We're Growing Again!

The GCA website (www.salvationbygrace.org) continues to expand and we were suffering growing pains. For the last couple of years we have been confined to 1 Gigabite of space. So, we had to keep rotating sermons, taking down old ones after a couple of weeks to make room for new ones, and deciding what should stay up there for any real length of time (like the audio books).

Well, that's over. We just increased our capacity to 5 Gigs. That should be plenty for the time being. One of the reasons that our site operates so well is that it is built on Microsoft's .NET architecture. Most websites are built on HTML or other similar platforms. But, since Jeff (our erstwhile webmaster) writes code for a living, we have one of the most user friendly sites on the Internet. Nonetheless, not all servers support our particular platform, so we have to pay a higher rate for the space we use.

Anyway, because of our recent increase in capacity, we have begun expanding our available audio material, posting some of our previous series and older sermons that, up until now, were only available on CD.

The first stuff we've added was our recent series on The Spiritual Gifts. It's available for listening and downloading by following the "Listen" link at the top of our home page.

Or, you can just click here: The Spiritual Gifts

Watch for new (well, okay ... new postings of older stuff) and expanded versions of current stuff (like the Genesis, Acts, and Romans series) coming soon!

And who knows? Maybe we'll even have room for some video (for those of you have been asking).

THEOLOGY TALK

Our newest audio offering: Theology Talk is now live on the GCA "Listen" page.

In our inaugural Theology Talk, I am joined by Jeff Young, GCA president, to discuss a recent anti-Calvinist message, preached by Pastor Brady Cooper at the New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, TN.

Jeff and I tried to carefully and respectfully point out the assumptions, misrepresentations, and "straw man arguments" that are typical of the Arminian approach to Scripture.

It is our intention to utilize this informal discussion format to produce other Theology Talk programs in the future covering a wide variety of topics.

You can find the new program (in five parts) here:

Theology Talk

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Early Reviews

Okay, so I had to write! I just finished listening to the first segment. WOW! Now, I'm on the second segment and within the first few minutes, I'm already floored! Y'all just spoke about "freewill offerings". Oh my gosh, I've NEVER heard freewill taught that way. Amazing! I just want to tell you and Jeff thank you for taking the time to record this message. Thank you so much!

B. in New Orleans

Jeff adds a lot to this discussion. His personality is lively and colorful. His wit and humor adds interest and variety. He is intellectually sharp while still very personable and spontaneous. And even his accent adds charm and appeal for the listener. Both of you compliment one another and round out the discussion very well. Perhaps this might be a twosome we could look forward to producing more presentations in the future?

Thanks to both of you for your hard work and big hearts in putting this together.

R. in Nashville

And wow! Part 1 was the fastest hour I've ever heard! I was just sitting here working while listening to it, and I honestly thought it had been about 20 minutes maybe, and when the bumper came on at the end, I was genuinely shocked!

A. in Atlanta

WOW! Thank you for the email alert that the “Theology Talk” recording was up on the website. I enjoyed your live interview on the radio last year that I was anxious to listen when your response was to an opposing point of view. It is such a privilege to be able to listen to you and Jeff present an intelligent, respectful, well mannered and scriptural response to a man who begins his comments by calling what you teach “dangerous”. As always your teaching is presented with clarity and humor. Plus the addition of Jeff’s honest, sincere comments regarding his Arminian background (to say nothing of his charming accent and very pleasant voice) only add to your honest teaching of “what does the Book say”.

FG in Southern California

What More Need I Say?

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU HERE!

Post-Baptism Thoughts

It's late. I'm a weary fellow. Getting up early tomorrow in order to get Meg to RTA is unavoidable. In the morning I'll regret staying up this late. But, I'm not quite ready to let go of today. Today was a good day.

The first time someone (well, Brent actually) called me "pastor," I was taken aback. I never thought of myself as anyone's pastor. I teach. That's my calling and my preferred gig.

I've had some very influential pastors in my life whom I dearly love. I've always held genuine pastors in high esteem. A pastor, to my way of thinking, is someone who watches for your soul, who loves you in the best and worst of circumstances, and who reminds you of what's really important in life. Ideally, a pastor is your theological mentor, although theology is something you can gleen from good books. But a book can't address your personal needs or hug you while you cry. A pastor adds the dynamic of relationship to Christianity.

Once in a while I get to do something that only pastors do. And it's a humbling, gratifying feeling. Pastors get to participate in some of the most important and intimate moments of life: like performing marriages or preaching funerals. But, the most joyous of all pastoral duties is baptizing believers. It doesn't get better than being part of someone's public proclamation of their Christian faith.

I can't quite put my finger on it. It might be that baptism connects us to two thousand years of Christian history. Or, it might be that we are following an ordinance commanded by the Lord Himself. But, for me, it's the personal side of it I find most fulfilling. I never tire of hearing people profess their confidence in the finished work of Christ. I enjoy the tears, the hugs, the affection, and the triumph of grace.

I'm certainly thankful God steered my course this direction. I love theology. I'm a doctrine wonk. I like to "dig deep." But, nothing's more gratifying than seeing the work of God bearing fruit.

Christianity is alive and well. Tonight we heard it proclaimed and embraced by people who wanted the public proclamation of their affiliation with the Son of God; in simplicity, clarity, and sincerity.

And man, it makes me thankful to be a pastor.

Today was good day.

Sunday Evening Baptism Service

This Sunday evening -- Feb. 11, 2007 -- we will be holding a baptismal service at Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Nashville, where my good friend Don Tindle is pastor. The street address is 437 Coventry Drive. Do a quick MapQuest search for a map.

We'll be looking for you there!