For The Truth

Sunday, March 22, 2009

2009 SBC Blog Madness: Opening Round--my votes

The opening round of this year's Blog Madness is closed. This is how I voted, who I am pulling for, and their standings after my votes.

For the East Division:
Total votes at the time: 1169

If I could only choose two of these they would have been Moore to the Point and Praisegod Barebones.

For the Midwest Division:
Total votes at the time: 750

If I could only pick one of these it would be Trevin's Kingdom People.

For the West Division:
Total votes at the time: 666 (I keep finding this number in connection with things I'm doing. Hope it doesn't mean anything! :)

My preferred two of these four are The 9Marks Blog and Eric's blog.

And finally for the South Division:
Total votes at the time: 735

My favored two in this division were Founders and Ed Stetzer, but if I knew it was going to be such a tight race between the two of them, I would have shown my preference for Tom by giving my vote for Ed to someone else.

Well that's the wrap, that's my votes on this probably inconsequential event, but I've had fun with this and look forward to the next round. If you are interested in the final results or the future rounds here's the link: SBC Voices

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona

Críost liom

Christ with me

Críost romham

Christ before me

Críost i mo dhiaidh

Christ behind me

Críost istigh ionam

Christ in me

Críost fúm

Christ beneath me

Críost os mo chionn

Christ above me

Críost ar mo lámh dheas

Christ on my right

Críost ar mo lámh chlé

Christ on my left

Críost i mo luí dom

Christ when I lie down

Críost i mo sheasamh dom

Christ when I sit down

Críost i gcroí gach duine atá ag cuimhneamh orm

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me

Críost i mbéal gach duine a labhráionn liom

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me

Críost i ngach súil a fhéacann orm

Christ in every eye that sees me

Críost i ngach cluas a éisteann liom.

Christ in every ear that hears me.


Naomh Pádraig (ca 377)


Rath Dé ort!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Christ's Lieutenants

There is a picture over my fireplace that portrays General Robert E. Lee, General Jackson and Lee's other major leaders in the Army of Northern Virginia. The painting is titled "Lee's Lieutenants." But there is a greater army, greater than any army of the South, an army greater than any army of the North, or of America, or of any nation of men that has ever or will ever exist. The leaders in this army whether of units large or small are the undershepherds who serve the Great Shepherd, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Christ's Lieutenants. The week I penned these thoughts I had had the privilege to gather with roughly 300 of these men at Ligonier's 2007 Pastor's Conference for some needed fellowship and rest as well as receiving valuable training and encouragement on the importance of God-centered ministry, "that is conducted in humble submission to the Word of God and that emphasizes the glory of God in worship," ministry, and missions. Topics covered were the Eclipse of God in worship by a man-centered approach to theology by Dr. Steve Lawson, and how that approach compromises the very truth necessary to proclaim God's glory, to understand God's holiness, and to be able to identify man's real need, which is reconciliation to God. Dr. Joel Beeke reminded us under the topic of Target Audience, that, "Our goal is not just to wound people, but to hit the very heart and soul of our hearers." And Dr. Sproul intructed us in preaching through the narratives of the Old Testament. All of these things are valuable for those who would serve as Christ's Lieutenants in the battle for His glory and the salvation of souls.