Randy Alcorn: Resolved 2008 Countdown (VII)

Now there are only three days left until Resolved. I’ve finished all of the CDs I wanted to make of last years conference to hand out to people who weren’t there last year. The thing is I haven’t even started packing yet or tried to figure out what I wanted to take.

The last speaker is Randy Alcorn. He is the newest speaker to the line up. All the other guys were there last year. Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). Which has an emphasis on the eternal viewpoint. Alcorn has been studying Heaven for over 25 years. I mean the biblical Heaven. He has been studying the Bible to see what it says. I’m glad He has been studying that. The generations in the last few centuries have lost site of Heaven and what it is really like. You can read his bio page here from EPM.

Reading Update
I’ve been able to read more of Heaven by Randy Alcorn. I don’t think I’m going to be able to finish by Friday evening.
I did recieve my order so I got my other books. Maybe someone in my car could read Edward’s Heaven, A World of Love. That would be cool.

 

Steve Lawson: Resolved 2008 Countdown (VI)

Only 4 Days left. I’m getting more excited everyday. I still need to figure out what I’m going to take and make sure it is all ready to be packed. That is going to be some work.

The next speaker is Steve Lawson. The message I remember most by Steve Lawson from last years conference was the cost of Discipleship. I need to listen to the conference again. I probably won’t be able to do it before this years conference but I do need to listen to it again. Steve Lawson is the president of New Reformation Ministries. I don’t remember what it is about and I couldn’t tell you because the site is down at the moment I’m writing this blog. Oh Well. You can find some of his books on the Ligonier Ministries Website. He is one of the Reformation Trust Authors. You can find his page of that here
He is working a on series of book called A Long Line of Godly Men. The first book which is published is called Foundations of Grace. You don’t have to buy it there. You can buy it at Amazon, Grace Books International, Monergism, Reformation Heritage Books, Westminster Books and Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service. You can find his little info page on the Resolved site.

Reading Update
I was able to read a little more in Heaven. But not very much more. I’m going to be able to finish the first part of the book (Theology of Heaven) before the conference.
The other book I’m waiting for which is supposed to be coming by UPS. It is out for delivery so I hope it comes before I have to go to work. The book is Heaven on Earth: Capturing Jonathan Edwards’s Vision of Living in Between by Stephen Nichols. I also ordered Heaven, A World of Love (Pocket Puritan Series) by Jonathan Edwards also because I said, “Hey, that is the kind of thing I was looking for.” Come to find out Banner of Truth Trust just published it in a new series that they are planning to expand called Pocket Puritans. You should go check it out. As I am writing this, they are on the front page in the new releases section. They are the first four. I hope to be able to look at all three of these books before Resolved.

I apologize for so many links. Click carefully.
Mark

 

Psalm 51, Crushed with Guilt

On Sunday, John Piper preached his third sermon in the Psalm series. He preached from Psalm 51 about sin and guilt. I pray that you folks would listen to it as well as the rest of the series. Next week while I’m at resolved, he’ll preach the next one then fly to Resolved to preach to us there.

Here are the three sermons so far:

Songs That Shape the Heart and Mind
Psalms: Thinking and Feeling with God, Part 1
Psalm 1
May 25, 2008

Spiritual Depression in the Psalms
Psalms: Thinking and Feeling with God, Part 2
Psalm 42
June 1, 2008

A Broken and Contrite Heart God Will Not Despise
Psalms: Thinking and Feeling with God, Part 3
Psalm 51
June 8, 2008

John Piper uses the English Standard Version (ESV).

 

China: Earthquake and Persecution

Hey readers.
It’s really been a while since I’ve posted. If this blog represents the spiritual disciple in my life, it’s doing a pretty good Job. As I have prayed that God would draw me closer to Him, I’ve been seeing it happen but I would like continued prayer as I am still struggling. Pray that the world would have less and less of a grip on me. I was able to witness to a couple of people, Alisha and some others. Pray for Alisha though. She is in love with her sin so much that she is blinded.
On to the subject of this post:

I was reading my email and I saw an article on the front page of my email about the aftershocks and fear of the Chinese people. As I was skimming it, I thought about the fact that God uses Natural disasters as both punishments of wrath against their sin but also to serve as a warning.

My personal opinion is that this earthquake and it’s after shocks are because God is angry with the Chinese for the crackdown on Christians because of the up coming Olympics. I started going through my email and I was finding emails about that all the way back to October. They might go back even further but I didn’t check.

The emails I receive are from the Voice of the Martyrs, Open Doors and other ministries serving the persecuted. I thought I might quote some of the emails.

These arrests are the latest in the Chinese communist government’s crackdown on Christians prior to the Olympics this summer.”

As China prepares to host the 2008 Olympic Games, a recent debate of whether athletes will have personal access to Bibles during their stay in Beijing sparked international controversy.

