Green Bible (nrsv) (QuakerBooks)
April Fools?
(HT: Challies)
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Whitefield, Godliness and Your Television
I am re-reading Dallimore’s masterpiece, George Whitefield: The Life and Times of the Great Evangelist of the 18th Century Revival. The first time I read this work, it was almost too much for me. My takes on evangelism, godliness, sacrifice, endurance, ministry, work and faith were all shattered.
Half way through volume one I am newly impressed with the godliness of Whitefield and those who laboured with him. Page after page speaks of nights spent in prayer, seasons of almost tangible closeness to God and their hard striving after true fellowship with the real God. They trained for godliness and perhaps none so much as George Whitefield.
I get the feeling he would not have watched a lot of television.
I watched some DVD’s the other night. I was excited to do so. I was “ready” for a break and some entertainment. (I generally only “get” to watch something 2 or 3 nights a week.) But the day after brought a tough realization. Not only had I wasted a lot of time, but I had trained my mind for sensuality.
Maybe nobody else experiences this when they watch television, but I find that its promise of smooth, effortless happiness is deceptive. Rarely does TV keep its promise. And if it does, it tends to add two other things.
First, there is the obvious slipping in of sin that almost without exception accompanies anything good we might watch. Adultery is justified, immorality exalted, the Lord’s name used vainly and a host of other sins all nicely packaged in humour or mystery or a great story. Rarely does the devil force-feed sin.
Secondly, the promise of pleasure orients my heart to look for the same from the rest of life. My TV may turn off, but my desires for effortless happiness have been awakened. I want the rest of life to be like TV – flip the channel or switch the DVD if it’s boring or not satisfying and keep on doing so until I find that happiness.
So, I brought the DVD’s back to my friend and didn’t watch the TV last night.
And I am praying that my gracious God would not only forgive me for hours of life wasted in front of that box, but would enable me to train for godliness like never before.
Half way through volume one I am newly impressed with the godliness of Whitefield and those who laboured with him. Page after page speaks of nights spent in prayer, seasons of almost tangible closeness to God and their hard striving after true fellowship with the real God. They trained for godliness and perhaps none so much as George Whitefield.
I get the feeling he would not have watched a lot of television.
I watched some DVD’s the other night. I was excited to do so. I was “ready” for a break and some entertainment. (I generally only “get” to watch something 2 or 3 nights a week.) But the day after brought a tough realization. Not only had I wasted a lot of time, but I had trained my mind for sensuality.
Maybe nobody else experiences this when they watch television, but I find that its promise of smooth, effortless happiness is deceptive. Rarely does TV keep its promise. And if it does, it tends to add two other things.
First, there is the obvious slipping in of sin that almost without exception accompanies anything good we might watch. Adultery is justified, immorality exalted, the Lord’s name used vainly and a host of other sins all nicely packaged in humour or mystery or a great story. Rarely does the devil force-feed sin.
Secondly, the promise of pleasure orients my heart to look for the same from the rest of life. My TV may turn off, but my desires for effortless happiness have been awakened. I want the rest of life to be like TV – flip the channel or switch the DVD if it’s boring or not satisfying and keep on doing so until I find that happiness.
So, I brought the DVD’s back to my friend and didn’t watch the TV last night.
And I am praying that my gracious God would not only forgive me for hours of life wasted in front of that box, but would enable me to train for godliness like never before.
Following atheist trend, Britons seek 'de-baptism'
Following atheist trend, Britons seek 'de-baptism'
In a sense, I appreciate the logic:
In a sense, I appreciate the logic:
Of course, rather than renouncing a non-faith, I would love to see these thousands repent of all sin and believe on Jesus Christ for salvation. That is when a baptism would really mean something!John Hunt, a 58-year-old from London and one of the first to try to be "de-baptised," held that he was too young to make any decision when he was christened at five months old.
The male nurse said he approached the Church of England to ask it to remove his name. "They said they had sought legal advice and that I should place an announcement in the London Gazette," said Hunt, referring to one of the official journals of record of the British government.
So that's what he did -- his notice of renouncement was published in the Gazette in May 2008 and other Britons have followed suit.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Discouraged
There was a time in Israel’s history when the king of Assyria was about to invade. He sent an envoy in advance to seek surrender and that mouthpiece, “the Rabshekah,” stood outside the walls of Jerusalem to taunt.
At the end of his speeches, the people were discouraged. Assyria was a tremendously powerful nation at the time, and lowly Jerusalem had little hope of withstanding her army. Death seemed certain.
Psychological warfare can be remarkably damaging. Just ask the Americans who served in Viet Nam. But the psychological war launched by the Rabshekah was a strong parallel to the war of words launched against every one of God’s children by our enemy, Satan.
Summarized, the Rabshekah said:
The battle in discouragement is to preach Truth to your heart.
