Interesting List from Dr. Ligon Duncan

Here is an interesting post from Dr. Ligon Duncan, blogging on the Together for the Gospel (siteblog.t4g.org) ....

Praying for Your Pastor

by lduncan

Because I have a congregation that loves me more than I deserve, I am often asked by them: "how can I pray for you?" I've tried to put some thought into how I answer that question. So, maybe these ideas will help you pray for your pastor, or tell others how they can pray for you.

Pray -

1. That [your pastor] would know and love the living God, would have a saving interest in Christ, being purchased by His blood, and thus would be bound to the Lord by the indissoluble bond of the Holy Spirit.

2. That [your pastor] would know, embrace and ever more deeply understand the Gospel and be shaped by it in life and ministry.

3. That [your pastor] would be useful servant of the Lord, that he would know and love God's word, God's people, and God's kingdom; that he would be used to build it up and so that it prevails even against Hell's gates.

4. That [your pastor] would study, practice and teach the Word of the Lord, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

5. That [your pastor] would love to pray, because he loves to commune with his God, and that he would be a man of prayer, characteristically.

6. That [your pastor] would be ever dependent upon and filled with the Spirit; and that he would possess true Spiritual wisdom.

7. That [your pastor] would be holy unto the Lord. That his tongue and heart would be wholly God's.

8. That [your pastor] would be kept from pride, and especially spiritual pride. That the Lord himself would be gracious to slay pride in him, and that your pastor would endeavor to always be putting pride to death, by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

9. That God would give [your pastor] guidance as to where to focus his efforts in ministry.

10. That He would protect [your pastor] from himself, from the enemy of his soul, and from all earthly enemies.

11. That no decision which [your pastor] ever makes or desire that [your pastor] ever pursues would restrict his ability to pour his whole soul into the Gospel ministry.

12.That many would be converted and many built up under [your pastor]'s ministry, to God's glory alone.

13. That the Lord would bless [your pastor]'s wife, [. . . ], with holiness and happiness, Gospel assurance and Gospel rest.

14. That God would make [your pastor] a decent husband and father.

15. That [your pastor] would be a good friend to his wife, and love her self-sacrificially,

16. That [your pastor] would be a good daddy to his children. That they would love God, their parents and the church.

17. That [your pastor] would be a testimony in the home so that his wife might be able to respect him when he is in the pulpit, and so that [your pastor] will be able to feed her soul, along with the rest of the congregation.

Who Knows?

“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Esther 4:14

As we stand on the brink of 2009, it seems to promise to be a new and challenging time for our nation and the world. The economy is on a wild roller coaster ride … we have a new President coming into office … there are tales of ruin for the auto industry … we are still dealing with levels of violence in the Middle East … and many other situations that we know about, and others we have yet to discern. 2009 will be the beginning of a challenging time for us as individuals, and, I believe, for the church.

Often we see Christians, when faced with these sorts of situations, throw their hands up in the air, complain about it all, and start predicting the coming rapture of the church. Many times, the church is great about talking about these things, but seldom do we see the church (and by this I mean both the institution and the individuals who compose the true, spiritual church) go out and ‘do’ the faith in the midst of a broken world.

Esther was faced with some hard decisions about her role in delivering the Jews from the evil intentions of Haman. Her uncle, Mordecai, counseled her through this, and gave this very poignant advice – “And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther took this advice, and went about doing right for God’s people.

I believe we need to take that same advice for ourselves. Instead of declaring these times as gloom and doom and giving up, we need to heed the words of Mordecai, and trust that God has providentially put us in this time and place –and, who knows whether we have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? I truly believe that is the time for the church to start being the church and to affect the Gospel for a time and a place that desperately needs to hear the Gospel from the pulpit and from the lives of God’s children.

What we are asked to do in this time and place is laid out for us in God’s word and will for our lives…

Matthew 22:37-40: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

1 Timothy 2:1-2: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Titus 3:1-2: Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

I trust that if we believe that we have been called to a time and place such as this, and live our lives in the way God has called us, we will affect more change than humanly possible, because we will be living out God’s will, which will always reign supreme over all. We need not fear economic turmoil, a new administration, violence or pestilence. If we live out the grace of God’s will in our lives, this will do more then any hand-wringing, stress or anxiety can ever accomplish.

It is my prayer that my life will show this truth … and that your life will show the same. I hope that we will each grasp our call to a time such as this, and be obedient to God’s call and will in our lives. Who knows what the result will be if we live like Esther did? God used her obedience to deliver His people and vanquish His enemies. May God do the same with us, as long as we live according to His gracious will.

Soli Deo Gloria --- Pastor James

Thoughts on Worship

A friend of mine, Jake Hunt, blogs at wisertime.wordpress.com (check it out soon - he and his family are preparing to move to Prague to plant a church, and he faithfully blogs on Christianity, Scripture and culture .... good stuff), and recently posted this about worship. It is short and sweet!

Top 5 Reasons Corporate Worship is Important
December 30, 2008 by Jake

In response to a question from my boy Duane.

1. The Bible commands it. Lots. Of. Times.
2. God deserves it.
3. God takes it very seriously. (See Leviticus, Book Of.)
4. We need it.
5. Nonbelievers need to see us do it.

A Light in the Darkness

For as long as I can remember, I have been a fan of the Christmas season. There are many wonderful memories of time out of school and spent with family, presents, meals, and shows such as “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”. In all of these memories, one stands out more than others.
As a child, we attended Shaw Heights Baptist Church, located right across the highway from Shaw Air Force Base. They had the usual Christmas programs of caroling, pageants and parties. My favorite was the Christmas Eve candlelight service. I will be honest and admit that I don’t remember the sermons or Scripture readings. The only thing I really remember is that, after the sermon, the congregation would line the walls of the church, the lights of the church would be turned off, and a single flame would start in the back, and would be passed down each side of the church, until all candles were lit. As soon as all the candles were lit, the choir director would start singing “Silent Night” a capella, and within a few words, the congregation would join in. As the last verse started with “silent night, holy night, wondrous star, lend thy light”, the church would begin to file out, still singing. Usually my family was one of the last to file out, and I remember the voices growing more distant as they filed out into the night, and the sanctuary growing darker as the candle light was made fewer. As we made our way out, the choir director stayed in the front, still singing the last verse of the hymn. When we got into the church yard, we would blow out our candles, tell folks “Merry Christmas”, and go home to go to bed and get ready for Christmas morning!
For the longest time, this memory just served as a pleasant and warm reminder of childhood. Over the past few years, I have begun to understand the significance of that celebration. We live in a broken and fallen world, and it has been like this since the fall of Adam and Eve. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6.12 that this world is a dark world because of its fallen nature and inhabitants. Our lives are lived in a world that is clothed in darkness --- and that was the significance of the sanctuary being cloaked in darkness.
Jesus says in John 12.46 that He has come to be the light in the dark world – a light that pierces the darkness of sin and sinfulness, and a light that serves as a direction towards salvation. Without the light of Jesus Christ, the world would continue on in darkness. But, praise be to God, Jesus did come, and He has shed light onto the world. As Christians, as we respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we become lights in the world (Luke 11). This was the significance of the single flame that soon spread throughout the church, lighting the interior … Christ as the single flame, soon spreading through His children, bringing more and more light to the world.
The singular message of Christmas is the name given to the Son of God – Immanuel, “God With Us”. On that night, in the country town of Bethlehem, underneath the watchful eyes of His heavenly Father, his earthly father and mother, “God With Us” was born to mankind, in order to save mankind. He was born to bring light to a world clothed in darkness – salvation to his church. Truly, that was a blessed night … a holy night. As the sanctuary was clothed in darkness, and the light began to spread, we were reminded of the sacred truth of the season – that God had come to be with His people.
Thankfully, we have that same tradition here at White Oak, and what a wonderful reminder to us what the Christmas season is about. We do have the blessings of the season – gifts, meals, and family – but, most of all, we have Jesus Christ, the light in the midst of a dark world, “God With Us”. As we each prepare for this season, let our minds be primarily fixed on that truth of the Gospel, that the grace of God dwelt among us, and has proclaimed peace to God’s people.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor James

A Prayer for Advent

O God, take me in spirit to the watchful shepherds,
and enlarge my mind;
Let me hear good tidings of great joy, and hearing,
believe, rejoice, praise, adore,
my conscience bathed in an ocean of repose, my
eyes uplifted to a reconciled Father;
place me with ox, ass, camel, goat, to look with
them upon my Redeemer’s face, and in him
account myself delivered from sin;
let me with Simeon clasp the new-born child to my
heart,
embrace him with undying faith,
exulting that he is mine and I am his.
In him thou has given me so much that heaven can
give no more.

—from The Valley of Vision

Should You Pass on Bad Reports?

Here is another post from Justin Taylor at "Between Two Worlds" (http://theologica.blogspot.com/) ...

Tim Keller and David Powlison recently collaborated to provide some biblical wisdom and guidelines on speech and relationships. Our thinking was that perhaps bloggers would want to adopt these and spread the word about them as a way, in Keller's words, to "spiritually season Christian conversation in cyberspace."

So if this perspective resonates with you (and I hope it does), I'd encourage you to pass it along or post it on your blog.

May the Lord help each of us to have truth-in-love speech that is always gracious, salt-seasoned, gentle, respectful, peaceful, and edifying (Col. 4:6; Eph. 4:15; 1 Pet. 3:15; Rom. 14:19)


Should You Pass on Bad Reports?
by Tim Keller & David Powlison

One obvious genius of the internet is that it’s “viral.” Information explodes to the whole world. The old neighborhood grapevine and the postal service seem like ox-carts in a speed-of-light universe. (Do twenty-somethings even know what those antiquities once were? In the old days, people had to talk to each other or stick a stamp on an envelope.) Instantaneous transmission produces some wonderfully good things. Truth, like joy, is infectious. A great idea feeds into a million inboxes. But it also produces some disastrous evils. Lies, rumors, and disinformation travel just as far and just as fast.

So what should you do when you hear “bad reports” about a person or church or ministry? We want to offer a few thoughts on how to remain constructive. To paraphrase Ephesians 4:29, “Let no unwholesome words come out of your computer, but only what is constructive, in order to meet the need of the moment, that what you communicate will give grace to everyone who ever reads it.” That Greek word translated “unwholesome” is sapros. It means something that is inedible, either devoid of nutritional value or rotten and even poisonous. It applies to thorny briars or to fish or fruit that’s gone bad. At best, it’s of no benefit to anyone. At worst, it’s sickening and destructive. Consider three things in how to stay constructive.

What Does James Say about Passing Along Bad Reports?

Humble yourselves before the Lord.
Brothers, don’t slander or attack one another.
(James 4:10-11)

The verb “slander” simply means to “speak against” (Gk. kata-lalein). It is not necessarily a false report, just an “against-report.” The intent is to belittle another. To pour out contempt. To mock. To hurt. To harm. To destroy. To rejoice in purported evil. This can’t mean simple disagreement with ideas—that would mean that we could never have a debate over a point. This isn’t respectful disagreement with ideas. James warns against attacking a person’s motives and character, so that the listeners’ respect and love for the person is undermined. “As the north wind brings rain, so slander brings angry looks” (Prov. 25:23). Everybody gets upset at somebody else: slanderer, slanderee, slander-hearer.

The link of slander to pride in James 4:10 shows that slander is not the humble evaluation of error or fault, which we must constantly be doing. Rather, in slander the speaker speaks as if he never would do the same thing himself. It acts self-righteous and superior toward one’s obviously idiotic inferiors. Non-slanderous evaluation is fair-minded, constructive, gentle, guarded, and always demonstrates that speakers sense how much they share the same frailty, humanity, and sinful nature with the one being criticized. It shows a profound awareness of your own sin. It is never “against-speaking.”

James 5:9 adds a nuance: "Don’t grumble against one another." Literally, it means don’t moan and groan and roll your eyes. This refers to a kind of against-speaking that is not as specific as a focused slander or attack. It hints at others flaws, not only with words, but by body language and tone. In print, such attitudes are communicated by innuendo, guilt by association, sneering, pejorative vocabulary. In person, it means shaking your head, rolling your eyes, and re-enforcing the erosion of love and respect for someone else. For example, “You know how they do things around here. Yadda, yadda. What do you expect?” Such a “groan” accomplishes the same thing as outright slander. It brings “angry looks” to all concerned. Passing on negative stuff always undermines love and respect. It’s never nourishing, never constructive, never timely, never grace-giving.

What Does the Book of Proverbs Say about Receiving Bad Reports?

He who covers over an offense promotes love,
but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
(Proverbs 17:9)

The first thing to do when hearing or seeing something negative is to seek to “cover” the offense rather than speak about it to others. That is, rather than let a bad report “pass in” to your heart as truth, and then get “passed along” to others, you should seek to keep the matter from destroying your love and regard for a person. How?

Start by remembering your own sinfulness. "All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord" (Prov. 16:2). To know this automatically keeps you from being too sure of your position and of speaking too strongly against people that you hear about or people on the other side of a conflict. You intuitively realize that you may not be seeing things right. Your motives are never as pure as you think they are. To know this acts to keep you from being too sure of the facts, too sure of your position, and of speaking too quickly and too negatively about other people. Knowing your own sinfulness helps you not make snap judgments that take what you hear too seriously.

