While most of what finds its way into my mailbox is books, I also receive a surprising amount of music. This works out well since I happen to love listening to music while going about my daily work. Here are a few new and noteworthy albums you may want to take a look at.

Joy Beyond the Sorrow by Indelible Grace - Indelible Grace may well be the name most closely associated with today’s trend of setting old hymns to new music. I still remember listening to their music for the first time while driving my sister’s car around Atlanta—listening to it and loving it. Indelible Grace has just released their sixth studio album and I think it may be their best yet. Joy Beyond the Sorrow includes 14 traditional hymns set to new music. Many of the melodies are ideal for corporate worship, something that has always been a strength of their albums. Standout tracks include “From the Depths of Woe (Psalm 130),” “Did Christ Over Sinners Weep?,” and “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed.” You can buy the CD at their website or listen to the complete album (and buy MP3s) at Bandcamp.

Together for the Gospel Live II by Sovereign Grace Music. In April of 2010 and 2012, thousands of people gathered in Louisville, Kentucky, to participate in the Together for the Gospel conferences. This album contains 16 of the songs they sang, led by Bob Kauflin on piano. The tracks include traditional hymns, contemporary hymns, and songs by Sovereign Grace. While all of these songs can be found on other recordings, the joy of this album is being able to sing along with thousands of voices (mostly male) raised in the praise to the Lord. It is available at Amazon for $8.99 as is the first volume, recorded at the 2008 conference.

Come Ye Sinners by Sojourn. According to Sojourn, “Come Ye Sinners was recorded live on Good Friday, 2012 at Memorial Auditorium in Louisville. It's not just a record for that day or for the Easter season. It's a reminder—every day—that we're invited to meet God at the cross, where mercy abounds, sin is paid for, and death itself is conquered by the blood of Jesus.” I see Sojourn as the older, hipster cousin of Indelible Grace and Sovereign Grace Music. If Sovereign Grace is wearing corduroys and Indelible Grace is wearing khakis, Sojourn is wearing skinny jeans and sporting the perfect soul patch. Their music is less congregational then the others and fits more closely with contemporary musical trends. I can’t deny that I prefer their older albums to their more recent ones, and almost feel like they are trying a little bit too hard these days (I consider Before the Throne and Advent Songs their best). I may well be the exception here and certainly would not knock their musical talents. You can listen to samples and buy the new album at Amazon.

For the past few years I’ve made it a point to collect Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals that may be of particular interest to Christians. While there are many places you can go online to find deals on electronics and other big-ticket items, I wanted to provide a place for Christian retailers to make their deals known to Christians who are trying to kick-start their Christmas shopping.

Last Update: Monday Morning

(If you’ve visited the page before, hold down the shift key and then hit “refresh” in your browser; this will ensure you’re seeing the newest version of the page)

Amazon

Amazon has the Kindle Fire on sale, today only, at $30 off. Use coupon code FIREDEAL. a large selection of music on sale. You can find albums by Chris Tomlin, MercyMe, Newsboys, and a lot of others (both Christian and non). Amazon sells music within the US of A only, so the rest of us get left out.

Banner of Truth

Banner of Truth has several books on sale (up to 50%) off. The rest of their inventory is priced at 30% off the usual prices.

CBD Reformed

CBD Reformed has put several of their items on sale including:

• The MacArthur New Testament Commentary Set, 29 Volumes at $324.99 (regular $814.71)
• Systematic Theology, 3 Volumes by Charles Hodge at $19.99 (regular $100)
• The Explicit Gospel by Matt Chandler at $7.99 (regular $17.99)
• Nearly all ESV Bibles are on sale through end-of-day November 26.  For example, the ESV Study Bible in Genuine Cowhide Leather is usually $179.99 but is now on sale for $99.99
• The Jesus Storybook Bible is $5.99.

Centricity Music

Centricity Music has all of their albums at 30% off (use the code “turkey”). Among other artists you’ll find Andrew Peterson, Downhere, and Matt Papa.

ChristianAudio

ChristianAudio is having sales all day long. You’ll need to keep an eye on Twitter to find the deals.

Compass Cinema

Compass Cinema (creator of the excellent Modern Parables videos, among others) has most of their videos on sale. Coupon code BLACK25 will get you 25% off any order.

Credo House

Credo House has some significant deals on their theology courses.

Crossway

Crossway is offering a site-wide 40% off sale. That includes all of their books and Bibles. Click through to see some of their top picks.

