The Truth War

Slated to come out this Spring [2007] is MacArthur's new book "The Truth War". I guess it will discuss the Emergent Church among other things in the current Evangelical landscape.

[HT: PyroManiacs Blog]

Self Love

Self love is shallow! Do you avoid looking into your life because you have "self love"? I know I do at times. Lets break the cycle and know ourselves fully that we might walk more honestly with our God, family, and friends. For Jesus Christ's namesake. Amen.

"It were an easy thing to be a Christian,if religion stood only in a few outward works and duties,

But to take the soul to task, and to deal roundly with our own hearts, and to let conscience have its full work, and to bring the soul into spiritual subjection unto God,

This is not so easy a matter, because the soul out of self-love is loath to enter into itself, lest it should have other thoughts of itself than it would have."

[Richard Sibbes (1577-1635) was a Puritan pastor. Quotation is from The Soul's Conflict, and Victory Over Itself by Faith, XV:vii:6, in The Complete Works of Richard Sibbes, Vol. 1, (Edinburgh: James Nichol, 1862), p. 200.]

[UPDATE: I intended to but forgot to mention that I found this quote in David Powlison's book Speaking the Truth in Love.]

It’s Always Cool to Get Free Books!

I haven’t been given so many free books in my life…check it out! I got these for free last weekend!~

Speaking the Truth in Love [David Powlison]

Reformed Pastor [Richard Baxter]

Polity [edited by Mark Dever]

MacArthur NASB Study Bible [John MacArthur]

Humility [CJ Mahaney]

Getting the Gospel Right [RC Sproul]

Give Praise to God [edited by Ligon Duncan III, Derek Thomas, & Philip Ryken]

Counted Righteous in Christ [John Piper]

9 Marks of a Healthy Church [Mark Dever]

I've finished Sex, Romance and the Glory of God and it was great. I'm in the middle of Speaking the Truth in Love and it's very good too.

It's been a While

Wow...

Friends, it's been a while. I'm back in Des Moines again. God is good...and life is seriously in a whirlwind right now...but it's good!

Thank you for praying for me while I was in Washington DC. I'll give a little more of an update later, but I just wanted everyone that reads this to know that God is good and it went very well...I feel like a different person with some of the perspective that God has given.

Anyhow...I hope you're all doing well.

In Christ
Noah

"Till the God of Love Sees Fit"

"Plagues and deaths around me fly;

Till He bids, I cannot die;

Not a single shaft can hit,

Till the God of love sees fit."

(John Ryland from A.W. Pink's The Soveregnty of God pp. 145)

"If It Be His Sweet Will"

"Ill that He blesses is our good,

And unblest good is ill,

And all is right that seems most wrong,

If it be His sweet will."

(from A.W. Pink's The Sovereignty of God pp. 148)

“Paganized Small Town America?”

What is going on in small towns???

Lanesboro, MN: A few months ago Lindsey and I stayed at a B&B in Lanesboro, MN. It’s known to be a small “artsy” town. On the surface you might think that it is pretty innocent. Well, it’s not innocent at all. It used to be [from what I gather] a small German and Amish settlement and mainly agrarian. Well, if the shops on main street are any indication of what it is now, I would say it is a secular/pagan/wiccan/with some Christianish influence thrown in for good measure.

Well, you’d think, “that’s just Lanesboro, MN,” well no, it’s not!

Eureka Springs, AR: We were just in Eureka Springs, AR and we saw the same kind of “artsy” small town. Only this is in the “Bible Belt”. Well we saw some of the most pagan shops you could imagine. From native American spiritual gifts complete with mixtures of teas for healing…to homosexual themed ornaments…to witches that are clearly a “niche” market. The strange thing is that there appears to be a Wiccan influence taking root in these small towns by what the stores are selling. One of the clearest marks of this is the mainstreaming of things like stuffed animals [witches], decorations [nudity all over the place] and cards. These cards have witches and fairies as themes. Weird! These aren’t like tinker bell from a Disney movie…these fairies and witches clearly convey a deeper “spiritual” message. I bought a pair of shoes at a more “mainstream” store and the woman who sold them to me had a pentagram tattooed on her hand. Also, the incense was so strong in the stores that my brother in law's allergies were going nuts. With all the smells it was almost like I was back in India with all the incense.

What’s going on?

These themes probably don’t fairly generalize the entire towns of Eureka Springs and Lanesboro, but I’m trying to figure out what is going on here.

Why did I get this impression? It’s almost like as the population has left some people have revitalized the town and made it a “tourist trap” and somehow hippies and some of these occult things have moved in.

About an hour away is the Rogers/Bentonville area. The main question that pops into my mind is, “Are they sending missionaries from these 5,000 plus congregations to reach these small towns?” They need to hear the gospel in contrast to Tibetan Buddhism, Native American Pantheism, Wicca, etc.

Have you guys observed this in other small towns you’ve been to? If yes, which ones? I’m just curious.

