October 31, 2007

What's it like, to visit Banner of Truth?

If you were to ask Pastor Ryan Day from Hazelton, PA that question, he'd talk about moving books, stocking shelves and unloading trucks. While not exactly the normal visitor's experience, that IS what happened for him. Ryan took his day off away from normal pastoral duties to drive several hours to help unload our most recent shipment from Scotland. But don't settle for my description of his experience; CLICK HERE and read it in his own words, with pictures, over at his blog.
And on the same day this week, we were also blessed to have Allen Mickle visit us from the Toronto Baptist Seminary. After numerous email conversations, it was good to finally meet Allen, and specially good to have him join our staff for lunch in recognition of the shipment's arrival, AND Austin's birthday (Austin does a great job with our warehouse manager, Jake, in keeping track of our inventory, packing the books, etc.). To read what Allen thought of his visit to Banner, CLICK HERE. And after leaving Banner, Allen went to his girlfriend's house and asked her to marry him! What an exciting day for a guy to have - visit Banner and get engaged to be married! I probably shouldn't ask which was the bigger highlight, right?
:-)

October 29, 2007

November Issue: The Banner of Truth magazine

The November 2007 issue of The Banner of Truth magazine is now available. Inside this issue, you'll find the following articles:

TITLE: Aspiring to Live a Quiet and Peaceable Life
AUTHOR: Tom Lyon
EXCERPT: "The value of a humble and unassuming life seems to have been eclipsed by this upwardly mobile 'dare to be a Daniel' brand of Christianity which elevates ambition above maturity and has seated the stable but unremarkable believer in coach class. Something is wrong here.... It is high time to stand up for the godly working-man: those less heroic who 'tarry by the baggage' (1 Sam. 30:24), the Christian who appears year after year at the church door, takes his seat - not the same man he was, but recognizable as the man he always has been - and, in doing so, is living proof of the reliability of grace and the evident blessing of living a quiet and peaceable life (1 Tim. 2;2)."

TITLE: Subtracting Through Addition: Galatians 6:14-15
AUTHOR: Allen Guelzo
EXCERPT: "In the roaring era of the Old West, an itinerant preacher crossed paths one evening with a group of cowboys herding cattle northward. They were a hospitable group and invited the preacher to eat with them, which he did. They were also a pretty uncouth group, as the preacher knew from having met cowboys in his travels. Their knowledge of how to cook was about on the same level as their appreciation for opera - which is to say, non-existent. The preacher had, accordingly, armed himself in advance with a bottle of hot pepper sauce. When the steaks were passed around the cooking fire, the preacher took the sauce from his saddlebag and gingerly sprinkled some of it so as to promote his steak's untapped potential. One of the cowboys, never having seen this before, stared at the preacher wide-eyed and asked to try some of the sauce. The preacher obligingly handed the bottle over, and the cowboy proceeded to empty the entire contents on his own meat. The cowboy ate ... and when the storm had passed sufficiently for him to breathe normally, he quickly concluded that the preacher must certainly believe in future punishment, for he carried a sample about with him in his saddlebag."
Don't you want to read the rest of this and its application to Galatians 6:14-15? :-)

TITLE: A Black Hen Lays a White Egg
AUTHOR: C.H. Spurgeon
EXCERPT: "Out of evil comes good, through the great goodness of God. From threatening clouds we get refreshing showers; in dark mines men find bright jewels: and so from our worst troubles come our best blessings."

Additional articles include: "Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Sign of God's Judgment?" by Chris Richards; "Conscience: A Voice of God," by Peter Barnes; and "Spectators of Divine Majesty: Habakkuk 3:3-16," by Walter J. Chantry. Plus the regular sections, including "News and Comments" and Book Reviews on the following books:
"This Little Church Went to Market," published by Evangelical Press
"Puritan Reformed Spirituality," published by Evangelical Press
"C.S. Lewis: Clarity and Confusion," published by Day One
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If you're not a subscriber, sign up for a 3-month trial subscription by emailing me - steve@banneroftruth.org. Or to subscribe to either the hard copy of electronic PDF copy, write to info@banneroftruth.org.

