WVU NIT Champs!

OK, so it's not the "big" dance. Let's just call it the smaller, less popular dance. However, WVU has ended their season with a win over Clemson in the NIT championship game. Let's Goooooo Mountaineers! (some of you won't get that)

I was searching for an article in this mornings Louisville Courier-Journal (substitute "liberal rag" not worthy of a link) and finally on about page 6 of the sports section there it was, a small obscure paragraph touting the success of WVU in some insignificant tournament. Last time I checked both U of L and UK have been home for more than a week now. (Bitter, party of one)

Like I have said time and time again, when you are from West Virginia there is not much to cheer about. So, when our boys win, we like to talk about it. Even if the spotlight is a bit dimmer in NYC, the Mountaineers are in it.

Lengthening Links List

Maybe you haven't noticed, but my list of links is lengthening. I have some reservations about this issue. I read various blogs in the course of a week. Some good, others very good, most are people I do not actually know personally. I have tried to provide links that will be helpful to others. I don't provide this list as a way of "name dropping." (I find that other bloggers give this appearance, not sure if that is intended, I hope not.) The links are intended for your edification, and quick access for the stuff I like to read.

At any rate, I have just added a link to Tim Challies' page. I don't know him but I do enjoy his blog. He is insightful, clever and solid theologically. I trust his work will be a blessing to you.

Sing the Gospel

This is such an awesome hymn! To think that it was written very recently. It is solid, it is convicting, it is the gospel set to music. Like many great hymn writers of the past, Stuart Townend has been gifted by God to put the truth out there in a very cogent way for others to use and enjoy in worship. (You can read about this modern gift to the church here.) It is great to be able to sing the gospel. May we be found faithful.

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross
My guilt upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no powr's, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

©1995 Kingsway's Thankyou Music
Words and Music by Stuart Townend

Quotable

"If you were accused of being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

I'm not sure who said this. I worked it into my Sunday sermon. It is really poignant when you let is sink in.

Mohler at the center of firestorm

Yesterday someone pointed out a headline on the front page of the Courier-Journal. It read, "Mohler: Babies may be born gay." (finally found the link here) It was obviously meant to be provocative. Prior to reading the C-J article, I read Dr. Mohler's post to his blog that was the source. Funny how the two were slightly different. Today, Dr. Mohler responds to what has become an apparent firestorm on the issue of homosexuality.

By and large the Church has done a very poor job on the issue of homosexuality. Conservative evangelicals have simply said, "Hey, it's a big sin, maybe bigger than many others," and preached hard against it. I affirm the biblical understanding that homosexuality is a sin. But, I also affirm that we are all sinners. The temptations that you and I struggle with may not be attraction to those of the same sex. Nonetheless, your sin and my sin must be under the blood of Christ or we are without hope.

God in his grace has provided a way for mankind to be reconciled to him, regardless of the depths to which we have plunged. The man that is standing neck-deep in sin is just as lost as the man that only dipped his toe in the murky waters. The only rescue for either is faith in Christ alone and genuine repentance. Thank God for his grace! My prayer is "Lord, help me to have compassion and a burden for those struggling in sin." Someone had a burden for me.

On Holiness

Michael Haykin offers great insight into our personal holiness. We are believers in a world that is ruined by sin. His words are challenging and encouraging.

Moving Tribute to Piper's Father

John Piper has posted his journal entry that recounts the last moments he spent with his father. The elder Piper died just a few days ago in Greenville, SC. I was moved beyond measure to read of this man's love for his father and their common passion for the Lord Jesus Christ. Of course, my mind drifted to the last day I spent with my own father as he was preparing to enter eternal glory. I loved my Dad. You must read this one.

Great Used Books

Today I discovered a great used book store here in Louisville, "Refiner's Fire Books." The owner, Ron Sloan, is a very nice guy who sees his store as a ministry: very refreshing. I picked up one book that will be useful in my current sermon series. All in all a good trip. I liked the store so much I have provided a permanent link to the left. You may shop Ron's selection of Christian books online from the comfort of your own home. Enjoy!

A Baptist By Any Other Name

Dr. Russell Moore recently commented on the 2007 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches, an annual study produced by the National Council of Churches in the USA. For a mere $50 you may purchase your very own copy. I won't be buying one, shocking I know.

Moore referenced a blog post by a religion editor for a paper in Arkansas. I read that guy's post and found something interesting among the statistics. Basically the subject of the post was growth among various churches/denominations. Although some show slight growth, most have experienced little growth or even decline. Where do Baptist fit in? Funny you should ask. Southern Baptists, of which I am one, are said to be "treading water" with only marginal growth. Total "members" listed for the SBC is 16,270,315 second only to the Roman Catholic Church with just about 69 million adherents. However, when you combine all of the "Baptists" into one group (there are only about 27 different flavors these days, four short of B&R) there are a whopping 32,367,015. Not too shabby boys!

If it were only that simple. Let's just sign up a few more. I bet we could scrape up another 37 million folks somewhere that are not too busy 1 or 2 Sundays a year. Then the "Dunkers" would be right up there with the RCC. Think of the potluck dinner we could have.

Sad really. How many of those millions of church members, Baptist and all the rest, have never truly experienced God's transforming grace. What kind of change would we see in our country if spiritual awakening came to the church pews of our nation? I pray that it does.

Suggested Helps for Bible Students

Pastor Brian has just released his much anticipated survey of basic Bible commentaries. If you are a pastor, seminary student or simply a student of the Word, Brian's suggestions will be helpful. This resource is free and downloadable on his web page. It is a worthy source of insight if you are seeking to fill your library with the best Bible commentaries, on a limited budget.

I commend him on his hard work. I am grateful for the insights he has provided. Already I have personally benefited from his research. Kudos my Brother on a great project! I am inspired to attempt to produce something worthwhile...OK, not likely. Yet another reason Brian was voted top graduate in the SBTS December 2006 class.

Is My Job in Jeopardy?

Someone said to me the other day, jokingly, "Hey your job may be in jeopardy, they found Jesus' bones." At that point I had not heard of the recent attack on the Christian faith that is played out in a documentary put together by James Cameron (Titanic) and Simcha Jacobovici. This pair was on "Larry King Live" earlier this week along with Dr. Al Mohler and the results were typical. Solid answers and critiques from Dr. Mohler, and vague speculation from the film makers.

Several evangelicals have weighed in on the discussion. Among them is Dr. Ben Witherington from Asbury Seminary. His comments are very good. Below is a bit taken from his blog and his thoughts on this film project, specifically related to Jacobovici:

"He is a good film maker, and he knows a good sensational story when he sees one. This is such a story. Unfortunately it is a story full of holes, conjectures, and problems. It will make good TV and involves a bad critical reading of history. Basically this is old news with a new interpretation. We have known about this tomb since it was discovered in 1980. There are all sorts of reasons to see this as much ado about nothing much..."

It seems each year near Easter someone else rolls out a new theory about the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The truth remains, my Savior lives! My job, while it may be in jeopardy at some point (presently things are great), is on solid footing - My Anchor Holds!