Tuesday Quick Quote

“That very church which the world likes best is sure to be that which God abhors.” 
― Charles Haddon Spurgeon


Wise words indeed when so many want to make the unchurched comfortable by embracing a  seeker sensitive style of worship. 

Monday Musings

Just a few thoughts to start the week . The first concerns the Oscars . I don't watch them unless a film I really loved is up for the big prizes . So the last time I even paid attention was 2004 when LOTR: Return of the King won an amazing 11 awards. But as I was reading about the I came upon this quote from the host , Billy Crystal. I think it really puts the whole affair into perspective I think.


“Enjoy yourselves, because nothing can take the sting of the world’s economic problems like watching millionaires present each other with golden statues.” Billy Crystal  


Next as I was reading different news items it is really apparent , that the normalization of sinful sexual behaviours  within our society is really taking root.  To hold to a biblical view of sexuality is seen as backwards , out of touch and by many as hateful . From more and more couples living together , to pre - marital sex , the whole homosexuality debate , these issues are going to confront Christians who  hold to their convictions. We must be prepared to answer and brave enough to stand . This is the one area in the west that real persecution will come , mark my words.

Lastly , I was reading that apparently Richard Dawkins , one of the loudest voices of the new Atheism , has said that there might be a very slight chance that a "God " might exist. I guess its only less than a percentage point but does that make him a agnostic now. It must be hard for him to suppress the truth daily given how often he has been exposed to the gospel truth in all his debates and exchanges with Christians. May we pray God will break his stone heart and reveal the grace of Christ in his life .

Thursday Follies

Oh the memories! I was only about 4 years old when I recall tuning into CBC and watching the Caped Crusader fight crime. It was colourful , with its bam , zonk and pow fights. Spending time with the Batman transformed me into the pretend fighter , making my own mask , putting a towel around my neck for the cape . Man I was the coolest . It doesn't hold up very well of course compared to the new , intense and uber serious Dark Knight but for a little boy , it was the best . Still has the retro fun factor.

The Two Johns

If I was to recommend to a new Christian a couple of Pastors to read and listen to , they would be the 2 Johns . Both John Piper and John MacArthur have had long and fruitful ministries. Both have Pastored their Churches faithfully for over 30 years and the influence has been wide sweeping. They have been the backbone to many discovering the distinctives of reformed theology form a baptist , evangelical perspective .

Both their websites offer a depth of teaching which spans the years of solid preaching and teaching. The sermon wealth is deep and will lead you into solid doctrine .

If I were to suggest which books to pick up and read I would suggest Ashamed of the Gospel by MacArthur and Desiring God by Piper . They are solid introductions to both the mens writing styles and will give a feel for their strong dedication to the gospel and firm defence of God's revealed word .
Both these men have laboured faithfully for the Lord over these years and we have been richer for it .

Quick Quote

J.C Ryle  on the total depravity and corruption of the human nature. 


“The corruption of human nature is no slight thing. It is no partial, skin-deep disease, but a radical and universal corruption of man’s will, intellect, affections, and conscience. We are not merely poor and pitiable sinners in God’s sight: we are guilty sinners; we are blameworthy sinners: we deserve justly God’s wrath and God’s condemnation. I believe there are very few errors and false doctrines of which the beginning may not be traced up to unsound views about the corruption of human nature. Wrong views of a disease will always bring with them wrong views of the remedy. Wrong views of the corruption of human nature will always carry with them wrong views of the grand treatment and cure of that corruption.”

Monday Musings

Just the other day I listened to a brief podcast  Pastor David Platt concerning the truth and nature of hell. Briefly he touched on the nature , conscious  reality of eternal torment and the fact that from the lips of Jesus Christ , the doctrine of eternal punishment has its deepest revelation. It was a truly sober and somber listen. You cannot encounter this teaching without coming away a bit shaken. If you can , then you do not understand the scripture or have some of the biggest blinders on in the world .

So many times within many Churches today the doctrine of hell and the wrath of God is completely ignored or not even touched. You have certain type of "preachers" who will smile and tell you God has a wonderful plan for your life and you will not hear the words repent ,the cross, hell ,wrath etc... these words never leave their lips.

But the reality is there is a hell , wrath is being revealed and one day Jesus Christ will pour out the wrath of God on all who are enemies of God on that last day.

This should shake us , stir us and move us to pray with more fire and earnestness .  It should brake our hearts for those we know do not confess Jesus as Lord . It must loosen our lips to proclaim the gospel and tell of God's grace of the gospel found in Jesus . Plus it must awaken the need for both local and global missions .

When scripture tells us to redeem our time for the days are evil , may we heed this and realize we must wake up from our sleep and comforts .

Thursday Follies Oops

I forgot to put up my fun clip for Thursday so here it is . Two of my favorite things growing up , the Muppet Show and Bob Hope. How can one go wrong. Enjoy.

Now What ?

Yesterday I commented on the concept of seeing the actual working out of Darwinism  displayed for all to see in the sinking of the luxury liner that has been in the news . It was not a pretty sight.

