David Platt on the Doctrine of Suffering

David Platt on the Doctrine of Suffering

David Platt on the Doctrine of Suffering from Desiring God on Vimeo.

Courtesy of Desiring God

"No topic is more enduringly relevant. Everyone encounters suffering one way or another and Christian leaders are called to help them understand its meaning.

David Platt, pastor at the Church at Brook Hills and author of Radical, sits down with David Mathis to discuss how he counsels individuals in the midst of affliction. He highlights five essential truths: 1) the sovereignty and goodness of God; 2) a humble view of man; 3) the ultimate reason that suffering exists is to exalt the glory of God's grace in the sacrifice of his Son for sinners; 4) God has a variety of good purposes in suffering; and 5) suffering is a means through which God leads the church to fulfill the Great Commission."

- Jonathan Parnell

What Is Morality Other Than Harm?

What Is Morality Other Than Harm?

What Is Morality Other than Harm? from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

"Tim Keller, Collin Hansen, and Albert Mohler discuss why the common good requires some laws that limit personal freedom."

For other videos like this, visit The Gospel Coalition. 

Also, be sure to read Justin Taylor's "When Even Joel Osteen Is Treated as a Bigot" piece that you'll find in the blog section of The Gospel Coalition's website.

May it all be for His glory,

Wade Davis

2012 Port-de-Paix, Haiti Mission Trip

2012 Port-de-Paix, Haiti Mission Trip

Image credit

Dear Friends and Family,

I hope this letter finds you well, and that you have enjoyed your summer. While I was able to spend some extra time with my family, I did spend some time preparing for the new school year. This school year presents a new and exciting opportunity for me in that I will be helping missionary teachers in Haiti as they begin their new year with their students.

I have been asked by Southland Christian Church to be part of a short-term missions work team in Port-de-Paix, Haiti. We will be working with Sonlight Ministries' teachers and students. We will arrive on October 13th and return October 20th. I am so excited to have the opportunity to use my teaching skills on the mission field! Sonlight Academy is a K-12 English emersion school established to educate students in a Biblical environment in order to provide Haitian children opportunities they otherwise would not have. In addition, we will be visiting an orphanage and the House of Hope, a home for terminally ill children.

While I will be traveling and serving with 6 team members, I invite you also to be a part of this trip. I believe that all people can be involved in missions, even without going out on the field. I would be honored if you would be my prayer partner. I will provide specific prayer needs before the trip as we prepare, during the trip, and after our return.

Our team has been asked to raise $1,700.00 for airfare, lodging, and transportation. If you are in a season of life in which your budget is tight, please do not feel obligated to give financially. Your prayer support is greatly appreciated. If you are in a season in life in which you are blessed financially, and you feel led to help in this way, we will greatly appreciate it.

I am so excited about being a part of this team and anticipate the incredible opportunities to serve in education abroad. Thank you in advance for your prayers, support, and encouragement.

Love,

Sarah

For financial support:

Checks or money orders made payable to Southland Christian Church

For your contribution to be tax deductible do NOT put my name in the memo line (IRS prohibits church finance office from giving you tax credit for donations designated to individuals).

Mail check or money order to:

Sarah Moll

110 Hemingway Place

Georgetown, KY 40324

Copied w/permission.

Quote - Leap of Faith

Quote - Biblical Leap of Faith

"The Bible never tells us to take a leap of faith into the darkness and hope that there's nobody out there.  The Bible calls us to jump out of the darkness into the light.  That is not a blind leap.  The faith  that the New Testament calls us to is a faith rooted and grounded in something that God makes clear is the truth."

R.C. Sproul

Sproul, R.C. (2003). Defending Your Faith: An Introduction to Apologetics

     Illinois: Crossway Books. pg 25.

Running the Good Race

Running the Good Race

Paralysis and marathon are usually two words that appear to be at odds with one another.  Marathon runners do not typically inspire images of crutches or implements of mobility providing assistance for persons with an impairment.  It is, however, this incompatibility that lends itself an opportunity for awareness.  Claire Lomas, paralyzed from a horse riding accident, has used her current station in life to raise awareness for spinal cord research through her involvement in the London Marathon.  Claire didn't raise awareness by taking first place.  She didn't raise awareness by finishing in a manner worthy of winning a medal.  In fact, Claire finished 16 days after the 26.2 mile race began.  Claire did, however, raise (circa) $160,000 for the cause of spinal cord research and became the first person to have ever completed a marathon - not through the use of a wheelchair - but through the use of a ReWalk bionic suit.  

In Paul's second letter to Timothy, he tells his son in the faith, that he has finished the race.  Paul wasn't trying to raise awareness for charity but to offer encouragement to Timothy through his epistle that is believed to have been written in a jail cell.  Paul presses on to preach perseverance.  It is the man that keeps the faith that wins the prize - so it is all the more important to preserve.  In matters of the spiritual realm that Paul is talking about, we are speaking of a crown of righteousness that is granted in eternity as opposed to an earthly accolade - a prize that will fade away.  Seeing Claire finish her race in spite of her trials, reminded me of Paul's race.  I think sometimes we hear the call of evangelism and think to ourselves we aren't in an opportune time to serve in the Kingdom of God.  We have imperfections, limited resources and extenuating circumstances that keep our hands tied and our mouths gagged in a manner and fashion that decommissions us from the preaching, teaching and spreading the Gospel.  If Paul can finish the race in spite of being beaten with rods, stoned, ship wrecked and snake bit, what is stopping us?

Unlike Claire, we don't have a ReWalk bionic suit that can provide assistance and afford us an opportunity to triumph our physical barriers.  With the hardness of a fallen world, who would not be down trodden and disheartened?  With God, however, we aren't given a spirit of timidity.  Paul tells Timothy that we have been given a spirit of power, love and discipline.  Paul encourages us through his epistle to Timothy that the Holy Spirit indwells us and it is under His power that we can guard the truth.  It is in faith and love that we have that is from Christ Jesus that will be our instruments to carry out His will.  So instead of dwelling on the lack of power we have in ourselves, let us be reminded of the power that we have in Him by trusting and resting in Jesus.  Let us stand firm in the truth and press forward on to win the prize for God has equipped us for a good work.  The same as Claire Lomas has used her physical challenges to bring awareness to spinal research, let us use our worldly challenges, our weaknesses and shortcomings to bring awareness to the Gospel.  Jesus didn't die for people living in perfection.  He died for sinners that were dead in their trespasses.  He humbled Himself and died for the lowly.  Before our salvation, we were without hope and it is in our weakness that He is glorified.  If Jesus can save a lost sinner like me then He can surely save you.  With God, all things are possible.   

Soli Deo gloria,

W. 

Seek God with All You Heart - Bob Jennings

Seek God with All You Heart - Bob Jennings

The Suffering Christian

The Suffering Christian

"The suffering of the Christian or anyone else in this world is never ultimately an accident. All suffering is within the pale of divine sovereignty. All suffering comes within the broader context of the sovereignty of God."

- R.C. Sproul, "Reason to Believe"