"Some of My Favorite Jazz Musicians"

I was going through a bunch of pictures today and took some of these with the "digital macros" function of our camera.


Left: Charlie Haden, Bass Right: Larry Grenadier, Bass


Bill Frisell, Guitar



From Left to right: Tony Corson,Tuba [friend] Steve Gilberston, Piano [friend], Brad Meldau, Pianist, Me


Wynton Marsalis, Trumpet


Roy Hargrove, Trumpet


John Abercrombie, Guitar

"Where Have You Been?"

This is a cool link that I saw at Brandon Barker's blog. You can make a map of all the places that you've ever been to. Below are all the places I've been. Pretty cool! Check it out!


It's pretty obvious that I'm from the midwest!



I'll have to update this after next week in Washington DC :o)

Prayer Request--Nate Rowland

Hey guys please pray for a good friend and brother in Christ Nate Rowland.

He has felt God call him out of the education field and into public service as a fire-man [sorry Nate...I don't know the technical title].

Anyhow, he's made it through all of the interviewing...but he has to pass a final physical evaluation.

He has felt spiritual warfare in the form of an attack from the enemy of doubt, restlessness, etc.. So pray for peace in his heart and in his mind that can only come from our Lord!

"When was the last time you shared the gospel...Verbally?"

I like to make it a practice to do this with folks I see regularly...like my barber and the guys that work on our car.

There are a ton more people that I could talk about the gospel with, but these are the guys, most recently, that I've had pretty good conversations about Jesus Christ.

Anyhow four key points I try to hit!

(1) God [creater/sovereignty]
(2) Man [the fall specifically/need for atonement]
(3) Jesus Christ [atoning sacrifice]
(4) Response [will you repent of your sins and believe this]

I'll share more about John [guy that works on our car] later, but just getting your brain ticking:)

"Good Form!"

Well, I bet you never dreamed that you would see pictures like these:)

Lindsey has really good form... Legs shoulder width apart. Arms fully extended, etc.

Me on the other hand...

I was anchoring my left elbow in my chest... here I have it extended a little bit, and I had my left leg about a foot in front of the other one. The funny thing is... my poor form was fairly accurate. I hit the target fairly well.

[Here's my poor form at it's worst!]


Lindsey was a good shot too...I sure wouldn't want to be in a gun duel against her! :o) She seems innocent, but wow, she's deadly!

Sobering yet Encouraging Words of Christ

(1)  Sheep in the midst of wolves...

"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.  Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.  When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.  For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.  Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. [Matt 10:16-22, ESV]"

(2)  Do not fear those who can kill the body and not the soul...

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell...  So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. [Matt 10:28, 32-33, ESV]" 

(3)  Jesus did not come to bring peace, but a sword...

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.  And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.  Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. [Matthew 10:34-39, ESV]"

(4)  Rewards...you can't lose it if you have received the promise of it... and fruit through actions can give assurance to the faith that the promise is rooted in...

"[for the context read Matt 10:40-41]  And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. [Matthew 10:42, ESV]"

12 apostles/disciples

Matthew 10:2-4 [Further Devotions]

(1)  Simon who is called Peter

(2)  Andrew, his brother

(3)  James son of Zebedee

(4)  John, his brother

(5)  Philip

(6)  Bartholomew

(7)  Thomas

(8)  Matthew the tax collector

(9)  James, the son of Alphaeus

(10)  Thaddaeus

(11)  Simon the Cananaean

(12)  Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Christ.

"Monkey-Wolf"

Well, Lindsey and I were eating dinner with my parents on Tuesday, and we were talking about my mom's first day back to school [she's an elementary music teacher]. 

Anyhow, in music class with the youngest students you usually sing things with the solfege "sol, mi, sol sol, mi" to build tension and then resolve to "doh" eventually.  This starts to train the kids, without their knowledge, about melody...etc. 

So they would sing about something that they saw in the Summer...they got to one kid and he sang "I saw a monkey wolf." [Or something like that.]  They stopped and my mom asked him to explain.  Well, he described a creature that drags children off [and I would assume eats them].  Mom correct me if I'm wrong:)

Well, we were all laughing thinking this had to be a campfire story...well I found out that there is such a think as a "Wolf Monkey" [the words are flipped around, but it could be the same thing].  But I doubt this thing eats young children.

Click here to check it out.

Fox News Reporters "Freed"

On what basis?? Well, I noticed this in the article, "Captors Release Two FOX News Journalists Kidnapped in Gaza Aug. 14."

"We were pushed down onto the dirt-covered concrete floor and we were forced to lie face down with our handcuffs on,"

"Olaf was in the same room with me. Our shoulders were wrenched back, very painful."

"'We were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint,' Centanni told FOX News. 'Don't get me wrong here. I have the highest respect for Islam, and I learned a lot of good things about it, but it was something we felt we had to do because they had the guns, and we didn't know what the hell was going on.'"

