Frowning Providence

This Sunday (Lord willing) we begin an exposition of the book of Ruth. In vv.1-5, we see elements of what I'm calling a frowning providence. I borrow this phrase from William Cowper.

To read a bio of Cowper, visit Piper's conference bio of him in 1992.

To hear the hymn God Moves in Mysterious Ways, visit the Cyberhymnal.

T.J. will be leading a new arrangement of this from Sovereign Grace Music.

Gabriel Phillip

Our 2nd son, Gabriel Phillip, was born today (5/27) at 1:12PM. He weighed 8 lbs., 4 oz., and was 20 1/2 inches long. We are grateful to God who blessed us with favor throughout the day. In studying Ruth, I came across this verse that brought forth some faith-inspiring principles -- "The Lord gave conception and she gave birth to a son..." (4:13). We know that God deserves all the praise from start to finish. We are also thankful for the great ones (nurses, doctors, family, friends) who inspired and encouraged us along the way. We are glowing because God is so good.

Me Monster...

Justin Taylor posted this link to a Brian Regan clip...



I was laughing hard at this. But I am also cut to the quick thinking of all the times I feel the need to expose the "ME MONSTER."

SOW - The Idol Factory by C.J. Mahaney

It was just one year ago that CJ preached this at New Attitude and I was really struck with the idolatry with which I am guilty. It is an encouraging word to hear. (Oh, and American Idol fans, don't be too rebuffed by his opening comments. :)

Enjoy. Discern Your Heart by C.J. Mahaney

Challies' May Giveaway

Tim Challies has some great giveaways, typically every month. This month's could mean a $200 shopping spree at Monergism.com.

Enter Here.

Caspian

Saw Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian last Friday. We really enjoyed the movie as good, wholesome entertainment. I would agree with some of Stephen Altrogge's critique, however (and you must read his critique).

Related to this, Ligonier Ministries has been posting some articles on C.S. Lewis. Specifically, I would recommend Leland Ryken on C.S. Lewis and His Imagination.

MM - Marriage, The Cross & Criticism

If you've been married for an hour, criticism is something that you will inevitably encounter. I have been so greatly helped by Alfred Poirier's article, The Cross and Criticism. Often we fail to embrace criticism as a means to make us holy. We view it as a full out attack on what we hold dear, namely, ourselves. Through this article, which points to a deep understanding of God's work on the cross as a means to receiving criticism, we can walk in obedience to God. Furthermore, we may at times feel the need to offer constructive criticism to our spouse or others and wonder how to do this. Again, this article comes to our help. Take up and read!

The Pride Fight

Abraham Piper insightfully writes how you can't conquer pride by discarding what you are proud of:

Arrogance is entirely me deceiving me.

Self-approval enables pride—and self-approval follows me no matter what outward sources of esteem I flee.

This thought is very helpful as we engage ourselves and the pride which does, indeed, lie beneath the surface.

What is your only comfort in life and death?

The Heidelberg Catechism answers: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.

I think most of us would probably answer, well, my comfort that I'm close to God today comes from the fact that I had a quiet time this morning, or I went to church this week (Wed PM even), or that I try to do good to other people, or blah, blah, blah. Do, do, do. Me, me, me. Our practical comfort isn't in Christ, it's in what we can do. That is why we are emotional roller coasters in living the Christian life. I hope this weekend, in our worship services, Christ can be uplifted in such a way that all rival comforts will be leveled to the dust. May Jesus Christ be praised as our ONLY comfort in life and death.

SOW - Tripp ~ What is Prayer?

This morning, on the elliptical, I really enjoyed the community driven application found in this message from Paul Tripp on James 5:13-18. Tripp, the author of such outstanding books as Relationships: A Mess Worth Making, Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands, and The Quest For More, currently serves on the pastoral team at 10th Pres. in Philadelphia.

MM - More on Parenting

At the Desiring God website, they have host of helpful articles on parenting. You might go there for further info...

