The past couple years, Sovereign Grace Ministries has put on a SUPER SALE all through the month of February. I’ve taken advantage of the sale myself in years past. I grabbed up some of their superb music CDs, and also picked up a couple of their song books. (Many of the songs I’ve showcased on my blog over the years, have been produced by Sovereign Grace Ministries.) I have many of the books they are selling, but if anyone really wanted to bless me 🙂 they could send me one of the following titles– Living the Cross Centered Life and Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God by C.J. Mahaney; Love that Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace by Gary and Betsy Ricucci; and Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin. All of these titles and others, are sure to bless you. I encourage you to take advantage of this great offer. Plus, for all orders of $15 or more, there is free shipping.
Tag: Bob Kauflin
2008 Desiring God Conference: The Power of Words and the Wonder of God
I am blessed to be a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, where my pastor is John Piper. His sermons and writings have made a lasting impact in my walk with Christ. He is a very humble man, even though he is an evangelical leader with an ever-growing influence. Desiring God is the ministry our church started to help spread pastor John’s writings and books. And for the past several years they’ve held a national conference here in Minneapolis.
I haven’t yet attended one, largely because it conflicts with my job schedule and I can’t afford it. But with Desiring God’s policy to spread sermons in print, audio and video formats for free, I get to enjoy them anyway. Here’s a run down on this year’s conference. I haven’t started listening yet, but I’m planning on downloading and listening to all the messages.
- This link will take you to the conference online headquarters with info about the speakers, and all the introductory videos, etc.
- This link will list the links for downloading all the messages or listening/watching them online.
- Here is a list of a series of blog posts at DG’s blog which summarize the 6 messages and 2 speaker panels:
- The Tongue, the Bridle, and the Blessing: An Exposition of James 3:1-12 by Sinclair Ferguson
- Panel Discussion – Piper, Driscoll, and Ferguson
- Words of Wonder: What Happens When We Sing? by Bob Kauflin
- How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words by Mark Driscoll
- The Life-Shaping Power of Story: God’s and Ours by Dan Taylor
- Panel Discussion – Piper, Tripp, Kauflin, and Taylor
- War of Words: Getting to the Heart for God’s Sake by Paul Tripp
- Is There Christian Eloquence? Clear Words and the Wonder of the Cross by John Piper
If you did attend the conference, share your thoughts with us. In the meantime, I think I’ll start with Bob Kauflin’s message. I have great respect for his wisdom and insights, and he has written some of the best and richest songs I’ve ever heard.
Music Mondays: “In the Valley” by Bob Kauflin
I recommend many modern hymns & contemporary songs for corporate worship. While the old hymns are certainly grand, the new songs God is giving to the church, are worthy of respect too.
~~~~~~
Music Monday posts highlight the music which touched my heart on Sunday. I pray the message of these songs will help us all to live in the spirit of Worship all week long.
Today’s song was sung as a special number during the offering time, yesterday. It is a moving song, and has great potential for ministering to the hearts of those in any number of difficult circumstances. Best of all, this song, like most written by the folks at Sovereign Grace Ministries, calls us to hope in Jesus Christ and the Gospel.
In the Valley
Words and music by Bob Kauflin
When You lead me to the valley of vision
I can see You in the heights
And though my humbling wouldn’t be my decision
It’s here Your glory shines so bright
So let me learn that the cross precedes the crown
To be low is to be high
That the valley’s where You make me more like ChristLet me find Your grace in the valley
Let me find Your life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow
Your wealth in my need
That You’re near with every breath
In the valleyIn the daytime there are stars in the heavens
But they only shine at night
And the deeper that I go into darkness
The more I see their radiant light
So let me learn that my losses are my gain
To be broken is to heal
That the valley’s where Your power is revealed© 2006 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI).
Download a free lead sheet (with a simple piano score) or guitar chord chart for this song here. Listen to a sample of this song here. Or hear the whole thing for free at Rhapsody.com. Here are details on the CD that contains this song: Valley of Vision. Purchase it through Amazon here, or from Sovereign Grace directly.