ICM Books

I’ve been ordering books from ICM Books for a few years.  They have an online ordering facility (the website has been revamped) and you can order by phone.  Yesterday I took the opportunity to call in at the premises on a country road outside Lurgan.  It’s easy to miss, though there is a sign, as [...]

More resources from DA Carson

Many of us were helped and encouraged by the superb Bible teaching of Don Carson at New Horizon last week.  The Gospel Coalition has gathered a catalogue of material from Don – both spoken and written – that can be downloaded from their site.
The Gospel Coalition | DA Carson

New Horizon 09

I didn’t keep up my daily summaries of NH09, as we referred to it on Twitter.  New Horizon packed up its tent 3 days ago and that’s it for another year.

Thank you, Ray Ortlund, for putting a no-often-discussed theme before us: enjoying God.  When you tell us that God is not “useful” you help cut [...]

Saturday running mates – The Gospel Coalition

It was a windy morning for running on the North Coast.  The physical challenges were offset, though, by the quality of this morning’s running mates.  I have already written earlier in the week about the Gospel Coalition conference.  The audio of the main sessions is now available for download, so I loaded up my iPod [...]

More on the Gospel Coalition Conference

It is indeed amazing what technology can make possible.  Aside from the fact that there is a 6 hour time difference, which puts some of the conference sessions quite late, and the fact that there is no possibility to have a coffee with the speakers, browse the books or pick up the many free giveaways, [...]

Gospel Coalition Conference

Through the miracle of modern technology I have just been able to watch (live) the opening session of The Gospel Coalition’s three day conference in Chicago.  The Gospel Coalition is what it says – a coalition of people who are seeking to make the gospel the centre of their ministry.  This week’s conference (I think [...]

The Bible in an hour (or so)

On Saturday night PBC hosted a joint event produced by the Saltmine Theatre Company and Wycliffe Bible Translators.  It was the final evening of a tour where the aim was to give an overview of the Bible story and present the work of Wycliffe.
Four actors – two guys and two girls – play the parts [...]

Engage conference

The Engage conference is a one day event organised by Care for the Family.  It’s aim is to encourage local churches to take seriously the challenge of getting involved in their local communities.  The event came to Belfast on Saturday and we took a group of people down from Portstewart Baptist.  The event was very [...]

Crazy Sovereign Grace Music and Book Sale | Worship Matters

Check through all that’s available, but note the great opportunity to get your hands on a copy of Bob Kauflin’s book, Worship Matters.
Crazy Sovereign Grace Music and Book Sale | Worship Matters

Tim Keller writing on humility

Christianity Today leads with an article by Tim Keller on humility.  He starts with the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth and goes on to write about how the gospel of grace shapes humility and what that humility will look like in some of its outworkings.
Humility is crucial for Christians. We can only receive Christ through [...]

ESV Study Bible – delight and disappointment

The publishers (Crossway) and the team involved must be delighted with the response to the new ESV Study Bible.  The disappointment the news that if you have not yet got one, you may have to wait for a while as it has exhausted two print runs.  Here in the UK, they are proving to be [...]

Saturday running mates

There were several people on my iPod this morning (a more or less perfect morning for running on the North Coast). After the most recent Steve Brown Etc, where Steve was talking to one of Billy Graham’s grandsons who has just published a book of stories from people whose lives were changed after responding [...]

Conference Video :: Desiring God

The good people at Desiring God have now posted all the video from the weekend’s conference that featured John Piper along with Paul Tripp, Bob Kauflin and others speaking on the power of words.
Conference Video :: Desiring God

More on the Desiring God conference.

Although 6 hours separates Ireland from the Desiring God conference in Minneapolis, they have got so good with the service on their website that it is possible to follow the conference practically as it happens.  Audio is already available for the first three sessions, including Bob Kauflin’s talk on the words we sing, freshly delivered [...]

Desiring God conference

What promises to be an outstanding conference is taking place this weekend in Minneapolis.  It’s the annual Desiring God conference where John Piper will be joined by a speaking line-up that includes Mark Driscoll, Paul Tripp and Bob Kauflin.  The theme is the power of words.  I have never been at one of these conferences, [...]

Bible commentary recommendations

I have just been taking a look at a new (I think) website that gives some guidance and recommendations on choosing commentaries.
BestCommentaries.com / Old and New Testament Bible Commentary reviews, ratings, and prices
Once you have chosen, you could always try your local Christian bookshop, or Amazon, but I’d recommend the excellent selection, prices and service [...]

The Feed Trust – Lennox resources

A new website has just been launched featuring teaching and resources from John Lennox and his brother Gilbert.  While John has become well known through his engagement of the new atheism, Gilbert has been leading an effective independent church just on the north edge of Belfast.  Reading and studying the Bible is a significant theme [...]

Half way through New Horizon

New Horizon week is about half way through.  There are still three full days to go, but four evenings are behind us.  Michael Green has left, having brought his two evening messages.  On Monday evening he explored several things that make Jesus unique.  His evening place has now been taken by Michael Ramsden, Europe Director [...]

Saturday’s running mate – Bob Kauflin

I had a good 10 km run this morning with my iPod and an interview with Bob Kauflin.  Bob serves as director of worship development for the Sovereign Grace family of churches.  He has recently published Worship Matters – an excellent resource for worship leaders and church leaders wanting to think about what happens in [...]

On the crucifixion

I am preaching this weekend on the crucifixion from Mark 14 and 15. In preparing my message I have been looking back at an article that appeared over 20 years ago in a medical journal.  Two medics and a pastor took a look at the medical and historical aspects of the crucifixion. [...]

Leadership podcast from Sovereign Grace

Sovereign Grace Ministries have launched a new leadership podcast. The first one is a helpful and challenging discussion on reading.
Leadership Interview Podcast #1

Two important ministries

The start of this week has given me the opportunity to be in contact with two important ministries.  One is IFES Ireland, the umbrella group for Christian Unions in universities and colleges in Ireland.  Last night they ran an evening for their North West supporters – hosted at PBC.  The university years can be very [...]

The Reason For God

Tim Keller’s new book is out and there is a website to accompany it. The Reason For God

The Reason for God

Tim Keller’s new book is due out next week.  Linked to the book, Redeemer Presbyterian have made available a series of sermons that address issues that trouble people in relation to Christianity.  The sermons are available free and most are preached by Tim Keller.  Subjects include the authority of the Bible, hell, and doubt.
Redeemer Sermon [...]

CD review – There is a Hope

I think it is on general sale this weekend, but Stuart Townend’s new live CD has been available for the past couple of weeks from Stuart himself. We got our copy last week and I have been listening. Of course there was an added dimension to it in that Pauline and I had [...]

Growing Leaders

We are back from the short conference in County Cavan. Two good sessions today from our speaker – one on the idea of living a blended (rather than balanced) life, including a discussion on expectations; the other on finding and fulfilling God’s call on our lives, with a look at strengths, gaps, limitations and [...]

A unique ministry

Last night at our midweek prayer time at PBC we had some guests from a ministry called Glory Road.  Some of them talked about their unique ministry which aims at reaching the thousands of lorry and coach drivers across Britain.  You can read more about this work on their website -
Glory Road Ministries.