Currently Reading The New Inductive Study Bible: Nas : Burgundy Bonded Leather see related

WOW! as Bro. Rick would say.  I have not been on xanga since spring. Wanted to let the college students know about the upcoming college conference that is going to ROCK! I really believe this is going to be the most powerful conference yet, not because of Paul Washer or Dr. Moore, but because of GOD! Tell all your friends and past students who have graduated they can come to. November 11th and 12th.  FREE FOOD TOO.... Xanga me back and let me know if YOU are coming!!! Remember the theme of the conference -  "To The Ends Of The Earth"! See ya their..

Bro. Trad

Currently Reading Ashamed of the Gospel: When the Church Becomes Like the World By John F. MacArthur see related

                       ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL

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"I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16

"Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisnor; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God....I also suffer these things, but i am not ashamed; for i know whom i have believed and i am convinced that He is able to guard what i have entrusted to Him until that day."  2 Timothy 1:8,12

"Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the Holy angels." Mark 8:38

      I remember as a kid growing up in Paducah, that the 1st Saturday of the month around noon, the sirens would go off all over the city.  This was a test and a reminder that their could be coming danger.  Near the End of Charles Spurgeon's ministry he wrote a series of articles entitled "The Down Grade".  He was warning the Church of his day that Christanity was on the decline and worse, the downward momentum seemed to be overtaking evangelicalism.  Christian leaders were becoming wordly, spiritually cold, and tolerant of doctrinal error.  So much so, that he feared the Church would eventually forfeit its testimony altogether.  Sadly, his prediction came true, and evangelicalism in early twentieth-century England was decimated.

     Today John MacAthur is sounding a similar warning in his book "Ashamed of the Gospel"  He warns of Pragmatism.  Pragmatism ignores doctrine and focuses more on achieving "sucess" than communicating God's Word unashamedly.  Tragically, this theology - *Emphasizes church growth over church doctrine - *Makes entertaining congregations more important than feeding them spiritually - *Views truth as being secondary to "what works"

Over the next few post i will be touching on what God is teaching me about the decline of the Gospel.  One last question, who have you share the Good News of Jesus with Lately???

Bro. Trad

Currently Reading Let the Nations Be Glad! 2d ed. By John Piper see related

                                   God Is Most Glorified In Us

                             When We are Most Satisfied in Him

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  "But is it loving for God to exalt His own Glory? Yes it is!  And there are several ways to see this truth clearly.  One way is to ponder this sentence: God is most Glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.  This is perhaps the most important sentence in my theology.  If it is true, then it becomes plain why God is loving when He seeks to exalt His glory in my life.  For that would mean that He would seek to maximize my satisfaction in Him, since He is most glorified in me when i am most satisfied in Him.  Therefore God's pursuit of His own glory is not at odds with my joy, and that means it is not unkind or unmerciful or unloving of Him to seek His own glory.  In fact it means that the more passionate God is for His own glory the more passionate He is for my satisfaction in that glory.  And therfore God's God-centeredness and God's love soar together." 

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This article comes out of John Piper's book - "Let the nations be Glad"  Just something i thought we could ponder over together today.  Have a great day and may God's strength be with you today.

Bro. Trad

Currently Reading With Christ in the School of Prayer By Andrew Murray see related

I am more and more convinced that people today do not know how to share the Gospel anymore or even know the Gospel.  I am going to blow a little steam today.  I was talking to a dad the other day.  He has two boy's.  He was telling me that the boy's were struggling some with their soul, and if the were truly saved.  They talked to this pastor and he ask the boy's when they prayed the prayer (that if they felt a tingling inside). He said -  That tingling let them know they were saved.  Lord help us!  This is a pastor of a church for crying out loud!!! Many people today are relying on a feeling, and not the person of Jesus Christ.  People today hardly ever speak of a changed life.  Achange in actions, a change in your thoughts, a pursuit for Holiness in their life. We need to simply get back to the basic again by reading the Word of God!  This is exactly why i don't spend to much time reading modern day writers.  Their are a few such as Piper, Sproul, and Boice. I like the old dead Guys.  Edwards, Spurgeon, Murray, and so on.  Well i have got to run.  Spend time today meditating on this thought i have presented to you. I could go on and on right now , but i won't.

For HIS Glory!

Bro. Trad

Hello out there in xanga land.  Sorry it has been so long since i posted.  Sounds like everyone is doing great and college is coming to an end. Hope that the Lord has taught you all so much this school year.  I have gotten to meet some really cool people this school year. Like for instance Carlton, wow what a  neat guy. God is doing some wonderful things in this young mans life. Well anyway, i am gearing up this summer. See you all soon.  have a great day. Your Pastor of students!

Trad