"I seem to be declining with respect to my life and warmth in divine things; had not so free access to God in prayer as usual of late. Oh, that God would humble me deeply in the dust before Him! I deserve hell every day for not loving my Lord more, who has, I trust, loved me and given Himself for me. Every time I am enabled to exercise any grace renewedly, I am renewedly indebted to the God of all grace for special assistance. Where then is boasting? Surely it is excluded when we think how we are dependent on God for the being and every act of grace. Oh, if ever I get to heaven it will be becuase God wills, and nothing else; for I never did anything of myself but get away from God! My soul will be astonished at the unsearchable riches of divine grace when I arrive at the mansions, which the blessed Saviour is gone before to prepare"
David Brainerd, Thursday April 1, 1742 (from The Life and Diary of David Brainerd)
Thursday, May 17, 2007
My Sentiments Exactly!
Found this in my current reading and it struck me as profound truth:
Thursday, April 26, 2007
A Curious Sign
On the way to and from a bible study earlier this week I passed by a sign that I had passed by numerous times before - but this time it struck me as rather curious. There is something really strange about a sign marking the place where a church used to be. It just shouldn't be. Now true this was a historical marker, but the church is no longer there. And it wasn't like the church moved to a different part of town, it essentially died with a small remnant merging into another church and then eventually the building itself fell into disarray and (I think) was destroyed by a fire. But the key point is the church was dead long before the building disappered and yet there is a sign marking the spot, like a gravestone - what is (or was) in this place has now passed on.
Jesus promises, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Mt. 16:18) . Now I know this is speaking of the Church universal and not about a specific church in a specific location during a specific period of time; but it does all seem rather ironic ... in this case the gates of hell have prevailed over this particular congregation. This is ironic because the death knell for this church was ultimately it's rejection of the authority of Scripture. They no longer believed that the Word of God was truly the Word of God - Jesus was just a good teacher but not everything He said was really true and certainly His many miracles were exaggerated illusions. The implication is then, that Jesus was a liar and they have now confirmed this with the death of their own church. What great hope we lose when we reject Christ and His Word!
As I drove by my church the same day I was thankful that not only do we have a sign marking the presence of our church and not only do we have a building that still stands, but we have people committed to the truth of the Gospel of Christ and are a living breathing part of Christ's Body. This was not a thought of pride, but humility, because I (and my congregation) recognize that it is only because of the faithful grace of God that we continue on for His glory.
Jesus promises, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Mt. 16:18) . Now I know this is speaking of the Church universal and not about a specific church in a specific location during a specific period of time; but it does all seem rather ironic ... in this case the gates of hell have prevailed over this particular congregation. This is ironic because the death knell for this church was ultimately it's rejection of the authority of Scripture. They no longer believed that the Word of God was truly the Word of God - Jesus was just a good teacher but not everything He said was really true and certainly His many miracles were exaggerated illusions. The implication is then, that Jesus was a liar and they have now confirmed this with the death of their own church. What great hope we lose when we reject Christ and His Word!
As I drove by my church the same day I was thankful that not only do we have a sign marking the presence of our church and not only do we have a building that still stands, but we have people committed to the truth of the Gospel of Christ and are a living breathing part of Christ's Body. This was not a thought of pride, but humility, because I (and my congregation) recognize that it is only because of the faithful grace of God that we continue on for His glory.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Nicholas Paul has arrived!!!
On Feb. 22 Nicholas Paul was born at 12:47 PM. Weighing in at 7 lbs. 14.6 oz. and 21 inches long. If I had thought about it, we might have gone with George Washington Rockhill but now with 5 children I would prefer to have my wife at home with me and them. :-)
It was a long labor but the Lord was mighty and gracious and provided the necessary strength at the right time. For this we are thankful. What an emotional roller coaster to be weeping greatly one moment seeing my beloved in great pain, and I, unable to help her and then to be weeping with great joy the next as I "catch" my son as he comes forth from the womb. Truly the Lord has been good to me. The Lord has greatly blessed us with a most precious gift from His Hand (Ps. 127:3, James 1:17).