When you remember your sinfulness, remember God’s mercies. "Love covers all offenses" (Prov. 10:12). The God who is love has covered all your offenses. He knows everything about you (and the whole story about that other person). He has chosen to forgive you, and life-saving mercy cost Jesus his life. He could write you up with a 100% True Bad Report, but he has chosen to bury your sins in the depths of the ocean. That makes the life and death difference. If your sins are not buried in the ocean of his mercy, then you will be justly exposed and will justly perish. But when you’ve known mercy, then even when you hear report of grievous evil, an instinct toward mercy should arise within you. To savor the tasty morsels of gossip and bad reports is very different from grieving, caring, and wishing nothing less than the mercies of Christ upon all involved. And most bad reports are much more trivial. They are the stuff of busybodies and gossips going “tut-tut-tut.”

Then remember that there is always another side. "The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him" (Prov. 18:17). You never have all the facts. And you never have all the facts you need all at once. You are never in a position to see the whole picture, and therefore when you hear the first report, you should assume you have far too little information to draw an immediate conclusion. What you’ve heard from someone else is only “hear-say” evidence. It has no standing or validity unless it is confirmed in other ways.

So when you hear a negative report about another, you must keep it from passing into your heart as though it were true. If you pass judgment based on hear-say, you are a fool. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check out the facts. Go to the person. Hear other witnesses. If you’re far away from the scene, wait for more of the story to come out. Suspend judgment. Don’t get panicked or stampeded by mob-psychology and rumors. Be content not to know many things. You don’t need to have an opinion about everything and everyone.

Third, what should you do if you are close enough to the situation to be involved AND you think the injustice or matter is too great or grievous for you to ignore? For starters, notice that you only really need to know something if it touches your sphere of life and relationships. In that case, you should do what will help you to express God’s call upon you to speak Ephesians 4:29 words of wise love.

In Derek Kidner’s commentary on Prov. 25:7–10, he writes that when you think someone has done wrong you should remember, “One seldom knows the full facts (v.8) and one’s motives in spreading a story are seldom as pure as one pretends (v.10). To run to the law or to the neighbors is usually to run away from the duty of personal relationship.” See Christ’s clinching comment in Matthew 18:15: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." In short, if you feel the problem is too great and you can’t keep it from destroying your regard for the person, you must go personally before you go to anyone else.

When Should You Go?

Galatians 6:1 says we are to go when a person is caught in a trespass. That means there should be some kind of "pattern" or the unmistakeable exposure of a wrong. Don’t go the first time you hear a bad report about someone doing wrong. As we said above, there’s another side to most stories, and our motives are never totally pure when we get indignant. Go if the person seems caught—that is, trapped or stuck in a habit pattern of wrong behavior or falsehood.

How Should You Go?

Galatians 6:1 says we are to restore gently and in humility, bearing all the fruit of the Spirit. Beware of your own tendencies to be tempted—perhaps to the same sin, perhaps to reactive sins of self-righteousness or judgmentalism, perhaps to avoidance sins of cover-up and pretending. Galatians 6:2 goes on to say that we actually fulfill the law of Christ by bearing each other’s burdens. We become nothing less than lesser redeemers in the pattern of our Great Redeemer. Jesus in Matthew 18:15ff says we should also go persistently, and not give up in the process. Patience is one fruit of the Spirit because problems don’t always clear up quickly. There is a progression in efforts to get to the bottom of a bad report, to confirm the facts, and to work at bringing restoration.

Who Should Go?

Galatians 6 says you—plural—who are spiritual should go to the straying one. That both defines how you should go and it calls for multiple people to get involved. Similarly Matthew 18:15ff says to bring in other people if matters don’t resolve one to one. The right kind of checking out a bad report is always done in person and often will be done by involving multiple wise persons.

Why Should You Go?

In both Galatians 6 and Matthew 18 the goal is to restore the person and to re-establish sin-broken relationships. You are working to restore people both to God and to others.

Conclusion

In summary, from the Old Testament to the New Testament, the principle is this. If you hear bad reports about other Christians you must either cover it with love or go to them personally before speaking of it to any others.

* The first thing to do is to simply suspend judgment. Don’t pass on bad reports.
* The second thing to do is “cover” it in love, reminding yourself that you don’t know all about the heart of the person who may have done evil—and you know your own frailty. Don’t allow bad reports to pass into your own heart.
* The final thing to do is go and speak to them personally.

What you should never do is rush to judgment, or withdraw from loving another, or pass on the negative report to others. This is challenge enough when you’re dealing with the local grapevine or slow-moving postal service. In a world of instant world-wide communication of information it’s an even bigger challenge, because you can do bigger damage more quickly. Whether the bad report offers true information, or partial information, or disinformation, or false information—it is even more important that you exercise great discretion, and that you take pains to maximize boots-on-the-ground interpersonal relationships.

What to do with the Lord's Day?

"Between Two Worlds" (http://theologica.blogspot.com/) is a great Reformed website run by Justin Taylor ... he recently linked this blog by Iain Campbell about the Lord's Day. Hope you enjoy!

http://creideamh.blogspot.com/2008/03/case-for-sabbath-observance.html

The case for Sabbath observance
I have noticed that there are two subjects which never fail to provoke a response in my columns. One is psalm-singing, of which I am convinced that there should be more, and not less in our churches.

The other is the issue of Sabbath observance, perennially controversial and deeply divisive in the landscape of modern Lewis. I could wistfully look back to a past day on the Isle of Lewis and ask why the former days were better than the present; however, as my number two son reminded me when he gave a public talk recently, the Bible explicitly forbids such retrospection.

So we must face the issue as it confronts us in the present. Unfortunately, the debate seems to focus on the wrong issues. Simmering away is the subject of Sunday ferries to and from the Isle of Lewis, and the subject of Sunday sports facilities in the town of Stornoway. Travel and sport: these are the emotive and important issues which currently threaten to secularise our communities.

Up to this point we have infamously bucked the trend of contemporary British culture, in which Sunday travel and Sunday sport are fixtures on weekly routines. We have sold out our national Christian heritage to an industry of sport and leisure. The pursuit of these pleasures has pursued our national soul, and we have dived right in. But that is no reason why we should sell out our local Christian heritage.

I have said it often: there is no earthly reason why being different is a bad thing. Actually, in many ways it is our contemporary British culture, with its 24/7 madness that is bucking the trend; in many places throughout European towns and villages one would be hard pushed to find a shop open on Sundays.

My position, as a local minister, however, is that the case for Sabbath observance is not made by appeal to local tradition or to social custom. It is that such a case can be made, and has to be made, by direct appeal to the Bible. My argument, therefore, is a theological one before it is anything else, and consequently becomes a moral one.

The principle of one day in seven being observed as a day of rest and worship is built into the fabric of the universe. According to the Bible, God rested on the seventh day, and bequeathed a pattern to humanity. By enshrining this principle into the commandments, God made the principle of the sanctity of the Sabbath as important as the sanctity of life or the sanctity of marriage.I t is on this basis that the principle of Sabbath observance becomes a matter of conscience and a matter of principle, binding on all mankind everywhere.

The same categories in which the Old Testament seventh-day Sabbath are described apply to the New Testament Lord's Day Sabbath - same principle, different application. Now, post-resurrection, the first day of the week has become the Christian Sabbath. That point of doctrine, I have discovered, is attacked more fiercely within the church than outside it. Any suggestion that the Sabbath principle carries over into the New Testament is regarded as legalistic at best and heretical at worst.

It's part of a trend of course, in which the best doctrinal emphases of Puritanism have been thrown out with the rejection of formal theology by modern evangelicalism, which seems more interested in experience than in doctrine. It has become a truism among many evangelical Christians that Jesus is our Sabbath, and that the day is a type of the rest we have in him. We ought to meet on whatever day is convenient for us. If there is any distinction to be made, it is not between work and worship, but between work and rest.

That is a theology I reject. The Sabbath principle is too fundamental a part of the structure of biblical theology to be thrown out in this way. Jesus has not abrogated his claim to be Lord of the Sabbath; it is not now that his death and resurrection have shed light on the deeper meaning of the principle that we should jettison the day he has given for his worship.

And why should we? There are positive blessings to having a day that is different from all the rest. Our families need to spend time together. Our bodies need rest from the routine of the week. Our society needs protection from the trend towards round-the-clock shopping. And our employees need protection from the exploitation of employers who will work them into the ground for a profit.

But above all we need sacred times to remind us of the bigger issues. We really don't need Christmas to remind us of the birth of Jesus, or Easter to remind us of his resurrection if we have a weekly Sabbath to remind us of these things continuously. A weekly Christian calendar is of far more benefit than a yearly one. A society, however, which does not need a Sabbath, is a society which has declared its independence of God, and which has turned itself into a secular institution.

We have already begun a process of bringing up our children without the idea of God, marginalizing the relevance of Christianity, and making peripheral the thought that we may, in fact, be accountable for what we do with our lives. We have indoctrinated our children in the atheism of our contemporary culture. We have taken the Lord's Prayer out of their daily routine, Bible stories out of their regular practice, church-going out of their weekly habit. We have shown by our example that Sunday is a day for travel, leisure, shopping and sport. God is not in their thoughts at all.

So are we really surprised when our society cries out for help? Do we wonder why a secular society requires so much Child Protection legislation? Or why an atheistic culture needs a Suicide Prevention Week? Are we so blind that we cannot see the correlation between our contemporary humanism and our contemporary despair?

Let's get real. Let's not kid ourselves into thinking that this is an issue of human rights and freedoms. The case to preserve the standards of our contemporary culture in Lewis, including our distinctive approach to Sunday issues, is strong, both theologically and practically.

Having said all that, this is not a debate I expect to win. All I can do is hope that we will learn the lessons of our Island's past. Our economy was never stronger, family life never more stable, and communities never more cohesive, than in the days when God was given a primacy of place in the weekly routine. Could there, after all, be some truth in the maxim that those that honour God, He will honour?

Right Where I Am

Recently, our family has begun using Charles Spurgeon’s “Morning & Evening: Daily Readings” for our family devotions. The other evening, we went through his devotion on 1 Corinthians 7.20: “Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called”. For this month’s article, I would like to ‘reproduce’ this devotion in my own words and add some of my own ideas.
Pastor Tom spent some weeks preaching the doctrine of providence. This aspect of who God is needs to be comforting to each us as we realize that God is indeed in control over all aspects of our life. In his devotion on the 1 Corinthians passage, Spurgeon elaborates on God’s providence in our callings in life and how we need to be content with where God has us. Being a pastor, I often hear from people what a holy and satisfying position I hold, and some have even suggested that my prayers would be more readily answered because of the Geneva robe I wear each week! How sad it is that people think the best way to live a life for God is only in pastoral ministry. If that were true, how many people would be shut out from glorifying God? As Spurgeon says, “Beloved, it is not office, it is earnestness; it is not position, it is a grace which will enable us to glorify God”. Our good Lord has called each of us to our position in life, and it is when we accept this position in life that we can begin to truly glorify God. A pastor does not have advantage over a farmer! We are each called to a certain place and situation in life and it is from there that we can truly glorify God.
Some of my heroes of faith are not even pastors – they are laymen who seek to glorify God in all that they do. I realized this a few years ago, and it sent me spiraling into doubt over my call to the pastorate! However, the Lord has brought me to the place where I can really see how great these men and women are who glorify God in their positions as farmers, lawyers, teachers and stay-at-home mothers. It is these people who really do a lot of good ministry in the church – they are the good neighbors always willing to lend a hand … they are the good relatives always ready to give you whatever they have … they are the good folks in the community who are always ready to do what is best for where they live. Spurgeon says “God is glorified by our serving Him in our proper vocations”. Are you glorifying God in your providentially assigned vocation?
An idea that I have been formulating for some time now is the “I/Me Covenant Family”. The basic premise of the idea is that the covenant family is still taught faithfully from many pulpits in the Reformed world, but many parents have taken the covenant family and have stripped off all parental sacrifice and total and absolute responsibility and left only the shell of doctrinal correctness taught to their children. No longer is there an appreciation that God has providentially called these parents to be parents – no, there are bigger and better things for them to do than sacrifice to be a Godly covenantal parent. The ‘good’ ones do this by involving their selves in so much ministry that their family suffers. One of my practical theology professors in seminary, Dr. Frank Kik, drilled in our heads from day one that we have first been called to be Christians, then husbands, and then, for some, fathers, and then pastors – and that should be how we arrange our lives. I wish Dr. Kik was still alive so he could preach that to the so many families who have abandoned their callings as spouses and parents in order to focus on another calling – and because of that, their other responsibilities fail. I believe the root cause of this idea – and, as I examine this, I notice how much these families suffers, and as these families suffer, so does the church – is the lack of knowledge of God’s calling in our lives.
One of the beautiful practical applications of God’s providence in our lives is that we know without any shadow of doubt that we are right where God wants us. Shouldn’t this be cause for praise? Shouldn’t this be cause for worship? Why do so many of us try to buck off this providence and tread down a path of our own doing? We are not God, and never will be. Our sight will never be as good as His. Our knowledge will never be as complete as His is. Why is it that we can quote Romans 8.28 out of one side of our mouths, and out of the other side say and do the exact opposite?
Take comfort! You are exactly where God wants you! As Christians, as we seek to faithfully follow the fullness of Biblical commands, we can take great comfort that we are right where God intends for us to be. For a South Carolina boy, that means right here in the heart of Georgia! For you, it may be something else, but whatever it may be, isn’t it great to be right where God wants you to be! Praise Him wherever you are, doing whatever you have been called to do, serving all that He has put in your way. May we learn this and do this, and may God be greatly praised for His loving and gracious providence.
Soli Deo Gloria, Pastor James

Memorial Day Pictures

Here is a picture of some of our White Oak ARP Memorial Day celebrants!

