Happy birthday to Samuel Marsden

Today marks the 249th birthday of Samuel Marsden, the second Chaplain to the Colony of New South Wales.

Marsden is reviled by some in Australia, but remembered with thanksgiving in New Zealand.

David Pettett wrote about him at Theological Theology a while back.

Why not ‘burn out for Jesus’?

Cornhill’s Christopher Ash spoke on ‘How to maintain pastoral zeal while avoiding pastoral burnout’ at a conference in the US last month.

Justin Taylor has the video and audio, as well as links to the books mentioned.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea for anyone in ministry (and anyone who supports them) to watch this. Runs for 52 minutes.

12 Questions to ask before you watch ‘Game of Thrones’

“The closer I get to death and meeting Jesus personally face to face and giving an account for my life and for the careless words that I have spoken (Matthew 12:36), the more sure I am of my resolve never intentionally to look at a television show or a movie or a website or a magazine where I know I will see photos or films of nudity. Never. That is my resolve. And the closer I get to death, the better I feel about that, and the more committed I become…”

– Perhaps ‘Game of Thrones’ isn’t your thing – but this is still good advice from John Piper.

Related: “Foxtel says about 500,000 Australians watch each episode via a paid subscription, while another half a million download it illegally…” – ABC News.

God made me this way

“The nature argument is expressed: ‘I was born this way.’ ‘This is how God made me.’ ‘I can’t help it; it’s not my fault; it’s in my DNA.’ …

The nurture argument is expressed: ‘I am free to do whatever I like, however I like to do it.’ ‘You mustn’t restrict me from, or require me to do, anything because of my race, sex, or biology.’…”

– Phillip Jensen writes in his weekly column for the Cathedral newsletter.

Moore College School of Theology 2014

Moore College’s 2014 School of Theology is set for Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th September.

The focus is on the Gospel of Matthew.

Registration is now open – and there’s a list of Contributors and their topics at the link!

Oh, and if you are a user of the College Library, note that it’s closed June 23rd to July 11th, inclusive.

Learning to pray

Dr Michael Spence, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sydney, spoke movingly at this year’s Sydney Prayer Breakfast about his own prayer life after his wife died.

His talk has been made available at Eternity Newspaper.

Latest ‘New Life’

The latest issue (15 June 2014) of New Life newspaper, published in Melbourne, is now up on their website. (PDF file.)

It has a good spread of international news you might not see otherwise. In addition, there’s mention of a new commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah by Moore College graduate Greg Goswell (now Academic Dean at Christ College in Sydney).

The Pen is mightier

“A student entering a lecture room today would consider taking notes on a laptop entirely natural. Why would anyone in their right mind question that activity?…”

– a thought-provoking piece from George Whitefield College.

Breakfast with Dick Lucas

“While we were away in the UK, Her Majesty the Queen turned 88 years old, having been born on 21 April, 1926.

This makes the Queen six months younger than Dick Lucas, who for nearly 40 years was the Rector of St Helen’s, Bishopsgate in London. Dick used to be a regular visitor to speak at Christian conventions in Australia. Dick is still mentally and physically active, preaching most weeks. The day I visited he was working on Jude and had his language aids and thesaurus at hand. …

Maxine and I had breakfast with Dick at Joe’s Eats, a local café near where he lives … in between orange juice and coffee and a hearty serving of eggs benedict, these are Dick’s insights after so many years of Christian ministry. …”

– David Cook shares them at The Moderator General’s Comments (11 June 2014).

N T Wright on Same Sex ‘Marriage’

N. T. Wright was recently interviewed on the topic of same sex ‘marriage’ and spoke about what happens when words are redefined. See it here.

BCA Jazz concert

There’s a Jazz Convert in support of The Bush Church Aid Society – at Oatley West on Friday 11th July 2014.

Details in this PDF flier.

9Marks Interview — John MacArthur on Fellowship

In the latest 9Marks Interview, Mark Dever speaks with John MacArthur about Fellowship, smart phones, and Twitter.

41 minutes. Worth hearing.

Chappo’s 20%

“When I first started preaching I was given a series of videos by the Australian evangelist John Chapman (now in glory) on how to prepare a sermon. Anyone who has heard Chappo will know that he was a great communicator of the gospel and that a central strength of his preaching was his tremendous clarity and simplicity. …”