Then we wait. Wait to see what God will do.
Do not be discouraged by lies, Christian. Preach, pray and wait – for the glory of God!
(See Isaiah 36-37)
At the end of his speeches, the people were discouraged. Assyria was a tremendously powerful nation at the time, and lowly Jerusalem had little hope of withstanding her army. Death seemed certain.
Psychological warfare can be remarkably damaging. Just ask the Americans who served in Viet Nam. But the psychological war launched by the Rabshekah was a strong parallel to the war of words launched against every one of God’s children by our enemy, Satan.
Summarized, the Rabshekah said:
- We are stronger than you.
- Your allies are broken and will of no help to you.
- Your own God is against you because of your sin.
- You will certainly fail.
- And even if He wanted to, your God is not strong enough to withstand me and help you.
- Give up.
The battle in discouragement is to preach Truth to your heart.
- God is the strongest.
- God will serve you through brothers and sisters in your church.
- God is not against you because of Christ.
- You will not fail.
- God can help you no matter what.
- Don’t give up!
Then we wait. Wait to see what God will do.
Do not be discouraged by lies, Christian. Preach, pray and wait – for the glory of God!
(See Isaiah 36-37)
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Poem: AN ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. MR. GEORGE WHITEFIELD.
From their days together at Oxford and throughout their earthly ministries, Charles Wesley and George Whitefield remained friends That friendship was tested at times due to their strong doctrinal differences and some of the actions of Charles’ brother, John, but by the two men remained friends and even saw that friendship grow much deeper in later life.
Wesley wrote a hymn concerning Whitefield and this following “elegy.” It is a long poem that essentially tells the life of the great evangelist. I will post the first part today with more to come!
Wesley wrote a hymn concerning Whitefield and this following “elegy.” It is a long poem that essentially tells the life of the great evangelist. I will post the first part today with more to come!
AN ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. MR. GEORGE WHITEFIELD.
And is my Whitefield entered into rest,
With sudden death, with sudden glory blest?
Left for a few sad moments here behind,
I bear his image on my faithful mind;
To future times the fair example tell
Of one who lived, of one who died, so well,
Pay the last office of fraternal love,
And then embrace my happier friend above.
O thou who didst, in our degenerate days,
This chosen vessel for thy glory raise, 10
My heart with my companion’s zeal inspire,
And touch my lips with the celestial fire,
That while thy servant’s labours I record,
Sinners may see, and magnify his Lord,
Bow to the saving name, and thankful own
The good on earth performed is wrought by God alone.
His sovereign grace vouchsafed a worm to choose,
The vessel fitting for the Master’s use:
God from the womb set for himself apart
A pastor fashioned after his own heart; 20
Infused the infant-wish, the warm desire,
To minister like that angelic choir,
And bade his simple soul to heaven aspire.
Awed, and delighted with a God unknown,
By glimpses of his face led gently on,
The powerful, sweet attraction he pursued,
And feared the crowd, and sighed for solitude;
His sins and wants in secret to declare,
Or wait for blessings in the house of prayer,
Devotion by the altar-fire to raise, 30
And join the first-born church in solemn songs of praise.
But now the Lord, who sends by whom he will,
Ready his own great purpose to fulfil,
Inclined the creature’s heart as passive clay,
And pointed out his providential way
To learning’s seats, for piety designed,
For knowledge sound, with pure religion joined,
Schools of the prophets’ sons, and well employed,
When training servants for the courts of God.
’Twas there he dared his father’s God pursue, 40
Associating with the derided few,
(Who, newly started in the Christian race,
Were blindly following after righteousness,
Outcasts of men, and fools for Jesus’ sake!)
He longed their glorious scandal to partake,
Courageously took up the shameful cross,
And suffering all things in the Saviour’s cause,
Vowed to renounce the world, himself deny,
And following on with them, with them to live and die.
Can I the memorable day forget, 50
When first we by divine appointment met?
Where undisturbed the thoughtful student roves,
In search of truth, through academic groves,
A modest, pensive youth, who mused alone,
Industrious the frequented path to shun,
An Israelite without disguise or art
I saw, I loved, and clasped him to my heart,
A stranger as my bosom-friend caressed,
And unawares received an angel-guest.
Marked for an angel of the church below, 60
Must he not first severe temptation know,
Fly from the flaming mount with guilty awe,
And quake to hear the thunders of the law,
Th’ accuser’s cruel buffetings sustain,
Still of unconquerable sin complain,
With cries, and tears that seemed to flow in vain?
Long in the fire, long in the desert tried,
He daily languished, and he daily died,
Long by the spirit of fear in prison bound,
Groaned for relief, yet no deliverance found; 70
Till quite forsaken both of man and God,
And fainting underneath corruption’s load,
His fastings, prayers, and struggles he gave o’er,
Sunk in despair, and gasped for help no more.