Satan's Humility

David Cook was voted the 2008 American Idol winner. With 54.6 million votes for him, Cook was deemed the winner. Imagine 54.6 million votes essentially telling you how great, wonderful, special, unique, fabulous, etc. you are. I think it is safe to say that it would be hard to be humble in the face of that sort of adulation. 54.6 million votes can’t be wrong about how great, wonderful, special, unique, fabulous, etc. you really are!
Charles Spurgeon, who is widely regarded as the Prince of Preachers, was standing at the backdoor of his church one morning after he had preached when this alleged exchange took place …
“A man came up to him, gushing and saying, "That was the greatest sermon I have ever heard! And you are the greatest preacher alive!" Spurgeon looked at the man and said, "Yes, the devil told me that ten minutes ago!" It would be hard to stay as humble as Spurgeon with even that one little bit of adulation!
It doesn’t matter if you have 54.6 million instances or just one instance of glowing remarks aimed at you, it is hard for most to stay humble at all times. God has given each of us specific gifts, and when these gifts are being sharpened, and the public sees them being put to good use, we usually get praise for these gifts. It may be speaking skills, or planning skills, or relational skills, or handyman skills, or cooking skills --- chances are that we will be praised for that skill and its outcome. It is hard to stay humble in the face of such remarks!
In Paul’s epistles, we read a good bit about many hardships he faced, but we also read of a few instances of him being showered with adulation. One instance is when Paul and Barnabas were in Lystra, and the people were so overcome by Paul and Barnabas’ miracle working that they started worshipping them as the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes – to the extent of wanting to offer sacrifices! Another instance is in 1 Corinthians, as Paul talks about people who are exclusively following him, or Apollos, or Cephas. How did Paul handle such praise?
We find his very humble answer in 1 Corinthians 11.1, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Paul knew that every good and admirable thing in him wasn’t of his own doing – it was of the grace of God shown in Christ. No matter how convincing his sermons were … or the vast ministry of his missionary journeys … or his collecting money for the poor … or taking a young pastor as his mentor … Paul knew that this was all a gift of the good Lord. Not his doing, but the Lord’s. Therefore, he told the churches in Corinth that they could look to him and imitate, but only because his main goal in life was to point people to Christ.
That is what Christian humility does – it longs that God alone gets the glory for all things. It points away from self, and points to God. What Christian humility does NOT do is point towards self. Why? Because who is self? It is someone who is fallen … a sinner … totally depraved … spiritually dead. What good can come from that? When we try to take credit for any good, then we are only pointing someone away from Christ, and, often, we try to point them towards our self. What can we do better than Christ? Why would we rather have someone look to us than to Christ?
The answer to this question is easy – Satan. Satan loves nothing more than to have any and all attention turned away from Christ. He loves to see broken and fallen people try and act as if they are better than Christ. Why? Because, if you aren’t looking to Christ, then you are easier prey for Satan. And, if you aren’t pointing towards Christ, then you inevitably point towards something that Satan can use against Christ.
It can be one instance, or it can 54.6 million instances --- either way, humility can be slippery in our sinful hands and hearts. We each need to take on the manner of Paul, and be so enthralled with Christ that we can tell others to look to us, because we will always point them towards Christ. We need to have the attitude of Spurgeon, who knew that personal adulation can be a tool of Satan. It is the Christian manner to be so enthralled and wrapped up in Christ alone, that when others look to us, they will see Christ, because that is our goal, our desire, and our life.
Soli Deo Gloria --- Pastor James

Maggie Brown McManus

I am thrilled to announce that our daughter, Maggie Brown McManus, was born last Wednesday at 7.10 am! Everyone is home and doing well ... here are a few pics of the family ...

Beth & baby update

Beth was diagnosed with Cholestasis of Pregnancy, which basically means that her liver is starting to back up. Therefore, the doctors are wanting 'lil Mac to complete her 37th week (to let her lungs grow stronger), and then they will induce labor. The target date, at this time, is Monday, March 24th. At this point, there is no harm for either Beth or the baby, but the medical staff would like to get her out as soon as her lungs are able. Thank you for your prayers!

James

I Have Finally Found a Place to Live in the Presence of the Lord

In the 1960’s, a young guitarist named Eric Clapton roared onto the British blues scene. People became so captivated by his prowess on the guitar that some took to proclaiming that “Clapton is God”. This mantra was repeated by many, and some prominent pieces of graffiti proclaiming this began to appear in London and New York City. It is interesting to think that one young man could produce such passion for someone to proclaim, on any level, that this man was God. Now, does this mean that the Church of Clapton began to appear in major cities? Not at all! But, it does mean that something in Eric Clapton’s guitar playing skills provoked quite a bit of passion in those who heard it … enough passion for them to make some sort of idol out of Clapton and his guitar.
It seems that whenever we hear Scripture speak of idols, our minds may immediately race to the notion of bowing down and worshipping an actual idol – maybe a statue of Buddha, or even a golden calf. We may visualize some giant, physical idol that people are bowing down in front of and offering some sort of sacrifice. However, the truth of the warning from Scripture about idols goes much deeper and further.
An idol can be physical – but is more often than not something that is more mental and spiritual. Idols aren’t always found in the corner of our rooms – rather, they are more often found in the corners of our hearts and minds. They are those things, people, feelings and desires that replace our worship of the Living God. They are those very things that make you uncomfortable before your Creator. These idols are causing you to not find a place to live in the presence of the Lord.
The formula is quite simple – the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is the one responsible for our creation, salvation and life. He is the one who breathed life into our souls … He is the one who loves us through the Gospel … He is the one who is conforming us to the Gospel. Simply put, the Triune God is the only one who loves you enough to save you from all known and unknown danger.
The danger of an idol is that we will set it up to such prominence that it will almost always replace God in our worship. The danger of your idols is that it perverts the equation – instead of the Triune God being responsible for your creation, salvation and life, and you worshipping God for such blessings, we make the idols the ones who will save us. We look to our idols for our further creation, salvation and life. We spiritually bow down before our idols and offer them a worship that has been designed only for the Triune God.
Now, how could this make sense? Who would do such a thing? Maybe the better question is whether we do such a thing? John Calvin is the one who quipped that the heart of man is an idol factory. I believe that one of man’s most natural, and a prevalent, sinful tendency is to make idols out of things. We see it begin in the garden and thread its way all through history to us in the here and now. All of us show the tendency to worship an idol.
How do we know it? Well, let me offer you a couple of questions to help you flesh out the answer … what would you rather offer worship to? Is it God or something else? What do you find yourself spending more time focusing on – the Lord’s blessings in life, or the supposed blessings of this idol? Honestly, what is it you love most – God, or something else? The list of idols is a long one – family, status, vanity, money, sex, power, fame, ourselves, history, heritage, etc. Remember – some folks were able to make an idol of Eric Clapton – a white British boy who was doing his best to emulate blues guitarists from the Delta of Mississippi. What sort of creation, salvation and life could Clapton offer to his fans? None. But, some of them famously proclaimed “Clapton is God”.
What is your god? What god is it that you look to instead of the true God? Who do you offer your worship to? Well, maybe you think this question isn’t important or even relevant to where you are in life right now. Fair enough, except that God finds your worship to be an important question. The first 2 commandments deal explicitly with your worship … Paul deals with the worship of God in some length in some of his epistles … John talks at great length about the worship of heaven he observed in Revelation. God finds it to be very important – it is over sinful natures that wants to destroy true worship and offer it to vain idols.
So, the question remains – what is your idol? It is tough to see, and sometimes even tougher to come to terms that we do such a thing. But, be honest – and you may find some there. When you do, know this – even in the midst of our sinful rebellion and our offering worship to false gods and idols, there is always grace. We can turn from god to God, and find grace. We can turn from the grace-less to the grace-full. Our hearts are bent to idols – and they only way they can be bent towards God is through His grace. Our idols will never produce nor provide the grace we all so desperately need – but the one true God is full of grace and mercy. Turn to Him and find this to be true. And, you will find that living in the presence of the Lord makes more sense, and is more comfortable, when you do so in grace.
Soli Deo Gloria --- Pastor James

New Music For You To Enjoy

Our friends, Red Mountain Church Music, have released their 5th album titled "This Breaks My Heart of Stone". With this album, they are still mining the rich depths of the Gadsby Hymnal as they continue to add meaningful hymns back into the church life. They are also flexing their sonic muscle as they get more creative in the studio and add layers of musical depth to these words. I would highly recommend adding this album to your collection - and to be challenged by what this small group of saints are doing ... reaching back into the history of the church, and pulling the truth, words and melodies into our 21st century lives.

Also, another group related to this is Indelible Grace. They have also released their 5th album "Wake Thy Slumbering Children". This is the group that is credited with, at least, popularly beginning to re-do old hymns in modern melodies and instruments. Their new album continues their practice of a consistent rotating roster of musicians: Derek Webb, Sandra McCracken, Matthew Perryman Jones, Matthew Smith and others. The songs on here are challenging to the faith and your walk in it. This is another album I would highly recommend getting - it will only add to your worship of our Living and True God.

It's the end of the world as we know it ... and I feel fine.

The birth of our daughter is getting closer and closer on the horizon --- we are expecting a late March/early April birth. The nursery is coming together – there is a crib, little pink dresses in the closet, and stuffed animals waiting for a little girl to play with! It is an exciting time, and we would appreciate your prayers in this time!
Ever since we have announced that Beth is pregnant, we have had many wonderful folks give us moral and prayer support --- and that is very encouraging to me and Beth! We have been overwhelmed with how much people care about us, especially in this time. But, to be honest, there have been things said that haven’t been as encouraging.
Beth and I have both been surprised to hear how some parents have related to us how miserable they view parenthood and their children. From things such as “it is just so bad … you will be so lost and scared … they will take away so much of your time … they just will suck the life from you” to “We can’t wait for them to get out of the house … my 18 year sentence is almost done, and we will celebrate … just keep reminding yourself that they will be gone by the time they are 18, and then your life can begin again … it’s the end of your world, and, maybe, one day you will get it back.” Not exactly the model of joyful encouragement, huh?
Now, I am not so naïve as to think that we will have this idyllic time at home – a beautiful baby girl who just smiles, and loves, and sleeps, and never cries! No – I am fully expecting sleepless nights, hours of crying, smelly diapers, and aggravating moments. I know that my daughter is totally depraved, and will act that way. But, how am I any different from her in that respect?
I, too, am totally depraved. You, too, are totally depraved. How would you feel if your Father in heaven spoke about you the way these parents have talked about their children? What encouragement would you have knowing that God viewed His Fatherhood as some of these parents view it?
I still pitch fits … I still throw temper-tantrums … I still kick my legs, thrash my arms, yell and scream until I get my way. The only difference between me and a child is that I have learned how to do it in a more civil and acceptable manner – I do it like other adults do! But, my God in heaven sees through that adult veneer and He sees me, as His child, one who still struggles with being selfish, boorish, arrogant, egotistical, and full of pride. Thankfully, He doesn’t throw up His arms and bemoan ever creating me, loving me and supporting me. No, He does the exact opposite.
In the midst of my sinful struggles, God has said to me, “I have so loved you, that I gave to you My only Son, and because you believe in Him, you will never perish, but will have everlasting life with Me.” Instead of God commiserating with the angels in heaven about what a little demon James McManus is, He says to me, “I want you to call me Abba (Greek equivalent for Daddy), because that is how much I love you and how I want you to relate to me!” Instead of telling others how much He can’t wait until He is rid of me, He is preparing a mansion in Heaven for me, and has thrown open the gates of Heaven for me to enter in. Thankfully, God doesn’t treat me as some earthly parents talk about their true feelings for their children.
The same is, of course, true for you --- you are, spiritually, just like a little child – you cry and moan when you don’t get your way … you throw spiritual fits when you are unhappy … you rebel against your loving Father many, many, many times. Yet, how does God treat you? The same as He has treated me. He loves you, accepts you, takes care of you, and promises eternity to you. Isn’t that a refreshing thought?
As I stare down impending fatherhood, I do so as one who wants to be the best father he can be. I will make mistakes, and I will have a child who will stretch my patience to limits unknown. But, you know what? I pray that I will model the Father in heaven to my daughter. I pray that I show her the same love that God shows His children. I pray that I will take joy in her, because she is my child. My hope is that my model of a Father will be God Himself, and that He will shine forth in my life as I love and father my daughter.
Yes, this may be the end of the world as I know it, but you know what? I feel fine about it. God is in heaven --- He has loved me and my wife more than we can ever deserve --- He has blessed us with a covenant daughter --- and I trust in His love for us. May I be a father like God is to me --- and may you desire to be a parent like God is to you.
Soli Deo Gloria --- Pastor James

Some Conferences For You to Know About

There are two conferences coming to the Atlanta area in early spring that I think would be well worth attending:

The Gospel Man Conference, March 28-29 (www.thegospelman.com): This is a conference focused on the graciousness of the Gospel, and how the Gospel truly changes people. Here is their statement:

The Gospel Men Conference is a time to help men grow in why and how they come to Christ and how to live with and for Christ through His grace. We believe that a thorough biblical understanding and experience of His grace offered in the Gospel is the most profound change a man can know and experience. We often miss that not only is the Gospel radical at the onset of faith in Christ, it remains radical still for all a man’s days. It is the source of ongoing power to change us into men that enjoy and glorify God. We want to proclaim and explore how God’s grace changes men!

