Children's Desiring God Conference

This weekend, we had the privilege of sending three of our Children's Ministry leaders to the Children Desiring God Conference in Minneapolis, MN. We pray that God will faithfully teach them and encourage them to continue in their faithful service. Also, not only should we pray for the Children's Leaders, but let us also pray for our children. In fact, here is a wonderful link to scriptural Text to Pray for Our Children.

(HT: Desiring God Blog)

The Poetic "N" Word

This speaks for itself. And my brothers and sisters he speaks all too well.

Blogging at the Council of Reforming Churches

It is with the utmost pleasure and gratitude that I inform you that I have begun blogging at The Council of Reforming Churches website. More than anything to date, The Council of Reforming Churches expresses my heart for Christ, the Church, and the Truth. If you are not familiar with this new alliance of Christians and churches, please do so immediately. Our goal at the council is simply stated:

The Council of Reforming Churches (CRC) exists to impact the black church and greater black community with biblical theology which has its fulfillment in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. Our aim is to see reformed theology planted, take root and eventually flourish within and among the black community, for Christ, the Church, and the Truth.

You can read more on the council and its members at our website. There is audio from various Reformed African-American preachers, as well as sermon notes and articles (soon to come.) Also I have written a couple of blog post on the importance and nature of my reading. I do hope you will book mark the CRC and make it a frequent stop on your browsing adventures.

An Interview with a Reformer

Over at Pure Church, our brother Thabiti has an interview with Lance Lewis. Here Lance is being his usual provocative and insightful self when he says,

"...while I certainly hold to the genuine multi-ethnic reality of the kingdom I believe that in light of our present ethnic context it's actually better for our white brothers and sisters to join with black believers, submit to black leadership and function as the minority in multi-ethnic settings."

Read more.

Bravo Ligonier

In light of the tragic deaths at Virginia Tech, Ligonier Ministries is making their current issue of TableTalk Magazine available online for free. The theme of the current issue is Grief. This is gracious of them and timely.

Download Reformed Confessions

I love Reformed Theology! You probably already know that. I love you. Therefore, I would love for you to love Reformed Theology too. One of the reasons that I love Reformed Theology is because it is not new. Reformed truth is biblical truth that has stood the test of time. And one of ways it has stood this test is by having its truths codified in creeds, confessions and catechisms. If you are not familiar with these creeds, do yourself a favor and get familiar with them, and find yourself falling in love with the confessions and hopefully with me. Here is a link to where you can download the historic creeds, confessions, and catechisms. Download them and then bathe in their biblical and historical richness.

As We Do Unto Women

There is much talk around about the treatment of women in our society today. Don Imus' remarks have sparked much debate concerning how we regard women, particularly in popular entertainment. The discussion is particularly sharp among African-Americans. In light of the recent discussion, here is a quote from John Adams, the second president of the United States, that should give us pause and even give us some insight in to the degradation and the loss of virtue in our culture today. Perhaps Adams was speaking prophetically of America, in general, and African-Americans in particular when he wrote:

From all that I have read of history and government and human life and manners, I have drawn this conclusion: That the manners of women were the most infallible barometer to ascertain the degree of morality and virtue of a nation. The Jews, the Greeks, the Romans, the Swiss, the Dutch, all lost their public spirit and their republican forms of government when they lost the modesty and domestic virtues of their women.

Books for a Buck

Doxa Digital Press is offering 27 books for $27. This collection contains books worthy of your digital library. You will find that you may have many, if not most, of these books already on your shelves. However, I find it most convenient to travel with books and commentaries on my laptop than to have them in book bags slung over my shoulder (if you know what I mean). Also, when writing, it is much easier quoting from digital text with cutting and pasting, than it is the old fashion way of transcribing text from the book.

If you have not started a digital library, now is a good time to do it. With a small investment of 27 bucks, you can have 27 good books. I have already added them to my digital library. Take advantage of this good deal!

(HT: Challies)

Jackie Robinson Day

In Major League Baseball parks around the country today is Jackie Robinson Day. It is the day that MLB has decided to celebrate and commemorate Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball 60 years ago. Jackie Robinson is one of my heroes. I am a huge baseball fan. I played baseball in high school and college. And without a doubt Jackie was one of the best to ever play the game. And when you consider all that he had to endure and the path he had to blaze, it could be argued that he was the best man every to step between the lines. Martin Luther King, Jr. is remembered for his role as the spiritual and emotional leader of the Civil Rights Movement. Yet, before the nation had ever heard of M.L. King, it was Jackie who carried the banner for equality, justice, and Civil Rights. When America looked a true American to demonstrate what the ideals of America really were, it found him among the Boys of Summer, playing a boys game with a manly, godly dignity and grace. If there are two words that I would use to describe Jackie, the words would be dignity and grace. Grace on the field and dignity off of it. I could go on and on about Jackie. He is without a doubt one of the finest men this county has known. If you are interested (and you should be), a wonderful biography is Jackie Robinson: A Biography. Read it and thank God that there have been giants, true giants among us. THANK YOU, MR. ROBINSON!

