Monday, January 29, 2007
UNKNOWN PURITAN PRAYER
" Thou hast struck a heavy blow at my pride, at the false god of self, and I lie in pieces before Thee. Help me in all my doings to put down sin and to humble pride. Save me from the love of the world and the pride of life, from everything that is natural to fallen man, and let Christ's nature be seen in me day by day. Grant me grace to bear Thy will without repining, and delight to be not only chiseled, squared, or fashioned, but separated from the old rock where I have been embedded so long, and lifted from the quarry to the upper air, where I may be built in Christ for ever."
Sunday, January 21, 2007
ABORTION IS ABOUT GOD by Charles Woodruff
With tomorrow being the 34th anniversary of the infamous Roe vs. Wade decision that opened the door for legal "abortion on demand", our pastor this morning gave us a sermon reminding us of the radicalism of the advocates of this murderous procedure. Yes, I said murderous because it can't be called anything else when you realize that an estimated 45 million babies have been aborted in America alone in these 34 years! Worldwide it is said the figure is now 45 million in one year! So it is a slaughter which no real Christian can support.
Genesis 1:27 says “God created man in His own image". This image has been defaced many times in history, but never more than in the taking of human life for mere convenience. Never has womanhood went further downhill, with the help of man (haven't you heard, it takes two to make a baby?) I know since my pastor and I are men, there will be those sleazy advocates of this slaughter who will chime "what do you know about it, you are a man?", they will say "it is a woman's right to choose- what she does with her body is HER business alone." WRONG!! It's Almighty God's business!
The following is a summary of part of Pastor Ron McCurry's sermon on the subject :
Abortion is mainly about God. Abortion is about God, the Creator of the universe, the Giver and Sustainer of all life, the Judge of the living and the dead, the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the Redeemer and Forgiver of all who trust Him.
Abortion is about God. To leave God out of the picture of abortion is to trivialize it. All things are trivial without God. God is the ultimate reality over the universe. All other reality is derivative and dependent and has no ultimate meaning at all without reference to God the ultimate reality. In Him we live and move and have our being. If we leave Him out of account, we know nothing of any lasting significance about ourselves or the world.
Therefore the message that we have to give is that abortion is about God. And therefore it is not trivial. Motherhood is about God; therefore (and only therefore) it is not trivial. Fatherhood is about God, and therefore it is not trivial. Children - inside the womb and outside the womb - are about God, and therefore they are not trivial. Abortion is about God. The most important things to say about abortion are how it relates to God and how God relates to it.
The Pastor also referred in his message to a Princeton bio-ethics professor named Peter Singer. He is originally from Australia, he is 60 years old, and has been in the heat of controversy for his radical views. Pastor Ron told us about the statement Singer made stating that "pigs are more valuable that human babies". That got me to digging on this guy. He also stated dogs are more valuable than human babies. While many that advocate late term abortion and partial birth abortion want to have them allowed in the last month of pregnancy, Singer goes further promoting destroying young children after they are born if they are found to have no real "quality of life".
He also believes in euthanasia for old folks, though he admitted that his own mother having Alzheimer's caused him to search his own beliefs. When called a hypocrite by some, he stated that having her killed was a decision he was not allowed to make alone. "Others were involved in this situation" he stated.
He believes that homosexuality "is not immoral". He believes bestiality is ok in some circumstances if the animal is "not forced".This is the same guy who has pushed to have great apes recognized as human, because after all, "humans are just advanced animals of the ape family!" I am not making this up! Check the two links on him at this site, and "Google" his name for more if you like.
This man who has many of the same beliefs as the Nazis of the 20th century is gaining a following of other kooks like himself in the 21st century. It is sadder still when we remember that the founder and the first eight presidents of Princeton were ministers. The first was Jonathon Dickinson (1747). Then Aaron Burr Sr. (he was father of future Vice President of the USA, Aaron Burr Jr. (who was later disgraced as a traitor to America).
Burr Sr. was also father-in-law to the next Princeton President, the great theologian, Jonathon Edwards. Edwards died after two months as president. There were other good men to follow. I can't cover them now (see my link on Princeton). The point is that Princeton , a once great theological and liberal arts school, has slid so far down that they would even hire a professor such as Singer. This is, sadly, a story that can be told again and again about once great colleges.
My friend, if you claim to be a Christian and this situation doesn't convince you that America is under God's judgment, I do not know what will!
"And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" ( I Peter 4:18).
Genesis 1:27 says “God created man in His own image". This image has been defaced many times in history, but never more than in the taking of human life for mere convenience. Never has womanhood went further downhill, with the help of man (haven't you heard, it takes two to make a baby?) I know since my pastor and I are men, there will be those sleazy advocates of this slaughter who will chime "what do you know about it, you are a man?", they will say "it is a woman's right to choose- what she does with her body is HER business alone." WRONG!! It's Almighty God's business!
The following is a summary of part of Pastor Ron McCurry's sermon on the subject :
Abortion is mainly about God. Abortion is about God, the Creator of the universe, the Giver and Sustainer of all life, the Judge of the living and the dead, the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the Redeemer and Forgiver of all who trust Him.
Abortion is about God. To leave God out of the picture of abortion is to trivialize it. All things are trivial without God. God is the ultimate reality over the universe. All other reality is derivative and dependent and has no ultimate meaning at all without reference to God the ultimate reality. In Him we live and move and have our being. If we leave Him out of account, we know nothing of any lasting significance about ourselves or the world.
Therefore the message that we have to give is that abortion is about God. And therefore it is not trivial. Motherhood is about God; therefore (and only therefore) it is not trivial. Fatherhood is about God, and therefore it is not trivial. Children - inside the womb and outside the womb - are about God, and therefore they are not trivial. Abortion is about God. The most important things to say about abortion are how it relates to God and how God relates to it.
The Pastor also referred in his message to a Princeton bio-ethics professor named Peter Singer. He is originally from Australia, he is 60 years old, and has been in the heat of controversy for his radical views. Pastor Ron told us about the statement Singer made stating that "pigs are more valuable that human babies". That got me to digging on this guy. He also stated dogs are more valuable than human babies. While many that advocate late term abortion and partial birth abortion want to have them allowed in the last month of pregnancy, Singer goes further promoting destroying young children after they are born if they are found to have no real "quality of life".
He also believes in euthanasia for old folks, though he admitted that his own mother having Alzheimer's caused him to search his own beliefs. When called a hypocrite by some, he stated that having her killed was a decision he was not allowed to make alone. "Others were involved in this situation" he stated.
He believes that homosexuality "is not immoral". He believes bestiality is ok in some circumstances if the animal is "not forced".This is the same guy who has pushed to have great apes recognized as human, because after all, "humans are just advanced animals of the ape family!" I am not making this up! Check the two links on him at this site, and "Google" his name for more if you like.
This man who has many of the same beliefs as the Nazis of the 20th century is gaining a following of other kooks like himself in the 21st century. It is sadder still when we remember that the founder and the first eight presidents of Princeton were ministers. The first was Jonathon Dickinson (1747). Then Aaron Burr Sr. (he was father of future Vice President of the USA, Aaron Burr Jr. (who was later disgraced as a traitor to America).
Burr Sr. was also father-in-law to the next Princeton President, the great theologian, Jonathon Edwards. Edwards died after two months as president. There were other good men to follow. I can't cover them now (see my link on Princeton). The point is that Princeton , a once great theological and liberal arts school, has slid so far down that they would even hire a professor such as Singer. This is, sadly, a story that can be told again and again about once great colleges.
My friend, if you claim to be a Christian and this situation doesn't convince you that America is under God's judgment, I do not know what will!
"And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" ( I Peter 4:18).
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
BECAUSE HE CHOSE TO.....
Some little time ago, after the conclusion of one of Mr. Brownlow North's addresses in Edinburgh a young man came into the room where he was receiving persons anxious for private conversation, and said to him, "I have heard you preach three times, sir, and I neither care for you nor your preaching unless you can tell me why did God permit sin." "I will do that with pleasure," was the immediate reply,—"Because He chose to." The young man, apparently taken by surprise, stood speechless; and Mr. North again replied, "Because He chose to; and," added he, "if you continue to question and cavil at God's dealings, and vainly puffed up by your carnal mind, strive to be wise above what is written, I will tell you something more that God will do,—He will some day put you into hell-fire. It is vain for you to strive with your Maker—you cannot resist Him; and neither your opinion of His dealings, nor your blasphemous expression of them, will in the least lessen the pain of your everlasting damnation, which, I again tell you, will most certainly be your portion if you go on in your present spirit.
There were such questioners as you in St. Paul's time, and how did the apostle answer them? 'Nay, but 0 man, who art thou that replied against God’ (Romans 9:20).”
The young man here interrupted Mr. North, and said, "Is there such a text as that in the Bible?" "Yes, there is," was the reply, "in the ninth chapter of the Romans; and I recommend you to go home and read that chapter; and after you have read it, and seen there how God claims for Himself the right to do whatever He chooses, without permitting the thing formed to say to Him that formed it, 'Why hast Thou made me thus?’ Remember that, besides permitting sin, there is another thing God has chosen to do,— God chose to send Jesus. Of His own free and sovereign grace God gave His only begotten Son to die for sinners in their stead—in their place; so that, though they are sinners, and have done things worthy of death, not one of them shall ever be cast into hell for his sins who will receive Jesus as his only Saviour, and believe in Him and rest in His Word. I have no time to say more to you now: others are waiting to see me. Go home, attend to what I have told you, and may God the Holy Spirit bless it for Jesus Christ sake."
This conversation took place on Sunday evening. On the following Friday, Mr. North was sitting in a friend's drawing room, when the servant announced that a young man wanted to speak to him. On being shown upstairs, he said, "Do you remember me?" "No." "Do you not remember the young man who on Sunday night asked you to tell him 'why did God permit sin'?" "Yes, perfectly." "Well, sir, I am that young man; and you said that God permitted sin because He chose to, and you told me to go home and read the ninth chapter of Romans; and also that God chose to send Jesus to die for such sinners as I am; and I did, sir, what you told me, and afterwards I fell down at God's feet and asked Him to forgive my sins, because Jesus died for me, and He did; and now I am happy—oh! so happy, sir; and though the devil still comes sometimes to tempt me with my old thoughts, and to ask me what reason I have to think God has forgiven me, I have always managed to get him away by telling him that I do not want to judge things by my own reason, but by God's Word, and that the only reason why I know I am forgiven, is that for Christ's sake, God chooses to pardon me.
The changed expression of the young man's countenance was quite sufficient to account for Mr. North's not knowing him again. It was radiant with joy and peace.
Dear reader, the first lesson a poor sinner has to learn, is to trust in the Lord, and not to his own understanding; to trust God not only for what he does understand, and for what is explained, but for what he does not understand, and for what is not explained. This is faith, and such faith honors God and saves the soul. This is receiving the kingdom of God as a little child; and let us ever remember that it is written (and the scripture cannot be broken), that unless we receive the kingdom of God as a little child, we shall in no wise enter therein.
"God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. v. 8.)
(copied from an old tract in my files- author unknown)- (emphasis mine-cmw)
Brownlow North was known as the great Evangelist of 19th century Scotland. God’s hand was on him in unusual way. When converted at age 45, he had been a sinful playboy, but went on to be remembered as one who spoke to the common man. Several books of his sermons have been published, but all seem to be presently out of print. The best are “The Rich Man and Lazarus” and “Wilt Thou Go With This Man?” You may find used copies at Amazon.com.
There were such questioners as you in St. Paul's time, and how did the apostle answer them? 'Nay, but 0 man, who art thou that replied against God’ (Romans 9:20).”
The young man here interrupted Mr. North, and said, "Is there such a text as that in the Bible?" "Yes, there is," was the reply, "in the ninth chapter of the Romans; and I recommend you to go home and read that chapter; and after you have read it, and seen there how God claims for Himself the right to do whatever He chooses, without permitting the thing formed to say to Him that formed it, 'Why hast Thou made me thus?’ Remember that, besides permitting sin, there is another thing God has chosen to do,— God chose to send Jesus. Of His own free and sovereign grace God gave His only begotten Son to die for sinners in their stead—in their place; so that, though they are sinners, and have done things worthy of death, not one of them shall ever be cast into hell for his sins who will receive Jesus as his only Saviour, and believe in Him and rest in His Word. I have no time to say more to you now: others are waiting to see me. Go home, attend to what I have told you, and may God the Holy Spirit bless it for Jesus Christ sake."
This conversation took place on Sunday evening. On the following Friday, Mr. North was sitting in a friend's drawing room, when the servant announced that a young man wanted to speak to him. On being shown upstairs, he said, "Do you remember me?" "No." "Do you not remember the young man who on Sunday night asked you to tell him 'why did God permit sin'?" "Yes, perfectly." "Well, sir, I am that young man; and you said that God permitted sin because He chose to, and you told me to go home and read the ninth chapter of Romans; and also that God chose to send Jesus to die for such sinners as I am; and I did, sir, what you told me, and afterwards I fell down at God's feet and asked Him to forgive my sins, because Jesus died for me, and He did; and now I am happy—oh! so happy, sir; and though the devil still comes sometimes to tempt me with my old thoughts, and to ask me what reason I have to think God has forgiven me, I have always managed to get him away by telling him that I do not want to judge things by my own reason, but by God's Word, and that the only reason why I know I am forgiven, is that for Christ's sake, God chooses to pardon me.
The changed expression of the young man's countenance was quite sufficient to account for Mr. North's not knowing him again. It was radiant with joy and peace.
Dear reader, the first lesson a poor sinner has to learn, is to trust in the Lord, and not to his own understanding; to trust God not only for what he does understand, and for what is explained, but for what he does not understand, and for what is not explained. This is faith, and such faith honors God and saves the soul. This is receiving the kingdom of God as a little child; and let us ever remember that it is written (and the scripture cannot be broken), that unless we receive the kingdom of God as a little child, we shall in no wise enter therein.
"God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. v. 8.)
(copied from an old tract in my files- author unknown)- (emphasis mine-cmw)
Brownlow North was known as the great Evangelist of 19th century Scotland. God’s hand was on him in unusual way. When converted at age 45, he had been a sinful playboy, but went on to be remembered as one who spoke to the common man. Several books of his sermons have been published, but all seem to be presently out of print. The best are “The Rich Man and Lazarus” and “Wilt Thou Go With This Man?” You may find used copies at Amazon.com.
Monday, January 08, 2007
FUNERAL OF A PRESIDENT by W.F. Bell
My friend W.F. Bell has some very worthwhile thoughts on
President Gerald Ford's Funeral. I submit it for your reading.
Those of us who were blessed to witness the telecast of President
Gerald Ford's Funeral, Tuesday, January 2, 2007, saw something
of great historical importance. What a sight to see the leaders of
our nation, both past and present, gathered at the Washington
National Cathedral, at a service highly filled with the singing of
many great Christian hymns, prayers glorifying the Lord Jesus
Christ, and the reading and exaltation of God's Holy Word. It
left me in tears, and deeply grateful that in this land there is still
(even if only in the outward form) the public acknowledgement
that the God of the Bible is "Our Help and Hope."
Let us remind ourselves that we live in a divided nation. Not only
are we divided politically, but also morally and spiritually. Yet,
even with that said, how good to see in this National Service,
that even America can shine as a light to the world. It would
surely be difficult for anyone to not sense and see that the whole
tribute of our government (and granted, primarily of the Ford
family) was decidedly Christian and Christ-focused. For that,
let us truly and humbly thank our gracious Heavenly Father.
Look at what occurred, as the Service unfolded before our eyes:
> God-honoring music of a first-rate caliber, as "O God Our Help
in Ages Past," "The Lord's Prayer," and "Holy, Holy, Holy."
> Statements by former President Bush that the "hand of
Providence" was seen in bringing Gerald Ford into the Presidency,
with a reading of Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, emphasizing that Mr. Ford's
leadership came to the nation in 1974 as "a time of healing."
> Henry Kissinger even acknowledging that Mr. Ford's political
achievements were "providential."
> President Bush stating that Mr. Ford was "a man of character,"
"a great man," and "honest," and that Ford was "a beloved
leader," then wishing the blessings of "Almighty God" upon our
nation and the Ford family.
> Great portions of Holy Scripture were read, such as Isaiah 40:
28-31, Matthew 5:1-11, John 11:25-26, John 14:1-6, Hebrews 13:
20-21, and James 1:19-25 (the first and last of these being read
by members of the family).
Now look at our divided nation (in sad contrast to the above):
> Some of the very Congressmen and Supreme Court Judges in
attendance argue against the Scripture which was being upheld,
even debating the relevance of the Ten Commandments.
> The meaning and sacredness of marriage continues to be
debated, including gay rights, infanticide, and euthanasia (this
would have been unheard of just two generations ago).
> An awful attitude of intolerance has gripped our nation, where
we are not allowed to stand for absolute truth, but fail to see that
there must never be tolerance of that which is evil.
> Many in our nation glorify sports to an extreme, and Sunday has
become a self-centered pleasure day, or another business day.
> The movie industry belches out cursing and blasphemy against
God to such a degree that it has infected our language in everyday
conversation. Even "ladies" now talk vulgarly in public.
So, these are thoughts on this history-making day, thoughts that
make us "search our hearts," and cause us to "consider our ways."
One America is dark, demonized, degraded, drugged almost to
death. Another America shines with light, glorifies traditional
views of morality, works hard on the farm and in the office, seeks
to honor the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday and through the week.
How I praise God for what I heard and felt today! I thought the
Funeral of Ronald Reagan in 2004 would never be equaled in its
grandeur and spiritual power, but now this one honoring Gerald
Ford will certainly take an equal place.
May we remind you (and upcoming children) that even though we
may disagree with some of the doctrines and practices of the
Episcopal Church in America (Washington Cathedral is an
Episcopal Church), still we rejoice in the rich history of the Church
of England (Anglican), known in our country as "Episcopalian."
It was this English Church which gave us our King James Bible
(1611), and produced (by God's grace) some of the most Christ-
exalting ministers who ever lived, such as George Whitefield,
John Newton, and J. C. Ryle. Many of our finest Christian hymns
are Anglican in origin. Then, in our own country's history, we have
been blessed to have such God-fearing leaders as Robert E.
Lee, who was Episcopalian. May their tribe increase in our day!
How refreshing to see Presidents, their wives, their families,
leaders of Congress, lawmakers, members of the media, and all
in attendance today at Ford's Funeral, closing the Service with
"Alleluia" on their lips, fulfilling the SCRIPTURE at least in part:
"His name shall endure forever; his name shall be continued as
long as the sun; and men shall be blessed in him; all nations
shall call him blessed" (Psalm 72:17). How we felt the power of
this name anew today: the power and great glory of the worthy
name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
President Gerald Ford's Funeral. I submit it for your reading.
Those of us who were blessed to witness the telecast of President
Gerald Ford's Funeral, Tuesday, January 2, 2007, saw something
of great historical importance. What a sight to see the leaders of
our nation, both past and present, gathered at the Washington
National Cathedral, at a service highly filled with the singing of
many great Christian hymns, prayers glorifying the Lord Jesus
Christ, and the reading and exaltation of God's Holy Word. It
left me in tears, and deeply grateful that in this land there is still
(even if only in the outward form) the public acknowledgement
that the God of the Bible is "Our Help and Hope."
Let us remind ourselves that we live in a divided nation. Not only
are we divided politically, but also morally and spiritually. Yet,
even with that said, how good to see in this National Service,
that even America can shine as a light to the world. It would
surely be difficult for anyone to not sense and see that the whole
tribute of our government (and granted, primarily of the Ford
family) was decidedly Christian and Christ-focused. For that,
let us truly and humbly thank our gracious Heavenly Father.
Look at what occurred, as the Service unfolded before our eyes:
> God-honoring music of a first-rate caliber, as "O God Our Help
in Ages Past," "The Lord's Prayer," and "Holy, Holy, Holy."
> Statements by former President Bush that the "hand of
Providence" was seen in bringing Gerald Ford into the Presidency,
with a reading of Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, emphasizing that Mr. Ford's
leadership came to the nation in 1974 as "a time of healing."
> Henry Kissinger even acknowledging that Mr. Ford's political
achievements were "providential."
> President Bush stating that Mr. Ford was "a man of character,"
"a great man," and "honest," and that Ford was "a beloved
leader," then wishing the blessings of "Almighty God" upon our
nation and the Ford family.
> Great portions of Holy Scripture were read, such as Isaiah 40:
28-31, Matthew 5:1-11, John 11:25-26, John 14:1-6, Hebrews 13:
20-21, and James 1:19-25 (the first and last of these being read
by members of the family).
Now look at our divided nation (in sad contrast to the above):
> Some of the very Congressmen and Supreme Court Judges in
attendance argue against the Scripture which was being upheld,
even debating the relevance of the Ten Commandments.
> The meaning and sacredness of marriage continues to be
debated, including gay rights, infanticide, and euthanasia (this
would have been unheard of just two generations ago).
> An awful attitude of intolerance has gripped our nation, where
we are not allowed to stand for absolute truth, but fail to see that
there must never be tolerance of that which is evil.
> Many in our nation glorify sports to an extreme, and Sunday has
become a self-centered pleasure day, or another business day.
> The movie industry belches out cursing and blasphemy against
God to such a degree that it has infected our language in everyday
conversation. Even "ladies" now talk vulgarly in public.
So, these are thoughts on this history-making day, thoughts that
make us "search our hearts," and cause us to "consider our ways."
One America is dark, demonized, degraded, drugged almost to
death. Another America shines with light, glorifies traditional
views of morality, works hard on the farm and in the office, seeks
to honor the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday and through the week.
How I praise God for what I heard and felt today! I thought the
Funeral of Ronald Reagan in 2004 would never be equaled in its
grandeur and spiritual power, but now this one honoring Gerald
Ford will certainly take an equal place.
May we remind you (and upcoming children) that even though we
may disagree with some of the doctrines and practices of the
Episcopal Church in America (Washington Cathedral is an
Episcopal Church), still we rejoice in the rich history of the Church
of England (Anglican), known in our country as "Episcopalian."
It was this English Church which gave us our King James Bible
(1611), and produced (by God's grace) some of the most Christ-
exalting ministers who ever lived, such as George Whitefield,
John Newton, and J. C. Ryle. Many of our finest Christian hymns
are Anglican in origin. Then, in our own country's history, we have
been blessed to have such God-fearing leaders as Robert E.
Lee, who was Episcopalian. May their tribe increase in our day!
How refreshing to see Presidents, their wives, their families,
leaders of Congress, lawmakers, members of the media, and all
in attendance today at Ford's Funeral, closing the Service with
"Alleluia" on their lips, fulfilling the SCRIPTURE at least in part:
"His name shall endure forever; his name shall be continued as
long as the sun; and men shall be blessed in him; all nations
shall call him blessed" (Psalm 72:17). How we felt the power of
this name anew today: the power and great glory of the worthy
name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.
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