May
14
Nota bene: sweets from John Piper
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About once a month I look through John Piper’s blog. Here are some links to some good things from his mighty keyboard:
- 6 ways to respond to the cyclone in Burma
- some profound thoughts on clothing and nudity from Genesis 3:7ff
- how your ‘economic stimulus’ income tax rebate might testify about the greatness of Christ
Mar
25
Grace in dark places: FPC Bible Conference
Filed Under Around the Church, Bible, Nota Bene, Prayer | Leave a Comment
Thursday marks the beginning of FPC Kosciusko’s 2008 Bible Conference (click here for schedule and info). Dr. Derek Thomas will be coming to us from Jackson to preach on the topic Grace in Dark Places: Finding Hope in Depression and Suffering. We are praying that the Holy Spirit will use this conference to renew the ‘inner man’ of many people in midst of pain–pointing us to Christ as our hope in suffering, encouraging us in faith, and empowering us in our battle with sin.
Extra note: Derek Thomas will be the guest on WFCA’s morning call-in program, It’s Your Call, beginning at 7:30 am Wednesday, March 26. He will be talking about the conference and taking questions from callers. WFCA is on 107.9 FM or click here to find the link to listen over the internet from anywhere in the world.
Mar
5
Prosperity gospel: John Piper’s assessment
Filed Under Blogging, Christian Living, Evangelism, Nota Bene, Tragedy | Leave a Comment
Gripping words from John Piper. The Sweet Dropper found this on Justin Taylor’s blog Between Two Worlds
Nov
20
Nota bene. 11.20.07
Filed Under Christian Living, Culture, Current Events, Ethics, Family, Men, Nota Bene, The Church, Youth Ministry | Leave a Comment
I’m borrowing Joe’s Nota Bene category to post a link to piece written last week by John Piper about a phenomenon sociologists are calling adultolescence–the postponement of adulthood into the late twenties or even into the thirties. I have always defined adulthood as paying your own freight and taking responsibility for providing for yourself and your dependents (if you have any). Piper offers a 15-point strategy by which the Church should respond to this sociological trend in his piece entitled A Church-Based hope for ‘Adultolescence.’
Nov
8
Cyber-sainthood
Filed Under Christian History, Current Events, Nota Bene, Prayer, The Church | Leave a Comment
Just when you thought the Reformation was old, dusty, irrelevant history–here’s this: Last week marked the 490th anniversary of Martin Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses on the doors of the Wittenburg Church. He was calling for a debate on the Roman Church’s aggressive marketing and sales of indulgences, which, Luther argued, obscured the biblical doctrine of repentance and exploited the poor. Indulgences offered a way to have a sin’s penalty pardoned by the church and therefore to be released from paying for it in purgatory. The sinner’s sincerity was quantified through money–seen as a tangible expression of self-sacrifice. In Luther’s time the indulgences were sold as a fund-raiser for the construction of St. Peter’s in Rome under the leadership of Pope Leo X. But let’s call it what it is: the attempt to buy/do/feel one’s way into right standing with Almighty God.
Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the church door (like a public bulletin board) on 31 October, the eve of All Saints Day–the climax of popular Catholic piety regarding the veneration of saints and relics–much like airing a TV show on 24 December in which you calling Christmas into question!
Why bring this up? Well, in the spirit of ‘There is nothing new under the sun,’ a website exists for the purpose of drumming and up (and funding) popular support for the beatification and canonization of Pope John Paul II. Devotees are asked to share stories, seek the intercession of the late pontiff, request a piece of his priestly vestments and make a donation–all to hasten the efforts to have him declared a saint. The site strongly defends itself against the charge that it is selling relics.
Back in Luther’s day the hucksters who sold indulgences had a great jingle which translates easily from German to English: Once the coin in the coffer clings, a soul from purgatory heavenward springs! Maybe the 21st century version would be something like this: Once the mouse on the website clicks, John Paul one step closer to sainthood flicks/licks/kicks/tricks???
Oct
24
Nota Bene 10.24.07
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Jerry Falwell - The Bayly brothers pass along a great article by John Neuhaus showing a different side of Jerry Falwell.
Tracking the Fires - Mark Lauterbach is the pastor of Grace Church in San Diego. In addition to his other great blog content, he is posting updates on the fires and how you can pray for him, his church, and San Diego.