It’s been a while since I’ve posted what I’m currently reading. Sometimes people ask me, so I thought this would be a nice post.

I use the English Standard Version in both devotional and public ministry:

In my study of the Gospel of Mark, I regularly read:
J.C. Ryle’s Commentary (Crossway Classic)
David Garland’s Commentary (NIVAC)
R.T. France’s Commentary (NIGTC)
James Brooks’ Commentary (NAC)

For HomeWord, next Friday, February 8th, I’m reading:
C.J. Mahaney, Sex, Romance and The Glory of God
Mark Dever’s Chapter on the Song of Songs in The Message of the OT
Tom Gledhill’s Commentary on the Song of Songs
G. Lloyd Carr’s Commentary on the Song of Solomon

My Wednesday night class is reading D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ Studies in the Sermon on the Mount.

At home, after devotions I usually read:
Bryan Chapell’s Christ Centered Preaching

For fun, I’m reading an excellent biography of Vince Lombardi entitled, When Pride Still Mattered by David Maraniss

I also have some books ready to tackle next:
D.A. Carson, Worship by the Book,
Sinclair Ferguson’s latest In Christ Alone,
Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry,
James McPherson, Hallowed Ground: A Walk at Gettysburg,
and Jay Winik’s April 1865: The Month That Saved America

These books represent a huge part of what I’m normally up to.

Every week I post a free audio sermon that is available on the web. This is a Sermon of the Week sort of feature. I came across a website some time ago and thought this might be a good time to draw your attention to it. The website is Reforming My Mind MP3’s. The site’s creator, Paul Schafer, seeks to put free audio online for easy access to the rest of us. I, for one, am extremely grateful for this. His most recent post highlighted some online sermons by Steve Lawson.

So, run over there and click on a name and get some free audio. I’ll have more recommendations next week.

I’ve linked to, and given a brief description of, a sermon by Mike Bullmore entitled, “The Functional Centrality of the Gospel in the Local Church.” I wish everyone could hear this. It is must listening for any pastor seeking to lead. We discussed this at my small group last night and I told them I would put it up here. So take advangtage of that and give it a listen to.

During the coming weeks (leading to the February HomeWord), I will be thinking a lot about sexual intimacy in a marital relationship that glorfies God. I think often we have this notion that sexual intimacy is something that occurs without any preparation. C.J. Mahaney paints a different picture, though, in his excellent book Sex, Romance, and The Glory of God:

In a strong Christian marriage that glorifies God, a couple’s enjoyment of one another takes place on a long continuum of romantic affection and expression. It’s a continuum made up of many points. Toward one end are things like “companionship” and “fellowship.” Toward teh other end are things like “playful intimacy” and “really serious sex.” But exactly where one point on the continuum begins and the other ends isn’t always clear. That’s because solid Christian marriages are not primarily about one point or the other. They’re about the entire continuum — the relationship itself.

The path to physical intimacy, as another author suggests, “won’t be complete until you’ve cultivated spiritual and emotional intimacy.” How are you in relationship building with your spouse? Maybe what is needed is not therapy about better techinque or better swaying and convincing. What you need is to return to the love you had. Return to loving your spouse for all that they give you — not just the physical, sexual benefits. The path to physical intimacy begins with a love and affection for your spouse in the day to day living of life together. As romance is kindled, the physical intimacy will come and be in proper focus in view of God’s larger glory. Pursue romance in the day to day you will soon know physical intimacy.

Just finished what remains from what has been a busy and fruitful week. I am really anticipating this Sunday’s sermon on the disciples inability to exorcise a demon from a young boy in Mark 9:14-29. Seems they didn’t pray. Odd isn’t it? Ministry in our world today is about so much non-essential stuff. Prayer is a way that we show we are dependent on God.

As for the trip to Sterling. I found those to be most helpful. I got a lot of things accomplished. Wished I would have had more time to do fun reading (out of theological journals no less), but the big things got accomplished. For my first personal retreat, I was encouraged.

I hope you have a blessed weekend and wonderful Lord’s Day.

Oh, and you might save up money for this incredible sale from Sovereign Grace Ministries.

Musing on Psalm 27:7a, (“Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.”) Paul Tripp answers the question, Why does God answer my prayers:

1) Because of His love
2) Because of His grace
3) Because of His faithfulness
4) For the sake of His kingdom
5) For His glory

This article is a helpful encouragement for us to cry out to God in prayer. Therefore, pray!

Yes, I’m here in Sterling again for some study and long term planning. Yesterday, God was very gracious and I was able to make some headway on a few projects. I did get a basic preaching schedule outlined for the year. Also got a project done for the elders. I finished designing a camp brochure for our students. Also did some general brainstorming on ministries, seeking ways that we could more effectively “glorify and enjoy God forever, through Jesus Christ.” All is all, it was a pretty good day. Today, I hope to finish my Sunday sermon and do some more long term planning and spend time in prayer. I was encouraged by a sermon by Mike Bullmore yesterday on “Loving the Local Church.” Today, I also listened to some “classic C.J. on ‘Pay Attention to What You Hear'” from New Attitude 2003. These are some good days from God and God is using my time here in remarkable ways.

At the New Attitude website, they have some incredible free audio available online. I would highly recommend Dever’s message on “The Importance of the Local Church.”

…what you hear.

A friend of mine is doing some work on a doctoral dissertation and needs our help. He has an online survey which examines how we listen to expository messages. The site, Expository Listening, would be worth your time to check out.

Last year, I heard a very convicting sermon from Mike Bullmore entitled, “Watch Your Planning: The Strategic Role of Personal Retreats“. Among other things, I was really convicted of my need to get away and prayerfully consider ministry at the local church and to begin to think and pray about long term preaching goals, where and how God is working in our church and other things. So, that brings me to Sterling (College) today and tomorrow. In their library, they have study rooms where I can get alone and secluded. In this time, I am trusting God to meet me as I draw near to Him. There is a good bit of work I have planned to accomplish, but I really just want to commune with my Father and prayerfully seek direction for the coming short-term and ask God for a vision for the long-term. If you read this, would you pray that God would draw near to me in this moment. Ask God to keep my distractions minimal and my aim on Him. I’ll update tomorrow on what I’ve done/learned.