8 Favorite Quotes From the Book “A Place Like Heaven” by Samuel Miller

I was hesitant to post quotes from this booklet that it might spoil the content. I already wrote a review on this book and it made to my 2019 best reads. A friend who is beginning to read Reformed books is considering to read a large volume on the Canons of Dort that I have to share the link of the review. Also it revived the idea to include some of my favorite quotes to further help someone looking for a resource about that momumental event. So here it is, finally after a year.

Anyways, here’s some quotes from the book, A Place Like Heaven by Samuel Miller published by Log College Press . If you like these quotes, please get the book by clicking here.

“…the Synod of Dort had, undoubtedly, a species of importance peculiar to itself, and altogether pre-eminent. It was not merely a meeting of the select divines of a single nation, but a convention of the Calvinistic world, to bear testimony against a rising and obtrusive error; to settle a question in which all the Reformed Churches of Europe had an immediate and deep interest. “

The Freebie Round-Up #74

The Christian Worldview Project invites Christians to their free online events on Facebook. Here are the schedule, guest, topic and Facebook link:

June 2, 11pm – Justin Peters

June 3, 10pm – James Renihan

June 10, 11pm – Conley Owens of True Iglesia

June 4, 8pm – Debate (Is it reasonable to believe in the Christian God)

June 9, 9pm- Jeremy Walker (not yet confirmed)

June 12, 8pm – Ezekiel Ais

https://www.facebook.com/thechristianworldviewproject/

Please note that time Manila/Philippines time.

Anyways, here’s a list of great freebies that are waiting to be downloaded. If you’re new here to this post or you missed out other freebie round-ups, check the links to those post at the end of this article.

Also since I’m not 24/7 monitoring the latest freebies of publishing companies, I’m posting their e-mail sign up page, so you’ll be in the loop whenever they give out freebies. You can find it at the end of this round-up.

FREE ebook “An Exposition of Psalms 119” by Thomas Manton- This big book contains 190 sermons of Psalms 119 by Thomas Manton made free by Monergism.

FREE course from Media Gratiae for Healthcare First Responders/Frontliners – Last time Media Gratiae offers these for pastor under quarantine, now frontliners can now avail one course for free.

7 Ministry Lessons We Can Learn from John the Baptist

In the gospels, John the Baptist had shown us the weight of ministerial work. In what would take a lifetime experience, looking at John’s brief ministry we can learn alot, that can help us in our own church and ministry. Here’s seven lessons we can learn from John the Baptist. For an in depth treatment of John, head over to this link.

He had one message to preach- (Matthew 3: 1,2; Mark 1:4) In our time when Christians are reaching people through blogs, Youtube videos, podcast, Zoom webinars and Facebook Live, we should make clear what is our main goal. That is, we should preach the gospel. This is the fulfillment of the Great Commission. But a few years before Jesus gave this monumental task to His disciples, John was already preaching the gospel. We can be busy in every aspect of our ministry but we shouldn’t forget our message.

“John came baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” — Mark 1:4 (CSB)

We as believer are carrying a message. The message is not about us, our church or denomination. Nor programs, methods, traditions or music. Our sole message is Christ and Him crucified. Our message is the most important message that everyone should hear. So lets be clear and proclaim it in our ministry.

He clearly knows who he is and his role (Matthew 3: 3; Matthew 3: 11)

When ask who is he is and who gave him authority to perform him his works, he response is sure and clear:

  “In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea  and saying, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!”  For he is the one spoken of through the prophet Isaiah, who said:

A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
Prepare the way for the Lord;
make his paths straight!”–Matthew 3:1–3 (CSB)

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove his sandals. He himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” — Matthew 3: 11 (CSB)

Not only does he know who he is and his role but he knows his only duty he needs to perform. Having no clear path to take shouldn’t be the mark of our ministry.  In the midst of this multi-tasking culture, the church should not follow.  John is specifically doing one thing and that counts.

8 Favorite Quotes From the Book “How Do I Love Church Members With Different Politics?” by Jonathan Leeman & Andy Naselli

We now have the manuscript for the Tagalog translation of John Piper’s book Coronavirus and Christ. In the few days it will be available for free download. Meanwhile, the Tagalog audiobook will start recording next week. Again keep us in your prayers.

Anyways, here’s some quotes from the booklet from a new series, How Do I Love Church Members With Different Politics? by Jonathan Leeman and Andy Naselli published by Crossway. If you like these quotes, please get the book by clicking here.

