"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.
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