Free VeggieTales album

For a limited time, you can get the VeggieTales album The Incredible Singing Christmas Tree from AmazonMP3 for free.

Afraid of Bible contradictions?

JT gives helpful tips on alleged Bible contradictions.

I love the ESV!

ESV Trusted By Leaders from Crossway on Vimeo.

I'm not saying that it's bad to use the NIV--I love the NIV, too, and it can be helpful to see how different translations translate the original texts--but the ESV has been the version that I've been reading and memorizing for the past couple of years.  I love it!

Thank you, Pastor Joe! (Clergy Appreciation Month 2010)

Thank you, Pastor Ted (Clergy Appreciation Month 2010)!

More free Scripture songs!

The Altrogges are offering another free Scripture song.  This one's from Colossians 1:15-16 ("He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.")

Also, Cami recently told me about The Rizers, since she thought I'd like them.  She's right!  And you can download some more free Scripture songs from them!

Happy birthday, Byron (2010)!

Are you a Proud Simon or a Broken Sinner?

Luke 7:36-50

"It's Too Late To Apologize," England!

This video is hilarious!  Happy belated Independence Day!

How could God command holy war?

Tim Challies is posting answers to hard questions.  (They're summaries of messages from Ligonier Ministries' most recent conference.)

Recently, Tim summarized Derek Thomas on "How could God command holy war?"  You might find it helpful and interesting!

Voyage of the Dawn Treader trailer

The trailer for the new Narnia movie The Voyage of the Dawn Treader just went up about 30 minutes ago.  It looks like this might be the best Narnia movie ever!  I've heard great things about it!  (I honestly didn't think the first two of Walden's Narnia movies were that great.)

Heroes

Who are your heroes?  This says a lot about who you are, and who you'll become.  (I'm not saying that if you admire Peyton Manning, you'll automatically become a star quarterback.  But it still influences you.)

In high school, my heroes were Rich Mullins and my youth pastor.  In college, my heroes were Derek Webb and John Piper.  I wonder what that says about me?

So...who are your heroes?  I'm curious!  Feel free to leave comments!

Athanasius contra mundum!

On Friday I was teaching through Galatians 1:1-10, in which Paul courageously defends truths at the heart of Christianity. He wasn't saying popular things--in fact, he was inviting persecution (Galatians 5:11, 6:12)!  The sections ends with a great verse (v. 10) that explains why Paul was so willing to be so bold:

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10)

By way of illustration, I mentioned Athanasius, who is one of my heroes for also standing up for truths at the heart of Christianity. Because he was also a servant of Christ, Athanasius stood up for truth at a time when it was extremely unpopular.  In fact, that's why we have the famous phrase, "Athanasius contra mundum," which means "Athanasius against the world"--he stood up for Jesus when the whole world had turned against him.

He's my hero.  He can be your hero, too!  By the way, you can read really cool stories about him!  For example, what would you do if your enemies framed you for murder?  Find out what Athanasius did (see "The First Exile of Athanasius (336-338)!

"Convinced" free download

I love Seeds Music!  So I'm thankful that they've been offering a free download of their song "Convinced" (which is Romans 8:38-39 put to music)!

Write an awful worship song!

Hilarious.  Stephen Altrogge provides instructions on how to write an awful worship song.

"How can I pray for you?"

"How can I pray for you?" can be a very effective evangelistic tool!

A theological epic novel?

What?  A theological epic novel?

"It is better to take refuge in the LORD..."

"It is better to take refuge in the Lord
     than to trust in man.
"It is better to take refuge in the Lord
     than to trust in princes."
-Psalm 118:8-9 (ESV)

"I hadn't thought of that"

"I hadn't thought of that" can be a powerful act of humility.

The Return of the King

If you haven't read The Lord of the Rings, I'd recommend it!  It has great imagination, literary beauty, and moral beauty.


Warning: spoilers (and random thoughts) ahead!

I just finished the audiobook of The Return of the King.  I needed something to keep me mentally engaged while I drove myself on a road trip for work, so I found ROTK at the library.

I'd already read it a couple of times when I was growing up (once in elementary school, once in middle school, and once in high school), but I don't remember it being so moving.  I was surprised to find myself coming close to tears at Theoden's death, and then at Frodo's passing into the Grey Havens.

The movies had driven home to me how much truth, beauty, courage, and wisdom are in these stories.  And now I find it reflected in the books, too.  It's proof that great imagination, and literary and moral beauty can coexist in one book.

