Michael Haykin on Identifed Toronto Terrorist Suspects

Historia ecclesiastica: TERRORISTS IN CANADA AND THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST

Dr. Haykin wonderfully put into words what I was thinking. Be sure to read his entire post...

"And we must never forget that among the people for whom our Lord Jesus died are those who today call upon Allah. And there is coming a great day when they will cast this idol to the winds, the bats and the moles, and be converted and worship the Lord Christ."

B.C. and A.D. or B.C.E. and C.E.? M.N.O.P.Q.R.S.T...

B.C. and A.D. or B.C.E. and C.E.? The Battle Over History:

"The nonsensical nature of this proposal comes down to this -- there is no way to get around the fact that the hinge year is assumed by tradition to be the year of Christ's birth. One can try to avoid any reference to Christ by using B.C.E. and C.E., but the numbers of the years still tell the story. If advocates of this change are really serious about avoiding all references to Christ, they will have to come up with a whole new numbering system for the years."

Toronto Becomes Terrorist Target

CBC News: Details emerging after 17 terror arrests in Toronto

It was only a matter of time before something like this happened. Praise the Lord for that common grace that enabled law enforcement to make these arrests prior to any destruction.

CNN's report is here.

UPDATE: The suspects have been identified in this CTV report. "The suspects are either second-generation Canadians or recently immigrated to Canada with their families. Sources claimed the men have no connection to al Qaeda, but were allegedly inspired by militant Islamic groups."

Darrin Brooker... my friend.

Dear Darrin,

I send you my condolences and trust you will be feeling better in a few short months. So close and yet so far. What a shame. I am with you in your pain, brother.

Sincerely,

Paul

J.C.Ryle Quote - What Fallen Man Does Not Understand About Sin

Thanks to Johnny Farese for this quote:

The deaf man cannot distinguish between a penny whistle and a cathedral organ. The very animals whose smell is most offensive to us have no idea that they are offensive, and are not offensive to one another.

And man -- fallen man, I believe, can have no idea what a vile thing sin is in the sight of God whose handiwork is absolutely perfect -- perfect whether we look through a telescope or microscope; perfect in the formation of a mighty planet like Jupiter, with his satellites, keeping time to a second as he rolls round the sun; perfect in the formation of the smallest insect that crawls over a foot of ground.

But let us nevertheless settle it firmly in our minds that sin is "the abominable thing that God hates"; that God is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and cannot look upon that which is evil; that the least transgression of Gods law makes us "guilty of all"; that "the soul that sinneth shall die", that the wages of sin is death"; that God shall "judge the secrets of men"; "that there is a worm that never dies, and a fire that is not quenched"; "that the wicked shall be turned into hell," and "shall go away into everlasting punishment", and that "nothing that defiles shall in any way enter heaven". (Jer. 44:4, Hab.1:13; Jas. 2:10, Ezek. 18:4; Rom.6:23; 2:16; Mark 9:44; Ps 9:17; Matt 25:46; Rev.21:27.) Thes are indeed tremendous words, when we consider that they are written in the book of the most merciful God!

Dever Speaks Out on Gender Issue

Together for the Gospel:

"'Well then' you might say 'why don't you leave this issue of complementarianism at the level of baptism or church polity? Surely you cooperate with those who disagree with you on such matters.' Because, though I could be wrong, it is my best and most sober judgment that this position [of egalitarianism] is effectively an undermining of--a breach in--the authority of Scripture. As Lig the paedo-baptist has often said 'If there were a verse in I Timothy saying 'I do not permit an infant to be baptized . . .' we wouldn't be having this conversation about baptism! There is such a verse about women serving as teacher/elders!'"

Men Don't Listen - Part IV

Part I is here.

Part II is here.

Part III is here.

Wise Men Learn to Speak Words of Life to Their Brothers

Once he has pondered the words he has heard, the wise man sets out to speak (by God’s grace) the words of life:

• Proverbs 10:11 “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”
• Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”
• Proverbs 25:11-14 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.”

Many of us have been blessed to know one or two folks that always seem to have the right thing to say at the right time. If you read much history from the Great Awakening, you will begin to notice the name John Newton over and over again. As the years wore on, Newton became known for his choice words.

When Henry Martyn was considering mission work to India, he paid Newton a visit and confessed to him his fear of the great opposition he would most certainly meet with in the endeavour. Newton replied with choice words that included a statement to the effect that "Satan will not love you for what you are about to do." Then the old pastor simply prayed for the missionary-designate.

Those words of life helped to bring the Gospel of Life to India.

• Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

• Ephesians 4:29-32 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
  
  
• Romans 15:14 “I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.”

We need more words of life in the church and in our homes. Too often we men spout off instant cures and quick fixes and miss our opportunities to speak to the heart of our wives, children, and church family.

We need to discipline our ears to think of people's words as windows into their heart. As we ask deliberate questions, don't retreat from awkward places, listen with our minds and choose our words to fit what we see, we will be used by God (in His grace) to speak words of life to sin-parched souls.

Save your speaking to the end - and make every word count.