Doctrines of Grace

I had been thinking about doing a series of posts looking at the Doctrines of Grace a while ago. But today I read the following Taste and See article from Desiring God Ministries so thought I would post a link to it and maybe come back to doing my own, slightly more detailed blog posts at a later date. Enjoy!

Rebuilding Some Basics of Bethlehem: The Doctrines of Grace :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library

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Before the Throne - Live from NWA 2009

It has been a long time since I last posted, very slack of me. I have loads of things I would like to write about, hopefully I will make more time to do it in the coming weeks. But for the first post back I want to review a cd. "Before the Throne" is the live worship cd from New Word Alive 2009. It is excellent. Songs are lead by Stuart Townend, Lou Fellingham and Keith and Kristyn Getty. If you attended the conference, listening to this is a great way to relive a part of it. It contains old favourites like " Before the Throne," "Oh to see the dawn," and "You are my Anchor (Father's Embrace)." But there are also some new songs (although since it has taken me so long to post this, not so new) which I am sure will become classics. "God Immortal" which is new take on the classic old hymn "Immortal Invisible" I believe, written by Lou Fellingham, is a great song, I've tried it at my church and it went well. "Creation sings" and "Come people of the risen King" are products of the never ending stream of quality new hymns from the Townend, Getty and Getty collaboration sure to be heard in churches round the land for years to come. It is also worth mentioning a very moving solo of "Hear O Israel" performed by Kristyn Getty part way through the album. If you are thinking of buying a new worship cd in the near future and want good music and quality lyrics, look no further.

Quote of the Day - The OC Supertones

"Kids in universities, drowning in an ocean of apostate philosophy, we need apologetic instruction, mental reconstruction, ignorance reduction, to halt the mass abduction, evangelical mind has been scandalized, wisdom and truth have been vandalized, by the unevangelized, no truth in a world that is randomized, expose the lies no matter how they're disguised."

Taken from their song "Grounded" which is on the album "Chase the Sun" I thought this quote was very relevant to my work with students. What a huge challenge to be a student or work with them!

My only post of this month, hopefully there will be more in the coming weeks, some album reviews, book reviews and some updates on London Urban Mission.

No, Mr.President

Having just become an uncle for the first time this week and seeing the amazing nature and blessing of new life, I thought I would post this video. I know it is American, and laws are different in some ways, and it is a sensitive and sometimes very complicated issue for some people, and people have different views of church and state etc, but I wanted to post it for info and because I think the conclusion of praying for governmental leaders is a big challenge which I nelgect. Please feel free to comment on it if you feel particularly strongly one way or the other.

Trial: Suffering to Bless

Listened to this today in the car. Some really good practical application as usual.
Check out the video:

Or audio:

Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind - John Piper

I listened to this on my commute to and from Stockton today. It is a John Piper sermon on Romans ch14v1-9. I found it really interesting and challenging. Maybe because I work for a non-denominational organisation it made me think even more. I don't want to fall into the trap of thinking "oh well it's a secondary, non-essential issue I don't really need to think about it or have deep convictions on it." But how do I go about having deep convictions and strong opinions on these things without causing division and trouble? This sermon helped.
You can listen here:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/225/Audio/
Or watch here:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/225/Video/

Book Recommendation - Jesus in College

I have been intending to recommend this little book since I read it a couple of months ago. It really is excellent, and even a slow reader like me can finish it in one short stint. I was simultaneously encouraged, challenged, motivated and excited as I turned the pages and took in the stories, ideas and personal testimony. Steph Bushell has honestly retold of her time as a student, a Relay worker, a UCCF Staff Worker with students in further education colleges in an engaging and very very honest way. There are great highs and lows, successes and failures, joys and sorrows as she retells of how she sought to make Jesus known to those who needed to hear the message. For students or workers involved in small Christian Unions in colleges or universities and for those thinking of starting a CU this book is a must read, you will find it inspirational I am sure.