Yes.

Read this. That's all for today. That link is enough.

Welcome to the [Homeschool] California.

Al Mohler brings everyone up to speed on the California homeschool controversy.

"What the world calls accident"

Poor little boy! It is mercy indeed that he recovered from such a formidable hurt. The Lord wounded, and the Lord healed.

I ascribe, with you, what the world calls accident to him, and believe, that without [God's] permission, for wise and good ends, a child can no more pull a bowl of boiling water on itself than it could pull the moon out of its orbit.

And why does He permit such things?

It is to remind us of the uncertainty of life and all creature-comforts; to make us afraid of cleaving too close to pretty toys, which are so precarious, that often while we look at them they vanish, and to lead us to a more entire dependence upon himself; that we might never judge ourselves or our concerns safe from outward appearances only, but that the Lord is our keeper, and were not his eye upon us, a thousand dangers, and painful changes, which we can neither foresee nor prevent, are lurking about us every step, ready to break in upon us every hour.

How many are laboring and planning in the pursuit of things, the event of which, if they obtain them, will be but like pulling scalding water upon their own heads. They must have the bowl by all means, but they are not aware what is in it till they feel it.

John Newton, The Works of John Newton - Volume I

The best family photo ever...

Steve McCoy has posted his family's Christmas photo over on his blog.

I think it's the greatest family picture I've ever seen...

Enjoy!

Prince Caspian

The first full trailer for Prince Caspian is out.

Watch or download it here. (I just dl'ed the high def one, Eva!)

Driscoll on Humility

Mark Driscoll has some rough edges... But it takes something to stand up in front of your congregation and say this stuff.


...and...



Some people on "teh interwebs" question whether humility or pride wrapped in humility's clothing is at the root of these comments. I suppose time will tell. In the meantime, good words to take to heart on a Thursday.

Why bad things happen...

Pray for the people in Minnesota who've been impacted by the collapse of the I35 bridge.

Then, John Piper takes reminds us why things like this happen.

INCONCEIVABLE!!

Hard to believe it's been 20 years, ain't it?





[HT: Justin Taylor]

NA on the web...

If I were younger, I'd be spending this weekend at the New Attitude conference in Louisville. You probably also need to be a little trendy to get in the door - but I've got trendiness in spades.

Seriously. Why are you laughing?

Thankfully, all of us who can't be in Louisville can enjoy the conference from a distance thanks to the liveblogging talents of Tim Challies, the Harris brothers from The Rebelution, and others. Tune in, and join the return to a humble orthodoxy.

Death as gain...

If you haven't read it yet, you should really spend a minute or two considering the account of three Christians who were killed in Turkey a couple weeks ago... It has been making the rounds on the net, and I've wanted to post it with some thoughts. Never got the time for the thoughts, so I'm just posting it here for your reading. CLICK HERE to read.

And then consider James:

[Y]ou do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

...
You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. (James 4:14-16, 5:8-11, ESV)