Spiritual Depression

You might think by the title of this post that I was about to open up the depths of my heart and tell you about my deepest struggles, well hate to disappoint you, but I am not (at least in this post).

Spiritual Depression is a book by the late Dr. Martyn Llyod-Jones that I have been reading lately. Every time I go into it I am struck with how well this man handles the subject of spiritual depression. I have mentioned him before in this blog, but again even though he is dead he still speaks. I am deeply encouraged by a few things:

1. Spiritual depression often comes from not knowing who we are apart from Christ (sinners in desperate need of something outside us to bring healing).

2. Spiritual depression often comes from not understanding the work of the Christ in the Gospel and not being able to apply it to our miserable condition. 

3. A life that sees itself in Christ's work will be, without exception, a life that produces Christian joy in the midst of any trial. We will see that the only thing that matters in the world (being reconciled to God) is ours in Christ, and that is a joyous place to be. 

I have been encouraged to know myself more deeply and know the Gospel more fully. Both of which, I believe, only come with lots of contemplation and assistance from the Holy Spirit.

See yourself for what you are and find healing in Christ. 

Fall

I think that fall has to be the absolute greatest season of the year.  How I love the cool weather, red leaves, and listening to more Andrew Peterson.  

--da

Watch this...Wow

This is really amazing. Well worth 10 min. of your time.

Astronomy Video

LRH

Deuteronomy 6:11-12

'and when you eat and are full, then take care lest you forget the Lord'

Have you ever been hungry before? Not the kind of hungry that you experience between meals, but the kind of hunger that doesn't know where your next meal is coming from? 

I know I have never experienced this hunger, so what are some ways that we as people who are 'full' can 'take care lest we forget the Lord'?

Isn't it interesting that our tendency as people is to forget the Lord when we are 'full'? Or to say it a different way, that our tendency as people is to forget the Lord when things are going well for us? Why is this?

Thoughts?

LRH

DG National Conference 2008!

Daryl-Ann and myself along with our close friend Nick Langford just returned from an enriching trip to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Why did we go there you may ask? We went there because John Piper's ministry, Desiring God, puts on two conferences a year and since we are trying to leave the country it seemed like this would be our last chance for a while to go. I thank God for Gospel-centered, Christ-exalting teachers. If it wasn't for the grace of God working through a few of these faithful spiritual giants I would still be living a Logan-centered, self-righteous life. 

The conference theme this year was The Power of Words and the Wonder of God, and we explored the power of the tongue and how the action of speaking related directly to the God who speaks. The conference was opened with a tremendous exposition of James 3:1-12, followed by sermons on the place that singing has in our lives, how sharp or how biting our words should be for the glory of God, the place of telling stories as a mechanism of communicating truth, a sermon on taming the tongue as a battle existing in the heart, and finally what is the place of eloquence in our sharing of the Gospel with all mankind. 

Full video and audio are available for free for those of you who are interested. 

I especially recommend to you the talks done by Ferguson (rich), Driscoll (hilarious and profound), Tripp (convicting), and Piper (insightful and provocative).

Below are some of the limited photos we took while we were there.

The botanical photos were pictures we took at our three hour visit to The Minnesota University Landscape Arboretum. Sorry we didn't take many pictures. We had good intentions!

LRH

I would like to point out that I think I would make an excellent administrative assistant.  I know no one cares.........

However.....would someone please tell me what the CC: in email is used for??  

--da

Change

Let's just face it, I'm not at all...ever...really excited about change.  It usually scares me.  Even if what is changing is something that I have wanted (like getting married) or worked towards (like finishing school), I am still prone to be apprehensive about the change.  

I like structure and routines, maybe a little too much.  Wearing the same thing to work every day is almost nice, and my routine of checking the alarm 3 times before allowing myself to go to sleep is the norm.  (Doesn't every one do that, though?)  I plan menus for dinner for the whole week, and like for my clothes to be organized in the closet by long/short sleeve, pants, jeans, dress shirts, etc.  

Life is comfortable when I pretty much know what to expect.  So when something big comes along, or even something small if I'm totally not expecting it, I flip out and put on the brakes.  My immediate reaction is "No, the old way is fine/just as good," or "Do I really have to do this?".   

And you can tell me all day long that change is good, inevitable, causes growth....And although this may be true, for someone like me, even though I may know it is true, I really won't believe you.  And I won't like change just because you tell me it is okay.  But this is what I was reminded of today.

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,

Because he trusts in You. 

Trust in the Lord forever,

For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.  (Isaiah 26:3-4)

God will not change.  He is an everlasting Rock.  That's refreshing for someone who doesn't like change.  

--da

If your free October 17-18, you should consider going to this:

Job: When the Righteous Suffer

Hope to see you there.

LRH

The Evolution of Morality?

Upon discussing evolution with a co-worker this question came up:

Evolution is suppose to make organisms more suited for their environment over a period of time. Wouldn't you think that human morality would do the same?

Good preaching...

I commend to you Dr. Martyn Llyod-Jones. He is considered by many to be the best preacher in the 20th century. Half of one of his sermons is made available every week. He preached in England during the 50s - 70s. I have found his insight into the culture of his day to be still extremely relevant into understanding the culture of my day. Enjoy!

Click here:

Llyod-Jones Sermons

LRH