Today in Blogworld 01/09/08

Mike Leake

Looks like I got my Mangini wish: Browns Introduce Mangini. I hope it was not a foolish wish.

Is Mark Dever done with his sabbatical? Here is a recent article on pastoral prayer: A Village Church with a Village God.

David, aka The Thristy Theologian, tells us the story of Thomas Chalmers’ conversion.

This is a touching story: Calvin: A Brief Life. (HT: Tim Chester)

What a contrast between the story of Calvin and the horror behind this article by Dr. Mohler: A Chilling Account

Not much else out there in blogworld. I leave you with this…try not to let it get stuck in your head. Thanks to Ethan and Nick for pointing out this little gem:

Rex a Review

Mike Leake

Author: Cathleen Lewis

Pages: 242 pages

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Price: 16.49

Genre: Biography

Quick Summary:

Rather than going into a detailed description of Rex’s life watch this video it tells the story of Rex.

This book is that story.

What I Liked:

Cathleen Lewis is a great writer. She describes the events with such detail and precision that you can feel this story. Speaking of the frustration of being kept away as doctors were strolling her newborn toward ICU Lewis describes it thus: “I lunged behind the bed as they hurried past, my reflexes sharpened by a potent cocktail of anxiety and love”. Such eloquent writing is throughout the book.

Yet, Rex is not merely well written, it is also raw, gritty, and real. You can feel the mother’s heart breaking each time news is given of how difficult life is going to be for her son. I found myself sharing in the author’s anger and bewilderment at the broken school systems. This book shows raw emotion: you can sense the underlying anger at the husband that abandoned her, the constant battle of “why God”, the pride of seeing her son perform, and a deep sense of what a mother’s love really is. What a great book, I found myself not able to put it down! I hope she writes another book as Rex grows more.

What I Disliked:

Perhaps a fitting “sequel” would be a real look at Cathleen’s faith during such a time. As you read this book you sense that God is there and that her faith is real. However, it seems as if God is in the background and that her view of Him is more of a magical genie. Then you read the last chapter and realize this is not the case at all. You see that her faith is much deeper, more grounded, and quite real. I would like to read a book with God in the foreground and Rex in the background. I understand the aim of this book and it very much serves its purpose, yet, after reading that last chapter I think there is a story in here that is yet to be told.

Should You Buy It?

I most certainly would suggest it to anyone. It’s such a well put together book and a wonderful story of God’s grace, a mother’s love, and how much we really can get through. It’s a great book.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Precious Remedies 2.9

Mike Leake
Device #9 and Remedies

‘By presenting to the soul the crosses, losses, reproaches, sorrows, and sufferings that do daily attend those that walk in the ways of holiness.”

This device goes hand in hand with the previous. He shows the perceived blessedness of the lost man and then magnifies the difficulties of a life of holiness. Saith Satan, “You were better to walk in ways that are less troublesome, and less afflicted, though they be more sinful; for who but a madman would spend his days in sorrow, vexation, and affliction, when it may be prevented by walking in the ways that I set before him?” For remedies consider:

  • That all the afflictions that do attend the people of God, are such as shall turn to the profit and glorious advantage of the people of God.

  • That all the afflictions that do befall the saints, do only reach their worser part; they reach not, they hurt not, their noble part, their best part.

  • That the afflictions that do attend the saints in the way of holiness, are but short and momentary.

  • That the afflictions that do befall the saints are such as proceed from God’s dearest love.

  • That it is our duty and glory not to measure afflictions by the smart but by the end.

  • That the design of God in all the afflictions that do befall them, is only to try them; it is not to wrong them, nor to ruin them, as ignorant souls are apt to think.

  • That the afflictions, wrath, and misery that do attend the ways of wickedness, are far greater and heavier than those are that do attend the ways of holiness.

Quick Thoughts:

Today in Blogworld 1/7/09

Mike Leake

Colin Adams supplies a handy 10 item list of what you can pray for your pastor.

Jared from The Gospel-Driven Church shares his Calvinism that is counter-culture to Calvinism. If he’s correct I think I might be counter-cultural too.

Great article from Ray Ortlund concerning the biblical illterate culture that has sprang up in the church ON OUR WATCH.

In other news my hands a freezing in my cold office.

I like this quote from Tim Keller: What is the Gospel?

This is interesting. I’ve never thought of this before. Jay Adams considers the doctrine of Traducianism and explains why it matters. If you are as confused by the title as I was perhaps you should check it out.

Preachers, do you ever get afraid that this is the way you come across?