eatthisbook

Worship: Valley of Vision (Sovereign Grace Music)

2006-10-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

Just when I think there couldn't be any more great modern hymnody released this year, I come across another album that blows my mind. I thoroughly recommend Sovereign Grace Music's Valley of Vision, based on the great Puritan classic with the same name. Samantha and I hope that it blesses you as much as it has our family. Enjoy!

Worship: The Apostles Creed (Getty/Townend)

2006-08-13T14:14:00.000-07:00

I just finished listening to the latest album by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend called "The Apostles Creed." It is a collection of songs, some new and some old, which align with each phrase of one of our most important statements of belief. The music is wonderful and they lyrics even better. We purchased it off a website based in the UK, which made it expensive, but worth it. Samantha and I hope you enjoy it as much as we are.

Audio: Mars Hill

2006-06-18T06:48:00.000-07:00

Mars Hill Audio is a must visit site for those who have made the choice for thoughtful engagement instead of mass market media. You can download a sample MP3 from the website or order the current journal, or back issues.

On a personal note, listening to the sample MP3 referenced above was like water on the parched ground of my heart, mind and soul. It was the first time since college that I heard important issues discussed so intelligenty and elegantly, and the first time in my life that it was from an evangelical perspective. Thanks to Reformation21 for pointing this out.

Books: Various-Just For Fun

2006-04-14T10:01:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of books I'd recommend just for fun reading.

1. The Best American Essays 2005 by Susan Orlean (Edited by)

A long neglected literary genre, essays are really coming on. They have a power to question, inform, color and move us to emotion and action. I particularly enjoyed the piece on boiling lobster from the lobster's perspective, a love affair with sentence diagramming and the competitive undercurrent of bird watching. Enjoy one each night before bed or pour over them on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

2. Dragon's Lair by Sharon Kay Penman

This New York Times Best Seller was my saving grace on the plane to Romania. I have long been a fan of mystery novels, having discovering Sherlock Holmes and Mary Higgins Clark in High School, but it took an unusual literary setting to recapture my attention. The book is set in the summer of 1093, during the early Crusades. It is all about court intrigue and yet it's told through the eyes of a commoner. Don't start unless you have time to not put it down.

Books: When All Else Fails...Read the directions!

2006-02-19T15:14:00.000-08:00

Samantha and I discovered a real gem, right in our proverbial backyard. Her name is Pearl Smith and she lives just around the corner from us. In case you don't know her, she is the wife of the late Pastor and Co-founder of peninsula Bible Church (PBC) in Palo Alto, CA.

Pearl and Bob moved to Santa Rosa in the early 90s for health reasons and she stayed on after he went to be with the Lord. Our original meeting came about because Jim Stewart asked us to driver her to/from and event. We've been friends ever since. Samantha often says that God has kept Pearl with us so that we can learn just a little more from her before she goes onto the heaven she so longs for.

What does this have to do with books? Well, the other day she handed me one of Bob's books, When All Else Fails...Read the directions! and it's my pleasure to share with you what I've learned:

Bob embodied PBC's priorities of straight forward, accessible, applicable and pervasive study of God's Word. There wasn't philosophizing, hemming/hawing over tough issues. It was to the Word that he flew for answers, which informed and motivated a deep faith that required him, and those he discipled, to apply Jesus' commands directly to the current environment and culture.
His matter-of-fact interpretation of leadership roles (elder, pastor, deacon) discourages the historical tendency in the church to unduly elevate and separate ordained leaders from their flock. It's clear that his focus is on leaders responsibility to discern "the mind of God" through the study of scripture and prayer, which includes both the real/spiritual needs of its leaders, not just its church members. This attitude seems to have led to a strengthening of the board, protecting pastors from burnout, and encouraging the body to use its gifts in effective ways that the leadership couldn't have predicted.
He makes a strong case for God appointing elders through the agency of other elders, which is safeguarded by the qualifications laid out in scripture. He rightly asserts that Jesus is head of the church, not a pontiff, or singular pastor and that great confidence can be found in the unanimous agreement of elders on spiritual matters, not just administrivia. He challenges prevailing American democratism by pointing out the absence of democracy in early church references and the presence of elder appointing by Paul & Barnabus (founding elders/pastors) and by Titus (an appointee himself). What I appreciate most is that Bob steers clear of worldly philosophy with this incredibly important issue.
The most interesting, and potentially the most influential chapter in the book is on evangelistic bible studies, something that seems to have been previously in-vogue and may be something the church should consider again. The method requires believers to invite people into their home who probably look, talk and act unchristianly. However, this is not the seeker-driven ministry of the 90s. It involves teaching clearly what the bible says and praying for the Spirit of God to bring revival. He has some pretty incredible stories to share with us about people getting saved and growing in their faith.
Even though He provides exegetical details, there are still sections where I would have preferred additional discourse, especially on how his interpretation relates to other contemporary and/or historical interpretations. That said, it is chalk full of practical advice that is based on responsible biblical work.

