Crossroads

I’ve been really enjoying listening to Brook Fraser’s album Albertine. She is a Christian artist from New Zealand who has sung in a number of Hillsong albums. 

Here’s a great article by David Powlison titled "Breaking Pornography Addiction". Even if you don’t struggle with pornography, if you struggle with lust at all (which I believe most of us do), I highly recommend reading it. If you don’t struggle with lust, you can still equip yourself to help others by reading it…

Here’s a thoughtful reflection on Joel Osteen by Sean Lucas, Professor of Church History at Covenant Theological Seminary.  

 
There is a website that was launched today called Codex Sinaiticus. Codex Sinaiticus is one of the oldest complete copies of the Bible that survived the centuries. This website will allow the users to view the complete manuscript eventually (at least that is the plan, I believe). 

Back in 2006, the pastoral team went to an exhibit called In the Beginning: Bibles Before Year 1000, and I had an opportunity to see this ancient manuscript. It was an unusually edifying experience. To know that people from centuries ago were reading the same words that we have in our Bibles today was so faith-building. God has faithfully preserved His Word, and for that we should be eternally grateful.   

You may be already aware of this, but Crossway is publishing the ESV Study Bible this fall. You can find out more about it here, and you can also download some sample introductions there. This looks like a tremendous resource!

Don’t miss the 35% discount before 7/31!  

Here is a helpful post from John Piper on God’s providence and sovereignty, and why sometimes God doesn’t make it clear why He allows certain things to happen. Here’s an excerpt:

"The problem is, we would have to be God to grasp all that God is doing in our problems. In fact, pushing too hard for more detailed explanations from God is a kind of demand that we be God."

William Cowper, a poet and hymn writer who struggled with perpetual depression, penned this outstanding hymn titled "God Moves In A Mysterious Way" that helps us declare the truth about God and our trust in Him:

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

This is a sad and amazing story. It should cause us to give thanks to God that we live in such a peaceful and prosperous country. May we never take for granted how much the Lord has blessed such undeserving sinners like us.

I just found out that today is John Calvin’s 499th birthday. He played a vital role in the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, and his famous work Institutes of the Christian Religion is considered the fountainhead of Reformed theology. I personally have not read it, but does anyone want to tackle this impressive volume? If you want to read a nice introduction to the life of this man, you can read The Legacy of Sovereign Joy by John Piper. 

The third installment of Sovereign Grace Leadership Interview Series is now online. You can download it here. This interview series is designed to help pastors, but I think all Christians can benefit from these men’s wisdom and experience. I highly recommend it!

This website seems like a great resource for pastors, but also for any Christians who want to benefit from rich teaching. Check out the ‘Resources‘ section.