A few facts for you:
With the overwhelming influx of information available, discerning readers must become selective in what they give their time to read. Just in case you missed ’em, here are some links I found valuable, and hope you will also.
Resources for Holy WeekThe Week Before Christ Died
Ligonier Ministries collates a large repository of resources for considering Christ’s active and passive obedience up to the cross. Audio, articles, a few videos, and resources from other well known pastors as well.
Sowell: Is Bullying for Real?
One of the clearer thinkers in America today examines what is happening in our schools, what we should think, and what may be done about it. For those of you who are teachers or witnesses to bullying (in person or cyber), how does Sowell’s conclusions sit with you? Is there accuracy? Continue reading
…is not wise to do very often, but it is important. It is not wise, because so often Calvin proves to be right.
I can remember Bob Godrey, president of Westminster Seminary CA, talking about how the older he got, the more often he found Calvin to be proven to be correct on various exegetical, theological, or ecclesiastical issues. David Steinmetz has talked about the superiority of pre-critical exegesis, and Calvin’s reflections are remarkably biblical and pastoral. It is rarely wise to disagree with the Reformer.
But it is also important to be able to disagree with Calvin. Continue reading
Dear Zion,
As we seek to obey God’s Word in the realm of music in worship, we must remember that there are several commands in God’s Word that do not speak directly to music, but nevertheless apply to how we treat one another. In this article, we will look at some of these biblical principles. Continue reading
America is a socially conservative and economically liberal country.
Do you believe that? Consider that a recent article pointed out that North Dakota, of all places, may not be a bad place to live. The reason? North Dakota – despite its “lack of culture” (quoting from the article) or major league sporting teams – has so much money and is so well off financially that it is looking to give back $400 million to residents, has an unemployment of 3.8% (best in the nation), and is saving at the state level for a rainy day fund. Continue reading
Our congregation sang “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” yesterday in the Covenant Renewal service, but as I was preparing last week, I noticed the paucity of the rest of the words of that hymn. So, I composed a few extra verses that fit with the tune.
The last verse especially reflects the fact that the sermon text for the last Lord’s Day was Colossians 3:16. If you’re looking for other options in singing, you may want to consider the following:
Continue reading
Tullian: “I hear people say that there are two equal dangers Christians must avoid: legalism and lawlessness. Legalism, they say, happens when you focus too much on law, or rules. Lawlessness, they say, happens when you focus too much on grace. Therefore, in order to maintain spiritual equilibrium, you have to balance law and grace. Legalism and lawlessness are typically presented as two ditches on either side of the Gospel that we must avoid. If you start getting too much law, you need to balance it with grace. Too much grace, you need to balance it with law. But I’ve come to believe that this “balanced” way of framing the issue can unwittingly keep us from really understanding the gospel of grace in all of its depth and beauty.”
Why Young People Are Returning To Old Hymn Texts
by Kevin Twit
Not too long ago I saw a sign in an antique store: “My grandmother saved it, my mother threw it away, and now I’m buying it back!” That little sign captures the story of church music in the last fifty years… For many, the church’s hymn tradition has become a treasured resource; students around the country are scouting out used bookstores for antique hymnals, searching for gems that have fallen out of use and yet resonate with their faith and longing to connect with God in a deeper way… we still need hymns in a postmodern world! Here are several reasons why: Continue reading
Pastor,
Why do we see starving people in countries like Ethiopia? More or less; why does God allow things like this if he is love?
Dear [redacted],
Those are great questions. And difficult ones. I think the place to start is to remember God’s sovereignty over all things as Creator and Sustainer. He is sovereign over the sparrows (Matthew 10:29), the rolling of dice (Proverbs 16:33), the decisions of kings (Proverbs 21:1), the rise and fall of governments and kingdoms (Daniel 4:34-37) and traveling and business plans (James 4:15).
Continue reading
Looking to get the most out of your college years? Alex Chediak’s Thriving At College is a welcome look from a someone who has succeeded both as a student and as a professor. Download the beginning section here. You can purchase the Tyndale publication from Amazon here.
Brian J. Lund 