tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17612625982217573862012-02-02T15:00:32.170-05:00wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.comBlogger4561100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-37844996815220826702009-07-04T16:44:00.001-04:002009-07-04T16:46:01.731-04:00

Happy 4th from Carl Lewis. (This is for Ed)

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-19430631343767302282009-02-05T14:48:00.004-05:002009-02-05T15:00:30.072-05:00

I've been out of town for the past week, so I haven't really had a chance to blog.Last weekend I spoke at retreat for Grace Community Baptist in Richmond, and this upcoming weekend, I'll be speaking at a ski retreat for several youth groups from the Charlotte area. Last weekend's retreat was incredible. It was great to serve alongside friends like Ed & Katie Martin and Josh & Tasha Via. I was

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-89231559670576328912009-01-28T21:59:00.000-05:002009-01-28T22:37:52.289-05:00

"Faith is permitting ourselves to be seized by the things we do not see."-Martin Luther

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-28325073113862494512009-01-28T05:26:00.000-05:002009-01-28T05:26:02.112-05:00

Jennifer and I got the Wii Fit for Christmas this year. It's not even February yet, and I'm slacking off.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-79765615568111379202009-01-28T05:14:00.000-05:002009-01-28T05:14:01.003-05:00

Here's a good blog that keeps up with the government's actions on abortion

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-2190166430410108702009-01-28T05:08:00.000-05:002009-01-28T05:08:00.926-05:00

I saw something like this one time. When I lived in Hendersonville, my friend Matt and I went to go see a basketball team called the Tiny Trotters. They were playing much bigger people, and were destroyed. It was bad enough that they were beaten like a drum, but the fact that the 'bigger people' celebrated in an inordinate way filled with taunts made it incredibly awkward.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-85826372409309915872009-01-27T05:32:00.000-05:002009-01-27T05:32:00.542-05:00

From the opening of Hard to Believe by John Macarthur:"The first role of successful merchandising is to give consumers what they want. If they want bigger burgers, make their burgers bigger. Designer bottled water in six fruit flavors? Done. Minivans with ten cup holders? Give them twenty. You've got to keep the customer satisfied. You've got to modify your product and your message to meet

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-22702131147798002312009-01-27T05:28:00.000-05:002009-01-27T05:25:04.804-05:00

Just in case they don't see the first two, let's put up another one...

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-61185192066854467162009-01-26T09:45:00.000-05:002009-01-26T09:50:57.715-05:00

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-78462408091249733402009-01-25T14:45:00.000-05:002009-01-25T14:45:32.835-05:00

Satan always hates Christian fellowship; it is his policy to keep Christians apart. Anything which can divide saints from one another he delights in. He attaches far more importance to godly intercourse than we do. Since union is strength, he does his best to promote separation. C.H. Spurgeon

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-84127372177834635302009-01-25T06:23:00.003-05:002009-01-25T06:34:40.446-05:00

Jennifer and I were reading John 9 this morning about the healing of the man born blind. One of the interesting parts of the story is the reaction of the blind guy's parents. There's a revealing little parenthesis about them right in the middle of the story. They try to stay as far removed from what's happening as possible. Why?..."His parents said these things because they feared the Jews,

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-4414737764469685232009-01-24T15:52:00.001-05:002009-01-24T15:54:23.362-05:00

I took a 6 month break from blogging, but alas, I think I'll start it up again.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-2209229057106219442008-07-09T13:50:00.000-04:002008-07-09T13:51:03.975-04:00

“If you know what He has done at infinite cost to himself—He’s put you into a relationship so that you’ll never be rejected by Him—then your motivation when you sin is to go get Him. You want fellowship with Him. When the thing that most assures you is the thing that most convicts you, you’ll be okay because when you’re convicted of sin in a gospel way it drives you toward God.Without the gospel

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-48477235813651134282008-07-07T11:40:00.001-04:002008-07-07T15:29:01.305-04:00

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-16354443703074604552008-07-07T11:25:00.003-04:002008-07-07T11:27:35.631-04:00

My reading has been sparse this summer since we've been traveling so much. I'm planning on reading a book called Christianity Explored this week.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-83797213432268083962008-06-08T15:03:00.002-04:002008-06-08T15:08:02.617-04:00

Jennifer and I are going to a middle school mission camp this week, so I'm not sure how much reading I'll get to do, but I'm planning on reading through John MacArthur's "The Gospel According to Jesus." It's somewhat of a modern classic, but I've never really read through the whole thing before...

