Gentiles grafted in

Our Bible study this week will be from Romans 11:1-25.
My notes are available here.
Drawing from broadroot.com

Comment: Click here for an interesting article on grafting!

“Here in Rome [he's] nobody”

Pope Pius XII
JP: I don’t intend this post to be either political or critical of one who recently died! Rather I post this to emphasize the magnificent access the believer has to the Father through the redemption we have in the Lord Jesus Christ! See my further comments below.
After Kennedy’s Death: Silence from the Pope
Excerpt:
There [...]

Leadership – Godliness is key!

JP: A good read by Pastor Dave Doran.
The Challenge of Spiritual Leadership
Conclusion:
We cannot afford to adopt our culture’s approach to identifying and elevating leaders. People rise to leadership too often because of ability, attractiveness, or assertiveness—they can do things better than others, possess magnetic qualities that draw followers, or push their way to [...]

1969: The year everything changed

Image is cover art of 1969: The year everything changed. USA Today Review
1969 was the year of my salvation. It was the year that changed everything for me! This is the first of a series of blog posts about 1969 and the events that I remember about that year.
The purpose of these articles:

To provide a [...]

Drinking from the well of Relativism

JP: Relativism is expressed in a statement such as “That’s true for you but not for me.” Albert Mohler comments on the Newsweek article previously mentioned on 4BYA.info (‘many paths to god’ de facto Hinduism):
Are We a Nation of Hindus?
Excerpts:
Those who argue that all religions are essentially the same reveal the fact that they [...]

God-Focused Sanctification

JP: Good Jerry Bridges quote cited by Chris Anderson
[I]t is clear that [Calvin] regards a zealous pursuit of holiness as the normal Christian life.
Such an ardent pursuit of Christlikeness requires a strong motivation. To find it, Calvin appeals to the blessings of God:

God has revealed Himself as a Father; therefore, we should behave as His [...]

If Jay and Katie could do it, I guess I could too!

JP: Today I had one of those very uncomfortable medical procedures. Oh the perils of turning 60! I was supposed to have it at 50 but I procrastinated for three years and had it at 53! Last year when I turned 59, my Doctor said it was time and I said I’m waiting a year.
In [...]

Doug Roman: Three Dollars Worth of God

JP: Interesting read by Doug Roman on the persecuted church.
Three Dollars Worth of God
Excerpt:
… an engagement with the persecuted church, even from the comforts of the West, will mean, at minimum, a serious emotional investment. The graphic pictures, the heart-wrenching stories, and the deep suffering of separated families because a spouse is carried [...]

Bring glad tidings of good things!

JP: Our Bible study this Wednesday night (8/26) will be from Romans 10:14-21. Please be current in your reading and be prepared to study.
Study notes are available here.

Don’t pucker up to Saint James!

JP: Another Swine Flu prevention tip. See earlier one!

Excerpt:
Spain’s Catholic Church has new advice for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela: Don’t kiss the saint.
For centuries, pilgrims have visited one of Roman Catholicism’s holiest shrines — the cathedral holding the purported remains of St. James the Apostle, Spain’s patron saint. It was customary for them to [...]