I have to begin by telling you how incredibly proud I am of all the hard work you girls are putting forth in this book club! I know all this material is lofty but I truly pray that a fresh understanding and appreciation for the sovereignty of God is taking hold in your Spirit. Your answers are very insightful and I've enjoyed reading each and every one. FYI: I've had several emails from those who weren't able to start at the beginning but aren't sure if they can still participate. OF COURSE YOU CAN! Anyone is SO welcome to jump in every chance you get so please don't hesitate to join the discussion.



Many things resonated with me in last weeks responses but I got a little stuck on Kelly's (Love Well) quote here:


"I actually think it’s easier to magnify God in the big trials of life, because we are pushed to the limits then. We either magnify God or die. I find it harder to continue to choose His glory in the mundane details of life, when it’s tempting to slide into mediocrity, one inch at a time."

Is anyone but me feeling that one? I think Kelly's response speaks to where many of us live and that is our propensity to throw ourselves at the feet of Jesus only when circumstances are dire and not so much when we've had to clean up one too many poopy messes that day. Often it's not the tire iron to the heart that gets me, it's the constant yet lesser tappings that make me want to give up and try again later.

Obviously a woman reading who has lost a child or endured divorce or is battling a life-threatening illness may argue that mediocrity brought on by the exhaustion of motherhood or a lackluster faith born out of apathy are not comparable. On the most obvious level I wholeheartedly agree. But when we get right down to it, anything and I do mean ANYTHING, whether it be life's trivia or trauma that robs God of the glory due Him in my book is spectacular indeed. As we learn in Chapter Two, ALL things were made by, through, and for Christ and therefore we must surrender every single event in order to display His greatness.

Oh my goodness. I have no idea if that made any sense whatsoever. I'll be trusting the Holy Spirit to make the appropriate applications if any are indeed in order. :)

Let's get to our questions!~


Chapter Two

1. I loved your quotes so much from the first session I'm going to ask you to share your favorite from this chapter!

2. Re-read Colossians 1:15-16. Piper makes special mention that of all the things Paul could list that were made by, through, and for Christ, that he specifically mentions evil powers. In answering why Paul did this, Piper pulls an example from 2 Timothy 1:8 to show how he used weighty doctrine to address Timothy's practical issues of anxiety and fear that threatened the effect of his ministry. Considering Paul thought the 'heavy' things of God would help Timothy deal with everyday matters, how does knowing God created beings that He knew would turn from good to evil translate to your everyday life? (Use paragraphs 2 and 3 of page 36 to help form your thoughts.)

3. Five summary statements are given on p. 37 as to why God wants us to know the truth of Christ's sovereignty over 'rulers and authorities' and the way they are involved in the most spectacular sins of the universe. Which one is most meaningful to you? How does it comfort you and/or give you courage against the evil that we know has been disarmed by Christ?

4. Okay, this question is more of an assignment. Look at the previous commenter's answers and respond to one of her(his?) insights. If you are the first commenter, you can refer to this original post. Let's get some discussion going! :)


This was a short chapter so we'll stop here. Looking so forward to hearing your thoughts!

Alrighty, let's go. Remember to post your answers in the comments, but please go ahead and post them on your blog as well.


Here comes the hard part. I hope you read the footnote on page 24. If you are like me, you read it several times, then out loud, then needed to discuss it with someone. We're loving the Lord with all our minds! Answer these as best you can (it's okay if you are fuzzy - we're only in chapter one):

a. Does he allow you to sin?
c. Does he allow temptation to come before you?




Can't wait to read your replies!

Blessings,

Missy

<center><a href="http://thepreachers-wife.blogspot.com/search/label/Spectacular%20Sin"><img border="0" src="http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u80/thepreacherswife/spectacularsinsbookclub.jpg" /></a></center>

TUESDAY UPDATE: WOW! You girls have no idea how much I am loving your responses. Your thoughts on 'Wimpy Doctrine' in Question 4 really have me brewing on how should be as alert to the absence of truth as we are to outright lies.

Obviously these questions require some thought and some comments are still trickling in. I'll leave the this post open until Thursday and then do some type of wrap up at that time. So far I see 18 of you but roll call said 40+. We're waiting, girls!! (And boys??)

Sound Good?

*************************************************
Welcome!

I am SO excited to finally begin our Spectacular Sins Book Club! I've shared with you on several occasions that the author, John Piper, is among my favorite theologians. Spectacular Sins has done for me in the area of God's Sovereignty the same that Desiring God did with the concept of Christian Hedonism. His writing is heady, but girls, if you're gonna go deeper you gotta think deeper.