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-74263350412852770762008-06-08T13:35:00.000-04:002008-06-08T13:47:56.906-04:00

This video is from one of the "revival" meetings in Lakeland, Florida:"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). There was a quote in "And the Shofar Blew" that fits this video well. It was a conversation about how a church was growing so rapidly and one of the people stated

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-69135043388192243462008-06-07T07:02:00.000-04:002008-06-07T08:15:50.900-04:00

I saw this headline today: "Retired Justice O'Conner Starts Video Game Project" Seems a surprising/bizarre direction for her career...

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-7655003807695977112008-06-06T07:00:00.000-04:002008-06-06T07:00:17.181-04:00

“No guilt in life, no fear in death—This is the pow’r of Christ in me;From life’s first cry to final breath,Jesus commands my destiny.No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man,Can ever pluck me from His hand;Till He returns or calls me home—Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.”-from "In Christ Alone"

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-72720703895654814222008-06-04T07:21:00.002-04:002008-06-05T12:10:58.976-04:00

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-34216273263025985282008-06-03T09:10:00.004-04:002008-06-04T06:53:18.370-04:00

Jennifer and I will be heading to Chattanooga next week leading a Middle School mission trip. We will be doing several service projects while we're there...it should be a great trip.“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” -Jesus, Matthew 5:16“In all our serving may God be the giver, and may God

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-86181520617523826712008-06-03T09:00:00.003-04:002008-06-03T09:08:54.131-04:00

My friend Josh Via just wrote a book. It's called, "The Discovery: Beyond the Jesus of Flapjacks and Grilled Cheese." You can purchase the book here.Josh is a gifted writer, worship leader, a great husband to his wife and father to his children, a good friend, and Christ-exalting in the way he lives. This will be a great devotional book to go through the Gospel of John with and encounter

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-13250260477166329552008-06-01T12:31:00.001-04:002008-06-02T07:18:51.382-04:00

"For the Christian pain represents, at various times and from various angles, a design feature worthy of praise and gratitude, an affliction to be overcome, a potential vale of soul-making, and a spur to hope in a painless future." -Philip Yancey

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-89513295795060913692008-06-01T12:27:00.002-04:002008-06-01T12:30:11.626-04:00

Some guy out west got real video of an alien.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-82780930859838869862008-06-01T12:17:00.002-04:002008-06-01T12:21:27.408-04:00

I forgot to post last week, but I continued reading "Overcoming Sin and Temptation" by John Owen. I decided to take it slowly rather than to read through it in a week, due to the density of it. Each month, I read one book that Jennifer recommends for me. This week, I'm reading "And the Shofar Blew" by Francine Rivers. Jennifer says it should be required reading for seminary students.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-45368785892781977072008-05-18T20:17:00.002-04:002008-05-20T23:29:47.968-04:00

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-5757860612936278082008-05-18T19:48:00.002-04:002008-05-18T19:51:33.305-04:00

I'm reading a leadership book this week. I started it today, and I don't think it's going to be that great...but it's probably wise for me to read and think through leadership as I believe God has called me to be a pastor. Anyway, the name of the book is "Ministers as Leaders" by Robert D. Dale. I found it in my personal library, but I have no idea where it came from, and I've never read it

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-86835853116064150282008-05-15T06:41:00.003-04:002008-05-15T06:53:27.387-04:00

I was out of town this past weekend, so I didn't post what book I'm reading this week. It's called, "Pierced for Our Transgressions", subtitled "Rediscovering the Glory of Penal Substitution."I thought it might be a little academic, but it's really not. And actually the second chapter was a great Bible study on the cross.It's kept the song "In Christ Alone" in my heart as I've read it...in

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-89002639896696349262008-05-07T16:18:00.001-04:002008-05-07T16:18:52.791-04:00

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days or never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace. ~ Jerry Bridges

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-8656871870648555202008-05-04T21:55:00.001-04:002008-05-04T21:58:22.187-04:00

This week's book is David Well's book, "The Courage to Be Protestant":

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-16183881004199322202008-05-04T08:05:00.001-04:002008-05-04T08:07:34.193-04:00

And I thought Chick fil A was a little crowded last night:

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-24404383706645498522008-04-27T07:07:00.003-04:002008-04-27T07:15:09.990-04:00

This week's book is called Christ & Culture Revisited by D.A. Carson. The book discusses the relationship of Christians with culture, by looking again at the classic work on this issue by H. Richard Niebuhr. Last week's book by R.C. Sproul was great. It was an easy read with sharp clarity. He has a chapter that deals with the doctrine of limited atonement, and I'm not sure I've read anything

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-48303113128292122462008-04-21T06:16:00.001-04:002008-04-21T06:18:18.330-04:00

"God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?" -Num. 23:19

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-20073267203180029882008-04-21T06:13:00.002-04:002008-04-21T06:16:36.536-04:00

This week's book is called, "The Truth of the Cross" by R.C. Sproul. Last week I went to a conference in Louisville, KY called Together for the Gospel, and Sproul was one of the speakers there. They gave us about 14 books and one of them was "The Truth of the Cross."

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-44804504815438885582008-04-13T22:37:00.002-04:002008-04-13T22:40:40.826-04:00

This week's book is a short one by Henri Nouwen called, "The Way of the Heart." It's divided into three sections dealing with solitude, silence and prayer.I'll be going to a conference this week in Kentucky (Together for the Gospel), and a short book will be great.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-65965321992260379722008-04-06T06:40:00.002-04:002008-04-06T06:50:23.124-04:00

Reading Abraham Kuyper's works online was more difficult than I had hoped it would be...so I'm excited to get back to reading a book that I can have in my hands.This week's book is too large to read in one week, so I've decided to divide the book into three parts, and read each part on different weeks over the next several months. The book is called "Christian Theology" by Alister McGrath. I

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-48862055527314484322008-03-30T07:44:00.002-04:002008-03-30T07:55:31.182-04:00

I forgot to post last week's book since I was on Spring Break living la vida loca.At the suggestion of my lovely wife, I read through "Toddler Wise." It was a helpful little resource for sure, especially since Owen is our first toddler. Not that anybody really cares, but the best chapter was probably the one on potty training. We'll start that pretty soon, and we'll load Owen full of treats if

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-8700962359223566022008-03-16T14:51:00.004-04:002008-03-16T15:00:31.792-04:00

Since this is the week leading up to Easter, I've decided to watch the Passion of Christ in place of reading another book outside of Scripture. Each morning, Jennifer and I will watch 15 minutes of the film. We started this morning, and we'll finish on Easter morning. We prayed this morning that it would not be entertainment to us, but rather be a meditative experience for us with regards to

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-21121474634262434002008-03-11T06:55:00.002-04:002008-03-11T07:04:26.927-04:00

Jennifer and I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday afternoon and on the first table we came to, I saw Tim Keller's new book, "The Reason for God." I won't be starting it real soon, but I bought it and skimmed through it. Each chapter deals with the big questions from skeptics. Some of the chapter ideas include: Is there really only one way to heaven? Why does God allow suffering? How can a

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-75609980951206935402008-03-09T14:32:00.002-04:002008-03-09T14:37:45.289-04:00

This week's book was written by Puritan Thomas Watson. It's called, "The Godly Man's Picture." I've never read it before, but here's a blurb from the back of the book:"Few preachers in the Puritan era (or any other period of church history) match Thomas Watson for his ability to combine rich spirituality, nourishing doctrine and sane wisdom with fascinating illustrations and a pleasant style...

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-20980958488166184542008-03-02T22:25:00.002-05:002008-03-02T22:31:56.471-05:00

Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish Driscoll's book this past week on my Disney trip. I'll finish it soon though. This week's book is one that I've read several times, but I'm reading it again because our youth small groups are going through it together: Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper. I love the book, and I think its a great book for young people.As far as reviewing Vintage Jesus by

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-46613619649435626782008-02-24T13:37:00.002-05:002008-02-24T13:40:38.738-05:00

I'm heading off for Disney World tonight for the senior trip at our school, and I'm excited about the bus ride because I'll have time to read my newest book: Mark Driscoll's Vintage Jesus. It looks like it will be a great/easy read on the Person & work of Christ.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-66336791536947070762008-02-17T07:41:00.002-05:002008-02-17T07:43:43.396-05:00

This week's book is the book of Job.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-44481662288017545452008-02-12T06:36:00.000-05:002008-02-12T06:48:55.636-05:00