In Defense of Christ

Our brother Thabiti represented the Kingdom of God with truth and grace during an Inter-faith Dialogue conducted in Dubai. Here is a video presentation of the dialogue. Check it out and be encouraged that God's word does not go forth void. We thank God for faithful and able men like Thabiti.

The True Enemy

I am not normally a fan of Jason Whitlock's sports editorial. Yet, this time he has raised the real legitimate questions in light of the recent Don Imus remarks concerning Rutgers Women's Basketball Team. Whitlock says "Imus Isn't the Real Bad Guy."

I would say that Imus is a real bad guy. He's just not the most detrimental or nefarious in African-American life.

Fresh Blogs

Here are couple of good blogs that have been brought to my attention recently. These brothers seem to be on top of the game. Check them out:

Black and Reformed (I like that title :-)
Reformed Evangelist (Paul Kaiser)

The Master at the Masters

In case you have not heard, Zach Johnson won the Masters Tournament yesterday. While we all would have liked to see Tiger win, Zach is a good guy, a good golfer, and a worthwile champion. Most importantly, however, is that he and his wife appear to be Christians. And on the day in which we remember the Resurrection of our Master, Zach Johnson took home the winners trophy and check at the Masters. And was moved to have done it on the Day of Days with Faith and Family so close. Tiger would have given us better entertainment, but he would not have given Christ glory. I suppose if you are going to work on the Lord's Day, you should at least give him glory in the process. Congratulations Zach!

Separate, But Equal?

I thought that the historical Brown v. Board of Education (1954) put to rest the silly notion of separate but equal. Apparently, someone down in Florida has not gotten the news. The idea of a Men-Only Church is rather mind boggling and scary. I searched for an intelligent word to describe this type of thing, and I could only come up with one...stupid (excuse my French). Do you have a better word for it? I'm open.

(HT: Challies)

"Father forgive them..."

Our Good Friday Service is "The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross." My contribution is the first word, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34):

As the curtain lifts on Christ on the cross, we see humanity at its worse. We see the Son of God at his best. The world had done all they could to him. They beat him. They spit upon him. They humiliated and disgraced him. They mocked and abused him. They did everything they could, except what they should and that was to worship him. And in light of all the unwarranted abuse, we must stand amazed, in awe, and even ashamed at our Lord’s response.

The first word Jesus speaks on the cross is not a word of rebuke toward his captors. It was not a word of correction to his accusers. It was not even a word of reproof for his tormentors. Instead of cursing those who curse him, He blessed them. Instead of accusing them, He pleads for their souls. Instead of destroying those who sought to destroy him, He prayed for them.

This is a most remarkable word in light of the surrounding circumstances. Who would have begrudged Jesus for a word of vindication or malice? Who would have thought wrong of him if he had decided to curse these ungrateful sinners? Surely the Lord of glory, the one who gives breath and life, would be right and just to take the life and breathe of those who curse and mock him rather than worship him.

And yet, instead of what the world would expect him to do, he prayed. At the time of his agony, he prayed. At the time of his torture, he prayed. At the time of his pain, he prayed. He prayed not for himself. He prayed for those who sinned against him. He prayed for the mob who said, “Crucify him!” He prayed for those who caused his pain. He prayed for the authorities who plotted to kill him. He prayed for those who spit on him. He prayed for the soldiers who hammered the nails. He prayed for those who knew not who he was nor knew not what they did.

Is that not you and me? How many of us have acted in this life as if we did not know the Lord of glory? Have you mocked his word this day? Have you behaved in such a way as to disrespect his love for you and his word to his people? Have you sinned against Christ and brought the crucified one all the more pain this day? Might I say that he is today, saying as he said then, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

In dying he made intercession for sinners. In living, the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 7:25, “…He ever lives to make intercession for us.” This night we are reminded that as we look at the cross and the pain and agony that our sins caused the perfect Son of God, brothers and sisters, let us sin not. But if anyone does sin, let us know that we have an advocate, one who pleads our case before the Father; he is Jesus Christ, the righteous (1John 2:1). He says today, at the right hand of the Father, the same as he said then hanging, bleeding on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

I’m not only glad he stayed on the cross, for my sins. I am also glad he prayed on the cross for my sins. Aren’t you?

More Reformed Brothers on the Web

Though he does not have his sermons on the web, you can get a taste of the preaching of Ken Jones, pastor of Greater Union Baptist Church, at Sermon Audio.

Reformed Listing Updates

Somehow I forgot to list Eric Mason and William "Duce" Branch at Epiphany Fellowship in North Philadelphia, PA. Check out these brothers when you get a chance.

Church Reformer Interview

Over at Pure Church, our brother Thabiti has interviewed a good friend and pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church, Eric Redmond. Eric comments on the nature of gospel reform in his own life and the life of Hillcrest Baptist Church. Check it out.