Are you contemplating retirement?

When we as humans contemplate retirement, especially those with money, we conjure up images of palm trees and long, white sandy beaches.

However, how does that fit in with 1 Cor 10:31?

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

The question is, How will your retirement bring glory to God? Remember, the world thinks that retirement means retirement from everything.

However, in God's kingdom, there is NO retirement.

So, to solidify your own ideas concerning how you can bring glory to God after your retirement from your normal job, here are some resources to help you along:

• A radio program (MP3) by Dr. Al Mohler addressing this issue.
• A booklet on "Rethinking Retirement" by Dr. John Piper.
• A conference message on "Getting Old for  the Glory of God." This includes watching the video and/or downloading the MP3 of the message.

Just as an aside, both of the men mentioned above are wonderful ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and their work is of immense value to the body of Christ!

Some resources

Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament

VINCENT'S NT WORD STUDIES

How to Study the Bible (MP3 series)

Confronting the Religion of Islam (MP3 series)

John Piper’s book “Finally Alive” available online

My guess is, that if you have never heard of John Piper, then you have been living under a rock somewhere. Just kidding! But seriously, if you haven’t heard of John Piper, then you are indeed missing a whole lot.

John is one of the great preachers of our day. Now, when I mention “preacher,” I do not mean orator. There are many orators around today. Just like Barack Obama, who is a good orator, there are many in the church that are good orators. However, orators, like Obama, are very deceptive, because they can take lies, false teaching and even heresy and make it look like the truth.

No, when I use the word preacher I specifically mean it in the Biblical sense. Here you have a man that is thoroughly familiar with the Scriptures, a man able to teach well. This Biblical preacher, is doctrinally accurate and he is theologically sound. Yet, with all this knowledge he has a way of bringing across the depth of the Scriptures that makes you want more and to grow more.

That is John Piper! I have the utmost of respect for him. I have heard him preach scores of sermons and I have read many of his books. Everyone worth it!

John Piper’s new book “Finally Alive” is now available for free download online.

Apart from this book he has many of his other books available online. If you want to know what John Piper is all about, you have to read his locus classicus, Desiring God.

You can find many amazing resources at John’s ministry website, DesiringGod, which is connected to his church, Bethlehem Baptist Church. These resources include John’s books, articles, a blog, and sermons in text, audio and video. It is a one-stop spiritual haven.

Don’t just take my word for it, visit DesiringGod now!

John MacArthur: 40 years in ministry

John MacArthur has been in ministry for 40 years! Amazing!

Rick Holland did an interview with John and you can either download to the MP3 or read the transcript.

HT: Andy Naselli

Some audio resources available

Audio resources by top notch preachers are in abundance on the internet.

Here are links to some:
Audio Resources
The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination
D.A. Carson's resources online
D.A. Carson sermons
New Covenant Sermons
Learn a bit about John Calvin
Sovereign Grace Ministries

John MacArthur audio sermons online

One of the great expository Biblical preachers of our time, John MacArthur, has made his sermons available online, for FREE!

You can download them directly from the Grace to You website!

D.A. Carson's resources online

If you are interested in really good Biblical teaching, by an eminent Biblical scholar that is known as one of the best Bible scholars and teachers in the world, then you need to make use of the D.A. Carson library at The Gospel Coalition.

Here you will find over 440 sermons/teachings in MP3 format by Carson. They are free and they will really be an amazing blessing to you.

HT: Justin Taylor

The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination

If there is one book I would recommend to someone who is unsure of what the Calvinistic doctrine of predestination is all about, it would be Loraine Boettner's book, The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination.

Back in the day before I came to understand and embrace the doctrines of sovereign grace, I was challenged to read this book. I did! It took me about 9 months to read through carefully. It completely convinced me of the truth of God's absolute and complete sovereignty in the salvation of the elect.

Suddenly, the Reformed doctrine of predestination made sense.

If you want to take up a mentally challenging book, then this is it. And, as a bargain, it is available online!

Update:
28 Oct 2008 - Here is another online link to this book. And you can also find it in PDF! Further, this book can also be found in MP3 format for free download, then you can listen to the book!