one of my "life verses"

It's Wednesday Feb 25, 5pm. Just woke up from a two and a half hour nap since I've contracted a nasty cold. Went to the Mars Hill Shoreline Men's Prayer thingy this morning and had an encouraging and uplifting time as usual, despite not feeling great. It's always good to be with like-minded brothers who fear God and seek His face. Steve Tompkins, our campus pastor, asked for prayer since he will be prepping for and preaching three times this Sunday, since Mark Driscoll will be taking the week off. Steve said he's going to be talking about Christ's call of Peter (to leave his nets and become a fisher of men.) But when Steve first said he was going to be addressing the call of Peter to ministry, my mind jumped to the book of Acts where Peter is called to preach the gospel to the house of Cornelius, a household of God-fearing Gentiles who needed a preacher to tell them about the person, work, ministry, sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus. And who were all baptized by the Holy Spirit after they believed the gospel.

And furthermore from this amazing section of Scripture cometh one of my "life verses", which, when taken out of context is very applicable to yours truly. Acts 10:10 "And he [Peter] became very hungry and wanted to eat something, but while he was waiting for the meal to be prepared, he went into a trance..." :)

a good sermon

I love reading a good sermon just before I fall asleep. JC Ryle, Charles Spurgeon, RM McCheyne, Jonathan Edwards. Something staunch right before I zee out. Also a good comedic novel like Stella Gibbons' Cold Comfort Farm does the trick too. I saw the movie first, but the book is even better.

heavy sigh of great contentment

Sunshine. Blue skies. Clear and cold. What a lovely day! Went for a late afternoon run down by the Edmonds waterfront on the boardwalks and beaches. Got sweaty and tired. Came home to a hot shower and made myself a chicken breast sandwich with bacon, lettuce, onion, tomato, mayo and some garlic goat cheese spread and munched it down with potato chips. Yes it was delicious. God told me in some very tangible ways today that He loves me. I FELT, SENSED, TASTED, EXPERIENCED the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. And then to top it off my beautiful wife Janet gave me a big hug after I emptied the dishwasher and posted something on the blog. Later this evening-American Idol, popcorn, a chapter of Planet Narnia, a sermon by Jonathan Edwards, and a sound night's sleep in a comfortable bed under warm blankets with fluffy pillows, snuggled next to Janet. Heavy sigh of great contentment. G'nite.

interested in eschatology

Check out this gold mine: www.reformedsermonarchives.com

It's many of the best sermons from some of the greatest preachers of Christendom. Do yourself a favor and read a sermon or five. Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, JC Ryle- all here :)

And if you're interested in eschatology visit www.kennethgentry.com for some excellent books from a postmillenial / biblically optimistic perspective. Well-researched and very readable books that will help anyone bewildered by the ridiculousness of dispensational premillenialism or depressed by the Eeyore-ish gloominess of amillenialism. I've met Dr. Gentry on several occasions and have nearly all his books. He's a gracious, wise, thoughtful, humble man with compelling arguments. I highly recommend him to you.

There's also an excellent book by Keith Mathison, published by P&R (Presbyterian and Reformed) called Postmillenialism- An Eschatology of Hope, which is an outstanding follow-up to Dr. Gentry's books. I've also met Keith a couple times, and he's also gracious, gentle and wise. He's also written an excellent book on the Lord's Supper called Given for You which explains what John Calvin and the Reformers taught about communion.

Both Ken and Keith have been faithful husbands and fathers and pastors, and are good men of faith and practice. I've learned much from their books and their lives. Ken also has some lectures on Youtube on the book of Revelation. Enjoy.

a slice of heaven

What is it about a hot, steaming big mug of coffee? It's comforting, warm, welcoming, sustaining, reviving, smells good, looks good, tastes good. When I was visiting Salzburg Austria with my sister and wife one time, I had a Viennese caffe mit schlagoober- that is, a latte with whipped cream. I was tired and worn out from traveling and walking and looking at castles, churches and museums. But then a man with a white shirt and a black vest brought me the most lovely looking latte I'd seen, and it was a slice of heaven- home away from home on the other side of planet earth.

the great dragon

"I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring..." Neh. 2:13

"In that day the LORD with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea." Isa. 27:1

"Rejoice not, O Philistia, all of you, that the rod that struck you is broken, for from the serpent's root will come forth an adder, and its fruit will be a flying fiery serpent." Isa. 14:29

"An oracle on the beasts of the Negeb: Through a land of trouble and anguish, from where come the lioness and the lion, the adder and the flying fiery serpent, they carry their riches on the backs of donkeys, and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people that cannot profit them." Isa. 30:6

"And another sign appeared in heaven: behold a great red dragon..." Rev. 12:3a

"Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world- he was thrown down to earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." Rev. 12:7-9

Giants? Witches? Ghosts and Spirits? Dragons? Sea Monsters? Talking Animals? All in the Bible. Perhaps Lewis, Tolkien, and Rowling didn't write so much fantasy after all.

theology throwdown

Big thanks to my wife Janet who suggested the name, and my sister Jenny who talked me through it. Like to thank the Academy...