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, April 4-6: This conference's theme is "Precious Blood: Christ's Atoning Work" (www.alliancenet.org). The speaker line-up is amazing: Joel Beeke, Robert Godfrey, Philip Ryken & Richard Phillips. The schedule includes seminars and addresses. I think this one is well worth checking out! Here is their statement:

“He was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

At the very heart of our Christian faith is a precious red substance: the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The sin-atoning death of Christ is remarkable for being at once, most offensive to the world, most treasured by the church, most astonishing to the mind, and most stirring to the soul. Simply put, the one thing we would least expect to hear about God is that He sent His own Son to die for our sins. Thus it is Christ’s precious blood that puts the amazing into grace, puts the wonderful into the gospel, and puts the marvelous into God’s plan of salvation. There can be no greater truth to be faced than the gospel message of the cross, no greater mystery to be considered, and no greater comfort to be received. The cross is a theme that Christians will meditate on forever without exhausting its wonder, and of the cross, God’s redeemed will sing with glorious praise to unending ages.

With this in mind, the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology returns in 2008 to the doctrine of Christ’s atonement. There are many good reasons to return to this theme. First, the atonement is the divine work on which the entire structure of our salvation rests and the truth on which our doctrine of salvation must be built. Recent years have seen a pastoral neglect of the cross and an increasingly intensive doctrinal assault from the academy. This gives us a second important reason to return to the atonement: if Christians are to have any faith to defend at all, we will have to defend our gospel here.

Thirdly, there is a perennial need to proclaim and explain the doctrinal categories associated with the cross. What are atonement, substantiation, redemption, propitiation, expiation, and reconciliation? These are the themes of the 2008 PCRT, both to refresh the souls and minds of veteran believers and to instruct and inspire those coming to grips with the cross for the first time. Our plenary sessions will set forth the biblical doctrine of the blood of Christ.

We look forward to the contributions of some of the most able preachers of our time: Joel Beeke, Robert Godfrey, Richard Phillips, Philip Ryken, R. C. Sproul, and Derek Thomas. What a delight it will be to sit together before the cross, lifting up our minds and hearts in praise to God through the preaching and hearing of Christ’s precious blood.

My So-Called Uniform

We all wear some sort of uniform during our lives. I’m not particularly talking about baseball uniforms, military uniforms or any other sort of organized activity or career that requires uniforms. I am thinking more about the life we choose, and how so many of us claim to be individuals, when in fact we just put on the same uniform as those who claim the same values and doctrines as we do.
I got to thinking about this as Beth and I walked around downtown Asheville a few weeks ago. Asheville is a haven folks looking to find their selves … matter of fact, I have always heard Asheville as the sort of town where you can go and live as you want – a place where individuality is encouraged and embraced. As you walk around the blocks of downtown Asheville, you notice people who dress and act out of the “mainstream” --- a lot dreadlocks … tye-dye shirts … long, shaggy hair … burly beards … long, flowing skirts. I started to notice that a lot of people walking around looked the same, talked the same, acted the same and ate at the same places. Now, I know these sort of people – I grew up with them and even spent time in their ranks! Many of them tout their individuality as some sort of idol – they don’t need to conform to any idea than their own. They march to their own beat. Ironically, most of them are marching to the same beat by the same drummer.
I spent some time amidst this doctrine … I grew my hair long, put in several ear-rings, dyed my hair, and claimed to march to my own beat. However, I never really marched to my own drummer – I looked to others who claimed the same ideas as I did, and took my cues from them … and these people looked to other people, who looked to other people, and so on – a truly vicious cycle. In reality, we were just a group of people lost in the idolatry of ourselves and our own ideas, yet we were too scared and ignorant to truly indulge all our desires, so we looked to others to figure out how to live our lives – and these people were just as clueless as we were.
Time hasn’t really changed this, and this truth isn’t relegated to neo-hippies or anybody who looks like they live outside the mainstream. We all wear a uniform of some form and color and cut. We all tend to take our cues from a group of people who tout the same ideology and doctrine of life that we claim to hold to. We are all like sheep, and all of us we have gone astray.
Scripture never really teaches individuality. Rather, it teaches a union with Christ. In His High Priestly Prayer in John 17, Jesus prays to His Father this request, “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” What is important to Jesus isn’t that we go out and claim to be individuals and to truly know ourselves … it is that we all be one in God, because as we are one with Him, then the world will see the Gospel through our lives. Individuality rebels against the idea of conformity, when in reality it is all about conformity – conforming to the ideas and practices that rebel against popular ideas. Christianity is about conformity – that we are broken to the sins that call out for the wrath of God, and molding/conforming us into the image of the one whom so loved us that He saves us from His wrath. It isn’t a conformity that beats us down and turns everyone into robot Christians … whether, it is a conformity that allows us to be the very individuals that God created us to be!
The fall of man revolved around rebellion – rebellion against truth and following that truth. Since that point, mankind has rebelled against God and his created meaning. When God graciously calls us into His grace and mercy, He begins to restore us to be individuals again – individuals who are united to Him through Christ. The basis of true individuality is in union with Christ – that is meant to be our uniform! That our main end in life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever – that is our individual uniform! We can never truly be ourselves until we are found in Christ. We can never truly live life as God created us to live until our hearts are found at the Gospel cross. You can never be you until you bow down and call God “Abba”.
What is your uniform? What influences your life and walk? Without Christ, you are not an individual – you are just someone who is lost in the shuffle of a life ruined by sin. With Christ, you will truly know yourself – but, most of all, you will truly know one who loves you more than any other ideology or false prophet. I encourage you to examine the Gospel – and find yourself there. In the Gospel is the only place true individuality can be found.

Soli Deo Gloria – Pastor James

Job's Christmas

We often turn to the book of Job to understand more about the sovereignty of God and why bad things happen to “good” people. However, I think we often miss the overall point of the book of Job – and that it is really a story about the grace of God.
First, a quick recap of the story of Job – he was a righteous man, declared so by God himself. Job was wealthy, not just in monetary standards but also in family – he had 7 sons and 3 daughters. His love for his children was so great that Job regularly offered sacrifices on their behalf. He was a man who had everything going for him. Life was good, and Job was quick to give God the glory. Satan debated with God over what was the catalyst for Job being a righteous man – was it because of faith or because he had it so good? God allowed Satan to test Job – all of his finances was wiped away, his children were killed, and his health suffered from it. Yet, in the midst of this happening, Job made this profound statement: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." In the midst of his suffering, Job recognized the grace of God. After this, Job’s 3 friends - Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite – came to comfort him. It is during his conversations with his friends that Job begins to wrestle with the grace of God – and whether God has truly been gracious to him.
We need to understand that Job behaved more valiantly and graciously than many of us would have --- imagine all of your finances taken away … your family being killed … your health taken away from you … how would you have responded? Surely we can understand why Job struggled --- and, if we can understand why, then God would understand even more. It was the Lord who allowed Job to be tested in this way – it was the Lord who set up the boundaries of what Satan could do to this righteous man. What happens next is truly telling of God’s grace – God responds to Job’s charges.
God hears the complaints of Job, and he comes down for a meeting with Job. He challenges Job on whom Job thinks he is --- and he does so by first pointing to creation, and asking Job if he was there when God created all things? The Lord goes on from that point and asks Job if he knows how everything works? God challenges him on whether Job thinks he is God – or is God truly God?
At the end of this challenge, Job verbally recognizes that God is God – and that he is a gracious God. God then graciously restores to Job his fortunes – both in money, family and age. The end of the story of Job is a climax of God’s grace … here is a man who struggled with doubt over whether God was truly gracious, and after being confronted by this God, he repents – and God pours out even more grace on him! Job’s story is truly a story of God’s grace.
This is an important story for us to remember during the Christmas season – because the real story of Christmas is grace. It is easy for us to get caught up in the trappings of Christmas and we can easily forget the meaning behind this season. When we think about Christmas, we need to think about the grace of God. It is grace that called forth the son of God to be born to a woman. It is grace that named this child Immanuel – God with us. It is grace that brought this child to adulthood – and to the cross. It is grace that is the opening chapter of the story of Christmas. We, too, are a people like Job --- we doubt God for various reasons, and challenge the notion that He is truly a loving and gracious God. Each week, from the pulpits of Christ church, we are confronted by God, in His Word, about his true gracious nature. Constantly, we are renewed in grace by God through the Holy Spirit. You see, our story isn’t much different from Job’s – we each struggle and fail, and God’s grace is always there to prop us back up and to go forth to proclaim God’s glory. May we remember the story of grace as we celebrate this season. May the story of grace be our reason for celebrating Christmas.

Soli Deo Gloria --- Pastor James

Westminster and Heidelberg

My favorite book, besides the Bible, is the Westminster Confession of Faith. It is a great summary of the Reformed doctrine, and I find it helpful, not just with understanding a particular strand of doctrine, but also in having the doctrine influence my faith.

Along with that is the Heidelberg Catechism ... some characterize this as being more 'warm' than the Westminster. I think they are both strong - but, I do find that the Heidelberg is probably more geared towards the heart than the mind.

When you put these 2 together, you form a very strong foundation of the richnesss of the Reformed faith in your mind and heart. I would encourage you to dig into the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Heidelberg Catechism - and I believe you will be the better because of it!

The family that sits together stays together

There is an old Protestant tradition of the family pew. It holds that families should worship together – at home and at church. Therefore, at church, the family should sit together. The result of that was, generally speaking, the family was a stronger unit because of their worship together. The father was the spiritual leader of his family – not just in the home but also in the church. The parents were there to guide, love, comfort and discipline as need be. There are some who are familiar with this tradition who says that this was very influential in the strong family dynamics that were common in Protestant families of years past.
I think it is safe to say that the family unit is under increasing fire and pressure in our day and time. The divorce rate is climbing higher and higher … many children will never know either their mother or their faith – or both … parents have busy schedules that keep them away from home … children have busy schedules that keep them away from home … family time has been reduced due to TVs, DVDs and Ipods. What was once a bedrock has now crumbled. Many times I wonder how much of that is due to the disintegration of the family pew?
Each generation prides itself on how much more “individualistic” it has become. Many times this seems to be code for selfishness. Our society has defined “individualistic” to mean more focus on self – not actual self-realization. The more focused you become on yourself and what makes you happy – and what makes you content – and what makes you feel better about you is what it means to be individualistic. It doesn’t take a genius to realize how quickly this will erode communities and anything that causes a person to give up something for the greater good of the group. It also doesn’t take a genius to see how this idea of “individuality” is tearing apart the family.
One of my concerns is seeing how this is tearing apart the family pew. It has become some unwritten rite of passage that when a child reaches a certain age, then they have “earned” the right to sit with their friends in church. To me, this is code for “I just want to do what makes my child happy”. It is just another symptom of a worldly idea overtaking a heavenly principle and right. Good parents will always ask their child where they are going on a Friday night, who with, for how long and what they will be doing. Yet, the same caution and care isn’t given to the care of their worship. As long as they are happy – or maybe it is just as long as they are there – then that is what matters. No –what ultimately matters is the family pew and the care it provides.
It is in the family pew that the family can gather everything week and worship God. It is in the family pew where the family can bow together and pray. It is in the family pew where families can learn hymns together. It is in the family pew where God’s word can be heard together – and where the sacraments are taken together. The family pew is where family togetherness takes place.
This doesn’t take place when your family is scattered throughout the church. What happens when your child has a question? When they misbehave? When they refuse to fully engage in worship? When they need leadership, and yet are stuck amongst their peers who are looking for the same leadership?
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 “5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” There is a sense of totality to this passage – parents are responsible for their children’s spiritual growth and well being, and the large part of this responsibility is on the shoulders of the father. The Lord tells us that children are a blessing … do we treat them as such? The family pew does – because with blessings comes responsibilities – and parents’ responsibilities are for their children’s spiritual well being. Let me encourage you to make and maintain a family pew – gather your family together in one pew every week, and worship the Lord your God together. Sing together … pray together … come under the means of grace together. This will only serve to strengthen your family – and will be a blessing in your lives. If you are maintaining a family pew, continue to do so, up until your children marry - and maybe your family pew will grow at that time! As a pastor, it warms my heart to see those families that worship together – for I see the covenant community at work. May the Lord continue to bless our families – and our family pews.

Soli Deo Gloria – Pastor James

By the way ...

did I mention that we are going to be parents?!?!?!? 'Lil McManus is due in early April - so Beth & I are busy preparing for this blessed arrival!

Questions, answers and websites

I was asked by Joshua Espinosa, church administrator for Christ Church of the Carolinas, to answer 10 questions about expository preaching and preparation. I have posted the answers and my questions - and also his website, where others have given far better answers than mine! His site is great for resources and encouragement - so please check it out!

www.thehavensc.com

10 Questions for Expositors
1. Where do you place the importance of preaching in the grand scheme of church life?
I believe in the ordinary means of grace - word, prayer and sacraments. I think these means are the main (and, really, only) essence of ministry in the true evangelical church. Out of these means, I hold the preaching of the word to be the most essential to the church. It is through the preaching of the Word that God communicates with His people. The Westminster Confession of Faith states in 1.2 that the Bible is the written word of God … and I think that the Divines were allowing for the view that proper preaching is the spoken word of God. A right and true exposition of a Biblical text will communicate God's truth. Of course, the work of the Spirit has to be present in order for this to happen.
Terry Johnson of Independent Presbyterian in Savannah, GA argues that a minister’s most important ministry is in the pulpit - and I agree with that idea. It is from the pulpit that you can do the greatest ministry through the preaching of the Word. Therefore, I hold that the preaching of the Word is most important in the life of the church.

