No Facebook or Twitter for Me

Occasionally, one of my buddies will send me an email invite for Facebook or Twitter. Just so you know, I'm not ignoring you. I just don't do either. Knowing me, I would waste entire days with those things. So, for my sanctification and self-discipline, I'm staying in the stone ages and staying away from Facebook and Twitter.

I will continue to blog.

Occasionally.

The Connection Between Godly Thinking and Godly Living

Godly living flows from godly thinking, and godly thinking comes from a vital, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

-- Colin N. Peckham in Resisting Temptation, p. 61

Books Coming Soon from Crossway

Crossway is one of the best publishing houses around. They publish some really solid and useful books. Here are a few they are planning to publish in 2009 that I am looking forward to.

1. The Gospel in Genesis by Martyn Lloyd-Jones
2. Proclaiming a Gospel Centered Theology from T4G 2008
3. the previously mentioned Ashamed of the Gospel
4. R.C. Sproul's massive, two-volume passage by passage exposition of Romans
5. The Power of Words and the Wonder of God by Desiring God National Conference 2008
6. Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ: The Cost of Bringing the Gospel to the Nations in the Lives of William Tyndale, Adoniram Judson, and John Paton by John Piper
7. Let Not Your Heart be Troubled by Martyn Lloyd-Jones

New Edition of Ashamed of the Gospel Coming

Word comes today that Crossway is publishing a new edition of John MacArthur's Ashamed of the Gospel (buy the original here or here). God used this book to literally change my life and ministry. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I'm really excited about the second edition and the new material in it. This book is must reading for everyone in pastoral ministry and church leadership. Here is a link to the new edition so you can add it to your wishlist.

Lessons from the Apostle Andrew

Scripture doesn't have much to say about Andrew. He is is mostly a background character, usually in the shadow of his brother Peter and his friends, James and John. But when Andrew acts and speaks, it is pure gold. John MacArthur, in is great book Twelve Ordinary Men notes the following attributes about Andrew:

• He valued individual people. He was always bringing others, including his own brother, to Christ (see John 1:40-41 and John 12:20-22).

• He valued insignificant gifts. He was the one who brought the boys lunch of five loaves and two fish to Jesus when it was time to feed the 5,000 (see John 6:8-9)

• He valued inconspicuous service. He was happy to stay in the background, playing second fiddle. He didn't need to be the center of attention, but faithfully served Christ, giving Him all the glory.
  

For these reasons, he was an effective personal evangelist and a great model for us to follow.

Oh Lord, raise up more Andrews in the church!