Monthly Archives: May 2011

Friday Round Up

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(1) Thank you to all of you who have been praying for my mother (after reading last evening’s post here on the blog). I am just back from my second visit to see her at the hospital. My mother seems to be stable but the medical staff are concerned that her heart rate is very erratic and sometimes very low. She is now fully admitted and so might be there a while, but she has not heard anything at all about what they think is the root cause of her alarming symptoms. I didn’t get too much sleep last night so will try to get a couple of hours now. Thanks once again for your prayers. They are appreciated far more than you know.

(2) I have received amazingly positive feedback from the two radio shows I did this week (including the emotionally tough to do one last night). You can hear both programs (for the next month or so) by going to the link the shows are not titled but can be heard by clicking on the links for the May 24 and May 26 programs.

(3) Ligonier has some great deals today on some excellent material in this week’s $5 Friday sale here. The book “What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace?” by Rev. Richard Phillips is especially recommended. Remember, if you decide to purchase material, you can claim a further 10% discount on these and on ALL Ligonier products as a reader of this blog by using the coupon code: EGRACE10

Well, that was difficult…

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Without being overly dramatic.. the hour radio show tonight was one of the most difficult hours of my life.

23 minutes into the show, a message popped up on the computer monitor in front of me, informing me that my mother was desperately sick and had been rushed to hospital. That is all I knew. I had to do the rest of the show (37 minutes) not knowing any more than that.

From what I understand, my mother did not wish to go to the hospital because of financial concerns but the gentleman staying with us (Jim) insisted – she was very delirious and was vommiting profusely and so he phoned the emergency 911 number and the ambulance and medical people came and tried to stabilize her.

Jim tells me that they found her blood sugar reading to be 40. I understand that if it goes as low as 20-30, you’re dead, so it was definitely a borderline life and death situation. I thank God for Jim, who is recovering from a stay in hospital himself – I had only picked him up from hospital earlier this afternoon. If he had not been present at my home and had not called 911, perhaps my mother would already be dead.

I had no idea of the details – just had to keep on going with the radio program because it was a live show and it would let a whole lot of people down if I just walked away. I was like a soldier who needed to stay at my post until reinforcements arrived (or in this case, the show finished).

Hopefully some of the things I was saying on the show made sense. I felt the Lord’s presence upholding me and even giving me a heavenly boldness to speak. I give the Lord all the praise, for it was certainly Him giving me the strength to do the show. Each moment I was silently (and then in the commercial breaks, not so silently) asking Him to help me keep my focus on Him and the task at hand, even though my heart was torn up over what might be happening that very moment with my mother.

I write this very quickly having just got back from the radio station. I am having a very quick hot cup of English tea (PG Tips) and will now set off in the car to go visit my mother in the hospital.

I write this post in haste to ask if you would kindly pray for my mother. I would appreciate that so very much.

Much love,

John

Recommendations

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(1) God willing, this evening I will once again be hosting the Andrew Tallman show, continuing the theme of Divine election.

To repeat the details about how to listen in – the one hour show can be heard live across the Phoenix area on KXEG radio at 1360AM at 6:00 p.m. (9:00 p.m. EST) and also live on the internet (same time of course) at www.kpxq1360.com – (when you get there, click on the “Listen Live” button at the top of the page)…. I would very much value your prayers. – John

Dr. John Piper was asked, “I believe the doctrine of election but I don’t like it much. Is it sin for me not to like the doctrine of election?” I like his answer:

(2) One quote from C. H. Spuregon: “Faith which refuses to obey the commands of the Saviour is a mere pretense and will never save the soul.”

One quote from Augustine: “In some places God requires newness of heart [Ezek 18:31]. But elsewhere he testifies that it is given by him [Ezek. 11:19; 36:26]. But what God promises we ourselves do not do through choice or nature; but he himself does through grace.”

Two quotes from John Hendryx: “There is no blessing that ever comes to man from God without coming through the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Martyn Lloyd Jones) “Therefore if irresistible/effectual grace is granted only to the elect, then where did this grace come from? From Christ. Therefore, Christ died in a redemptive way for the elect (to purchase effectual grace) that he did not for the non-elect (whom he did not purchase effectual grace). Gospel grace is Christocentric.” – John Hendryx

“Where did you get the sound judgment or good sense to believe the gospel? (John 6:63-65, 37) Why do some NOT have the good sense to believe the gospel? (John 8:47; 10:26). Grace frees you from boasting in what isn’t your own, including ascribing your repenting and believing to your own sound judgment or good sense. Grace makes us glory in Christ alone, even for these blessings.” – John Hendryx

(3) This short video uses the words of Pastor Tim Keller to unveil the theme of the Bible, revealing the fact that it is not about you (or me) but about Him:

True & Better from Peter Artemenko on Vimeo.

(4) “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” – Jeremiah 15:16

There is nothing more precious than a true knowledge of God and His Word. Someone wrote to me asking what recommendations I had regarding materials for Bible study. Here’s four (including one for children):

1. Dust to Glory – I absolutely love this series and am using it with my teenage children. This series takes you through the Bible book-by-book, drawing out the major themes of each. It’s available in the NEW TESTAMENT and OLD TESTAMENT (or as a complete package). It’s a comprehensive series with 57 lectures.

Dr. Ligon Duncan, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Miss. has said, ““Never before has there been a greater need for Christians to know their Bibles than now. And yet, we know them less well than we have at any time since the Reformation. That’s one reason that I am so delighted to commend R.C. Sproul’s Dust to Glory. It gives you the big picture — the major themes, events, and people of the Bible — the very thing we need to help us know our Bibles better. And it does so in a gripping, memorable way. Know your Bible better. Start here.”

(This is such a great series that it might also be something worthwhile to donate to your local church library).

2. Chosen by God – The doctrine of predestination remains a controversial subject and yet God has revealed this truth to us in His Word, not to divide us, but to show us the immensity of His grace and kindness to us.

In both the book and DVD series, Dr. Sproul “shows how election is entirely compatible with human freedom, dignity, and responsibility. One of Ligonier’s most significant and popular books, Chosen by God shows why all serious Christians cannot afford to ignore this important biblical doctrine, but instead should embrace God’s initiative in Salvation.” Buy R.C. Sproul’s “Chosen By God” for $10.40. Shop Today!

3. The Prince’s Poison Cup – (for children) Buy “The Prince’s Poison Cup” children novel by R.C. Sproul. Shop now!

4. In an earlier post I outlined why I particularly recommend The Reformation Study Bible: Simply superb!

(Remember, if you do decide to purchase any material from Ligonier, you can claim an exclusive 10% discount as a reader of this blog by using the coupon code: EGRACE10)