February 28, 2007

Guys ... and Sexual Temptation/Sin

I travel about once a month. Being the people person that I guess I am, I meet people along the way, guys mostly, at conferences in places like Boston, Atlanta, Washington, Denver, etc. Not usually very satisfied with surfacy "chit-chat," our conversations can get pretty deep, pretty fast. One thing I've observed - Satan is claiming one victory after another, with one guy after another, in the area of sexual temptation and sexual sin. And I won't pretend to have not been there myself. Seminary students are not immune. I've talked to several. Pastors' studies are not exempt, as some of the pastors I've met have confirmed. And chances are pretty good that some of you reading this blog right now either did or will see something very different on this very same computer screen in the recent past or future. Just the other day, I read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 and prayed with a single guy who told me about him and his girlfriend. A few weeks ago, the 18-year old high school senior I had befriended at a local store said he just learned his girlfriend is pregnant and they'd been "active" for three months. Last month, a dear friend of mine confessed to multiple affairs during the course of his marriage. I've met a number of guys throughout my travels who are hooked on Internet pornography - one has since installed Covenant Eyes on his computer and asked me to be his accountability partner - I receive a report every other week.
Guys? What are we going to do? it's not that we don't know what Scripture says - "Flee from sexual immorality" (1 Cor. 6:18); "Honor God with your body" (1 Cor. 6:20); "It is God's will that you should be sanctified ... avoid sexual immorality ... learn to control [your] own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God" (1 Thess. 4:3-5). So is there a secret part of your life that involves sexual sin? Please ... please ... go to a trusted brother in Christ, confess it to him, seek help and accountability in this part of your life. If you haven't anyone you think you can go to, let me know (steve@banneroftruth.org) and I'll try to connect you with someone. But let your eyes take in the written Word today; hear it and accept it, brother; and may this unchecked sin go unchecked in your life no more! Satan has racked up enough points in this area. And just so you know, this blog does accept anonymous comments so feel free to let me know what you think. Honestly, I really just want to help.
Grace & peace, and in Christian brotherly love ...
Steve

February 27, 2007

Coming This April - #3 of 8 - from The Banner

OK, time to preview another title that's just a few weeks away from arriving at both the Carlisle and Edinburgh warehouses.
More to come.

Steve
---------------------------------------------------
Lectures on Revivals
W. B. Sprague (1795-1876)

Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones has described this book as "The outstanding classic on this vital and urgently important matter." Only William Sprague's experience of genuine revivals, his faithfulness to biblical theology, and his balanced view, eminently fitted him to write this book. The chapters cover such important themes as:
-
The Nature of Revival
- Obstacles to Revivals
- Divine Agency in Revivals
- General Means of Producing and Promoting Revivals
- Treatment Due to Awakened Sinners
- Evils to be Avoided in Connection with Revivals.
There is also a large and excellent Appendix comprising letters on revivals by various North American evangelical leaders of the nineteenth century. A special and unique feature of this new edition is the biographical sketch of each correspondent, kindly supplied by Dr James M. Garretson. The original Banner reprint, from which the text of this new edition was drawn, was reproduced from the personal copy of Charles Simeon of Cambridge, who warmly commended the volume to his Executor by recording on its flyleaf the words: ‘A most valuable book . . . I love the good sense of Dr Sprague.’

About the Author:
William Sprague, an eminent Presbyterian minister, was born in Andover in 1795. He went to Yale College in 1811 and graduated with honours in 1815. The following year he entered Princeton Seminary where he studied for more than two years, after which he gained experience in two pastorates lasting one year and ten years respectively. Subsequent to this he moved to Albany where he remained for forty years.
A fully committed pastor and preacher, he was also a prodigious author. Besides producing a number of biographies and other volumes, more than 150 of his sermons were to appear in print. Other than his Lectures on Revival perhaps his best known work is his Annals of the American
Pulpit.
As a personality he has been described as an ‘illustrious man; a cultivated elegant, a voluminous, useful, and popular preacher; an indefatigable and successful pastor; an unselfish and devoted friend; loving, genial, pure, and noble; an Israelite, indeed, in whom there was no guile; one of the most childlike, unsophisticated, and charitable of men.’
In 1869, at the age of seventy-four, he left his church and after a peaceful retirement died in 1876.

