Considering Our Prodigal Message

Started in on The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Tim Keller tonight.  I couldn’t wait.  I’ve heard his sermons on the Parable, but I like books.  So much easier to interact with the content. 
So I found this at the end of the first chapter:
“Jesus’ teaching consistently attracted the irreligious while [...]

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Considering We Own The Night

We Own the Night takes place in drug plagued late 80’s New York City.  It is the story of a father and his two sons.  To say there are dad issues in this movie is quite the understatement.  I was reminded of the story of the Prodigal Son(s).  Joaquin Phoenix plays Bobby, the son of [...]

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Considering My New Books

I received my latest order from WTS Books today.  It has been some time between orders.  First, I had to wait until I got over $50 due to referrals.  Then I waited until the first book listed was available.  Finally, new stuff to read.

The Prodigal God by Tim Keller.  I should start this one this [...]

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Considering Free Will and Effectual Calling

Here are some more of the ‘controversial’ doctrines as I go through the Westminster Confession of Faith for licensure to preach.  Remember, no arguments- but if you think I misunderstood the Confession, let me know.
Chapter IX: Of Free Will
102. How is man’s will free, and not free? Can a sinner do anything good?   All [...]

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Considering Your Vote

This is a very interesting election season, to say the least.  I’ve been reading people’s blog posts, looking at internet boards my wife and I are involved in, etc. and seeing some interesting shifts among people of faith.
Words are interesting things- they have both the power to reveal AND conceal.  I am not a one [...]

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Considering Doubt and Unbelief

Some great thoughts from William Gurnall’s The Christian in Complete Armour (Oct. 23) on the differences between doubt and unbelief.
“A person should no more sit down and be content in his unresolved doubt than one who thinks he smells fire in his house would go to bed and sleep.  He will look in every room and [...]

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Considering Luther and Nazi Germany

My friend, Dr. Chris Probst, got his Ph.D. in history over the pond studying the connection between Martin Luther and Nazi Germany’s treatment of Jews.  He’s currently a fellow in Advanced Holocaust Studies at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, but he’s doing some lectures in Chicago next week.
Friday night, October 31st- a workshop at the Lessons & Legacies [...]

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The Progidal God is Released

Tim Keller’s book is finally released (now I can use my gift certificate).  The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith is now available for only $11.97 at WTS Books.
From WTS Books:
For skeptics, Keller gave The Reason for God. For sinners (all of us!): the extravagant grace of The Prodigal God. Fall in love with the [...]

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Considering Devotionals

I’ve started to use one of my devotionals again.  It’s been a couple of years since I’ve been in that routine.  I think trying to do the Pilgrim’s Progress devotional with the wife “ruined” me for awhile.  We tried to read it at night which is just not the best time for her to think.
The [...]

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Considering Christ Our Mediator

Still working through the Westminster Confession of Faith.  Here are the sections on the Covenant and Christ our Mediator.
Chapter VII: Of God’s Covenant with Man
80. What is a covenant (in terms of God’s relationship with man)?  It is a bond sealed in blood by which God has redeemed His people, and outlines how we [...]

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Considering the Fall of Man

My mission is nearly accomplished.  Today I passed my oral examination by the credentials committee in the local Presbytery.  I need to be licensed to serve as Stated Supply for the church I’ve been preaching for this Fall.  All I have left is the examination on the floor of the Presbytery.  It has been good [...]

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Considering Season-Ending Injuries

First it was Tom Brady.  His knee injury ended his season and their hopes for a return to the Super Bowl.  Prior to Monday’s game it was announced that Laurence Maroney was done for the year with a shoulder injury. His injury is not as crippling to the team since they have plenty of running backs.  If [...]

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Considering Creation and Providence

Here are my study notes on these topics.  The same caveats apply (see Considering the Scriptures).
Chapter IV: Of Creation
50. What is God’s work of creation? God’s work of making all that exists outside of Himself in the span of 6 days ex nihilo.
51. What is meant by the creation of man in God’s image?  [...]

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Considering Spiritual Delight and Danger

Ran across this in my reading this morning.  Great stuff!
“Ecstasy and delight are essential to the believer’s soul and they promote satisfaction.  We are not meant to live without spiritual exhilaration, and the Christian who goes a long time without the experience of heart warming will soon find himself to be tempted to have his [...]

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Considering God’s Eternal Decrees

Now here is an interesting and (sadly) controversial subject.  Not here to argue the case, but present the summary of the Westminster Confession on this matter as I prepare for my licensure exam on Wednesday.
Chapter III: Of God’s Eternal Decree
38. What are the decrees of God?  God, from all eternity, did freely and unchangeably [...]

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Considering the Trinity

The same caveat exist for as for my post on Scripture.  This is meant to summarize the doctrine found in the Westminster Confession of Faith.
Chapter II: Of God, and The Holy Trinity
20. List some incommunicable attributes of God. List some communicable attributes of God. Distinguish between the two. Omniscience & omnipotence.  Goodness & love.  [...]

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Considering Manna

This morning during breakfast, I was reading from the young Cavs from the Jesus Storybook Bible (which they love and I recommend).  It was about Moses and the Exodus. 
While reading about their grumbling in the wilderness, I pondered our own strange little journey in the past year.  We have gone nowhere geographically, but it seems [...]

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Considering the 2008 ALCS

He doesn’t put up the most spectacular stats.  But J.D. Drew just happens to come thru at the right time.  Bad back or no bad back.  His grand slam in Game 6 of the ALCS last year.  His key home run against the Angels this year.  His power surge while Big Papi was on the [...]

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Considering the Holy Scriptures

Here are my answers to the study notes as I prepare for my oral exam next week.  I thought some people might be interested in the types of things I must know.  Since there are over 300 questions, I’ll go chapter by chapter through the Westminster Confession of Faith.  Please …. I’m not putting them [...]

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Considering Instructing My Kids’ Hearts

I’m currently working my way thru Instructing a Child’s Heart by Tedd & Margy Tripp (also available on CD) in my free time.
So far it has been a good book to read: clear & convicting.  That’s why I wanted to read it- to become a more godly parent and learn to build what I never [...]

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