HARMLESS THOUGHTS

I've read through Ryrie's Basic Theology and most of Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology.  I have listened to the audio version of Doctrine by Mark Driscoll and reread through most of it.  I've enjoyed God Wrote a Book by James MacDonald and many other books about the Bible... But it doesn't matter how many times I study this amazing book that we call The Bible... I am always amazed. I love how the Philadelphia Confession states it: We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church of God to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, and many other incomparable excellencies, and entire perfections thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God; yet notwith...

I am starting a new preaching series at church .  This series will deal with the topic of The Church.  I don't normally preach topically, I have a strong belief in expository preaching, but I also believe that there are times when certain topics need to be addressed.  I would like to share the two most dominant reasons why I am embarking on this study. Reason #1 - There are several major misconceptions about the Church. I feel like, especially in the last few months, that I am constantly encountering several major misconceptions about the church.  These misconceptions are exuding from people who are on the outside of the church, but also from those who are inside the church.  (When I say "inside" and "outside" the church, I am speaking about those who attend regularly and those who do not attend regularly or not at all.) One of the most frequently encountered misconceptions goes something like this, "The Church is an optional part of the Christian life...

A little while back I posted a video titled G.O.S.P.E.L.  It is by a group called Propaganda with Humble Beast Records .  On the Vimeo page for that video there was a link to download their latest album, titled Art Ambidextrous .  I downloaded the album, but it sat in my downloads for over a month before I finally loaded it onto my phone. Yesterday, while I was helping clean the house, I popped on my headphones and started listening to this album.  I gotta be honest, I think that I listened to this album 5 times in a row.  I especially liked one song titled Beautiful Pain. The first time I listened to it, it made me a little teary. It is about pain, but how pain is beautiful. The pain in our lives can leave scars, but it is beautiful, if you know the deeper results of the pain. I love the passion in this guy. I also like the deep theology that is presented here. Give it a listen. Here is the G.O.S.P.E.L. video in case you missed it the first time...

I finished the Christian Audio version of  The Next Story by Tim Challies about a week ago.  It took me longer than normal to get through this audio book, but not because of the book.  My phone's ability to read the memory card, where I put my audio books so I can listen to them while on the road, stopped working.  I had to listen to this entire book during spare moments of time in the morning and afternoon. The Next Story attempts to combine a discussion of technology with the elements of true spiritual discernment.  In other words, Tim Challies helps his readers "think through" technology.  Instead of simply purchasing and using new technology with possibly only a thought as to its price, he urges an evaluation of technology's history, usefulness, affects, side-affects, and connection to the gospel. I found this book to be very helpful in my own life.  There were aspects of technology that I had never considered; aspects concerning its affects ...

This had to be shared! (via 22 words )

I just wonder if I could get one of my sisters to try this...

Yesterday I received my invitation to Music Beta by Google .  So far I am really loving it.  They offered some free music to get things rolling.  There were several categories of music to choose from, or you could select "add all" . Since I love free stuff, I added it all.  Little did I know there would be 271 free songs!  (Yes, there is a 27 in there...) This morning I downloaded the Music Manager on my home computer.  Once it was installed, it started uploading all of my music in the background.  It will continue to upload everything until it is complete. If it gets interrupted, it will pick up where it left off.  Hopefully my wife keeps the computer plugged in and turned on today! After a day of using it (and using it while I type) it seems to work really well. As with all things Google, it is simple and easy to use. I can upload up to 22,000 songs without having to worry about adding additional storage.  There is an Android app avai...

I apologize in advance to any managers who may read this.  If you are an engineer, then, "you're welcome." A man is flying in a hot air balloon and realizes he is lost. He reduces height and spots a man down below. He lowers the balloon further and shouts: "Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?"  The man below says: "Yes, you're in a hot air balloon, hovering 30 feet above this field."  You must be an engineer" says the balloonist.  "I am" replies the man. "How did you know."  "Well," says the balloonist, "everything you have told me is technically correct, but it's no use to anyone."  The man below says "you must be in management."  "I am" replies the balloonist, "but how did you know?"  "Well," says the man, "you don't know where you are, or where you're going, but you expect me to be able to help. You're in the same position you were befor...

In case you didn't know , Christian Audio offers one free audio book each month.  This month's free book is A Place of Healing by Joni Eareckson Tada.   Even though I am a little behind on my audio book listening, this is definitely one that I am going to download.  I haven't heard of this book before, but I have heard of Joni Eareckson Tada.  Her story and the example of her life would lead me to believe that this is a book that we could all learn something from.  The subtitle of the book is  Wrestling With the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God's Sovereignty .   If you have never downloaded an audio book before, this might be a good one to start with.   Click Here to go the the Christian Audio site and download this free book.