Take No Glory - Beautiful Slave

Love in the Truth.

Shane & Shane - "I'm Alive"

Here it is! The first song of the new album "Everything is Different" which is set to be released on November 3rd! I have ordered mine already. True to Shane & Shane, the song is amazing! Enjoy!

Love in the Truth.

Take No Glory

They call themselves "musicianaries". It is a cool term that makes me think about Keith Green. With that said, Take No Glory "is a non-profit musicianary band." What that means is that they offer all of their music free (in .mp3 format) on their website. Sometimes things that are free aren't really that good, however, that is not the case with Take No Glory. The music is really, really good. Check them out and have a listen. If you like it, consider supporting their ministry by letting others know, through prayer, and financially. As a side note, they even have a nice little app for the iPhone/iPod Touch.

Here is a sample of their music. The song is called "He Didn't Die in Vain". Great song with great lyrics, I trust you will enjoy it.

Love in the Truth.

Dug Down Deep

Dug Down Deep-Chapter 1 by Joshua Harris

This is Chapter one of Josh Harris' new book. I really enjoyed reading it and I am looking forward to reading the rest when it is released. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Love in the Truth.

T4G - CJ's Office

This is CJ Mahaney's office. Loving the "Complete Works of Spurgeon"! I just thought this was a cool video, but I guess it reveals how much of a book geek I have become. It has, however, made me long for the opportunity to attend Together 4 the Gospel next year. Is there anyone out there going? Got room for another wretch? Anyway, here it is...

Love in the Truth.

Thankful...In All Things!

It's hard to be thankful in all things. It's easy to be thankful when God says YES to our plans, but what about when He says NO? Our sin keeps us radically self-focused rather than radically God-focused. But a thankful heart is not that way. A thankful heart is God-centred, not self-centred; A thankful heart is humbly submitted to God's sovereign purpose in all things; A thankful heart is overwhelmed by God's sovereign grace. And it results in prayer! Not prayer for Joe's toe, and Jane's pain, and Jack's back, but prayer that God would be glorified in bringing to fruition the promises of His Word. This is what God's Word teaches us in 2 Samuel 7!

So where is your heart this day? Are you thankful in all things? I realize that many are going through trials, and it is difficult, if not impossible to "count it all joy" and be thankful "in all things." But there is a promise of God for every need of your life!

• Do you need freedom from guilt? 1 John 1:9
• Do you feel lonely? Matthew 28:20
• Do you need assurance? John 10:27-28
• Are you troubled? John 14:27
• Do you have financial pressures? Matthew 6:31-33
• Are you struggling with powerful temptations? 1 Corinthians 10:13

Whatever our need, it is covered by a promise of God. Whatever your circumstance, you can have hope and be filled with thanksgiving because our God is the sovereign God who always acts in grace toward His own. Take His promises and turn them into prayer for His glory.

I know what you're thinking; "been there - done that...why don't I see any of these promises fulfilled in my life?" Ask yourself why do you want your problems solved? Is it so that you can be comfortable and happy? Or is it so that God will be glorified and His name magnified through you? God is not interested in meeting all our needs so that we can lead happy self-centred lives. He wants us to be focused on Him not ourselves; He wants us to submit to His sovereign purpose; He wants us to be in awe of His grace in Christ toward us. Then from a thankful heart, He wants us to pray into reality His abundant promises so that He will be magnified.

Love in the Truth.

Modern Day Prophet?!?

This has already been labeled the "call of the year" by many. Just watch and you'll see why! Now, this has no spiritual value at all, but it should put a smile on your face. You will be amazed!

Admit it - that was one heck of a call!!

Love in the Truth.

September '09 Reading

Preaching And Preachers; D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

I've been wanting to read this book for quite some time and thanks to a good friend lending me his copy I finally got around to it. That same friend has graciously ordered me my own copy. I cannot recommend this book enough. If you spend any time at all in the pulpit, this is a must read. As is usually the case with the doctor, he delivers the goods as only he can. In reading, I felt as if Lloyd-Jones was preaching to me. The chapter "Calling for Decisions" alone is worth the price of the whole. Once my own copy arrives, I look forward to marking it up and reading it again and again.

The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment; Tim Challies.

If you're familiar with Challies at all you have more than likely heard about his book. If you're not even aware of who Tim Challies is then two things are clear:

1. You don't blog
2. You don't read blogs

Much more could be said, but apparently you would never see it. Back to the book - it was really good, but...

What I mean by the "but" is that it seemed to lack well Challies. I guess that I am so used to reading his blog and have grown accustomed to a certain style of writing - I feel that I know the blogging Tim - well I do know him, but you know what I mean, I hope. That said, I know that was not the intent of the book.

As for the book, it was excellent. So good in fact, I have made a plea for everyone in my congregation to read it. It is a message that is so needed in the Church today. If you or your people read this book you and they will be better equipped to spot error when it comes along. This is thoroughly biblical and yet practical. If you are a follower of Christ - read this book!

The Great God

O FOUNTAIN OF ALL GOOD,

Destroy me in every lofty thought,

Break pride to pieces and scatter it to the winds,

Annihilate each clinging shred of self-righteousness,

Implant in me true lowliness of spirit,

Abase me to self-loathing and self-abhorrence,

Open in me a fount of penitential tears,

Break me, then bind me up;

Thus will my heart be a prepared dwelling for my God;

Then can the Father take up his abode in me,

Then can the blessed Jesus come with healing in his touch,

Then can the Holy Spirit descend in sanctifying grace;

O Holy Trinity, three persons and one God,

inhabit me, a temple consecrated to thy glory.

When thou art present, evil cannot abide;

In thy fellowship is fullness of joy,

Beneath thy smile is peace of conscience,

By thy side no fears disturb,

no apprehensions banish rest of mind,

With thee my heart shall bloom with fragrance;

Make me meet, through repentance,

for thine indwelling.

Nothing exceeds thy power,

Nothing is too great for thee to give.

Infinite is thy might, boundless thy love,

limitless thy grace, glorious thy saving name.

Let angels sing for

sinners repenting,

prodigals reclaimed,

Satan's captives released,

blind eyes opened,

broken hearts bound up,

the despondent cheered,

the self-righteous stripped,

the formalist driven from a refuge of lies,

the ignorant enlightened,

and saints built up in their holy faith.

I ask great things of a great God.

from "The Valley of Vision"

Love in the Truth.

Before the Throne of God Above!

I love Shane and Shane - that is no secret. But lately, I've just be drawn so much closer to God through their ministry. I think that is why I love them so much - it is quite simply the greatest compliment one can pay another. May you draw near to Him; He is most worthy of our praise.

Love in the Truth.