A thought on The Gospel

Today as I reflect on and rest in the Gospel I'm humbled and thankful. I'm humbled by His mercy and grace displayed through the Gospel daily to my soul. I'm thankful for His kindness that brings me to repentance daily before Him.

The Gospel is that by which I saved.
The Gospel is that in which my sanctification lies.
The Gospel is that in which I have life.
It is the salve for my soul when my soul aches.
It is the that which renews my soul daily.

Thank You LORD! Thank You for Your Gospel and its all encompassing depth! Thank You LORD for the richness You grant in my life through it! When my soul aches and You apply the balm of the Gospel to my heart. When my heart rejoices you apply the same Gospel so that pride and indifference may be repented of. Thank You LORD for Your Gospel!

Bible Reading Plan

One of the most amazing and fruitful works that God has wrought in my life has been through systematically reading through His Word. I'm praying about what to do next year. I'm considering using the M'Cheyne reading plan during my quiet time next year. If you have not undertaken any form of systematically reading through the Word I challenge you to do so. I posted a link on the left of the blog entitled Bible Reading Plans and there you will find a number of plans you can follow including the M'Cheyne plan. Time in His Word is essential for growth! Take up the challenge!

A thought from the early Church Fathers

The fathers would insist that it is in the womb of worship and the experience of God's redemptive act in Christ that theology is born, nourished and developed. This spurs me to dwell on the fact that theology and doctrine are of necessity. Scripture must fuel our search for proper theology and doctrine which then should fuel our practice.

May our theology drive our practice! Lord, may we seek You faithfully with a heart of worship and serve You passionately driven by a love for the gospel and people. May this be fueled by proper doctrine. I love You Lord!

New Devotional Site

Are you struggling with your Quiet Time? Here's a new site that has some great options for you:

http://devotionalchristian.com/

Check it out and I pray that God will use this tool in your growth.

Family Pics

Today we took some pictures. Jill decided that it was nice outside and we haven't taken any for a while so we all dressed in green shirts and out to take some. These are some of my favorites.



This is outside of our townhouse before leaving to go to the Seminary to take some more. It's amazing how big they are getting!



We stopped outside the library and took this one. They are on a ledge a couple of feet off the ground.



I love this one! Jill was able to get Binkley Chapel in the background!



Here is one of all of us. I'm so blessed to have such a beautiful family! The greatest privilege I've been given is being able to love and serve them! What an honor to have a wife that loves us as well as Jill does, I'm humbled to have her in my life.

Being a husband and father are the two greatest challenges in my life. The challenge is that since I'm the most prideful person I know I don't serve as well as I should. This keeps me repentant for the sin in my heart and dependent on my gracious Savior so that I can serve them. Thank You Lord for my amazing family!

Nobel Peace Prize

It was announced this morning that President Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. I pray daily for our President as I have our past Presidents but isn't this a little premature since he really hasn't done anything yet? There are no accomplishments or body of work to look at. He was only President for 12 days before the Noble nominations were due last February. Here is an interesting article from a source outside of the U.S. about this:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6867711.ece

Here is an interesting article from within the U.S.:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091009/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_nobel_analysis

I honestly would have no trouble seeing our President win such a prize but that should be after something is accomplished. In light of that I will continue to do the same in praying for him, I could not imagine the pressure of his position. The depravity of our world makes his position one in which we must pray for him, this same depravity demonstrates the need of all for for Christ. Christ must be proclaimed!

Great Discussion and Conference

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where I'm a student, recently held a conference in conjunction with 9Marks ministries called "God Exposed". This conference was the first of 9 that will correspond with each of the 9Marks. The first Mark is Expostional Preaching.

There was a great panel discussion held by Baptist21 that is worth listening to:

http://www.baptisttwentyone.com/?p=3019

I enjoyed it and was challenged to dwell deeply on what was discussed. In it is discussed the subject of mulit-site churches and what the gospel is among others. May you be challenged as well.

You can see the videos of the conference here:

http://www.sebts.edu/news-resources/multimedia.aspx?type=conferences

We must preach expositionally!