tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-231222752024-03-07T05:43:20.632+00:00He rules over the nationsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger237125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-84879161406679921712014-05-28T09:17:00.002+01:002014-05-28T09:17:15.839+01:00MUST READ<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: large;">The </span><span style="font-family: Berkeley;"><span style="font-size: large;">greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink in every night. For all the ill that Satan can do, when God describes what keeps us from the banquet table of his love, it is a piece of land, a yoke of oxen, and a wife (Luke 14:18-20). The great- est adversary of love to God is not his enemies but his gifts. And the most deadly appetites are not for the poison of evil, but for the simple pleasures of earth. For when these replace an appetite for God himself, the idolatry is scarcely recognizable, and almost incurable.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Berkeley; font-size: 11pt;">John Piper, </span><span style="font-family: Berkeley; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic;">A Hunger for God </span><span style="font-family: Berkeley; font-size: 11pt;">[Wheaton: Crossway, 1997], 14</span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-75707703189741073632013-12-31T12:30:00.001+00:002013-12-31T12:30:39.659+00:00Best book everI rarely read a book twice. It is not that I take it all in on the first read by any means, but just that there are so many good books to read. So any book I reread must be something special. I have just finished this morning my annual read of an all time classic, the ultimate best seller. I never fail to find something new in it. Though some bits were a tough read the overall story line was dead simple to spot. The leading character takes the stage in the first few pages and appears in virtually every chapter. At some stages early in the book it seems that the author is putting in a lot of unnecessary detail but only later do you work out that it was all there so that the main character will be seen as so unique. At several stages in the plot it seems that evil will win, in fact there is one great climax moment when it seems that the book is about to come to an abrupt end as the leading character gets put through some vile torture and executed. But then there is a masterly twist in the tail when the lead rises from the dead and is made king over everything.<div>
Every time I read this book my heart is drawn out to this main character. I am finding that I want to start all over again and reread to see what more I can find out about him. And there is one other thing - reading this book was utterly different from every other read in 2013. Something happened in my heart when I read this, not every time, but on many occasions - it was as if author was addressing me, pointing out things in my life. Yet again it just sort of got a grip of me, I was in the plot line too.</div>
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There is only one thing for it - starting tomorrow I am going back to the beginning and if I am spared to make the 31st December 2014 I will have read it through one more time.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-22506630550016081182013-12-31T10:58:00.001+00:002013-12-31T12:32:19.594+00:00Engaging with Keller<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This book published by Evangelical Press does exactly what it says in the title. This book is a series of well written, thorough papers that seek to interact with some of the teachings of Tim Keller. The chapters are written in a balanced and gentle manner and at the same time clearly set out the issues that are just under the surface in some of the preaching and teaching of the popular American minister. The areas that the writers highlight include what Mr. Keller teaches about: sin, hell, the trinity, mission, evolution and ecclesiology. For any student for the ministry or minister who reads or listens to Keller this is a must read. For years I have benefitted and been blessed in reading and listening to Tim Keller. I don't intend to stop that having read this book. But I will read and listen in a more informed manner.<br />
As well as high lighting areas of concern in Keller's ministry this book also stirs the preacher to guard his doctrine and teaching closely. While our ministries will not have the audiences that Keller's has, nevertheless a group of people are being moulded by our preaching and teaching - so let us be on our guard. Useful book for seminary students to study and debate. It will hone your ministry for good.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-91914711610837846132013-12-14T09:29:00.003+00:002013-12-14T09:29:58.101+00:00The Psalter Reclaimed, Gordon Wehham<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This Crossways publication is a collection of articles based on addresses that Bible scholar Gordon Wenham has given. There are eight chapters.<br />
What are we doing singing the Psalms?<br />
Praying the Psalms<br />
Reading the Psalms canonically<br />
Reading the Psalms Messianically<br />
The Ethics of the Psalms<br />
The Imprecatory Psalms<br />
Psalm 103 The Son of steadfast love<br />
The Nations in the psalms<br />
This is a good read and a must for any theological college student wanting some deeper examination of God's songbook. You will not agree with all that you find in these chapters but it will deepen your appreciation of the PsalterUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-28991632464568387432013-11-30T10:21:00.000+00:002013-11-30T10:21:07.796+00:00Hidden, The Secret of more in plain sight, Mark Buchanan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mark Buchanan is a Canadian pastor and writer. It has been a number of years now since I read his super book, Your God is too Safe. This volume is based around II Peter 1v1-9 with each chapter working out in detail the components that Peter states are vital for a useful life. Buchanan has some interesting and stimulating comments on each of the key characteristics - faith, virtue, knowledge, self control etc. His style of writing in a strange sort of way is compelling reading and at yet at times frustrating, as for me, he gets carried away in his description of details, pouring in every word in the Thesaurus. You will certainly not agree with everything that he writes especially when he tends to speculation about the details of Peter's life. However this is a worthwhile read and certainly thought provoking. A useful stimulating read for any wishing to live a life of useful for the Lord Jesus and for anyone preparing a series of addresses on the life of Peter.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-91442540676124759282013-11-28T08:59:00.000+00:002013-11-28T08:59:21.692+00:00Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, John Volume 1, J.C.Ryle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The more I read of Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospels the more that I am convinced that no Christian home should be without a set of these devotional commentaries on the gospels. With each volume Ryle seems to crank up the intensity of comments. This first volume on John's gospel only covers the first six chapters of the gospel. Ryle's comments are as usual pithy and heart warming. But this volume takes his notes to a whole new level. Often in this volume the footnotes exceed the commentary. But even the notes, which are his gleanings of his reading are filled with a host of good things.<br />
Forget the perfume, aftershave or whatever this coming season of present exchanging and buy something that will last and make a real difference.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-49769854740265051552013-11-26T08:54:00.000+00:002013-11-26T08:54:36.761+00:00Risk is Right, John Piper<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4ZvKsbucYSEZ-u5K542PhSxYX9g1ONqJRyDutJGT3GbWyZbpYCQAjN9jB8VEoJPs6VHVwgpufEEKqgmiuRpdIiy6atVYlJ0Qa0fbAUViAJHk3cRyKG61axdYGtdqKXdk6Xhz/s1600/Unknown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4ZvKsbucYSEZ-u5K542PhSxYX9g1ONqJRyDutJGT3GbWyZbpYCQAjN9jB8VEoJPs6VHVwgpufEEKqgmiuRpdIiy6atVYlJ0Qa0fbAUViAJHk3cRyKG61axdYGtdqKXdk6Xhz/s1600/Unknown.jpg" /></a></div>
This is more a booklet than a book as it comprises just over fifty pages. It is vintage Piper, calling the people of God to a life of active risk taking service for Jesus Christ. The subtitle is as good as the title, Better to lose your life than waste it. After a forward by David Platt the book has eight short chapters each designed to push and entice followers of Jesus Christ out of their comfort zone and into battle. Piper writes this book to give readers and taste for the more substantial book "Don't waste your life."<br />
If you are looking for a giveaway booklet to stir friends for the new year this is it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-4410409312116235782013-11-01T10:25:00.000+00:002013-11-01T10:25:03.408+00:00Crazy Busy, Kevin Deyoung<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This book caught my eye because I am 50 plus and far too busy. But I guess I am not on my own. It is just a short book of 120 pages but is packed with dynamite. Be prepared to have your sin exposed as the writer gets to the heart of why we are often crazy busy. After an opening chapter or two to set the scene the writer then gives seven reasons why we are so busy. Each chapter is well written, honest and hard hitting. The final chapter is the best of all. There are no self make overs offered in this little volume, just honest heart searching and the only remedy clearly presented.<br />
Highly recommended for all you busy people. If you are too busy to read a 120 page book it is time to get a grip.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-16140339327174789032013-11-01T10:16:00.000+00:002013-11-01T10:16:41.188+00:00Because He Loves Me, Elyse Fitzpatrick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a masterly application of the gospel to the life the believer. If you haven't yet realised it most believers suffer from spiritual amnesia and this book is designed to help you remember. It comprises some twelve chapters and in each of these the gospel is clearly explained and gentle pressed into your heart. The writer is a skilled communicator with that wonderful knack of getting the healing balm of the message of Jesus' life, death and resurrection slipped right into where we need it.<div>
If you are prone to discouragement, depression, or just being downcast - you simply must read this.</div>
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Each chapter ends with some questions which could easily be expanded to form the basis of a small groups study. Excellent material here too for the preacher who needs to learn to apply the gospel to the people of God.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-91661753148939953132013-10-01T09:08:00.001+01:002013-10-01T09:08:22.764+01:00The Gospel Commission, Michael Horton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you are on the search to find out what the Lord really meant by "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations," then you need look no further than this volume by Michael Horton. Each phrase within the Great Commission is teased apart and masterly applied to the life of the church today. There are three main sections to the book: The Great Announcement; The Mission Statement and The Strategic Plan. These three sections are covered in a total of ten chapters. In the opening section the writer sets the scene of the Lord's charge to his church by setting out a Biblical summary of the kingdom of God showing why all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Christ. In the middle section the command to go is investigated, contextualisation wisely handled and the goal of making disciples is unpacked. The final section is the largest and contains most of the practical material of the volume. In this section the chapter entitled The Great Commission and the Great Commandment is one of the most helpful. In this chapter the modern day emphasis on mercy ministry is given a careful rebalancing as we are reminded that the primary purpose of the church is to preach the gospel.<br />
There is much in this volume that is wise and an important sound for the church today. Well worth the read and a good volume for any seminary course on mission and evangelism.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-40498943704234218502013-09-18T16:00:00.000+01:002013-09-18T16:00:20.178+01:00Ministers' Conferences - lessons from an early morning run <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"></span><br />
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Each year my congregation kindly cover the cost of me going to our annual ministers' conference. Often in the run up to it a thought goes through my head, "You are very busy and two and a half days out of your preparation time will really put you under pressure - just duck out this year." Thankfully I have a godly wife who knows how much I need these few days and encourages me to go. This year was the twentieth conference since my ordination (though I think I missed one with a funeral.)</div>
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The teaching is always good, the food in abundance and the fellowship brilliant. Three or four of us have developed a bit of a tradition for a run each morning at 7.30pm. Just three miles these days as our combined age is now two centuries. The pace is much slower than it was twenty years ago and the chat not as vigorous. For me the challenge is completing the course. To tell the truth I really didn't want to go out this morning. But the rendezvous had been set for 7.30am in the lobby and my brothers were expecting me. The first mile was grand, a reasonable pace and the odd sentence darted out between gasps. But then the rain started and the wind increased. Turning at the half way marker the growing awareness of aching limbs meant that the temptation for me to stop was growing by the stride. The thought of battling all the way home into the wind was draining me of the last ounces of will and strength. Then one of my brothers, one as broad as a barn door, strong and fit having sensed my struggles slipped in in front of me. I was sheltered from the blustering wind and the spray of passing lorries. He took it all. One way home for me - stay as close in his slip stream as I could without tripping him up. I didn't even see the gradients that lay ahead, just his back. With half a mile to go my fellow minister by my side saw the tell tale signs of me just easing back on the pace. Keep it going was all he had to say and a fresh wave of determination pulsed through my aging legs. And so I made it to the end, I didn't stop. I had one bigger and stronger than me in front and the voice of a brother by my side saying - keep going. And that is the reason why I need to go each September to the conference. We get weary as ministers. The temptation to stop or ease back in the ministry seems to increase with the years. And it is at the conference that I remember each year I have one right in front of me, Jesus Christ who sees every weary step I take and promises to shelter and strengthen me all the way home and I have brothers around to pray and say - keep it going.</div>
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It took twenty six minutes to do the three miles this year. But every step was worth it just to have such a vital lesson why I need to go to the conference each year. Looking forward to the Conference in 2014.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-1449850830270761182013-09-10T08:27:00.000+01:002013-09-10T08:28:19.791+01:00Luke Volume 2 J.C.Ryle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just finished this volume of Ryle's expository thoughts on the gospels. I have been using Ryle as part of my daily devotions for quite some time and never fail to benefit from his wisdom and counsel. I have been using the new editions published by BOT. Simply can't recommend these highly enough. Ideal for personal or family devotions. Don't skip his notes in the small print - filled with golden nuggets of wisdom from writers of the past.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-88847422520846311852013-09-02T10:57:00.002+01:002013-09-02T10:57:24.232+01:00Men and women wanted for the hazardous journey of church planting
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<div class="Heading2">
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<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">When Ernest Shackleton, the famous explorer, was seeking manpower for his epic Antarctic
expedition he allegedly placed the following notice in the London press. </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVjWAxf_pKokgRc0cD1WpscUDgWs4KMOmvqRVnoPx5FI8yLp5OuyTFYzn1bRW7LYSX46J5M8yNTAuxTHyPCs4M78p4_fsH1z77QQMxEDmLKlSF9_-7kxscbM63Zu_28d_rRJS/s1600/shackleton-adv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVjWAxf_pKokgRc0cD1WpscUDgWs4KMOmvqRVnoPx5FI8yLp5OuyTFYzn1bRW7LYSX46J5M8yNTAuxTHyPCs4M78p4_fsH1z77QQMxEDmLKlSF9_-7kxscbM63Zu_28d_rRJS/s320/shackleton-adv1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">The
great Pioneer, the Lord Jesus, has his
own call for manpower that is infinitely more demanding. To all who follow him
he commands - <b><i>in your going make disciples of all nations</i></b>. Planting new
churches is one main way to fulfil this commission.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">The
call to be involved in the planting of new churches has a host of hazards. There will be no hiding from hard work, if
the loos need scrubbed its your job. You
will be the first to arrive and the last to leave every time the church gathers. If you have children they
will not have the luxury of loads of other children their age. You will have to leave behind tourism church
attendance, flitting around on a Sabbath evening in search of a juicy
sermon. Forget about being a ten percent
tither this is the deep end, it is two mite service territory.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">You
will have the danger of vulnerability as you open our home and heart to the
stranger.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">You
will face the darkness of people leaving as quickly as they have arrived. There will be the darkness of isolation when
the prayer support of the many sifts away to the faithful few.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">We
can't promise you success with loads of new faces being added week by week.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">In
fact we can't promise you that there will even
be a congregation in ten years.
No one will ever read about your sacrifice in the papers or even this
blog.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">But
in another world there will be honour and recognition, of that you can be absolutely sure.</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">If
the King of the nations is stirring your heart to reach the tens of thousands
in East Belfast, the hundreds of thousands in Dublin or the thousands in
Enniskillen then go and speak to your elders. </span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">And talking about elders which of
you is going to lead by example. Let your people see that the Great Commission is indeed truly great.</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">Apparently Shackleton was inundated with men willing to go. Of these he took twenty eight. That would be enough to have each of our present church planting scenarios move on to a new level.</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US">Will you be one saying, Here am I send me.</span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: georgia; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; quotes: none; text-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px 1px 1px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
“Two little lines I heard one day,<br />Traveling along life’s busy way;<br />Bringing conviction to my heart,<br />And from my mind would not depart;<br />Only one life, ’twill soon be past,<br />Only what’s done for Christ will last.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Only one life, yes only one,<br />Soon will its fleeting hours be done;<br />Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,<br />And stand before His Judgement seat;<br />Only one life,’twill soon be past,<br />Only what’s done for Christ will last.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Only one life, the still small voice,<br />Gently pleads for a better choice<br />Bidding me selfish aims to leave,<br />And to God’s holy will to cleave;<br />Only one life, ’twill soon be past,<br />Only what’s done for Christ will last.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Only one life, a few brief years,<br />Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;<br />Each with its clays I must fulfill,<br />living for self or in His will;<br />Only one life, ’twill soon be past,<br />Only what’s done for Christ will last.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
When this bright world would tempt me sore,<br />When Satan would a victory score;<br />When self would seek to have its way,<br />Then help me Lord with joy to say;<br />Only one life, ’twill soon be past,<br />Only what’s done for Christ will last.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Give me Father, a purpose deep,<br />In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;<br />Faithful and true what e’er the strife,<br />Pleasing Thee in my daily life;<br />Only one life, ’twill soon be past,<br />Only what’s done for Christ will last.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Oh let my love with fervor burn,<br />And from the world now let me turn;<br />Living for Thee, and Thee alone,<br />Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;<br />Only one life, “twill soon be past,<br />Only what’s done for Christ will last.</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Only one life, yes only one,<br />Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;<br />And when at last I’ll hear the call,<br />I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;<br />Only one life,’twill soon be past,<br />Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”</div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,<br />Only what’s done for Christ will last.<br />And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,<br />If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.”</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<cite style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">C.T Studd</cite></div>
<br />
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-78893125486347177722013-08-29T08:48:00.001+01:002013-08-29T08:48:43.968+01:00The Secret Thoughts of an unlikely Convert, Rosaria Champagne Butterfield<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7dzKezGQSdeFu8KVC87GYHJe57sXLUueYUQdlMczJKLBIZJ4Psggl8QfhPwXdVHH0yPVSY6zbC0q2CufXhxwv1kosIp-NEOdvm3Qn-8jyqSm_COE0xPJAjKuZ5ffsX-XuSNN/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7dzKezGQSdeFu8KVC87GYHJe57sXLUueYUQdlMczJKLBIZJ4Psggl8QfhPwXdVHH0yPVSY6zbC0q2CufXhxwv1kosIp-NEOdvm3Qn-8jyqSm_COE0xPJAjKuZ5ffsX-XuSNN/s1600/book.jpg" /></a></div>
My wife read this a few months back and encouraged me to read it.<br />
I know that I am prone to exaggeration when it comes to recommending books. But really, you simply must read this 150 page masterpiece. I just could not put it down. In fact I did with this book what I rarely do with a paperback - I read it again. Actually I did with this book what I never ever do with a book - I annotated in the margins! There were simply so many lessons that leaped out screaming at me - Take note!<br />
So what were the lessons?<br />
In the forward Ken Smith notes that Rosaria's story was the answer to the prayers of the congregation over many years. It might not seem very significant that one person is converted but this book will be an ongoing answer. Who knows what The Lord might do through the conversion of one person. Church pray on.<br />
The doctrine of conversion so down played these days in the evangelical world is given a high place in his little volume. The author refers to her own conversion as the train wreck and the impact of a God on her life. Slightly different from the easy believing that abounds today.<br />
Ken Smith's warm questioning approach to evangelism is surely a vital method to learn from. Sadly many Christians would have gone for the harsh newspaper article lambasting any in sight approach . His kind letter of opposition was used of God to open this lady's heart. Stop trying to answer all the questions and start thinking about better questions?<br />
If you really want to reach someone with the gospel be ready for the long term approach. Two years Ken Smith and his wife invested in Rosario's life.<br />
The church that God uses is strong in preaching and strong on compassion. The church that the author attended was able to counsel her an not farm her out to para church ministry. The church is competent to counsel.<br />
The author reminds the reader that homosexuality like all sin is symptomatic and not casual.<br />
On worship the writer asks some key questions. If God tells us how to live does that include how to worship? Is God pleased with creativity in worship? How much creativity does God want? So net time I am asked why I sing psalms exclusively I m for asking, why you don't?<br />
A truly must read.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-75089375878838391022013-07-13T19:41:00.001+01:002013-07-13T19:47:13.740+01:00Cruciform, living the cross shaped life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDZknlX3roYW8X24S7zVbxB54aYj0FROxQUROq4yTJUim7ZYM_qtrhZFZhZMNQHi0rKDPGET-OqQccHAznc0fBHc12hFhFaC1fYqgl_QXwoX5__qVH2ajM1b-_xGT8Eqcg2G2/s1600/cruciform-living-the-cross-shaped-life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTDZknlX3roYW8X24S7zVbxB54aYj0FROxQUROq4yTJUim7ZYM_qtrhZFZhZMNQHi0rKDPGET-OqQccHAznc0fBHc12hFhFaC1fYqgl_QXwoX5__qVH2ajM1b-_xGT8Eqcg2G2/s1600/cruciform-living-the-cross-shaped-life.jpg" /></a></div>
Got this some months back on a kindle deal and thought it was about time that I read it. This is a short book - just 107 pages on my iPad. There are 8 chapters.<br />
1. Created to be cruciform<br />
2. Redeemed to be cruciform<br />
3. The elements of being cruciform<br />
4. The cruciform life in action<br />
5. Servants of God<br />
6. Sons of God<br />
7. Embracing the gospel<br />
8. Expressing the gospel<br />
Each chapter is a few pages that can easily be digested at the start of a time of daily devotion. <br />
This little gem punches well above its weight. The writer has one goal - that each reader will live like the Lord Jesus. This book is informational and transformational.<br />
Well worth a read, even if you didn't pick it up on a kindle deal.<br />
Any of the booklets at Cruciform press are well worth a look. Some good stuff. Usually at $5 a book.<br />
Here a few bits I highlighted:<br />
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<span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">God’s people will not dissuade him from partnering with them as a holy community on his holy mission. God would claim, clean, and craft for himself a people who would live the cruciform life of loving God and others as it is required in his Law. He would forgive them for living a me-first life and give them a new heart and the power of his Spirit to live the you-first life they were made to live. Now that’s good news! </span></div>
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<span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The most important message we need to hear as believers is the gospel. It is not the only message; we do need to hear the requirements of discipleship. But the gospel is the most important, because it alone provides both the proper motive and the only enduring motivation to respond to our Lord’s call to discipleship.[8]</span></div>
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<span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hospitality opens its head, heart, and hands to others, offering help, healing, and hope.</span></div>
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<span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this central [part of you] either into a heavenly creature or into a hellish creature: either into a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself, or else into one that is in a state of war and hatred with God, and with its fellow-creatures, and with itself. . . . Each of us at each moment is progressing to the one state or the other.</span></div>
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<span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">[31] “For every one look at your sin, take ten looks at Christ” has been attributed to Robert Murray M’Cheyne. Richard Sibbes said, “There is more mercy in Christ than there is sin in me.”</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-4327109886465107092013-07-05T08:22:00.003+01:002013-07-05T08:22:43.368+01:00Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_plCdcVD7mp8UYGtuE96gp9D2jNRvimO2jsEqmfo2fi0om2XBf7ME0JTWXPkV4TurRSf6jgeeJ7TGDst3qlQCBUBAuOfta0yAXfsmC5OCnoTDOd6pxcQY1hwDzzG4eFS_3nO/s277/PR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_plCdcVD7mp8UYGtuE96gp9D2jNRvimO2jsEqmfo2fi0om2XBf7ME0JTWXPkV4TurRSf6jgeeJ7TGDst3qlQCBUBAuOfta0yAXfsmC5OCnoTDOd6pxcQY1hwDzzG4eFS_3nO/s277/PR.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I am not sure who it was that recommended that every other book that a Christian should read is from a dead saint. With that in mind and Tim Challies encouragement I downloaded Thomas Boston's classic. In case you aren't aware Brooks was a Puritan preacher from the 1600s.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This godly saint new the enemy's tactics and how to fend him off with the Scripture. Every young Christian and every mature believer should read in inwardly digest. Every gospel minister should digest and reword in a lifetime of preaching to help the saints guard their hearts and lives. This is a masterly volume beyond words. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Here are a few of my highlights:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">remember this, that your life is short, your duties many, your assistance great, and your reward sure; therefore faint not, hold on and hold up, in ways of well-doing, and heaven shall make amends for all!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It is not he who reads most—but he who meditates most, who will prove the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I have known a good man, says Bernard, who, when he heard of any that had committed some notorious sin, he was accustomed to say with himself—he fell today, so may I tomorrow.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Those who do not burn now in zeal against sin must before long burn in hell for sin.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Oh that you were wise, to break off your sins by timely repentance. Repentance is a work that must be timely done, or utterly undone forever.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No man knows either the love or hatred of God—by his outward mercy or misery towards them; for all things come alike to all, to the righteous and to the unrighteous, to the good and to the bad, to the clean and to the unclean.</span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-82473531845302072052013-06-06T07:45:00.004+01:002013-06-06T07:45:53.644+01:00Luke Volume 2, J.C. Ryle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2zJW_ONnPvPBqGFKLiE-3Rv8LUv7zy3omLbkHku4VEIWnui_KsNkyrfwFl8L6uD1S5UzAPjWgsvk8R-gu6xh4ZYJuwcrnbQ3_clI1bgeqfUPLpvKgEzAd9tVBj9yD4rgDj2F/s1600/Ryle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2zJW_ONnPvPBqGFKLiE-3Rv8LUv7zy3omLbkHku4VEIWnui_KsNkyrfwFl8L6uD1S5UzAPjWgsvk8R-gu6xh4ZYJuwcrnbQ3_clI1bgeqfUPLpvKgEzAd9tVBj9yD4rgDj2F/s320/Ryle.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
My journey with Ryle through the gospels marches on. With Matthew, Mark and volume 1 of Luke under the belt that leaves volume 2 of Luke and the three volumes on John. I simply can't recommend these volumes highly enough. They just drip godly wisdom and sound exegesis. Volume 1 covers the first ten chapters of Luke. As with the other volumes the passages of Scripture are bite size portions with a few pages of comment. The footnotes should not be skipped - a gold mine stuff in there.<br />
If you don't have this new set published by Banner you simply must buy it. No home should be without it. Useful for personal devotions for teenagers, busy middle agers, and OAP's. <br />
Buy it for others for their birthday, engagement present, wedding present - whenever - just get it into the hands of others.<br />
Now for volume 2 of Luke.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-59207846362555790712013-06-01T09:09:00.003+01:002013-06-01T09:09:25.992+01:00Famine in the Land<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiu3SGx3fKfIcYUyOZBhrnbPxDddhqHRzUN0AvT5GdcnS6YEcC6anU9FizbUIkvpBEDe_WnX99ketgxkBLKEjxWwWkYxRleg0xSLhbQMlEYQc3Q9mnKf-xTsJNbSgVsgQURPr/s1600/lawson_famine_in_the_land__53510__81880.1294353712.1280.1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiu3SGx3fKfIcYUyOZBhrnbPxDddhqHRzUN0AvT5GdcnS6YEcC6anU9FizbUIkvpBEDe_WnX99ketgxkBLKEjxWwWkYxRleg0xSLhbQMlEYQc3Q9mnKf-xTsJNbSgVsgQURPr/s320/lawson_famine_in_the_land__53510__81880.1294353712.1280.1280.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This useful book on preaching by Steven Lawson is sub titled "A passionate call for expository preaching." The book is divided into four chapters:<br />1. Feat of famine - the priority of Biblical preaching<br />2. The need of the hour - the power of Biblical preaching<br />3. Bring the book - the pattern of Biblical preaching<br />4. No higher calling - the passion for Biblical preaching<br />While there is nothing new in this short book there is much here to commend this volume to the reader. Steven Lawson has a clear and easy style of writing. This volume is well dotted with super quotes from great preachers throughout the centuries. A useful little volume for any student for the ministry and indeed for ever minister to remind themselves what ministry of the Word is about. <br />Below are a few of the notable quotes - some of Lawson and then some he quotes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The typical preacher today aspires to be a motivational speaker rather than an exegete.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“The most urgent need in the Christian Church today is true preaching; and as it is the greatest and the most urgent need in the Church, it is the greatest need of the world also.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“The true idea of preaching is that the preacher should become a mouthpiece for his text, opening it up and applying it as a word from God to his hearers, talking only in order that the text itself may speak and be heard.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Biblical preaching should always lead to bold praying. These go together like the two sides of a coin. As the Word goes out, prayer should go up. A preaching church will be a praying church.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Scripture itself—not merely books about the Bible—must saturate the minds of pastors if it is to flow from their lives and lips as “bibline.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A shrinking study time will result in shrinking power in the pulpit. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">D. L. Moody once said, “God did not give us the Scriptures to increase our knowledge but to change our lives.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Preaching is the public exposition of Scripture by the man sent from God, in which God himself is present in judgment and in grace.” JOHN CALVIN</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“The great object of every minister of the Gospel ought to be to give the services of the pulpit the pre-eminence over every other department of ministerial labor.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The preacher, as the worship leader, should follow Paul’s instruction to read the Scriptures publicly, and not allow other activities to crowd it out.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Preaching must do more than simply inform the mind; it must grip the heart and challenge the will.</span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Biblical preaching is as much perspiration as it is inspiration.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The rigors of exposition drains the entire man—mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.</span><span class="highlight" style="border: 0px; font-size: 1.16em; font: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“The pulpit calls those anointed to it like the sea calls its sailor; and like the sea, it batters and bruises, and does not rest…. To preach, to really preach, is to die naked a little at a time, and to know each time you do it that you must do it again.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.3em;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.3em;">Laughter seems to have replaced repentance as the goal of many preachers. Laughter means people feel good. It means they like you, it means you have moved them. It means you have some measure of power. It seems to have all the marks of successful communication—if the depth of sin and the holiness of God and the danger of hell and need for broken hearts is left out of account.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.3em;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 1.3em;">These three aspects of his Word-oriented ministry—learn it, live it, and let it out.</span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-49039135938878377842013-05-23T09:46:00.000+01:002013-05-23T09:46:06.544+01:00The Shepherd Leader<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghW95Zy4TpqzOrV2qwd0iog1DQ7r3N_YFiuFTs_KvoW1E8GZA-gB1VhqRauGekFzZxfomjfuOjs5-f5xqFW40btxpmybSvWgdxFJLqCmukfwWwlyRswp9E2Hm-KaXGYNvgOGte/s1600/shepherd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghW95Zy4TpqzOrV2qwd0iog1DQ7r3N_YFiuFTs_KvoW1E8GZA-gB1VhqRauGekFzZxfomjfuOjs5-f5xqFW40btxpmybSvWgdxFJLqCmukfwWwlyRswp9E2Hm-KaXGYNvgOGte/s320/shepherd.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Sinclair Ferguson writes of this book on the eldership, "it is as readable as it is interesting." It is both of those. The book comprises three sections:<br />
1. Biblical and historical foundations<br />
2. What's a Shepherd to do?<br />
3. Putting it all together.<br />
The opening two sections are the best and the last one more a repetition of all that has gone before. The central section of the book would be useful material for any team of elders to work through:<br />
Shepherds know the sheep<br />
Shepherds feed the sheep<br />
Shepherds lead the sheep<br />
Shepherds protect the sheep<br />
A good practical manual for students for ministry to work through and discuss.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-19017993858960023012013-04-08T09:05:00.001+01:002013-04-08T09:05:05.447+01:00Life Together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Apparently it is a trendy thing to read Bonhoeffer - honestly I didn't know that. I read this little classic under duress about ten years ago when I was doing some post grad study. At that stage I was reluctant as a liberal university prof was recommending it to me. I don't remember getting much out of it the first time through back then - I guess the filter level was too high.<br />
It is not a long book but each paragraph needs pondered slowly to mine the nuggets just beneath the surface. For me the massive nugget was the article in a previous post. But here are a few more:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts.” </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“Nothing can be more cruel than the leniency which abandons others to their sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe reprimand which calls another Christian in one’s community back from the path of sin.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“Christian community is like the Christian's sanctification. It is a gift of God which we cannot claim. Only God knows the real state of our fellowship, of our sanctification. What may appear weak and trifling to us may be great and glorious to God. Just as the Christian should not be constantly feeling his spiritual pulse, so, too, the Christian community has not been given to us by God for us to be constantly taking its temperature. The more thankfully we daily receive what is given to us, the more surely and steadily will fellowship increase and grow from day to day as God pleases.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> "The root of all sin is pride, superbia. I want to be my own law, I have a right to my self, my hatred and my desires, my life and my death. The mind and flesh of man are set on fire by pride; for it is precisely in his wickedness that man wants to be as God. Confession in the presence of a brother is the profoundest kind of humiliation. It hurts, it cuts a man down, it is a dreadful blow to pride..."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses. I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me. His face, that hitherto may have been strange and intolerable to me, is transformed in intercession into the countenance of a brother for whom Christ died, the face of a forgiven sinner.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“A pastor should never complain about his congregation, certainly never to other people, but also not to God. A congregation has not been entrusted to him in order that he should become its accuser before God and men.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">“The brother is a burden to the Christian, precisely because he is a Christian. For the pagan the other person never becomes a burden at all. He simply sidesteps every burden that others may impose upon him.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-6635998107093839992013-03-27T08:33:00.001+00:002013-03-27T08:33:37.524+00:00Life Together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together at the moment. What about this for some thinking. Read and ponder.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Innumerable times a whole Christian community has broken down because it had sprung from a wish dream. The serious Christian, set down for the first time in a Christian community, is likely to bring with him a very definite idea of what Christian life together should be and to try to realize it. But God’s grace speedily shatters such dreams. Just as surely as God desires to lead us to a knowledge of genuine Christian fellowship, so surely must we be overwhelmed by a great disillusionment with others, with Christians in general, and, if we are fortunate, with ourselves.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">By sheer grace, God will not permit us to live even for a brief period in a dream world. <a href="http://www.emergingchristian.com/2006/10/bonhoeffers-life-together/" id="more-104" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">He does not abandon us to those rapturous experiences and lofty moods that come over us like a dream. God is not a God of the emotions but the God of truth. Only that fellowship which faces such disillusionment, with all its unhappy and ugly aspects, begins to be what it should be in God’s sight, begins to grasp in faith the promise that is given to it. The sooner this shock of disillusionment comes to an individual and to a community the better for both.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A community which cannot bear and cannot survive such a crisis, which insists upon keeping its illusion when it should be shattered, permanently loses in that moment the promise of Christian community. Sooner or later it will collapse. Every human wish dream that is injected into the Christian community is a hindrance to genuine community and must be banished if genuine community is to survive. He who loves this dream of a community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter, even though his personal intentions may be ever so honest and earnest and sacrificial.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">God hates visionary dreaming; it makes the dreamer proud and pretentious. The man who fashions a visionary ideal of community demands that it be realized by God, by others, and by himself. He enters the community of Christians which his demands, sets up his own law, and judges the brethren and God Himself accordingly. He stands adamant, a living reproach to all others in the circle of brethren. He acts as if he is the creator of the Christian community, as if his dream binds men together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When things do not go his way, he calls the effort a failure. When his ideal picture is destroyed, he sees the community going to smash. So he becomes, first the accuser of his brethren, then an accuser of God, and finally the despairing accuser of himself."</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-40722478506379590882013-03-26T08:47:00.001+00:002013-03-26T08:47:45.463+00:00The Meaning of Marriage, Tim Keller<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Christian book scene is awash with books on marriage. Some are better left on the shelf as they are filled with self help DIY philosophy, you can do it ideology. This book on marriage is very different and is a must read not just for everyone who is either married or planning to be married but for single people also. The subtitle of the book summarises the content well - "Facing the complexities of commitment with the wisdom of God." It is filled with solid Biblical exegesis and warm clear application of the Biblical principles that are well unpacked. What this book does that so many books on marriage don't do - is to get you to the cross.<br />
It is made up of eight readable and thought provoking chapters:<br />
1. The secret of marriage<br />
2. The power for marriage<br />
3. The essence of marriage<br />
4. The mission of marriage<br />
5. Loving the stranger<br />
6. Embracing the other<br />
7. Singleness and marriage<br />
8. Sex and marriage<br />
Every now and then I come across a book that I think - if I had a spare £200 I would buy twenty copies and give this to all my married friends.<br />
I will take the cheaper option and say - if you are reading this and are married - then love your spouse by buying this read it and live it in the grace of God.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-22941833794386553522013-03-21T09:27:00.000+00:002013-03-21T09:27:01.973+00:00JC Ryle Mark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just finished going through Ryle's Expository Thoughts on Mark in my daily devotions. Like the other volumes the text of the gospel is broken down into short portions and a two page warm and devotional comment made. This is exceptional reading for daily devotions or family worship. Not sure if the Banner of Truth publisher's offer is still in place for ministers. I got the whole seven hardback volume set for £15 (minister's rate). No Christian home should be without a set of Ryle. In this volume Ryle starts to add just a few footnotes which are well worth the read.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-57289435809423559872013-03-14T13:04:00.002+00:002013-03-14T13:04:27.057+00:00Embracing Obscurity, Anonymous<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
The subtitle is, Becoming nothing in the light of God's everything.<br />
In a day and age when self and promoting self is of the essence of life this is a needed book to call us back to Christ like humility. It is a book to remind us to be content with who we are in Christ. Ten short snappy chapters to help you untangle yourself from yourself. Be ready to be hurt and challenged.<br />
This is a must read for every young Christian and a few older ones too who haven't stopped looking in the mirror.<br />
Perhaps I should wipe this blog?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23122275.post-27930850904658947422013-03-14T12:56:00.000+00:002013-03-14T12:56:03.727+00:00Right in their own Eyes, George M. Schwab<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
This 240 plus page commentary is part of a series edited by Tremper Longman III. The book is an absolute must read if you are preaching through Judges. It divides up into three main sections. The opening section comprises three chapters to give the reader the tools to read the book with proper understanding. The second section goes through the twelve cycles of the judges and the concluding section has two chapters on the conclusion of Judges.<br />
This book has the balance of depth and application.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0