http://www.benbirdsong.com An Awestruck Ministry Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:28:48 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Due to the insanity of finishing up group projects and final exams this week, I will not be posting on my blog.  You can check out some other awesome blogs under links on the right side of the screen and also check out some new things on the site including ... http://www.benbirdsong.com/archives/502 The fifth and final cry of the protestant reformation is Soli Deo Gloria which means "to the glory of God alone."  This phrase reminds me of my favorite chapel which is located at Beeson Divinity School on the campus of Samford University.  This divinity chapel is designed to reflect the history ... http://www.benbirdsong.com/archives/464 This is the second message in a two part series that I preached at a middle school retreat for Cove Church in Owens Cross Roads, Alabama. This message is about Jesus calling His disciples to live on mission for Him.  Jesus is also calling us to live our lives as ... http://www.benbirdsong.com/archives/496 This is the first message in a two part series that I preached at a middle school retreat for Cove Church in Owens Cross Roads, Alabama. This message is about Jesus calling His disciples and how He is also calling us to follow him.  I hope that this is ... http://www.benbirdsong.com/archives/484 JD Greer, the pastor of Summit Church, had some interesting insights on his blog today from Mark Driscoll, Greg Surratt, and Larry Osborne that were very insightful.  Enjoy! Continued from yesterday. (I got to spend the last 3 days in a small group with 3 great church leaders--Mark Driscoll, Greg Surratt ... http://www.benbirdsong.com/archives/480 The fourth cry of the protestant reformation is solus Christus which is a Latin phrase meaning "in Christ alone."   Our salvation is in Christ alone.  Jesus was not merely a good teacher, a philosopher, or a healer.  He was God.  John 1 speaks of Jesus Christ as the creator ... http://www.benbirdsong.com/archives/462 Today is the one day of the year that we set aside to give thanks.  The rest of the year, we have a tendency to focus so much on ourselves that we do not remember to be thankful to God and others.  Today, I would encourage you to spend some ... http://www.benbirdsong.com/archives/460 The third cry of the protestant reformation is sola gratia, which means "by grace alone."  This means that we come to Jesus not by our good works or achievements but by grace alone.  The grace of God through Jesus' death on the cross is what saves someone.  Salvation comes purely by ... http://www.benbirdsong.com/archives/457 The second cry of the protestant reformation that we will explore is sola fide which means "by faith alone."  This truth as a focus in the reformation is essential to Christian doctrine.  Sinners come to Jesus not by their good works, morality, or penance.  They come to Jesus by faith alone. ... http://www.benbirdsong.com/archives/455 The first summary statement of the Protestant Reformation is sola scriptura.  This Latin statement means "by scripture alone."  The Protestant Reformation placed scripture as the center of any theological and practical discussion.  Scripture was to be read and studied by all people not just the professional church people.   The importance of ... http://www.benbirdsong.com/archives/453