Owen Daniel Alston

After many months of thinking, praying, and discussing a name for our new son, we've settled on Owen Daniel. Several years ago I heard John Piper talk about picking and learning from a great (dead) theologian. Years ago I decided that theologian would be John Owen for me. John Owen was a great gift to the church as his works are still read and enjoyed by many today. He had an unbelievably sharp mind and a love for Christ and His glory that surpassed that of many others. Therefore, we named our son Owen. Daniel, of course, is from the Daniel in the Scriptures. In his youth Daniel stood firm in his faith against the temptations to turn away. He rejected the goods and the decrees of the king in order to remain faithful to his Lord. His faith was strong at such a young age that it almost cost him his life.

My prayer for Owen Daniel has been that his mind would be as sharp and his faith as strong as these men. I have prayed that God would see fit to raise him up to be a devoted follower of Christ and a great gift to the church. We rejoice that this blessing is here and that, by God's grace, he's been entrusted to our care and upbringing. While I have no idea what it is that God will call Him to be, I pray it's a follower of Christ before everything else. May God be gracious in this and raise up young Owen Daniel to stand firm in his faith and to lead others in the ways of the Lord. I pray God would see fit to display His glory throughout his life. Thank you Lord for this gift. We commit him to you.

Tears of the Saints

What do you look For?

I would like some input from as many people as possible about this question: What do you look for in a church? Please comment for me. I am thinking through what the Bible says about the church, but would also like to hear from people what they think the church should be/do. So please help me, what do you look for in a church?


Update: I'd like to hear from both those who attend church and those who do not.

You're Not Righteous.....Christ is!

Yesterday I had the privilege of preaching about justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone from Galatians 2:15-21. It's a tough passage in a few places and preaching the doctrine could lead some to think you're preaching antinomianism. However, Paul addresses that in this text as well by pointing out that in Christ you are new and no longer live to build up what you've worked hard to destroy. In all, this doctrine is important because of the fact that you and I are not righteous. We cannot obtain the perfect righteousness required by God without the imputation of Christ's righteousness to us. Until we know that we are not righteous I don't think we'll realize the preciousness of the doctrine of justification. May we live and trust in the righteousness of Christ that has been given to those who believe!

2 New Books by Chapell

Bryan Chapell is the author of the excellent book on preach, Christ-Centered Preaching. Right now WTS has two new books by him at a very good price. Both of these books books look to be excellent books worthy reading.

Christ-Centered Worship

Ephesians (Reformed Commentary Series)

The India I Know

I recently came across this blog and really enjoy it. I have had the opportunity to be in India twice in my life (both times with Wil Owens). The scene from this video is not abnormal at all in India. It's one of the reasons my heart breaks for India and often times desires to be there.

Don't Want to Waste my Life

I have been digging this CD. I wish I could go to one of the concerts.

Should Church Planting Really Be Different?

I am curious to know if church planting really should be all that different from pastoring an established church? What makes it so different as far as the philosophy/methodology is concerned?

Modern Paraphrase of Matthew 25

I saw a link to this blog from the Abba Fund blog. My heart breaks.













"For I was hungry, while you had all you needed. I was thirsty, but you drank BOTTLED water. I was a stranger, and you wanted me DEPORTED. I needed clothes, but you needed MORE clothes. I was sick, and you pointed out the BEHAVIORS that led to my sickness. I was in prison, and you said I was getting what I DESERVED."
-Richard Stearns, The Hole in Our Gospel

From left to right: Dieuvlet, Peterly, Jonny, Gilderson