Desiring God Conference

Well, it is great to be back from the DGM national conference. It was a great conference. I worked the book table for Mathias Media and was able to have some good conversations encouraging people towards discipleship and evangelism. The talks were all helpful. Sinclair Ferguson opened the conference with an excellent exposition of James 3. It was a very clear exposition of the text that was convicting. He had a great illustration that came from his personal experience. He speaks with a Scottish accent and wherever he goes in the States people ask him where he is from. He asked, "do people know where you are from because you speak a heavenly accent?"

Driscoll was edgy as was expecting but gave some challenging thoughts to think through the different kinds of speech that Jesus used towards sinners versus false teachers.

Tripp's message was excellent. It is no surprise that the man that taught me about heart idolatry would relate our use of words to the heart and our ruling desires and idols.

Piper delivered an excellent message on the place of eloquence in evangelical preaching. He did well exegeting 1 Co 1-2 and answering why Paul was averse to eloquence in preaching in the light of the historical background of the Sophists in Corinth.

If you want to watch, listen, or read any of the messages then you can click here.

The Beginning of the end: UK begins to adopt Sharia Law

I recently read an article here that states that judicial courts in Great Britain are adopting Sharia law in some instances. Sharia law is Islamic religious law. Some estimate that within 20 years the UK will be an Islamic state under Sharia law. One scholar who is on the inside of UK politics believes that this will take place within 20 years. I believe this is an extremely foolish and naive decision for Great Britain. It fails to understand that Islam's goal is to take over the countries by any means necessary.
What is the response of the church. The temptation is to run for your guns, but Christ has something far better. Let us uphold the precious gospel of Christ to our Muslim friends and neighbors. Let us pray for missionaries to Muslim saturated countries. Let us be willing to go ourselves. For straight talk on Islam without the nauseating political correctness of modern media, check out any of Dr. Bob Morey's videos on Islam.

Persecution

I have been struck lately thinking about Acts 12. I first heard this through a Desiring God Ministry newsletter. The contrast is between James and Peter. At the beginning of Acts 12 James is executed at the order of Herod. Then Peter is arrested and appears to be awaiting execution. The church prays and God is pleased to send an angel to deliver Peter out of prison. By the end of the chapter Herod is struck dead and the Word of God continues to multiply.
Sometimes God chooses to magnify His name through His people counting Christ more precious than their own lives and dying in the process. Sometimes He is pleased to deliver His people out of persecution. Regardless of God's doing, we are responsible to pray for our brothers and sisters.

Pray for our brothers and sisters in India undergoing persecution here and here.

Hebrews 13:3 "Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body."