Apr 24, 2007 | Miscellaneous
Tom Ascol reports. Founders Ministries Blog: Grace Baptist Church considers Tom Nettles for Associate Pastor read more
Apr 24, 2007 | Pastoral Ministry
This is one of the reasons Desiring God will have a lasting effect on Christianity. They make their resources accessible and available to anyone and everyone. This is a gold mine. 20 Years of Pastors Conference Audio :: Desiring... read more
Apr 24, 2007 | Culture
Baptist Press released an article yesterday detailing how British abortion practices are actually killing babies born alive. According to the article, “One in 30 babies aborted because of severe handicaps survives, according to a new study in Great Britain.” “The study, which was published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, analyzed nearly 3,200 abortions performed between 1995 and 2004 on children with such impairments as Down syndrome and heart defects. The research found 102 of these babies were born alive.” Sunday evening I watched a brief portion of Larry King’s interview with former President, Bill Clinton, as Clinton explained how the recent Supreme Court decision limiting partial birth abortion was not a victory for the pro-life movement. He noted how when he vetoed the bill twice in his administration, he brought around him pro-life supporters who had actually had the partial birth procedure in order to save the life of the mother or in cases where the baby was so infirm that death was inevitable. He made it seem that the only time such abortions were conducted were in extreme cases. This is merely his political maneuvering. The British report is more evidence of the reality behind abortion. Not only is it a means of convenience, it is obviously not a primary means of protecting life or bringing to a conclusion the inevitable. It is a means of immediate convenience, but long-term tragedy. President Clinton tried to point out the inconsistencies with the pro-life movement and the recent Supreme Court decision, saying that the pro-lifers know that this recent decision is morally inconsistent, while politically expedient. By... read more
Apr 24, 2007 | Christian Living
From Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers . . . reasons why the papists can never, with all their endeavors, truly mortify any one sin, among others are: Because many of the ways and means they use and insist upon for this end were never appointed of God for that purpose (i.e., rough garments, their vows, penances, disciplines, their courses of monastical life, and the like;). Because those things that are appointed of God as means are not used by them in their due place and order – such as are praying, fasting, watching, meditation, and the like.. (59). Why Mortification is the Work of the Spirit He is promised of God to be given unto us to do this work. We have all our mortification from the gift of Christ, and all the gifts of Christ are communicated to us and given us by the Spirit of Christ (60). How the Spirit Mortifies Sin By causing our hearts to abound in grace and the fruits that are contrary to the flesh, and the fruits thereof and principles of them. By a real physical efficiency on the root and habit of sin, for the weakening, destroying, and taking it away. He brings the cross of Christ into the heart of a sinner by faith, and gives us communion with Christ in his death and fellowship in his sufferings (61) If the Spirit Alone Mortifies Sin, Why Are We Exhorted to Mortify It? It is no otherwise the work of the Spirit but as all graces and good works which are in us are his. He does not so... read more
Apr 23, 2007 | Christian Living
From Owen’s Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers Sin will not only be striving, acting, rebelling, troubling, disquieting, but if let alone, if not continually mortified, it will bring forth great, cursed, scandalous, soul-destroying sins (52). Sin aims always at the utmost; every time it rises up to tempt or entice, might it have its own course, it would go out to the utmost sin in that kind. Every unclean thought or glance would be adultery if it could; every covetous desire would be oppression, every thought of unbelief would be atheism, might it grow to its head (53). Not to be daily mortifying sin is to sin against the goodness, kindness, wisdom, grace, and love of God, who has furnished us with a principle of doing it (54). Let not that man think he makes any progress in holiness who walks not over the bellies of his lusts (55). The root of an unmortified course is the digestion of sin without bitterness in the heart... read more
Apr 22, 2007 | Pastoral Ministry, Prayer
John Piper on his personal approach to Scripture Intake and prayer and his exhortation for pastors and their private devotional life. Truth or Consequences: The Pastor’s Private... read more
Apr 22, 2007 | Christian Living
In his chapter, “The Necessity of Mortification” in his book, Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers, John Owen gives us a few summary principles, from his exegetical musings on Romans 8:13: The choicest believers, who are assuredly freed from the condemning power of sin, ought yet to make it their business all their days to mortify the indwelling power of sin (47). The mortification of indwelling sin remaining in our mortal bodies, that it may not have life and power to bring forth the works or deeds of the flesh, is the constant duty of believers.(49). The vigor, and power, and comfort of our spiritual life depends on the mortification of the deeds of the flesh (49). Do you mortify; do you make it your daily work; be always at it while you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you (50). When sin lets us alone we may let sin alone; but as sin is never less quiet than when it seems to be most quiet, and its waters are for the most part deep when they are still, so ought our contrivances against it to be vigourous at all times ad in all conditions, even where there is least suspicion (51). If sin be subtle, watchful, strong, and always at work in the business of killing our souls, and we be slothful, negligent, foolish, in proceding to the ruin thereof, can we expect a comfortable event? There is not a day but sin foils or is foiled, prevails or is prevailed on; and it will be so... read more
Apr 21, 2007 | Reading
If you are not a reader, here’s a list of reasons you should be. Reasons for Reading read more
Apr 21, 2007 | Time/Life Management
Do you prefer paper or a processor to keep track of your ‘to-do’ lists? Here’s a few arguments for paper. Web Worker Daily » Blog Archive Six More Reasons to Use a Paper To Do List... read more
Apr 20, 2007 | Time/Life Management
Do you watch your time? This article suggests that one of the primary keys to being successful in business is being on time. What do you think? [ Successful People Are On Time... read more
Apr 19, 2007 | Humor
Ok – I missed this video when it was originally posted. How could I?! I’m not even sure what to say about my good blogger buddy, SKH, after watching this, other than, please preach more than sing and make music videos. tohu va bohu » Blog Archive » Live or... read more
Apr 19, 2007 | Miscellaneous, Preaching
I attended the Olford institute in my first DMin seminar. Assuming Union will give a degree of direction and support to the Olford Ministries, Ibelieve the ministry will be greatly enhanced. Good move from my vantage point. Baptist Press – Union to acquire Olford Ministries – News with a Christian... read more
Apr 19, 2007 | Reading
How does Mark Dever read? Check out his comments on the link below. Though this approach came out on the Together for the Gospel blog about a year ago, I sure enjoyed the fresh reminder and am trying to implement a similar approach to reading. Breakout 2 > 2007 Sovereign Grace Leader’s Conference – The Shepherd’s... read more
Apr 19, 2007 | Technology
Yep, MS Word can annoy me at times. I had learned most of these tricks, previously, but here is a good overview of how to rid yourself of Word annoyances. Disable annoying MS Word features –... read more
Apr 19, 2007 | Reading
Do you have a reading schedule? What are your reading habtis? Here are some more helpful tips. Productivity501: Taking the Time to Read read more
Apr 19, 2007 | Catholicism, Church History, General Theology, Hermeneutics
Andreas Kostenberger reviews a recent lecture on “Non-canonical Early Christian Writings.” The lecture points out a number of interesting apocryphal connections to Roman Catholic theology and Kostenberger has a good summary of how we should view and use apocryphal literature. Biblical Foundations » The Apocryphal New... read more
Apr 19, 2007 | Ecclesiology, Southern Baptist Issues
Tom Ascol on why Southern Baptists Baptized fewer people last year. Amen! Founders Ministries Blog: Maybe we are baptizing fewer false... read more
Apr 19, 2007 | Reading
Rick Warren has seven good tips on building better reading habits among pastors. Pastors.com | Encouraging pastors and church... read more
