On page 31 of The Mystery of Providence, Flavel makes reference to "images [being] pulled down in Holland". What is this a reference to? In 1566 a group of Reformers were moved by zeal to pull down every image of a saint they met on the road. You can read the account here:


History of Holland, from the Beginning of the Tenth to the End of the ... By Charles Maurice Davies

On page 30 of Flavel's Mystery of Providence we encounter the names of Polycarp and Dionysius the Areopagite. We are told that the fire would not touch them. A longer account is given of Polycarp's martyrdom by John Foxe in his classic Foxes Book of Martyrs. That account can be read here. A much more concise account is given by William Howitt:


From The History of the Supernatural in All Ages and Nations: And in All Churches ... By William Howitt

If you are reading the Mystery of Providence you perhaps came across an unfamiliar name. On page 34 Flavel says, "A spider, by weaving her web over the mouth of an oven, shall hide a servant of Christ, Du Moulin, from his enemies, who took refuge there in that bloody Parisian massacre". John Young gives a more detailed description of the account:

C.J. Mahaney has a wonderful article on preaching in view of the Cross. Here is one helpful quote within the article: "We must never assume the gospel. We must always assume that those we serve need to hear the gospel yet again. Any sermon we preach is incomplete and insufficient until we explicitly reference Christ and him crucified."

Dr. Mohler lists the Top 10 books every preacher needs to read in 2008. (Looks like I need to update my list again).

Frank Turk has entered the discussion on total abstinence from alcohol. See his thoughtful comments here.

Greg Gilbert gives a tongue-in-cheek suggestion that all churches fast from all forms of instrumental music. He has some wonderful thoughts in this article. Here is an excerpt: "I am really afraid that we’ve managed to create a generation of anemic Christians who are spiritually dependent on excellent music. Their sense of spiritual well-being is based on feeling “close to God,” their feeling close to God is based on their “ability to worship,” and being able to worship depends on big crowds singing great music.

Brian, at Voice of the Sheep, has interesting question; "Are Any Called Who Do Not Come?"

Purgatorio has posted a very thought provoking picture. It is of Jesus washing Bin Laden's feet. It asks, Is this a biblical picture.

MacArthur's What Doctrines Are Essential series concludes with part 2 and 3.

This Conference was amazing. I also was honored to get to meet John Piper. It was only brief-- actually only long enough for me to shake his hand and to tell him thank you for his ministry--but it was a wonderful experience. (His light is also borrowed). Here are the links you need:

Session 1: The Pastor as Son of the Heavenly Father by D.A. Carson
Session 2: The Call to Courage by Crawford Loritts
Session 3: The Pastor as Son of an Earthly Father by D.A. Carson
Session 4: Evangelist Bill Piper: Fundamentalist Full of Grace and Joy
Session 5: The Pastor as Father to His Family and Flock by Carson
Session 6: Fathering a Pioneer Mission Ministry by Greg Livingstone
Session 7: Q & A by All Speakers

Tuesday's Breakout Session: Strategy for Fatherhood by Gregg Harris

Or you could just go here, and visit on the links straight from DG.

I will begin posting on John Flavel's The Mystery of Providence on Friday. Currently, I am also reading The Method of Grace in our pastor's study. To keep you busy until Friday Timmy Brister has given us an introduction to Flavel; as well as many links of Flavel on the web.

In case you have not heard Union University was hit hard by the recent tornadoes. Said at Southern has links to many articles, here. Be praying for the people at Union.

John MacArthur asks a very important question; What Doctrines are Essential, today we are introduced to Part 1.

An very interesting discussion is taking place on the 9Marks blog. Mike McKinley began the discussion by defending long, boring sermons. Then Thabiti joined the discussion by helping us see that Edwards agrees as does Calvin (who also serves to balance such a statement).

Challies attemps to answer this question: “If a person is ‘a child of wrath’ from birth due to Adam’s sin and unable to choose God because of Adam’s sin, how is he responsible for his actions if he was born this way (and has no ability of his own to choose God)? … If Christ didn’t die for all men, yet all men were condemned for one sin (and by that sin, thereafter, unable to choose good), how is it just of God to condemn all men if they are ‘determined’ to be sinful by the action of Adam?”

Pulpit Magazine addresses a question that Nikki and I are now asking; Home, Private, or Public School? (Actually, financially speaking, private is probably not an option).

Trevin Wax gives 5 Reasons why the Emerging Church is Now Receding.

Les Puryear interviews Dr. Mohler on the SBC presidency. (HT: Micah)

John Piper's daughter Talitha interviews Alex and Brett Harris.

C.J. Mahaney interviews Mark Dever. (HT: JT)

Last week Jonathan Leeman continued blogging through REVEAL: Part 10 and Concluding Thoughts.