You may not have 17 minutes to watch this, but the point is clear: racial harmony IS biblical. May we be diligent to live our lives out of our convictions and not convenience. Grace to you all…
Bloodlines Documentary with John Piper from Crossway on Vimeo.
One of the things that I find myself enjoying from time to time is reading from dead men. It’s how, in my opinion, men (and women) who have passed on to the next life can still speak. Upon graduating from Seminary, I gave myself a gift. This was the one thing that I wanted and something I was setting out to accomplish in my lifetime: A.) Purchase the works of John Owen. B.) Read these Works.
I was first introduced to John Owen in my class on the Trinity. I was required to read Communion with God, and may I just say – almost every line has been marked in that little book. From there, I was introduced to The Mortification of Sin. Every Christian should read this book. No, really – stop reading this blog and go read that book. It will be good for your soul.
John Owen was a Puritan – which really doesn’t mean much to you or I these days. Essentially, these men were “passionately concerned with God and godliness… Puritanism was essentially a movement for church reform, pastoral renewal and evangelism, and spiritual revival. . . ” (A Quest for Godliness , JI Packer) That’s the kind of man I would want to read. In pouring over his works, over and over I see Jesus being exalted and framing all of his life and work. Here are some quotes that point this out:
“A minister may fill his pews, his communion roll, the mouths of the public, but what that minister is on his knees in secret before God Almighty, that he is and no more.”
“Many poor creatures are aware of their needs, but do not know where to find the remedy. Indeed, whether it be life or light, power of joy, all is wrapped up in Christ.” (Communion with God, pg 50).
“Our communion with God lies in his giving himself to us and our giving ourselves and all that he requires to him. This is communion with God flows from that union which is in Christ Jesus.” (Communion with God, pg 3).
“The vigour, and power, and comfort of our spiritual life depends on the mortification of the deeds of the flesh.” (The Mortification of Sins, chapter 1).
“What the Holy Spirit means to show us is that the word of Christ is sweet, fragrant and precious to believers. Believers see Christ to be excellent, desirable and beautiful in his commands, promises, exhortations and even in the most bitter warning.” (Communion with God, pg 74).
All this being said, I have much respect for the dead man. In 1644, John married Mary Rooke and they had eleven children, ten whom died as babies. Their only daughter to survived adulthood died of tuberculosis. I hope you find time in your day and life to read at lest a little something from this great man.
As a side note, I have not completed the works, but I’m making my way through them.
Mark Batterson shared a little bit about how the Holy Spirit is silent at time… go ahead: READ IT HERE.
I’ve been having some difficulties hearing from the Holy Spirit in recent days. Specifically in regards to a camp I’m preaching at in NM. Let’s revisit the verse in John:
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
Doesn’t seem that difficult or even really that complicated. But – it’s in wanting to hear from the Lord that we’re I am confronted with my own sin. Mark says it this way:
“if you cannot hear the voice of God maybe it’s because you aren’t willing to hear everything He has to say?”
So, for the sake of being honest, here are three things I’ve been dealing with lately in my personal life that I think are preventing me from hearing the Holy Spirit.
May by God’s grace we strive to be honest enough with ourselves and others that we can share openly about our struggles.
enjoy.
[H/T: Mark Batterson]