Last year in one of my classes, there was this old poster that said, "You are the author of your own life story." I pointed at it in the beginning of the year in my Romans class and told the students that we would find that that simply was not true...and then at the end of the year we would rip it down and replace it with a more accurate statement.I got up this morning and continued reading

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-79493386850438030972008-02-11T16:27:00.001-05:002008-02-11T16:27:50.583-05:00

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-19589533321148408252008-02-11T06:58:00.000-05:002008-02-11T07:01:31.014-05:00

This week's book is the classic by Thomas a' Kempis, "The Imitation of Christ"It's probably been close to 8 years ago since I read it last, but I remember when I read it the first time, it was one of my favorite books for a long time. I used to use it somewhat like a devotional. I'm pretty excited about reading it. I think it will be like visiting an old friend.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-87466442962329984402008-02-08T06:33:00.000-05:002008-02-08T06:35:52.147-05:00

"They" know your pin #.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-38329099718567826332008-02-04T06:35:00.000-05:002008-02-04T06:39:44.054-05:00

This week I'm planning on reading several different articles from Bishop N.T. Wright. I've read a lot about his works, but not his works. My guess is that I'll disagree with a lot of what I read.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-39927022652697858992008-01-29T07:47:00.000-05:002008-01-29T07:50:20.411-05:00

Today is Owen's birthday. He's 2 years old now!I just heard him wake up...so Jennifer and I are going to go sing to him!

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-19201381039265235762008-01-28T05:47:00.000-05:002008-01-28T05:52:15.910-05:00

This week I've decided to focus on a particular author's writings rather than on a single book. David Wells is a professor of theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. I'm planning on reading excerpts from several of his works this week.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-91437768241689940092008-01-26T13:37:00.000-05:002008-01-26T16:46:38.804-05:00

I had to go get the car inspected today, and while I waited I read a book called, "Hospitality Commands" by Alexander Strauch. It was a great and convicting book for me. It made me extremely thankful for Jennifer's incredible gift of being hospitable, and it revealed some of my weaknesses in this area. The overall message of the book was the importance of the home as a place of showing the

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-45202930420332335212008-01-25T16:43:00.000-05:002008-01-25T16:48:23.121-05:00

Ben Stein has a very interesting movie coming out in the Spring

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-66924777837511244672008-01-25T05:57:00.003-05:002008-01-25T06:02:58.399-05:00

The most disturbing bowling game ever. 10 plagues...10 pins. Makes sense to me.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-532380295420953142008-01-25T05:38:00.000-05:002008-01-25T05:39:19.644-05:00

O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer’s praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of his grace! My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the earth abroad The honors of thy name. -Charles Wesley

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-19958709986628863772008-01-23T21:52:00.000-05:002008-01-23T21:53:56.207-05:00

This is one of the most awkward music videos I've ever witnessed. They couldn't be any closer to each other while they're singing this...

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-45549766841687662092008-01-22T20:45:00.000-05:002008-01-22T20:50:40.796-05:00

Today marks the 35th year anniversary of Roe vs. Wade which legalized abortion in the U.S. Since that time, an estimated 46 million babies have been aborted in our country...a number that is entirely too difficult to grasp

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-82412350016554174972008-01-22T06:20:00.000-05:002008-01-22T06:27:45.542-05:00

I'm studying the life of Joseph right now in my personal study. It's a remarkable story of God's providence. Check out this toy that depicts him with blue eyes and bright blonde hair. Come to think of it, what's more disturbing than the color of his eyes & hair is the enormity of his feet and hands.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-36165905987031972102008-01-22T06:18:00.001-05:002008-01-22T06:18:56.238-05:00

"Preach the gospel to yourself everyday..."-Jerry Bridges

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-23911578666412692442008-01-21T08:22:00.000-05:002008-01-21T08:23:19.191-05:00

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-31667936833921815492008-01-20T14:22:00.000-05:002008-01-20T14:41:19.305-05:00

This week's book is a parenting book called, "To Train Up a Child" by Michael and Debi Pearl. Jennifer read it and wanted me to read it when she finished. It's written by an Amish couple and so far its been pretty funny as well as helpful. Even the structure of the book is funny. The first subtitle of the first chapter is entitled: "Switch your kids"...and he's not referring to trading them