“Love those who differ with you by respecting them, not disdaining them. Don’t assume that anyone who is stricter than you is legalistic or that anyone who is freer than you is licentious. When you are convinced that a certain political strategy is just, you may be tempted to treat it as a matter of first importance, but that would be a grave mistake because it would imply that those who disagree with you on that issue cannot be Christians.”

8 Favorite Quotes From the Book “Conspiracy Theory” by Doug Van Dorn

In the few days, the Tagalog version of Coronavirus and Christ written by John Piper will be release for free distribution. The members of the translation team are all excited to share this resource for the Filipino church. Kindly continue to pray for us as we start doing the audiobook version.

Anyways, here’s some quotes from the book, Conspiracy Theory by Doug Van Dorn published by Waters of Creation Publishing. If you like these quotes, please download the book by clicking here.

“The ultimate conspiracy of men is to try to somehow overturn the Father’s rule through the Lord Jesus Christ.”

“We learn that often times, especially when a conspiracy theory seems to put oneself at the center of harm’s way, it is often caused not by someone else, but by oneself. We learn that it is easy to become entangled in an increasingly dark and sinister world of collusion and sedition where everyone is out to get
you. We learn that our minds start to more easily listen to anything that will reinforce our already delusional beliefs. In short, we learn about some of the true dangers that can be associated
with conspiracy theories.”

8 Favorite Quotes From the Book “19 Pastoral Thoughts on Covid-19” by Conrad Mbewe

Happy Lord’s Day!  This is my second week on not being able to come to church because of our enhanced community quarantine. Three weeks ago is my last opportunity to preach and my wife wasn’t with me. But thank God the church is still having services and our pastor gave an online message as well. Later I’ll be check it out.

Anyways, here’s some quotes from the booklet, 19 Pastoral Thoughts on Covid-19 by Conrad Mbewe published by Evergreen Publishers . If you like these quotes, please download the book by clicking here.

“In our current global crisis of the Coronavirus pandemic, this thought cannot be too far away from our minds: “Has God sent this as a plague upon humanity?” The politically correct answer is, “No, because he is a loving God. He cannot cause the kind of global panic, suffering and death that we are seeing from this pandemic.” However, the biblically correct answer is, “Yes, because he is a God who makes well-being and creates calamity.” God is in sovereign control of all things—including viruses.”

Book Review: “Where is God in A Coronavirus World?” by John Lennox

 This pandemic has caused alot anxiety for people. Many are driven inside their homes for weeks. Locked with them are fears, doubts and questions. What will happen if me and my family gets this deadly virus? When will this pandemic end? Some also might ask spiritual questions. Is this virus judgment for our sin? Why is this world full of pain and suffering? Where is God and what is He doing to take this COVID19? Thank God there are Christians who heed the call of God to give answers from His Word. One of those resources is this book from John Lennox, Where is God in A Coronavirus World?

8 Favorite Quotes From the Book “Our Good Crisis” by Jonathan K. Dodson

Is there questions that have been nagging in your mind? Are you looking for answers but it seems Google is not your friend? Then head over a blog post on finding answers for your questions. You’ll be surprised that there are six ways to help you find answers and it’s free.

Anyway, here’s some quotes from the book, Our Good Crisis by Jonathan K. Dodson published by InterVarsity Press. If you like these quotes, please get the book by clicking here.

“Moral or ethical failure is often behind the crises that put us up in arms or down in the dumps. A failure of morals,
not nerve, lurks behind scandal and injustice.”

“The seed of every crisis exists in every one of us. No one is immune. But  if we can get a handle on our moral turbulence, we can ­contribute not only to our own good but also to the good around us.”

“The sermon opens with a series of declarations—beatitudes—that call for goodness. Beatitude is a strange but compelling word.  It comes from the Latin word beatitudo, which is a translation of  the Greek word makarios, meaning blessed, favored, or flourishing. The Beatitudes show us eight ways to live a blessed life (or nine, depending how you read Matthew 5:10‑12). “

” the Beatitudes is plural not singular—the poor, those who mourn, the humble, the merciful. Every subject is plural, which means Jesus isn’t calling just individuals to the character of the kingdom; he’s calling a whole community—the church—to be poor in spirit. “

“The kingdom of heaven is breaking into this world through God’s people. If you are already a citizen by the grace of God, live like it! Don’t settle for the kingdom of self.”

“When we are honest with God about our sins, forgiveness and comfort come rushing in. When we get beneath the routine busyness of life and discover we aren’t as noble or moral as we thought, mourning in the presence of the Comforter guides us to a better version of ourselves.”