An announcement stated that the country intended to ban Bibles for security reasons, as well as all religious symbols in the Olympic Village — a report that came on the heels of China’s official pledge to encourage religion during the 2008 Games.”

Pray for Christians in China who face increased persecution ahead of the 2008 Olympics.”

Here is the last quote I’m going to include. I have decided to include the whole email I recieved from Christian Freedom International back in October of last year. I hope you see what I’m saying through all these quotes. I’m trying to show you whats happening and why I’m thinking the recent earthquake was a warning and a punishment on China. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not turning my back on China. Continue to pray for them. Send relief. But don’t forget to pray against the persecution and mistreatment of Christians. So I end with the email from October.

With the Olympics less than a year away, Beijing is set to achieve a major propaganda victory.

Yet the so-called People’s Republic of China just launched another church crackdown, arresting at least 15 Christian leaders in six provinces.

Fortunately, you and I can do something. We don’t have to purchase Chinese toys or products.

I urge you to call, write, or email the Chinese embassy in Washington and the following companies to explain why.

Walmart | Toys R Us | Mattel | Hasbro | Target

Here is the email address for the Chinese embassy in Washington:
chinaembassy_us@fmprc.gov.cn, or call (202) 328-2500.

You can simply say, “Unless China allows religious freedom and stops the persecution of Christians I will not buy products made in China.”

We can–we must–shame the Chinese government for denying its citizens the freedom to worship God.

I know such a strategy might not bear immediate fruit, but in following the Gospel pattern we would be planting seeds for the future.

We must never forget the plight of our brothers and sisters abroad–whether in China or elsewhere.

Please forward this alert to others.
Sincerely,
Jim Jacobson
Christian Freedom International

If you would like updates on Persecuted Christian see the following Ministries’ websites and maybe even sign up for their e-newsletters.

• Open Doors
• The Voice of the Martyrs
• Christian Freedom International

Please continue to pray for Burma and China.

Mark

 

Man is Evil!

I found this video on the Way of The Master Radio Website.
It’s a Video Sermon Jam of Paul Washer.
Watch This Video, Listen to it.

Now how do you feel? Sinful? Good. Turn to Christ. You need Him because of your Sin.

 

Testimony

I have decided to post my Testimony. This is the one I read at my baptism. The picture is above. It’s me being raised out of the water by Pastor Bob, the Youth Pastor.

I grew up in the church. At age 12, I supposedly made a commitment to Jesus Christ and was baptized.

I later realized that I had not become a Christian at that time because after that I was still loving my sin and hating God. Deep down inside I did not like that God made laws for me to follow. I wanted to do what I wanted to do not what He wanted me to do. I was lying and deceiving people. I was stealing. I was using God’s name in vain. I was dishonoring my parents and hating others. I was not putting Him first in my life. As well, sexual immorality had a huge grip on my life. In July 2006, God took a certain person out of my life and began to deliver me out of sexual immorality as well as my sin in general. I came to realize after that God did this for my good and my gain.

That is when God started working on me, humbling me and showing me that I could not live my life on my own. Previously, I was using God as a means to get what I wanted. He was now convicting me of my sin and bringing me to Himself that I would see Him for who He truly is.

God worked on me and worked on me. He got me thinking about eternal things.

At Resolved, in February 2007, God took me deeper. I found myself thinking about eternal life, sin, salvation, the cost of discipleship, the cost for God to forgive sins and how sinful I was before Him. I agreed in my heart with one of the prayers I heard to have God move in my soul and bring me out of my trespasses and sins. God used that prayer to move me even closer to Him. He had me thinking hard, really hard about my salvation.

The Tuesday after Resolved, God gave me the power to give my life to Him. I found myself thinking, “What if I’m not saved?” “I don’t want God’s wrath. I want God.” So I said to myself, “I need to just give my life over to Christ and put it in His hands.”

Between 7 and 8PM on February 20th, 2007, while I was sorting books at the library where I worked, in my mind I prayed, “Christ, I am yours. Do with me what you wish.” At that point, I gave my life over to God by His power, not my own this time.

Now after I’ve become a Christian, I’m not perfect on my own. I still make mistakes, but God sees me as perfect in Christ because His life and perfection have been given to me. I still sin, but I hate sin and I hate that I do it.

I’ve come to love Christ and treasure Him more dearly. I don’t want to sin against God any more. I want to be baptized because I want to do what He wants me to do. I want to serve Him now. I care about sinners who do not know Jesus. I want them to be able to enjoy God forever for who He is.

I have learned that God is our ultimate joy and I want Him to be that joy in my life more and more. I want to learn more about Christ and God. I want to live for God’s glory.

 

Resolved Conferences (III)

I decided I would include the list of Recommended Books that was at the end of the Resolved Conference Booklet from 2007. The next six books were recommended in the booklet. The paragraphs included under the titles were also included in the booklet from the conference.

