UPCOMING EVENTS:

THIS SATURDAY : THE GATHERING CONFERENCE (Sovereign Grace Music)

A worship conference for every member of your church. Join us in discovering what it means to build our meetings around the gospel. Hosted by Sovereign Grace Music and Sovereign Grace Church - Orange County.

Featured speakers include: Bob Kauflin, Pat Sczebel, and more…

(Visit the event website)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2 : VERTICAL WORSHIP

“God continues to confirm that our best method in reaching an unbelieving world is for Christians to engage in unapologetic vertical worship. As we fix our gaze on the true treasure of the universe (Christ) we communicate to the world what is ultimate, what is immeasurable, what is glorious, and what is worthy of our worship!”

(Visit the event Facebook page)

Jesus Isn’t Safe: An Appeal to Christian Radio and Its Listeners

Excellent post from music artist Matt Papa:

Imagine with me: The apostle Paul, John the Baptist, the prophet Isaiah, St. Augustine, Martin Luther, and Hudson Taylor all sitting in a room together.  The year is 2012, and they’re listening to a mainstream christian radio station.  After listening for an hour, someone finally speaks up:

Isaiah:  um….

Paul:  wow.

Luther:  THIS IS CHRISTIAN?!?!

Augustine:  Did that song just say ‘God you are super neat’?!?

Taylor:  Haven’t heard a song about the cross yet.

John:  This is embarrassing.  (bites into a bug)

(Click to read part 1 and part 2)

TGC: New blogs

Many of you are aware that we also run The Gospel Coalition’s Orange County regional chapter. Well, we are excited to announce that the TGC family is expanding, with new blogs and plans for 2012.

Sanctity of Life Resources

Yesterday was Sanctity of Life Sunday, and the Christian blogosphere was replete with pro-life resources. Even if your church did not recognize this day, the resources are still out there and worth a gander.

• FREE ebook: Exposing the Dark Work of Abortion by John Piper
• 15 Things to Consider about Abortion | The Resurgence
• A Gospel-Shaped Pro-Life Pasion | Jared Wilson
• How to Defend Pro-Life Views | Crossway Blog
• The President’s Asinine Remarks on the 39th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade | Denny Burk
• Recovering After an Abortion | Rage Against the Minivan
• Healing after an Abortion | David Powlison

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The Verge Network offered these 7 free resources for Christmas. They are still available for download.

1. Free Book Chapter from Radical by David Platt

2. Free Album download by Propaganda – Art Ambidextrous

3. Free Book Chapter from A Meal With Jesus by Tim Chester

4. Free Book Chapter from Missional Communities by Reggie McNeal

5. Free eBook, Simple Ways To Be Missional

6. Free Video from Francis Chan: On The Verge

7. Free Video download from George Patterson: Disciple-making 101

Click here to see the whole post.

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Are you busy here and there, or have you discovered what He wants you to do and are staying focused and faithful on that? …As I scan the church leadership landscape today, I have come to the conclusion that busyness has not gotten better but worse…but with His help and grace, it doesn’t have to continue.
—Dave Kraft (source)

What is a surprisingly difficult task for some pastors to do with their wives?

Brian Croft writes:

As I talk to pastors and aspiring ones about why this is a struggle, there seems to be a universal answer, “I do not know why it is hard to do, it just is.”  I am sympathetic to this answer as there was a time where I experienced this same awkward, intangible, uneasiness in approaching my wife to pray for her with her.  I think there is an intimacy and vulnerability in a husband’s effort to care for his wife in this way that is uncomfortable for most men and pastors fall prey to this also.

FREE Online Course: Theology of the Reformers

BiblicalTraining.org has added a new class to their lineup of free courses. The class is titled Theology of the Reformers and is taught by Timothy George.

TGC: Top 10 Most Read Articles of 2011

10. What Does It Look Like to Receive the New Testament for the First Time?
9. Twitter Slander
8. It Was Not Wicked for the Lord to Take Our Son
7. Grieving, Rejoicing that Osama bin Laden Is Dead
6. Why Youth Stay in Church When They Grow Up
5. Pray for Sayed Musa: Afghan Christian Set to Be Hanged within Days?
4. Dude, Where’s Your Bride?
3. Beware Romantic Pornography
2. Parenting 001
1. Rob Bell: Universalist? / God Is Still Holy and What You Learned in Sunday School Is Still True: A Review of ‘Love Wins’ / Two Thoughts on the Rob Bell Brouhaha / To Hell with Hell / MSNBC: Martin Bashir’s Interview with Rob Bell

(Click through to read Collin Hansen’s synposis of each)

TGC VIDEO: Bad Art and the Tortured Beauty of the Cross

The rise of younger Christians embracing the arts is encouraging to observe!

“Bad art encourages escapism among Christians. Good art, epitomized by the Psalms, helps us long for the new creation even as we learn to love all God’s creatures.”

VIDEO: Frontline Missions International

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Theme

Every gathering tells a story. And when Christians gather, we have one story to tell that surpasses all others in beauty, truth, glory, and joy. We meet to rehearse, celebrate, and respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As Bryan Chapell wrote in his book Christ-Centered Worship,

“Where the gospel is honored, it shapes worship.”