Cruciform Press

Cruciform Press has 11 books on sale at just $4.99 each (down from the regular price of $9.99). They include titles by Joel Beeke, Curtis Allen, John Ensor, and others. You can see the selection and make your order right here.

The Good Book Company

The Good Book Company has a wide variety of resources available at up to 60% off. They include books by Steve Timmis, Tim Chester, and others.

Grace & Truth Books

Grace & Truth Books has a selection of items at 30 - 35% off.

Granted Ministries

Granted Ministries has several deals going on and depending on what you purchase, you may also earn a free book or two.

Ligonier Ministries

Ligonier Ministries is is having a substantial Cyber Monday sale. Lots of books, Bibles and teaching series have been discounted.

Lifeway

Lifeway has a few deals on Bibles, books and music. You’ll need to hunt around a little, but will find discounts on books by Francis Chan, on The Jesus Storybook Bible ($5) and on Lecrae’s album Gravity.

NeuYear

NeuYear, a company that makes awesome wall calendars, has their 2013 calendars on sale. Use coupon code Challies12 to get 40% off.

New Growth Press

New Growth Press has Cyber Monday deals that include the Gospel Story Bible, Old Story New and Long Story Short, along with a few other titles. The Gospel Story Bible is buy one, get one.

P&R

P&R Publishers is offering 40% off your order with the coupon code NOV12, plus free shipping on domestic orders over $25. This deal runs from the 23rd to the 26th.

Reformation Heritage Books

Reformation Heritage Books has quite a few noteworthy deals. You can get three of Paul Washer’s new book for $10 each, the Building on the Rock series for just $20, and a 3-pack of A Puritan Theology for $90. Also, they have reduced the Kindle price of A Puritan Theology to just $9.99 (down from $29.99).

Revive Our Hearts

Revive Our Hearts has a selection of books with deep discounts. Authors include Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Mary Kassian, and Kimberly Wagner.

Shepherd Press

Shepherd Press has their complete catalog of books on sale. All ebooks (Kindle, iPad, etc) have been dropped to $1.99. Most print editions are at $4.99, but you will have to add a book to your cart to see the lowered pricing. There is a maximum of 5 books per person at this discounted These deals will last until Monday.

Vyrso

Vyrso has a list of ebook deals.

Other Deals

Here are a few other deals that may be of interest:

• Visual Verses will have everything at 40% off (use coupon code THANKS) on Friday and Saturday.
• Significat, which offers handcrafted plaques, will have everything at 30% off with coupon code BlackFriday30.
• HopeInk has their items at 30% off with coupon code GIVETHANKS2012.

If your company or ministry has things on sale that would fit this round-up, please do let me know.

This is the thirteenth installment in a series on theological terms. See previous posts on the terms theology, Trinity, creation, man, Fall, common grace, sin, righteousness, faith, pride, election, and revelation.

Stated simply, atonement refers to the act by which someone or something is cleansed from sin.

The concept is first introduced in reference to the installation of the priesthood and the consecration of the tabernacle for Israel’s worship (see Exodus 29:35-37).

Atonement is then applied to the rest of the nation when God institutes the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) in Leviticus 16. This is the day every year when, through animal sacrifices and a scapegoat, the high priest would symbolically cleanse the priests and tabernacle from the defilement of sin, and then do the same for all the people of Israel.

As the storyline of Scripture progresses, we begin to hear of a greater atonement that God is preparing for his people, one that will fully and finally deal with sin and be eternally effective (see Ezekiel 16:59-63). We see in the New Testament that this sacrifice is the death of Jesus Christ.

The author of Hebrews links the death of Christ to the old covenant concept of atonement, and then shows how much greater Jesus’ sacrifice is:

Every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:11-14)

The glory of Christ’s atonement is that it is no longer limited to a particular nation (Israel) or location (the tabernacle) and neither is it merely symbolically represented through animal sacrifices. By his own blood Jesus has reconciled us to God genuinely and forever, and he holds out this reconciliation to all who trust in his sacrifice on their behalf.

Thanksgiving is once more just about upon us, and by “us,” I mean “you” if you are American. I have written about this holiday and the Canadian equivalent several times over the years. Here are a few that you may find beneficial.

A Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving - This is a beautiful prayer drawn from The Valley of Vision.

Tears at Thanksgiving - This was an excellent article by my mother. She expressed some thoughts on divorce and its awful ramifications on families.

Thanksgiving for Thanksgiving - Here is a story that illuminates the point that it is really only the privilege of the Christian to be thankful.

