ORDINARY PILGRIMS

I remember being told by an old friend, about 8 years ago, that I must read Iain Murray's biography of Martyn Lloyd-Jones (MLJ). Because I trust this friend, I always wanted to do just that but I never got around to purchasing the book. So, when I received the revised one-volume copy at a conference three years ago, I was ecstatic. I was never able to get to it during my seminary days, so it was on my short-list of books to read after school. I read it a year ago, and can say it lived up to the hype! Here are 5 reflections on the book. "I Gave Up Nothing" Martyn Lloyd-Jones' original vocation was in medicine. He became a doctor and worked with Sir Thomas Horder who was the physician to the British monarch, which is to say that he was a big deal. MLJ himself was quickly advancing and making a name for himself under Horder. Ironically, it was life at the top of British society that helped Lloyd-Jones make the decision to leave medicine for pastoral ministry. A...

One thing that seminary taught me is that it is possible to read a lot of books. Every semester I'd have an overwhelming stack of books and every semester I'd read them all. I did it because it was required of me. I'd stay up late or wake up early in order to get it done because deadlines and exams loomed. I don't expect to necessarily maintain a seminary pace of reading, but I'm trying to maintain a steady diet of books. I'd like to also issue a challenge for others to join me in this. Why a Reading Challenge? I'm convinced that reading books is healthy. I suppose I could link to studies here, but I'm not sure that's necessary. Most Christians I know agree that they should read, but struggle to do it much for various reasons. So, I'm not going to make the case for why reading is good.  Well, maybe I will. Quickly. First, as Christians, reading books is a great way to grow in our understanding of God, the Bible, church history,...