This is the first time that I'd noticed: the ending of ROTK seemed like an exposition of Sam's exclamation, "Gandalf!  I thought you were dead.  But then I thought I was dead myself.  Is everything sad going to come untrue?" (emphasis mine).  It's great to see everything sad become untrue in Middle Earth.  And I long for that in our world, too.  Come, Lord Jesus, come!

And yet it shows us realism, with our world in the present and in its future promise: Frodo has a wound that can never be healed in Middle Earth.  But he goes to the Grey Havens, his ship sails, and, though Sam can't see it, fair things await Frodo: "the grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and [Frodo] beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise.  But to Sam the evening deepened to darkness as he stood at the Haven..."

Back in high school, one of my friends pooh-poohed the ending, when Sam says, "Well, I'm back."  But Jonathan must not have seen how torn Sam was in his desire to be in both worlds--to be with his wife and to be with his friend and master.  This ending wasn't the aberration of a master writer; it was his graceful swing from sadness back into real life, where Sam must live undivided, wholly in his own world for the present.

Free Page CXVI Hymns CD

This is really late (they announced that this promo would only last through May 4), you can download Page CXVI's first hymns CD for free.  I'd spring for it if I were you.  Classic hymns put to updated music.  The album closer "Joy" is a brilliant song.

Also, this week, you can stream Page CXVI's new album.

Sesquipedalianism

I try to control my vocabulary level based on who I'm with at the moment; I don't want to intimidate or confuse people with big words.  But sometimes Pastor Ted will still joke about my sesquipedalianism, haha...

Owl City

Apparently, Adam Young (who is the one-man band Owl City, with the hit song "Fireflies") is a mature Christian.  And he's popular right now!  (And he makes some pretty cool music!)

Not the most important news, but it's interesting, nonetheless.

Girls Gone Wise

This book looks like it would be a great read for some females to read together: Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild.

Mary Kassian is getting high praise for this book!

How To Be Kathy Marsh

This is completely unrelated, but I thought you might enjoy seeing something that I made for one of my co-workers.  I presented it to her in front of a bunch of other co-workers today.  It was good fun!

http://www.bekathymarsh.com/

Links from tonight's message

In case you're interested, here are some things that have influenced my message preparation, and I'm planning on referring to in my message tonight:

• "George Mueller's Strategy for Showing God."  This is a biographical sermon by John Piper.  It's an interesting and helpful sermon about an amazing man who has an amazing God!
• "Ministry Idolatry."  This is a helpful and convicting (and sometimes brainy) sermon by Mark Driscoll.  It helps to expose idols that we don't always see.  At this site, Justin Taylor also adds a helpful summary and some tips on fighting idols.

One of the reasons for some recent trials in my life...

I asked the Lord, that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.

I hoped that in some favoured hour
At once He’d answer my request,
And by His love’s constraining power
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

"Lord, why is this?" I trembling cried,
"Wilt thou pursue Thy worm to death?"
"This in this way," the Lord replied,
"I answer prayer for grace and faith.

"These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou mayst seek thy all in Me."

-John Newton (as cited in Knowing God by J.I Packer)

I've been praying this a lot more recently...

"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You." - 2 Chronicles 20:12

HT: JT

"I read an answer to my doubts in the blood shed on Calvary."

“I find no balm for a sore conscience, and a troubled heart, like the sight of Jesus dying for me on the accursed tree.

There I see that a full payment has been made for all my enormous debts. The curse of that law which I have broken has come down on One who there suffered in my stead. The demands of that law are all satisfied. Payment has been made for me, even to the uttermost farthing. It will not be required twice over.

Ah! I might sometimes imagine I was too bad to be forgiven. My own heart sometimes whispers that I am too wicked to be saved. But I know in my better moments this is all my foolish unbelief. I read an answer to my doubts in the blood shed on Calvary. I feel sure that there is a way to heaven for the very vilest of men, when I look at the cross.”

—J.C. Ryle, Old Paths

HT: Of First Importance

Dear Refuge of my weary soul

Dear refuge of my weary soul,
On Thee, when sorrows rise
On Thee, when waves of trouble roll,
My fainting hope relies
To Thee I tell each rising grief,
For Thou alone canst heal
Thy Word can bring a sweet relief,
For every pain I feel.

-Anne Steele

13 Things Jin Learned at Winter Outing...

Recently Jin wrote some reflections on Winter Outing.  They were so funny and true that I thought you'd enjoy reading them, so I took the liberty of re-posting them here.  The rest of this post is from Jin.

Have you ever felt like this?

