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HAPPY EASTER!

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Matthew: The Gospel of Identity Biblical Imagination Conference to be held at Christ Church April 25-26. Michael Card Concert to be held at East White Oak Bible Church April 27

Christ Church and East White Oak Bible Church are pleased to welcome back 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 and the concert at East White Oak Bible Church.

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

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

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

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

 Easter

~ THIS AND THAT ~

LIGONIER MINISTRIES –

TITILLATING TIDBITS –

BOOKS, MOVIES ETC. –

MUSIC NEWS-

 

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

Bill’s Bucket List– This is my “Bucket List”, or a few of those things that I would still like to do before I ‘kick the bucket’:

  • Visit Israel with Michael Card as guide
  • See Ringo Starr in concert
  • Go skydiving
  • Go to the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach
  • Go to the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National
  • Travel internationally – Paris, London, Ireland, Scotland, etc.

We’d love to have you share your list with us!

Book Reviews –

~ A Violent Grace: Meeting Christ at the Cross by Michael CardA Violent Grace

 ~ The Truth of the Cross by R.C. SproulThe Truth of the Cross

~ The Women of Duck Commander: Surprising Insights from the Women Behind the Beards About What Makes This Family Work by Kay Robertson, Korie Robertson, Missy Robertson, Jessica Robertson, Lisa Robertson with Beth Clarkwomen

 

 

Movie Review – Draft DayDraft Day

Keister
Courtesy of Christianity Today

 

Check out the updated QUOTES page and here’s a few more:

The only works of righteousness that serve to justify a sinner are the works of Christ. -R.C. Sproul

Do you know who you need to be saved from? You need to be saved from God. –   Voddie Baucham

The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. -J.S. Bach

Risen

 

 


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WebLog Stardate 4.10.14

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed Little Jeffy was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. It was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven-year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside the boy, and said quietly, “Good morning, Little Jeffy.”

“Good morning, Pastor,” replied the young man, still focused on the plaque.

“Pastor Scott, what is this?” Little Jeffy asked.

“Well, son, it’s a memorial to all the young men and women who died in the service.” Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque. Little Jeffy’s voice was barely audible when he asked, “Which service, the 8:30 or the 11:00?” (submitted by Jim Lauher)

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

Book Review – When Work & Family Collide: Keeping Your Job from Cheating Your Family by Andy Stanley

Movie Reviews – Captain America; Inside Llewyn Davis

Music Review – Rivers in the Wasteland by NEEDTOBREATHE

 

~ THIS AND THAT ~

FREE!          

  • Love to the UtmostLove to the Uttermost: Devotional Readings for Holy Week is designed for Lent 2014. The readings begin on Palm Sunday, end on Easter Sunday, and aim to focus our attention on Jesus as He displays his love to the uttermost (John 13:1). These meditations on the self-giving love of Christ are all excerpted from the preaching and writing ministry of John Piper. Love to the Utmost is available free in online versions, with a softcover option available for purchase. To find out more, go to: http://www.desiringgod.org/books/love-to-the-uttermost
  • Ligonier Ministries is offering the audiobook of R.C. Sproul’s excellent book The Truth of the Cross free during the month of April. To find out more, go to http://www.ligonier.org/blog/truth-cross-free-audiobook/
  • And speaking of audiobooks, each month, on the first day of the month, Christianaudio.com offers a free audiobook. What Happens When Women Say Yes to God by Lysa Terkeurst is the free audiobook of the month for April. Lysa is the President of Proverbs 31 Ministries, a non-denominational, non-profit Christian ministry that seeks to lead women into a personal relationship with Christ.  What Happens When Women Say Yes to God is an audiobook that shares inspiring stories and compelling insights     about what it means to partner with God in all decisions and actions.

            

ONLINE VIDEOS, WEBSITES, AND ARTICLES TO PERUSE ~

  • PBS recently did a feature on the New Calvinism, focusing on the Southern Baptist Convention. You can watch it here: The New Calvinism
  • John Piper asks “Do you have a view of God, and his severe mercy, that is robust and biblical enough to flourish with tearful joy, under heartbreaking losses, which he ordains as discipline?” Read his article entitled “Great Losses, Severe Mercies, Tearful Joy” here: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/great-losses-severe-mercies-tearful-joy
  • Recently, we heard about the launch of gospelinlife.com, the new site for all sermons, books, articles, and resources from Tim Keller, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, and Redeemer City to City. Check it out!

            LIGONIER MINISTRIES ~

             NOAH~

NoahCourtesy of World Magazine.