A Canadian Thanksgiving - I have a short history and celebration of Thanksgiving in Canada, as well as some additional thoughts on the theological importance of it.

A Thanksgiving Proclamation - The proclamation by Abraham Lincoln that made Thanksgiving a national holiday in the US.

Thanksgiving & The Appropriate Number of Prepositions - “While everyone likes to give thanks for things at Thanksgiving, what has often been lost is the fact that we do not merely give thanks, but give thanks to.” (There is some overlap between this and the “Canadian Thanksgiving” post above, but that’s often the way I do things around here—build on a theme over the years.)

Infographics have become all the rage over the past few years and are used to display all manner of information. Last year I found myself wondering if infographics could be used to display theology in a helpful and visually-appealing way. I soon spoke to a few graphic artists and commissioned a series of twelve infographics, each of which dealt with a particular point of theology. I made these graphics freely available to copy and download and also offered them for sale for those who wanted them professionally printed. Here is a round-up of those twelve graphics. And yes, for those who are asking, I do hope to have a new series early next year.

Simply click on any of the graphics to see it full-sized, to download it for free, or to purchase a poster.

The Order of Salvation

The Attributes of God

The Books of the Bible

I've been at this blogging thing for ten years now and have been at the daily blogging thing for almost as long. This means that I've got an extensive backlist of articles from years gone by. I thought it might be fun to pull out some of the articles I wrote in previous months of October, stretching all the way back to 2003.

2011

Christians and Alcohol - Because discussing alcohol never generates any controversy or strong opinions, right?

Three-part series, Finding Joy, Finding Hope, I Can Only Imagine, and The Crushing Weight of Glory

2010

This Is Your Moment! - I felt that this was an important word about being slow to interpret providence.

7 Weird Things I’ve Written - I’ve written a few weird things over the years. Seven, at least.

2009

The Late Merger and its follow-up, The Right Way to Merge - I still remember getting an email from someone lambasting me for wasting his time with the first of these posts.

The Ultimate Christian Novel - Still a favorite, despite a couple of incorrect facts about the Amish (and probably about vampires as well).

2008

Darwin on the Right - I was taking issue with Darwinism. Again.

Overlooking an Offense - How do you determine when to pursue someone who has sinned against you and when do you choose to overlook their offense?

2007

It Was My Sin That Held Him There - A reflection on the cross.

Blood on the Book - I’ve always loved this metaphor.

2006

Poetry - I have a recurring love for poetry, but I’m a terrible poet.

Plagiarism in the Pulpit - Here is an issue that just doesn’t go away.

2005

A Theology of Profanity - I think I’ve written about this a few times. This was my first go at it.

Miracles and the Peculiarities of Human Psychology - Here are some reflections on the psychology of miracles.

2004

Decisional Regeneration - This hardly seems like an original thought, but it was important to me back then.

The Listener’s Responsibility - The same is true of this—not exactly original, but still an important part of my personal development.

2003

The Myth of Mother Teresa - Where it all began.

I am in the unique and enjoyable position of receiving copies of most of the latest and greatest Christian books and I like to provide regular roundups of some of the best and brightest of the bunch. Here are some of the notable books that I've received in the past few weeks.

Gospel Identity, Gospel Growth, Gospel Love - A partnership between World Harvest Mission and New Growth Press brings us three studies titled Gospel Identity, Gospel Growth and Gospel Love. “Gospel Identity focuses on the transformation of Christians by the power of the gospel. This ten-session small group study guides participants (and leaders) to discover their need for Jesus, examine the blessings of their new identity in Christ, and explain how those gifts move us outward so others can also experience new life in Jesus. With user-friendly small group activities and questions rooted in Scripture, this small group study (adapted from sections of Gospel Transformation) includes a leader’s guide and is suitable for small groups and individual mentoring. Other books in the series are Gospel Growth - Book 2 and Gospel Love - Book 3. These can be used as stand-alone products.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Gospel Deeps by Jared Wilson - “While pastoring for the past fifteen years, Jared Wilson has become known in contemporary evangelicalism for his passionate, gospel-centered writing and teaching. Following Wilson's well-received publication of Gospel Wakefulness, he writes Gospel Deeps as a ‘next step’ to establishing the need for astonishment, which begins by looking at the astonishing things God has done in and through Christ. Wilson holds up the gospel like a diamond and examines it facet by facet, demonstrating the riches of its implications. This book serves as a valuable contribution to the emerging canon of gospel-centered literature, in the spirit of John Piper's Pleasures of God and Tim Keller's emphasis on a ‘robust gospel,’ and continues in the glory-reveling legacy left by Jonathan Edwards, John Owen, and the like. The distinctiveness of Gospel Deeps is found in Wilson's winsome and frequently ecstatic writing voice, as well as his unique approach to showcasing the gospel's beauty.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