Then in the last extreme of hopeless grief,
Jesus appeared! And helped his unbelief,
Infused the faith which did his sins remove,
Assured his heart of God’s forgiving love,
And filled with glorious joy, the joy of saints above.
Who but the souls that savingly believe, 80
The raptures of a faithful soul conceive?
The joy unspeakable, the love unknown,
The peace he felt is understood by none,
By none but those who know their sins forgiven
Through God the Holy Ghost come down from heaven.
Born of the Spirit now, divinely led,
He hastes in his dear Saviour’s steps to tread,
Eager his faith’s sincerity to prove
By all the works of piety and love;
Fruits of repentance first, and legal fear, 90
They now the genuine marks of grace appear,
Their own superior principle maintain,
And justify his faith to God and man;
While list’ning to forlorn affliction’s cries,
Swift to assist on wings of love he flies,
Help to the sick, and needy prisoners gives,
And more than their external wants relieves;
Alarms the souls that sleep secure in sin,
Till urged the one great business they begin,
Instructs them how to ’scape the judgment nigh, 100
“Ye must be born again, or dead forever die!”
Nor let the scrup’lous sons of Levi fear
He thus invades the sacred character:
Thus every candidate should first be tried,
In doing good, in Jesus’ steps abide,
Then exercise aright the deacon’s powers,
Son to his church, as Whitefield was to ours.
Moved by the Holy Ghost to minister,
And serve his altar, in the house of prayer,
Though long resolved for God alone to live, 110
The outward call he trembled to receive,
Shrunk from the awful charge, so well prepared,
The gift by apostolic hands conferred,
And cried, with deep unfeigned humility,
“Send, Lord, by whom thou wilt, but send not me.”
With sudden death, with sudden glory blest?
Left for a few sad moments here behind,
I bear his image on my faithful mind;
To future times the fair example tell
Of one who lived, of one who died, so well,
Pay the last office of fraternal love,
And then embrace my happier friend above.
O thou who didst, in our degenerate days,
This chosen vessel for thy glory raise, 10
My heart with my companion’s zeal inspire,
And touch my lips with the celestial fire,
That while thy servant’s labours I record,
Sinners may see, and magnify his Lord,
Bow to the saving name, and thankful own
The good on earth performed is wrought by God alone.
His sovereign grace vouchsafed a worm to choose,
The vessel fitting for the Master’s use:
God from the womb set for himself apart
A pastor fashioned after his own heart; 20
Infused the infant-wish, the warm desire,
To minister like that angelic choir,
And bade his simple soul to heaven aspire.
Awed, and delighted with a God unknown,
By glimpses of his face led gently on,
The powerful, sweet attraction he pursued,
And feared the crowd, and sighed for solitude;
His sins and wants in secret to declare,
Or wait for blessings in the house of prayer,
Devotion by the altar-fire to raise, 30
And join the first-born church in solemn songs of praise.
But now the Lord, who sends by whom he will,
Ready his own great purpose to fulfil,
Inclined the creature’s heart as passive clay,
And pointed out his providential way
To learning’s seats, for piety designed,
For knowledge sound, with pure religion joined,
Schools of the prophets’ sons, and well employed,
When training servants for the courts of God.
’Twas there he dared his father’s God pursue, 40
Associating with the derided few,
(Who, newly started in the Christian race,
Were blindly following after righteousness,
Outcasts of men, and fools for Jesus’ sake!)
He longed their glorious scandal to partake,
Courageously took up the shameful cross,
And suffering all things in the Saviour’s cause,
Vowed to renounce the world, himself deny,
And following on with them, with them to live and die.
Can I the memorable day forget, 50
When first we by divine appointment met?
Where undisturbed the thoughtful student roves,
In search of truth, through academic groves,
A modest, pensive youth, who mused alone,
Industrious the frequented path to shun,
An Israelite without disguise or art
I saw, I loved, and clasped him to my heart,
A stranger as my bosom-friend caressed,
And unawares received an angel-guest.
Marked for an angel of the church below, 60
Must he not first severe temptation know,
Fly from the flaming mount with guilty awe,
And quake to hear the thunders of the law,
Th’ accuser’s cruel buffetings sustain,
Still of unconquerable sin complain,
With cries, and tears that seemed to flow in vain?
Long in the fire, long in the desert tried,
He daily languished, and he daily died,
Long by the spirit of fear in prison bound,
Groaned for relief, yet no deliverance found; 70
Till quite forsaken both of man and God,
And fainting underneath corruption’s load,
His fastings, prayers, and struggles he gave o’er,
Sunk in despair, and gasped for help no more.
Then in the last extreme of hopeless grief,
Jesus appeared! And helped his unbelief,
Infused the faith which did his sins remove,
Assured his heart of God’s forgiving love,
And filled with glorious joy, the joy of saints above.
Who but the souls that savingly believe, 80
The raptures of a faithful soul conceive?
The joy unspeakable, the love unknown,
The peace he felt is understood by none,
By none but those who know their sins forgiven
Through God the Holy Ghost come down from heaven.
Born of the Spirit now, divinely led,
He hastes in his dear Saviour’s steps to tread,
Eager his faith’s sincerity to prove
By all the works of piety and love;
Fruits of repentance first, and legal fear, 90
They now the genuine marks of grace appear,
Their own superior principle maintain,
And justify his faith to God and man;
While list’ning to forlorn affliction’s cries,
Swift to assist on wings of love he flies,
Help to the sick, and needy prisoners gives,
And more than their external wants relieves;
Alarms the souls that sleep secure in sin,
Till urged the one great business they begin,
Instructs them how to ’scape the judgment nigh, 100
“Ye must be born again, or dead forever die!”
Nor let the scrup’lous sons of Levi fear
He thus invades the sacred character:
Thus every candidate should first be tried,
In doing good, in Jesus’ steps abide,
Then exercise aright the deacon’s powers,
Son to his church, as Whitefield was to ours.
Moved by the Holy Ghost to minister,
And serve his altar, in the house of prayer,
Though long resolved for God alone to live, 110
The outward call he trembled to receive,
Shrunk from the awful charge, so well prepared,
The gift by apostolic hands conferred,
And cried, with deep unfeigned humility,
“Send, Lord, by whom thou wilt, but send not me.”
Monday, March 09, 2009
LIVE! Registrations for Toronto Pastors Conference are OPEN
Great news!
You can now register for TPC '09 online! And even better news, there is a short "early bird special" available until March 27. Go to www.torontopastors.org and follow the links on the right side of page. All the info is right there.
You can now register for TPC '09 online! And even better news, there is a short "early bird special" available until March 27. Go to www.torontopastors.org and follow the links on the right side of page. All the info is right there.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Pastor - Keep Your Eyes Open
Great news! After a small delay (caused not in part by my recent illness) we plan to launch the online registration page for the Toronto Pastors Conference on Monday, March 9.
You will be able to make hotel arrangements, billeting, and lots of other stuff all from one page! And there will be a special discount offered for early bird registrations... valid until March 27!
So, be sure and keep your eye on torontopastors.org on Monday... or watch for an update here.
More news: Not only will Mark Dever be delivering a number of our 7 sessions, but we are thrilled to announce that Matt Schmucker, director of 9Marks, will be taking some as well. Toronto gets the cream of the crop!
You will be able to make hotel arrangements, billeting, and lots of other stuff all from one page! And there will be a special discount offered for early bird registrations... valid until March 27!
So, be sure and keep your eye on torontopastors.org on Monday... or watch for an update here.
More news: Not only will Mark Dever be delivering a number of our 7 sessions, but we are thrilled to announce that Matt Schmucker, director of 9Marks, will be taking some as well. Toronto gets the cream of the crop!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Things I Will Never Understand #502
Why do you think it permissible to honk at me from your puddle-avoiding, sparkling-clean Hummer when you are driving on my side of the road?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Shouldn't PETA Call This Murder?
The Associated Press: Huge chimp shot dead after mauling woman in Conn.:
"HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A highly trained 200-pound chimpanzee who once starred in TV commercials for Old Navy and Coca-Cola was shot dead by police after a violent rampage that left a friend of its owner badly mauled.
Sandra Herold, the owner of the 15-year-old chimp named Travis, wrestled with the animal after it inexplicably attacked her friend Monday when the visitor got out of her car in front of Herold's home.
'She retrieved a large butcher knife and stabbed her longtime pet numerous times in an effort to save her friend, who was really being brutally attacked,' said Stamford police Capt. Richard Conklin."
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Two More Reasons to Like John Piper
Meet John Piper:
"When you finish a book, what system have you developed in order to remember and reference that book in the future?
I index books as I read them, by writing short notes in the front of the book with page numbers beside them. In a good book there may be over a hundred such notes.
Currently, what sport do you like to play and/or watch?
I enjoy watching gymnastics, soccer, basketball, and football, in that order. If my back weren’t so stiff I would love to play racquetball. When our staff goes away we play volleyball and floor hockey."
"When you finish a book, what system have you developed in order to remember and reference that book in the future?
I index books as I read them, by writing short notes in the front of the book with page numbers beside them. In a good book there may be over a hundred such notes.
Currently, what sport do you like to play and/or watch?
I enjoy watching gymnastics, soccer, basketball, and football, in that order. If my back weren’t so stiff I would love to play racquetball. When our staff goes away we play volleyball and floor hockey."
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