February 26, 2007

Coming to SC & NC ...

Just a quick note on a busy Monday. I'll soon be getting more information out on other new titles being printed as we "speak." In the meantime, I wanted to pass along that I'll be in Greenville, SC (March 12-15) and Charlotte, NC (March 15-16) in two weeks. If you're in those areas and want to grab coffee somewhere, let me know! One of the best parts of travelling are the guys I meet along the way - that mutual encouragement of one another's faith is precious. So, if you're in my path, let's see what we can work out.
More to come ...
Steve

February 23, 2007

Coming This April - #2 of 8 - from The Banner

The Life of John Murray
by Iain H. Murray
Here's our "Publisher's Description" of another soon-to-be-released title, come April '07, making this again available from Iain Murray.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Professor John Murray (1898-1974) was recognized in his own lifetime as one of the leading Reformed theologians in the English-speaking world. Born in Scotland, he served in France during the First World War, before pursuing studies, first at the University of Glasgow, and then at Princeton Theological Seminary, USA. In 1929 he was invited to teach Systematic Theology at Princeton, and did so for one year, before joining the Faculty of the newly formed Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. There he shared with such scholars and Christian leaders as J. Gresham Machen and Cornelius Van Til in the great struggle to maintain the old Princeton tradition in theology, represented by the Hodges and B. B. Warfield.
John Murray remained at Westminster until his retirement in 1966. He returned to his native Scotland, married and enjoyed a brief period of fatherhood prior to his death in 1974.
A careful scholar, an eloquent lecturer, a moving preacher, and the author of many outstanding articles and books, Murray’s driving passions were for Christ, his Word, his cause, and his people.
The Life of John Murray, published originally to accompany the four volumes of his Collected Writings is now available again separately in this popular and reset edition.

February 20, 2007

Coming This April - #1 of 8 - from The Banner

A NEW Puritan Paperback
OK, let's finally get to the "sneak peek" of what's about to hit the streets from The Banner. First, let me tell you that there's a new addition coming to the beloved Puritan Paperback Series. Personally speaking, I love this series, as do many of you. I am always excited to see to grow. It continues to make great works easily accessible to many. Since these titles haven't arrived yet, let me just give you our "publisher's description" of what will soon become the 38th title in this series. It should be available on our Web site in a little more than a month, but keep watching this blog for the first announcement of its arrival in our North America warehouse.
Grace & Peace,
Steve

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Temptation: Resisted and Repulsed
by John Owen
(Abridged and made easy to read by Richard Rushing )

In this abridgement of John Owen’s classic work Of Temptation, the famous Puritan theologian opens up Matthew 26:41, carefully explaining what temptation is and what is involved in entering into it.

He then shows how Christ teaches two means for Christians to use in order to guard against this danger, namely watching and praying: ‘these two’, Owen says, ‘comprise the whole endeavour of faith for the soul’s preservation from temptation’, and he insists that it is the duty of every believer to follow diligently Christ’s instructions to prevent them falling into temptation.

Owen helpfully applies his teaching, showing us how we can know whether we have entered into temptation, what practical steps should be taken to preserve our souls from entering into it, how to identify those particular times when people tend to enter into temptation, and highlighting the best ways of watching the heart itself.

Sinclair B. Ferguson has written that ‘Many of Owen’s readers have come away from reading him on such themes as temptation and indwelling sin feeling that Owen knew them through and through.’ However, not only does Owen’s penetrating writing open up areas of need in our own hearts; it also opens up correspondingly profound assurances of grace in Jesus Christ.

