A Day at Peaks View Park

Saturday was a beautiful day in Lynchburg, VA. We spent the day at the park babysitting a couple of great kids Ethan and Eliana. Ethan is going to be our little ring barer on July 5 for our wedding. I have to say I was a little worn out after the swing sets. He just kept saying, “higher, higher” and higher he went for 20+ minutes straight. We had a great time!

Below is a picture of Eliana and Ethan getting their daily dose of flavored H20. They’re drinking this stuff called Vitamin Water. Apparently it’s extremely good for you.

Ethan and I played ship. We were on our way to some country to tell people about Jesus. Seriously that’s what he said. I was the captain of the ship.

Eliana’s the best!

Ethan with his hat from the movie The Incredible’s.

My beautiful fiancee.

Steve Lawson: The Expository Genius of John Calvin

WTS:

Here is an intimate portrait of Calvin the preacher—the core beliefs that determined his preaching style, the steps he took to prepare to preach, and the techniques he used in handling the Word of God, interpreting it, and applying it to his congregation. In the pulpit ministry of the great Reformer, Dr. Lawson finds inspiration and guidance for today’s church and calls on modern pastors to follow the Reformer’s example of strong expository preaching.

It’s spring! How about a seminar on the T.U.L.I.P?

Desiring God has recently updated John Piper’s seminar on the TULIP with notes, new audio, and even video. For those interested or confused about Calvinism this series is a good introduction to this controversial acronym. John Piper gives a relatively balanced view of both sides. Whether you agree or disagree with what Calvinists call “the doctrines of grace” you will find these lectures both insightful and informative. Click here for the entire seminar.

Rick Phillips: Jesus the Evangelist

WTS:

Rev. Richard D. Phillips digs into the early chapters of the Gospel of John to discover principles for Christian outreach that were modeled by witnesses for Jesus and by Jesus Himself. Phillips unfolds biblical principles for evangelism by examining the ministry of John the Baptist and the calling of the first of Jesus’ disciples. Then, through a brief study of the Lord’s encounter with the Pharisee Nicodemus, he presents us with a theology of the gospel. Finally, he focuses in on Jesus’ stirring encounter with the Samaritan woman to show exactly how Christ shared the good news. Phillips’ clear and concise handling of these key stories will both motivate and instruct believers in their witness on behalf of Christ.

9Marks Interview with Phillip Jensen

9Marks has recently posted an interview with Phillip Jensen on Anglicanism and Evangelicalism.  Click here to listen.

9Marks:

Phillip Jensen discusses Australian Anglicanism, dealing with success, his lack of regard for the academy, training ministers, and more.

(HT: JT)

 

Learning to Love the Sovereignty of God

It wasn’t until my sophomore year till I began to wrestle with the doctrine that God was in control and ordains all things.  I remember spending a whole year in a type of theological crisis trying to make sense and reconcile God’s sovereignty and the free will of man.  I have since come to fall in love this doctrine.  Listen to John Piper talk about his early days on this topic. 

Laura Story: Great God Who Saves

Laura Story is worship leader at Perimeter Church in Duluth, Georgia. She wrote the popular worship song Indescribable and just released an album of her own called Great God Who Saves this past March. I listened to some of the tracks and I was quite impressed. Click here to listen to them yourself. She also has a myspace page with with some full songs. Immortal, Invisible and Hillsong’s Mighty to Save are a couple of my favorites on the album. To hear the story of the song Indescribable click here.

In the video below Laura Story talks about marriage, how she met her husband and his recent battle with a brain tumor.

(HT: Worship.com)