Recent Posts
God? Who Needs Him?May 31, 2013
Self-sufficient humanism. Paul saw it coming – “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Imago Dei
September 12, 2012
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Why Can't I Pray?
August 18, 2012
The bible gives us several reasons, but according to Jeremy Taylor, a deceitful heart is at the root of prayerlessness.
It's Not Rocket Science
July 23, 2012
To keep in step with the Spirit should be our daily quest. And if we are successful at that, all of life falls into place.
Theological Steak
April 10, 2012
These words by P. T. Forsythe on the magnificence of Christ's work are to theology what Ruth's Chris is to a good steak.
Describing the Indescribable
February 11, 2012
What we have in Christ will take all eternity to describe. But for one segment of one sermon, a great preacher made a mighty attempt.
Making Sense Of It All
January 30, 2012
Where are things headed? Is there rhyme and reason to the endless cycle of summer, fall, winter and spring? Is there a plan in place, or is randomness the explanation?
Happy, Happy, Happy
January 4, 2012
The declaration of independence holds up the pursuit of happiness as a right. Did you ever consider the reading the bible might be the one source that will never let you down?It's unfortunate that George Mueller is not a household name, considering all the good he did for thousands of parentless children on the streets of London in the middle of the 19th century.
The orphanages that God raised up through Mueller's faith were started with only two shillings (50 cents) but as he prayed - believe it or not without making his needs known - slowly but surely the buildings were built to feed and house orphans for sixty years.
How did this happen, you ask? Curiously, Mueller credits his habit of scripture reading.
I believe that the one chief reason that I have been kept in happy useful service is that I have been a lover of Holy Scripture.
It has been my habit to read the Bible through four times a year; in a prayerful spirit, to apply it to my heart, and practice what I find there. I have been for sixty-nine years a happy man; happy, happy, happy."
Forget four times. Try once in 2012. Baby steps. Here are some questions to keep you focused and to increase your understanding of what you are reading.
1. What do these words actually mean?
2. What light do other scriptures through on this text? Where and how does it fit in the total biblical revelation?
3. What truths does it teach about God, and about man in relation to God?
4. How are these truths related to the saving work of Christ, and what light does the gospel of Christ throw on them?
5. What experiences do these truths delineate, or explain, or seek to create or cure? For what practical purpose do they stand in Scripture?
6. How do they apply to myself and others in our own actual situation? To what present human condition do they speak, and what are they telling us to believe and do?
From A QUEST FOR GODLINESS by J. I. Packer, page 105
It Is Necessarily So!
July 24, 2010
The Bible has always had its detractors, but for the last hundred years there has been an unprecedented attack mounted against it. The death blow has failed, but not for lack of trying.Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Psalm 119:89
Among other things, it's mock-proof.
The broadcaster Daniel Schorr has died at 93. Apparently while attending a Frank Zappa concert, he was called up on stage and invited to sing. In a performance worthy of American Idol's worst auditions - you know, the people who think they are singers, but aren't - he crooned the song IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO, by George and Ira Gershwin.
Not being familiar with the song (from PORGY AND BESS) a quick Google search brought up this.....
It ain't necessarily so
It ain't necessarily so
The t'ings dat yo' li'ble
To read in de Bible,
It ain't necessarily so.
Li'l David was small, but oh my !
Li'l David was small, but oh my !
He fought Big Goliath
Who lay down an' dieth !
Li'l David was small, but oh my !
You get the idea? Let's just mock the Bible. A Youtube clip shows the singer holding the Bible in his hand, sneering derisively, heaping scorn on a woman who unquestioningly trusted the words written there.
Other verses include......
Well, it ain't necessarily so
Well, it ain't necessarily so
Dey tells all you chillun
De debble's a villun,
But it ain't necessarily so !
To get into Hebben
Don' snap for a sebben !
Live clean ! Don' have no fault !
Oh, I takes dat gospel
Whenever it's pos'ble,
But wid a grain of salt.
And then Ira and George show their true agenda - this is their sermon.
I'm preachin' dis sermon to show,
It ain't nece-ain't nece
Ain't nece-ain't nece
Ain't necessarily ... so !
If Francis Quarles (1592-1644) were in the same room with the Gershwin brothers, he might read them some "lyrics" of his own, to warn them of the consequences when the Bible is not taken seriously.
ON GOD’S WORD
Francis Quarles
God’s sacred Word is like the Lamp of Day,
Which softens wax,
but makes obdure (hardens) the clay.
It either melts the Heart, or more obdures (stiffens).
In never falls in vain,
It wounds, or cures.
Lord, make my breast thy Hive, and then I know,
Thy bees will bring in Wax and honey too.
I know which effect I want the Bible to have on me. Lord, soften my heart.