2. In a paragraph, how did you discover your gifts in preaching?
Through an inward calling and lots of practice! Thankfully, while I was in seminary, I was able to do a good bit of preaching - and a lot of my discovering my gifts were done through trial and error. I am still discovering my gifts and how to use them - and I think I will continue to hone these gifts over the course of my pastorate.

3. How long (on average) does it take you to prepare a sermon?
On average, I start a couple of weeks before the sermon thinking about it and running it over in my head. I try to get a handle on the text and come up with a rough outline. That Tues. before the sermon, I sit down with different commentaries and read through them at least 2-3 times. Then, I sit back down with the text and bang out a rough draft. I then spend the next couple of days looking it over, and on that Friday I will rework it as I need to. All told, I probably put in between 10-15 hours per sermon … sometimes I put in less, sometimes I put in more.

4. Is it important to you that a sermon contain one major theme or idea? If so, how do you crystallise it?
I think this is relevant to the congregation. Some congregations can handle more than one theme/idea … others can only handle one theme/idea. In my preaching, I usually stay with one idea, but try to incorporate "secondary" themes into it. For instance, in preaching on Mark 5.1-20, my main theme is spiritual warfare … but, I also spend some time discussing how Jesus is always victorious in spiritual warfare and how that should influence our thinking and participating in spiritual warfare. I will usually try and tie in other ideas with the main idea.

5. What is the most important aspect of a preacher’s style and what should he avoid?
My answer to both parts of this question is the preacher's personality. The Lord uses a man's personality in the development and delivery of a sermon - but his personality should never become the sermon. I think the Gospel writers are a good example - each writer's style tells us about their personality (Matthew's concern for the Jews, Luke's analytical doctor view, Mark's [Peter's] blunt and to the point, and John's lofty view, which I think is due to him spending so much time with Christ and knowing who He really is). Yet, their personalities never get in the way in the message - they each drive home the same message of the good news of Jesus Christ. The Lord uses our personalities - but never intends for that to overshadow our preaching. Christ is to be preeminent in all things- including our preaching.

6. What notes, if any, do you use?
I always take a full manuscript into the pulpit. This is a safety net for me, in case I lose my place or train of thought. I try to be as comfortable with the sermon as I can be so I don't rely on my notes. It is always my goal to never "read" a sermon. I try to preach it to the people. I also pray before each preaching opportunity that the Holy Spirit would lead me - and I pray the same before I prepare my sermon! It is my custom to always allow for the Holy Spirit to work in the pulpit - and I trust that He was at work when I was writing out the sermon.

7. What are the greatest perils that preacher must avoid?
The greatest peril a preacher must avoid is thinking that he goes into the pulpit alone. John Calvin fought great nervousness when he entered the pulpit - and he made it his custom to pray with each step to the pulpit "come, Holy Spirit, come". I think many men think that it is just them with many sets of eyes and ears focused on him. However, I believe that the Holy Spirit is present in the pulpit, and that the power of Heaven is behind every word. Understanding this has helped me to understand that I am a conduit of God - and that helps me from focusing on myself … am I speaking well? Are my notes in order? Is this a good illustration? Instead, I can understand, and believe, that God is at work in this time - and His word will go out and produce the desired effect according to the will of God.

8. How do you fight to balance preparation for preaching with other important responsibilities (eg. pastoral care, leadership responsibilities)
I always try and take a day off to spend in the sermon. I will have done some mental prep beforehand - but I hide out on that day and just focus on my sermon. I try to avoid phone calls and emails, unless they are absolutely necessary. After this day, which is usually Tuesday, I will do some reworking here and there, but the main work has already been done. I do it this way because of the great importance of preaching.

9. What books on preaching, or exemplars of it, have you found most influential in your own preaching?
I have enjoyed Martin Lloyd Jones, Bryan Chappell, and Terry Johnson's works on preaching. I find that listening to other preachers is very helpful for me - I enjoy servants such as Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, Rev. Bowers of Christ Church of the Carolinas, Rev. Rich Lambert of New St. Peters PCA, and Dr. Ligon Duncan. I also find listening to my peers very helpful - each of my good buddies from seminary each bring something different to their sermons, and I am always challenged by that.

10. What steps do you take to nurture or encourage developing or future preachers?
I think having young preachers come into your church and preach is the most nurturing thing a pastor can do. This allows them to figure it all out. Also, an older pastor can encourage and direct these men. We all start in the same place - and I love the idea of older pastors passing along wisdom to younger men. I think if there was more of this, maybe preaching would be more inspired and better directed to the glory of God.

Questions and Website

I was asked by Joshua Espinosa, church administrator of Christ Church of the Carolinas, to answer 10 questions concerning expository preaching. I have first posted Joshua's website where he posted the questions and answers from myself and others ... and he also includes a great deal of information on this site! I have also posted the questions and my answers. I hope you enjoy!

Sumter SC Presbyterian

Right outside my hometown of Sumter, SC is a beautiful, older Presbyterian church near the town of Mayesville. Here are some pics of that church, Salem Black River Presbyterian Church ...






Session house of Salem Black River Presbyterian Church


Rear view of Salem Black River Presbyterian Church


Entrance to the church cemetary


A Presbyterian church located in between Camden and Lancaster SC

Southern Presbyterian History

Over the years, I have developed an interest in the history of Southern Presbyterian churches. While I was an intern at Olivet Presbyterian Church in McConnells, SC, I went around York County and photographed some of the older Presbyterian churches in that area. Here they are ...


This is the view from the pulpit of Olivet PCA, McConnells SC



Another view from the Olivet pulpit


Olivet Presbyterian Church, McConnells SC


Bethesda Presbyterian Church, York SC


First Presbyterian Church, York SC


Bethel Presbyterian Church, Clover SC

Inheritance

I recently "inherited" an 80GB IPod - and I have been feverishly downloading all of my music onto it! Of course, I will come nowhere close to using up 80GB of memory from my own album collection. With that in mind, I started doing some exploring and found some great sermon podcasts that you may be interested in ...
The first is from First Presbyterian in Columbia, SC. The senior pastor is Dr. Sinclair Ferguson. His sermons are winsomely Reformed, and always a joy to listen to.
Another is Woodruff Road PCA in Simpsonville, SC. The senior pastor is Rev. Carl Robbins - a true scholar of Reformed doctrine!
Finally, Christ Church of the Carolinas, where my good friend, Frank Legare, is associate pastor. The senior pastor of this church is the Rev. Bowers (I was in seminary with his son). These pastors are routinely used by the Lord to produce powerful and thought provoking sermons.
I think if you were to listen to any of these groups of sermons, you would be greatly blessed in hearing the Gospel of our Christ proclaimed boldly by humble servants. They are quickly filling up my IPod!

Feedback

It is coming up on a year that we have had this blog running - and I was wondering what are your thoughts on it? Are you liking the set up? Any suggestions?

The God of Bluegrass

It is safe to say that I was raised in a musical home. It wasn’t a home where my parents played different musical instruments. It was a home where music was constantly listened to. If a chore was being done, music was selected to go along with the chore. If you were going to sit on the couch, then you needed a good album selection to go along with this time. My childhood was filled with music! What I really enjoyed about it was the vast genres of music I was exposed to. I never knew what kind of album would be played next – country, rock, blues, jazz, bluegrass … I just never knew! All I know is that I usually enjoyed most of what was played.
Over the years, I have gained more and more of an appreciation for bluegrass. Now, I know that this isn’t a first choice for a number of folks when it comes to musical styles. It took some time to grow on me! But, I have grown to be a fan of it. One of the reasons why I like bluegrass is because of its organic nature. Bluegrass can be played anywhere! You can find folks playing bluegrass - on the front porch “pickin’ n’ grinnin’”, on the big stage of the Grand Ole Opry, and even in White Oak Hall! Bluegrass just has an organic nature to it – and I think that is why it reverberates with so many folks. It is a music that can be enjoyed at any time, in any place with any number of folks joining in.
Another part of its organic nature is that each part in the group contributes to the whole. Many times in a bluegrass setting, each instrument will add something very important to the song, which adds up to the completion of the song. The banjo, mandolin, guitar and bass all join together to complete the melody. You take away one piece, and there is something missing with the song. Bluegrass is really the musical equivalent of a team effort! It takes all band members to complete the song.
The same is true for Christians. We are all part of an important team – the church. We each play a vital role in the way that the church operates. Not only that, but the church is very organic – we can meet together in a sanctuary, or in a field, or in a gym, or on a front porch. No matter where the church meets, it is still the church. Christ tells us that “for where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (Matthew 18.20) What is required is that believers gather together for His glory. I have heard from people who worshipped in Africa that their meeting place was a concrete slab – and that is it. Christians in China must secretly gather in houses to worship for fear of what the authorities would do if they were found. Folks in the Gulf Region worshipped in public parks after Hurricane Katrina destroyed their church. However, their main goal was to gather together and give God the glory. Because the church is organic, it only depends on Christ – and He promises that if we gather, He will be there.
As the church, we all play a vital role in its function. There is never an unimportant person in the church – we are all equally important when we are a part of the body of Christ! Either it be through teaching, serving, cleaning, hugging or a simple hand shake – we are all part of the same team, aiming for the same goal. As long as our goal is to give God all the glory, then we will succeed in our role. Being a part of the same team also means respecting each others roles – no one is more important than the other, and no ones work means any less because of its visibility! God has designed the church to operate like a body – and a body needs the eye to act like an eye, and an ear to act like an ear. The church needs each of us to act like the way He has ordained for us to act in our God-given role.
The church is one of the most beautiful gifts God has given to us and to the world. My prayer is that we would each love the church in the same way that God loves the church – which He describes as being His bride! May we long for the greater good of the church, and may we each thrive in our roles, knowing that it is God himself who has prepared us and put us in these roles.

Semper Refomanda – Pastor James

It, too, is under my porch

On his album “Illinois”, Christian musician Sufjan Stevens sings a song about the life of John Wayne Gacy, Jr. You may not be as familiar with his name as you are with his actions. Gacy confessed to the murders of 33 young men and boys. When the police went and searched his property, they found a number of these victims buried underneath the porch of Gacy’s house. What makes Gacy’s story even more chilling is that he would hold block parties for his neighbors, and he would dress up as a clown to entertain the children at these parties.
In his song about Gacy, Sufjan Stevens gives a recap of the life and actions of Gacy – and he ends the song with this chilling stanza: “And in my best behavior I am really just like him; Look beneath the floorboards; For the secrets I have hid.” What a chilling end to a song – it is unexpected in the flow of the lyrics. However, I think it is most chilling because the essence of what Stevens is singing is true – in my best behavior, is there really any difference between me (and you) and John Wayne Gacy, Jr.? What have sins have you hid beneath the floorboards of your life, pretending as if they aren’t even there?
This is what makes grace so amazing. Evolutionists like to say that there isn’t much separating man from ape – just a few tweaks here and there, and all of sudden you can take an ape and make him into an Einstein, or a Mozart, or Luther. No matter the debate on that, what is true is that there isn’t much separating you from being a John Wayne Gacy, Jr. All that separates you from being that “bad” is the grace of God.
A favorite mantra of Christians is “there but for the grace of God go I”. I am sure you have heard it said – and may even have said it yourself. Have you ever stopped to think about what that really means? This phrase was said by John Bradford, an English Reformer. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London, and several men being escorted to their execution. Bradford was so moved by this scene that he said “There but for the grace of God goes John Bradford”. He would eventually be burned at the stake, condemned for being a heretic. When Bradford saw these men, who were guilty of crimes (unlike Bradford, whose crime was being a Christian and sharing the Gospel) and who were on their way to their death, maybe not even knowing Christ – Bradford understood that he could have been in their shoes. Instead of being guilty of loving Christ so much that he would want to share this love with others, his crime could have been more worldly – robbery, murder, kidnapping and the likes. When Bradford saw a man who would be guilty for an eternity, he didn’t puff up his chest and proclaim some sort of moral victory. No, what he did was look at that guilty, and release that it was grace that saved him – and it was only grace that made him any different.
Sufjan Stevens understood that when he looked at the life of John Wayne Gacy, Jr. What stopped him from being that vile? Grace. What stopped him from committing such heinous acts? Grace. What stopped him from being that evil? Grace. What makes you any different from being that evil? Grace.
Every day, God’s grace is at work in your life – it is God’s grace that gives you breath … it is God’s grace that places food on your table … it is God’s grace that you have a house, clothes, cars, boats, guns, and other sundry items. My question for you is this – do you realize the magnitude of God’s grace and the way it works in your life? Do you understand the price for this grace? It is no less than the perfect work and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Do you understand what works this grace in your life every day? The third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, who lives and works within your life to show you grace. The grace of God isn’t a little pithy item in life – it is the work of the Gospel … this work which changes you … this work that keeps you from being a John Wayne Gacy, Jr. May you understand this grace – and, as you understand it, may you embrace it and love it – and may you, through the work of the Spirit, allow it to guide your life – and may it make you humble before the Grace Giver.
Soli Deo Gloria --- Pastor James