So here's how this thing will work:


Each Monday there will be a post here from either myself or Missy covering the chapter for that week. When I say cover, I mean we will post questions to help internalize the material and give you the opportunity to share insights. A scholar I'm not but if you have a really deep question that I can't answer, then expect a visit from The Preacher. He's really smart. (And good looking. Can't forget that part.) Missy can probably answer her own questions because she's just awesome like that.


Please number your responses with the corresponding question and post your answers in the comments. At this point, Missy and I feel the best conversation will take place if all our remarks are in one place. If you are inspired to write your own post, by all means feel free to place your link in the comments but please know that for the sake of time and clarity that she and I will be responding on this post only. Also, please try to keep your answers concise so everyone will be able to read all the replies.


I think that covers the details for now so, without further delay, here are my thoughts and some questions for you from The Introduction of Spectacular Sins...



Introduction

1. Let's ease into this. I'm a huge quote girl so tell us, what is your favorite quote from the Introduction? What about it resonated with you? (Try to keep the quote to two sentences. I only say that because I find myself quoting entire paragraphs!)

2. Piper opens the book by describing the most spectacular sin ever committed - that of the murder of Jesus Christ. What does he say the commission of this sin actually accomplished? (p.12, paragraph 2) How do you interpret the phrase, "He made evil commit suicide in doing its worse evil"?

3. How is evil defined? (p.12, paragraph 3) How does the understanding that "the apex of evil achieved the apex of the glory of Christ" impact your thinking? How will you allow this truth to shape your thinking when you are tempted to ask 'why' in the midst of calamity?

4. I was stopped cold when I read, "The coddled Western world will sooner or later give way to great affliction. And when it does, whose vision of God will hold? And also, "Christians in the West are weakened by wimpy worldviews. And wimpy worldviews make wimpy Christians." (p. 13 paragraph 4). Continuing along that line of thought, what false teachings do you recognize as being popular but unable to prepare us for catastrophe? In what ways have you discovered you've been influenced by those those lies?

5. Piper states that the purpose of Spectacular Sins is not "to meet felt needs, but to awaken needs that will soon be felt, and then to save your faith and strengthen your courage when evil prevails." (p. 16) If you feel compelled, share a time when evil prevailed in your own life. Refer back to Question Two and give God praise if He has revealed how that evil served His glory. Also feel free to note any relevant Scripture God used for your healing. I know this will be a difficult exercise for many. Please know we will be so tender with your responses and will pray with you if you are in a place of suffering.

The Introduction concludes with one of my favorite thoughts: "There will be much to endure. Without a way of seeing the world that can deal with massive evil and unremitting pain under the supremacy of Christ, we will collapse in self-pity or rage."

Perhaps the chief complaint of the wayward believer or scoffing pagan is that God allows unjust calamity. My own conclusion is that, while we are designed to long for Heaven, we mistakenly expect to find it here. Think about that. We want eternal life. Freedom from sickness or sadness or pain. We desire an absence of evil. We want all that Jesus Christ offers to those who persevere through this present age. If we were given all these things on earth now, the Person on whom we place our hope would have no value. This earth stands in quickly deteriorating contrast for what is to come. Every heartbreak, every disillusionment, every catastrophe reminds me to lift my head, for my redemption draws nigh (Luke 21:28). God help us if this is all there is! Why hope for a Savior if the things for which we long can be provided by a president or friend or child? No, there is more and if Christ is not raised and if He has not prepared a better place, we are indeed to be pitied above all (wo)men.

And though we groan, let us not be found pitiful. Though we are pressed, let us not be crushed or destroyed because we were not prepared for suffering. These thoughts and many more are why I felt it important to introduce this book to you and for us to work through it together so that hopefully we will develop that 'spine of steel' we need to overcome.

So hang in here with us. I think you'll be glad you did.

Okay, it's your turn!

P.S. Feel free to use the button code above as a Quick Link in your Sidebar!

Wow. My last post was heavy, huh? Didn't mean for it to be. Sometimes I just have to purge the fire in my bones and when I read it later I wonder what I was thinking. I hope you heard my heart and that you know it bleeds for you. I'm really not an angry, snot-slingin', maniac though in print you may feel the need to wipe off the screen. I guess what I'm trying to do here is make up to you if I came across belligerent. I'm not sorry for what I wrote because I was compelled. I'm just sorry if it came across harsh because you couldn't see the concern that motivated it. (Nobody has communicated this by the way...it's my own tendency-to-second-guess-myself speaking here. And I'm not fishing for reassurance either. Just doin' some truth tellin'.) To make myself feel better, I'll just claim Luke's verse that he preached Sunday morning and say it is because I am jealous for God's people, his women specifically, that I get all bent out of shape. I just can't stand to see you (or myself) a compliant victim.