Monday, February 12, 2007
The Promise of Fruit
In our session meetings we have recently finished going through the book, “The Elder and His Work” by David Dickson.
This has been a great little book to go through with the elders. I would highly recommend it for study in session or even as a gift to your elders. We have had many profitable discussions stemming from the content of what we read. The final chapter was especially helpful and challenging to me. There was one quote in particular that stood out:
“Humbled for past unworthiness, let elders work on steadily and prayer- fully, looking for and expecting the blessing. There will be fruit of our sowing, for that is promised; and usually we shall see fruit, though that is not promised.” (p. 126).
Many times in ministry it is easy to get sucked into a “need” to see fruit. We “need” to see fruit in our ministry to affirm we are doing a good job, to let us know we are on the right path, to give us a pat on the back. As Dickson notes there is nothing wrong with looking for and expecting the blessing of fruit – in fact, we should do this. But we should not “need” and desire the fruit as if our very life and ministry depended upon it. If the fruit, even the promised fruit, becomes a “need” in our ministry then we have made this great blessing of God an idol in our lives. And once we open ourselves to idolatry other dangers will follow. When fruit becomes a “need” in ministry the offense of the Gospel will be watered down. When fruit becomes a “need” hard doctrines will not be taught. When fruit becomes a “need” the worship of God will be compromised. When fruit becomes a “need” sin will cease to be sin. When fruit becomes a “need”, though we may seem alive and well on the outside, we will be dead inside. The fruit in our ministry is not enough to sustain us; it is not what gives us life.
Our only “need” then, in ministry (and life), should be the grace of God; the grace that saves; the grace that forgives; the grace that revives; the grace that sustains and the grace that enables such broken and shattered vessels, as we are, to be instruments in magnifying His glorious Name. The amazing grace of God through Jesus Christ is our only “need” in ministry.
The promise that God gives to us is not that we would actually see the fruit – though often, by His Gracious Hand, we do. The promise is simply that there will be fruit. If we are faithful in our ministry it will come. His Word does not return void (Is. 55:11). So, be on the look out. The fruit is there. Perhaps we cannot see it yet, but it is there. Or perhaps the fruit is just around the corner, waiting to leap out at us when we are struggling with discouragement. Wherever it is, it will come and it will be revealed. If not in the days of our earthly life and ministry, most certainly it will be seen in the life to come (1 Cor. 3:12-15). So, diligently seek the fruit; but, sustain yourself on the Grace of God alone!
This has been a great little book to go through with the elders. I would highly recommend it for study in session or even as a gift to your elders. We have had many profitable discussions stemming from the content of what we read. The final chapter was especially helpful and challenging to me. There was one quote in particular that stood out:
“Humbled for past unworthiness, let elders work on steadily and prayer- fully, looking for and expecting the blessing. There will be fruit of our sowing, for that is promised; and usually we shall see fruit, though that is not promised.” (p. 126).
Many times in ministry it is easy to get sucked into a “need” to see fruit. We “need” to see fruit in our ministry to affirm we are doing a good job, to let us know we are on the right path, to give us a pat on the back. As Dickson notes there is nothing wrong with looking for and expecting the blessing of fruit – in fact, we should do this. But we should not “need” and desire the fruit as if our very life and ministry depended upon it. If the fruit, even the promised fruit, becomes a “need” in our ministry then we have made this great blessing of God an idol in our lives. And once we open ourselves to idolatry other dangers will follow. When fruit becomes a “need” in ministry the offense of the Gospel will be watered down. When fruit becomes a “need” hard doctrines will not be taught. When fruit becomes a “need” the worship of God will be compromised. When fruit becomes a “need” sin will cease to be sin. When fruit becomes a “need”, though we may seem alive and well on the outside, we will be dead inside. The fruit in our ministry is not enough to sustain us; it is not what gives us life.