Worship

I think that Pastor Tom and I have the best seats in the house week after week. We get to be right in front of the choir and enjoy their singing … we are sandwiched in between the organ and piano so we are able to fully hear and enjoy Mrs. Kathy and Mrs. Janice’s (and sometimes Ms. Mary June’s) playing … we are in the direction in which most of the congregation is singing … and, we get to sit next to each other when we preach!
I also say we have the best seats in the house because, week after week, we each can look out and see which of the congregants are engaged in worship. And, rest assured, we do scan the sanctuary during the worship service. To be honest, what I often see are some people who are disengaged from worship. Either it be the singing, the reading of scripture, the prayers, or the exhorting of God’s word to His people, there are many Sunday mornings where I see some people who are not fully participating in worship. It is quite a sad sight to behold.
Go to Athens, Georgia … or Columbia, South Carolina … or Atlanta, Georgia on any given fall Saturday afternoon, and what do you find? Thousands of people who have directed their full attention to a group of young men who are using their God-given talents in the game of football. These groups of fans hang onto every play, every call, every timeout, every score as if it is the most important thing happening at that moment. In all the college football games that I have witnessed, I can’t ever remember seeing some people sleeping during a goal-line stand. I can’t remember seeing some people reading the program while the home team is marching down the field with less than a minute left in the game, and they are down by 6 points. I also can’t remember seeing some people looking at their watch while they wait for a kick-off to be returned for a touchdown. However, I can remember people sleeping during a sermon … or looking at their watch during the service … or flipping through the hymnbook while the covenant community around them sings praises to their merciful and faithful God.
Why is this? I know there are many reasons to this, but I think it truly boils down to one fundamental fact- the worship of God isn’t as exciting, and therefore isn’t as meaningful, as a college football game (or any other sport or hobby). Frankly, some people find the worship of God to pale in comparison to other activities. We can find more meaning in other things, such as a college football game, than in the worship of God. Sunday has just become a part of the routine of life. It is something else for us to endure in between the more ‘meaningful’ parts of life. Well, if this is true, then would these bored parties find satisfaction in heaven?
It is interesting to note how Scripture describes heaven. The book we often turn to for details of heaven is the book of Revelation. The first detail we get of heaven from the apostle John is his seemingly involuntary reaction to fall down and worship. He didn’t run around and high five the angels … he didn’t hug Jesus … he didn’t turn a full 360 degrees to take in the sight of heaven. No, his first reaction was to worship.
John then goes on to talk about heaven – and the common thread is worship. What are the angels doing in heaven? Worshipping! What are the elders doing in heaven? Worshipping! What are the martyred saints doing in heaven? They are worshipping! What are the saints in heaven doing? Worshipping? Why is this? Because “the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever” – meaning, worship. We have been created to worship God in all spheres of life – but especially when we gather together as the bride to come before our bridegroom. Our spiritual DNA screams out for us to worship. As Christians, we should know no other way to live.
Do you find worship boring? Is it not as ‘meaningful’ as other things in life? Maybe you need to reintroduce yourself to the living God. There is nothing boring or meaningless about this God. He is the one whose very presence calls for all of heaven to bow down and worship. He is the God whose very grace and mercy calls for us to offer Him our worship. He is the living God who gives His people life – and they naturally respond in worship. He is God, and, as Christians, we are His chosen people. Can this really be boring? Can this truth really call us away from worship? No, it isn’t and it can’t. This truth should resound in our heart and motivate us to worship this Triune God – in His word, in the prayers and in the hymns. May we be reminded of this often, and remember the words of the apostle Peter, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Days 2-3

Yesterday was really busy for us --- up early so we can eat breakfast, then an hour drive (mostly in and around the mountains) to go to church. The church we are having VBS at, Upper Fork Methodist Church, was kind enough to provide a covered lunch for all of us after the service! I even got a chance to stand in front of the congregation and tell them where we were from and what we were there for. After the lunch, some of us set up the site for the week, and others went and drove the route - which was even more curvy and windy than the main roads! We finished soon enough to get back to play some baseball, and then it was off to Middlesboro to eat and make a Wal-Mart run! The day was finished up at Sonic ...
And, then the alarm clock rang at 5.45 am for me to start our week of VBS! Pretty soon, most of the group was up and down in the cafeteria for a bite to eat before leaving the campus at 7.15 am. The first day of VBS went well - we had 14 kids from the community come! There were some 'technical' difficulties, but we can quickly clear those up! Thankfully, our set up is pretty quick - so, after the kids leaving and eating lunch, we were able to get back to our rooms by 2.30 - and it was off to the baseball field for more baseball and football games (and, for some of, some sunburning!). Dinner was on the grounds - some kind of BBQ - and now we are getting ready to attend our evening meeting - and hopefully get some much needed rest!

Appalachia 2007 - Day One

We made it! No problems, no excitement - just dull driving to get to our destination. We had our first meeting tonight, and, so far, everything is good. I will try and post some more pics and give you updates on the week.

Family Time

Back to the Future

When I was young, Whitney Houston had a hit song with these lyrics: “I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way …” I remember this song being played all over the place, and so many people singing along with the radio. It’s a shame that the sentiment expressed in those lyrics have fallen to the wayside in our society, both in and out of the church.
As the pastor for youth and family, I have a passion for Christian covenantal families. Being a product of a broken family that suffered from many familial dysfunctions, I am fully aware of what kind of spiritual and emotional damage that can be done to children who are not raised in the loving and merciful Scriptural standards and boundaries. And, as I am entering into my 30s, I look around and see so many discarded carcasses of the covenantal family – and it is all being done in the name of self.
I had a pastor recently tell me that a large amount of problems with families stems directly from the selfish attitudes of parents, and how they mistakenly view their calling as parents. Providentially, the same day this pastor made this remark to me was the same day a devotion was emailed to me, detailing a mother’s struggle with this same thing. Here are some things that were mentioned in this devotion:
When my third child was born, my oldest was three. And they were all active boys … In those difficult three years I kept trying to regain my old life. An organizer and leader by nature, I’d volunteer to oversee something at church and then make my kids and me miserable trying to get it done. My heart is heavy when I remember the times I dragged my three little boys to one event or another, only to leave angry and in tears because they couldn’t sit still … instead of accepting my life as it was, I plowed ahead, wanting to serve God and feeling certain He was pleased with my sacrifices … what I know now is that sometimes God calls us to a new mission field that on the surface looks like we’ve been called out of the “game”, but nothing could be further from the truth! Instead I missed the opportunity to minister more deeply to my children … I wish someone had told me that God would not forget me, that I was right where He wanted me, and that I should relax and see the opportunities He had placed in front of me.
These are powerful words of regret from a mother who loved her family. But, notice what she said – she sacrificed her family all in order to regain her old self. She lost sight that God wasn’t calling her back to her old self, but that He had given her a ministry of the here and now – and this ministry was her family! Her Father in heaven had called her to be a mother to three sons – three sons she was to minister to by being a Godly mother.
God places a very high importance on the family. He relates to us in a familiar sense – He is our Father and we are his beloved children who have the privilege of calling Him “Abba, Father”. He loves the family so much that He gives instructions on how the family should be ministered to (Deuteronomy 6). God so desires that the covenantal family will be successful that He outlines what a Godly mother and wife is to be (Proverbs 31). He even tells husbands that they are to love their wives like He has sacrificially loved the church (Ephesians 5). God is not silent on the family … not in the least bit. Rather, God has spoken to families through His word – He has told each covenantal family what He lovingly desires of them. To have a family is a high calling from God.
Interestingly, when God talks about families, He never talks about ‘self’. He never equates a successful mother and father with ‘self’. Rather, it is the absence of self – a Godly parent is one who never focuses on him or her self. No – this parent always looks to God first and longs for God to be honored in the home and in the family. It is never their selves who comes first – it always the will of God in all things.
The covenantal children of the home are indeed the future of the church – these little ones may be future elders, deacons, pastors, Sunday School teachers, etc. They need to be loved and cared in the same way that God has loved and cared for us. Can you think of a higher selfless act than the sacrifice of an only son, all in order for a relationship to be repaired with a rebellious child? That is exactly what the Father in heaven did … He sent His son in order to call you out of rebellion. Parents – let me ask you the very blunt question: do you selflessly love your children? Are you emulating the love of the Heavenly Father with your children? Do they truly come first in all things and in all ways? This is the mission field that God has called each parent to. Fathers and mothers – are you answering this call? Are you ministering to the family that God has so blessed you with?
Soli Deo Gloria – Pastor James

The Internet: Good or evil? Heaven-bound or hell-sent?

The internet is an interesting tool. You can find almost anything you want on the internet, from daily Bible devotions to the most wretched of pornography. It is a source of great good, and sometimes a source of even greater evil. The current generation of youth and children are exposed to the internet in great amounts. Do you, as their parents and loved ones, know exactly what is going on when your child logs on to the computer? From MySpace to Facebook to message boards, your child is interacting with a superior technology, and is able to be in contact with thousands and thousands of people. They can find information on how to commit suicide, how to poison someone, and people who are willing to sexually exploit them. They can also find information on how to read their Bible better, what church camps are worth going to, and meet other like-minded believers. It is with this in mind that I encourage you to attend this workshop. I will take you through different sites that your children like to frequent, and show you some of the pitfalls of the Web, along with some of the bright spots. We will meet on Saturday, May 5th at 9.00 am, and we will be done by lunch time. Please put this date on your calendar and plan to attend – and don’t assume your child is immune to the bad side of the Internet. The average age a child is exposed to internet pornography is 11, and by the time they are 17, there is an 80% chance they have had multiple experiences with pornography. If that isn’t scary enough, 90% of 8-16 year olds have viewed pornography. Plan on joining us as we equip you with weapons to defend the soul of your child.

Prayer Thoughts

The Puritans were an unusual group of men and women. They devoted their whole lives to being pure before God, hence their name. Their devotion was so deep that they left England and migrated to America, all in order to practice Christianity without the sinful regulations defined by the government. The Puritans are our spiritual forefathers in many ways. There is so much we have learned from them, and there is so much more that we can learn from them.
One of their pastors was a man named Thomas Watson. He was not only a devoted pastor, but also an author. One of his works is titled ‘Heaven Taken by Storm’, which explains that Christians are to be violent (i.e. acting with or characterized by rough force; intense in force, effect, etc.) in their pursuit of being more like Jesus Christ. Rev. Watson counsels believers to be violent in their reading of the word, hearing of the word, sanctifying the Lord’s Day, etc. One of his more striking points is when he talks about prayer.
“Jesus Christ went more willingly to the cross than we do to the throne of grace.”
Is this true for you? Be encouraged to think about these words – Rev. Watson wrote this to people who had devoted their lives to being pure before God. As one who has full access to the throne of grace, go to it with all the willingness that God has given you, and enjoy the sweet fellowship of heaven that can only be obtained through prayer.

Live at the Fillmore: The Psalms

My dad is a voracious music fan. He listens to all kinds and styles of music. His record collection boasts albums from Ry Cooder to Willie Nelson to Hank Williams to the Beatles to Miles Davis to Led Zeppelin, and so on. From the earliest time that I can remember, there was always some kind of music being played in the car and around the house. So, it was virtually inevitable that I would develop the same sort of passion for music – and, I did!
One of the musical forms that I have a keen interest in is the blues and blues-rock. I love this style of music … the rough recordings of Robert Johnson … the opening slide riff of ‘Statesboro Blues’ by the Allman Brothers … Derek and the Dominoes pouring out blues guitar in “Live from the Fillmore East”. One of the things that I love about this style of music is its brutal honesty. The musical side of the blues is really unpretentious, and is based upon letting your feelings show in the way that you play your instrument. Many times, this is what is recognized as being the blues. However, the lyrics of blues songs also portray the raw emotions of the human heart, with Robert Johnson singing about the hardships of life in the delta of the Mississippi and John Lee Hooker wondering whether heaven and hell really exist because of the conditions that he sees right here on earth. The blues can really be characterized as being a form of music that provides a platform for a man or woman to expose their emotions and desires in both music and lyrics.
Interestingly enough, the same could be said for the book of Psalms. Bono, lead singer of the rock group, U2, says the same thing, “That's what a lot of the psalms feel like to me -- the blues …” In this book of the Bible, we have so many examples of man laying himself bare before his God. There are times when he is shouting for joy before the Lord … there are other times when he contemplates about who God is … there are times when he is verbally shaking his fist at God … and there are times when he is bent down in tears, wondering where his God is. Psalm 22 is a striking example of an emotive psalm – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” We tend to remember this psalm only around Easter, when we recount the story of Jesus on the cross. But, we need to remember that this was first written by David, and given to the choirmaster for use in worship. Think of David’s words again, “My God, why have you forsaken me? … why are you so far from saving me?” Can you read in between the lines and see the stark emotion of a man who feels as if God is so far from him that he cannot be saved? A man, who is later described as being a man after God’s own heart, is in a place where he sees no hope, because he sees no God. You can almost imagine David’s tears falling down on the parchment of this psalm, causing some of the ink to run down the page.
There are numerous examples of the psalmist laying his soul bare before God. Psalm 69 actually has the audacity to say “My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God”, and Psalm 109 opens with these words, “Be not silent, O God of my praise! For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.” These words inspired and directed by God himself, gives to us the example of a heart being laid wide open for God. Emotions are not hid nor imagined to not really exist. On the contrary, they are presented before God, and the psalmist pleas with Him from his broken heart.
However, there is a stark difference between the blues and the psalms. Many times, the blues end on a low note – hence the appropriate title for this style of music! Usually, there is no resolution to the problem … life is hard, and this will never change. The psalmist never sees his life that way. Even in the midst of great trials and hardships expressed in the words of the psalms, he always comes back to God – and how great and trustworthy our Lord in heaven truly is. He knows that life is hard – but that God is greater than any hardship. He knows that life can be unfair – but that God is eternally gracious to his children. He knows that life can seem to be filled more with enemies than with friends – but that God is always the victor, and claims victory for his people.
There are many things we can learn from the psalms – and one of the greatest lessons is that we need to be honest with God, because He already knows how we feel. We also need to learn to see our problems in the larger context than our hole of pity – God is always victorious, and the cross of Jesus Christ should always remind us that this victory is now our victory. We can sing the blues, but we can always end with a smile, because God is our God and Father.