October 25, 2007

THEY HAVE ARRIVED: New for Children, from Banner of Truth!

Look what we unloaded yesterday here at the Banner of Truth warehouse in Carlisle, PA, USA! Banner is excited to be expanding our children's literature with three new releases, and just in time for Christmas.

First, A Bible Alphabet is a beautifully illustrated book that introduces very young readers to some of the great stories and characters from the Bible, including Noah and the ark, David and Goliath, and Daniel in the lions’ den.
Here's a taste of what you'll get in this book:
-------------------

A is for ark - God said
there would be a terrible flood all over the earth because of man's sin. He told Noah how to build a huge ark or boat. All the people and animals who would go inside it would be safe.
B is for basket - A little baby called Moses slept in a bulrush basket. It floated on the river, near the bank. His mother had hidden him there. She didn't want the wicked king to
find him.
C is for coat - When Jose
ph was a boy he wore a lovely coloured coat. No-one else had a coat quite like it. It was very special. His father gave it to him because he loved Joseph very much.
-------------------------

And on it goes, through the alphabet.

Engage your children further when reading A Bible Alphabet by giving each child a copy of the companion book, A Bible Alphabet Activity Book. This large paperback with perforated pages contains 26 large format tear-out sheets which young children will enjoy coloring, filling in the blanks, etc.

And thirdly, we also received yesterday The Work of His Fingers, An Illustrated Rhyme in Praise of Creation. Here's a taste of how this new title begins:

When we pause to consider this wonderful earth,
we see some incredible sights...
a world full of beauty suspended in space,
with billions of twinkling lights!
Perhaps you have wondered just how it got there,
... perhaps you've been tempted to guess?
(It didn't explode from a cloud of hot gas;
explosions make only a mess!)
Instead it was lovingly made by our God,
whose power and great understanding
are far beyond anything thought of by man;
no problem was found too demanding.
----------------------
And on it goes!

All three of these new children's titles are authored and illustrated by Alison Brown, a former primary school teacher who lives with her husband and family in northern Ireland. As the back
cover says, "While enjoying the privilege of spending years at home with her five growing children, she has continued to develop her drawing style. A deepening awareness of the need for every child to build his life on God’s Word, coupled with the pleasure of illustrating for children, has led to the creation of these pages...that they might set their hope in God. Psalm 78:7."

You will find them soon (I'm working on it!), at 25% discount, at www.banneroftruth.org, or call us (20% discount) with your order at 800-263-8085.
A Bible Alphabet
, by Alison Brown
ISBN: 978-0-85151-9630; Large paperback; $8.00
A Bible Alphabet Activity Book
, by Alison Brown
ISBN 978-0-85151-9647; Large paperback; $4.00

The Work of His Fingers
, by Alison Brown
ISBN 978-0-85151-9654; Large paperback; $8.00

October 23, 2007

Praying For You in Southern CA

You've no doubt heard the news, if you don't live in southern California, regarding the wildfires in that part of the country. I've received several emails from that area which I thought I'd share as a reminder for all of us to pray.
Jared writes, "It is true, and from the sounds of it, it will only get worse before it gets better. We are fine. The fires are not directly around us, but pray for people in our church. There are several families that have been evacuated from their homes. We are supposed to have hurricane type winds until tomorrow night. Obviously not helpful when fighting fires."
And another email from Paul, "So far, so good. The air quality is gross, ash everywhere, fires about 10 miles out. No MANDATORY evacuations yet. Pray hard brother, for not just me but the firefighters as well."
Join me, please, in praying for our dear Christian brothers and sisters in that area, that they would shine in the midst of tragedy and remain faithful; pray also for those who are not of the "the fold." Grace and peace. Steve.

October 15, 2007

SNEAK PEAK: Another New Children's Book from Banner!

