As I mentioned in my previous post, I listened to one of Keller’s marriage sermons 3 times in 2 weeks.  It’s a powerful message.  I’ve uploaded it so you can listen to it (link below).  This is only one in the series of 9.  You can purchase the entire series at Redeemer’s online sermon store for $22.50 (all 9 sermons in mp3 format).

I chose to share some quotes which are obviously out of context … so listen to the message to get the full understanding of each quote

“…(many things) cloud our understanding of marriage.”
“Marriage is not something that man made up in a cave.”
“Self-centerednes is the main problem in any marriage.  Self centeredness is the main enemy of any marriage …  self centeredness is the main cancer in any marriage.”
“You can decide to treat your own flaws as more serious than the others and treat the needs of the other as more important … Regardless of what the other person does.”
“You can say ‘I’m going to work on my self-centeredness’ regardless of what the other person does”
“Essence of marriage is a promise.  10 years from now I’ll be there.  20 years from now I’ll be there.  It’s a promise.”
“The purpose of marriage is companionship.”
“No one else is more important than that relationship (with your spouse)”
“Marriage has to be #1″
“Whether you’re married or not .. we see that it’s our pride and self centeredness which can only be dealt with the gospel.  And the gospel is ‘you are more wicked than you ever dared believe and more loved than ever dared hope.’  It does the 1-2 on your ego.”

• Download Message 1 in the Marriage Series (click to listen; right click and ‘save target’ to download)

Ok.  I’m going to upload the 2nd message too because it’s that good.  If you like both then download the entire series at http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/index.cfm?product=18279.

• Download Message 2 in the Marriage Series (click to listen; right click and ‘save target’ to download)

Recently I finished the book Reason For God by Timothy Keller.  Keller is a pastor in New York City at Redeemer Church.  His book is a challenging read that I definitely suggest you pick up.  He does a great job looking at several questions and doubts about the Christian faith including (but not limited to):

• Why does God allow suffering in the world?
• How could a loving God send people to Hell?
• Why isn’t Christianity more inclusive?
• How can one religion be “right” and the others “wrong”?
• Why have so many wars been fought in the name of God?

He addresses each doubt and explains each reason. He uses stories, philosophy, reasoning to explain each.  It’s a wonderful, thought-provoking read for both believers in Christ as well as skeptics.   The book motivated me to research other teachings and sermons from Keller and here’s what I found:

• 374 sermons, interviews and other videos on YouTube
• A sermon store on Redeemer.com that seemed more exhaustive than iTunes theology section
• A half dozen or so free sermons including “reason for God”, “the Prodigal Son”, “Parenting”, “Stewardship”, “Suffering and Tragedy” as well as others
• All time favorite sermon series include: Marriage, Cultivating a Healthy Marriage Part 1, Proverbs, Friendship, Practical Grace, The Trouble with Christianity, In Christ Jesus, and Christ: Our Treasury.

I downloaded a few of the Marriage sermons.  I’ll write a separate post with some notes from it.  It was an excellent sermon that I listened to 3 times in two weeks.  Anyway, if you have a moment on the computer to listen to a sermon or have a mp3 player, take a few moments to download and listen.

Below are the lyrics and a video from a Third Day song “Cry out to Jesus”.  It’s a powerful song that I’ve listened to several times.  I thought I’d share it …

To everyone who’s lost someone they love

Long before it was their time

You feel like the days you had were not enough when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains

Keeping you back from your life

You believe that there’s nothing and there is no one

Who can make it right

Chorus

There is hope for the helpless

Rest for the weary

Love for the broken heart

There is grace and forgiveness

Mercy and healing

He’ll meet you wherever you are

Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that’s struggling just to hang on

They lost all of their faith in love

They’ve done all they can to make it right again

Still it’s not enough

For the ones who can’t break the addictions and chains

You try to give up but you come back again

Just remember that you’re not alone in your shame

And your suffering

Chorus

When your lonely

And it feels like the whole world is falling on you

You just reach out, you just cry out to

Jesus Cry to Jesus

To the widow who suffers from being alone

Wiping the tears from her eyes

For the children around the world without a home

Say a prayer tonight

Chorus