So if one is going to live by the motto "there is no God " then what is one to do with this very brief and fleeting life.  I have commented in the past but after reading the events that occurred it really brings it into focus. If there is no God there is no reason to search for purpose but each moment we live should be dominated by 2 main driving forces. 

These would be power and pleasure . Power to dominate and subdue all who stand in your way so that you may achieve maximum amount of pleasure . If there is no reason to worry about a future judgement , then whatever actions I take , which have no moral value anyway , to fulfil those goals should be pursued. If it means to survive by pushing the weak aside to get to the lifeboat , so be it . By taking God out of the picture , we are left with a chilling world view which will have drastic consequences . 

In Romans it clearly tells us the judgement has already began , that God's wrath is being poured out by giving people over to their lust . So when I read of the cruelty and selfishness displayed in events like this ship , I see the actions of the men as God handing them over to thier own desires .

That is where we all would be if it were not for God's love and grace.

Living Out What We Have Been Taught

The story of the Luxury liner that went aground and tipped over submerging a large portion of the ship has had much press. The focus on how the captain abounded ship and the refused to go back on and help with rescue efforts . He has earned the title chicken of the sea. But more details have been emerging about how men where forcing themselves past women and children to get to the lifeboats. Stories of bribing staff to get on the lifeboats . Plus the fact that the majority of those that went missing where the weakest . Women , the youngest a little girl only 5 , the aged , perished and I think its a result of what a happens when evolutionary theory is ingrained into our consciousness.

Within the very core of this theory is the survival of the fittest . That those who are the strong will over power the weak to survive. Within this theory , this is seen as beneficial for the survival of the species. If humans are evolved , walking ooze then why would we even care if those aboard this ship couldn't make it . Who we think we are has consequences in how we will live. With any idea of humans being created in the image of God and the call of God to men to be protectors , providers and defend the weak rejected by the preaching of Dawkins , Hitchens and the like , are we surprised at the outcome. You could call this the ultimate form of bullying. But then again if I can bully another into submission , so what . Sooner or later I will be the one overcome by one bigger , stronger . That is the natural outworking of Darwinistic thinking.

If we believe in the God revealed in the Bible , then how we react in these types of crisis should be different. I'm not saying that an atheist would not sacrifice himself for the greater good , but in my view he  acts contrary to any idea within his world-view of any greater good. All one has to do is look at the Titanic and see overall how the Judeo - Christian world view effected how many men acted .

Quick Quote

Tuesday will be quote day . It will feature a saying , scripture verse , song , poem and may or not have a little comment about what was posted.  Hope they will inform and edify .

 "The Bible tells us to love our neighbours , and also to love our enemies : probably because they are generally the same people ."    G.K Chesterton .

Monday Musings

At our Church one of the Sunday Electives that I have been participating in is called Dare to Ask. The premise is dealing with questions people within our Church want to have answered . So far we have dealt with the Bible , Evolution , is the God of the Old Testament the same as the New Testament and yesterday we began to look at Islam .

This has been a great class so far and one that I truly believe is desperately needed. As our culture becomes more hostile and openly so against Christianity , those of us that are disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ need to be able and capable to defend the faith in which we have placed our eternal hope in. With so many conflicting and competing world views as well , the Church must not bunker down and hide within our walls , hoping that the big bad world would just go away.

A good soldier should never be thrown into a combat zone or situation without the proper training and knowledge to fight well . But in many cases those who have been in Church and called themselves Christian , cannot even give a basic defence or a description of the gospel. I believe there faith is sincere , that they truly want to serve the Lord but are lacking in real depth. My Nan , on my mothers side , was a clear example of this. She read her Bible , attended Church , prayed , did all the right things but I recall having conversations with her over very basic things like the  gospel , hell , evil etc.. and she was weak in understanding any of those doctrines . It left her in despair at times and she truly suffered for it .

Who is to blame for her and many others just like her ? The blame needs to be laid at the feet of those who have been called to shepherd the flock . They are called to protect , to serve , to teach , to preach , to exhort , to rebuke and defend . Is is not the job for a wimp . But from what I have observed in many situations within my area , the shepherding of Jesus sheep has been performed by hirelings more than men of God who are true shepherds . There have been true Pastors no question , but by and large this has not been the case.

That is why I love helping with the class at my local Church. Over all I hold we have a good group of Pastors who truly want to see the flock grow in depth and knowledge .  The whole idea with the electives is to bring a deeper understanding in what they believe and why they believe it. To supplement and help people grow, planting  deep roots in the faith .

We need to labour and teach each other so we can stand and defend our Lord . Its not a call for the wimp or the compromiser but one who will take up their cross and follow Jesus daily. Nuff said.

Four Basic Things

What would you say are the four real basic things that would at the very least  testify that one is a Christian ?

My basic four are as such .

1. One moves from a indifference  or an abstract thought of God to a real sense of His being and presence in the world and ones own life. That God comes alive in the person of Jesus Christ . Jesus is loved as your Lord and Savior . Also with this new found understanding of God , ones admission of ones own sinfulness , hell bound deserving nature apart from the blood of Jesus that cleanses of from our sins , will be acknowledged.