 

IN THE NEWS….

  • Ben Stuart leads Breakaway, a campus ministry at Texas A&M University. Over the past decade, Ben has taught the Bible every week to thousands of students in the throes of college life, often speaking practically into their sins and struggles. Check out this short video from Ben, building on the Book of James, how to overcome temptation: http://vimeo.com/88843550
  • Former NFL star Jim Kelly puts his faith in Jesus as he is battling a recurrence of cancer. Read more here: http://www.worldmag.com/2014/03/in_cancer_s_pain_former_nfl_star_puts_hope_in_jesus
  • More controversy for Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church. This time it’s over a new email deletion policy. Read more here: http://www.worldmag.com/2014/04/mars_hill_church_moves_to_destroy_documents
  • David Letterman recently announced that he will be retiring in about a year. After Johnny Carson, Letterman was my favorite for a long time, and we were able to attend one of his shows on a visit to New York City a few years back. However, he has gotten increasingly political (liberal) and grumpy over the past few years and we recently switched over to Jimmy Fallon, who brings a youthful enthusiasm and creativity that the 66 year old Letterman once had. Here’s an article about Letterman’s announcement: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2014/04/03/david-letterman-cbs-retire/7266411/
  • The little movie that could – God’s Not Dead, did another $.7.7 million in ticket sales this past weekend, finishing fourth in the nation and bringing its three week total to an amazing $32.5 million. To give you some perspective, Dallas Buyer’s Club, for which Matthew McConaughey won the Oscar for Best Actor and Jared Leto for Best Supporting Actor, has done $27.2 million in 23 weeks. 

MUSIC ~

  • The annual AgapeFest musical festival (4/26/14), sponsored by Greenville College is making some changes this year. After years of having the festival outside at the Bond County Fairgrounds, and often battling poor weather conditions, the festival is moving to the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri. The festival is also moving from two days to one day. Announced acts for the 2014 AgapeFest are Tenth Avenue North, Francesca Battistelli, Sanctus Real and The Afters. For more information, go to http://www.agapefest.com/
  • NEEDTOBREATHE has been debuting new songs from their forthcoming Rivers in the Wasteland album, which will be released April 15. Check out the songs debuted thus far at http://www.needtobreathe.com/riversinthewasteland

OF LOCAL INTEREST ~

  • For several years our friend Doug Michael blessed us by sharing his funny and creative cartoons in our church newsletter. You can stay up to date with Doug’s work here: http://www.bpnews.net/bpfun.asp?id=BE
  • Illinois State University Men’s Basketball coach was the featured speaker at the annual Laymen’s Lenten Breakfast, held April 2 at Second Presbyterian Church. This is an event that my Dad, brother and I have attended for many years. Muller’s message was “Husband, Father, Mentor”. He challenged the men to be better husbands, fathers and mentors. He mentioned that many of the young men he coaches did not have a father figure in their lives. He shared about his own family, getting emotional as he did so, and about his team. He shared the four team rules that his team has, including “No excuses”, and the advice that his Mom would give him and his three brothers every day as they left for school. He challenged the men to use the gifts that God has given them.
  • One of the favorite leadership events I attend each year is Leadercast, an event held live in Atlanta, and shown in numerous locations across the country. Locally, the event is held at Second Presbyterian Church in downtown Bloomington. This year’s speakers include favorites of mine Andy Stanley and Malcolm Gladwell, along with Henry Cloud, Archbishop Desmund Tutu, Laura Bush and others. The cost of the event is $65, and includes a very good hot buffet lunch and drinks and snacks throughout the day. To find out more and to register for the event contact Pastor Josh Erickson at Second Presbyterian Church.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES ~

    • Check out these books and CDs for Easter from Alistair Begg’s Truth for Life ministry.
    • Here’s a sale on audio books from Christianaudio.com, in which several titles from Zondervan/Thomas Nelson are 40% off, including books by Ravi Zacharias, Joni Eareckson Tada and Andy Andrews. The sale goes until 11:59pm on April 30.

RECOMMENDED LISTENING ~The Pilgrim's Progess

  • The Pilgrim’s Progress: A Guided Tour by Derek Thomas

For the past week I have been immersed in John Bunyan’s classic allegory of the Christian life – The Pilgrim’s Progress, courtesy of Derek Thomas’ wonderful new teaching series The Pilgrim’s Progress: A Guided Tour.

The Pilgrim’s Progress was written by Bunyan over 300 years ago, and 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. In this teaching series, Derek Thomas takes readers along this allegorical journey, showing that Christians have as much to gain from this book today as they did hundreds of years ago.

I’ve enjoyed Thomas’ ministry, reading some of his books and seeing him speak at the Ligonier Ministries National Conference several times. As he leads us through he adds historical context, biographical information and goes over the theological points that Bunyan was making in the book.

Before listening to this series, I wasn’t aware that there was a second part of The Pilgrim’s Progress, which Bunyan wrote six years after part one. Thomas believes that relatively few have read the second part.

Part two is about a woman (Christina) and her four children. Some had criticized part one as not being community/church focused, as it was more about Christian’s (Bunyan’s) spiritual journey. Part two is a road story and also a family story with an adventure.

The series is available in CD and DVD formats. You can watch the First Message  free. To order, go to http://www.ligonier.org/store/pilgrims-progress-guided-tour-dvd/

 

Why I love Michael Card

I first heard Michael Card’s music in early 1985. I was a relatively new believer, and the album was Known by the Scars, Michael’s first in a trilogy of albums on the life of Christ. I appreciated how he took Scripture and put it to music. I remember thinking that he sounded just like Dan Fogelberg, a popular singer from Illinois at the time. Since that time, I have purchased all of his albums and books and seen him in concert many times. And yet it is his teaching that I think I appreciate the most. It is what Michael calls biblical imagination. It’s amazing the insights he provides on passages that we have read or heard preached hundreds of times.

Michael is always intentional with his music, oftentimes doing an album and book on a particular theme. In addition to the trilogy on the life of Christ, Michael has done a three album series on the Old Testament, an album and book on lament, an album on Hebrews, one on Revelation, a hymns and a Christmas album, a few albums of songs for children, and most recently an album and book on each Gospel in the Biblical Imagination Series. He also takes an annual group to Israel to tour the Holy Land, which is something that is on my personal “bucket list”.

Now I know Michael is just a fallen man. As Alistair Begg often says, quoting J.C. Ryle, “The best of men are only men at their very best.” But the Lord has used him in a mighty way to help me grow in my faith and knowledge of the Bible through his music, books and teaching.

Several years ago, my pastor, who also very much appreciates Michael, asked me if we could bring Michael in for a concert at our church. It didn’t work out back then, but in 2012 we were able to bring him in for a Biblical Imagination Conference and concert on the Gospel of Mark. The response from those who attended was so positive, that we asked Michael and his team to come back in 2014, this time for a conference on the Gospel of Matthew and a concert, which will take place in a little more than two weeks. I hope you can join us.

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Matthew: The Gospel of Identity Biblical Imagination Conference to be Held at Christ Church April 25-26. Michael Card Concert to be held at East White Oak Bible Church April 27

Just a reminder….

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

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

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

03-31-MCheyne

Quotable: God is not wanting you to make sacrifices. He wants you to be a sacrifice. -Derek Thomas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Michael Card Weekend Conference and Concert in One Month!

MC_BI_Poster_NormalIL-page-001Christ Church, PCA in Normal, IL and East White Oak Bible Church are pleased to welcome back 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 and the concert at East White Oak Bible Church.

For over thirty years, Michael Card has endeavored to engage with the text of Scripture, whether through the writing of music, books, or in the context of the conference or classroom. The fruit of this approach is heard in well-known songs like “El Shaddai,” “Immanuel,” and more recently, “Come Lift Up Your Sorrows.” Through the course of releasing over thirty albums, twenty-two books, and performing countless concerts, he has invited listeners and readers to honestly wrestle with the Bible, seeking to grasp the meaning of the text with all their heart and mind.

A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Michael received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biblical Studies. While at WKU, he met Dr. William Lane, who mentored him in an imaginative approach to studying the Bible. Michael went on to receive honorary PhD’s in Music and Christian Education from Whitfield Seminary and Philadelphia Biblical University. Michael lives in Franklin, Tennessee, where, with a group of close friends, he pursues racial reconciliation and neighborhood renewal. He and his wife, Susan, have four children.

The Biblical Imagination Conference is made up of four elements: commentary, music, on-site experience and community discussion.

 Michael writes: “Our approach is to engage the text (the Gospels) at the level of the informed imagination. This method takes seriously the impact of the fall on every dimension of human experience, including the fragmented and fallen way we listen to the Bible. How do we reconnect this rift between the heart and mind that was caused by the fall? As I understand it, only the imagination can bridge the gap. It is the means by which the Spirit begins to undo what was disintegrated by the fall. When we allow our imaginations to be recaptured by the Holy Spirit, the facts we know in our heads come to life in our hearts. This is why the Bible reaches out primarily to our imaginations, for by doing so the heart and mind become reengaged.”