GOD IS THE GOSPEL By John Piper
“With his inspiring writing style, John Piper calls you to meditate on the gospel and be satisfied with an intimate knowledge of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. As you read this biblical and cross-centered book, Piper will draw your focus to justification, forgiveness, the glory of Christ in evangelism and sanctification, gladness in the gift of God Himself. ‘The glory of Christ is ignored by the synthetic, man-centered message so often shared in evangelism. But the true gospel of God proclaims the death and resurrection of Christ.’ As you read this book, expect to be confronted with the glory of Christ and encouraged to diligently proclaim His message!” (From Page B of the Resolved Conference Booklet 2007)
Review

THE GOSPEL FOR REAL LIFE By Jerry Bridges
“The Gospel of Jesus Christ is not just for initial salvation! God calls us to take up our cross daily and strive for holiness. Achieving this though is not always easy, but instead requires self-examination in all areas of life. Now available with a study guide, this recent and powerful book refuses to avoid the unpopular topic of sin. Instead Bridges will help you understand and implement the power of the gospel so as to enjoy real freedom and continued victory over sin and legalism as you follow Christ!” (From Page B of the Resolved Conference Booklet 2007)
Review

THE GLORY OF CHRIST By John Owen
“To see the glory of Christ is on the greatest privileges that a Christian can enjoy. In his immense essence, the infinite God is invisible to our finite human eyes, and will remain so for eternity. Only ‘in the face of Jesus Christ’ can we see God and be filled with peace and rest. Reading this good will present you with a sense of his uncreated glory, blazing for in Christ, to the intent that you will be satisfied and filled with joy.” (From Page B of the Resolved Conference Booklet 2007)
Review
A second Review

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE APOSTLES By John MacArthur
“Ever since the days of the apostles, Christian have struggles to define the proper relationship between faith and works. Salvation, according to Paul, is ‘not by works, so that no one can boast.’ But James argues that ‘faith without works is dead.’ In his characteristic, compelling style, MacArthur reconciles these two seemingly divergent threads of biblical truth.” (From Page B of the Resolved Conference Booklet 2007)
Review

LIVING THE CROSS CENTERED LIFE By C.J. Mahaney
“Too many Christians get caught up in the life’s optional extras and then wonder why they are drifting in a sea of difficulty. The simplle reason is that they have lost sight of the core reason for their new life—the cross of Jesus Christ, our mediator. C.J. Mahaney reminds his readers of the importance of the cross and describes how its gospel message provides strength for the present and assurance for the future. Be encouraged to regain your moorings and set sail under the power of a cross-centered life!” (From Page B of the Resolved Conference Booklet 2007)
Review
A second Review

THE CROSS AND CHRISTIAN MINISTRY By D.A. Carson
“Jesus’ work on the cross not only won our redemption but also stands as the test and pattern of all Christian ministry today. This heartwarming exposition will challenge and encourage church leaders and their congregations. What can a first-century view of the cross teach us about Christian leadership? Plenty, says this respected New Testament scholar. In his thorough exposition of 1 Corinthians, Carson explores factionalism, servant-leadership, shaping “world” Christians, and other issues to help you gain a better understanding of what the death of Christ means in ministering to God’s people.” (From Page B of the Resolved Conference Booklet 2007)
Review

 

Welcome to the Blog

Welcome to the Blog. This actually isn’t my first blog. My first blog never actually got started. It is Meditations of the Christian Hedonist. For now it’s there but if I ever delete it, I need to remember to take the link out of the post.I guess you could say this blog is inspired by that one because I really wanted to start one but that one is too narrow. It was also inspired by Tony Rienke’s Blog The Shepherd’s Scrapbook. I’m hoping the get help from this guy with mine. He helped C.J. Mahaney start his on the Sovereign Grace Ministries Website.

I want my blog to be similar to Tony’s blog. I’m thinking that many are thinking, “What can a twenty year old give to the church?” I’m thinking the same way. What can I give to the church? There are so many more knowledgeable guys out there with blogs, like John Piper’s Blog on DesiringGod.org, C.J. Mahaney’s on Sovereign Grace Ministries and Tony Rienke’s The Shepherd’s Scrapbook. What can I give? Without the grace of God purchased at the Cross of Christ I can do nothing, but I know that with that given grace, Christ can work through me to create a blog that glorifies Himself. I want to use this blog as a stepping stone between man and Christ. That the Spirit would move through the word’s in this blog to Glorify Christ. I want this blog to be saturated with the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. I want it to Boast only in the Cross of our Lord.

I’m doing this for the Glory of God and the sake of other people. I get to enjoy Christ getting glorified as people fall further in love with Him through the writing of this blog. I hope that God will use this blog to glorify Himself. I pray it does all this.

Mark