Mourning man lies in own grave, and waits to die | Oddly Enough | Reuters

Mourning man lies in own grave, and waits to die | Oddly Enough | Reuters


Talk about returning to the old man!

Obama placed under Secret Service protection - CNN.com

Obama placed under Secret Service protection - CNN.com

Is anybody else thinking, "24: Season One?"

New Book, Old Lie - Some Thoughts on the Bestseller "The Secret"

New Book, Old Lie - Prison Fellowship

Mark Earley offers a short, but excellent critique (expose?) of Rhonda Byrne's, "The Secret."

He concludes:

Unfortunately, people are really swallowing this stuff. And it is dangerous. The book contains examples of people who supposedly cured themselves of cancer without treatment, and people who bought expensive things because they just knew the money was coming in—I saw many of those in bankruptcy court when I was a practicing attorney. Karin Klein reports in the Los Angeles Times, "Therapists tell me they're starting to see patients who are headed for real trouble, immersing themselves in a dream world in which good things just come."

Byrne has scammed millions of people by appealing to their pride and greed, and she is making a fortune. But I will tell you this for free: Byrne's hot new trend is simply a repetition of the oldest lie there is—"You shall be like God."

That's the secret, not of success, but of misery.

Free Audio Download of Richard Baxter's "The Reformed Pastor"

Christian Audio: Free Downloads

My TBS students will know that I am excited about this!

One of the most important books any pastor can read is Baxter's work on how to shepherd the souls under your care. It is at once theologically-driven and practically rich - even though written hundreds of years ago.

Here is a free download for you! Simply fill out your customer information and insert the coupon code MAY2007. I have not listened yet, but I have those files in iTunes just waiting for my iPod!

(HT: Challeez)

Arbeite und Hoffe: He Hung

Arbeite und Hoffe: He Hung

My friend Jason offers a poem to the world from the perspective of the thief Christ saved while on the cross. He wrote an interesting article a while back about the same subject...

Book Review: 444 Surprising Quotes About the Bible

444 Surprising Quotes About the Bible: A Treasury of Inspiring Thoughts and Classic Quotations

Compiled by Isabella D. Bunn (Bethany House, 2005)

I have never been a fan of “quote books” and to be completely honest... have no idea how this one ended up in my library! Nevertheless, I am happy to recommend this little paperback to you.

Isabella Bunn has assembled a very diverse and interesting selection of quotations from a wide variety of sources – from John Newton, to American Presidents to Tolstoy to W.C. Fields (yes, that W.C. Fields, who said, “I have spent a lot of time searching through the Bible for loop-holes.”)

The most impressive quote I found was from John Dryden, English poet and dramatist, who wrote in his poem ‘Religio Laici:’

Whence, but from Heav'n, could men unskill'd in arts,

In several ages born, in several parts,

Weave such agreeing truths? or how, or why

Should all conspire to cheat us with a lie?

Unask'd their pains, ungrateful their advice,

Starving their gain, and martyrdom their price.

All in all, the sheer volume of quotes praising the God of Scripture and displaying the impact of His Word on human thought and structures served to warm my heart to “Take up and read!” And that would be my only caution: men are more prone to read about the Bible than to read it. If this little book should help you to the greater end, the personal, thoughtful reading of the Book of Books – then it will be a fine investment indeed!

Feeling the Pinch?

Today's Family News: "Close to half of all family income goes to paying taxes, a study by the Vancouver-based Fraser Institute has concluded."

Martyrs in Turkey - (2)

In case you read this report on the three brothers killed for their faith in Christ in Turkey with a certain reserve or suspicion, here is an AP article that explains things.

I also recieved a note today from a friend of mine who lives in Turkey and knew the German man spoken of in the article.

These things are real.

One cannot help but see the irony of Islam... riots and deaths over a Danish cartoon, but you will not see true Believers in Jesus looking for retribution. In fact, the two widows spoke on national TV in Turkey and expressed their forgiveness to the 5 murderers.

May the blood the martyrs be the seed of the church!

Together for the Gospel - Registrations Open Tomorrow!

Together for the Gospel

I have this feeling that T4G will fill up in less than three weeks.

Call me crazy.

Martyrs in Turkey

The Voice of the Martyrs - News

I made reference to this information in a sermon preached on suffering yesterday.

The letter contains graphic descriptions of the torture these three brothers endured.

Doing Hard Things

Moses gave God 5 reasons why he should not be the man to lead Israel out of Egypt. God was not impressed and did not retract His command.

The Lord rarely calls on us to do what is easiest for us.