When Heartburn Is A Good Thing
July 14, 2010
For the Christian, the danger is when the mind understands, but the heart does not follow. Certain death will follow if the situation is not remedied. But there is a remedy.
The Book Of Books
May 21, 2010
Sixty-six individual books, but one theme, really - God, and his purposes in history. The beginning is there, so is the ending, and everything inbetween. What's more, it's all true.
Whatever We Ask....
August 6, 2009
"Well done, good and faithful servant" will ring throughout the heavens someday as millions receive their reward. This much we know. Our own energy will have produced nothing worth rewarding. But in God's power? Now that's a different story.
When Spurgeon Saw The Light
March 13, 2009
The story of Gideon amazes us. 300 men accomplished the unthinkable. God loves to do amazing things, especially when there is no other explanation. The conversion of Charles H. Spurgeon is such a wonder. Enjoy this hilarious retelling by the man himself.
The Bible and Yadayadayada
February 4, 2009
There was a time in the Old Testament when, while cleaning out the Temple, a "book" was found. People began reading it, and before long, the city of Jerusalem was repenting! Only one book has such power - God's word, the Bible.
Flawless
January 11, 2009
The Bible has come under intense scrutiny for more than a hundred years, and Satan has done all he can to discredit it. Consequently, it lies unopened and collecting dust on many a bookshelf. But it is a treasure of hope nonetheless.
The Saving Power Of God's Word
January 3, 2009
The 66 books of the Bible, the old and the new testaments, are the word of God to us. And it will take all eternity to hear the stories of how God has used specific verses to convict and to save. But it will be a delight to hear.
Saintly Resolutions: GEORGE BOWEN
January 1, 2009
Who? It was said of him,"He was all soul, and you can't photograph the soul nor describe it as you know it to exist." Missionary, scholar, mystic, saint. Quite a resume. So what advice does he give us at the turning of a new year?
The Only Authentic Truth Syrum
December 25, 2008
Your truth, my truth. That doesn't work very well, does it. God has a truth, and it is the word of God, scripture, the Bible, the holy book. No matter what you call it, it is his word to us. And we need it now more than ever.
Go Away And Leave Me Alone!
December 13, 2008
This world is enemy territory, and Satan fights for every inch. And the biggest threat to him are Christians who take the word of God as just that, the word of God, and seek to live by that word, knowing that to be the path of greatest happiness.
"Now Where Was I?"
October 27, 2008
No preacher would deliberately set out to confuse the listener. But some sermons wind up doing just that. Once in a cul-de-sac, the only way out is to turn around. How can we avoid that altogether?
Detecting Slippage
October 21, 2008
This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. Isaiah 66:2
What's Your News Source?
October 19, 2008
Newspapers are myopic. Who, where, when, how. The why is not so easy. Yes, online news is faster, but scripture alone gives us the big picture, giving us a framework of God's plan that calms our souls, reassuring us that the end is in God's hands.
Anybody Seen My Bible?
October 3, 2008
We can read anything and everything before we sit down and read the one source of truth that doesn't lie - God's word, the Bible. Which is crazy, because only scripture gives us the spiritual nutrients we need to run the race of faith.
Every Wind of Doctrine
October 1, 2008
Ever since the Fall, purity must be on the lookout for potential impurities. What we believe to be true about God is vulnerable to strong and destructive forces. It's no wonder that Paul warned Timothy to "watch your life and doctrine closely."
Who Needs Theology? We Do!
October 1, 2008
When did doctrine become a dirty word? It smacks of something fixed, and we love our freedom, even when it comes to who God is, and what He is up to. But we will rue the day that we force it to the back of the bus.
God's Map - Theology
September 28, 2008
During the Middle Ages, theology was referred to as the Queen of the Sciences." But more lately it has been in a steady freefall. Just what has been lost? According ot C. S. Lewis, we have lost our map. And that spells trouble.
What Follows The Sermon?
July 8, 2008
The sermon runs long, people are looking at their watches, the parking lot attendents are nervous about getting people in and out, and the temptation is to end the service with a quick benediction. Lancelot Andrewes says that to fail to pray is to fail.
You And God's Word
July 8, 2008
"A calm hour with God is worth a whole lifetime with man." Andrew Murray M'Cheyne
Everybody Praise
July 7, 2008
Every living soul belongs to me. Ezekiel 18:4
Boasting In The Cross
July 5, 2008
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Isaac Watts
God and Ishmael - The Jury Is Out
July 5, 2008
God has great plans for Jesus. Namely, He has been exalted to the highest place, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE should bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
Bible Reading and Heart Change
June 19, 2008
Ever just "put in your time" reading God's Word? Something inside you says that there is more to be had. How can we maximize our time with God in His Holy Word? The Puritan Thomas Watson has come good advice.