But what does biblical imagination look like, you ask? How do we apply facts in our heads to aches in our hearts? What is missing in our understanding that leads to a more biblical response to the Spirit of God? Join us as we seek to reacquaint, inspire, and shape the Church with the life of Jesus imaginatively seen through the Scriptures.  

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

 

TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION

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

Tickets for the concert only are just $18, and can also be purchased at either church or at: http://store.michaelcard.com/concerttickets.aspx

If you have any questions, or need additional information, please go to the conference site at: http://www.michaelcard.com/#/biblical-imagination/conference-dates or contact Bill Pence at (309) 452-5438 or bntpence@msn.com.

 

Michael Card’s brand new newsletter The Card Community

Below is an excerpt:

The Biblical Imagination Series on the Gospels is almost complete. CDs and books are completed and in distribution on Luke, Mark and Matthew. Currently the John book is being edited by the great folks at Intervarsity Press and I am just finishing up the songs. It has been a long haul and it will be so rewarding to see them all together in a row. By the way, the video series from Israel produced by Day of Discovery is complete and available at our website. The concept with the Biblical Imagination Series is that you can go as deep as you choose to go. If you enjoy the music in light of your study of one of the Gospels, that’s great. But if you want to go deeper you can read the book or watch the video. If you want to go further still you can come to one of our weekend seminars which take place all over the country, indeed in many foreign countries. If you want to take a final step with the BI material you can choose to go to Israel with us in January. 2015. My dream has always been to walk with you as long as you feel called to dig. One of the wonderments of Scripture is that you can invest your lifetime in study and still only scratch the surface. Virtually everything I am doing now comes under the banner of BI. The only exceptions are fund raisers and private concerts.

 

VOLUNTEERS, HELPERS AND BAKERS NEEDED!

On Saturday we would like to provide the Conference attendees with snacks during the morning and afternoon breaks.   We have lots of needs and hope you can help provide some of these items.Unless otherwise indicated, bring food items to the kitchen at Christ Church no later than 9:00 am on Saturday, April 26.

Here is the link for food and beverages: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B044DACAD2AA75-food

Here is the link to volunteer to help with greeting, set up, clean up, etc.:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B044DACAD2AA75-volunteers

 

 

 


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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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Brrrrrrr !!!

Early Bird Pricing for Michael Card’s Matthew: The Gospel of Identity Conference and Concert ends FEBRUARY 25!
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Click below for a larger version:
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Just a reminder that early bird pricing for Michael Card’s April 25-26 conference on the gospel of Matthew at Christ Church and his April 27 concert at East White Oak Bible Church ends February 25.

You can purchase conference tickets (which includes the concert) at: http://store.michaelcard.com/conference.aspx

You can purchase concert only tickets at:http://store.michaelcard.com/concerttickets.aspx

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

Please write me at bntpence@msn.com if you have any questions about these events.

Matthew - St. Andrews CommentaryRecommended Resource

To prepare for Michael Card’s conference on the gospel of Matthew, I’m reading R.C. Sproul’s St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary on Matthew. This book contains the written version of 128 sermons on Matthew that Sproul delivered at his home church of St. Andrews in Sanford, Florida, where he has been pastor since 1997. This volume is part of a series of books containing Sproul’s sermons from Saint Andrews. The sermons are very easy to read and can be used for devotional reading.

~ UPDATED PAGES ON THE BLOG ~

Concert Review of Fernando Ortega at First Baptist Church in Pekin

Movie Review of August: Osage County

The Leadership Library ~ The Principle of the Path: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Andy Stanley

Leadership Book Club

WEEK FIVE 

As we continue working through John Maxwell’s classic book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, this week we’ll look at the following two laws:

  • The Law of Timing: When to Lead Is As Important at What to Do and Where to Go
  • The Law of Explosive Growth: To Add Growth, Lead Followers – To Multiply, Lead Leaders

 

~ THIS AND THAT ~

Read about Joni’s reaction to the Oscar nomination here: http://www.worldmag.com/2014/01/joni_eareckson_tada_oscar_nod_is_incredible