Discover what it means to build our meetings around the gospel. Join us for a day of music, teaching, and fellowship designed to equip every church member (not only the musicians) to participate in corporate worship. From the initial Call to Worship all the way through to the Benediction, every member of the congregation makes a contribution.

The final session of the day will include all 15 songs from The Gathering: Live from WorshipGod11. Even if you can’t be there for the entire day, don’t miss the “main event.” Discounted passes are available.

Speakers

Bob Kauflin
Bob is Director of worship development for Sovereign Grace Ministries. Bob was a writer and arranger for the group GLAD from 1976 to 2006, and is one of the worship leaders at Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland, led by Joshua Harris. He blogs at Worshipmatters.com, and his book, Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God, was released in 2008 by Crossway. He and his wife, Julie, have six children and eleven grandchildren.

Pat Sczebel
Pat is a pastor at CrossWay Community Church in Surrey, British Columbia, where he oversees worship and evangelism. Pat’s songs include “Jesus, Thank You” and “His Forever,” and have been featured on several albums from Sovereign Grace Music. Pat and his wife, Cherry, have three sons and two daughters.

David Zimmer
David serves in the college ministry at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. He is the drummer/writer for the band Enfield, which plays for the Resolved Conference. David has written and co-written on the albums: O For That Day and Back to Calvary. His songs include: “Eternal Praise”, “Holy is Our God”, and “The Hymn.” David just finished his first full length album while pursing a solo career as a singer/songwriter. He lives in Santa Clarita with his wonderful wife, Julie.

Ryan Foglesong
Ryan is the Production Coordinator for Resolved Music at Grace Community Churchin Sun Valley, California.  He is a primary songwriter and bassist for Enfield, which has served as the house band for the Resolved Conference since 2007.  His songs include “O For That Day,” “Anchored,” and “Jesus Shall Reign.”  He also teaches guitar, bass, and songwriting in Santa Clarita where he lives with his wife, Rachel.

Ryan Baird
Ryan is a member of Sovereign Grace Church in Pasadena, California, where he helps lead worship and leads the sound team. He sings and plays keyboard for the band West Coast Revival and has made a number of contributions to recent projects from Sovereign Grace Music. Ryan and his wife, Chalene, were married in July of 2005. They live in Pasadena.

Jonathan Baird
Jonathan is part of Sovereign Grace Church in Pasadena, California. He leads the worship-team ministry and is the primary worship leader at his church. Jonathan also sings and plays guitar for the band West Coast Revival (WCR) with his brothers Aaron and Ryan. Jonathan and his wife Nicole live in Sierra Madre, California.

Meghan Baird
Meghan is a member of Sovereign Grace Church in Pasadena, California, where she sings and plays piano for the worship team along with her brothers Jonathan and Ryan. Meghan’s songs and voice have been featured on recent projects from Sovereign Grace Music. She is currently pursuing a music degree at Pasadena City College and lives with her parents in Pasadena, California.

→GO HERE FOR MORE INFO

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Are you a pastor or ministry leader?

Join us this Wednesday. 10:30am. Irvine.

Email info [at] thegospelforoc [dot] com for details.

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Love, Freedom, and Evil: Does Authentic Love Require Free Will?

Especially among those of us who think they’ve already made up their minds on this question, Love, Freedom, and Evil not only deserves but demands a serious reading and evaluation.
—Michael Horton, Westminster Seminary California

The first batch of Dr. Williams’ book sold out quickly—like hotcakes on a cold winter day (not that we know what that is). Well, Monergism Books has it back in stock. Be sure to get your copy today.

Kindle deals

Snatch these up before the discount expires:

• FREE! The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul ($0.99)
• Brothers, We Are Not Professionals by John Piper ($1.99)
• Sexual Detox: A Guide for Guys Who Are Sick of Porn by Tim Challies ($0.99)
• Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design by Tad Thompson ($2.99)
• Grieving, Hope, and Solace: When a Loved One Dies in Christ by Albert Martin ($2.99)
• Awaiting a Savior: The Gospel, the New Creation, and the End of Poverty by Aaron Armstrong ($2.99)
• “But God…”: The Two Words at the Heart of the Gospel by Casey Lute ($2.99)
• Smooth Stones: Bringing Down the Giant Questions of Apologetics by Joe Coffey ($2.99)
• The Organized Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Conquering Chaos by Staci Eastin ($2.99)
• Instructing a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp ($1.79)

Giveaway: Blogging Theologically

Our friend Aaron Armstrong, of Blogging Theologically, is hosting a killer book giveaway at his blog. You don’t want to miss this opportunity!

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Our discussion with Dr. Williams continues with this seventh installment.

We asked:

Does my theology on free will really matter to my day-to-day living?

http://vimeo.com/33320369

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Our discussion with Dr. Williams continues with this seventh installment.

We asked:

This ongoing debate is often portrayed with the angry Calvinist on one end and the nice Arminian dude on the other. Is this accurate? Why?

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