Wednesday, March 28, 2007
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.
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
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
Thursday, March 1, 2007
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
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
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