Author: Brian

Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor

The Way of Sin

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

TakingGodSeriouslyThe way of sin is to live, not for God, but for yourself; to love and serve and please yourself without regard for your Maker; to try to be independent of him, to hold him at arm’s length, to keep the reins of your own life firmly in your own hands; yet at the same time to try to manipulate him as a means to your own ends and to use him as a safety net when you are in trouble…. Sin is deviation from the God who wants our fellowship and worship, and sin embraces self-absorption in place of God-centeredness.

– J. I. Packer in Taking God Seriously

Doctrine Collection

On By BrianIn Doctrine Collection

Here are some helpful posts on the doctrine of election:

How the Doctrine of Election Fueled Jesus’ Work – Hannah Ploegstra (GTF)
Being chosen in him means that our lives and mission will mimic his. The Bible’s glad doctrine of election should give us the same courage, clarity, and joy that it gave to Jesus in the work he has left us to do.

Before Galaxies Stood Forth, He Knew You – Jim Essian (FTC)
The cosmic love and wisdom of God should be a truth that collides with our heart (for it is personal to us) and explodes in our soul (for it will stir you to worship).

Ten Reasons to Revel in Being Chosen– John Piper (DG)
The adversaries may seem powerful and numerous and dangerous and dominant. But look again. You are God’s chosen ones, a “people for his own possession.” O, dear suffering Christians, Peter would say, do you feel what that means? Revel in being God’s chosen ones!

Declaring the Glory

On By BrianIn Declaring the Glory

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Lake Superior

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

What Is Reformation Day All About? – Robert Rothwell (Ligonier)
But what is the significance of Reformation Day, and how should we consider the events it commemorates?

Reformation Day: Jesus Came Knocking – Jon Bloom (DG)
In fact, given the prosperity that most of us in the West are experiencing and the arid spiritual climate most of us live in, it may be that the best way we can observe Reformation Day is to do some serious, prayerful soul-searching….  And we should ask ourselves, is Jesus knocking — or pounding — on our door? Are we hearing him? Are we ignoring or even resisting him? Are we tolerating and justifying any idols? 

How To Lose Your Zeal for Christ – Tim Challies
Are you zealous for Christ? Do you have a genuine zeal to live for him and to advance his cause in the world? Or have you lost the zeal that once marked you?

Two Ways To Sing To God – Joel Limpic (D&T)
Psalm 81:1 commands us to “sing for joy.” How does this command play itself out practically in our worlds, particularly when we feel joyless? I want to propose that to fully embrace this command, we must learn to sing in two ways: from affection and for affection.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day singing for joy to the Lord!

Undoing That Foul Revolt

On By BrianIn PASSION Quotes

PursuitofGodThe whole work of God in redemption is to undo the tragic effects of that foul revolt, and to bring us back again into right and eternal relationship with Himself. This requires that our sins be disposed of satisfactorily, that a full reconciliation be effected and the way opened for us to return again into conscious communion with God and to live again in the Presence as before.

– A. W. Tozer in The Pursuit of God

Family Collection

On By BrianIn Family Collection

Here are some good posts on parenting:

Parenting Well in a Digital World – Tim Challies
Even at the best of times there is nothing simple about raising children. But throw in a million new technologies—new devices and social networks and apps—and things get far more complicated still. This is every parent’s challenge today.

I Pray This for My Children – Gregory Harris
Part of my answer to those who asked me about raising our children would be that we repeatedly prayed for them….Here is what I prayed (and still pray) for my children….

The Most Important Thing My Parents Did – Tim Challies
Here is one thing I learned from my parents: Nothing can take the place of simply living as a Christian in view of my children.

A Healthy Christian

On By BrianIn Classic Quotes

MorningEveningWith a truly healthy Christin, his grace is externally displayed in his walk and conversation. If you talk with him, he cannot help speaking about Jesus. If you notice his actions, you will see that he has been with Jesus. He is so full of Christ that He must fill his conduct and conversation.

– Charles Spurgeon in Morning and Evening

Sermon Songs: Ephesians 1:7-8

On By BrianIn Ephesians Hymns

MusicNotes

In Christ we have great redemption
Freed from our just condemnation
He died to pay for all my sin
My trespasses all forgiven

Behold the riches of his grace
His salvation with faith embrace
Leave all your sin and guilt behind
Your heart in praise to God inclined

(To the tune of the Doxology)