Coram Deo ~

Looking at contemporary culture from a Christian worldview

Monthly Archives: February 2014


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Michael Card’s Biblical Imagination Conference and Concert is just 2 Months Away!

Michael Card slideChrist Church and East White Oak Bible Church are pleased to host respected singer/songwriter, Bible teacher and author Michael Card for the Biblical Imagination Conference Matthew: The Gospel of Identity on April 25-26, and concert on April 27. The conference will be held at Christ Church in Normal, and the concert at East White Oak Bible Church in Carlock.

The short promotional video linked below will give you and your church an idea of what to expect at the conference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GafOGsbbz88

More details about the conference, including the schedule, are available at the conference site at: http://biblicalimagination.com/#/conferences/normal-il-425-27

Tickets for the conference (which includes the concert) are $58 and can be purchased at:  http://store.michaelcard.com/conference.aspx

Tickets for the concert only are $18 and can be purchased at: http://store.michaelcard.com/concerttickets.aspx

Please share this on your personal Facebook sites and encourage your friends to attend.  If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact Bill Pence at (309) 452-5438 or bntpence@msn.com

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

As I near my graduation from Covenant Seminary, I am revisiting a few of my assignments (papers, etc.) that I completed. Below is a paper I wrote on B.B. Warfield 2010 for Carl Trueman’s course on Warfield.  http://coramdeotheblog.com/warfield-paper/ 

Leadership Library – From Ken Blanchard to John Wooden, from being a Quiet introvert to being a StandOut and everything in between, we have lots of new leadership book reviews for you to peruse and enjoy.

21New Leadership Book Review – The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader: Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow by John Maxwell3 Days to KillGrace Unplugged

Movie Reviews – 3 Days to Kill and Grace Unplugged
 

~ THIS AND THAT ~

  • My good friend Dr. Neil Skaggs will be presenting “Prelude to Wilberforce: Christian Men & Women that Changed Britain” Friday, March 7 at the Ithaka Fellowship. Please do not hesitate to RSVP. Space is limited to the first sixty people. Coffee and dessert will be served at 7 PM. For directions or more information go to www.IthakaFellowship.org or contact Duane at duaneotto@mac.com.
  • Read this interesting article “The Christian Leader in the Digital Age” by Dr. Albert Mohler – http://www.albertmohler.com/2014/02/19/the-christian-leader-in-the-digital-age-2/. If you are interested in more from Mohler, check out his book The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership that Matters.
  • Do you count the cost before mentioning Christ in a work environment where policy forbids it? – this article from World Magazine is right up your alley. http://www.worldmag.com/2014/02/pink_slip_speech
  • Tim Challies linked to this infographic on multi-tasking, something we all do and think we are doing good at it. Think again on that. Read more here: http://dailyinfographic.com/the-high-cost-of-multitasking-infographic
  • Check out this four minute video from John Piper as he explains how the Spirit within and the word of God without work together to make us new – http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/believer-become-what-you-are
  • Here’s a lengthy Huffington Post profile of Christian hip-hop/rap artist Lecrae, and one of my favorite artists: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/20/lecrae-moore-rap-christian_n_4784064.html?1392952192
  • Ligonier Ministries recently introduced the Ligonier Interview Archives, a new podcast. The weekly podcast highlights interviews from the archives on a variety of products. You can subscribe in iTunes.
  • Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is one of my favorite books of the past few years. Here’s the trailer for the film version, which will open Christmas Day: Unbroken
  • Justin Taylor recently interviewed David Wells, who has written some of the most significant books of the past 20 years, about his new book God in the Whirlwind: How the Holy Love of God Reorients Our World. Check it out here:  http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2014/02/19/an-interview-with-david-wells/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+between2worlds+%28Between+Two+Worlds%29Ben Carson
  • Dr. Ben Carson’s new book is One Nation: What We Can All Do to Save America’s Future, and it will be published May 20.
  • Eric Metaxas, an excellent biographer, has filmed a Four-part Small Group Video Curriculum on Bonhoeffer! It was shot it on location, mostly in Germany, but in Poland too. Metaxas talks about Bonhoeffer while sitting at his desk in the very bedroom in Berlin where he lived and was arrested, and in the backyard of that home where the gas cannisters were buried, which contained his famous Letters and Papers from Prison. He visits the site of Finkenwalde, now just over the border in Poland, and visits the gorgeous Igel Fraternity in Tübingen where he and his father were members. He even goes inside Tegel prison, which is still operating as a prison, virtually unchanged from Bonhoeffer’s time there. It will be demolished later this year. Here is a link to the first video, which you can watch in its entirety, to get a taste of the whole. And here’s a short trailer. To purchase the DVDs & Study Guide from CBD.com, click here. To purchase from Amazon, click here. To purchase from BN.com, click here.
  • Did you see the season finale of Downton Abbey? If so, what did you think? It’s one of our favorite shows, but as I think about it, it’s a show that is almost completely devoid of evidence of faith in the life of any of the characters.Son of God
  • The new film Son of God will open nationwide on Friday, February 28.
  • Neon Steeple, the first solo album from David Crowder, now known as Crowder, will be released May 27.
  • NEEDTOBREATHE has announced dates for the first leg of the “Rivers in the Wasteland World Tour. Frecently announced tour dates. They will be at the Pageant in St. Louis June 13 and the House of Blues in St. Louis June 14 and 15. For more information, go to www.NEEDTOBREATHE.com
  • Peter Furler, the talented former lead singer of the Newboys, will release Sun and Shield on Peter Furler BandMarch 11.
  • In case you missed it, here’s the video of U2 playing “Invisible” on the top of the Rockefeller Center and an acoustic version of “Ordinary Love” on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show debut Monday:  http://consequenceofsound.net/2014/02/watch-u2-on-the-tonight-show-starring-jimmy-fallon/
  • Speaking of U2, check out this profile The State of U2 from The Hollywood Reporter: http://www.u2.com/news/title/the-state-of-u2
  • And while we’re on the subject of my favorite bands making the rounds, check out Switchfoot performing “When We Come Alive” from their #1 album Fading West on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on February 19. Watch the video here: http://landofbrokenhearts.org/archive/2014/02/video-switchfoot-on-jimmy-kimmel/

