Tuesday, April 13, 2004

7:20 PM A few new items have been added to the Miscellaneous category on the Sermons page. There are some WMBI commentaries, “The Power of a Book,” “Little Steps to a Big Fall,” “Time for a Checkup,” Marriage Conference notes, and “What Children Can Teach Us at Thanksgiving.” 1:13 PM Do you know someone who has been troubled by the bestselling Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown? Here’s a biblical response called Decoding the Da Vinci Code by Michael Gleghorn of Probe Ministries. (Hat tip to Lydia Tan.) 11:18 AM Hello Mr. Pritchard, My name is Michael and I am an inmate in an Illinois prison. Now the reason I am writing you is because the Lord has led me to read one of your books (An Anchor for the Soul) and I just want to let you know what your book has done for me. I have gained a new understanding of life and the Lord. Mr. Pritchard, this book has really turn my life around. This book is so good I didn’t want it to end. Now I know God loves me and I’m going to heaven. Thank you. Michael 11:13 AM “The resurrection is the keystone of the arch on which our faith is supported. If Christ has not risen, wemust impeach all those witnesses for lying. If Christ has not risen, we have no proof that the crucifixion of Jesus differed from that of the two thieves who suffered with him. If Christ has not risen, it is impossible to believe is atoning death was accepted.” -D.L. Moody (Hat tip to Ted King) 8:06 AM From Phyllis Elliott: “Praise the Lord for two 2nd graders who prayed to receive Christ during Sunday school, 2nd hour, Easter Day.” 7:57 AM Norm Bowman writes to commend Darin Weil’s Ten Reasons to Pray to Each Member of the Trinity. Norm and Gwen are missionaries in Barcelona, Spain.

I am so encouraged to read about the Ten Reasons For Praying to Each Member of the Trinity by Darin Weil that appear on the Calvary website. It encourages me to see Calvary standing up and being counted with not only the Biblical Faith, but the Historical Faith between which there need be no tension. If we get the Trinity right, we get most of the rest of the faith right … Veni Spiritu Creator is one of the oldest prayers of the church, not to mention the TE DEUM and many other prayers of the church.

Norm also sent this analysis of the “unholy” or counterfeit “trinity” of evil in “The Passion of the Christ.”

Satan appears as the ungod and the unperson (unman + unwoman). The unson, the unchild appears as the antithesis of images of the Virgin and the child. And the unspirit appears as the crow with the thief on the cross. The mixture of woman’s face with a man’s voice in the person of Satan is a good representation of the ungod incarnate – which amounts to the unman, the unwoman – neither man nor woman. God created “mankind” male and female. But here, Satan is both and therefore neither. Confusion – Satan is the author of confusion – and with all of the sexual and sex role confusion today – this is a major statement that informed “seers” from the homosexual lobby should quickly pick-up on. So Satan, the author of confusion is incarnated in a sexually mixed, sexually and personally undefined, confused flesh – the ungod incarnates as an unperson. The black crow appearance is more traditional, but also fitting in that he pecks at the thief on the cross with the intent of destroying his victim.

7:32 AM I have two book recommendations this AM: D. L. Moody on Spiritual Leadership by Steve Miller. An inspiring collection of quotes and stories from D. L. Moody’s life and ministry. Dear Timothy, letters to a young man starting out in the ministry. I wish I had had this book when I started my ministry in California 26 years ago. The book consists of letters to “Timothy” written by seasoned pastors. My friend Phil Newton contributed a chapter. There are very, very few books that I consider “must read,” but this one goes on that short list. Just published a few days ago, it would make any man a better pastor. I’ve only read a few pages—and already found myself helped, convicted and challenged. Buy a copy to give to a friend in the ministry. It’s aimed at men just starting out, but anyone in the pastoral ministry would benefit from reading it. 7:26 AM Big event of the week: On Friday Marlene and I fly to California for the 50th anniversary celebration of Redeemer Covenant Church in Downey, California where I served as pastor from 1978-1983. I graduated from Dallas Seminary in May 1978 and started at Redeemer two months later. The church clebrated its 25th anniversary while we were there, and now I’m speaking for their 50th anniversary banquet this Saturday night. We’re staying with our dear friends Rick and Joanne Hale. Those were happy, exciting years and we’re looking forward to seeing many old friends this weekend. 7:26 AM No, my taxes aren’t done yet.