How to Speak Truth to Power

In his address at the 2012 National Prayer Breakfast, Eric Metaxas has given us a near-perfect example of how to speak truth to power. To take full advantage of his winsome example I would highly recommend the following: 1) Listen to Metaxas' address here (fast-forward to 34:00 minutes). 2) Listen to President Obama's comments following Metaxas' talk (starting at about 1:05:00). 3) Then read The National Review's commentary on both speeches here. Enjoy.

P.S. Here is an edifying epilogue from the man God used to lead Metaxas to Christ.

Desiring God 2012 Messages Link

I encourage you to check out this webpage and to listen to the addresses given at Desiring God 2012 conference. I have my favorites, but they were all very good. A few suggestions: Audio is fine for all the addresses except for Ramez Attalah's. You'll miss some very important elements unless you watch the video of this talk. Audio will work okay for the panel discussions, but would be better if viewed in order to catch facial expressions as the panelists banter back and forth.

Making the Most With the "Least of These"

I was privileged to attend the 2012 Desiring God conference last week with my good friend and fellow minister David Hatcher. The plenary speakers were John Piper, Douglas Wilson, Darrin Patrick, Crawford Loritts and Ramez Atallah. I knew and was therefore very excited to hear from all of the speakers except for Ramez Attalah (of whom I knew nothing.) Mr. Atallah was slotted as the very last plenary speaker, and I have to admit when this smallish man with big glasses, a neatly trimmed mustache and wearing a black suit took the podium I was less than hopeful regarding how riveting/useful his presentation would be. And boy-oh-boy was I wrong. The Desiring God folk had indeed "saved the best for last." His assigned topic was "courage and creativity in ministry" but the power of his message really has more to do with God's ability to accomplish amazing things with extremely humble means. You can watch the video here, but you might have to download it in order to view it. I'd love to hear your comments. Enjoy.

How Deep the Father's Love For Us

According to the people who made this short video, the message is "Family is Forever." But I would encourage you to watch it under the heading of "How Deep the Father's Love for Us." Enjoy.

The Reality of the Resurrection

I came down the birth-canal and landed in church. In my entire 54 years on the planet I cannot remember a time when I was not being taught the Bible, enjoying the friendship of other believers, encouraged to "walk my talk", being prayed for and being prayed with. Although I have heard the message given in the poem (below) too many times to reckon, I am still not anywhere near tired of hearing the "I owed a debt I could not pay. Jesus paid a debt he did not owe" message of the Gospel. Can I get a witness? Enjoy.

Click here for full screen version.

Sanctification: Slow, Not Seismic

As we considered a few weeks ago in our study of Nehemiah 8 (Authority of the Bible, part 2), a much neglected aspect of getting the Word of God "into our bones" is the ritual reenactment of the core tenets of our faith. Here is a helpful post on the importance of "becoming the liturgy." Be sure and watch the video which is linked near the end of the post. I agree with Ian Morgan Cron's observation that despite our craving for what some have described as the "quiver in the liver", sanctification is most often "slow" rather than "seismic." Enjoy.

HT: Angela Marton

Worship in Spirit and in Truth

Pastor John Piper on true worship:

The fuel of worship is a true vision of the greatness of God;

  the fire that makes the fuel burn white hot is the quickening of the Holy Spirit;

    the furnace made alive and warm by the flame of truth is our renewed spirit;

     and the resulting heat of our affections is powerful worship, pushing its way out in confessions, longings, acclamations, tears, songs, shouts, bowed heads, lifted hands, and obedient lives.