Soli Deo Gloria
Pastor James

Ski Outtakes

Stay tuned - I am hoping to have some ski pictures posted!

March Newsletter piece

Hug a Presbyterian!

This coming Sunday, I have the privilege of starting to teach the communicants class. The format for this class is to teach through each of the six membership questions each child will have to satisfactorily answer. I am responsible for teaching through the last three questions – do you now resolve and promise in humble reliance upon the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes a follower of Christ? Do you promise to support the church in its worship and work, to the best of your ability? Do you submit yourself in the spirit of love to the government and discipline of this church and promise to strive for its purity, peace and prosperity? I am looking forward to this time with our six youth who desire to join the church. I am especially looking forward to teaching on the last question.
I have come to find that I am somewhat unusual in my passion and fervor of being a Presbyterian. Many times, when I tell someone that I make it a habit to thank the living God for calling me to be a Presbyterian, they give me a weird look – as if they are wondering why in the world I would ever pray about something that divisive? In our current Church society and philosophy, denominations have been branded as being outdated and exclusive – and why in the world would we ever want to do something that our forefathers held to & practice something that may offend just one single person?
Well, there are good reasons why we have Presbyterian denominations – and why each one of us is Presbyterian. The main reason – and really the sole reason – is that it is Biblical. The absolute genius and beauty of our theological heritage is that it reminds us that God’s holy writ – the Scriptures – is the sole authority on all matters. This is even true when it comes to something as dry and boring as church government. Isn’t it amazing that God, in his absolute sovereignty, saw fit to instruct his bride in how she should be organized? He did – and, as Presbyterians, we truly understand and believe that we are keeping as close to his word as we can – even in our church government.
Presbyterianism really started with Moses. In Exodus 18, Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, saw how much work Moses was doing for Israel. Out of concern for Moses’ health, Jethro advised him that he needed to choose some able men to go out and start doing some of this spiritual work that was totally upon Moses’ shoulders. So, Moses chose from the nation some able men to help do the spiritual work that these people needed. Sounds suspiciously like elders, doesn’t it?
Where we start to see the fruition of the foundation of Presbyterianism is in the early church of Acts. In chapter six of the book, we read of widows being neglected, so the twelve disciples gathered together and hatched the plan of electing deacons – men who would spiritually serve the church by taking care of the physical needs. This enabled the 12 disciples to fully focus on being elders. Is this starting to sound familiar to your Presbyterian ears?
Finally, in Acts 15, we read of the first General Synod. The elders from the churches of Jerusalem gathered together to do the work of the church – in this instance, to grapple with a theological issue concerning circumcision. They met and discussed this issue, and issued a ruling that would help the church to deal with these sorts of situations. If you were to go to Bonclarken for General Synod, you would see the same sort of thing happening.
These are just a few of the Biblical references to our Presbyterian church government. I don’t think it is being divisive in being humbly proud of your church and the way that it operates – because we understand that our form of government is seeking to be true to Scripture. I think we should all thank God that he has called us to be Presbyterians! It is in his providence that we are members of a Presbyterian church – and it is in his grace and mercy that we operate in such a way. Let us all endeavor, then, to be the best Presbyterian that God has called us to be, because “whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10.31) – even being a Presbyterian, because it is Biblical.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor James

Thoughts on getting deeper into the Scriptures

I found this post on another site, and would like to share it with you ...

And I will show you a still more excellent way ...

I'd like to share a happy discovery I've made since I've been back in my home state of Texas. My family and I came here a month ago to spend the holidays with our families. And here, as in Scotland, I've been reading a lot of church history and theology, off- and online (mainly blogs). I want to highlight the most life-changing post I've read in months -- maybe ever. In it Justin Taylor cited Joe Carter, who had taken a strategy from a book by the late James M. Gray. Taylor's post was entitled, 'Four Steps to Transform Your Life'. Here they are:

1. Choose a book of the Bible.
2. Read it in its entirety.
3. Repeat Step 2 twenty times.
4. Repeat this process for all 66 books of the Bible.

To make a long post (that has very little to do with the Puritans) short, I decided to take Gray's/Carter's/Taylor's advice, and I'm now beginning my 15th reading of 1 Thessalonians. The results? Well, I haven't been caught up to the third heaven or had any epiphanies.

But I can say, without exaggerating, that I've experienced more sublime peace and gained more insight and encouragement reading Paul's heartfelt epistle these 14 times than I've ever known scouring the musings of men in print or around the blogosphere.

In fact, since I started following this plan I've come to the conviction that an intimate knowledge of God's sacred Word -- the kind of familiarity I believe anyone with a 6th-grade education can obtain by simply following these four steps in earnest -- is many times more valuable and profitable than any education any theological institution can offer. Don't get me wrong: I've had eight years of formal theological training, and I still recommend a (conservative) seminary education to anyone thinking seriously about going into full-time ministry. But if you finish all of that and you don't know and love the Scriptures, I can't help but think it's all an expensive waste.

This program isn't a magic formula for spiritual maturity. In its essence it's simply a way to master the Bible, one book at a time. And it's effective.

Read books, read blogs, read the news, read whatever you feel edifies you -- but you'll never find rest for your harried soul until you return to the pages of God's Word and make it your home. If you're preparing for vocational ministry or are already immersed in it, I can think of no better way to train yourself than to follow the four steps above prayerfully and obediently. I guarantee that if you do, you'll never lack the power or resources needed to feed the Lord's flock. By God's grace you'll be a holy powerhouse. Try it!

Girls Gone Wild

This week's edition of Newsweek has an article about the effect that celebrities and their actions have on teenagers. It is an eye-opening article that makes one reconsider how much influence and power we allow celebrities to have over our children. Should these people who we don't really know - all we know is the image they choose to put forth - be allowed to shape our children? From casual sex to casual drug-usage to their lack of clothing - is this who we really want our children to grow up to be, especially our girls, who tend to be more susceptible to this? Whatever happened to the shining example of the Proverbs 31 woman?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16961761/site/newsweek/

Please be aware that there is some frank talk in this article - and some pictorial slide shows that go along with it. Proceed with caution ...

Interesting Thoughts

A friend of mine, who is an ARP pastor in the upstate of SC, has a blog, and he posted this quotes - interesting thoughts to ponder on ...

Richard Baxter: "All churches either rise or fall as the ministry doth rise or fall, not in riches or worldly grandeur, but in knowledge, zeal, and ability for their work."

Charles Spurgeon: "Today there is not very much Gospel about; the church has given it up; a great many preachers preach everything but the living truth. This is sad; but it is a strong reason why you and I should teach more Gospel than ever. I have often thought to myself -- Other men may teach socialism, deliver lectures, or collect a band of fiddlers, that they may gather a congregation; but I will preach the Gospel. I will preach more Gospel than ever if I can; I will stick more to the one cardinal point. The other brethren can attend to the odds and ends, but I will keep to Christ crucified. To the men of vast ability, who are looking to the events of the day, I would say, 'Allow one poor fool to keep preaching the Gospel.' Beloved teachers, be fools for Christ, and keep to the Gospel. Don't you be afraid; it has life in it, and it will grow: only bring it out and let it grow."

John Calvin: "It is certain that if we come to church we shall not hear only a mortal man speaking but we shall feel (even by his secret power) that God is speaking to our souls, that he is the teacher. He so touches us that the human voice enters into us and so profits us that we are refreshed and nourished by it. God calls us to him as if he had his mouth open and we saw him there in person."

Super Bowl XLI

February 4th – 6.00 p.m. at Garry, Abbie & Katie Wakefield’s – 45 Tanqueray Street, Sharpsburg. We will provide transportation from the church to their house. Please be at the church at 5.30 pm if you need a ride. There will be pizza provided – guys, please bring a 2 liter drink; girls, please bring a dessert. If you need any more information, please contact Pastor James.

Feb newsletter column

Aiming for Worship

Last month, I talked about the importance of family worship. One of the reasons why it is important to have family worship is that it daily brings us into the presence of our God, and reminds us of the eternal Gospel. One of the tools of this Gospel worship is music.
Martin Luther once said that music is a gift of God, and that it is the handmaiden of theology, and second only to theology. Music plays a large role in our worshipping and understanding our God. When you read Biblical accounts of heaven, a very striking and dominant theme is that everyone is singing in heaven! Their worship is marked by their heartfelt songs, not matter their talent. Worshipful singing is meant to be a trademark of a true child of God. With this in mind, I would like to inform you about some resources available to help you and your family in your journey of worshipping our great God through music.
Judy Rogers has devoted herself to producing CD’s of music for children. She is the wife of a Presbyterian pastor, and has written many songs to help children understand their heavenly Father better. She has recorded an album of songs based on the Children’s Catechism, and another on who God really is. The great thing about her endeavors is that she wants to encourage children to always be biblically based. You can find out more about her and her albums at www.judyrogers.com.
There is a movement taking place where a number of artists are taking theologically rich older hymns and putting them to new tunes. This has really exploded, and it is seeping its way into mainstream contemporary Christian radio. It is really exciting to hear their results, and to be challenged by their music and the text. The first to do this is a group called Indelible Grace – www.igracemusic.com . They are taking many familiar hymns and reworking the tunes to more modern sounds and harmonies. On their website, they have a wealth of information about worship that is well worth reading. Another group in this movement is from a Presbyterian church in Birmingham, AL - www.redmountainchurch.org/rmm/. This group is taking a 17th century hymnal, The Gadsby Hymnal, and writing new tunes for it. Their latest album, “Help My Unbelief”, looks at the themes of Christian doubt and longing. Jars of Clay have also recently put out an album of older hymns, “Redemption Songs”. I would encourage you to go to these sites and listen to some clips to see if you are interested … I am using these albums as a part of our worship time in our evening youth meetings.
If you are more inclined to the more traditional renditions of hymns, don’t be worried! There are plenty of resources available to help you in your worship. Ligonier Ministries - www.ligonier.org – has made available some beautiful recordings of many favorite hymns and psalms. They even offer a CD of James Montgomery Boice’s “Hymns for a Modern Reformation” – a number of hymns he wrote based on Biblical truths. It is a very encouraging album!
I hope you will listen to some of these albums, because I truly believe they will spiritually benefit you and your family. As Dr. Luther said, music is the handmaiden of theology – and all theology truly is, is a deeper understanding of God. Why not immerse yourself into something that will help you to know God better & that will aid you in your worship of Him? May we all endeavor to worship like the saints in heaven – and may we do it at home with our family, and in the church with our fellow brothers and sisters.

Soli Deo Gloria (To God alone be the glory)

Pastor James

The Star that shone on the birth of Jesus

Here is an interesting take on the star of Bethlehem.
http://www.reformation21.org/Reformation_21/20/

