Made To Love Like Men

Betsy Hart has something to say to every man and woman, and their children. I urge you to read it. And to make it easy on you, here's the link -- Beware Romantic Pornography

Loving Change

"The gospel is infinitely more than a ticket to heaven. It is a message that changes not only a person's destination in eternity but his heart and mind here and now. The gospel transforms more than a person's relationship to God; it also transforms a person's relationship to everything else."  --  Donald Whitney, from "Tabletalk" Magazine, July 2011 Edition, Page 58.

How can it be that Christians do not love change? Change is what the gospel brings, not only initially when we first believe so that we are no longer under the wrath of God (Jn 3:36), but daily as we continue to believe and become more and more like the Christ of the gospel (2 Cor 3:18, 4:16; Heb 6:3; 2 Pet 3:18).

Jesus Loves the World. But He Didn't Die for Them.

Yes, Jesus does, like His Father, love the world of people (Jn 3:16; Mk 10:21; Mt 9:36). But He didn't die for them; He died for the church -- that elect community within the world. He gave Himself up for the church (Ga 2:20; Eph 5:2). It is only the church that is bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20; Heb 2) -- the price being His tortuous death and separation from His Father. Yes, Jesus loves the world of people; but not like He loves His bride -- the church. He loves her redemptively. Therefore, if we are not deeply in love with the church, we are not like Jesus. We should question ourselves in regard to our allegiance to that community for whom Jesus lived and died. What place does the church have in our affections. Are we, like Christ, making sacrifices for her well-being?

"For the Father of glory has put all things under Jesus' feet and has given Him as head over all things to the church. . . " (Ephesians 1:22)

The Audacious Profanation

John Calvin, commenting on Genesis 24:50-51 writes, "As soon as the will of God is made known to us, not only let our tongues be silent, but let all our senses be still; because it is an audacious profanation to admit any thought which is opposed to that will"  -- Calvin's Commentary on Genesis, Volume 2, page 26.

By the way, you can get Calvin's entire set for $130. That's 22 volumes, covering most of the Bible books. If we want to learn God's Word we need the help of gifted teachers. To have the thoughts of Calvin for such a low price is a gift to us. To take a look at the set, go here.

Sunday Post for the Shepherds (Or Anyone Who Loves Jesus' People)

Read Obituary for the American Church by Mike Breen.

A Must-Read for Parents (Especially Mothers)

Actually, this is a must-read for everyone since it helps us think rightly about children, whether we have them or not.

Go to Where Your Children Rank.

Dogs are Afraid of Dinosaurs

My daughter Tess slept with her mom and me last night. I had been up for a while this morning and then went back into our bedroom to get something. I thought she was still sleeping until I heard her whisper, "Daddy", and turned to see those big beautiful dark eyes looking up at me. I leaned over to her to give her my attention. That's when she told me (her first words of the new day), "Daddy, dogs are afraid of dinosaurs". Awesome.