New Standpoint on Lincoln

I have read many books about Lincoln, his childhood, maturation in speaking, Senatorial and Presidential politics, positions on moral and vital beliefs, biographies and more. But this is the first on his viewpoints and experiences (and the lack thereof) in the realm of foreign policy. At that time, steering in international waters with the volatile juggernaut of European desire for power while maintaining some sensible national cohesiveness for development was insanely difficult and almost impossible. It was beyond any man but Lincoln in the World delivers on the man learning and trying to accomplish just that. If you are a Lincoln admirer, as I am, this book gives a picture of a side of Lincoln I had never thought of or pondered. Lincoln had to insure that Europe did not enter into the Civil War and that demanded respect. How did he do it? Peraino gives much information and details to satisfy that question and depict Lincoln's learning cure in foreign policy. Integrity and balance. It is a book worth the time invested.

*** I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for writing a review. ***

Culture Shift by Albert Mohler

If you have not ever read anything from Dr. Mohler this would be a great introduction. In fact it would be a supreme introduction.

Dr. Mohler has a knack for saying difficult things in a simple way with a flair for the needy reader. A few days ago my military bound son of 21 took up the book "just to read something." After reading a number of chapters he set it down, all of it unbeknown to me. A few days later he simply stated, "That book really has a lot to say and makes it enjoyable to hear it." That is a high complement from a long-time reader.

I found it clear, concise, and precisely on target. It takes a mature and thoughtful mind to look at the surroundings and define them in a way that tells us why we are what we are. Most of us simply just look. The author gives bite-sized chapters which makes it easy to digest for a time-crazed life.

I would highly suggest that you obtain a copy and prepare to be retained with pleasure.

*** I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for writing a review. ***

Sad State

Hard to read.

Eighty-five percent of American adults believe that they will stand before God to be judged. They believe in hell, but only 11% think they might go there. R.C. Sproul observed that to the degree that people think they are good enough to pass divine inspection, and are oblivious to the holiness of God, to that extent they will not see Christ as necessary.

That is why over one-fourth of the "born again" evangelicals surveyed agreed with a statement that one would think might raise red flags even for those who might agree with the same thing more subtly put: "If a person is good, or does enough good things for others during life, they will earn a place in Heaven." Furthermore, when asked whether they agreed with the following statement: "Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and others all pray to the same God, even though they use different names for that God," two-thirds of the evangelicals didn't find that objectionable.

Barna observes "how little difference there is between the responses of those who regularly attend church services and those who are unchurched." One respondent, an Independent Fundamentalist, said, "What is important in their case is that they have conformed to the law of God as they know it in their hearts." Michael Horton

Another author:
"The church today is suffering from the secularization of the sacred. By accepting the world's values, thinking its thoughts and adopting its ways we have dimmed the glory that shines overhead." This is from Tozer's "Man - The Dwelling Place of God" and is could have been written today


When we change things in the church to comply with the desires of the world, we miss that holiness goes out the door with the uniqueness of the Bride of Christ.

When we ask the world what they would like in the church, when we look at people as "church or unchurced" we forget that the scripture uses "believers and unbelievers, saved and unsaved." The emphasis is on redemption and relationship, not location and place.

Our goal is not to get people to go to church but to get the church to go to the unbeliever with the love of Christ. God promises that God will bring the sheaves as we weep for their souls, not as we give them a professional program of slickness, a program that does not bring conviction.

You see, the Gospel brings conviction before comfort not the other way around. Of course, we must not beat people over the head with the Gospel but we also do not smooze it to their lives not wanting them to be offended. The Gospel offends. We ought not to be offensive in our approach or presentation but realize that sin must be confronted by the Gospel for the good news to comfort. God has made us special for Him and we are to be different than the world. I am afraid that this present philosophy of church is a way of bringing the tares into the wheat.

Always let us remember that when Paul talks about the unbeliever coming to church he will have the "secrets of his heart revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you." Now that is humbling.

An Observation on Americans and Predestination/Election

Here is an observation whether or not you believe in reformed doctrine:

One of the reasons why Americans find it difficult to accept the reformed doctrine of predestination and election is that it goes against everything that Americans inherently hold dear in our nation. We do not live by an allowing or accepting someone else’s choices for us without our consent. We reject to rule over us a despot, dictator, or monarch based on their particular choices. We make our own representatives, senators, and Presidents to deal for us in our nation. And if they do not do what we want, we throw them out of office. Even our rights we chose and wrote into our foundational documents be they good or bad.
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By way of illustration, in the 1700s, America was “the great experiment” in the history of mankind’s government. Alexis de Tocqueville, a French aristocrat in the early 1800s, wrote a book called “Democracy in America.” He came from France and investigated what America was and could it be a continuing form of government. Out of the hugely magnificent work, (I suggest you read it but only if you chose to) one quotation lays claim to support this suggestion that Americans have a most difficult time with inequality and so therefore, the accepting of the doctrine of predestination/election. The reason? It is because of our inherent love of equality between men. Tocqueville writes about our forefathers, “Liberty is not the chief and constant object of their [Americans] desires; equality is their idol: they make rapid and sudden efforts to obtain liberty and, if they miss their aim, resign themselves to their disappointment; but nothing can satisfy them without equality, and they would rather perish than lose it.”

A little later he concludes with this statement, “They [Americans] have been allowed by their circumstances, their origin, their intelligence, and especially by their morals to establish and maintain the sovereignty of the people.” And so in our present world, we will have no one oversee us without our consent. We must allow it as individuals for it to be accepted. And in kind, everyone has freedom to speak his mind and be the captain of his own personal ship because we demand equality.

The problem is that God is not a God of equality. He gives to some blessed weather to grow crops and to others he gives harsh atmosphere that brings desserts. To some he gives health and to others disease. To some He gives long lives and to others only a few years. To some He gives wealth and to others poverty. So if I define equality as fairness, God is not fair. He treats people differently. He gives to some what He denies to others. But without doubt, He is just. His good pleasure is both just and merciful but mostly it is absolutely sovereign, and so as Americans we struggle.

A Tribute to John MacArthur

I read this post on another pastor's (Dan) blog and thought it worthy for your read.

"On June 5th 2011, pastor John MacArthur finished preaching verse by verse through the New Testament. This is an extremely rare accomplishment given that no preacher over the past century has achieved such a feat. Those of you who are familiar with MacArthur’s preaching will know that he doesn’t rush in his preaching (it took him 10 years to preach through the gospel of Luke). This makes his accomplishment even more impressive.

While preaching has always been the focal point of his ministry, it has never been the only facet of his ministry. MacArthur is a prolific writer, with dozens of titles to his credit along with his New Testament commentary series, which is also nearing completion. He is also the president of the Masters College and Seminary, which continue to produce Christian leaders year after year. MacArthur also keeps a busy speaking schedule, which takes him all over the world. And perhaps he is best known for his excellent radio ministry, Grace to You.

Safe to say, God has graced and gifted this man in incredible ways. He could not have accomplished all this were it not for the grace of God. God raised up John MacArthur for such a time as this, and Christians the world over have been the beneficiaries."