I am quite excited about the new children's titles that are about to "hit the streets." I already posted about the other two, "The Bible Alphabet Book" and "The Bible Alphabet Activity Book," engaging children all the more with coloring pages that they get to work on themselves.
And now, yet another children's title from Alison Brown. If you don't know, Alison is a former primary school teacher who lives with her husband and five children in northern Ireland. She loves to draw, in both ink and colored pencil, but takes great delight in taking the minds of children and turning them to the amazing truths of the Scriptures. Here's part of this book's description: "Keeping in mind the kind of questions inquisitive children often ask about their world, she has written and illustrated this beautiful book which will help them think about the wonders of God's creation."
I can't show you any more of the illustrations than what you see here on the cover, but let me give you some of the actual text.
"When we pause to consider this wonderful earth,
we see some incredible sights...
a world full of beauty suspended in space,
with billions of twinkling lights!
Perhaps you have wondered just how it got there,
...perhaps you've been tempted to guess?
It didn't explode from a cloud of hot gas;
Explosions make only a mess!
Instead it was lovingly made by our God,
whose power and great understanding
are far beyond anything thought of by man;
no problem was found too demanding.
What distance to set from the earth to the sun
was a very important decision,
For only God knew what that distance should be,
and he measured with careful precision....."
And on and on it goes. Isn't that great. Oh, I don't know when we'll be receiving these, but do keep on the alert. I'm so glad to see Banner increasing our offerings to children.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained, what is man that you are mindful of him? Psalm 8:3-4

Interview with Geoffrey Thomas

Andrew Roycroft, on the Men for Ministry Blog, recently posted an interview with Geoff Thomas that I think you'd be interested in reading. Banner of Truth books written by Pastor Thomas include the biography, "Ernest Reisinger: A Biography," and "Phillip and the Revival in Samaria." Roycroft introduces the interview with these words:

Geoffrey Thomas is Pastor of Alred Place Baptist Church, Aberystwyth, where he has served the Lord for over forty years. His preaching and written ministry are deeply appreciated by many of God's people around the world, and he is no stranger to Northern Ireland, having spoken in a number of contexts over the years. We are very grateful that Pastor Thomas has taken the time be interviewed by 'Men for Ministry' , and we trust that his reflections on the life and work of the preacher will prove a rich blessing to all.

Among other questions, Pastor Thomas was asked, "What would you advise those men who are just entering the Christian ministry to do before, during and after the act of preaching?"

He replied,

"[i] Before preaching. Search out for some role models, men in the ministry you admire, whose ministry and life moves you to emulation. Learn from them. You will quickly discover they have feet of clay. They will be colder people, not as smart as you hoped to answer your questions, but they will have insights and advice. Get men in the past to serve this end also, such as Whitefield, Spurgeon, Lloyd-Jones, M’Cheyne, Brainerd, Paton, Carey, Calvin and learn from them all. Lloyd-Jones’ Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, Pink’s Life of Elijah, Watson’s Beatitudes are the kind of books that model interesting popular systematic expository preaching. Even some of James Montgomery Boice’s sermons are useful examples of expository and pastorally responsible preaching, but they do not suit me too well. Go to websites like First Presbyterian, Jackson where you can hear and read the sermons of Derek Thomas and Ligon Duncan. You can also hear the sermons of Joel Beeke and Iain D.Campbell on their websites – find them via Google. This is an extraordinary phenomenon, that at the end of a Sunday in Europe I can hear the morning sermon as it was preached in Heritage Reformed in Grand Rapids. Go to my website and read my sermons.