Our only “need” then, in ministry (and life), should be the grace of God; the grace that saves; the grace that forgives; the grace that revives; the grace that sustains and the grace that enables such broken and shattered vessels, as we are, to be instruments in magnifying His glorious Name. The amazing grace of God through Jesus Christ is our only “need” in ministry.
The promise that God gives to us is not that we would actually see the fruit – though often, by His Gracious Hand, we do. The promise is simply that there will be fruit. If we are faithful in our ministry it will come. His Word does not return void (Is. 55:11). So, be on the look out. The fruit is there. Perhaps we cannot see it yet, but it is there. Or perhaps the fruit is just around the corner, waiting to leap out at us when we are struggling with discouragement. Wherever it is, it will come and it will be revealed. If not in the days of our earthly life and ministry, most certainly it will be seen in the life to come (1 Cor. 3:12-15). So, diligently seek the fruit; but, sustain yourself on the Grace of God alone!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Passing Time
Wow, I didn't realize it had been that long since I last posted. Well, I am here to take another stab at it all. Winter has finally arrived in NY's North Country. Those just below us are literally getting buried in the snow. We are just cold. Baby # 5 is due in three weeks (basically anytime now) and there is much going on. Hope to do better about sharing some of the wonderful things the Lord has been teaching me lately. Check back real soon ..... I promise.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Building Your Family
I know I haven’t posted in a while, but sometimes life just gets in the way. We are celebrating the Lord’s Supper tomorrow and here is the Table address.
Building Your Family
. Deuteronomy 6:1-9 "Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, 2 "that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3 "Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you -- 'a land flowing with milk and honey.' 4 " Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 " And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Continuing on our theme for this year of building, last time we considered building our own personal faith and now I want to share just a few thoughts about building your family. Strong faith makes strong families. This is true regardless of the kind of family – whether just husband and wife or parents with children. If faith is strong in the individuals then the family will be strong – there is some truth to the saying, the family that prays together stays together. But the particular challenge I want to place before you this morning is doing all that you can to instill the strength of your faith into your children. That is exactly what God, through Moses is commanding the people here. Teach the commandments, the statutes and judgments of God to your children. Take every opportunity to do this – teaching them first and foremost to love God with all their hearts, souls, minds and strength and of course, teaching them to love one another. Your house should be marked by not only the love of God and one another, but also by faith in God and the distinct desire to do what God commands and to do what glorifies God.
How do we do this? 1) Bring your children faithfully to worship God with the saints teaching them the importance of the Lord’s Day for our lives: a day of rest from our usual labors and a day of worship. 2) Involve your children in the life and ministry of the church – they are a part of Christ’s body as much as you are – they need the support, encouragement and fellowship as much as you do. 3) Take every opportunity to speak about the faith, helping them to reason – not from tradition but from Scripture, why we believe what we believe. Equip them to view the world through the lens of God’s Word. 4) Set and vigorously preserve a time of daily family worship. Read and study God’s Word, sing the Lord’s praises and pray to the heavenly Father together. The benefits of this are innumerable. 5) Be Godly examples to your children – in speech, in deed, and most of all in love. And certainly this is the part that those who do not have children can play in strengthening the family – a child cannot ever have too many godly examples (either in the home or outside it). 6) Finally, remember that though you may plant and water it is God who gives the increase. Ps. 127:1 Except the Lord builds the house the builders build in vain.
Building Your Family
. Deuteronomy 6:1-9 "Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, 2 "that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3 "Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you -- 'a land flowing with milk and honey.' 4 " Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 " And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Continuing on our theme for this year of building, last time we considered building our own personal faith and now I want to share just a few thoughts about building your family. Strong faith makes strong families. This is true regardless of the kind of family – whether just husband and wife or parents with children. If faith is strong in the individuals then the family will be strong – there is some truth to the saying, the family that prays together stays together. But the particular challenge I want to place before you this morning is doing all that you can to instill the strength of your faith into your children. That is exactly what God, through Moses is commanding the people here. Teach the commandments, the statutes and judgments of God to your children. Take every opportunity to do this – teaching them first and foremost to love God with all their hearts, souls, minds and strength and of course, teaching them to love one another. Your house should be marked by not only the love of God and one another, but also by faith in God and the distinct desire to do what God commands and to do what glorifies God.