  • MovieGuide.org writes “When Calls The Heart is a beautiful, exciting TV series about a wealthy young woman who comes to teach in an isolated coal-mining town in 1910 Canada. The first episode, “Lost and Found,” is absolutely beautiful and very entertaining, with a strong Christian, moral worldview and no objectionable content. Read more here: http://www.movieguide.org/reviews/when-calls-the-heart-lost-and-found.html
  • In Christian movie news from Men of A.I.M. – http://www.menofaim.org/movies/
    • Gimme Shelter opened 1/24 at Carmike Grand Prairie 18.  Incredible pro-life film that also addresses the pain these decisions can cause in men looking back on these decisions, but the focal point is on a Christian shelter for pregnant teenagers providing a family to one another.  Read this article from World magazine about the film: http://www.worldmag.com/2014/01/another_juno
    • Ragamuffin: The True Rich Mullins Story:  Recently added a SECOND showing in the Peoria region.  Now playing February 3 at Eureka College and February 23 at Riverside Community Church.  (click locations to purchase tickets)
    • A Kewanee actress is in a film The Current that plays one night only February 6 at Carmike Grand Prairie.  They have already sold out one theater so we got bumped to a larger room – 44 seats left!  Buy The Current Tix here.
    • Oscar Nominee:  The title song from Alone Yet Not Alone sung by Joni Eareckson Tada has been nominated for Best Original Song – much to the surprise and disappointment of many in the industry.  We hope to see this film open in Peoria June 13, but need several hundred tickets sold to do so.  It’s a film based on a true story from during the French & Indian War in 1755.  BUY tickets to Alone Yet Not Alone here
  • You may have seen or heard about Blackfish, the controversial documentary that is critical of Sea World. This has led several music artists, including Willie Nelson and the Beach Boys, to back out of commitments to perform at Sea World. Recently, the family of the trainer who was killed by a killer whale at Sea World distanced themselves from the documentary. Read more here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-sea-world-blackfish-statment-20140121,0,6739959.story
  • The 56th Grammy Awards were presented on January 26. Congratulations to Mandisa who won Best Contemporary Christian Album for Overcomer, as well as the Best Contemporary Christian Music Song for “Overcomer”.  See all the winners here: http://www.grammy.com/nominees
  • “Invisible”, a new song from U2, will be available for a free download on February 2, Super Bowl Sunday. Read more here: http://www.u2.com/news/title/invisible-free-for-red


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January 15, 2014

Adjustments to 2013 Favorites List
I had previously listed The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug as an honorable mention (runner-up) film, along with Fruitvale Station to Captain Phillips for my top film of 2013. We had seen The Hobbit on IMAX 3-D, but unfortunately I was tired from studying for my final exam and slept through what now appears to have been about half of the film. We saw it a second time on New Year’s Day and I was just blown away. So I have to amend my top movie listing to show The Hobbit as number one.
I also inadvertently left off two other items. First, “Ordinary Love” by U2 was left off of my best songs list. The song, their first new one in years, was included in the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, which is reviewed this week. And second, I left off the excellent Downton Abbey from my list of top television shows.

JOSEPHNew Book Review ~ Joseph and the Gospel of Many Colors by Voddie Baucham Jr.

New Music RevFading Westiews ~ Fading West by Switchfoot and High Hopes by Bruce Springsteen High Hopes

New Movie Reviews ~ Nebraska and MandelaNebraskaMandela

Leadership Book Club ~ WEEK THREE

As we continue working through John Maxwell’s classic book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, this week we’ll look at the following two laws:
• The Law of Victory: Leaders Find a Way for the Team to Win
• The Law of the Big Mo: Momentum is a leader’s best friend

John Maxwell has his own page with lots of New Book Reviews – click here.

Official BIS Logo

Get your Tickets Now!! Michael Card’s Biblical Imagination Conference Returns to Christ Church in Normal in April.
Singer/songwriter, Bible teacher and author Michael Card will bring the Biblical Imagination Conference Matthew: The Gospel of Identity, to Christ Church (PCA) in Normal, Illinois April 25-26, 2014. The Sunday night concert will be held at East White Oak Bible Church, so that we can accommodate more people (as the 2012 concert filled our sanctuary).
You can purchase conference tickets (which includes the concert) at: http://store.michaelcard.com/conference.aspx
You can purchase concert only tickets at: http://store.michaelcard.com/concerttickets.aspx
Conference (includes the concert) tickets are now $48; after February 25, $58. Tickets for the concert only are now $13; after February 25, $18.
If you are coming from out of town, we are excited to offer special conference hotel rates at the Hilton DoubleTree hotel. Just mention the Biblical Imagination Conference and you will get a $79 rate on a standard room, which includes their breakfast buffet. Reservations need to be made by April 18 to receive this rate. (309-664-6446)
More information about the Biblical Imagination Conference can be found at the conference site at http://biblicalimagination.com/#/conferences/normal-il-425-27
Additional Biblical Imagination Conference and Michael Card resources can be found at: http://coramdeotheblog.com/biblical-imagination-conference-on-matthew/
We hope you can join us for the conference and/or concert. Please pass this information along to others you feel may have an interest. If you have any questions at all, please contact me at bntpence@msn.com or at (309) 452-5438.