"When I was beginning my ministry the task of preparing two sermons a week was utterly daunting. I had such high standards and little ability and no experience of relentlessly preparing sermons for a congregation, especially two a week plus the mid-week preaching service. The task was overwhelming with many, many falls. How I wish I had had a resource of written sermons to turn to in order to help me. Saul’s armour did not fit David, but Jonathan’s did. Spurgeon’s sermons don’t fit anyone preaching in the world today, but his whole spirit as he approached the work of the pulpit and the congregation, his ideas, application, entreaties and corrections are invaluable. The sermons of T.T.Shields were not my size either, but they helped make Paul Tucker the fascinating preacher he became. I found Al Martin and Donald Macleod invaluable helps in preaching in the 1970s. I preached their sermons and envied their clear outlines and passion in delivery. Such men helped me to build on the Doctor and my Welsh role models to form me. I have also had Iain Murray as my most consistently helpful counsellor, and consider his friendship and advice the most single blessed support. If there is one man whose books I must read as they appear it has to be the writings of Iain Murray. So all that in answer to your first division - before preaching.

"[ii] During preaching covet an ability to relax the congregation enabling them to sit back and listen carefully and enjoyably to what is to be said to them. I’ve been very struck with that grace as manifest in such men as Ted Donnelly, John Blanchard and David Norman Jones of Tasmania. It comes from a trust in God; a cultivation of that dependence on his enabling to bless the preparation during the proclamation. They have managed to learn to speak humbly and directly to their audience; they are not bullies; they don’t shout, but neither are they perennial smilers (which is just as irritating). They speak interestingly of their theme. They have in their minds a grasp of where this sermon is going and they are determined to take the congregation to that destination. They use judicious illustration, and their humour is safe. I believe that Ted Donnelly is the most excellent sermon illustrator in the UK, and in the USA it has been John Reisinger. I have learned from both of them about illustrating, and from the Puritans from Bunyan and Watson’s illustrations which are quite compressed (and when Owen illustrates, on those rare occasions, those illustrations of his coruscate). So the ability to settle a congregation down to listen to you during the sermon is the great gift to seek from God. It comes from loving familiarity with your theme, and a concern to communicate it to the people, and a determination to honour the Lord of the Word and the Word of the Lord.

[iii] After the preaching? What would I advise? Ernest Reisinger shared this aphorism with me years ago, “It is a sin to preach and not to pray.” Afterwards would be a good time for a group of people to meet, when preaching is over, to pray for God’s blessing on what has been proclaimed, but it is virtually impossible as there are people to welcome, visit with, and also drive home. The preacher longs for men to gather around him after a sermon, especially when he has struggled and found it a barren spiritual exercise, to find then his friends upholding him in thanking God for something they have learned. Alas, it does not happen. After the sermon the preacher is invariably discouraged, especially the older he gets, because he has known some help in exalting Christ and preaching the good news, but there are few sinners present, and those that are there are the familiar people who have been coming for years and remain untouched. Where were the unbelievers? How the preacher needs warm praying after both good and bad sermons, but he is left on his own and he must say, “Sorry, Lord, that I did not do well again.”

To read the entire interview, CLICK HERE.

October 12, 2007

This is just encouraging to us all here ...

I don't put this up here to be prideful at all, really I don't. This was just really encouraging to read and I simply wanted you to see it, too. I hope that's all right. It's taken from a blog called, "The Thirsty Theologian" ...
================================
"I love Banner of Truth! My bookshelves have filled to overflowing, and Banner of Truth is largely to blame. They are fast becoming the dominant publisher in my library. With works from the Reformers and Puritans to great Reformed authors still living today, Banner is one of the very few publishers today who really publish no bad books. I have just recently received my first Banner publication written by a living author, "David: Man of Prayer, Man of War" by Walter J. Chantry. Here is the first of what I am sure will be several quotes:

"It was the Lord who chose David to be king, not Samuel nor the people of Israel. Nothing that we can observe was decisive with God. He chose David for the unseen qualities of the inner man. God finds his servants in unexpected places: Joseph in a prison, David in a sheep pen, Luther in a miner’s cottage. At the lowest point of his life David was to cry, ‘Behold, you delight in truth in the4 inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart’ (Psa. 51:6). In Psalm 66:18 the Psalmist of Israel wrote, ‘if I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.’ David’s son by Bathsheba wrote ‘Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life’ (Prov. 4:23). The Lord searches your heart. What does he find?


