Need Some Good Theology?

In case you haven't heard, John Calvin turned 500 years old this year. Amazing what a legacy this one man had on the church, society, culture, politics, etc.

To help celebrate the birthday, Desiring God's National Conference theme was of course "In the Theater of God: With John Calvin." This is where every speaker had Calvin part of their lecture.

Imagine Doug Wilson, John Piper and others all diving into the theology and teaching of Calvin. Well, imagine no more. The entire conference is now online and free for the taking.

Click here for the full experience of John Calvin and the folks from Desiring God.

Sons and Daughters

C.J. Mahaney on the new Sovereign Grace album, Sons and Daughters:

I highly recommend this album. This album is a means of preaching the gospel to yourself. It is a tool to remind yourself of God’s adopting grace. It will help convince you of God’s passionate and personal love for you. Listening to the truths of these songs will help clear away any suspicions you have of God, and help you to contemplate his love for you, evidenced nowhere more clearly than in the death of his beloved Son.

You can download for free the song “Completely Done.”

This Man Receives Sinners - Spurgeon

"This man receiveth sinners."
--Luke 15:2

Observe the condescension of this fact. This Man, who towers above all other men, holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners--this Man receiveth sinners. This Man, who is no other than the eternal God, before whom angels veil their faces--this Man receiveth sinners. It needs an angel's tongue to describe such a mighty stoop of love. That any of us should be willing to seek after the lost is nothing wonderful--they are of our own race; but that He, the offended God, against whom the transgression has been committed, should take upon Himself the form of a servant, and bear the sin of many, and should then be willing to receive the vilest of the vile, this is marvellous.

"This Man receiveth sinners"; not, however, that they may remain sinners, but He receives them that He may pardon their sins, justify their persons, cleanse their hearts by His purifying word, preserve their souls by the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, and enable them to serve Him, to show forth His praise, and to have communion with Him. Into His heart's love He receives sinners, takes them from the dunghill, and wears them as jewels in His crown; plucks them as brands from the burning, and preserves them as costly monuments of His mercy. None are so precious in Jesus' sight as the sinners for whom He died. When Jesus receives sinners, He has not some out-of-doors reception place, no casual ward where He charitably entertains them as men do passing beggars, but He opens the golden gates of His royal heart, and receives the sinner right into Himself--yea, He admits the humble penitent into personal union and makes Him a member of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. There was never such a reception as this! This fact is still most sure this evening, He is still receiving sinners: would to God sinners would receive Him.

The Biggest Loser

Ok, I have to admit this. I am a fan of NBC's The Biggest Loser.

I know, I know, you all are probably saying, "Isn't there something better that you could be watching on TV?"

Well, what can I say? I like the show. I like the weigh ins, I like the "last chance workout" scenes, I like the challenges. I like the show. A lot.

In fact, I like it so much that many times I find myself in tears during each episode. Doesn't that sound strange?

Let me explain. When I watch this show, I can not help but see how this parallels a spiritual walk. These "contestants" are on a specific mission. They have a goal in mind - to loose weight. Together. They know that they can't do it alone. They recognize where they have come from and where they are going.

To some extent, isn't that similar to our journey? Are we not on a specific mission? (To walk in a Christ-like manner). Do we not have a goal in mind? (To make the name of Christ more known). Are we not in community? (The family of God, the Bride of Christ). We do not have to look very far or hard to see where are "past" is. (Once a slave to sin, now a slave to righteousness). And we know that He who began a good work in us will complete it. (Sanctification).

Then Bob and Jullian say:
"Don't give up..."
"I am not leaving you here..."
"I see a champion here..."
"Your family needs you..."
"You are strong..."
"Choose to live..."
"Do it..."
"Focus my friend..."
"Good job..."

Those are the words that we need to be giving each other. To some extent, we are all coaching each other in this life.
We need to.
I want to be in your life and I want you to be in mine.

So here are my thoughts on how this can work in our Christian walk:

• Don't give up reading the Bible. It really is our power source. We can't live without it.
• Your family needs you. They need you to be strong. They need you to lead them in following Christ. Husbands, lead your wives. Wives, lead your husbands. Parents, lead your children. Young adults, lead your peers.
• Pray. Realize that you are not alone, because He is with you.
  
• Choose your life in Christ. You have been crucified with Him, now live in His resurrection.

2 Timothy 6:11-12
Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

FREE Music at Come & Live!

from Desiring God Blog

(Author: Lukas Naugle)

God has used Don't Waste Your Life to change the course of many lives since 2003. In the Spring of 2006, I had a chance to interview Chad Johnson about how it was impacting him. Little did he know that God would call him to leave his successful position at Tooth & Nail Records and start a non-profit music label called Come & Live! this year.

Come & Live! is an expression of the major themes of Don't Waste Your Life (radical generosity, risk taking love, making others glad in God, missions, living simply for the sake of giving, etc). The basic idea is that the label is like a missions agency, the musicians are like missionaries, and you do not have to pay for the music. I am encouraged by how God calls men and women in different industries and cultures to find ways to make others glad in God within their context.

You can download for free without registration their first music sampler I Am Living Vol. 01. If you enjoy indie rock, hardcore, and alternative music styles you will find some tracks you will appreciate (there is a great variety). Also included is a sermon excerpt from John Piper.