How do we do this? 1) Bring your children faithfully to worship God with the saints teaching them the importance of the Lord’s Day for our lives: a day of rest from our usual labors and a day of worship. 2) Involve your children in the life and ministry of the church – they are a part of Christ’s body as much as you are – they need the support, encouragement and fellowship as much as you do. 3) Take every opportunity to speak about the faith, helping them to reason – not from tradition but from Scripture, why we believe what we believe. Equip them to view the world through the lens of God’s Word. 4) Set and vigorously preserve a time of daily family worship. Read and study God’s Word, sing the Lord’s praises and pray to the heavenly Father together. The benefits of this are innumerable. 5) Be Godly examples to your children – in speech, in deed, and most of all in love. And certainly this is the part that those who do not have children can play in strengthening the family – a child cannot ever have too many godly examples (either in the home or outside it). 6) Finally, remember that though you may plant and water it is God who gives the increase. Ps. 127:1 Except the Lord builds the house the builders build in vain.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Window Shopping for the Heresy of the Day
Passing by a book store today there was a title on display that caught my eye – The Jesus Papers: Exposing the Greatest Cover-up in History by Michael Baigent. Intrigued I went in the store to get the scoop? Was this just another version of the Holy Grail/Mary Magdalene married to Jesus with children story line ala Dan Brown’s The DaVinci Code? Especially since the cover of the book noted that Baignent was a co-author of Holy Blood, Holy Grail which Brown used as a source for the Code. But alas when I turned the book over and looked at the back cover – this was all something new (though there is nothing really new under the sun (Ecc. 1:9). I can’t remember all the questions but essentially: What if all we have been taught about Christianity was a lie? What if a the secret has been hidden by a small group until now? What if there was “incontrovertible” proof that Jesus survived the Crucifixion?
So there it is, in some ways the same song different tune – but the thrust of this new book appears to be that Jesus never died on the Cross, which then would indicate He was never raised from the dead either. I didn’t take long to thumb through the book (it even had colored pictures perhaps to add to it’s authenticity) and placed it back in the window display – which by the way also included the newly rediscovered The Gospel of Judas and the Lost Gospel (both by Bart D. Ehrham who seems to have a thing for discrediting Christianity. And since there were no “counter” books displayed my guess is that this may be the “thing” for the store owner as well unless they are just trying to capitalize on the controversy).
So what is going on here? Well again, nothing new really – Gnosticism came to its height in the early centuries of the Church and all these issues make their way back to that heretical movement in some way. And this latest book? Haven’t any of these folks ever read the “truth”? Have they ever read Paul’s defense of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in 1 Corinthians 15 – Paul poses essentially the same question – in a “It’s a Wonderful Life George Bailey gets to see what life would be like if he weren’t born” sort of way, Paul considers – what would happen if there were no resurrection of the dead – “ Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Cor. 15:12). Then Paul goes on to list the consequences of the denial of the resurrection. The most significant is then that Christ has not been raised (vs. 13) and then (well I will let Paul finish it):
1 Corinthians 15:14-19 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we witnessed against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.
So, certainly the question raised in The Jesus Papers is a valid one – what if Jesus survived the crucifixion and therefore did not die and raise again (making Him btw just an ordinary man ala Gnosticism)? Well if Baignent can prove his point with his “incontrovertible” evidence then Christians are pathetic, we have been taken as stooges, our faith is in vain and we might as well close up all the churches, there is no hope for those who have died believing in Christ they are just dead, The Apostles were liars and false witnesses and apparently so am I as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Then so be it. But the burning question would then be – what if historic Christianity is right and Baignent, Brown and the other modern day prophets of Gnosticism are wrong? What if Jesus did indeed die on the cross (a single man with no children)? What if He did rise again on the third day? How will Baignent’s “incontrovertible proof” stack up to Luke’s “infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3) or Paul’s list of confirmed eyewitnesses to Christ’s resurrection glory (1 Cor. 15:1-8)? Or the weighty proof of the Roman Centurion and even Pilate himself as an official in the government of the Roman Empire (Mark 15:39,44-45)? Even the Jewish leaders could testify to Christ’s death (Matthew 27:62-66)? Does Baignent offer such a wide array of eyewitnesses (including followers, enemies and government officials) for his “incontrovertible proof” to compare to the Bible’s “infallible proof”? Well I didn’t take the time to find out.
