davidsteele1966

HEAVEN’S DRAGNET – Jonathan Edwards (1751)

The text is Matthew 13:47-50. The missionary to the Stockbridge Indians sets his doctrine up in advance: The fisherman that cast the net are ministers of the gospel whom Christ appoints to gather men into his church. Edwards draws an immediate contrast between the righteous and the unrighteous: “So God will save his saints andContinue reading “HEAVEN’S DRAGNET – Jonathan Edwards (1751)”

LEADERSHIP LESSONS – Ralph Hawkins and Richard Leslie Parrott

Leadership Lessons, by Ralph Hawkins and Richard Leslie Parrott is a case study about the failure of King Saul. The authors raise need at the beginning of their book by providing a biblical rationale for studying a failed leader. Colin Powell reveals the test of leadership failure: “The day soldiers stop bringing you their problemsContinue reading “LEADERSHIP LESSONS – Ralph Hawkins and Richard Leslie Parrott”

THE PAGAN HEART OF TODAY’S CULTURE – Peter Jones (2014)

Peter Jones has been writing about paganism for many years now. While many are put off by the term “pagan,” Jones is simply offering the critical components of a worldview which is growing with a vengeance. The troubling news is that many Christ-followers are either unaware the tentacles of paganism or could care less. TheContinue reading “THE PAGAN HEART OF TODAY’S CULTURE – Peter Jones (2014)”

The Preciousness of Time – Jonathan Edwards (1734)

Time is a precious commodity that must be treasured. Such is the argument in Jonathan Edward’s piece entitled, The Preciousness of Time and the Importance of Redeeming It. The subject of time was no stranger to Edwards. He thought about the “improvement” of time often. Even in his famous 70 resolutions, he addressed the matter ofContinue reading “The Preciousness of Time – Jonathan Edwards (1734)”

DIARY OF A MADMAN – JOSEPH STALIN

“His face lost its color. His breathing became distorted. He choked to death as we watched. The death agony was painful. At the last-minute he opened his eyes again, a terrible look, mad, or angry, and full of the fear of death. His left hand rose, and seemed to be pointing upwards, or threatening usContinue reading “DIARY OF A MADMAN – JOSEPH STALIN”

CHRIST IS TO THE HEART LIKE A RIVER TO A TREE PLANTED BY IT – Jonathan Edwards (1751)

In this short sermon prepared and addressed to the Stockbridge Indians, Edwards utilizes Psalm 1:3 – “He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water.” The doctrine is set forth at the beginning of the sermon: Doctrine Christ is to the heart of a true saint like a river to the roots ofContinue reading “CHRIST IS TO THE HEART LIKE A RIVER TO A TREE PLANTED BY IT – Jonathan Edwards (1751)”

EVANGELISM – J. Mack Stiles (2014)

The word, “evangelism” strikes fear in the hearts of many Christ-followers. But nothing could be more backwards, for the people of God possess the greatest news in the universe. A holy God sent his Son, the Lord Jesus to die in the place of every person who would ever believe. Sinners may receive the hopeContinue reading “EVANGELISM – J. Mack Stiles (2014)”

TRUE GRACE, DISTINGUISHED FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF DEVILS – Jonathan Edwards (1752)

On September 28, 1752, Jonathan Edwards was invited to preach a sermon before the Presbyterian Synod of New York. His son-in-law, Aaron Burr (who had recently married his daughter Esther) was the president of the College of New Jersey and undoubtedly had an influence in the invitation that Edwards received. James 2:19 is the textContinue reading “TRUE GRACE, DISTINGUISHED FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF DEVILS – Jonathan Edwards (1752)”

HERE I STAND: A LIFE OF MARTIN LUTHER – Roland Bainton (1950)

My copy of Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther is falling apart. I first read this classic back in 1998. At that time, Luther’s life and legacy were still very new to me. Now over fifteen years later, the story is no less exciting. In fact, it just keeps getting better. Bainton’s work is clearlyContinue reading “HERE I STAND: A LIFE OF MARTIN LUTHER – Roland Bainton (1950)”

ESSENTIALISM: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less – Greg McKeown (2014)

In the late 80’s I read Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. That was a profound experience as Covey revealed areas of weakness that needed to be excavated in my life. A similar thing happened as I poured over the pages of Essentialism by Greg McKeown. McKeown sets forth his basic proposal at the beginning ofContinue reading “ESSENTIALISM: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less – Greg McKeown (2014)”