The Gospel According to Jonah

The Outrageous Love of God

Ever been outraged at the love of God?  Or overwhelmed by His abounding mercies and grace?

This was the theme of an excellent sermon delivered by a man whom I've previously never heard of, Bob Glenn of Minnetonka, Minnesota.  After having been blessed by marinating in the intense meditation upon the love of God via this message, it is now my goal to pass on this blessing to as many people as possible.

HT:JT

Seeking Wisdom?

____________________

Buy truth,
and do not sell it;
buy wisdom, instruction,
and understanding

- Proverbs 23:23
____________________

Be diligent in obtaining truth. Do not squander it.
Be earnest in gaining wisdom and understanding.

Man Pool vs. God Pool

HT:DG

Where?

Where are the young men and women of this generation who will hold their lives cheap and be faithful even unto death? Where are those who will lose their lives for Christ's sake -- flinging them away for love of him? Where are those who will live dangerously and be reckless in his service? Where are his lovers -- those who love him and the souls of men more than their own reputations or comfort or very life?

Where are the men who say 'no' to self, who take up Christ's cross to bear it after him, who are willing to be nailed to it in college or office, home or mission field, who are willing, if need be, to bleed, to suffer and to die on it?

Where are the adventurers, the explorers, the buccaneers for God, who count one human soul of far greater value than the rise or fall of an empire? Where are the men who are willing to pay the price of vision?

Where are the men of prayer?

Where are God's men in this day of God's power?

- Howard Guinness, Sacrifice

Made New

At one time Your book to me
A foreign language was like to be
Yet now oh Lord Your book is dear
Like the most delightful music to my ear

With ears that have now been washed in grace
And new eyes that will one day behold Your face
New affections too, with which to love Thee
And new hope because You have promised with us to be

All of these wonders and much more
Because You have enabled us to truly adore
Yourself, You who overflow with matchless worth
You whose glories fill Heaven and Earth

I've heard You say, "Behold I make all things new"
You have demonstrated that Your Word is powerful and true
By going through such extraordinary measures
To forgive sinners and transform wretches into treasures

- A.B. Seal

Fernando Ortega: Sing to Jesus

I first heard this song at the recent DG conference. I was so moved by it that I made a note to myself to post it here.

Darkness and Light

Wandering in pain
Wounded and forgotten
Struggling all over again
To see beyond such sin

Walking long without a light
Through this darkened valley
In the middle of the darkest night
Yet, still the sun must rise eventually

For night is not eternal
No, it's end is almost in sight
And enemies, all nocturnal
Will find their end in His glorious light

These darkened clouds cannot always rain
Nor sin forever rule the night
For once the Son stands up to reign
All darkness will be swallowed up in His majestic light

- A. B. Seal 

Urgency & Happiness

____________________

"It is not as urgent 
as you think it is, 
God is urgent."

- John Piper
____________________

"Man was designed by God 
for exceeding inexpressibly 
great happiness."

- Jonathan Edwards
____________________

HT:DG

Thomas Gates on Affliction

____________________

"Affliction is God's forge 
to soften the iron heart."

- Thomas Gates
____________________

Unsatisfying Labors?

____________________

Do not toil to acquire wealth;
be discerning enough to desist.


When your eyes light on it, it is gone,
for suddenly it sprouts wings,
flying like an eagle toward heaven.

- Proverbs 23:4-5
____________________

Why strive for that which is not most important, nor most valuable?  Wealth is not dependable, for it can be here one day and completely gone the next.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 
- Isaiah 55:2

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 
- Jesus, Matthew 6:19-20

Suffering & Sanctification

"Joy should not be situational."
- Eric Mason

Eric Mason delivered this powerful message on the relationship between suffering and sanctification at the recent DG conference:

Missions Maxim

You have to go out.

You don't have to come back.

- A Motto of the US Coast Guard

HT:DG 

Piper on Lewis

Piper just gave his biographical message on C.S. Lewis:
Lessons from an Inconsolable Soul



This is, in my opinion, the best of all of Piper's biographies.