katrina, when he could have gone anywhere, had a comfortable ministry, and chalked the move up to the ‘calling of the Lord.’ He’s never hesitated to persecute the Devil by preaching the poured out blood of the living Christ.”
Spurgeon and the Tantalizing Hope of Biblical Blogging from Dan Phillips
This is why it’s worth it. I thought it was worth it some seven years ago, when I had a bare trickle to my blog. I still think it. I am certain that Paul would use it, or would assign someone to it. Spurgeon likely would have as well, judging by his profligate use of every means at his disposal.
On Your Face Before God, On Your Feet for His Mission from Trevin Wax
In my experience, the problem isn’t that we’ve forgotten our responsibility to love our neighbor and share the gospel. The problem is that even when we know what our duty is, we still don’t do it.
That’s why I’m convinced that focusing most of your teaching on our missional duty isn’t the best way to motivate people to serve Christ long-term. It may result in some initial fruit, but it doesn’t effect the heart-change necessary for long-lasting obedience.
How to Listen to a Sermon from Phil Ryken
During the past thirty-five years I have heard more than three thousand sermons. Since I have worshiped in Bible-teaching churches all my life, most of those sermons did me some spiritual good. Yet I wonder how many of them helped me as much as they should have. Frankly, I fear that far too many sermons passed through my eardrums without registering in my brain or reaching my heart. So what is the right way to listen to a sermon?
President Obama’s Christianity from Denny Burk
In short, though candidate Obama professes to be a Christian, his beliefs are that of a theological liberal. Here’s a summary with some quotes.
The Vision Without Which People Perish from Jared Wilson
Proverbs 29:18 may be one of the most misapplied verses in all the evangelical church today. Many a church leader has used it to spiritualize his strategies and blackmail followers into supporting his entrepreneurialism. Vision statements are cast. Mission statements are crafted to serve the vision. A list of values is composed to serve the mission. An array of programs is developed to serve the values. A stable of leaders is recruited to serve the programs. An army of volunteers is inspired to assist the leaders.
Stop sugarcoating the Bible from Steven James
We don’t need to edit God. We need to let him be the author of our new lives.
8 Ways to Pray During Sermon Preparation from Michael McKinley
I knew that I should pray, that in fact I must pray, as part of getting ready to teach God’s Word. But I don’t remember getting much advice about how to pray when preparing a message. And while there’s obviously not just one helpful way to do it, here are eight brief prayers that can be used while writing a sermon.
John Piper’s “Bloodlines” Named an Outreach Magazine Resource of the Year from Crossway
Crossway is pleased to announce that John Piper’s Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian has been named Outreach Magazine’s resource of the year in the category of Cross-Cultural Ministry.
Most men’s scarves are approximately 10 inches wide, 70 inches long, and made from either a solid or patterned cut of cloth designed to wrap around the neck. In a nutshell, a scarf is a simple rectangle of fabric. Yet most men are baffled as to how to properly wear one, and worse, many feel the wearing of a scarf is somehow effeminate.
Why I Like “Great Commission Baptists” from Dave Miller
I know that the mindset among bloggers has been mostly to scorn this solution. In fact, the negativity has been extreme. I’d like to give a counterpoint to the negativity and share briefly the reasons why I think this is a good idea and why I hope the convention will vote in favor of this motion this summer in New Orleans.
On Being a Lentendud from Douglas Wilson
In short, if everybody on Facebook knows what you are not doing for Lent, with fifteen minute updates, along with a snapshot of the burrito you are not eating, you already have your reward. Cultivating a right heart on this is fundamental to Christianity. Understanding this principle is basic. When people are running around yelling about the asteroid, religious showboating is not the great temptation. But if it involves praying the synagogue, giving alms with brass accompaniment, and fasting with a wan countenance and wry commentary, and so forth, Jesus told us very explicitly how we are not supposed to behave.
