New Pix and an Online Theological Review

New pictures have been added to our online photo album. People have been kind enough to share their photos from the weekend and we keep adding them to the collection. Thanks to everyone who has shared their pictures. Keep 'em coming and we'll keep adding them!

Also, several years ago I was asked to participate in an online theological journal. The entire journal was to be devoted to the topic of Eternal Security. Each author (and there were many) was assigned a title for their article. My assigned topic was, "Does Eternal Security Make Sense? Why Did God Purpose to Make Salvation Secure?"

The 82 authors who contributed to the journal are from around the world; pastors, doctors, professors, and lecturers among them. I was honored to be included. My participation came about as the result of one of the editors finding the GCA website and liking what he read. So, one more time, the website connects us to the larger theological world.

Anyway, I have been waiting for the announcement that the journal was finally posted on the web and ready for public viewing. The original "air date" for it was June of 2006. But I just received an email informing me that it is now up-and-running.

You can look through all the articles here:

http://jcsm.org/EternalSecurity/

(Copy and paste that address to your browser's address bar)

If you're looking for my particular entry, it's number 54. All this time later, I'll have to go read it for myself and see what I wrote. Gee ... I hope I still agree with me ....

The Extremes of God

There is a new website called GodTube that is ostensibly a Christian version of YouTube. At present, it's a real grab-bag of material from all corners of the Christian (and sub-Christian) world. It's hard to tell what it will eventually become, whether it will become a source of solid preaching or whether it will be overrun with disjointed video clips.

But, since we are always looking for opportunities to spread the gospel of God's free and sovereign grace, I decided to post a short clip from the 2005 Sovereign Grace Conference in Lexington. I will eventually put up bits of the 2006 message, as well.

I don't know if this avenue will generate any interest or whether our efforts will bear fruit, but it's always worth tossing the net out and waiting on the Lord to fill it.

Here's the clip we've posted on GodTube --

Oh, The Places You'll Go

I promised Jennifer that I would post this video here on my blog. For some reason, she delights in the idea of hearing me read Dr. Seuss.

My daughter, Megan, has attended the Rutherford Tutorial Academy for the last three years. It's a Christian tutoring program for home-schooled high school kids. It's been a great experience being involved with RTA and we are most grateful for their commitment to excellence in education. I know that I could not have taken Megan all the way through high school without their help.

Rather than a cap-and-gown graduation ceremony, RTA has a dinner for their graduating seniors. Each senior gets to choose one tutor to do their individual blessing. It's a beautiful event. Meg was toasted along with the other eleven graduating seniors. Afterward, the tutor who performed Meg's blessing commented on how much more meaningful and personal this sort of ceremony is than a typical high school graduation that only involves parading a hundred students across a platform and handing them a piece of paper.

Anyway, I was asked a couple of weeks ago by the directors of RTA if I would be willing to participate in the dinner ceremony. They said they needed someone to do the prayer and someone to do the reading. They quickly concluded that I would be right for the reading. I naturally assumed that they were referring to a Scripture reading. But, as it turns out, they have a tradition of picking a book that they give to all the seniors at the dinner and the kids all pass their books around and sign them. This year, it was the Dr. Seuss book "Oh, the Places You'll Go."

So, true to my word, I have posted Meg's video of her daddy reading Seuss on YouTube and you can watch it here. Finally, my literary and oratory skills have been put to good use.

Odds and Ends

Just a few quick notes:

First off -- new pictures have been added to our online photo album of GCA's homecoming weekend. If you've enjoyed viewing those pictures, you may want to click by there again and see the latest additions.

Secondly -- several of you have asked about last Wednesday night and when the mp3 will be posted on our site. I'm sorry. I forgot to let everyone online know that we did not have a midweek service this past week, owing to my recent root canal. Ouch. (I just got the temporary crown put on this morning.) But, we will resume our Genesis series tomorrow evening and the mp3 will post on Thursday, getting us back to our regular schedule.

Thirdly -- There is new GCA merchandise available through CafePress. Andrew has been coming up with all sorts of things that can sport the GCA logo: new T-shirt designs, tote bags, bumper stickers, and individual logo stickers you can put anywhere!. Go see what he's come up with here:

http://www.cafepress.com/gracechristian

As I've mentioned before, GCA is not selling this merchandise and we do not get a piece of the profit, which has allowed us to set the price very low. So, go check out what I consider the coolest fashion choices on the planet; GCA apparel.

It Was "Great"

We had an absolutely wonderful Homecoming Weekend. My only complaint is that it ended much too soon. But, we have plenty of audio, video, and pictures to help us remember the many blessings of our time together --- from Barney Johnson's excellent message, to the baptisms, to the dinner at the Town Centre, to the Lord's Supper, to our potluck feast. It was all just excellent. I am a blessed, blessed pastor.

So, in the weeks to come we'll be sharing it with all our Internet folk. To start, the Lord's Supper service is already on the homepage of the GCA website. And, we are posting audio of Pastor Don Tindle's scripture reading and prayer, followed by Elder Johnson's message from Saturday afternoon. Just visit our "Listen" page and scroll down to Sunday Messages to hear it. Unfortunately, the recording of Elder Johnson's message cut off about five minutes before he finished speaking. But, you'll find plenty of valuable, uplifting content in the message, despite the abrupt ending. Video of his message, plus video of the baptisms, is forthcoming and we will share it with you as soon as possible.

Next, I have created a photo album of pictures Megan took over the weekend. You can view the album for free by clicking here:
GCA Homecoming Weekend Photo Album

The page you land on will have small "thumbnail" photos. But, you can click on the first picture and it will open a full screen version. Then, use the arrows at the top of the page to flip through the various pictures. But, I'll warn you, if you weren't with us, these pictures will make you wish you had been!

Again, thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this such a wonderful and successful weekend. Thanks to our visitors who drove such long distances "just to go to church." Thanks to Pastor Don Tindle and the folks at Sovereign Grace Baptist Church for once again allowing us to use their building. Thanks to "the committee" for their meticulous planning and flawless execution. And thanks to all our friends and supporters who continue to make GCA the very living definition of a Christian Church.

My love goes with you all!

Real Fashion Never Goes Out of Style

Last night Megan and I got to show off our new GCA T-Shirts. To say they were a "hit" is an understatement.

So, by now you're asking yourself, "Hey! Those two people look cool! How can I get one of those shirts?"

Well, fortunately they're inexpensive, good quality, and obtainable through CafePress. Just scroll down and follow the link in my previous T-Shirt blog entry.

Remember, it's always advisable to have a few fashion accessories that go with everything. And this shirt is a "can't miss."

Enjoy!