C, my comment was primarily a response to Point Number 9 in the original post. My thought was that we might NOT always see that kind of immediate visible fruit (we haven't). I think open air preaching is good and right nonetheless.

You're right, David. Dangers abound. Your thoughts here remind me of a line from an old Rich Mullins song: "The stuff of earth competes for the allegiance I owe only to the Giver of all good things." How humbling and true.

Agreed, Corey. I'm not discouraged by the lack of apparent fruit. My thought, which I didn't make clear, was that Point Number 9 in the original post might not be always be true. I think open air preaching is good and right nonetheless.

Our pastor has done some open air preaching in some of the public parks here. I love the concept, but we haven't seen any fruit from it.

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Grumbling comes SO naturally to us, doesn't it? What evil hearts we all have, and what a great need for a Savior. The title of your post reminds me of an old song I like by The Waiting called Hands in the Air. Here's a link to listen to it: http://listen.grooveshark.com/s/Hands+In+The+Air/pzd2z?src=5

Thanks, David. This is one of the more thought-provoking things I've read recently. Think how much better it would have been if I could have heard it! :)

David, I saw Lamb in small coffee house concert in 1975. This particular song was always a favorite of mine. Thanks!

Solomon is such an enigma (but then so are most of us). The description in 1 Kings 11 of Solomon's idolatry and half-hearted devotion, right up to the end of his life, is nothing short of tragic. Yet God chose to inspire him and speak through him; and I love to read his writing. In any event, I'm sure that God's choice of Solomon says a lot more about God's grace than it does about Solomon's character.

D&K was an old Christian rock band, but it dissolved long, long ago. That song was from their first album, released in 1979, which I still have on vinyl. As with a lot of other bands, their first album was my favorite.

David, Every time I hear someone say, "God helps those who help themselves" I think of an old song by DeGarmo & Key with this lyric: You say that God is a God of goodness He only helps those who help themselves You see I found God, he helps the helpless And leave all the rest to help themselves I love it.

Here's the article: The Goal of God's Love May Not Be What You Think It Is Many blessings to you, David.

That's a great photo, David. I made my second trip to the Grand Canyon last summer. I was 10 years old the first time I saw it (that was 1965), but I felt the same awe and wonder this time as I did the first time. I like the way John Piper uses that sense of awe to illustrate our proper response to God's glory in the article, "The Goal of God's Love May Not Be What You Think It Is." He writes: "Do people go to the Grand Canyon to increase their self-esteem? Probably not. This is, at least, a hint that the deepest joys in life come not from savoring the self, but from seeing splendor. And in the end even the Grand Canyon will not do. We were made to enjoy God." Wow.

Drawing from a different passage in Hebrews than Phil, I wonder if it could also be seen as an example of the fact that God disciplines all of his children, and always for their good, although it never seems like it at the time (Heb. 12:3-11). No one, not even Moses, is exempt from God's discipline. It's humbling and sobering that God cares more about our holiness than our happiness, and is actually (thankfully!) more committed to our holiness than we are.

David, I don't want to minimize the truth or impact of Trueman's article, but I do want to let you know that your writing has often encouraged me. Your blog was one of the first I ever read. In fact, I had to look up a definition for blog after I stumbled on yours! I've bookmarked some of your posts and referred back to them more than once. I doubt any of us do anything with perfectly pure motives; yet God uses us. There's no praise in that for us, but there is praise for God in it. We've never met and never will, most likely, but I love you as a brother and continue to pray for you.

We had a devastating ice storm here about a year ago today. We had about 3 inches of ice on everything. Huge oak trees bent and broke under the weight, power poles snapped like toothpicks, and the entire town was out of power for 5 days.

To this day, one of the best things I've ever read on the subject of adoption into God's family is the chapter entitled "Sons of God" in J.I. Packer's book, "Knowing God."

Wow. I used to read it out of one of the volumes of the Childcraft Encyclopedias we had when I was a kid. Funny how something like that can bring back so many good childhood memories.

I can only feel sorry for those who live where there is no snow. Snow's fun. Now, that ice storm we had last winter...that's another matter!

Hey, David, can you check that link? I can't get it to work, but don't know if it's my problem or a broken link. Thanks.

I was fascinated with the Saguaro when we made our flying trip through Phoenix this summer, David. (I still hate it that we didn't have time to stop and see you.) And I love the thought that their arms are already stretched heavenward in praise! This post made me think of a song written by Kerry Livgren (who composed "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind" for Kansas). It's a great song. Here are the lyrics (sorry about the length): Dreaming awake as I'm lying down Gazing at starlit skies The feeling grows as my wonder shows Trying to crystallize The wind in the trees is a melody, Just like me, yearning to harmonize The rivers speak and the waters cry, Wanting to hear Your name Deep in the bowels of an ancient earth, Groaning to be reclaimed Anticipating the grand return, Crying out for the page to turn I want to know as I am known And see You as You are Every knee will bow, And all will proclaim All creation sings, hail the King of kings All creation sings, to the glory of Your name Joy at the end of the great decline For all who will heed Your call An end to the sin and an end to the pain You will restore us all We're sons of dust in the Son of Man Chosen long e'er the world began. I want to know as I am known And see You as You are Every knee will bow, And all will proclaim All creation sings, hail the King of kings All creation sings, now we lift our hands in praise, such an anthem we will raise, when Your kingdom comes to earth

Hey, David. I intended to blog my way through our study, but I just haven't been able to find the time. It seems like my blogging has taken a back seat to a lot of other things. Wish I had more time for it. This post is all I've managed to blog about the book, so far. At the rate I'm going, that may be all I ever post on it.

I think you know that's one of my all-time favorite books. I'm leading my men's Sunday School class through a study of it right now. We've only made it through chapter 8, but it's been one of the best studies we've ever done.