Pat Benatar's "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" just popped in my head. That couldn't have been from Jesus.

Anyway, I really intended to lighten the mood by making you a little video clip as a reminder for our Spectacular Sin Book Club beginning on Monday, but the truth is my hair isn't cute today and why would a girl video herself with a less than acceptable 'do?

Anyway, what I was going to tell you is REMEMBER OUR BOOK CLUB STARTS MONDAY! If you are participating, have your Introduction read. If you aren't playing along, please read anyway. I think you will still be able to gain from the conversation. Missy and I talked on the phone this past week (while she was on the way to Beth's Houston Bible Study - I'm so trying to get over my envy) and I can tell you we are equally thrilled and equally unsure the best way to present this material. I think we have a great game plan: We'll alternate leading weekly discussions and determine what we are going to do next by attempting to outdo the previous week. HA! I'm SO KIDDING! Just messing about the typical way we females do things - in comparison with one another instead of going to God on a thing. That's a total rabbit - let's not chase it.

In all seriousness, I love that crazy Missy and can't wait to team up with her to dig into some meaty doctrine. My prayer is that we'll serve it up hot and that you will throw aside any tendencies toward theological vegetarianism. I have no idea what the heck I just said but it came to mind so there ya go.

In other loose ends, I'm about to determine the winner of the John Piper Conference tickets a day late. I'll have the winners posted Saturday. Can't wait to see who gets to travel to Minnesota to hear all the fabulousness!



GAH! I just deleted my signature again!

The Holidays have come and gone and as promised, it's time to get started on our Spectacular Sins Book Club!

Before I give the particulars, I have to tell you I am so excited to co-host this little exploit with my dear friend Missy at It's Almost Naptime. I appreciate her insight, her love for God's Word, and her flat out funniness. I hope together we can facilitate a meaningful discussion on this all important topic of God's sovereignty over every last detail of our lives.

I don't want to jump ahead but I must share with you a paragraph from the Introduction to flavor of our considerations of this book. While speaking of the 'Success of Sin in the Providence of God' (p. 17) the author, John Piper, says:

"My aim is to show that sin and evil, no matter how spectacular, never nullify the decisive, Christ-exalting purposes of God. No, my aim is more than that. These spectacular sins do not just fail to nullify God's purpose to glorify Christ, they succeed, by God's unfathomable providence, in making his gracious purpose to come to pass. This truth is the steel God offers to put into the spine of his people as they face the worst calamities. There will be tenderness in due time. But if the back of our faith is broken because we think God is evil or absent, who will welcome Him when He comes with caresses?" {final emphasis mine}

Above all things, we must be thoroughly persuaded God is guarding his glory and our souls even when it feels like He's killing us - or allowing us to be killed. That truth is indeed the bedrock of how we process every evil that comes against us. If we are the display of God's glory, then we have the power to choose to whom we'll ascribe it. Will we allow it to be squelched by the darkness that so desperately wants to snuff it out or will we magnify it in the brilliance that is Christ?

Okay, I'm not going to get started but that's just a tiny taste of the awesomeness in this book! Moving on, here's how we are going to proceed:

1. The Book Club will begin on Monday, January 19th and will continue each Monday until we are done.

2. You can still order a copy of the book in my left sidebar. Have the Introduction read by the time we meet on January 19th. Don't skip it! It's as rich as the chapters!

3. Missy and I will be alternating as hosts of the discussion. This blog will be home base so there won't be any confusion about where to go and when. We will be doing some video, maybe some live chat. When we figure it out you'll be the first to know.

4. There are still other details to be worked out but I'll have those ready come time for the Intro. In the meantime if you have any questions, please ask them in the comments.

ONE LAST THING!

Let's do a Roll Call. If you are planning to participate, please leave a comment with your name and state. This will give us a basic idea of the size group and help us determine how to style the discussion (i.e. in comments only or asking you to write your own post, etc.) Most importantly, I want to know your sweet names so we can build some community!

Okay, so that's it for now. Yay! Let's do this!

The title of this post cracks me up a little. Congratulations! You've just won some spectacular sin! Aren't you thrilled?

Luke and I returned to the Promised Land last night and though we had a fabulous time with our friends in Florida (say that 5 times fast), it is undescribably wonderful to be back at home with the kids and sleeping in our own cushy bed.