I had already recently read The DaVinci Code while on vacation a few weeks ago and I wasn’t about to waste anytime purchasing and reading this new twist of the same old, same old heresy that has been thrust into the public square. Besides, I can’t defend the truth any better than the Apostle Paul:
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. (1 Cor. 15:20).
Praise God for this Infallible Proof!!
(just a p.s. I didn’t bother to provide “links” to these books on Amazon or anything – not really worth the trouble - I will leave that to the interested reader).
So there it is, in some ways the same song different tune – but the thrust of this new book appears to be that Jesus never died on the Cross, which then would indicate He was never raised from the dead either. I didn’t take long to thumb through the book (it even had colored pictures perhaps to add to it’s authenticity) and placed it back in the window display – which by the way also included the newly rediscovered The Gospel of Judas and the Lost Gospel (both by Bart D. Ehrham who seems to have a thing for discrediting Christianity. And since there were no “counter” books displayed my guess is that this may be the “thing” for the store owner as well unless they are just trying to capitalize on the controversy).
So what is going on here? Well again, nothing new really – Gnosticism came to its height in the early centuries of the Church and all these issues make their way back to that heretical movement in some way. And this latest book? Haven’t any of these folks ever read the “truth”? Have they ever read Paul’s defense of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in 1 Corinthians 15 – Paul poses essentially the same question – in a “It’s a Wonderful Life George Bailey gets to see what life would be like if he weren’t born” sort of way, Paul considers – what would happen if there were no resurrection of the dead – “ Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?” (1 Cor. 15:12). Then Paul goes on to list the consequences of the denial of the resurrection. The most significant is then that Christ has not been raised (vs. 13) and then (well I will let Paul finish it):
1 Corinthians 15:14-19 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we witnessed against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.
So, certainly the question raised in The Jesus Papers is a valid one – what if Jesus survived the crucifixion and therefore did not die and raise again (making Him btw just an ordinary man ala Gnosticism)? Well if Baignent can prove his point with his “incontrovertible” evidence then Christians are pathetic, we have been taken as stooges, our faith is in vain and we might as well close up all the churches, there is no hope for those who have died believing in Christ they are just dead, The Apostles were liars and false witnesses and apparently so am I as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Then so be it. But the burning question would then be – what if historic Christianity is right and Baignent, Brown and the other modern day prophets of Gnosticism are wrong? What if Jesus did indeed die on the cross (a single man with no children)? What if He did rise again on the third day? How will Baignent’s “incontrovertible proof” stack up to Luke’s “infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3) or Paul’s list of confirmed eyewitnesses to Christ’s resurrection glory (1 Cor. 15:1-8)? Or the weighty proof of the Roman Centurion and even Pilate himself as an official in the government of the Roman Empire (Mark 15:39,44-45)? Even the Jewish leaders could testify to Christ’s death (Matthew 27:62-66)? Does Baignent offer such a wide array of eyewitnesses (including followers, enemies and government officials) for his “incontrovertible proof” to compare to the Bible’s “infallible proof”? Well I didn’t take the time to find out.
I had already recently read The DaVinci Code while on vacation a few weeks ago and I wasn’t about to waste anytime purchasing and reading this new twist of the same old, same old heresy that has been thrust into the public square. Besides, I can’t defend the truth any better than the Apostle Paul:
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. (1 Cor. 15:20).
Praise God for this Infallible Proof!!
(just a p.s. I didn’t bother to provide “links” to these books on Amazon or anything – not really worth the trouble - I will leave that to the interested reader).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)