I thought we had a great weekend here at the church. The messages will soon be posted online. I hope you are encouraged to instruct your children and realize that much of that instruction comes from your example.

Have hope for parenting in the Gospel.

More Parenting Stuff...

Over at Pulpit Magazine (ministry of John MacArthur's Shepherd's Fellowship), there are some helpful posts on parenting. Worth your time to ponder and read.

Books For Parents

This week, in prepping to speak on parenting this weekend, I have really benefitted by the following books:

Shepherding A Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
Instructing a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
Hints for Parents by Gardiner Spring
Age of Opportunity by Paul David Tripp

(Some will be given away this Friday at HomeWord)

SOW - Gospel Centered Parenting by CJ

For this week's free audio and thinking about Parenting, I would highly recommend these messages by C.J. Mahaney entitled, Gospel-Centered Parenting.

MM - Parenting (J.C. Ryle)

This essay by J.C. Ryle entitled The Duties of Parents (available free online) would be well worth your attention if you are looking for ideas to stimulate your parenting. I commend it to you for tomorrow's Marriage Monday column.

What To Do When Your Pastor Offends You

Here's an interesting post from Mark Altrogge (author of Give Me One Pure and Holy Passion) on what to do when your pastor offends you (and he will, since he is simply a sinful human being being a tool in God's hands).

Among the suggestions:

1) Pray
2) Ask, "What does this offense reveal about my heart?"
3) Ask, "Is this one of the “multitude of sins” love covers or a serious sin or pattern of sin that God wants to help him with?"
4) If you can’t cover it in love, go to him. But before you go, ask, "What are my motives for going to him?"
5) Try to believe the best.
6) Forgive him in advance.
7) Go humbly.

9 Marks E Journal May/June '08

From the Editor's Note:
There's plenty of material out there on living the Christian life. But there's not so much, from what we can tell, on living together as a church.

This issue deals with what it means to live in unity. Check it out.

Fighting For Humility...

Being humble is a war. All that I am is bent on serving self. Pursuing humility is fight, then. Sure, Peter tells us to "clothe ourselves in humility." That seems all nice. Like grabbing a shirt out of the closet to put on was ever a difficult thing. Clothing ourselves in humility, though, is a fight. We don't naturally go there. Our world doesn't go there. With all the jersey-popping, self-serving, I-want-this-my-own-way, I'll-do-whatever-I-want attitudes that are swarming around us, the commands to be humble are hard to live.

Here are two helpful items for pursuing it (from 2 of my favorite pastors):

1) John Piper on how he pursues humility.

2) C.J. Mahaney from Humility:

HOW TO WEAKEN PRIDE AND CULTIVATE HUMILITY
(A List of Suggestions):

ALWAYS:
1) Reflect on the wonder of the cross of Christ.

AS EACH DAY BEGINS:
2) Begin each day by acknowledging your dependence upon God and your need for God.
3) Begin your day expressing gratefulness to God.
4) Practice the spiritual disciplines-prayer, study of God's Word, worship. Do this consistently each day and at the day's outset, if possible.
5) Seize your commute time to memorize and meditate on Scripture.
6) Cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you.

AS EACH DAY ENDS:
7) At the end of the day, transfer the glory to God.
8) Before going to sleep, receive this gift of sleep from God and acknowledge His purpose for sleep.

FOR SPECIAL FOCUS:
9) Study the attributes of God.
10) Study the doctrines of grace.
11) Study the doctrine of sin.
12) Play golf as much as possible.
13) Laugh often, and laugh often at yourself.

THROUGHOUT YOUR DAYS AND WEEKS:
14) Identify evidences of grace in others.
15) Encourage and serve others each and every day.
16) Invite and pursue correction.
17) Respond humbly to trials.
(Taken from pp.171-172 of his book)

I have personally been helped immensely by these direct applications. Applying these to my heart and life has helped me see the depth of my pride problem and wage ware all the more valiantly (depending on God's grace as my only hope).

Fight for humility - it leads you onto the path of Biblical greatness.