2. A love and hunger to learn about God by reading,studying and cherishing His word , the Bible. What before was some book book , bound in leather sitting on a shelf or in a remote corner , becomes the most precious possession you lay your hands on. You delight in reading the Bible . Spending time in God's word shows that one loves and wants to know God . Anyone who calls themselves a Christian but never opens the Bible , is like a man that says he loves his wife while he lives a million miles away , committing adultery with other women. If you love someone , you want to spend time with them .

3. Gathering together with other Christians in a local Bible believing  Church to worship and becoming a member. It has been said , one doesn't need to go to Church to be a believer , and that is true but at the same time , I would argue , one who doesn't want to gather to worship the Lord with fellow believers , better question the motives of their hearts that keep them away. It is very clear from the New Testament that local Church involvement is critical to the healthy life of any believer. Christ died for His bride , He loves His Church , should we not also love her as well. It has been said  , you cannot have God as your Father , if you don't have the Church as your mother. There is truth in that saying.

4. Ones affections should start to change. In other words , how you act ,behave and conduct yourself in all matters of life will start being conformed to the image of Christ. What one saw as harmless or not sin , will be sinful . In very practical terms , what one watches , listens to and reads will be affected. You will begin to fight your tongue and its ability to lie ,swear and deceive . You will be in war with your old sinful nature and you will know  it. With this new affection for the things of God , one will desire to kill the old man and hunger for righteousness. One will grow , sometimes with many a pitfall but if one is truly born again , because the Holy Spirit lives within you , one will persevere and fight on . Always trusting and looking at Jesus as our only hope in completing the pilgrimage in front of us .

Much more could said of each one I have listed but if one calls themselves a Christian and all of these are lacking , you better check your self in because my friend , you are deluded. Nuff said.

Monday Musings

This will become another feature on the blog each Monday. Basically it will be a thought or numerous single comments and commentaries about something that has jumped into my mind or another that I may quote.  So lets jump into the musing mind if you will .

Apparently in the new movie The Grey , which I have not seen , the lead character is crying out to God to show him some sign or confirmation He is there and He will help. Now the context is this man has been stranded in the north with other rough neckers , after a plane crash that killed many of them . They have been stalked by wolves , pounded by the elements . Plus we see in the past that this man has lost his wife to cancer. His disillusionment is evident at "God" , as he screams out at the tree tops and snow around him. Of course in the movie the only sound he hears or sign he see's  is the sound of wind whistling through the grey sky painted with tree that sway in the wind. Death has been the constant stalker , be is the crash , the elements , the wolves or disease. It is all he can see and after his confrontation , he basically says , fine , I will do it myself.


But as I was reading about this scene , I thought wait a minute . Its not as if God is removed from the suffering. When Jesus Christ , the second person of the trinity came , He clothed himself with humility and human flesh. He was tempted in all ways as we are , but completely sinless . He knew hunger , He knew loss and He was intimate with suffering. Instead of this man crying out to a grey sky , if he had fixed his eyes on the cross , then the grey skies would have been pulled away , he would have seen himself as a hostage to sin and death but that a cross took that away . The blood , the broken body buried and that third day when Jesus rose form that tomb ,  declared victory that we are given , by His grace , over the wages of sin and death. Its not that God hasn't answered man , He has . Its just that we are dead in sin and hate Him . So we scream at Him , while he take delight in Him crucified , we rail and spit just like the Jews and the Romans did .

But God in His mercy ,  by His grace , even while we are screaming at Him , opens our dead hearts . At that moment instead of yelling , our voice turns to laments of forgive me a sinner , undeserving of your love . The grey turns to light and the brilliant beauty and majesty of Christ embraces and surrounds us . We are not alone in death or suffering or anything . God is indeed with us .


For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

(1 Peter 3:18 ESV)

My Goofy Day

Thursday is going to be my "goofy day" from now on. It will feature a fun song , a clip or something that I hope will make one simply smile. Isn't it cool how God gave us the gift of laughter and a smile.

Anyway , this cute little song opened the Muppet Movie . I still recall , sitting in the Paramount Movie Theater in Kentville ,N.S in 1979 with my 1st cousin Greg ( more like a brother to me really) waiting for this movie to start. Here we were among many younger kids , two 16-18 year old , mullet wearing rockers , laughing and really enjoying this great movie. Fun times.

This song is such a hopeful and uplifting tune that I recall heading over to our local record store and picking up the single. I still love this song . It just makes me smile. Enjoy.

Fun Fact : This song was named the 74th best movie song of all time by the American Film Institute.

The Countdown

The Hobbit is the movie for me to see in 2012. I had hoped Peter Jackson would return to Middle Earth and open up the tale of Bilbo , Gandalf and the Dwarves. The 3 Lord of the Rings movies ( which I see a one lomng epic ) are my all time favorite films. Tolkien's world was done justice in Jackson's films and I'm sure returning to middle earth will be a wonderful adventure.