Here’s something submitted by my friend Clay Johnson:

Time is like a river. You cannot touch the water twice, because the flow that has passed will never pass again. Enjoy every moment of life.
As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper’s cemetery in the Nova Scotia back country.
As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn’t stop for directions.
I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late.
I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn’t know what else to do, so I started to play.  The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I’ve never played before for this homeless man.
And as I played “Amazing Grace”, the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished, I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head was hung low, my heart was full.
As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, “I never seen nothing like that before and I’ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years.”
Apparently I’m still lost….it’s a man thing.

 

 


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Only one week remaining for “early bird” pricing for the Biblical Imagination Conference on Matthew and Michael Card Concert

Just a reminder that “early bird” pricing for the Biblical Imagination Conference on Matthew and Michael Card’s concert is available only through February 25.

Christ Church and East White Oak Bible Church are pleased to host respected singer/songwriter, Bible teacher and author Michael Card for the Biblical Imagination Conference Matthew: The Gospel of Identity on April 25-26, and concert on April 27. The conference will be held at Christ Church in Normal, and the concert at East White Oak Bible Church in Carlock.

This short promotional video will give you, your family and your church an idea of what to expect at the conference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GafOGsbbz88

More details about the conference, including the schedule, are available at the conference site at: http://biblicalimagination.com/#/conferences/normal-il-425-27$13 concert poster

Tickets for the conference (which includes the concert) can be purchased at: http://store.michaelcard.com/conference.aspx

Tickets for the concert only can be purchased at: http://store.michaelcard.com/concerttickets.aspx

Conference tickets are now just $48; after February 25, $58. Tickets for the concert only are now only $13; after February 25, $18.

Please share this on your personal Facebook sites and encourage your friends to attend.

If you have any questions, or need additional information, please contact Bill Pence at (309) 452-5438 or bntpence@msn.com.