February 14, 2007

The Banner of Truth, USA is CLOSED TODAY

Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Yesterday's snow, which became last night's ice, which became today's continuing snow ... it all got the best of us as we, along with all of the schools and nearly all of the businesses in our area, surrendered to the elements and shut down for the day. Obviously our Web site is open (www.banneroftruth.org), but you won't reach us by phone until - hopefully - tomorrow morning at 8:30 eastern time. I hope things are a bit warmer wherever you happen to be.
Grace & Peace,
Steve

February 8, 2007

New Titles Are In The Works

At this point, I can tell you that eight (8) new releases are in the works for a March/April '07 release. Stay tuned for more details.
ADDENDUM (Monday, 2/12/07): Tomorrow, I'll begin posting some of the preliminary descriptions for Banner's Spring '07 releases. Remember, we're still in the publication process so things are subject to change - although we're obviously far along in that process so I don't expect any! With eight new titles coming "down the Pike," this could take a while so keep coming back!
Grace & Peace,
Steve

February 6, 2007

Ministers' Conference Registration Now Open!

TO SEE THE BROCHURE, CLICK THE IMAGE TO THE RIGHT
I realize that there are many conferences around, but as you might imagine, Banner of Truth isn't out to provide just more of the same. Instead, the annual Ministers' Conference is unique on multiple fronts. First, it's for men in ministry (pastors, elders, deacons, missionaries) along with guys who are preparing for such (students), and we feed them with choice, prime spiritual nourishment directly from God's Word. No seminars on how to make your bulletin prettier. No tips to grow your attendance. Our goal is to feed those who have been feeding others for the past 51 weeks; it's good, solid preaching - living water for some dry and thirsty men of God.
A second unique feature - The fellowship. You see, we live and eat and worship together for the duration of the conference. We stay in on-campus housing. We eat in the college dining hall. The group doesn't split up for meals or lodging. Everyone sticks together. And the fellowship that results, including late night talks about the Word, life, minstry, etc., is precious!
A third unique feature - The worship. No, there isn't a band, or worship team or new songs. Instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by the sound of hundreds of men singing some of the great hymns of the faith with little or no accompaniment whatsoever. Trust me; it's incredible!
Additional conference perks? ALL Banner books are available at hefty discounts. You get a $30 gift certificate when you walk in the door, plus three new releases from Banner, plus a Ministers' Conference polo shirt, plus a one-year electronic subscription to the Banner of Truth Magazine! Need I say more? You get your registration, your lodging, your meals, the gift certificate, the free books, the polo shirt, the magazine subscription, the fellowship, the worship and the prime, choice spiritual nourishment for just $220 ($100 for students) IF you register before 5/1/07 - $240 ($120 for students) after that date. Just click on the brochure image to access a PDF of the brochure, or click here to go right to the online registration page.
It would be GREAT to meet you and have you join us, May 29-31, 2007, on the campus of Messiah College, Grantham, PA. Let me know if you have any questions. Grace & peace. Steve (steve@banneroftruth.org)

February 4, 2007

What a Time in Boston! Here's What Happened...