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-25570190849279032452008-01-18T07:35:00.000-05:002008-01-18T07:36:38.819-05:00

Jennifer and I decided this morning that we're going to try to get one of these as a pet. I love to see animals make fools of themselves

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-53698639214990571302008-01-18T07:18:00.000-05:002008-01-18T07:19:32.520-05:00

"However many things fail us that have to do with the maintenance of this life, God will never fail."-John Calvin

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-39670713505862400292008-01-13T07:38:00.000-05:002008-01-13T07:43:31.421-05:00

This week's book was written by my former pastor in Raleigh, David Horner. Its called, "Firmly Rooted, Faithfully Growing." It's about principle-based ministry in the Church. Its a great book that helps think through the proper order of asking why things are done in a church and then asking how they should be done. A lot of churches start with the pragmatic questions like, "how do we get more

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-15890967268982824342008-01-06T06:09:00.000-05:002008-01-06T06:14:57.239-05:00

This week, I'm reading through the classic "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23" by Phillip Keller. I read it several years ago, but I wanted to reread it in part because I'm teaching on Psalm 23 in a couple of weeks. I started it this morning, and it's an enjoyable read. Plus, you can find it used for 14 cents!

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-47249323332508042002008-01-01T08:28:00.000-05:002008-01-01T08:30:13.888-05:00

From time to time different people will ask me about what I'm reading. Each week, I plan on posting something about the book that I'm currently reading. The first book of the week is called "Infant Baptism in the First Four Centuries" by Joachim Jeramias. I don't really recommend this book to anyone unless you're extremely interested in the subject. I'm sure it will be a good book documenting

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-89220577727355966162008-01-01T08:22:00.000-05:002008-01-01T08:27:40.851-05:00

I don't really do New Year's Resolutions, but if I did, I would adopt Jonathan Edward's 22nd resolution (22 of 70 he wrote when he was 19):"Resolved, To endeavour to obtain for myself as much happiness in the other world as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigour, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of."

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-66330651955544931142007-12-24T08:31:00.000-05:002007-12-24T08:32:14.235-05:00

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-63706619226379260812007-12-23T08:00:00.000-05:002007-12-23T08:06:53.720-05:00

“The more we dwell where the cries of Calvary can be heard the more noble our lives become. Nothing puts life into men like a dying Savior.”-Charles Spurgeon

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-24026960783965734692007-12-22T08:22:00.000-05:002007-12-22T08:28:16.692-05:00

"Believer, thou shalt never be deserted, forsaken, given up to ruin. God, even thy God, is thy guardian and friend, and bliss is thine.”-Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David I read this and then listened to Crowder's "You Never Let Go," and pictured Charles Spurgeon singing it.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-28888654380579721602007-12-22T08:21:00.000-05:002007-12-22T08:29:17.646-05:00

"Come, Thou long expected JesusBorn to set Thy people free;From our fears and sins release us,Let us find our rest in Thee.Israel’s Strength and Consolation,Hope of all the earth Thou art;Dear Desire of every nation,Joy of every longing heart.Born Thy people to deliver,Born a child and yet a King,Born to reign in us forever,Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.By Thine own eternal SpiritRule in all our

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-83021481248367262922007-12-21T08:21:00.000-05:002007-12-21T08:23:25.190-05:00

Mine are:1. O Come O Come Emmanuel2. O Holy Night3. What Child is This?4. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing5. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Dayhonorable mention:Chris Rice has a great Christmas song...I don't remember the name of it thoughand I Celebrate the Day by Relient K

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-74538476084854658542007-12-21T08:18:00.000-05:002007-12-21T08:24:03.909-05:00

I love the connection between Christmas & Missions. The whole idea of God coming to earth to redeem man is missional. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us!" (John 1:14). This was posted on Desiring God's website recently: "For its own soul the church [and me too] needs to be involved in missions. We will not know God in his full majesty until we know him moving triumphantly among the

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-64965918122306550942007-12-21T08:14:00.000-05:002007-12-21T08:24:50.015-05:00

Looks like we eat too much

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-40439578249174324202007-12-20T07:08:00.000-05:002007-12-20T07:15:28.570-05:00