~ THIS AND THAT ~R.C.'s 75th

  • Dr. R.C. Sproul celebrated his 75th birthday on February 13. The day before, blogger Tim Challies published his infographic on Sproul. You can see it here: http://www.challies.com/resources/rc-sproul-the-happy-birthday-infographic
  • And speaking of R.C., his next book will be Everyone’s a Theologian, which will be released March 15 at Ligonier Ministries’ National Conference.
  • Here’s a helpful article from the Desiring God blog “Three Questions to Ask Before Watching a Movie”. Read it here: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/three-questions-to-ask-before-watching-a-movie
  • All three of the excellent God’s Word for You series books by Tim Keller (on Galatians, Judges and Roman) are now 50% off from Christianaudio through February 28. Read more here:
  • Desiring God’s recent conference for Pastors focused on the topic of union with Christ. All the media from the conference is now available for unlimited streaming and download, all free of charge. Check out the messages by John Piper, Sinclair Ferguson, Michael Horton and others here: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/now-available-new-messages-on-union-with-christ
  •  Here’s an interesting article from the Gospel Coalition about faith at work. Read it here: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2014/02/13/when-to-go-public-with-faith-at-work/
  • And speaking of the Gospel Coalition, Council member Darrin Patrick, a pastor from St. Louis provides this interview with Mike Matheny, manager of the St. Louis Cardinals: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2014/02/12/cardinals-manager-mike-matheny-on-baseball-manhood-and-faith/
  • Sinclair Ferguson, one of my favorite theologians, shares lessons from a lifetime of pastoring in this video: Lessons from a Lifetime of Pastoring
  • Do you use the acrostic ACTS to guide your prayer time? Check out this short article on ACTS and then download the digital edition of R.C. Sproul’s book The Prayer of the Lord free during February – http://www.ligonier.org/blog/simple-acrostic-prayer/
  • Watch this four minute video from John Piper on the God who displays his glory not by our working for him, but his working for us: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/when-god-works-for-youThe Evangelistic Zeal of George Whitefield
  • Steven Lawson’s latest book is The Evangelistic Zeal of George Whitfield. It is part of the Long Line of Godly Men Profiles series.
  •  “Alone Yet Not Alone”, the Joni Eareckson Tada song that had been nominated for an Oscar but then had the nomination revoked because of rules violations, is number one on the iTunes Christian and Gospel charts and #81 overall as of this writing.
  • The Peter Furler Band (former lead singer of the Newsboys) will release Sun and Shield on March 11.
  • The live album from the Passion 2014 conference will be released April 29.
  • Michael W. Smith’s new album, Sovereign, will be released May 13
  • U2 will perform their Oscar-nominated song Ordinary Love live for the first time on the Academy Award telecast on March 2.
  •  I’m a huge Beatles fan. They are my favorite band (followed in order by U2, Switchfoot and Jars of Clay). I remember watching my Aunt Linda screaming at the TV in her parents (my grandparents) living room in Chicago as the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show back in 1963. The surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr appeared together twice recently, the below picture being from a celebration that took place on the 50th anniversary of their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show February 9, 1964.Paul and Ringo

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

New Page:  I Peter Paper ~ As I near my graduation from Covenant Seminary, I am revisiting a few of my assignments (papers, etc.) that I completed. Below is a paper I wrote on 1 Peter in 2008 for Dr. Chapman’s New Testament History and Theology course.  Thanks to friend and fellow elder Don Lusk for his review of my original paper and his helpful suggestions. (For this version, I have removed the footnoting to make reading easier).

Favorites! Page has been updated – send us a comment with your favorites.

Romans for YouBook Reviews ~ Romans 1-7 For You: For reading, for feeding, for leading (God’s Word for You) by Timothy Keller

New to the Leadership Library ~ Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain.iTunes Session - Third Day

Movie Reviews ~ The Lego Movie and About Time

Music Review ~ iTunes Session – Third Day

Quotable:    Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words – Francis of Assisi


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Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. Psalm 63:3

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

Music Review: Never Land – Andy Mineo
Movie Review: The Monuments Men
Book Reviews:
• Five Points: Towards a Deeper Experience of God’s Grace by John Piper
• Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt
• Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
• The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey

~ THIS AND THAT ~

• On January 24, Dr. R.C. Sproul took part in a live question and answer session. You can watch that session below: http://www.ligonier.org/learn/conferences/ligonier_webcast_archive/ask-rc-jan-2014.

• The relationship between justification and sanctification—between being pronounced righteous in a moment and being made righteous over a lifetime—is delicate, complex, and altogether crucial to grasp. Watch this 10-minute video to hear three pastors and Gospel Coalition Council members discuss overcorrection, contextualizing warnings, and more: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2014/01/21/justification-and-sanctification-whats-the-problem/

• Jeremiah 29:11 is a precious verse to many: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” So how can Gentile John Piper, or any of us, lay claim to this hopeful promise made to Israel, God’s covenant people? Pastor John explains in this 3-minute video.

