John Piper on His Annual Writing Leave

John Piper is about to embark once again on his annual writing leave. He has some really great projects in the works and I encourage you to join with me in praying for him during this time. He writes:

Thank you for supporting me in these focused times away. They are not vacation. I usually work longer hours during writing leave than during regular ministry seasons.

So please pray for me that I would love my family well and that I would be very productive for the glory of Christ. Pray that I would devote more time to prayer, not less; that I would give more time to read and meditate on the Scriptures, not less; and pray that I would see beautiful truth in God’s word and be able to write about it in spiritually compelling ways.

Also, he includes why he values and pursues writing in the way that he does. One particular reason he writes greatly hits home to the passion that dwells within me for writing:

...there is an inner impulse that I cannot explain that drives me to write. I would write if there were no possibility of publication. I have hundreds of pages that no one has ever seen but me, and it would not matter ultimately if they were destroyed. I wrote them not to be published but because there is an impulse from within.

You can view his plan for his writing leave, as well as his other reasons for writing (perhaps the greatest reason being that he writes to make God look great) here.

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99 Balloons

Today marks the 37th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. This video shows the beauty of choosing life over abortion.

99 Balloons from Igniter Media on Vimeo.

HT: JT

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Mohler Asks, "Does God Hate Haiti?"

In recent days, it's been hard not to hear about the devastating earthquakes bringing much destruction to the nation of Haiti. These events have brought many to question whether or not God hates Haiti. Albert Mohler answers this question, and in my opinion answers it well saying:

Does God hate Haiti? God hates sin, and will punish both individual sinners and nations. But that means that every individual and every nation will be found guilty when measured by the standard of God's perfect righteousness. God does hate sin, but if God merely hated Haiti, there would be no missionaries there; there would be no aid streaming to the nation; there would be no rescue efforts -- there would be no hope.

I think it would benefit you well to take the time and read the rest of this post; as it is powerful, convicting and very encouraging. To God be the glory in the midst of this horrible tragedy.

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Do You Get Offended Easily?

Kevin DeYoung has a great post about being easily offended. He writes:

We live in an emotionally fragile culture. We are in touch with every hurt past, present, and perceived. We are the walking wounded and we want everyone to know. Which is too bad, because when people are genuine victims–profoundly, egregiously wronged–they deserve not to be lumped in the same category with those who got picked last for kickball or turned down for their church’s “special music.”

I encourage you to read the rest of the post, as it should come as a challenge to us all.

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A Sweet and Bitter Providence

John Piper just released a new book entitled A Sweet and Bitter Providence regarding the story of Ruth. Many people I know are reading this book, along with myself, so I thought I would post a video of Piper reading some excerpts from the book.



HT: JT

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Brit Hume Proclaiming The Gospel

Last night, Tim mentioned the controversy surrounding Brit Hume and his call for Tiger Woods to turn to the Christian faith. I thought I'd post the original interview with which the whole controversy started, as well a links to a round-up of the controversy and another interview from after the controversy began.



Justin Taylor has a nice summary of the controversy.

Sarah Bailey also interviewed Hume regarding the controversy for Christianity Today.

HT: JT & James Grant

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The End is Just the Beginning

"Better is the end of a thing than its beginning."
Ecclesiastes 7:8

These words from King Solomon have been on my heart for the past several days now. I think back to all of the dreams, hopes and visions I had when I arrived to begin my undergraduate studies. A completely different man than the one that writes these words today: one gripped with fear, immaturity and a desire to glorify self and self alone. As I make my way towards the end of this road, reaching my next journey, I think back to the many struggles and triumphs that have been had on this road. I look back towards the beginning and recognize the young, naive man who once embarked and is now emerging as the man God was calling Him to become.

If one were to ask me the greatest thing I learned during the past four years while pursuing my undergraduate degree, it would have nothing to do with my studies. For I have full assurance that God did not bring me here for an education. An education was obtained and will be useful in getting towards the next journey life might bring, but God brought me here to prepare and make straight the path His plan for my life. A young man so certain that God could not satisfy the way his own desires could came, but what is leaving is a man that resolves to think that the only thing worth caring about is to know God more fully and to make Him more fully known.

It's by the grace of God that He has brought me by His sovereign hand to this place. Nearing the end, I look forward to the new beginnings that are rapidly approaching. These beginnings already bring me much joy and excitement, and I can only imagine the growth God may continue to bring forth in my life. I stand now with an open heart and an open mind to what God may accomplish in the days he has left for me and hope that in everything I may seek to bring Him glory.

The great wisdom that lies in these words of King Solomon, is that at the end of a journey one may look back and recognize where that journey brought them. The power in these words can be found so richly in the process of sanctification. How in a matter of a few years, one can be brought much closer to a knowledge of God and the gospel, and much closer to the freedom of the bondage of sin and death. Perhaps the most glorifying part in it all, is that at the ultimate end, our sanctification will be made complete. At that time we will look back on our rugged journey with new bodies and renewed minds; and it will be just the beginning of a life filled with eternal praise and glory.

To Him who is able to bring us into His righteousness through the power of His redeeming sacrifice, to Him who sanctifies and renews our hearts and minds, to Him be glory, honor and full praise throughout all nations, tribes and tongues throughout the rest of time and the future glory to come. Amen.

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DeYoung's Modest Proposal

Kevin DeYoung makes a modest proposal for all Christians that I think is desperately needed amidst the culture which surrounds us. He begins:

I’d like to make a modest proposal for Christians of all theological and political persuasions: don’t use the term “social justice” without explanation.

The term is unassailable to some and arouses suspicion in others. For many Christians, social justice encompasses everything good we should be doing in the world, from hunger relief to serving the poor to combating sex trafficking. But the phrase is also used to support more debatable matters like specific health care legislation, minimum wage increases, or reducing carbon emissions. If something can be included as a “social justice” issue then no one can oppose said issue, because who in their right mind favors social injustice?

Read his whole proposal here.

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