—Walter J. Chantry, David: Man of Prayer, Man of War (Edinburgh, Banner of Truth Trust, 2007), pp. 13-14.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "Discovering God's Will," by Sinclair Ferguson

BOOK REVIEWED: "Discovering God's Will," by Sinclair Ferguson
REVIEWER: Slaves of Rightousness blog
REVIEW: "I don’t normally take a lot of notes when reading a book, but with this one I took a lot. The topic is an important one for believers. How can we know God’s will? Sinclair Ferguson puts forth the idea that God’s will is shaped by the big picture-God’s ultimate purposes for us and creation.
"Early on he advises us, “In the first place, we need to recognise that we do not find God’s guidance for our lives by reading a book on guidance!” What he is trying to say is, there is no easy answer. He warns us, “There is no avoiding and no substitute for, the sometimes long, arduous experience of discovering the will of God in our own lives.” This does not deny absolutes, but is stated for any who may be looking for simple formulas to apply. “We learn about guidance primarily by learning about the Guide.” (italics in original.)
"Once he introduces the topic, Ferguson starts to look at God’s ultimate purpose. He advises us that the idea God guides us implies God has laid down a path for us, our lives have purpose now, and destiny for the future. He then breaks these points down and looks at them biblically. In speaking of God’s purpose, Sinclair tells us, “There is, in fact, no more basic question for us to ask than this: Will this course of action tend to further the glory of God?” (italics in original) From here he digs into what it really means to imitate Jesus.
"Then the book looks at guidelines. He warns us against the illusion that God’s will can be learned overnight. I have come across many believers who want just that—to know exactly and to know now. But it doesn’t work that way. So Ferguson looks to the Bible and tells us how three ways scripture provides us with what we need to know about God’s character and wisdom. He looks into scripture himself and gives examples. He also outlines how scripture helps us
"After that come warnings about the heart, and our need to guard ours. Our motives may be suspect for starters. Ferguson addresses the conditions in the heart, particularly what we need to have.
"The book continues in this vein through our lifestyles, conduct, calling marriage, and waiting. He addresses the reader who may have been hoping this book would tell would provide all the answers and do it now. What can that reader do now that it is apparent this is not a self-help book or a simple list of “what to do.”
"I always seem to enjoy and profit from reading Sinclair Ferguson. He communicates clearly, and biblically. This is a breath of fresh air given a lot of what is written by contemporary authors. It is tempting to merely post a multi-part series summarizing this book, but instead I will recommend you get yourself a copy and devour it for yourself. I think you’ll learn more that way."
==========================
For more information, or to purchase this book, CLICK HERE.

Are you REALLY into the Word?

It came to my attention just the other day that a number of you may not have yet discovered the "Let's Study" series from Banner of Truth. In all honesty, I'm not just out to push or sell books with what I'm about to say; this truly has met a need in my own personal spiritual life, and y'all (can you tell I've spent recent time in the south? I love it) need to know about this.
One of the best descriptions as to what this series is all about can be found in the introduction to "Let's Study Mark," written by Sinclair Ferguson. Sinclair writes that "this series is designed to meet a specific need in the church. While not technical commentaries, each volume will comment on the text of a biblical book; and while not merely lists of practical applications, they are concerned with the ways in which the teaching of Scripture can affect and transform our lives today. Understanding the Bible's message and applying its teaching are the aims.... The reader in view is not the person who is interested in all the detailed questions which fascinate the scholar, although behind the writing of each study lies an appreciation for careful and detailed scholarship. The aim is exposition of Scripture written in the language of a friend, seated alongside you with an open Bible."
That is SO TRUE ... through each book, you get "a friend, seataed alongside you with an open Bible." I used "Let's Study Acts" and "Let's Study Mark" in my teaching of adult Sunday School classes within the past couple of years. Currently, I'm using "Let's Study John" for my own personal Bible Study. "Let's Study Revelation" has certainly been a popular one. Every one of us needs to be in the Word, and not merely reading a chapter and getting on with the day. Instead, let's ask a Sinclair Ferguson, or Derek Thomas, or Mark Johnston, etc., to join us each morning over coffee and provide some insight into the Word of God.
Currently, the Let's Study series includes the following titles, with the eventual goal to include the entire New Testament:
"Let's Study Mark"
"Let's Study Luke"
"Let's Study John"
"Let's Study Acts"
"Let's Study 1 Corinthians"
"Let's Study 2 Corinthians"
"Let's Study Galatians"
"Let's Study Ephesians"
"Let's Study Philippians"
"Let's Study 1 & 2 Thessalonians"
"Let's Study Hebrews"
"Let's Study 1 Peter"
"Let's Study 2 Peter and Jude"
"Let's Study Revelation"

