Cream of blog: 29 September 2009
September 29, 2009
- Explore the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, a vast library of print and audio media files from Colson and many others.
- From Gene Edward Veith’s blog, a glimpse at where the debate about gay marriage is heading for some–the abolition of marriage itself.
- Also from Veith, thoughts concerning the Christian origins of health care as we know it in the West. (Atheists are fond of claiming that Christianity is a toxic presence in the history of civilization.)
- Actions steps for anxiety from Tullian Tchividjian.
- A review of Paul Miller’s A Praying Life from Coram Deo, Omaha, Nebraska.
Focused prayer for the Mulsim world
September 3, 2009
Last year in our prayer meeting we spent a portion of time praying for the power of the Gospel to reach mightily into the Muslim world. 30-Days International (www.30-days.net) produces the “30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World” Christian prayer guide coinciding with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan each year.
The origin of this international prayer network came about as a group of Christian leaders were praying during a meeting in the Middle East in April 1992. God put a burden on the hearts of these men and women to call as many Christians as possible to pray for the Muslim world. The annual, worldwide, 30-Days Muslim prayer focus gives Christians the opportunity to learn about Islam and pray for Muslims during Ramadan (Islam’s important annual month of fasting and religious observance).
Each year a new prayer guide booklet is published in a number of languages and locations around the world. The booklet is illustrated and contains daily readings with prayer points and informative background articles focusing on the Muslim world. Check out the site’s resources and join in praying for light of Christ to shine into darkness of Islam.
Sweet counsel 08.20.09
August 20, 2009
Sweet Counsel is back after a six-week hiatus…
REMIND
Happy New Year! August is the start of the new year for many of us, especially if we have children. It is also the time when we regroup, restart some ministries that lie fallow for the summer and introduce some new vehicles of ministry. If you missed the Fall Family Night ministry preview back on August 12, you can catch up by picking up an orange Fall @ FPC 2009: What is your next step? sheet. This will give you a lot of information on upcoming events between now and Thanksgiving. The back page is a calendar for the next four months.
Reaching Out at Home: Do you have a heart for the mission field close to home? If you are, you are invited to a meeting directed toward developing and strengthening FPC ministry vehicles for local outreach and mercy ministry, English as a Second Language (ESL), church planting in North America, special needs ministry, campus ministries, military chaplaincy, disaster relief, and other ways of reaching out to our nearby neighbors and those in spiritual need across our nation. We will meet over soup and/or sandwiches on Sunday evening, August 23, in the Jackson Room right after Evening Worship.
REVISIT
Rally Day: We fed around 120 or so last Sunday morning. Cooks Culley Newman and Danny Temple, decorators Keith, Teresa, Victoria and Alexandria Paton, and the entire committee (Lynda Temple, Tanya Steen, Celina Wilson, Sandra Fowler and Mary Denny) put an excellent meal together. Grant was in charge of the Rally Day program. Rally Day is not a just a relic of the past. It is a good way to catch a quick glimpse at what the various children’s and adult classes are doing. There are red sheets of paper at the bulletin pick-up points which give a brief description of the various classes. Invite someone to join you in your class, or if you need help finding a class that suits you or someone else, talk to me or to Grant.
Helping Hand for Helping Hands: Thank you for your generous response to the last-minute call for canned goods to replenish the food pantry at Helping Hands. The number of beneficiaries receiving food assistance at HH has increased by 75% over the past 4 months. FPC really rose the occasion with a strong response last Sunday. If you didn’t get in on that particular joy, I’m sure you can call Helping Hands and ask how you can help.
Andy and Bev Warren: At the last Wednesday Night Connection I gave my teaching time to Andy Warren (MTW Ethiopia) for a report. He emailed me last Friday to let me know that he and Bev could be in Kosciusko on the following Wednseday night, and who can refuse such an opportunity? Their visit to the U.S. is not a regular home assignment; rather, it is due to their youngest son Kit enrolling at Mississippi State. They have helped Kit settle on campus, and are getting ready to visit other supporting churches and do some recruiting while they are here. They will return to Ethiopia October 4. Andy showed us a moving video which chronicled some of their work with HIV-infected residents of Addis Ababa and surrounding regions. They are currently working with 485 families affected by the disease. They are always in need of medical personnel for short-term trips. Also, they help 714 children with educational needs. Andy and Bev asked us to pray for them in their new ‘empty-nest’ situation as a family, for the development of the church plant they want to see in Addis Ababa, and for the many people they serve and care for in Jesus’ name.
Prayer for a Thick Skin and a Big Heart
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21
Dear Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, apart from you, the admonitions in this passage mock our sensibilities. Everything within us instinctively wants to get even when we are hurt by others. Whether it’s a “light-hearted” insult or an outright assault; whether it’s our forgotten birthday or a remembered failure; whether we’re excluded from a party or included in someone’s madness… so often, too often, the pain we feel get’s recycled and redistributed to others.
We ask you for thick skin and a big heart, Jesus. We want to love well in the presence of everything from non-intended slights to full bore evil. Where evil has already deeply wounded us or is presently lurking, Jesus, let us remember, even deeper in our hearts, that you will repay, you will avenge. Because you have already overcome evil on the cross and have secured its utter annihilation, we can dare to imagine overcoming evil with good. We are clueless about feeding hungry, thirsty enemies, Jesus. Take our hand and show us the way.
And where we are just too sensitive, Jesus, too easily offended, too ready to keep record of wrongs done to us… may the gospel bring us much greater freedom. May this be a week, Jesus, of overlooking everything that should be overlooked, of dealing wisely as peacemakers with the situations we must confront, and a week of revoking all revenge in light of the Day you return to make all things new. All for your glory we ask these things, Jesus. Amen.
Morning Worship: This Sunday we’ll have the joy of witnessing the Baptism of Nathan Carroll. Camille’s father, Rev. Billy Joseph, Minister of Congregational Care at First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, will assist. I will conclude the series The Handing Down: The Gospel according to the Isaac and Jacob by preaching from the genealogy of Esau in Genesis 36–a passage that illustrates for us some truths about God’s “common grace” toward all people and God’s “saving grace” toward believers. In the morning liturgy we will sing This Is My Father’s World, Blest the Man That Fear Jehovah [Psalm 128], and Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.
Evening Worship: Speaking of concluding a series, Sunday evening will mark the conclusion of my series on Revelation–a sermon on Revelation 22:6-22 entitled Hope Unveiled.
Prayer: a rare medium well done
August 18, 2009
Over at Scotty Smith’s blog, he’s sharing some prayers he has composed about many different aspects of life: friends, enemies, Jesus’ return, suffering, joy, acceptance, shame, and much more below are three that have gripped my heart recently
Prayer for a Thick Skin and a Big Heart
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21
Dear Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, apart from you, the admonitions in this passage mock our sensibilities. Everything within us instinctively wants to get even when we are hurt by others. Whether it’s a “light-hearted” insult or an outright assault; whether it’s our forgotten birthday or a remembered failure; whether we’re excluded from a party or included in someone’s madness… so often, too often, the pain we feel get’s recycled and redistributed to others.
We ask you for thick skin and a big heart, Jesus. We want to love well in the presence of everything from non-intended slights to full bore evil. Where evil has already deeply wounded us or is presently lurking, Jesus, let us remember, even deeper in our hearts, that you will repay, you will avenge. Because you have already overcome evil on the cross and have secured its utter annihilation, we can dare to imagine overcoming evil with good. We are clueless about feeding hungry, thirsty enemies, Jesus. Take our hand and show us the way.
And where we are just too sensitive, Jesus, too easily offended, too ready to keep record of wrongs done to us… may the gospel bring us much greater freedom. May this be a week, Jesus, of overlooking everything that should be overlooked, of dealing wisely as peacemakers with the situations we must confront, and a week of revoking all revenge in light of the Day you return to make all things new. All for your glory we ask these things, Jesus. AmenA Prayer About Weaknesses
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Heavenly Father, I totally get Martin Luther’s statement that “bad theology is the worst taskmaster of all.” For there’s so much in this one passage of Scripture that exposes and contradicts many distorted and destructive notions I used to have about the Christian life. I wasn’t raised to delight in weakness, rather to despise weakness, to deny weakness, to demonize weakness, to de-throne weakness.
It was all about “the victorious Christian life”… being “superman-Christian,”… basically a Type A personality on spiritual steroids, filled with positive confessions, and an unrealistic obsession with being in control, of myself and others. I didn’t want sufficient grace, I wanted replacement grace. What a miserable me-centered merciless myth.
How I praise you, Father, that you are actively working to bring to completion the good work you have begun in each of your children, including me. Hasten that glad Day! Until then, Jesus, please help me to delight in my weaknesses (plural). I have NEVER been more aware of being weak, of having no ability to change certain parts of my brokenness. I really am weak. Jesus, I so want your power to rest on me, I so need your power to rest on me. I am desperate for, and expectant of, sufficient grace from you.
Lastly, as you continue to humble and gentle my heart, help me be more compassionate towards others, in their weaknesses. You haven’t called me to “fix” anyone, but to love everyone. What a wonderful merciful Savior you are, Jesus. Indeed, it was because you embraced the weakness of the cross, Jesus, that I can gladly boast in the weaknesses of my life. What a most profound, liberating and hope-filled paradox. Amen
A Prayer About Acceptance
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7
Lord Jesus, it’s both settling and centering to begin this day in the peaceful assurance of your acceptance. You know everything about me, and still I am fully and eternally accepted by God in you. You know my failures, fissures, fickleness, foolishness, faithlessness… and yet you totally accept me. When I confess my sins, I don’t inform you of anything you don’t already know. In fact, I’m probably only am aware of 3 or 4% of my actual sins. It’s absolutely astonishing to be this known and this accepted, by YOU.
But here comes the difficult part, Jesus. As you have accepted me, you are calling me to accept my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Do you really have enough grace that can enable me to love like that, Jesus? Are you really calling me to receive, welcome, and love others with whom I disagree about so many things? You’re really gonna have to help me, because there are a lot of my brothers and sisters, (even those in my own family), with whom I disagree on everything from topics in theology, politics, dress, issues of Christian liberty, women’s issues, how to spend money, worship styles, what to do on Sunday, educating children, drinking alcohol, entertainment… and that’s just for starters.
I need a bigger gospel-heart and more gospel-wisdom, Jesus, if I’m going to make any headway in this calling. Please help me show compassion without compromising my convictions. Please show me the difference between essential and non-essential matters. Please show me the difference between accepting someone where they are and acquiescing to the destructive things they are doing. Please free me from the limitations of my perspective, the prejudices of my heritage, and the insecurities of my comfort zone. Please, please, please free me from my stinkin’ need to be right all the time.
Father, please remind me, over and over, that YOU will bring to completion the good work YOU began in each of your children. And burn the conviction, indelibly into my heart, that it brings YOU praise when I work hard at accepting others as Jesus’ accepts me. So very Amen, I pray, in Jesus’ name.
Matthew Henry’s A Method for Prayer available online
August 12, 2009
In 1994 Christian Focus Publications released a newly edited version of Matthew Henry’s A Method for Prayer (original edition appeared in 1712). Former professor and constant friend Ligon Duncan served as editor. A Method for Prayer has assisted and encouraged in me over the last fifteen years in both private and public prayer. It has helped me pray with greater Scriptural proportion and brought my prayers into greater conformity to the priorities and the very language of God’s Word.
Now Henry’s A Method for Prayer is available online, together a number of resources. Take and read…and above all, PRAY!
Sweet counsel 05.14.09
May 14, 2009
REMIND
Cookout in honor of the Hollands: It looks as though we’re going to have a large crowd joining us at Kosciusko Country Club lake at 4 pm to say a corporate ‘farewell’ to Joe Holland and his family. Because we’ve had so much rain and the possibility of more on Saturday, we’ll have our fun at the clubhouse and parking lot. We will have a scavenger hunt, bingo, etc. The hamburger cookout begins at 6:00 pm. There will be s’mores for dessert. Please sign up on the “Church Events” bulletin board if you will be able to attend.
Mission Sunday: Wes Baker of Peru Mission will be here on Sunday, May 17. Wes will give a report on the work in Peru at 9:45 am in the sanctuary. He will preach in the morning worship service as well.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT CONNECTION…coming May 20: We’re adding some new things to Wednesday nights to develop our TEACHING ministry (remember W-T-N-R?). Wednesday Night Connection is designed to connect us with one another in fellowship and reaching and to dig deeply into God’s Word through Bible-centered studies for children, youth, and adults.
Summer 2009 (NOTE: Due to the length of each DVD episode of ‘The Truth Project,’ we’re altering the schedule a bit from the original plan)
6:00 Children’s ministry; adult electives will gather in their respective meeting room (but still, don’t be late):
ELECTIVES
• Framework of Faith: a study of fundamental Christian teaching that aims to be rigorous and refreshing, systematic and stimulating (led by Phillip Palmertree). A number of people have been asking for a survey of systematic theology, and here it is. Join us for a study of the skeletal system of Christian living. Meeting in the Mary Thornton Room.
Morning Worship: The Rev. Wes Baker will preach in the morning service. Wes is an excellent preacher, and I wanted to return the favor extended to me back in January 2007 when Wes and the saints at the Larco Presbyterian Church in Trujillo, Peru invited me to preach to them. Wes will preach from Joshua 1:1-9 on the anticipation of Jesus’ “Great Commission” in the commission given to Joshua as he led Israel into the Promised Land. We’ll exalt the Lord in singing Psalm 46 (God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength), My Trust in the Lord, and A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. Also, we will hear an Adopt-a-Missionary report, and there will be a recognition of our high school graduates: Victoria Paton, Jonathan Miles, Stokes Templeton, and Hogan Briscoe.
Evening Worship: Revelation 10-11 covers the pause between the sixth and seventh trumpets (just like the pause bewteen the sixth and seventh seals in Revelation 7). The pause shows us a vision of an angel with a little scroll and a vision of two witnesses. There a great unveiled in this passage about Christian preaching and witness.
Cream of blog: 12 May 2009
May 12, 2009
Here are a some blog entries worth your time:
- Fred Sanders (from The Scriptorium) on ten battles that church father Athanasius fought and won.
- Carl Trueman (from Ref21) on why it is good for a minister to be accountable to a presbytery for his life and doctrine.
- C.J. Mahaney’s 17-part series on Biblical Productivity are now available in pdf format from the Sovereign Grace Ministries blog.
- Al Mohler’s thoughts on the White House’s new practice of vetting prayers at public events attended by the President.
Prayer for pastors
April 9, 2009
“From moral weakness of spirit, from timidity, from hesitation, from fear of men and dread of responsibility, strengthen us with courage to speak the truth as our ministry requires, with the strength that can yet speak in love and self-control; and alike from the weakness of hasty violence and the weakness of moral cowardice; save us and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.“
~courtesy of Philip Ryken and Reformation21.
Pray for your pastor(s)
January 22, 2009
I am still humbled and encouraged when people tell me, “Pastor, I pray for you.” Some remember us every day. In 2007 I shared with the prayer meeting group some suggestions as to how people can pray for the pastors (and John Piper’s influence is all over this piece). Here is the outline:
Pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ…that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak (Colossians 4:3-4).
1. Pray that we would be single-minded and united in our work: being resident theologians and missiologists, discovering the meaning of Scripture, developing a life of prayer and holiness, cultivating, and working for the cure of souls. Many little things conspire against this.
2. Pray for our purity. Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). Pray that our minds and bodies be pure. If they are not, we become weak and useless. Who wants to drink water out of rusty cup?
3. Pray for our doctrinal faithfulness. Never take this for granted. An elder must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it (Titus 1:9). Keep a close watch on…the teaching (1 Timothy 4:16). Pray that a hundred years from now the leaders of FPC will believe and love and teach and obey the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).
4. Pray for joyful, Christ-exalting marriages—marriages that set an example for others, that ease the burdens of the ministry, that display the mystery of Christ’s love for the Church, that bless our children, and that protect us all from scandal. It is easy for pastors to neglect this (1 Peter 3:7; Ephesians 6:4).
5. Pray for boldness and earnestness in proclaiming Christ and him crucified. Pray that no difficulty would deter us and no disappointment dishearten us. Pray that we would fear God more than we fear people.
6. Pray that we would be “unbusy.” What I mean is that we would work hard but not vainly crowd our day with conspicuous activity nor let others fill our schedules with imperious demands. Being “unbusy” frees us to do our proper work–for visionary, creative energy. Pray that we not be lazy or domineering or cynical. Pray that we would be sharp and unhindered. Pray that the edge of our blades will not get dull (Ecclesiastes 10:10)
7. Pray for the Spirit’s power. We do not want to counsel and pray and lead and plan and teach and preach without power. Ask the Lord to open hearts and change people through our ministry. Pray that we will be sharp instruments in the Redeemer’s hands–part of a great, global awakening of doctrinally mature, Christ-exalting, God-centered reformation of worship, teaching, nurture and reaching.
Cream of blog: 21 January 2009
January 21, 2009
One of my favorite bloggers, Tullian Tchividjian of On Earth As It Is in Heaven, has been selected as the new pastor of one of the most widely-known congregations in the Presbyterian Church in America. Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, wants to call Tullian to become the second pastor in the congregation’s history–founding pastor Dr. D. James Kennedy died in September 2007 at the age of 76. What is intriguing about the situation is the prospect of merger between Coral Ridge and New City Church of Margate, where Tullian currently pastors. More meetings and approvals must happen before this becomes a reality. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel article is here.
Ligon Duncan has written an excellent piece on how ways we should pray for President Obama.
The Rebellious Pastor’s Wife writes well on patience and teaching children in homeschool and classroom environments.
