Thinking of broadcasting the Super Bowl game in your church auditorium? In case you are tempted, here are some words from the NFL.

“Our differences are enough to separate some of my friends—your brothers and sisters in Christ—from you. And perhaps to separate them from me, now that I’m publicly speaking to you. And I don’t want to minimize either the sincerity or the seriousness of some of their concerns (things like: humor, worldliness, pragmatism, authority).

But I perceive some things in common which outweigh our differences—which the Lord Jesus shall soon enough compose between us, either by our maturing, or by His bringing us home. I long to work with those, and count it a privilege to work with those whom My Savior has purchased with His blood, and with whom I share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I perceive that we have in common the knowledge that God is glorified in sinners being reconciled to Him through Christ. This is not taught by other religions, nor clearly by the ancient Christian churches of the East, or by Rome, by liberal Protestant churches, by Mormons, the churches of Christ, or by groups of self-righteous, legalistic, moralistic Christians. And not only do we together affirm the exclusivity of salvation through faith alone in Christ alone—we agree on the sovereignty of God in life and salvation, the regenerate nature of church members, the importance of church membership and discipline, the baptism of believers alone, the priorities of expositional preaching, and evangelism, the importance of authority and a growing appreciation for the significance of complementarianism. These are not slight matters. And they only fire my desire to encourage you and cheer you on, until you cross that finish line that the Lord lays down for us.”

-Mark Dever, from his address “Church Planting Evangelism” at the Acts 29 Boot Camp in Chicago.

HT: 9Marks

In our home we regularly rise up and call my wife, Karalee, “blessed.” It’s biblical and usually happens at the close of our dinners (with increased frequency and volume after pizza). The kids and I raise our hands to the sky and yell, “BLESSED!!!” And then repeat several times and waive our hands as if we were all participating in the wave. Usually we cry out “BLESSED!” four times before being hushed.

I’m thinking of this practice because I’m reminded tonight of my precious wife of almost 10 years. Today Carolyn Mahaney wrote an encouraging little piece about my wife (and posted a picture of “my girls”). What a joy to find a wife who willingly relocates her home and family without complaint. What a precious wife! Thanks Carolyn for this post. I am reminded how infrequently I thank her. So Karalee (if you’re reading this and not changing a diaper), I owe you some “blesseds!”

I love you!

Tony
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Related: Read Karalee’s past posts on TSS here.

I try, but cannot imagine, a greater job in the world than following C.J. Mahaney and capturing his life and wisdom. Now about one month into the job I’m reminded of God’s grace (“no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”).

Through means of external coercion, today I posted at the Sovereign Grace Blog with a little tidbit about my current position and especially why I seek to emulate one nineteenth-century man, George Offor.

So this–to answer some of your comments–is why TSS has slowed a bit. But I’ll be back soon. Carl Trueman’s newest title is in the mail (and I’m never silent when reading Dr. Trueman). And coming up soon we will have a blog exclusive to announce some major news in the publishing world. Stay tuned.

Thanks again for your patience with this blog.

Blessings, blogopals!

Tony