October 8, 2007

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "The Diary & Journal of David Brainerd"

BOOK REVIEWED: "The Diary and Journal of David Brainerd"
REVIEWER:
Dr. Phil Ryken, Senior Pastor, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA
REVIEW: "Our friends at Banner of Truth have published an attractive new edition of a genuine classic: The Diary & Journal of David Brainerd. The book will be of special interest to anyone with a vested interested in missions and evangelism. In other words, it ought to be of interest to every serious Christian. A man of intense devotion to Jesus Christ, with a passion for reaching Native Americans (Indians, he called them) with the gospel, Brainerd died when he was still in his twenties. In coming weeks I hope to share a few excerpts from his writings, which have far outlived his all-too-brief (as it seems to us) ministry."
------------------
To read this review on its original site, click HERE.
To see future comments on this book, as Dr. Ryken mentions, access the Reformation21 blog by clicking HERE.
For more information on this book, or to purchase it, click HERE.

October 6, 2007

SNEAK PEAK: New Children's Books Coming SOON from Banner!

I find this to be incredibly exciting!
With Christmas just around the corner, Banner of Truth is on the threshold of releasing several new titles that will further expand our children's offerings. A Bible Alphabet, by Alison Brown, is a beautifully illustrated book that introduces very young readers to some of the great stories and characters from the Bible, including Noah and the ark, David and Goliath, and Daniel in the lions’ den. Also coming from Banner is A Bible Alphabet Activity Book, containing 26 large format tear-out sheets which young children
will enjoy coloring-in and completing. The author of both, Alison Brown, is a former primary school teacher who currently lives with her husband and family in northern Ireland. While enjoying the privilege of spending years at home with her five growing children, she has continued to develop her drawing style. A deepening awareness of the need for every child to build his or her life on God's Word, coupled with the pleasure of illustrating for children, has led to the creation of these pages, "that they might set their hope in God (Psalm 78:7).

You can expect to see both of these titles arriving in the next few weeks. And there's yet another new children's book that I'll tell you about after the weekend. Grace & peace
. Steve.

Alabama/Georgia Trip Update

So far, so good! I had a great visit to Birmingham, AL Thursday and Friday, with stops at Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Hunter Street Baptist Church and Southeastern Bible College, where I sat in on several classes and met some students and professors. Thanks to KC Armstrong of The BookStore at Hunter Street (in Hoover, AL, just outside of Birmingham) for being a great host. Currently, I'm in Douglasville, GA, just west of Atlanta, where the Reformation Heritage Conference got underway last night at Grace Presbyterian Church. Dr. Carl Trueman of Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia) was excellent, introducing Luther, the main subject of the conference. The conference continues with lectures at 10:00 this morning and 12:45 this afternoon.