Thanks Bob, and thanks Pearl, for living out what you wrote in this, and other books you blessed us with. We love you both!

Audio: 9Marks

2006-02-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

The 9Marks Audio page is a site you must visit in 2006.

Mark Dever interviews the most theologically, academically and pastorally interesting people in Evangelicalism today, including Piper, Grudem, Horton, MacArthur, Packer, and Carson, just to name a few. The interview format teases out personal details that provide a rounder, more complex and more human portrait of these godly men. Furthermore, it explains the "why" of their ministry, not merely the "what" that is evident in their sermons and books.

Books: A Diary of Private Prayer

2006-02-01T16:38:00.000-08:00

It is my pleasure to recommend a book to you that until recently I didn't know existed, A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baille (1886-1960).

It contains two one-page written prayers for each day of the month, one for the morning and a companion for the evening. They are concise but loaded with high and wide thoughts of God. Below is about 2/5 of the page from the Thirty First Day Morning reading:

"Forbid, O Lord God, that my thoughts to-day should be wholly occupied with the world's passing show. Seeing that in Thy lovingkindness Thou has given me the power to lift my mind to the contemplation of things unseen and eternal, forbid that I should remain content with the things of sense and time. Grant rather that each day may do something so to strengthen my hold upon the unseen world, so to increase my sense of its reality, and so to attach my heart to its holy interests that, as the end of my earthly life draws ever nearer, I may not grow to be part of these fleeting earthly surroundings, but rather grow more and more confromred to the life of the world to come."

I don't know about you, but I don't yet pray like that, and I desparetly want to. Thanks be to the Father for giving us the Spirit as our helper and interpreter as we walk this earth learning to pray as we ought. I expect this book to be a great help along the way.

Worship: Sovereign Grace Music & Worship Matters

2006-01-05T21:17:00.000-08:00

I had some free time over the Christmas break and I spent much of it on the following websites. They have been so helpful that I've added them to my own blog links.

The first is Sovereign Grace Music:

This site is chalk full of good worship material from the accomplished worship leaders, musicians and song writers in the Sovereign Grace Ministries family. The feel is fresh but unpretentious, theologically sound but approachable. There is both praise music and hymnody.

What's best is that the site is super well organized, unlike other worship music sites I've been on recently. Each worship album can be ordered; you can order by song too (think iTunes). Most have free samples of the songs, lead sheets & chord charts (both the original and congregational keys), transparencies and scores for purchase too. I plan to use several songs in the coming months in my worship leading.

The second is WorshipMatters:

This site is the personal blog of worship leader, musician and song writer Bob Kauflin (also of the Sovereign Grace Ministries family). He does a fine job of presenting issues germane to the evangelical worship leading community, with sensitive, tact and humility. Most importantly, his contribution is informed and infused with scripture. I've been leaving lots of comments here, and hope that you too will join in on some excellent discussions.

Books: When Christ Sends Revival

2005-11-13T21:24:00.000-08:00

For those like me who have little understanding, and even littler experience with revival, I recommend Steve Fernandez' monograph called When Christ Sends Revival. Steve is the President of The Cornerstone Seminary in Vallejo, CA.

The premise is that true revival will not be the result of new and modern techniques or high-tech tools, but is a result of God's choice to pour out the power of Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit, for the purpose of building His church. Revival is defined as a God-ordained expansion or explosion in true and life-changing conversions. It is not different from conversion in essence, but in scope. Historically, it has come unexpetedly and especially in the ministries of men who have preached the centrality and all-sufficiency of Christ.

Prof. Fernandez righly accuses today's church: "Today it seems we rely on academic degrees, dynamic personalities, skilled communicators, and technologically advanced presentationss. It seems we have outgrown God. We are too strong, accomplished, educated and high-tech to be desperate enough to need God. We can grow the chruch ourselves."

I was encouraged to read that the Word, and our own history, prove the today's best practices to be bankrupt and that it's not merely my rigid impracticality. I was doubly encouraged that Pastor Chris Bauer preached today that Santa Rosa Bible Church would continue to preach Christ above all. May we, and all churches, not settle for words but have a burden for embodying His Grace, for His sake and for the world around us, which we were once a part of, and which He loves.

Reflections: On Worldliness ("Londoners")

2005-09-08T20:35:00.000-07:00

The term worldiness conjures up images of immorality and godlessness. That is certainly true in practice, but in essence it just means being like the world.

Oswald Chambers powerfully captured the truth about worldliness in his poem entitled "Londoners" (April 4, 1894). Try thinking about your town in place of London.

Busy, driving, rushing Londoners,
Driven, palefaced, wiry blunderers,
Striving ever,
Praying never,
Busy, driving, rushing Londoners.

Thoughtless, flippant, godless Londoners,
Tricky, grasping, cruel plunderers,
"Doing" ever,
"Done by" never,
Thoughtless, flippant, godless Londoners.

Tired out, weary, haggard Londoners,
Beer-sopped, feeble, worn-out conjurers,
Struggling ever,
Resting never,
Tired out, weary, haggard Londoners.