• Eric Metaxas’ excellent book on Dietrich Bonhoeffer Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy is on sale in the Kindle edition for a short time for just $2.99. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003GY0K48?tag=thethreshold-20

• Check out this review from Tim Challies of the new book The Gospel at Work by Greg Gilbert and Sebastian Traeger. It sounds like a book that I would like to read. Read Tim’s review here: http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/the-gospel-at-work#keep-reading

• And speaking of Tim Challies, check out his infographic on John Piper: http://www.challies.com/resources/john-piper-the-infographic

• The faith based film God’s Not Dead will be playing at the Carmike Grand Prairie 18 in Peoria beginning March 21. Here’s a link to the film’s website: http://godsnotdeadthemovie.com/

• The MovieGuide.org Grace Awards honor performances that uplift the human spirit and inspire people to strengthen their relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Read the Grace Awards nominations here: http://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/inspiring-performances.html

• At what point do we consider a film irredeemable, or at least unwatchable? At what point do we say it is wrong to participate in certain forms of entertainment? Read this article from the Gospel Coalition blog: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2014/01/06/evangelicals-and-hollywood-muck/

• Michael W. Smith returns with his first new music in some time. His new “You Won’t Let Go” became available on iTunes on February 4. As of February 5, the single was #2 on the Christian charts. A new album is due in May.

• Congratulations to Andy Mineo for his new EP Never Land charting at #1 n iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap charts. His single, “You Can’t Stop Me”, is currently #27 on the Hip-Hop/Rap singles chart, one of the few songs listed without an “Explicit” warning. Well done Andy!

• U2’s excellent new song “Invisible” was available as a free download on iTunes for 36 hours Super Bowl Sunday and the following day, with the goal of contributing $2M to help fight AIDS. As of this writing the figure has reached over $3M and rising. The song is now available on iTunes for purchase with all proceeds from every download going to (RED) for the Global Fund. Read more here and watch the video for the song here: http://www.u2.com/news/title/invisible-the-video?utm_source=WhatCounts+Publicaster+Edition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EMLU2COS_20140211_subs_invisible_video_premier&utm_content=Here+it+is…&AID=1613

• Speaking of U2, they and Will Smith will be Jimmy Fallon’s first guests as he takes over The Tonight Show on January 17. Read more about Fallon’s  first week here: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-02-10/entertainment/chi-tonight-show-jimmy-fallon-first-week-lineup-20140210_1_week-lineup-jimmy-fallon-fallon-takeover

• James Taylor will be touring the U.S. and has announced a date at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, an outdoor venue in St. Louis, on June 24.

• The Red Hot Chili Peppers joined Bruno Mars for the Super Bowl halftime show. However, despite their vocals being live, the band’s music was pre-recorded. Read more by clicking here.

• Did you see the Seinfeld commercial that aired during the Super Bowl? If not, check it out here.

• Excited about the Winter Olympics? Check out this article from Christianity Today on Christian athletes to watch in the games:http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/february-web-only/christian-olympians-sochi-olympics.html

• Is Paper Dead? Check out this short (39 seconds) video: http://www.youtube.com/embed/V_gOZDWQj3Q?rel=0


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Movies and Musics and More, Oh My!

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

Book Review:   The Kid: The Immortal Life of Ted Williams by Ben Bradlee, Jr.   Audiobook read by Dave Mallow

Movie Reviews:

  • Ride Along, rated PG-13
  • Last Vegas, rated PG-13
  • Labor Day, rated PG-13
  • Fading West, not rated

 Leadership Book Club – WEEK SIX:  

As we complete our review of John Maxwell’s classic book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership we look at The Law of Legacy: A Leader’s Lasting Value is Measured by Succession