Today I did, as I read Solomon's prayer:

And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.  And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.   Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?
(1 Kings 3:7-9 ESV)

I really need wisdom from God, or else I'll mess things up big time, and people will get hurt.  And God has been humbling me, showing me areas in which I've lacked wisdom.  And He is growing me, in His time.

Thank God that He gives wisdom generously to those who ask Him (James 1:5-7) and who fear Him (Proverbs 1:7)!

Watch for us!

If you're watching DOT's livecam at the right moment, you'll see us! :D

Seriously, though, don't waste your time on this...

Homework tip

Josh Harris has a tip for writers.  It's useful for homework, too!

Winter Outing 2010 Rap PSA

Winter Outing's this Friday--oh my!
If you're not coming, you should go to CY.
Now, if you're coming to Winter Outing with me,
Then you should show up at 5:30.
Eagerly we all wait this day!
Remember to call me if you're running late!

On our trip you have to bring
Undies, sleeping bags, snow clothing
(To throw snowballs at Cat and Jin--
If you can catch her or him!).
Never forget--bring your Bibles;
God shines here without any rivals!

Prayer requests for TIGS Winter Outing

Here are the prayer requests that I'm submitting to the Worship-Based Prayer bulletin for this week (you may notice that I got a bit obsessed with a single letter):

The TIGS Winter Outing is this weekend (March 12-14)!

We suppose that you could supplicate for

• Spiritual growth/Speaker
• Safety
• Strengthened relationships
• Strength for sponsors

I'm encouraged by Eubie...

This is completely unrelated to the youth group/Christianity/etc., but I thought you might enjoy seeing a bit of my work life.

STR Place

I recently heard from Justin Taylor that Stand to Reason (a great apologetics website) has launched STR Place (strplace.org), a site for students.  It has a lot of helpful resources.  Check it out!

N.D. Wilson on why he writes

I just read an interesting quote from N.D. Wilson, author of the 100 Cupboards series, on why and how he writes.

Douglas Wilson on Twilight

I don't want to come across as "the anti-Twilight guy" (i.e. I don't want to be known just for being against it--there are far more important things around which to define oneself), but I just watched this video and thought it was a good warning:



Ask Doug - What is Wrong With Twilight? from Daniel Foucachon on Vimeo.

How do I know I'm saved?

Some helpful advice
 from J.D. Greear!

100 Cupboards mini-review

I previously mentioned the book 100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson.  Well, I recently finished it.

It was a good but not mind-blowingly great adventure/fantasy novel.  I might be partly prejudiced against it, though; its reading level put me off at first (the reading level is ages 9-12, according to Amazon).  However, it has some great combinations; it's warm and safe at some moments, it's tense at others, and its writing has some nice spots.  I suspect that the second and third books in this trilogy are better and that the story gets richer, scarier, and more satisfying.

Sleep!

I love it, but I hardly get enough of it!  Anyway, here are a few brief thoughts on it from the Bible.

How to read more/better

Interested in reading more/better?  Trevin Wax has some helpful tips.

Have you read the 100 Cupboards series?

I haven't read any of these books, but apparently the 100 Cupboards trilogy by N.D. Wilson is pretty good.  There are three books in the series (the third one just came out):
100 Cupboards
Dandelion Fire
The Chestnut King

The Sacramento library system has all three books, if you're interested!

BTW, the Christian is an author.  That doesn't automatically make the books good, but, like I said, I've heard that these books are pretty good.

Scripture Memory Heroes

I'm not idolizing John Piper or trying to get you to, but is this cool or what?

http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/2206_models_of_scripture_memory/

I especially liked the insight that memorizing (or reading!) the Bible itself doesn't guarantee spiritual change.  The Holy Spirit must work with God's Word!

Have you ever memorized an extended piece of Scripture like this?  What did you think?

Does this sound familiar?

Have you ever caught yourself saying this?

"I am brilliant...I am noble."

Oh my.

The Bible isn't boring--Avatar is!

Oh my, I loved this!

How to ice skate!

We're going ice skating this Sunday!  If you don't know how to ice skate, don't sweat it.  But watching some of this video (and other similar videos) might be helpful:

Brit Hume is so cool!

Did you hear about how journalist Brit Hume recently said (on national cable TV) that Tiger Woods needs Jesus?  So cool!  I hope that God gives me that kind of boldness!  Josh Harris provides a brief roundup of Christian perspectives on the issue.  It's worth reading through!

Did you also hear about how people have been criticizing Brit Hume for this?  But they're saying silly things, and Vitamin Z takes these things apart.