Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc

Christ alone, Cornerstone
Weak made strong, in the Savior’s love
Through the storm
He is Lord, Lord of All

Posted 6 days ago
The Samaritan is a beautiful example for fathers and elders. Taking care of people always demands sacrifice. It includes pity, healing, and embrace. Doubtless the Samaritan had his own busy schedule with a long list of things he needed to get done. But good neighbors—-like good fathers and good elders—-are willing to be inconvenienced by other people’s problems.

—  Phil Ryken (http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/05/15/embracing-the-biblical-tension-between-family-and-church-ministry/)

Posted 1 week ago
When all your favorite preachers are gone, and all their books forgotten, you will have your Bible. Master it. Master it.

— John Piper

Posted 1 week ago 2 notes
A disciple is, literally, a learner—-one who follows another’s teaching. But the modern church has tended to define a disciple as a “doer” instead of as a “learner.” We have been asked to do service projects, join home groups, find an accountability partner, get counseling, fix our marriages, sing on the worship team, get out of debt, help in the nursery, hand out bulletins, go on mission trips, give to the building fund, share the gospel at Starbucks—-but we have so rarely been challenged to pursue the most fundamental element of discipleship—-earnest study of the Word. Yes, a disciple does, but we’re motivated to act by love for the God revealed in the Word.

— Jen Wilkin (http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/05/07/why-bible-study-doesnt-transform-us/)

Posted 1 week ago 1 note

the pursuit of godliness

This weekend, I was reminded that the attributes of a godly man, laid out in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 2, are not merely a check list of “things to be”, but that they come as a result of the change brought about by the Gospel and the Holy Spirit.  They are not characteristics that we can just “work harder” at or to be. These are traits that result in the marinading of the heart in the truth of the Good News and are reflective of how one is being changed from the inside out. In all His sovereignty, He will bring about the heart change when it comes time; it is not us, in our “pseudo-sovereignty” that controls how able we are to reflect these Christ-like traits.  I think that instead of focusing on being hospitable or not being a lover or money or sound in steadfastness, just so we can check it off our “to do list”, we need to soak our hearts and minds in Scripture and allow it to seep deep into the depths of our self-sufficiency and self-fulfillment and fill the needs of our desire for peace and security and joy and acceptance. Realizing that it’s okay to not be in complete control leads one to a place of peace, knowing that Yahweh is a god who is for us and not against us, who loves us and has the best in store for us in the end, even if it means that we are presently walking through the desert.  Looking to the story of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz reveals the extent of God’s flawless plan in even the minutest of details.

Posted 2 weeks ago
If the Waodani attack, will you defend yourself? Will you use your guns?”
“Son, we can’t shoot the Waodani. They’re not ready for heaven… we are

— End of the Spear (Nate Saint talking to his son, Steve Saint)

Posted 2 weeks ago 4 notes