“The paradox is amazing. The Creator assumed the human frailty of his creatures. The Eternal One entered time. The all-powerful made himself vulnerable. The all-holy exposed himself to temptation. And in the end the immortal died.”- John Stott, The Incomparable Christ, pg. 37.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-53634251984614121232007-12-20T07:05:00.001-05:002007-12-20T07:14:51.475-05:00

I wish Rasheed Wallace played for the Bobcats.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-27304811190863558702007-12-20T07:05:00.000-05:002007-12-20T07:13:56.441-05:00

I'm a big fan of Christmas music, and the past couple of years, my favorite Christmas music is from Sufjan Stevens. I first heard his Christmas album a couple of years ago thanks to William & Heidi Haun. The Christmas album comes with 5 CD's with a total of over 40 songs.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-59427963947863973212007-12-19T05:41:00.000-05:002007-12-19T05:46:59.831-05:00

Great picture from the Hauns in Africa

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-13262134171567590932007-12-19T05:39:00.000-05:002007-12-19T05:46:17.981-05:00

I just came across this Bible. It's called the Itty Bitty Bible. Apparently, all the words are there, but they're too small to read. Fantastic. What's the point? God reveals Himself to man through the written word, so maybe a good idea would be to make the words too small for anyone to read?

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-25665988910550227982007-12-19T05:37:00.000-05:002007-12-19T05:45:38.392-05:00

The paragraph below is one of the best things I've read this December. The last sentence really struck me as a powerful reminder that the Gospel must be central in all things ministry related. It wears me down looking through modern youth literature for this very reason. The Gospel of Jesus Christ crucified and risen must be central to all that we do. D.A. Carson: "Somewhere along the way we

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-18906596046840815652007-12-18T14:27:00.000-05:002007-12-18T15:02:27.997-05:00

In my Romans class, we spent much of the month of November discussing the nature of the atonement, and the nature of justification. Yesterday, I read a letter from someone involved in ministry that called into question the orthodox view of justification as well as the penal substitution view of the atonement. He questioned the value and truth of statements that indicate that man is separated

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-35419232820430788512007-12-18T05:40:00.000-05:002007-12-18T05:46:06.055-05:00

If you're still looking for ideas for gifts for people, the movie "Amazing Grace" is out on DVD

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-29164222283951784612007-12-18T05:38:00.000-05:002007-12-18T05:44:48.777-05:00

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-9701953553879015702007-12-18T05:37:00.000-05:002007-12-18T05:47:19.359-05:00

Carson on Doctrine & Experience:“Because some wings of the church have appealed to experience over against revelation, or have talked glibly about ill-defined ‘spirituality’ that is fundamentally divorced from the gospel, some of us have overreacted and begin to view all mention of experience as suspicious at best, perverse at worst. This overreaction must cease. The Scriptures themselves demand

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-14456408280895019972007-12-17T06:20:00.000-05:002007-12-17T06:25:02.780-05:00

No real order to these, but here's some of my favorite music released in 2007:The Shins, Wincing the Night AwayWaterdeep, Heart Attack Time MachineMorning Recordings, The Welcome KineticShelly Moore Band, Hope & DecayArcade Fire, Neon BibleDavid Crowder Band, RemedyThe Weakerthans, Reunion TourFeist, The ReminderJosh & Tasha Via, The End To Which I StriveRegina Spektor, Begin To HopeIron & Wine,

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-83336943056509718732007-12-17T06:18:00.000-05:002007-12-17T06:23:51.802-05:00

I teach through John every year, and I love the way the word "sign" is used in his writings. Signs are the for the purpose of pointing to something.This is a good reminder at Christmas to use the signs around us to share the Gospel.An excerpt from John Piper's advent poem on Nicodemus, Part 1:"Forbid that we would see the signAnd miss the thing that you design."

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-27868892080508937662007-12-17T06:17:00.000-05:002007-12-17T06:20:14.852-05:00

An "I love Jesus" shot glass?

