December 11, 2009
From a post by Sinclair Ferguson.
“The Western world gives itself over annually to its Claus-mass or commerce-mass. We celebrate a reworked pagan Saturnalia of epic proportions, one in which the only connection with the incarnation is semantic. Santa is worshiped, not the Savior; pilgrims go to the stores with credit cards, not to the manger with gifts. It is the feast of indulgence, not of the incarnation.
It is always easier to lament and critique the new paganism of secularism’s blatant idolatry than to see how easily the church — and we ourselves — twist or dilute the message of the incarnation in order to suit our own tastes. But, sadly, we have various ways of turning the Savior into a kind of Santa Claus.”
Read the whole thing.
Leave a Comment » |
Christmas, celebrate, culture, family, gospel, santa |
Permalink
Posted by joshuaotte
October 14, 2009
I’m super pumped to announce that I’ll be in the studio this week recording a 6 song EP. The songs include…
- “There is a Fountain” (William Cowper)
- “He is Risen!” (Eric Schumacher)
- “Come Lord Jesus to Redeem Us” (Gary Parrett)
- “Upon this Mount (Isaiah 25:6-9) (Gary Parrett)
- “Look Ye Saints the Sight is Glorious”(Thomas Kelly)
- “Christ is Coming! Let Creation” (John R. MacDuff)
Each of these songs build the theme of Redemption from Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension to our waiting for his return and our celebration of his return. This is an exciting project not only for me but also for our music team, our church and Jesus’ Church everywhere because the end result will be more Truth-saturated music in the ears, hearts and minds of many!
3 Comments |
Jesus, gospel, music, worship |
Permalink
Posted by joshuaotte
October 8, 2009
Again we exhort the believer—guard against the least declension in prayer; let the first unfavorable symptom that appears alarm you, go to the Lord in your worst frames; stay not from Him until you get a good one. Satan’s grand argument to keep a soul from prayer is—”Go not with that cold and insensible frame; go not with that hard and sinful heart; stay until you are more fit to approach God!” and listening to this specious reasoning, many poor, distressed, burdened, longing souls have been kept from the throne of grace, and consequently from all comfort and consolation. But the gospel says—”Go in your very worst frames;” Christ says—”Come just as you are;” and every promise and every example but encourages the soul to repair to the cross, whatever be its frame or condition.
–Octavius Winslow, Evening Thoughts:Daily Walking With God, October 5
Leave a Comment » |
gospel, prayer |
Permalink
Posted by joshuaotte
July 28, 2009
Free Total Church book if you register today this week!!!

My church is partnering with Atmosphere Church to host a conference October 9-10 that we hope God will use to bring about gospel renewal throughout Maine, New England and beyond. It’s called Lead ‘09 and the theme is Gospel, Community and Mission. This two-day conference is a call to each of us and our churches to take Jesus seriously–to radically reshape our lives around the gospel word so that we can truly be his gospel community on God’s mission.
Our two speakers are both God-centered, Christ-exalting, Spirit-dependent leaders who teach the Word of God faithfully with passion, humility and urgency. Tim Chester is a writer, Bible teacher and church planter in Sheffield, UK. An author of many books, Tim is also the co-author of Total Church, a biblically-rich book on what it means to BE the church. Jonathan Dodson is the lead pastor of Austin City Life in Austin, TX. His articles have often blessed our church family, especially “Fight Club” and “Anger: the image of Satan.” On a personal note, Jonathan is a treasured friend. Having served with him in both the local church and in global missions, I can tell you without hesitation that you will be blessed by his teaching.
You can find out more and register, here.
2 Comments |
Cross, Maine, biblical theology, community, culture, gospel, mission, preaching, sermon, theology |
Permalink
Posted by joshuaotte