Notes from Parents Meeting

Parent & Youth Meeting
December 3, 2006

• I have asked for both parents and youth to be here because I want each group to hear what the other group is being taught and told about. I want each of y’all to know what responsibilities I am laying out for each group. Youth – know what your parent’s responsibilities are. Parents – know what your youth’s responsibilities are.
• First thing, my area of responsibility is K-12 grade participants and their families. This is my congregation – and I am your pastor. Please utilize me as such – I have been called to be your pastor, so please use me as such. I am here for you.
• Philosophy of ministry – this revolves around the covenantal family.
• Jeremiah 31.33 - I will be their God, and they shall be my people… this is the crux of the covenant that God has made with His people, and this is the foundation from which I am building this ministry.
• In particular, my focus is on helping and aiding the covenant family, because God works through the covenantal family structure.
• I am here to aid the parents in their role of raising their children… please understand, I am not a miracle worker – I do not walk on water, nor do I turn water into wine – and I cannot snap my finger and make your kids good and your family ok. That is not what I do – my calling is to come alongside the family and to help you along.
• This ministry will be built to aid the parents, not to do those things that you don’t want to do. Which means this – my ministry to your family will look just like how you minister to your family.
• So far, we are off to a good start – because you are here this evening, and that shows me your seriousness in this ministry and your part in it.
• But, parents please understand that I am here to aid you as you seek to raise your family according to the covenant.
• Think about the way our week is scheduled at this church – I have an hour every other week with your kids. They spend a little less than one hour in Sunday School.
• Who do they spend a majority of their time with outside of the church? It isn’t with us – so which means that we are limited to what we can do.
• We aren’t there every day – we aren’t in the homes with them – we aren’t family.
• The burden of ministry falls upon your shoulders – and we are here to aid you in that.
• Hughes Oliphant Old, a professor at Erskine College and Seminary, said that the family is a little church – I believe that, and I want to aid you in that.
• How are we going to do that? Through teaching and relationships.
• Here are some of my goals in how we are going to structure our ministry – sometime in the next year, I want youth group to be a weekly meeting instead of every other week.
• This time will be spent in singing songs, praying for each other and being taught from Scripture on a number of issues and topics. We will also use our time to social with each other, to build relationships with one another.
• Our teaching will be heavy – meaning that I will focus on the Bible and to bring your youth along in their understanding of it – that from this teaching, we will be preparing Proverbs 31 women and Ephesians 5 men.
• Also, I would like for us to do some more singing in the groups – which means that I need some musical people to help out with this! I play guitar, but my voice scares more than it helps!
• This will be our main way of helping the family.
• We will also schedule social events – right now, I am looking at a ski trip for the winter break in Feb.
• We will do some big events scattered around smaller events – all of them aimed at building relationships with one another.
• Another thing we will start in the New Year is I would like to come and visit each family under my care – to pray with you, to fellowship with you, and to help you out anyway that I can… I will let you know more about that as I try and get that together.
• Finally, I hope to have parent’s meeting set up periodically – probably quarterly – to give you the opportunity to have a hand in all of this.
• Now, the best way that we can minister to your youth and child is if they are active in the church – in Sunday School, morning worship and in youth group… this is where our main exposure to your youth will be… if they aren’t involved, then we cannot minister to them.
• So, we need the youth to be involved in order for us to be able to minister to them.
• Parents, I encourage you to make this ministry a priority in the life of your family…I know that families are busy with different things at different places… but, what we are talking about here isn’t another extracurricular activity – we are talking about the care and nurture of your child’s soul and salvation… please make this ministry a priority in your life.
• Another idea for parents – your children model your behavior… this is proven over and over again… model for your children what a Christian should be, both in & out of church.
• I am amazed at how many parents think they can do what they want to and for it to not affect their children.
• Your children will model your behavior – so give them good behavior to be modeled after.
• Be active in church – come to church and be a part of the community.
• When you encourage your youth to come to youth group, why don’t you also go to evening worship? What better way to model this priority than for you to be a part of the evening activities here?
• Youth – you need to make this ministry a priority in your life, because each person working in this ministry is doing so for your benefit.
• I am the only paid worker here – the rest are volunteering to do this – and that shows you how much care there is for you in this church.
• Please make this a priority in your lives – get your homework done ahead of time, get your chores out of the way – and come and be a part of this time with each other.
• I am excited about the opportunities here – we have a good core of youth! There is no limit to what this ministry can do in the lives of each other.
• But, we all have to be dedicated to this in order for it to work… I have never seen a truly successful youth ministry that doesn’t involve the family in all ways, and that is what we aim to do.
• As I end my part, let me read to us a passage that explains to us the fundamentals of the covenant family – Deut. 6.4-9, 20-25
• I would like to give our other youth workers a moment to say a few words, and then open up the floor to any sort of discussion.

Yes, Virginia, There is a God

Yes, Virginia, There is a God
Isaiah 7.14

Scripture
The grass withers & the flowers fade, but the word of God endures forever. Amen.
Prayer

Introduction
Eight year old Virginia O'Hanlon was having a crisis – some of her friends were telling her that Santa Claus didn’t exist. Like most little girls, the first thing she did was to go to her father… and she asked him – was there really no Santa Claus? He told her that she should write their local newspaper, The New York Sun, and ask them this same question. This letter came before Francis Church, and he responded with the column that has become famous, “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus”. In this editorial, Mr. Church sets forth an argument that a belief in Santa Claus is warranted. Here are some of his reasons he sort forth of why we can believe that there is a Santa Claus…

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They do not believe except [what] they see… Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

His argument is based upon believing in the unseen and the unproven – basically, if you want to believe in Santa Claus, then you can, without any sort of proof or evidence… and this same logic also applies to fairies dancing on the lawn.
Thankfully, Santa Claus and God are not equals, because in the Christian faith, our belief that there is a God isn’t based on the unseen or unseeable or unknowable, for God has made himself known and seeable to his people.
We see God proclaimed in the nature around us…
Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Nature declares to us that there is a God – from a sunset to a fresh snow to leaves falling to a spring evening… all of this declares that there is a God.
We also behold God in mankind…
Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
When we look at each other, we see the image of God in each other – in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.
God has made himself known to us… especially in what we celebrate in the Christmas season.
Our passage this evening is found in the Old Testament, and was given as a prophecy of the coming Messiah. What is interesting to note is the name given to the coming Messiah – Immanuel, which literally means God with us. Some 700 years before the first Christmas, God’s people are promised that God himself will be with us. This same prophecy is retold in the birth account of Jesus Christ in Matthew 1.
Matthew 1:20-23 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).
This promised Messiah, who we are told will be God with us, is said to be Jesus Christ.
Now, if this was the only instance of this claim for Jesus as the Messiah, then we would have some right to be suspicious.
But, the Scriptural proof that this Messiah is Jesus Christ, the son of God, is overwhelming. First, we have the birth account – Isaiah foretold that the Messiah will be born of a virgin… and this Messiah was born of a virgin. The prophet Micah says that the Messiah will come from Bethlehem… where this Messiah was born. Isaiah tells what the life & death of the Messiah will look like in chapter 53… and it is the life and death of this Messiah.
It is also interesting to note how this Messiah considers himself…
In Luke 4, Jesus goes into the synagogue, and began to read from the prophet Isaiah…
18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." 20 And Jesus rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Jesus clearly identifies himself as the Messiah as prophesied in this reading from Isaiah, that he is the fulfillment of the promised Savior.
In John 10, Jesus says this about himself…
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."… 37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
Jesus considers himself to be God – he says explicitly that he and the Father are one… meaning that Jesus is God.
This is a constant theme in his ministry, even when faced with persecution, beatings and stonings. But, he isn’t the only one who proclaims him to be the Messiah.
When Jesus asked his apostles who they thought he was, Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” When Jesus was on the cross, his manner of death so impressed the centurion that was supervising his crucifixion that he uttered, “Truly, this was the son of God!” Even the demons and unclean spirits would proclaim Jesus to be the son of God! Paul and the other New Testament writers always made reference to this Jesus as being the Messiah, the son of God. Even the apostle John, when taken into heaven, continues to reference Jesus as the Messiah, the son of God.
But, what is most telling that this is the true Messiah was his manner of death as prophesied in Isaiah 53.
Jesus, as an innocent man, went upon the cross and suffered a cruel death – so cruel that at one point he is pushed to cry out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” As he was being crucified, the earth shook, the night turned into day, and the veil in the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. He died on this cross, was buried in the tomb of a rich man, and on the third day he rose from the dead. After his resurrection, he was seen by more than 500 people, some who were still alive during the writing of the New Testament.
He then ascended into heaven, which was witnessed by his disciples. When God entered into our world, people knew… it had been prophesied, and they saw these prophecies fulfilled.
The Messiah proclaimed himself to be the true Messiah, God incarnate on earth to save his people – and his people recognized that their Messiah had come to save them. They saw him… they touched him… they were healed by him… and they talked & wrote about their experiences. There is overwhelming proof that God entered into our world in the form of a man who was named Immanuel.
For Mr. Church, when we wanted to answer the question of proof of Santa Claus for little Virginia, he had to turn to the proving of nothing – all he could tell her is that you can’t prove that Santa isn’t real. For Christians, this same logic doesn’t hold true – we know that there is a God because of Christmas. With this season, we celebrate that the son of God came to earth to save his people – he was born of a woman… seen, touched and heard by a multitude of people… died on the cross and resurrected… and ascended into heaven.
On Christmas, we celebrate that God is real – so real that His son was born to us and beheld by many, and his saving work is experienced to this very day.
Yes, Virginia, there is a God – and we can be sure of that because of Christmas.

C.S. Lewis on Christmas

I found this about C.S. Lewis and his thoughts about Christmas...

From "What Christmas Means to Me":

The interchange of presents was a very small ingredient in the older English festivity. Mr. Pickwick took a cod with him to Dingley Dell; the reformed Scrooge ordered a turkey for his clerk; lovers sent love gifts; toys and fruit were given to children. But the idea that not only all friends but even all acquaintances should give one another presents, or at least send one another cards, is quite modern and has been forced upon us by the shopkeepers. Neither of these circumstances is in itself a reason for condemning it. I condemn it on the following grounds.

1. It gives on the whole much more pain than pleasure. You have only to stay over Christmas with a family who seriously try to ‘keep’ it [in the commerical sense] in order to see that the thing is a nightmare. Long before December 25th everyone is worn out—physically worn out by weeks of daily struggle in overcrowded shops, mentally worn out by the effort to remember all the right recipients and to think out suitable gifts for them. They are in no trim for merry-making; much less (if they should want to) to take part in a religious act. They look far more as if there had been a long illness in the house.

2. Most of it is involuntary. The modern rule is that anyone can force you to give him a present by sending you a quite unprovoked present of his own. It is almost a blackmail. Who has not heard the wail of despair, and indeed of resentment, when, at the last moment, just as everyone hoped that the nuisance was over for one more year, the unwanted gift from Mrs. Busy (whom we hardly remember) flops unwelcomed through the letter-box, and back to the dreadful shops one of us has to go?

3. Things are given as presents which no mortal ever bought for himself—gaudy and useless gadgets, ‘novelties’ because no one was ever fool enough to make their like before. Have we really no better use for materials and for human skill and time than to spend them on all this rubbish?

4. The nuisance. For after all, during the racket we still have all our ordinary and necessary shopping to do, and the racket trebles the labour of it. We are told that the whole dreary business must go on because it is good for trade. It is in fact merely one annual symptom of that lunatic condition of our country, and indeed of the world, in which everyone lives by persuading everyone else to buy things. I don’t know the way out. But can it really be my duty to buy and receive masses of junk every winter just to help the shopkeepers? If the worst comes to the worst I’d sooner give them money for nothing and write it off as a charity. For nothing? Why, better for nothing than for a nuisance.



Taken from C.S. Lewis, “What Christmas Means to Me,” in God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994), 304-305.

Senoir High Happenings

Here is a reminder that the Senior High Youth Group Christmas party is this Fri, the 8th, at 6 pm in WOH. There will be dinner (something good I hope- Peggy is in charge of it!), then an exchange of white elephant gifts, some games - & then we will head into town to watch 'The Nativity' - be ready to spend some time in discussion of this movie come Sun morn! I hope to see y'all there, and if you need any info, please call me, Daniel or Peggy!

Pastor James

Some links that may interest you...

Here are some links you may find interesting:
www.reformation21.org - a great collection of articles and such, from many renowned Reformed pastors and scholars.

www.igracemusic.com - a group of Reformed musicians who are taking old hymns and putting them to new music. Great stuff here!

www.redmountainchurch.org/rmm/ - this is a group of musicians from a Presbyterian church in Birmingham, AL who are dedicated to putting old hymns to new music. Recently, they have started working on putting new music to a 17th century hymnal. Both of these efforts are rich in theological truth and Reformed heritage and breathe new life into some of the great hymns of the faith.

www.monergism.com - another site chock full of articles about theological issues. Well worth a look if you have time.

www.cafepress.com/reformjugband - this is a site that is near and dear to my heart... this was an idea that I helped to hatch when I was in college, and a good friend of mine made it a reality. Please, get some of these products so when can spread the word!

Dec Newsletter column

I have always been fascinated by the minor/ secondary characters in the Christmas story. We are well familiar with the story of the birth of our savior. But, what is interesting to me are the characters that are mentioned only in this story and we never hear from them again – namely, the shepherds and the wise men. They show up for this brief story, and we never hear from them again. However, their story within the larger story begs for our attention.
First, the shepherds – their story begins with them sitting in the field one evening, tending their flock. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and announced, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” After this was proclaimed, a host of angels appeared, praising God in verse. What did the shepherds do? They went to the city of David, Bethlehem, and sought the Christ! They went “with haste” and found Joseph, Mary and Jesus. What is interesting to me is how their story ends: Luke 2:20 “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Notice their reaction – after meeting their Savior, they left the stable and returned from where they had left, glorifying and praising God! The shepherds wasted no time in doing what should come naturally to all the people of God – their hearts leapt in glory and praise of God – they had beheld him, and knew that their King had come to deliver them from their estate of sin and misery!
The other minor characters that fascinate me are the wise men. They had seen the star of Jacob that was promised in Numbers 24.17. When they saw this fulfillment of the Scriptural promise, they immediately went out to seek their Messiah. Matthew tells us that “when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Matthew 2.10). They were rejoicing because they knew their Messiah had come! They found the house where the family was, and the worshipped him by falling on their knees and offering him gifts. These wise men had given him gifts of great value because they knew the great value of this little child. What is the final word on their story? Matthew 2:12 “And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.” They went back home – and we can rightly assume that they began to tell people that the Messiah has come – he has come to save his people!
I love the fact that these 2 groups of characters have such a little role in the Christmas story, and after this story we never hear from them again, but their reactions are everlasting. Each group, having seen the One who was promised to save them, worshipped and praised God for this gift – and each went back to their people, with the Good News on their lips! Although Scripture never explicitly says that they told others, we can be sure they did because of their previous reactions. These were men who knew of God’s promises – and when they saw this promise fulfilled, they were immediately led to worship. We can imagine them running back to their homes and to their neighbors, excitedly telling them of what had just happened to them!
What reaction does the birth of Christ stir up in you? For many of us, this holiday season can provide a lot of distractions and stress for us. It is easy for us to get caught up in all the madness and frenzy of the Christmas season. Do you share the same reaction of the shepherds and wise men? Do you know that your Savior has been born to deliver his people? Do you worship God for such a sacrifice that is our gift? Do you offer before Him your worship in all ways? Christmas has never meant to be the busiest and most expensive time of your life. From the time of Jesus’ birth, it has only meant one thing to his people – glory & praise in worship. This year, I would encourage you to slow down and remember the examples of the shepherds and the wise men - & gather your family around, and share the good news of the son of God, born unto a woman, in order to save his people.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor James