Congratulations to Rey and Mrs. Rey of the Bible Archive, who have "gotten a man from the Lord." It's always a blessing to see a child born into a home where Christ is Lord and the Bible is taught. God bless you and enable you to bring him up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

8:00 AM (Central time) Tomorrow (Saturday, July 27) is the beginning of some madman's invention: Blogathon. Participating bloggers will post every half hour for twenty-four hours to raise money for the charities they have selected. No sir, I won't be doing that. However, I'd like you to go visit Julie Neidlinger, artist, clever wordsmith, and fellow North Dakotan. Check out her last year's effort here. Julie's selected charity for Blogathon 2007 is Joni and Friends. I'm sure you'll get a kick out of the blogging, but even if you think it's, like, totally lame*, it's still a good cause. Click here for details on how you can contribute.

Update: It begins here.

I don't actually believe Michael had the baby himself, but I'm not sure since the birth announcement he posted makes no mention whatsoever of his wife. Nice one, Mike. That's the sort of blunder I would make and pay dearly for. Don't be like me!

Congratulations to Mike and Mrs. Beasley on the new addition to your Armoury.

I have just begun listening to Scott Aniol's expositions of the book of Acts. You should, too. Here is a sample to whet your appetite:

In case you haven't noticed, I take great delight in seeing families grow, especially Christian families. Consequently, I have been very delighted lately to see new babies popping up on several of the blogs I read. Today, there are two new bloggerettes to rejoice over.

Why is Scott Aniol grinning so immoderately? Apparently, he has recruited a promising young church musician. Way to go, Scott, start’em young! That way, you don’t have to untrain bad habits learned elsewhere. Don’t worry, his arias (and aromas) will improve in time.

Click on over to Religious Affections to meet the next J. S. Bach!

One of my goals for this year is to read not necessarily more, but better material. In keeping with that goal, I began looking for some new weblogs. Mohler, Challies, Pyromaniacs—they’re all OK, I guess, but a little fluffy. A couple of weeks ago, in my search for more depth, I found a blog of real substance: Aaron Job Draws. Now, this is a quality blog, featuring the artwork and storytelling of six-year-old Aaron Job of Little Rock, Arkansas.

Pastor Steve Weaver, expositor extraordinaire, has, with considerable help from Mrs. Weaver, successfully implemented Thirsty Theologian endorsed church growth methodology. Together thay have added a member to their church who is much cuter, and considerably redder, than Steve. I'll bet she can sing loudly, too. Stop by Pastor Steve Weaver's Blog and offer your congratulations on the arrival of a new young Baptist!

I almost feel silly posting this, since everyone in the world reads challies.com anyway, but for the benefit of those who live under a rock in the wastelands of, say, Montana, Tim Challies is posting an excellent series on discernment. With discernment at an apparent all-time low in the church today [ahem] PDL PrayerOfJabez WildAtHeart [ahem] everyone needs to read this.

A Call To Discernment (Part 1)
A Call To Discernment (Part 2)

As you are likely aware, Tim is presently writing a book on discernment. These posts demonstrate that he is eminently qualified to do so, and I am more anxious than ever to see his book published.

This Winter seems to be the season of the Biblical expositor. Steve Weaver has recently completed his series on How I Prepare An Expository Sermon, a fellow in a big orange truck going by the name of reglerjoe has written a good, brief summary of reasons for and benefits of expository preaching titled The Joy of Expositional Preaching, and Bret Capranica has begun what appears to be a very promising series on Expository Convictions. Watch for links to this series in the sidebar.

You might be surprised to learn that the Thirsty Theologian is not opposed to the church growth movement. That is, not if approved methods are used. Today we send congratulations to Paul Lamey, whose church growth technique has apparently been successful. Go on over to Expository Thoughts to greet the new member and offer congratulations.

Today when I visited one of my favorite blogs, Howling Coyote, I found sad news. The proprietor, James Spurgeon, is packing his virtual bags and going home to the real world. James has been a busy blogger, blogging at Pyromaniacs, the Texas Baptist Underground (which he closed sometime during the last few days), and at the Howling Coyote, which was my personal favorite. I am assuming his ministry site will remain open. There, you can listen to sermons or buy his book, The Texas Baptist Crucible.

James, may God bless your new ministry endeavors. I will miss reading your sound expositions of Scripture.

Godspeed.

Why is this blogger smiling? He gets to change diapers and clean up puke, that's why! Stop by Still Reproducing Reforming and congratulate Matt Gumm on the arrival of his new son. While you're there, tell him what kind of Bible the lad needs.

Congratulations go out today to Tim & Aileen Challies, who have been rewarded with a gift from the Lord. Our prayers are with you, prayers of praise to God for his goodness, as well as prayers of petition for his continued care and blessings.

The official announcement, along with pictures, is here. She's a beautiful baby (yes, she's a girl, but I'm leaving the rest for Tim to tell), and doesn't look Canadian at all!

Click image to enlarge. Source: Provocations and Pantings.

Well, I was wrong. As you can tell by this picture from the Together for the Gospel conference last week, generously provided by Timmy Brister, his hands really do fly. Click on the image to get a better look. He's kind of like that kid in The Inredibles, whatever his name was, only less mischievous.

The April issue of The Sacred Sandwich has been published! If you are a Christian with a healthy sense of humor, you love The Sacred Sandwich. If you've never heard of it, well... isn't it damp and cold living under that rock? Chris Carmichael and the League of Tyndale fellows produce the best Christian periodical on the web. In this issue, Maurice & Emmet Peabody, the Twin Theologians, tackle the DaVinci Code. You will be shocked by what they reveal! Be sure to visit their sponsors while you're there.

Chris Carmichael is also the proprietor of ChristianUnplugged, which has mysteriously disappeared, but promises to return.

Kudos go to Daniel of Doulogos today, for successfully implementing Church Growth methods. While he has not published his strategy, it is obvious that he has taken the trend of targeting the young demographic to the extreme. Click here to read all about it.

We would like to commend Jonathan Moorhead for doing his part for the church growth movement. In one day, without the use of a survey or any gimics, he has increased his contribution to the membership of his church by fifty percent. You can read about his brilliant church growth strategy here.

Second, we want to know who that kid in the picture really is. He is clearly not old enough to be the eminent theologian (almost)Dr. Jonathan Moorhead, or a father of four. We simply do not believe it. We are not that gullible here.

Life is unpredictable. You never know what will happen next, but you go through life expecting most things to work out. Usually, they do. You get up in the morning, have your coffee, kiss your wife, go about your daily business, yell at the kids, and go to bed. Life is good; but in the dark recesses of your mind there is a nagging fear. Things like that happen to other people, you tell yourself, not me! But it has happened to you. Now you must face the thing you have feared. Will you have the strength, the courage, and the wisdom to look adversity in the eye and stare it down? More importantly, will I ever stop beating around the bush and get to the point?