The Gospel’s Power & Message by Paul Washer - Here is what the publisher says about Paul Washer’s new book: “One of the greatest crimes of this generation of Christians is its neglect of the gospel, and it is from this neglect that all our other maladies spring forth. Absent from too many pulpits are the essential themes which make up the very core of the gospel the justice of God, the radical depravity of man, the blood atonement. In The Gospel’s Power and Message, Paul Washer addresses these essential elements of Christ s good news and provides a guide to help us rediscover the gospel in all its beauty, scandal, and saving power. May such a rediscovery transform your life, strengthen your proclamation, and bring the greatest glory to God.” (Learn more or buy it at Amazon)

November is here and with the new month I’ve got a new desktop wallpaper for you to download. This one comes courtesy of Mark Wells. I’ll let Mark introduce himself: “Hey, I’m Mark and my wife Amy and I live in the suburbs of Dayton, Ohio safely tucked away in the Midwest. We have two sons and have been a part of a house church movement in the region that now has over 80! Since graduating from art school, I’ve worked for a large design firm, served as the creative director for a mega church and worked at another agency before starting my own studio, Antistatic. Throughout my journey I’ve been passionate about working with churches and faith-based non-profits. In this way God has allowed me to partner with these ministries and spread the gospel further than my own voice can carry.”

A few notes: Your desktop or laptop may take any of the sizes, depending on your monitor size and a host of other considerations. You can click here to see what your resolution is. Generally you set one of these are your wallpaper by clicking on the link to the image, then right-clicking on the image (once it's open) and selecting "Set as Background," "Set as Desktop Background," or something similar. If you aren't sure, post a comment and we'll try to help you figure it out.

Give Thanks

The wallpaper designs I’ve created are a simple reminder for us all to pause daily, and give thanks. It’s easy to get caught up in deadlines, meetings, obligations and I hope this visual inspires you to step away and spend time with the Father.

With Calendar: 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1900x1200, 2560x1440

Without Calendar: iPhone, iPad 1 & 2, iPad 3 & 4, 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1200, 2560x1440

This is the tenth installment in an occasional series on theological terms. See previous posts on the terms theology, Trinity, creation, man, Fall, common grace, sin, righteousness, faith, and pride.

Election is the term the Bible uses to refer to God’s act of choosing people to salvation. Paul unpacks this meaning most clearly in Romans 9:10-13, where he sees God announcing and then carrying out his plans in the lives of Jacob and Esau. He writes,

When Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad--in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls--she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

Election is a demonstration of the sovereign love of God in knowing, choosing, saving, and safeguarding particular people to be members of his family forever, apart from any merit or credentials on the part of those chosen (see Romans 8:29-30, where “predestination” is used as a synonym for election). People who are loved and chosen by God in this way, like Jacob was, are fittingly called “the elect” (cf. Matthew 24:22; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1).

There is a great deal to be said about what election means and what it does not mean, and church history has certainly seen more than its fair share of writing and interpretation on this matter. The main purpose and effect of the doctrine is not to confuse or to divide, but to generate worship. Wayne Grudem captures this well in his Systematic Theology:

The doctrine of election tells us that I am a Christian simply because God in eternity past decided to set his love on me. But why did he decide to set his love on me? Not for anything good in me, but simply because he decided to love me. There is no more ultimate reason than that.

It humbles us before God to think in this way. It makes us realize that we have no claim on God’s grace whatsoever. Our salvation is totally due to grace alone. Our only appropriate response is to give God eternal praise. (687)

I suppose it should come as no surprise that the Bible has a great deal to say about anger. Anger is, after all, not only a result of sin but also a common cause of sin. Here is what the Bible has to say:

It is good to be slow to anger. Those who are quick to anger display a lack of wisdom.

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. (Proverbs 14:29)

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. (James 1:19)

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

Anger should be addressed as soon as possible because it can easily turn to sin.

The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:6-7)

You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.” But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment …. So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:21-24)

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. (Ephesians 4:26)

Though at times anger can be righteous (see especially Mark 3:5 where Jesus becomes angry), anger is generally to be avoided.

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish--that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. (2 Corinthians 12:20)

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (Ephesians 4:31)

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. (Colossians 3:8)

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)