Silent, lifeless, buried Londoners,
Death and Time have proved true sunderers,
Gone for ever,
Remembered never,
Silent, lifeless, buried Londoners.

Worship: Revelation 13: 11-18

2005-08-12T15:11:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of leading worship with Bernard Bell at PBCC this last Sunday, as is becoming our custom each summer during his 4-5 Sundays in Revelation. The content of the service this year was 13:11-18 (the Second Beast).

Click here for the service notes.

What was especially satisfying for me was that each piece of the service worked together to bring us to the feet of Jesus, seeing the world around us for what it really is, His Kingdom, not under the control of Satan, false prophets or world leaders. It's because of God's redemptive purposes that we have "wisdom" to understand what and who's behind the evil in our societies and to witness the heavenly reality that would otherwise be overlooked. This hopeful vision of heaven leads us away from anxiety and towards faithful trust in our Father. That is what this service was all about.

I invite you to review the call to worship, readings, songs, sermon, etc. I hope it is as encouraging to you as it was to me.

Reflections: On Rest ("The Pulley")

2005-07-31T09:37:00.000-07:00

After being gone on business last week, and being home sick with my family this week, my body is telling me "what you really need is some rest." But the harder I try to obtain it, the more it seems to allude me, leading me to wonder whether I have mis-placed my focus and attention.

George Herbert (1593-1633) takes aim at this tension in his poem "The Pulley." The last stanza says...

Yet let him keep the rest,
But keep them with repining restlessness:
Let him be rich and weary, that at least,
If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
May toss him to my breast.

For the full text click here.

CONCLUSION:
If restlessness in life means that I am tossed to his breast, then I say "bring it on." After two weeks of being solace-starved I am ever more aware of my need for God and the blessedness of being in right relationship with Him. In my weakness I still long for the symptoms of this virus to go away, but I much more long to live in awareness of God's presence and to be part of His redemptive plans. What a great God we serve!

Books: The Enemy Within

2005-07-16T21:27:00.000-07:00

I highly recommend The Enemy Within by Kris Lundgaard, a re-write of two works by the masterful puritan writer John Owen. It tackles the weighty topic of the flesh ("indwelling sin") in today's language and uses relevant illustrations.

The premise is that the believer must understand the (1) the power of the flesh unto death and (2) the power of Christ unto salvation. He says that "the job is to kill the flesh." Anything less is "passive consent" (see Romans 8:13 for the outcome). Lundgaard finishes with encouragement that "[We] will win" and that we have the Spirit filling us and empowering us every step of the way. I found this particularly helpful given how easy it is to be lulled into passive consent by the relativisit culture we inhabit.

On a practical note, this book is especially good for small groups since the chapters are concise and include several probing questions at the end. Additionally, it has been endorsed by Packer, Bridges, Pratt, Lawson and Chapell.

Thanks to Lance Wallace for handing me a copy earlier this year.

Worship: C.H. Spurgeon's Communion Hymn

2005-07-11T16:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jeremy Writebol for recommending the hymn "Till He Come: C. H. Spurgeon's Communion Hymn" (#939 in "Our Own Hymn Book"). It is Long Meter (LM = 88.88) and would work with something contemplative like Hamburg ("When I Survey").

Click here to read the words; they are rich. You can purchase a copy of the hymnal ($14 + $3 shipping) by emailing Pilgrim Publications at Pilgrimpub@aol.com.

Worship: Metrical Psalms

2005-07-09T13:03:00.000-07:00

My good friend Bernard Bell introduced me to the Trinity Psalter this year. It contains all 150 psalms written in metrical form so that they can be sung to the same tunes we use for hymns. It is an enormous benefit to be singing the scripture, which gives us even greater assurance that we are worshipping in "spirit and truth" and aids in memorization.

The first one I tried with a congregation was Psalm 92, to the tune of "Rejoice the Lord is King." Each item in the Psalter includes the meter and suggestions for tunes at the end. Since it was a familiar tune, and we sung it through for them once, the congregation sung it very well.

An innovative idea is to use the new tunes available through RUF. That would bring the Psalter into the 21st century in a powerful way.

Happy Psalming,

First Entry

2005-07-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

This is my first entry. I enter the world of blogging for two reasons: (1) to share what I've learned through careful reading and meditation and (2) to provide my overactive brain an outlet other than my dear wife's ear. My sincere hope is that you find it useful, fun and engaging.

I named the blog (eatthisbook) after a book by Eugene Peterson that bears the same title. It draws from the visions in Revelation, Jeremiah and Ezekiel to encourage us to eat the Word of God, to internalize it thoroughly and become a community that moves beyond mere morality, bearing His image by loving the unlovable and exercising faith in the most dire circumstances.

That doesn't mean that my entries will be 100% religious: my interests are varied. Even with earthly matters, we must learn to go deeper and broader, challenging conventional wisdom and seeking the one truth which I know is there.

I look forward to making the journey with you and welcome your feedback. Finally, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14