For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment. (Psalm 66:10-12) SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Tested … afflicted … satisfied", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2008/10/06/tested-afflicted-satisfied/" });

Think about what you say online. In our age information is: Instant Constant Global Permanent But don’t let that prevent you from speaking and writing boldly. Even still, choose your words well. (The list of four above was mentioned by Pastor Mark Driscoll in response to the question, "What have you learned, Mark, from those who have criticized you?" in the panel discussion at the Desiring God conference: "The Power of Words and the Wonder of God." SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Instant, constant, global + permanent", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2008/10/01/instant-constant-global-permanent/"...

Sinclair Ferguson’s 20 Resolutions on Taming the Tongue 1. I resolve to ask God for wisdom to speak out of a single-minded devotion to him. (1:5) 2. I resolve to boast only in the exultation I receive in Jesus Christ and also in the humiliation I receive for Jesus Christ. (1:9-10) 3. I resolve to set a watch over my mouth. (1:13) 4. I resolve to be constantly quick to hear and slow to speak. (1:19) 5. I resolve to learn the gospel way of speaking to both rich and poor. (2:1-4) 6. I resolve to speak in the present consciousness of my final judgment. (2:12) 7....

Here is a real picture of a man who considers himself a real sinner, who’s identity is found in Jesus, and who has relied upon Him for decades. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "A compelling interview", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2008/09/06/a-compelling-interview/" });

9 “Therefore I still contend with you, declares the Lord, and with your children’s children I will contend. 10 For cross to the coasts of Cyprus and see, or send to Kedar and examine with care; see if there has been such a thing. 11 Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. 12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the Lord, 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken...

As every day is His, these will work at all times too… Tozer on looking outside ourselves: “While we are looking at God we do not see ourselves – blessed riddance. The man who has struggled to purify himself and has had nothing but repeated failures will experience real relief when he stops tinkering with his soul and looks away to the perfect One. While he looks at Christ, the very thing he has so long been trying to do will be getting done within him .” - A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God (Camp Hill, PA: Christian Publications, Inc., 1993), 85. [HT: Of First Importance ] Wesley on...

My sweet bride has an insightful article on the subtle (but significant) difference between trust God for something and trusting Him with some circumstance. The former is more prevalent, the second aligns with the New Testament vision of trusting Christ. Period. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Trusting God FOR or WITH something?", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2008/07/30/trusting-god-for-or-with-something/" });

Humility. “Take every word as spoken to yourselves. When the word thunders against sin, think thus: ‘God means my sins;’ when it presseth any duty, ‘God intends me in this.’ Many put off Scripture from themselves, as if it only concerned those who lived in the time when it was written; but if you intend to profit by the word, bring it home to yourselves: a medicine will do no good, unless it be applied.” (From a sermon by Thomas Watson entitled “How We May Read the Scriptures with Most Spiritual Profit”) SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "The only appropriate posture for Bible reading...

Thank you to all who wished me a happy 30th. Finally my age matches these graying hairs, and perhaps the big three-oh will have some built-in credibility to match. (Somehow being only 29 is way different than being a mature 30 in some people’s eyes when it comes to pastoring — the difference between being in one’s twenties and thirties.) The life of one of my heroes, the late Robert Murray McCheyne, was cut short at only 29 years. (Well, he’s more alive than any of us these days, in the presence of Jesus.) At my age, I think about him and others like Henry Scougal quite...

“Transcendent living is Christ-centered living. Living for Christ is the only way you will ever be liberated from your bondage to the overwhelming tendency to shrink the size of your life to the size of your life. The only way to spin free of the narrow confines of your little cubicle kingdom is to live in the big sky country of Christ-centered living. You will never win the battle with yourself simply by saying ‘no’ to yourself. The battle only begins to be won when you say ‘yes’ to the call of your King, the Lord Jesus Christ.” - Paul David Tripp, A Quest for More (Greensboro, NC:...