Borrowed Light: Today in Blogworld 01/12

Mike Leake

Ray Ortlund Jr. reminds us that The Cross is the Attraction. He offers us a 7 question sample of Dohnavur’s missionary tests. He then sums it up with an excellent quote by Amy Carmichael: “Do not come unless you can say to your Lord and to us, The Cross is the attraction.”

I’m not sure to hat tip here, Chris Gensheer found this quote on Ortlund’s blog. (So, HT: Gensheer and Ortlund) An excellent, heart-wrenching, convicting, repentance drawing quote by A.W. Tozer: “Pseudo faith always arranges a way out to serve in case God fails it. Real faith knows only one way and gladly allows itself to be stripped of any second way or makeshift substitutes. For true faith, it is either God or total collapse. And not since Adam first stood up on the earth has God failed a single man or woman who trusted him.”

Challies continues posting on Inerrancy. Today he asks, “What Does Inerrancy Mean?”

McCheyne Reading Plan: January 11

Mike Leake 1 Comment

Disclaimer: In posting these thoughts, questions, and ramblings I feel it wise to give a disclaimer. There are many people that are far more knowledgeable and gifted in expositing the Word of God than I. These thoughts are not intended to be in-depth analysis of the text. They are thoughts. They are questions. They are ramblings. It will be a display of what God is teaching me through His Word. In depth study will be done at a different time. It is also good to know the author’s goal. 1) To be accountable in reading through Scripture. 2) To share these thoughts with others. Possibly for someone else’s edification; possibly for my own. 3) To glorify God through His Word. 4) To spur one another on in taking up Scripture and reading! So without further ado, here are today’s readings:

Here is the plan for getting caught up on the McCheyne Reading Plan. Rather than doing one day at a time, I am going to catch up on Genesis, then Matthew, then Ezra, then Acts. Today I will be posting on Genesis and then tomorrow get as much done as I can.

Genesis 8:

The first four words of chapter 8 lept off the page, “but God remembered Noah…” There is so much in that statement. Had God not remembered Noah, he’d have drowned. Had God not remembered Noah we would have never been born. Had God not remembered Noah everything would have stopped there. But because of His glory and His marvelous love God remembered Noah.

I am sure there is a significance with Noah setting forth a raven first and then a dove, but my sleep deprived mind cannot figure it out. Is it significant that it was a female dove?

It seems to me as if God is saying in verse 21, that he will not curse the ground or strike down every man again–EVENTHOUGH every intention of his heart is wicked. I am not certain that you can say this of regenerate man, but an unregenerate man you certainly can. This is an amazing contrast. Man=exceedingly wicked. God=exceedingly gracious and merciful. Sounds like Dr. Pelleteir had it right when he said the Bible presents the story of Man’s Ruin and God’s Remedy.

Genesis 9:

God initiates and establishes His covenant with Noah and his offspring (that’s us). A couple of months ago (even while in the womb) I began reading The Jesus Storybook Bible to Isaiah. I really like how it tells this story:

“It wasn’t long before everything went wrong again but God wasn’t surprised, he knew this would happen. That’s why before the beginning of time, he had another plan–a better plan. A plan not to destroy the world, but to rescue it–a plan to one day send his own Son, the Rescuer.
God’s strong anger against hate and sadness and death would come down once more–but not on his people, or his world. No, God’s war bow was not pointing down at his people. It was pointing up, into the heart of Heaven.

The story of Ham not covering Noah’s nakedness reminds me of Proverbs 17:9. “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” Ham should have done what his brothers did, covered up Noah and covered over the offense. This leads me to wonder, are there areas where I should “cover things up” instead of confronting them for other to see? This will certainly take much wisdom!

Genesis 10:

I would love to take time and research all of these names. It is neat seeing how the world was populated. Some of these names (nations) are very familiar from studying the Minor Prophets. It’s fun knowing where these nations came from.

Is Nimrod a good guy or a bad guy? I’ve heard both. I’ve heard that he was a mighty hunter of God (meaning that he was going after God) and I’ve also heard that he was a great leader or something of the sort.

Genesis 11:

I wonder how advanced these people actually were? It is an excellent example of man-centeredness. They are really trying to make a name for themselves. The problem with man is not that he is incapable of doing great and significant things. Notice that God says, “nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them”. That’s a pretty stunning statement. So what is the problem with that? Every intention of their heart is wicked. When you combine those two things (a successful lust for self-promotion and a wicked heart that opposes God) you have a deadly combination. Just as he kicked Adam and Eve out of the Garden as an act of grace, so here he disperses man as an act of grace.

I wonder why they stopped in Haran and did not go all the way to Canaan? (v31)

Borrowed Light: Today in Blogworld 01/11

Mike Leake

This would be more appropriately titled, “What I missed in the last couple of days in Blogworld“. But that’s long. And compared to seeing our first child born, I missed nothing! Thanks to everyone for all of their prayers and support!

One of my favorite genres (at least I think it’s a genre) is Biography. Michael Haykin gives us his Top 9 Biographies. To my dismay I have read only one! (HT: JT)

Challies, even while busy on his blog tour, gives us an answer to the question of whether or not there are errors in the Bible. If you want to follow Challies blog tour you can check out Day 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Jonathan Leeman is blogging through Bill Hybel’s REVEAL. In what looks to be a 6 part series Leeman has already posted Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4. I particularly like the Excursus listed as #3; in that post he asks, “do externals count for anything”? You are also encouraged to check out Greg Hawkin’s response to Willow Creek’s “repentance”.

John Piper has made a statement that is gripping me: “Sometimes the best mark of holiness is not griping that sin abounds but groaning and grieving. ” See the context here. The staff at DG has also posted a very helpful Favorite 2007 Reading list.

Founders points us to John Owen’s comments on pastoral fervency. Owen admonishes pastors to consider the importance of these 3 things: (1.) Zeal for the glory of God in Christ; (2.) Real compassion for the souls of men; (3.) An especial conscientious regard unto our duty and office, with respect unto its nature, trust, end, and reward.

Thabiti posts his 2008 Evangelism Reading List. I was a little sad that Will Metzger’s Tell the Truth was not on the list, but it’s a great list and he will be blessed in his 2008 reading.

More controversy from Mars Hill. Steve Camp weighs in on Mars Hill’s New Year’s Bash–complete with a champagne bar. As Frank Turk began discussing the issue, as always it turned towards the issue of total abstinence (See also, here). Today, Phil Johnson attempts to recenter the discussion on whether or not it is acceptable to turn the church into a discotheque.

Michael Horton has written a great article on Christless Christianity.

There has been quite a bit I have missed, but this has been a decent summary. I will hopefully get back to normal posting next week. I hope to catch up on the McCheyne Reading Plan, and at some point I hope to write an article on this whole “alcohol issue”.

Josh Harris gives us the New Attitude promo. I would love to attend this event in May: