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.

Adrian's Blog: Mark Driscoll Defines Reformission

Adrian's Blog: Mark Driscoll Defines Reformission

Adrian Warnock links to this good quote from Mark Driscoll on defining missional.

"...a radical call to reform the church's traditionally flawed view of missions as something carried out in foreign lands, and to focus instead on the urgent need in our own neighborhoods, which are filled with diverse cultures of Americans who desperately need the Gospel of Jesus and life in his Church"

Here is what puzzles me about all of this.

So many respond to Driscoll's words as if they are completely novel. In my own experience, I have always been a part of churches that are very active in pursuing the lost souls around them and around the globe. I am sure every one of those churches would say they see ways in which they could do both of those things better, but to suggest that they were unconcerned or oblivious to the diverse cultures around them would be silly.

It is in that sense that I don't see much that is "radical" or in need of "reform." I understand that many churches in broader evangelicalism may find befriending ones neighbour with the express purpose of preaching Christ to them as novel. And I suppose that is to whom Driscoll is directing his comments. But I think he makes the error that so many make within the emergent camp also - a form of backlash against their own experience. The trouble with reacting like this is that it writes off whole sections of the church that have been "missional" for centuries.

If there was less painting up of this stuff as the "newest and best thing since sliced bread..."
Less "do this or you are not in...."
More careful research into groups and sub-groups within evangelicalism that are essentially missional even if they have never heard that word....
More reflection on historical churches and denominations that practiced local and worldwide evangelism....
I think the whole concept would gain a wider audience and have more effect for good.

We don't need new ideas, we need the practice of Biblical ones.

Movies and Evangelicals...

USATODAY.com - Evangelicals miss the big picture:

"So what do evangelicals want from Hollywood anyway? Help converting the masses? If so, movies don't seem as if they're the most effective forum. Despite all the evangelistic hype for The Passion, a survey by The Barna Group showed that less than one-tenth of 1% of those who saw the movie accepted Jesus Christ as their savior as a result of seeing the film. Likewise, don't expect a jump in the size of the gay population because of Brokeback Mountain, however much it might foster the national conversation."

Men Don't Listen - Part III

Part I is here.

Part II is here.

Wise Men Listen Carefully Before Answering

1) Fools spout off before they have heard everything...

• Proverbs 18:2 “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,but only in expressing his opinion.”
• Proverbs 18:13 “If one gives an answer before he hears,it is his folly and shame.”
• James 1:19 “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger”

2) Wise men understand that there is almost always more to the issue than just what is presented:

• Proverb 14:15 “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.”

3) Wise men seek to dive into the deep waters of a brother’s heart and draw out the real issues of life:

• Proverbs 18:4 “The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.”
• Proverbs 20:5 “The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.”

I would suggest that in our culture this “drawing out” most often involves asking questions of the person we are talking with. When is the last time someone asked you personal questions beyond a surface level and actually dug deep into your life? For many of us, this may not have happened for months or years.

I am often shocked by how few people will simply ask questions of others. I have been in group settings for hours where not one person has asked me anything past "name, rank and serial number." Men are quite excellent at this and most often with their wives and children.

I think you need to think of relationships like fishing (and I HATE fishing - sorry, Ruminator!)... but one way to love people is to fish around their souls. You will have to drop a few lines, may lose some bait, perhaps have to wait hours, may catch nothing... but you stay at it.

How many dads have given up on teens that "won't talk?"

Maybe they would if you tried a little harder and waited a little longer?

4) Finally, the wise man tests what is said against the Truth of the Word – not against his experiences or gut feelings – and thinks of what Truth might apply to this brother in this time:

• Proverbs 15:28 “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.”