Gospel Living

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season. I hope you have a good one even if you don't celebrate Christmas.  I just love you that much. Pisteuo will pick back up in January, unless something happens that requires a post or I see something really funny. Either way, may the grace and peace that comes from the holiday's focus on our Lord's incarnation fill your hearts this year with genuine love for God and for neighbor, and spur your worship into the new year. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! PS., Spread some Christmas cheer: don't beat up people who wish you happy holidays.

Sometimes, listening to a point-by-point refutation facilitates learning.  It's not about hearing one person defeating another at some verbal parlay, but about the exposure to both sides of an issue at each integral moment of simultaneous argument. This video may be helpful to you in that regard.  While David Wood exposes each time ABC News attempts to touch-up Islam's history, you'll gain exposure to twenty pockmarks in the religion's character.

Here, some choice offerings in biblical commentary on the Sandy Cook Elementary massacre: Al Mohler, " Rachel Weeping for Her Children — The Massacre in Connecticut " Joey Newton, " Weeping with those who weep–a first-hand response from Newtown " John MacArthur, " A Pastoral Response to the Newtown Massacre " (audio) John Piper, " How Does Jesus Come to Newtown? " Russell Moore, " School Shootings and Spiritual Warfare " Zephanja Mel, " Evil Visited This Community! "

Your anger at the recent school massacre of the Sandy Cook Elementary school students in Newtown is right.  Our stomachs churn at the sight of such grotesque evil because we bear the image of God, and so our consciences cry out against such heinous acts. As we examine our own souls, however, we must consider ourselves not in contrast to the evils committed by others, but by the holiness of God.  Otherwise, we will add self-righteousness to our anger, and in that, we would sin. No matter the level of sanctification or holiness you may believe yourself to have, the good deeds that set you apart from such dark sins, you pale in comparison to the light of God's glory.  In a somewhat lighthearted manner, R. C. Sproul illustrates the lesson we must all take deep into heart. The Difference Between Our Sanctification and Our Glorification from Ligonier on Vimeo .

What is wrong with building a "purpose-driven" church?  This two-hour video (while one-sided and in need of editing) documents the major problems with framing a church around the needs and wants of the lost world; it unveils a church of tares.  The expanded description from the YouTube page is below.   I highly recommend the video: This film is non-profit and FREE, not to be bought or sold, but you do have permission to make copies and distribute freely. To obtain a DVD, simply contact us for a free copy or make a donation with your request: www.holybibleprophecy.org HBP is viewer-supported and your support is greatly appreciated. Resources are mailed as time permits. Your patience is appreciated. Please give extra time if this material is needed by a certain date. Can the Church borrow the marketing tools of the world and apply them to the Church? What is the history of the Church Growth movement and its false premises? Who is involved in the n...

With Peter Jackson's new movie coming out on the 14th, it is time for an old gem. UPDATE: Here is the full version:

Within the realms of nerdom past, this happened: You're welcome.

Tell your senators to reject this legislation: it's dangerous to home-school families  and blatantly disregards US sovereignty.  From ParentalRights.org : High Noon Showdown The final vote on whether or not to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is scheduled for noon on Tuesday, December 4. Whether our nation will continue to preserve the principles of parental rights and American self-government, or whether we will jettison these in a “symbolic gesture” of support for disabled persons around the world will be decided at that time. We are optimistic that we will have the votes – 34 or more – to defeat the treaty. But there is too much at stake to trust to speculation . So please remember to call your senators today, and then call them again tomorrow morning (before noon). You can ask for their office through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or find their number by clicking on your state at http://parentalrights.org/st...

HT: Justin Taylor