October 2, 2007

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review - "David: Man of Prayer, Man of War"

BOOK REVIEWED: "David: Man of Prayer, Man of War," by Walter Chantry
REVIEWER: Randall J. Pederson, Bookstore Staff and Westminster PhD student in church history; http://www.wtsbooks.com/
THE REVIEW: "By far, the best spiritual biography of David that I have read, Walter J. Chantry’s David: Man of Prayer, Man of War is an exemplar of biblical depth, pastoral insight, and contemporary relevance. It will no doubt find a welcome home in the hands of busy pastors looking for fresh material on the life of David (and how properly to draw parallels for modern living), for teachers weary of hollowed encyclopedic treatments too prevalent today (Chantry makes David’s life come to life, as it were), and for lay readers who want to be challenged and instructed, who want to move from prayer to praise and back again.

In thirty-five short chapters, which first appeared in The Banner of Truth magazine, Chantry unveils David’s life—from God’s description of ‘a man after his own heart’ to his anointing by Samuel to rule over Israel to his tragic affair with Bathsheba and the subsequent crimes of passion to his fleeting moments with Solomon on the edge of eternity—and instructs us in their significance for our own time. It is more than just a life of David—it is an instructive use of David’s life, one worthy of the great Puritan tradition in which Chantry firmly stands.

Chantry shows us David’s zeal for the house of the Lord; he shows us David’s frailty and sinfulness. He unravels what it means to be ‘a man after God’s own heart’ and shows how David strived to live with God’s favor. With keen pastoral insight, Chantry finds in David’s life an example of what it means to live coram Deo (‘in the presence of God’) at every juncture in life—in times of crises, in times of prayer and praise, in times of need and plentitude. He does not hide David’s faults, nor does he exalt him beyond portion; rather, he shows us the heart of a man who lived in two worlds: a man of the earth, a man of the kingdom of heaven.

David’s life illustrates the immense importance of prayer and utter reliance on God in every circumstance; it also shows the clinging fear of mortality and all its woes, the brokenness that sin brings into the world, into relationships, into our very communion with God himself. Those who know the ups and downs of Christian living will find a kindred heart in David. Those who think that Christians can do no wrong will find no place for this book on their shelves as it is a lasting testimony to the greatness of God’s work in the life of the humble, the broken, the repentant, the restored.

Few biblical characters exceed David in artistic depictions throughout the centuries. The best known and perhaps most astounding is Michelangelo’s David, unveiled outside the Palazzo della Signoria in Florence on September 8, 1504. Majestic in stature, Michelangelo’s David is a tribute to David’s greatness and lasting influence. Chantry’s remarkable book is a tribute of a different sort: it is a tribute to David’s God and to the profundity of divine grace.

October 1, 2007

Back Home After "Desiring God" in Minneapolis

What to say about this year's "Desiring God" conference? It was my first ever. The Main Auditorium of the Minneapolis Convention Center was filled to capacity at nearly every session. Thousands of people with all ages had some representation, but by far a mostly younger audience. Most of my time was spent in the conference bookstore one level below the Auditorium so I didn't get to hear as many of the sessions as I would have liked. But from conversations with the attendees, they were frequently moved and challenged by what was taking place upstairs. It's always nice to see that a considerable number of those attending recognized the Banner of Truth name, but there were also others, as I had anticipated, who were not familiar with the Banner. It was again an enjoyable exercise to share just a bit of what the Lord has done, and how the Lord has blessed during the 50 years that Banner has been in existence. But also to let them know that Banner is very much in the active mode, strengthening the church and facilitating its revival! A number of Banner titles were available at the conference, from our first published, "Body of Divinity" by Thomas Watson to newer releases. Jerry Bridges plugged the Puritan Paperback series from the Main Auditorium pulpit which brought about the usual swarm after the closing hymn. Overall, I do solidly believe that it was good for me to have been there, and good for the Banner. And also, as is usually the case, the Lord provided ample opportunity to encourage and pray with some dear brothers in the Lord, in some cases through many tears. If you were among those, be assured of my continued prayers!
I'd write more but it's 4:00 a.m. and I just arrived home, 5 hours later than scheduled. And in case you ever wondered, it's a painful thing traversing cities and airports, on foot, with a newly broken toe! Wouldn't you know it?
:-)
Grace and peace to you now; more to come. Steve