I intended on writing an uplifting, fun-filled post after all the heaviness around here the past few days, but my plans have changed. I am on my way to see my uncle Ken who has suffered a severe stroke. He had one a few years back from which he has recovered relatively well. This second one is serious and I don't yet know the long-term implications of it. He is not even 50 years old and so this has been such a shock to all of us that such a young man could be experiencing these problems. Ken is dear to me and at an earlier point in my life was as close as a brother. Years have passed, some things have changed, and I don't get to see him often. It's moments like these I get so angry with myself for letting my crazy life get in the way of seeing people I love when they are well instead of lying in a hospital bed. So, if y'all think of it, please whisper a prayer for his healing.

In better news, I received my package of Spectacular Sins books! I'm almost finished reading mine. It's so heady but will definitely reaffirm our confidence in God's control over every event that takes place on this earth. If you haven't entered the giveaway yet, go here now! You have until tonight. I'll announce the winners tomorrow and give the rest of you a link to order your book so you can be reading between now and January when we begin our discussions.

BTW - I'll be announcing another giveaway on Monday for some light-hearted reading that you will love! {Hint: The books are in my right sidebar..}

Have an awesome weekend!

p.s. I swear I hope none of y'all read this post when it was entitled, "Better him than me.." When I began it I was about to write about something Luke did on vacation and I ended up talking about my poor uncle. Better him than me? I'm an OGRE! It's okay to laugh. Ken would. :))

I think I may have mentioned Luke and I were heading out of town for a few days. We are in Florida with some of our best friends on the planet. We have already laughed more in a few hours than I have in weeks and it feels great.

I just wanted to pop in to say WOW - I think we'll be doing a Book Club on Spectacular Sins. Y'all shocked me with your response to that one! We'll begin at the first of the year. I'll give more details soon.

I also wanted to point you to my right sidebar for two more books by Tyndale author, Megan DiMaria. Look for a giveaway soon! In the meantime, check out Megan's website.

Have a great weekend....See you soon!

Remember yesterday when I told you I had an amazing surprise for you from a very special pastor/theologian/teacher/author? Well, it's time to spill before I bust a gut from all the secrecy.
On behalf of Desiring God Ministries, Abraham Piper (John Piper's son), has graciously offered FIVE COPIES of his father's book Spectacular Sins: And Their Global Purpose in the Glory of Christ for me to give to you! *squeal*cabbage patch*booty shake*fist pump*whoot whoot*

{So I'm a little excited.}

My first intention was to do a simple giveaway in conjunction with a review. But, the more I thought about it I realized there was no way on earth I could adequately tell you about this book in one 3-4 paragraph post. Truthfully, my adding any commentary to this work would be like giving my Kindergartner a Crayola to color over a Monet. The word 'injustice' comes to mind.

The truth is, this isn't the kind of book that I want to breeze through. It's one on which I want to feast. Traditionally, one doesn't sit at a banquet table alone. He or she is surrounded by family and friends which brings me to my next thought.

What do you think about Book Clubbing Spectacular Sins? About discussing it chapter by chapter (perhaps sometimes through live chat?) and truly studying the scriptures in relation to sin and suffering? Girls, it is vital that we become diligent in girding ourselves in knowledge and understanding over these hard questions so that we will always be ready to explain the hope within us. 9 out of 10 times I have the opportunity to talk about the Lord with an unbeliever they inevitably say, "If God is so loving, why do such horrible things happen in the world?" I want to be able to answer that question authoritatively instead of with a string of cliches that find no basis in Scripture. Only when we settle those issues in our own minds will we be able to do the same for someone else. As Piper says, "Knowing great things about God will make us ready not to collapse under cataclysmic conflict and personal catastrophe."

I want to know those great things. Don't you? This Book Club will definitely be a No Fluff Zone. We are SMART girlfriends and it's time we started believing it! Let's consider great things and build a little muscle in our physical and spiritual noggins. You with me?

{Crossing fingers and hoping you will say yes..}

Okay, first things first.

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment. No bells or whistles or hoops. You can earn a double entry by linking to the giveaway and leaving a second comment with the post url. I will use a random number generator to choose FIVE WINNERS on Friday, November 7th.

Secondly, let's see about the Book Club possibility Poll Daddy style:




Okay, now we need to consider when to begin...



Alrighty then. I can't wait to hear your thoughts! Again, thank you to Dr. John and Abraham Piper for being so extravagantly generous with this giveaway. Your awesomeness knows no bounds!

p.s. I have to give a special shout-out to my dear friend Brooke who gave me this book for Pastor Appreciation. I've already highlighted every other sentence. Good stuff, girls. Good stuff.