Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C.

Conferences Galore!

It seems like Christian conferences are abounding these days. This coming week is certainly going to be a big one for the conference round. Most popular of all, no doubt (unless, of course, I'm unaware of a Joel Osteen / Dr. Phil seminar), is Together for the Gospel (togetherforthegospel.com; great site!!!) in Louisville, KY. I mean, in some ways, you couldn't desire a better line-up than Mahaney, Mohler, Dever, Duncan, Sproul, Piper, and Johnny MacA. For many of us, these last three especially have had a deep influence upon our own journey. All of these men have challenged me greatly, and I've had to be careful at times to not make them my 'Apollos' or 'Paul.' We live in an era of church history in which really good, faithful teachers can be found (certainly awful teachers abound as well).

I have the opportunity to listen to some godly men unpack truth next week at the annual 'John Bunyan' conference here in PA (www.cornerstonechurchofskippack.com). While I won't be hearing Mohler, I will be escorting Russ Moore (Mohler's V.P.) and his assistant around in my Jeep that rattles severely and squeals anytime brake pressure is applied. I'll also be gleaning from Doug Moo, Jim Eliff, Tom Wells, Fred Zaspel, and Don Theobald at Bunyan.

Also, in my backyard, the annual Philly Conference on Reformed Theology is happening next weekend. The topic this year is TULIP, revisiting the first-ever topic 20 some yrs. ago at this gathering.

I'm looking foward to Bunyan....I've been fortunate to have attended some great conferences and hear guys like Sproul, MacA, Carson...My first date with my wife was to hear Piper in Raleigh. So, long live sound, pertinent Christian conferences.

Alistair Begg - Preacher, Author.....Actor

In case you weren't aware, Alistair Begg (www.truthforlife.org) has a fairly prominent role in the movie "Bobby Jones, Stroke of Genius" that was released a few years back. The movie is worth checking out, if for nothing else than to see a great preacher try his hand at acting.

Begg's book on preaching and pastoral ministry (co-written with D. Prime) is very good, as are his books on the basics of Christianity (What Angels Wish They Knew) and marraige (Lasting Love). These last two titles are also audio books.

In the movie, Begg is the golf 'pro' or instructor who gets off the train and says his arse hurts.

Current Books

Years ago (actually 2 or 3), in the land of Lynchburg, VA, a newly-married Juan Maclean told me that the book Reforming Marriage by Doug Wilson had rocked his world. I find myself in a similar situation today...this book is very challenging, biblical, and challenging and biblical. Anyhoo, my wife and I are enjoying it.

Other good reads as of late.....

Barely gotten into God, Revelation, and Authority by Carl F.H. Henry, but it is very penetrating....can't wait to dive into it some more. Henry was highly instrumental in calling a few men like Al Mohler to believe the Bible and not tread the path of theological liberalism. Among the endorsers of this six-volume magnum opus are D.A. Carson, R.C. Sproul, Piper, B. Graham, and Bono. (gimme 4/5)

Not a 'read', but thanks to Howard from my church for getting me into listening to 'Mars Hill Audio.' These audio tapes are very stimulating and provide a great example of cultural engagement. Many good and worthwhile subjects covered....

More to come.....

Comments

Anyone can leave a comment now....I disabled the 'must be a blogger in order to leave a comment' function I think.....Kristie and I are hoping to get some pics on here real soon.

A Few Things I'm Truly Thankful For....

- Kristie Yerk is now Kristie Randolph.....my wife is my best friend, tennis partner, and she loves
me.

- Elders in the local church...The NT teaches a plurality of elders are to lead the church. Why
don't we listen to God's always-practical instruction in life and church? Thanks Cornerstone
Church of Skippack elders (where I intern) for hands-on training.

- Friends....It was great to catch up with Juan and Debbie Maclean yesterday on the phone.
Juan, may our coming year at SBTS rival our first year at LU.

- Johnny Cash....Walk the Line is a very good movie; 'Ring of Fire' and 'Jackson' are great songs.

- The clip-on tie that I wear at my security job...saves me a good 2-3 mins. each morning.

- Justin Taylor's website....great stuff, man.

- The Masters golf tournament....see the beauty this weekend.

Steve Brown, Key Life, and Naked Mosquitoes

I've been really blessed by the ministry of Steve Brown lately. Steve is the teacher and voice of 'Key Life' radio network. His emphasis on grace - grace with no strings attached - is Pauline and refreshing. Steve has a really, really deep voice, and he is a funny dude. The other day, in looking at the book of Ephesians, he was expressing frustration over where to begin....
"I feel like a mosquito at a nudist colony; I know what I'm supposed to do, just not where to begin."