” With Christ, the greatest and humblest of beings mystically indwelling us by faith, we don’t have to assign ourselves weight. We don’t have to conjure a lovely idea of the self. Instead a glory outside us comes to live in us: Christ in us, the hope of glory. Jesus secured this glory for us through his debt-paying death on the cross and his mighty resurrection: his injury for our reward, his obedience for our disobedience, his righteousness for our unrighteousness. It hardly seems fair. That’s grace! “

“Today insisting on exclusive allegiance to Jesus as the one true God and Savior of humanity is also radical. It’s a declaration of war against the cult of expressive individualism. It’s unpopular
to denounce the self, but it isn’t enough to confess Jesus as Lord. His lordship must be visible. It isn’t enough to have great theology about Jesus and claim him as your king. It isn’t enough to
say he is the God and there is no other. Rather our allegiance to him must be evident in our character and action. We must care for the poor, practice righteousness, seek purity, and make
peace with others. The Beatitudes of Jesus must define us. “

Book Review: Coronavirus and Christ by John Piper

Everyone in the this planet are affected with the coronavirus. Everyone will feel fear, anxiety, pain and even lost in the midst of this chaos. Everyone is looking for relief and escape from this global threat. Counting the odds nor endless entertainment doesnt help. The soul is looking for something solid to hang on to. This hope is beyond this deadly virus. It comes from God and His Word. That’s what Coronavirus and Christ comes in.

It seems fitting that a Christian voice should resonates in our hopeless situation. I’m glad  that voice is John Piper. He quickly wrote a reply to the rest of us as we questioning what God is doing in this crisis. I know there are lots of Christian writers who wrote or will be writing to comfort people through blogs, videos and books. But nothing beats a trusted pastor like John Piper to deliver a biblical message on our predicament.

Coronavirus and Christ  is one solid read drench with excellent insights of John Piper and wisdom from the Scriptures. This book penetrates through the issue and present what this world needs to know: God and what this God is doing during this pandemic.

First, Piper introduced this God as the Bible speaks about Him. It’s not the usual “God is love” routine we already read in other books and sometimes abused in Facebook memes. Piper points us to what it means for God as righteous, holy and good. Want to have a solid foundation to where you can find security? Know the God of the Bible.

Then in the later part of the book, Piper shows us what God is doing during this pandemic. Piper gave six that points to reality. These six will surely shatter you. You might be surprised that Christians are involved in God’s actions in this crisis. God intended for Christians as the “frontliners” of the kingdom.

Coronavirus and Christ must is read and must needed resource that everyone should avail. Let this book hit you hard with Christ exalting and God glorifying truth, that will open your eyes to seek more.  I believe after reading this book, you’ll want more of the Bible and books by John Piper. Highly recommended!

My verdict:

5 out of 5

8 Favorite Quotes From the Book “Coronavirus and Christ” by John Piper

Do you enjoy checking out different links of articles, deals, promos, videos, audio or perhaps grab some freebies? Then head over my post of a big list of curated content post from various Christian blogs. I know you’ll enjoy discovering great content from other blogs.

Anyways, here’s some quotes from the book, Coronavirus and Christ by John Piper published by Crossway. If you like these quotes, you can download the book for free on PDF, mobi, epub and audiobook format or pre-order the print version by clicking here.

“…playing the odds is a fragile place to put your hope. Odds like 3 percent versus 10 percent, youth versus old age, compromised health versus no history of disease, rural versus urban, self-isolated versus home meeting with friends. Playing the odds provides little hope. It is not a firm place to stand.
There is a better way. There is a better place to stand: a Rock of certainty rather than the sand of probabilities.”

“…knowing that the same sovereignty that could stop the coronavirus, yet doesn’t, is the very sovereignty that sustains the soul in it.”

“The coronavirus was sent, therefore, by God. This is not a season for sentimental views of God. It is a bitter season. And God ordained it. God governs it. He will end it. No part of it is outside his sway. Life and death are in his hand.”

“God’s meticulous sovereignty—whether we live or die—serves his holiness and righteousness and goodness and wisdom. In Christ we are not his dispensable pawns. We are his valued children.”

“Neither Satan nor sickness nor sinful man is sovereign. Only God is. And he is good—and wise and sovereign.”

“confidence in the face of death has emboldened Christ’s people for two thousand years. The truth of God’s wise and good sovereignty has been the stabilizing power for thousands of Christians in the sacrifices of love.”

“Calamities are God’s previews of what sin deserves and will one day receive in judgment a thousand times worse. They are warnings. They are wake-up calls to see the moral horror and spiritual ugliness of sin against God.”

“What God is doing in the coronavirus is showing us—graphically, painfully—that nothing in this world gives the security and satisfaction that we find in the infinite greatness and worth of Jesus. “