~ THIS AND THAT ~

  •        Here are the top Super Bowl ads, led by “Puppy Love” from Budweiser: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/02/02/ad-meter-winner-story/5087939/
  •        Illinois State University Men’s Basketball Coach Dan Muller will be the featured speaker at the annual Laymen’s Lenten Breakfast to be held at Second Presbyterian Church on April 2. This is an event that my Dad, brother and I have enjoyed over the years. Read more here: http://www.ibfoundation.org/#!__mens-lenten-breakfast         
  •        During February Ligonier Ministries will be giving away R.C. Sproul’s book The Prayer of the Lord. Read hear about the book and how to download it: http://www.ligonier.org/blog/prayer-lord-free-ebook/\
  •       I thought this article by Peter Jones entitled “Your Grammy’s Church” was thought-provoking: http://truthxchange.com/articles/2014/01/28/your-grammys-church/
  •        And speaking of the Grammy’s, check out rapper and author Trip Lee’s “5 Questions for Beyonce” here: http://builttobrag.com/5-questions-for-beyonce/  
  •         The film version of the excellent book Unbroken, written by Laura Hillenbrand, will be released Christmas Day. The film will be directed by Angelina Jolie and the screenplay will be done by Ethan and Joel Coen. Unbroken tells the incredible life story of Louis Zamperini. Jack O’Connell will star as Zamperini in the film.
  •         When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert is the free audiobook of the month from Christianaudio.com. The central point of the book is to provide proven strategies that challenge Christians to help the poor empower themselves. David Platt, author of Radical, states: “Simply put, I have never read a better book on practically serving the poor, and I pray that God will use this new edition to equip his people to accomplish His purposes in a world or urgent spiritual and physical need for the glory of His great name.” To download your copy of the book, go to http://christianaudio.com/free/?utm_source=HomePage&utm_medium=InternalBanner&utm_campaign=CAFreeBook
  •             Congratulations to Casting Crowns, whose new album Thrive, debuted at #2 on the iTunes charts January 28. Jamie Grace’s new released Ready to Fly debuted at #14.
  •             Check out this short article from Desiring God titled “Three Reasons to Get Some Sleep”: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/three-reasons-to-get-some-sleep
  •            Ligonier Ministries has released a new teaching series from Derek Thomas The Pilgrim’s Progress: A Guided Tour. Here’s a description:

The Pilgrim's ProgressThe Pilgrim’s Progress, written by John Bunyan over 300 years ago, is one of the most widely-circulated books ever to be published in the English language. In spite of its popularity in the past, many people today are not familiar with this masterpiece. Join Dr. Derek Thomas as he leads a guided tour of this allegorical work, showing that Christians have as much to gain from this book today as they did hundreds of years ago.

To order, go to http://www.ligonier.org/store/pilgrims-progress-guided-tour-dvd/

It’s like the room just cleared of smoke
I didn’t even want the heart you broke
It’s yours to keep
You just might need one

I finally found my real name
I won’t be me when you see me again
No, I won’t be my father’s son

I’m more than you know
I’m more than you see here
More than you let me be
I’m more than you know
A body in a soul
You don’t see me but you will
I am not invisible

That’s right
I’ll be in the invisible world

I don’t dream, not as such
I don’t even think about you that much
Unless I start to think at all

All those frozen days
And your frozen ways
They melt away your face like snow

I’m more than you know
I’m more than you see here
I’m more than you let me be
I’m more than you know
A body in a soul
You don’t see me but you will
I am not invisible
I am here

There is no them
There is no them
There’s only us
There’s only us
There is no them
There is no them
There’s only us
There’s only us
There is no them
There is no them
There’s only you
And there’s only me
There is no them

Romans for You

  • Tim Keller’s new book on Romans is his third in the series from The Good Book Company, with Galatians and Judges preceding this volume.  The new book covers chapters 1-7 of Romans and will be released February 4.

Paul Mc Picture

  • Surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr reunited at the Grammy Awards on McCartney’s new song “Queenie Eye”. In addition, McCartney won four Grammy Awards for:
  • ‘Best Rock Song’ for ‘Cut Me Some Slack’ which he co-wrote with Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear.
  • ‘Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package’ for last year’s Wings over America re-issue.
  • ‘Best Surround Sound Album’ for Live Kisses.
  • ‘Best Music Film’ for Live Kisses.

Paul was also honored in an award recognizing The Beatles’ contribution to popular music brings his GRAMMY tally up to five awards, his biggest win ever at the ceremony!

 Quotable:

You are always on duty in the Christian life, you can never relax. There is no such thing as a holiday in the spiritual realm.  -Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Sin is what you do when your heart is not satisfied with God.   -John Piper