Reading the Bible (and Calvin) in a Year & Other Links

Have you ever wanted to read a Christian theological classic?  Probably not. Why not try it?  The gentlemen over at ref21 offer a 2009 reading schedule for John Calvin's Institutes of Christian Religion, which is considered one of the greatest books in Christian history.  I am looking forward to doing it this year.  

NFL has some good games this weekend: Favre vs. Pennington, Chargers vs. Broncos.  Chargers are lucky to be in that position, but they have played well down the stretch.  Most other divisions and they wouldn't stand a chance for the playoffs, but weak division ='s a fighter's chance for the playoffs.  Pennington's old team kicked him out for Favre, and now it comes down to a must win for each team for the playoffs.  Favre's Jet's have choked as of late, and Parcell's dolphins have played much better this year with Pennington at the helm.  There are many more great games Sunday as well...

Trueman, again, this time on the economy and idolatry.  That is a must read.

Thinking about a Bible reading plan for next year?  Here are a few recommendations I have enjoyed in the past: Robert Murray McCheyne's has a great plan for reading the OT once and the NT twice, yet requires much committment to stay on plan; the Discipleship Journal plan, recommended by Pastor John Piper, is a good one and helps one finish the Bible in a year without as much reading.  

A few others I haven't tried that look interesting is: A 61 day chronological plan which traces key events and people throughout biblical history.  That looks like a solid one to get a good sweeping view of the Bible.  It could be a great one for mothers with kids who have a hard time committing to the entire Bible in a year or a good one for those who struggle reading the Bible and just want to start somewhere.  One should be able to nail 61 days out of 365, right?  What about a Bible reading plan with the Apocrypha?  Now, I hesitate to call that a Bible reading plan at all, but if you are interested in some other literature held to be of historical importance to Jewish people and held to be inspired by Roman Catholics--give that a shot.  However, the Apocrypha is not canonical and should never be read in the same way as God's Word inspired by the Holy Spirit, rather it should be read carefully and critically just like any other fallible text.

Three Things Worth Skimming

Q&A with Billy Graham

The Shallowest Generation?

A cure for AIDS?

Return from Florida

Trip was good.

I was in Broward County, and after talking to one person who will be at the polls it sounds like voting issues will be "terrible" in Florida again. Please no...

I got to listen to some of Tim Keller and Edmund Clowney's RTS class and recommend it. It is composed of lectures to pastor's on preaching Jesus in all of Scripture. I have much to learn here. However, I don't think it is just for pastors. It also would help the Christian believer to read the Bible in such a way that Jesus is applied to each and every verse and story.

Speaking of Tim Keller, his new book The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith should be a gold-mine full of the Gospel.

I did not expect the Phillies to beat the Rays. It is one-game away from happening. To the dismay of this man.

I am glad to see gas in Humbodt County has hit 2.99. It is hard to imagine getting excited about paying 3 dollars for gas, but in this County we are!

God is speaking to John Piper.

Links in Florida

In Florida.

Being here makes me want to where an Obama T-shirt one day and a McCain T-shirt the next just for the sake of reaction. Or maybe an Obama on the front and a McCain on the back.

No I'm not at at the World Series, but I am watching it.

I'm looking forward to getting to see some of the state this week.

Read a great line from NT Wright's Suprised by Hope, via Tullian Tchividjian, Christians "are saved not as souls but as wholes."

Abraham Piper mentions one of my favorite practical verses.

Sam Storms has a wonderful sermon on spiritual gifts that he recently preached at the church he now pastors. Do you earnestly desire spiritual gifts? I stand convicted.

The ESV Study Bible has an online edition free to all purchasers of the Study Bible. Cheers to Crossway for that great feature. It's working great for travel, as you don't have to lug around your 25 pound Bible. Abraham Piper is giving one away, see his site for details.

Some Thoughts, Recommendations, and Links

So glad to have my wife home...er at least back in the states. We shall return to reality in about a week.

Hit Pei Wei if you ever have a chance. Quick Chinese food that tastes good.

It was such a joy to preach at the Crossing a few times this month, and I'm thankful to Adam and Dave for sharing the pulpit.

Looking forward to fondue tonight. Something I have not yet done...

Trying to decide which book to study next. I've spent a lot of time in Hebrews and am thinking and praying about whether to go to an Old Testament prophet like taking on the Behemoth Ezekiel or going for a gospel. Speaking of biblical study tools, if you are ever in Pasadena, do not pass up the plethora of Christian books at Archives.

I highly recommend Greg Beale's sermons on Revelation, which I think I've mentioned before. I have finally listened to many of them due to the many long drives this summer. He interprets Revelation symbolically, which he believes is the literal interpretive key for the whole book. If you're ready for some light summer reading pick up his 1200 page commentary.

I thought this video was very mean and quite funny; probably not the best way to lead your wife in a joyful day or very beneficial to your relationship:

Update

I've had some business and church-related activities the past few days so I will get to posting again soon. I'll be back to my normal life schedule next week.

I preached at The Crossing Church in Arizona yesterday on the book of Hebrews and will post that soon. I was told they will have it on there website anytime so I will link that as well.

March Madness is finally here. It's a great time to watch basketball. Even if you don't its an American responsibility to fill out your bracket.

I posted a link to Abraham Piper's (John Piper's son) blog the other day on the blogroll. Do check it out. It's a clever blog that usually only has posts of twenty-two words. Here is one of them:

"Many admirable parents let their little children watch TV and movies every day.

Would anyone be interested in explaining this to me?"