So...did they really convert to Islam? Or were they just playing along?? If they did...this is not "freedom"...the press needs to rethink this headline.

A few more questions…is this going to become more common? It seems it might. What are you prepared for something like this? What would you do?

Just some food for thought...

1 Peter 1:6-7
"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. [ESV]"

Hebrews 4:15-16
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. [ESV]"

1 Corinthians 10:13
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. [ESV]"

Passed in California: "Senate Bill 1441"

This was signed into law in California by Governor Schwarzenegger on 8/28/06.

Senate Bill 1441

Seminaries and Christian colleges are concerned about this law in that the fact that their students might not be able to receive financial aid anymore. This is because of the institution's stance against allowing those who perceive themselves to be homosexual to be students.

These kinds of situations drive us back to our dependence upon God. We are not dependent on the state. It is sad to see this grace of God through our government begin to be lifted from Christian institutions though.

I would say though that as tax incentives, and other governmental graces that God has given to the church in the USA over time, no longer exist in harmony with Biblical Christianity we will see Christian nominalism dry up...or we will see a further distorted government supported "dead" Christianity.

Pray for the state of the church in the world, but also right here at home.

"Church Health" 2

Okay here are a few lists of what a healthy church exhibits... [Don't worry I'll post my opinion soon:)]

The EFCA's "10 Leading Indicators of a Healthy Church"

The Evangelical Free Church movement exists to glorify God by multiplying healthy churches among all people.

1. Centrality of God's Word (II Tim. 3:16, 17)
2. Passionate Spirituality (Eph. 5:18-21; 6:10-18)
3. Fruitful Evangelism (Luke 19:10)
4. High Impact Worship (Psalm 100)
5. Mission and Vision-Driven (Matt. 28:19-20)
6. Leadership Development (II Tim. 2:2, I Tim. 3:1-13; I Pet. 5:1-11)
7. Church Planting (Acts 1:8; Acts 13-28)
8. Financial Stewardship (I Tim. 6:17-19)
9. Intentional Disciplemaking (II Tim 2:2; Matt. 28:19-20)
10. Loving Relationships (John 13:35)

Here are the 9 Marks of a healthy church from 9MARKS ministries.

The Mission of 9Marks
We believe the local church is the focal point of God's plan for displaying his glory to the nations. Our vision is simple: Churches that reflect the character of God. Our mission is to cultivate and encourage churches characterized by these nine marks:

1. Expositional Preaching
2. Biblical Theology
3. Biblical Understanding of the Good News
4. Biblical Understanding of Conversion
5. Biblical Understanding of Evangelism
6. Biblical Understanding of Membership
7. Biblical Church Discipline
8. Promotion of Christian Discipleship and Growth
9. Biblical Understanding of Leadership

In identifying and promoting these nine marks, we are not intending to lay down an exhaustive or authoritative list. There are other significant marks of healthy churches, like prayer and fellowship. We want to pursue those ourselves as well, and we want you to pursue them with us. But these nine are the ones we think are most neglected in most local churches today, with the most damaging ramifications. Join us in cultivating churches that reflect the character of God.

Devotions - Matthew 7:15-23

Here's another pretty shocking statement by our Lord.

Matthew 7:15-23

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. [KJV, my emphasis]" 

First, salvation is by grace through faith not by human works[Ephesians 2:8-9]...yet the works/fruit that we bear is an indication of our faith, because faith without works is dead [James 2:17, 26]. 

Second, faith in what??  Jesus Christ [Romans 3:22; Galatians 2:20; Revelation 14:12] who is God the Son in the Trinity [Mark 11:22; Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 44:6; John 8:58; etc.]! 

"Lord, let my faith bear fruit, for your name's sake."

Sovereignty: "No Broken Bones"

A.W. Pink has this to say:

"Had it been decreed that not a bone of Him should be broken?  then the controlling hand of God which suffered the Roman soldiers to break the legs of the thieves (John 19:32), prevented them from doing the same with our Lord.  Ah!  there were not enough soldiers in all the Roman legions, there were not sufficient demons in all the hierarchies of Satan, to break one bone in the body of Christ.  And why?  Because the Almighty Sovereign had decreed that not a bone should be broken.  Do we need to extend this paragraph any further?  Does not the accurate and literal fulfilment of all that Scripture had predicted in connection with the Crucifixion, demonstrate beyond all controversy that an Almighty power was directing and superintending everything that was done on the Day of days? [The Sovereignty of God, Pink, 1959, 88]" 

Exodus 12:46:  "It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not take any of the flesh outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones. [ESV]"

Numbers 9:12:  "They shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break any of its bones; according to all the statute for the Passover they shall keep it. [ESV]"

Psalm 34:20:  "He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. [ESV]"

John 19:33-36:  "But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs.  But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.  He who saw it has borne witness--his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth--that you also may believe.  For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: 'Not one of his bones will be broken.' [ESV]"

He is truly the lamb of God, "who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 [ESV]"