The more I preach, the more I passionately agree with Piper in this short video. And I agree with him not because I’m a Greek scholar and can work in the original text. I can’t.

But that’s why I agree with him; that’s why I need and want English translations that give me the words. I want to know the word of God and I don’t want the translators and editors making the interpretive decisions for me. Give me all the words!

For all the men who don’t have Greek and don’t do their work in the original languages, for the integrity of the Scripture itself, for the average joe confounded by the different renderings offered by paraphrase v. word-for-word translations, preacher use a translation with all the awkward, difficult, inconvenient, puzzling, wonderful, transitional, connecting words of Scripture.

I appreciate the readability of the NIV. For now, that’s what we use here. But that video captures one of my biggest pet peeves with the NIV–the constant practice of dropping necessary little word like gar (for, because, etc.). So much of the text turns on little two and three-letter words that we need them!

For various reasons, maybe you’ll stay with the NIV. Maybe we will, too. But, oh, to have all the words spoken by a Holy God!

Two posts today really lifted my heart. They both were meditations on grace in their own way.

First, was Lee Irons’ comments on the Law and legalism (HT: JT). Here are the couple of paragraphs that struck me as fresh insight:

The way to avoid legalism is to believe that, as the Law teaches, only the perfectly righteous may be admitted into heaven. This counterintuitive premise accomplishes two things in a single blow: it crushes legalism and clarifies the meaning of grace.

First, it crushes legalism because legalism cannot get off the ground unless the standard has first been lowered. But if the Law requires perfect righteousness, clearly the half-baked, imperfect obedience promoted by legalism will not do.

Second, it clarifies the meaning of grace. Grace is that God provides and accepts the imputed righteousness of Christ, in place of our own inherent righteousness demanded by the Law, as the righteousness by which the unrighteous can attain heaven. Now that’s grace! The true Gospel, then, presupposes the Law as its antithetical counterpart. Otherwise grace is no longer grace.”

Second, was John Piper’s meditation on why he has no merit of his own. This is the meditation in full:

This is my confession:

I was born into a believing family through no merit of my own at all.

I was given a mind to think and a heart to feel through no merit of my own at all.

I was brought into the hearing of the gospel through no merit of my own at all.

My rebellion was subdued, my hardness removed, my blindness overcome, and my deadness awakened through no merit of my own at all.

Thus I became a believer in Christ through no merit of my own at all.

And so I am an heir of God with Christ through no merit of my own at all.

Now when I put forward effort to please the Lord who bought me, this is to me no merit at all, because

…it is not I, but the grace of God that is with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)

…God is working in me that which is pleasing in his sight. (Hebrews 13:21)

…he fulfills every resolve for good by his power. (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

And therefore there is no ground for boasting in myself, but only in God’s mighty grace.

Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:31)

I read these today, and my heart said, “Yes! Glorious grace!”

Watch John Piper reflect on John 4:27 (“They marveled that he was talking with a woman”) here.

The folks at Sovereign Grace put together the best conference I know of for folks involved in leading public praise. The conference blends both concentrated attention to the word of God and workshops addressing almost every imaginable topic involved in leading worship, songwriting, playing instruments (everything but the Oboe according to C.J.), and a host of other things. It’s a wonderfully refreshing time.

They’ve made the audio from this year’s general sessions available:
For all downloads, right-click and select “Save Target/Link As.”

The God of Worship (John Piper)
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The Heart of Worship (John Piper)
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The Leaders of Worship (Jeff Purswell)
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The Church of Worship (Thabiti Anyabwile)
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Lessons Learned from Three Decades of Leading (C.J. Mahaney and Bob Kauflin)
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The Life of Worship (Bob Kauflin)
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What a joy it was to sit under the word and enjoy this fellowship!

Here, “A Conversation Between Prayerful and Prayerless” (HT: JT).

And here, “Winning Battles Through Prayer.”

I’m excited about the opportunity to sit under God’s word and fellowship with His people in three upcoming conferences.

First, there is Worship God ’09 on Aug. 5-8th. Bob Kauflin and the crew at Sovereign Grace do an outstanding job with this conference. Last year was my first year attending, and I was greatly edified. As conferences go, Worship God ’09 probably has the best mix of both substantive teaching and opportunity to process what you’re hearing with others. The schedule is relaxed enough that you can actually think specifically about application or pursue other things in greater depth or really build relationships with your team. This year, hear from C.J. Mahaney, Bob Kauflin, John Piper, Shai Linne, Jeff Purswell, and Don Whitney. Registration is open for another three weeks. So if you haven’t already, you might want to go ahead and register.

Here.

What he told the Bethlehem staff about unity amid differences.

Yesterday we wrapped up out 6 week Sunday school class on singleness and courtship. Today, a helpful list of questions and answers on singleness from Piper:

1. How is singleness better than marriage?
2. How can singles help foster a relational culture at church?
3. How do I deal with the intense longing to be married?
4. What are the trials unique to singleness, and how do you recommend combating them?
5. What would you say to someone who thinks their sexual sin has disqualified them from ministry?
6. What do you think about masturbation?
7. Is it OK for a single woman to pursue a career?

I’m particularly interested in question 2. What does your church do on this one?