2006
Packer and Swinnock on Preparation for Public Worship
Is his important chapter on "The Puritan Approach to Worship" in his book "A Quest for Godliness" (the British title is "Among God’s Giants"), J.I. Packer, after lamenting our shallowness in worship in comparison to the practice of our evangelical forebears the Puritans, asks: "How do we begin to get from where we are to [...]
Merry Christmas, and the Year to Come
Watch this blog in 2007! We are planning to come out of the blocks strong come January 1, 2007. Here’s the plan. Al Mohler is going to get us rolling the first week of the New Year – posing a question that we’ll all reflect and comment on. The week following, C.J. will follow suit. [...]
Charismatic Questions Spontaneity!
Bob Kauflin, tall, humble & happy, classicly-trained worship czar of Sovereign Grace ministries has been behind much good for Christ’s church. (Get and listen to Sovereign Grace’s new CD’s Valley of Vision and Savior: Celebrating the Mystery of God Become Man.) Bob is now in the process of writing a new book on worship which [...]
Thankful for elders
Yesterday morning we had a wonderful time together as a congregation. One of the high points was a moment that is fairly rare in our church’s life–all our elders came up front in the service. Our new elders were taking vows, as was the congregation, and we were praying for them. Having the elders there [...]
Deceptive Prosperity
It can be true of us as individuals. It can be true of our churches. It is the danger of deception, deception which comes with evident prosperity. What if there is prosperity in our life, but also sin? What if there is prosperity in our life right now, but sin God hates? What if there [...]
Confront or Adapt
Reading through recent mailouts of upcoming pastors conferences, knowing some of the speakers’ books and churches, reading the topics to be addressed, I’m struck again by the carefulness with which a faithful pastor must consider the issue of adapting the unchanging Gospel to his current context. Of course contextualization always takes place, whether acknowledged or [...]
I just received Iain Murray’s latest letter and he tells of his time in Brazil. He says: "Brazil is a great country, with a population distinguished by friendliness and warmth (eminently so among the Christians, as we again experienced everywhere). The growth of its cities, and the potential for the future is hard to describe. [...]
Belonging to the Church
"The question whether or not to join the church or belong to the church is not one that is open for the Christian believer." (Donald Macleod) "We don’t go to church; we are the church." (Ernest Southcott)
Un-Locke the Church!
Reflecting on the blessings God has given us in the United States, freedom of religion is certainly chief among them. And for them, we owe God thanks for one certain letter, which began: "Honored Sir, Since you are pleased to inquire what are my thoughts about the mutual toleration of Christians in their different professions [...]
An Old Time FPC Thanksgiving Story
Thanks Mark and C.J. Happy Thanksgiving! I don’t have much to add by way of customs and habits for spiritually benefitting from this great holiday, but a number of years ago, Otho Johnson (one of our elders) pointed me to this interesting historical note, relating to The Rev. L.J. Halsey, who was the minister of [...]
