I don’t know why, but for some reason I find gags involving squirrels to be hilarious. Maybe it’s a southern thing. In any case, here’s a case in point. Professional golfers Ted Schulz and Kenny Perry recently happened upon a squirrel with his head caught in a yogurt cup. Kenny Perry’s caddie was able to free the squirrel, but the squirrel went after him when he did! Then the squirrel quickly scampered away. (HT: @mikefrantz__)
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Main Take-away from T4G 2012
My main take-away from T4G 2012 is nothing new or earth-shattering. It’s not even something that I didn’t already know. It’s something I’ve known and believed my whole life but which needed to be reinvigorated. The pursuit of holiness won’t happen by accident. I’m not going to be conformed to the image of Christ by osmosis. If I am to be sanctified, it will be a fight to the death. And that means much work, labor, and effort. Fie on passivity and quietism. The effect of God’s grace in me will be effort on my part. Where that effort is absent, so also is grace. You would benefit from all…
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All the Audio and Video from T4G Main Sessions
John Piper – Glory, Majesty, Dominion, and Authority Keep Us Safe for Everlasting Joy [download] [audio:http://media.t4g.org/t4g2012/audio/t4g2012-gen9-piper.mp3]
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Will you still be a Christian tomorrow?
In the final message of T4G 2012, John Piper ruminated on the fact that this will be the last time he preaches at T4G as a pastor. He also marveled at the fact that he’s still a Christian after 60 years. He then turned his amazement on the congregation, “I love to ask people, and I’ll ask you: What makes you think you’re gonna wake up a Christian tomorrow?” Here’s the clip with his answer:
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Bubba Watson on “Morning Joe”
I really enjoyed Bubba Watson’s interview on “Morning Joe.” The guy has never bought a suit.
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David Platt’s Gospel Bomb at T4G
In his message earlier today, Kevin DeYoung identified two underemphasized elements of the “young, restless, and reformed” movement: (1) preaching on personal holiness and (2) radical exhortation to take up the call to global missions. DeYoung addressed the first issue in his message this morning, and Platt took up the second issue in his message this evening. Timmy Brister aptly described Platt’s message this way: “That reverberating sound in Louisville is the pulsating heartbeat of God echoing from that gospel bomb delivered by [David Platt].” Listen or download below. Divine Sovereignty: The Fuel of Death-Defying Missions [download] [audio:http://media.t4g.org/t4g2012/audio/t4g2012-gen6-platt.mp3]
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Sanctification Is Not By Faith
In his message at T4G this morning, Kevin DeYoung took on the evangelical cliché that says sanctification is by faith. He argues in fact that sanctification is not by faith—at least not in the same sense that justification is by faith. Rather, he contends that holiness in the believer’s life requires effort. It is a fantastic message, and I commend it to you. You’ll also want to bask in the afterglow of his overly hyphenated Piperian sermon title. Also, don’t miss Thabiti Anyabwile’s excellent message, which was also delivered this morning at T4G. He asks and answers the question, “Will your gospel transform a terrorist?” You can download or listen…
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The Suicide of the Church
Mark Dever wins the award so far for the most provocatively titled message at T4G 2012: “False Conversions: The Suicide of the Church.” He argues that the most effective way to kill a church is to accommodate unrepentant, unregenerate people as members of the church. The audio of Dever’s message as well as the excellent sermons from C. J. Mahaney and Albert Mohler from yesterday’s meeting are now available. You can download or listen to them below or get them from this page at the T4G website.
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Some Thoughts on Rick Santorum’s Exit
GOP candidate Rick Santorum announced the end of his campaign for the presidency today (see video above). He spoke of his ailing daughter Bella and of recent primary losses. I can’t imagine what it would be like to run a presidential campaign while tending to a critically ill daughter. His family surrounded him on stage during the announcement, and they all looked worn-down as they choked back tears. You can’t help but feel sympathy for their situation.
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Perspectives on Theistic Evolution
I was interested to read Christianity Today‘s coverage of a recent Biologos conference. The attendees included forty-one scholars and pastors who hold to (or are at least sympathetic to) theistic evolution. Knowing that they are in a minority among Protestants did not limit the gathering’s enthusiasm. About 60 participants came by special invitation, with the proviso that their names would not be publicized without permission. This was intended to encourage open conversation on sensitive topics. Attending were such luminaries as N. T. Wright, Alister McGrath, John Ortberg, Tim Keller, Scot McKnight, Os Guinness, Joel Hunter, and Andy Crouch…This year’s program centered on concerns for the church—especially for young people who…