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-59228186494579885992007-12-16T12:01:00.000-05:002007-12-16T12:58:23.585-05:00

I've heard a lot recently about how bad "Golden Compass" is. Apparently, the intent of the author is to attack Christianity through a film that appeals to children. I'm not interested in seeing the film, and based on what little I've read about the writer of it, I wouldn't recommend others seeing it...However, in my experience, it seems that Satan's strategies to blind us to the light of the

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-48838596905648643102007-12-16T08:09:00.000-05:002007-12-16T13:01:47.713-05:00

Jennifer finished reading John Piper's "Seeing & Savoring Jesus Christ" earlier this week. Here's a quote from it: “Jesus Christ is the Creator of the universe. Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. Jesus Christ, the Person, never had a beginning. He is absolute Reality. He has the unparalleled honor and unique glory of being there first and always. He never came into

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-59195803003105209452007-12-15T09:28:00.000-05:002007-12-15T09:33:24.344-05:00

Last week, I had the opportunity of seeing one of my students receive Christ as Lord & Savior. I'm looking forward to watching him grow in the months ahead!"Oh, the power, the melting, conquering, transforming power of the dear Cross of Christ. My brothers, we have but to constantly tell ourselves the matchless story, and we may expect to see the most remarkable results. We need not despair of

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-90045668440201875812007-12-15T09:25:00.000-05:002007-12-15T09:33:58.427-05:00

I came across this 60 Minutes report about persecution against Christians in Iraq."Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body." -Hebrews 13:3

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-78572852368297826372007-12-15T09:23:00.000-05:002007-12-15T09:30:16.580-05:00

At small group the other night, I asked the question, "What has been the most meaningful thing that has happened to you since last Christmas?" One of my students looked at me and said, "that's easy...I came to know Christ this year!" He then went on to talk about how Christ is his identity now. He's grown so much this year that it seems like he's been a believer for much longer. I read this

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-4120323711767735252007-12-14T06:10:00.000-05:002007-12-14T06:13:19.480-05:00

David Wayne at Jolly Blogger posted this church sign as a sign of the times:

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-7722771074502356782007-12-14T06:04:00.001-05:002007-12-14T06:12:38.267-05:00

"The dread, so naturally inspired by His greatness, is dispelled by the contemplation of His gentleness and humility; while the familiarity, which might otherwise arise from this view of the loveliness of His character merely, is ever prevented by the consciousness of His infinite majesty and glory; and the sight of all His perfections united fills us with sweet surprise and humble confidence,

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-10814043376246760652007-12-14T06:04:00.000-05:002007-12-14T06:11:20.530-05:00

I've counseled several people through the years that struggled with doubting their salvation because of their sinfulness. I came across this from J.C. Ryle recently:"Ah! I might sometimes imagine I was too bad to be forgiven. My own heart sometimes whispers that I am too wicked to be saved. But I know in my better moments this is all my foolish unbelief. I read an answer to my doubts in the

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-52428689195116576472007-12-13T05:37:00.001-05:002007-12-13T05:42:42.569-05:00

More funny vandalism

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-80148773022575762922007-12-13T05:37:00.000-05:002007-12-13T05:41:46.832-05:00

I'm pre-ordering this book today by Mark Driscoll:

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-73796621252655606812007-12-13T05:36:00.000-05:002007-12-13T05:43:29.552-05:00

According to a new study by the International Food Policy Research Institute entitled "The World's Most Deprived: Characteristics and Causes of Extreme Poverty and Hunger," 162 million people live on less than 50 cents a day.

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-63199559481427459862007-12-12T06:55:00.000-05:002007-12-12T06:59:34.101-05:00

From Eugene H. Peterson's "Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology" (p. 38):"We live in a culture that has replaced soul with self. This reduction turns people into either problems or consumers. Insofar as we acquiesce in that replacement, we gradually but surely regress in our identity, for we end up thinking of ourselves and dealing with others in marketplace

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-26172612635140124292007-12-12T06:51:00.000-05:002007-12-12T06:57:51.157-05:00

I couldn't agree more with the assessment in the paragraph below. Its the modern drop-off mentality of parenting: Drop your kids off for soccer practice, drop them off for piano lessons, drop them off for school, drop them off for spiritual matters...Teaching in a Christian school for the past four years has shown that there are many parents (not all) hoping to provide spiritual nourishment for

wes mcmurrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02926416642235516036noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1761262598221757386.post-21229661648147808812007-12-12T06:47:00.000-05:002007-12-12T06:56:52.216-05:00

“God is the fountain of love, as the sun is the fountain of light. And therefore the glorious presence of God in heaven fills heaven with love, as the sun, placed in the midst of the visible heavens in a clear day, fills the world with light. The apostle tells us that ‘God is love’; and therefore, seeing he is an infinite being, it follows that he is a full and overflowing, and inexhaustibe

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