Greetings from on board the Amtrak train from Boston. Much to my surprise, “Vision New England” was a good conference for Banner to have attended. I couldn’t believe the number of people who approached our booth with the recognition and appreciation for seeing the works of Owen, Edwards, and all the rest, especially with us strategically located next to the “Holy Huggables: The Talking Bible Doll” booth. But I also spoke with an incredible number of people who had never heard of The Banner of Truth, but left with at least a list of books if not a book itself. My prayer in attending this conference was that one of them, 10 years from now, might meet me again and say, “Steve, ten years ago I bought a Banner book in Boston and God used it to change my life!” Did we sell books? Yes, we sold more books than I would have thought. But if you have a minute, let me tell you about the people I met. I’ve changed their names … just because.
(1) Jimmy shines shoes, every day, in the hotel lobby. I walked past him several times, like hundreds of others, but couldn’t pass him again. So I sat down, and we talked. He is from Uganda, attends Mass every week. He is saving money to return to see his daughter, but sends some money to a Ugandan orphanage because he was an orphan. He told me of his mother being shot by soldiers when he was one year old and how dad returned from the city 24 hours later to find his crying little boy and his wife’s body. He also told me of his father being shot by soldiers several years later. And he told me of the question he has asked ever since, “Why, God, am I still alive?” He has acquaintances, but no good friend. I am thankful that I met a young believer who works in the hotel restaurant who will hopefully carry on my conversation with Jimmy. I also hope to send him Banner's short book, "The Promise," a great evangelistic tool that reveals God through 31 Bible readings from Genesis to Revelation.
(2) Billy is 22, has lived on the streets since he was 8, grew up fast but not in a good way. “But God…” – Don’t you love that verse in Ephesians? But God saved him in his late teens and he is, today, so incredibly excited and thankful for what God has done. His passion is God! I mean PASSION. Visibly so. No pretense. No embarrassment. So refreshing. So challenging! I introduced him to Valley of Vision for the first time.
(3) Mark has been praying for God to give him an older Christian brother, a mentor, a godly man in his life, for two years. Mark opened his heart and we had a good time of prayer together. (4) Jonathan is on staff at a church, but also has no one close to him. He doesn’t feel as if he can really be open with others on staff, nor can he expose his heart issues to anyone in the church. So common. So sad. I tried to encourage him as we stood in the exhibit hall aisle.
(5) Pastor Rocco stood by me nearly with tears in his eyes as he told me how the Banner book, “Sketches from Church History” (I kid you not!) changed his life. He has read it through several times, along with Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, soon after he was saved.
(6) Eric is 29 and, while having been saved in his teens, has spent the last four years under the influence of alcohol, virtually ignoring his wife, his children, his God. But just six months ago, God said, “Enough!” Eric calls it a miracle. His relationships with his family have been restored. He mourns those four lost years, but cannot overly express his thankfulness to the God who has redeemed him and restored him to Himself.
(7) William approached the exhibit booth like all of the rest, but it seemed to me as if something was on his mind. I looked him in the eyes and asked, “William, are you doing ok, really?” He paused. “We buried our daughter 14 months ago. It was the second child that we’ve lost over the years.” My heart instantly ached with a hurt that I couldn’t imagine. We talked some, and as he was about to leave, I handed him a free copy of “Elizabeth Prentiss: More Love to Thee.” I pray that God uses Elizabeth’s similar experience and faith, to encourage the souls of William and his wife.
(8) Joni Eareckson Tada (ok, this name is not fictitious) was surprisingly “excited to be in the presence of The Banner of Truth” (her words, not mine). I had previously sent her the new Banner of Truth release, “Elizabeth Prentiss: More Love to Thee,” and she had graciously sent me a note of thanks. But it was good to meet her, to give her a hug, and to hear firsthand what The Banner has meant to her over the years. What a love this godly woman has for the work of The Banner of Truth! She is now in the midst of reading the biography of Elizabeth Prentiss.
(9) And then there was my time with Phil. Unlike the others, it was nine months ago when I first met him, also at a conference much like this one. He was/is a young college student who didn’t have someone in his life who new what was in his heart. Since he lives near Boston, I asked him to join me as a Banner volunteer, working the exhibit booth together. We had only spent 20 minutes face-to-face last May, but this time a good number of hours. It was a good opportunity to challenge and be challenged, to encourage and be encouraged, and to pray.
So, there you have it, I guess … Did we sell books? Yes, we sold books. But as is so consistent with the reason why The Banner exists, I feel as if we ministered to the body of Christ and carried forth the gospel. As I now traverse Connecticut on my way home, my prayer is this – “Take the seeds that have been planted over the past few days, Lord, and please provide others to water them in the days ahead to bring forth a harvest for your glory! Amen.” May you enjoy the grace and peace of the Lord this day! Steve