This and That
• Join the Duck Commander family on January 15 at 9:00pm on A&E for the Season 5 premiere of Duck Dynasty. These two new episodes promise to be filled with lots of laughter, lots of fun, and more of the crazy stuff you have come to know and love from the Robertson’s. We will get to meet Rebecca Robertson as she makes her debut and then there is a surprise family member we’re going to meet. Could it be Mrs. Si? Who knows?

• Fernando Ortega has been invited to sing with guest speaker Ravi Zacharias at the Mormon Tabernacle. Tickets are sold out but you can watch the event live on the internet. The event is this Saturday, January 18th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. MST. You can watch it here.

• Next Tuesday, January 21 at 6:30pm, Dr. Sproul will be live online via video answering your theological questions. You will be able to submit questions to him in real-time or in advance by using #AskRC on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+. Check out more at http://www.ligonier.org/blog/askrc-live-tuesday-january-21/

• Ligonier Ministries is offering the e-book version of R.C. Sproul’s commentary on the Gospel of John free during the month of January. Read this article for more information: http://www.ligonier.org/blog/rc-sprouls-commentary-john-free-ebook/

• Each month Christianaudio offers a free audio book download. This month they are offering the ESV Hear the Word Audio Bible, a great choice and the translation of the Bible that I have used since it was introduced in 2001. Download your free copy here.

• 12 Years as a Slave and American Hustle were big winners at the January 12 Golden Globe Awards. One of my favorite new television shows Brooklyn Nine-Nine also was a surprise winner. Read more here: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/01/12/list-winners-at-71st-annual-golden-globe-awards/

• In a recent interview with Marie Claire Magazine, pop star Katy Perry, a former contemporary Christian artist, announced that she no longer believes in Heaven or Hell nor professes to be a Christian. Read more here: http://christiannews.net/2013/12/29/former-ccm-singer-turned-secular-pop-star-katy-perry-i-dont-believe-in-heaven-or-hell/

• At least two more Christian publishers are investigating concerns of plagiarism regarding Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. Read this article from World Magazine here: http://www.worldmag.com/2014/01/more_publishers_investigate_driscoll

• John Piper writes “Since 2007, millions of people have read books and taken inventories designed to find our strengths. These are useful for positioning people in places of maximum effectiveness.” Read his article “Don’t Waste Your Weaknesses in 2014” here: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/don-t-waste-your-weaknesses-in-2014

• On January 1, Desiring God revealed their redesigned website. Check out the article announcing the upgrade here: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/18d8042386b79e2c279fd162df0205c8

• Check out this article from The New York Times about the current Calvinist revival: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/01/04/us/a-calvinist-revival-for-evangelicals.html?_r=0

• Kevin DeYoung recently posted “10 Questions for the New Year”. Read that helpful article here: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2014/01/01/ten-questions-for-the-new-year/

• Ligonier Ministries recently compiled the best articles from their blog from 2013. Read the articles here: http://www.ligonier.org/blog/best-2013-ligonier-blog/

• John Piper was one of the speakers at the new Cross conference, a new Missions conference for students. The below article captures some of the best quotes from the conference, as well as a video of one of Piper’s messages “The Chief End of Missions: The Supremacy of God in the Joy of All Peoples”: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/the-best-quotes-from-cross

• Desiring God recently compiled their best videos of 2013. You can view them at this article: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/our-top-videos-of-2013

• Desiring God also revealed their top 13 posts of the year. You can read them here: http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/our-top-13-posts-of-2013

• Collin Hansen recently compiled the Gospel Coalition’s Editor Choices for 2013. Check them out at this article: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2013/12/30/editors-choice-the-best-of-2013/

• Ed Stetzer recently published this article on the 10 best church signs of 2013. Check them out here.

• Tim Tebow has been hired by ESPN as an analyst on their new SEC Network. Read more here: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/blogs/college-gridiron-365/os-tim-tebow-espn-sec-network-20131230,0,1744921.post

• Needtobreathe will release Wasteland, their follow-up to 2011’s excellent The Reckoning, on April 15.

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