Same Journey – Different Results. They left at the same time, but one would return and the other would perish. This is the story of personal life, family life, church life, and business life. It matters how you proceed. Here is a dramatic example: the 1911 Antarctic expedition led by Roald Amundsen and Robert Scott. The destination of both men was the South Pole, but the results of their two journeys were radically different. (more…)
Don’t Worry Be Happy…Someone sent me a link to this video and it brought back a flood of memories. Many years ago when I was a young father going through huge financial challenges, I would crank up the stereo on Saturday mornings and play this song, with all my children sort of dancing around the house going about their Saturday chores and singing with their daddy. (more…)
This is a very touching story of sacrifice in marriage.
In light of this story, here are three keys to a marriage for the glory of God:
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Reports are regularly appearing in the news in terms of cost/benefit analysis and how expensive college is compared with what you get out of it. Now the Wall Street Journal adds to the discussion by reporting about a “controversial recent study, led by the sociologists Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa and summarized in their book “Academically Adrift,” nearly half of all undergraduates fail to demonstrate significant improvements in critical thinking or writing skills during their first two years in college. Even more dismal, particular kinds of knowledge are largely forgotten shortly after the final exam.”
I am so thankful that the Lord Jesus Christ is always praying for my wife – “He always lives to make intercession” for her. When I come home from work each day, the first question I usually ask Deborah is, “How was your day?” I so often ask this question without an awareness of exactly what was always going on in the background of her day. One of the most amazing things that has happened to my wife when I ask her this question is that Christ has been interceding for her.
Robert Murray McCheyne grasped this reality when he said, “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million of enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference; he is praying for me.”[a]
The writer of Hebrews says, “ Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:23-25, NKJV). And Paul writing to the Romans consoles them with these words, “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Rom. 8:34, NKJV).
[a] The Memoirs and Remains of Robert Murray McCheyne by Andrew Bonar, page 155
Image via bee-hexagon.net
“Remember that it is not hasty reading, but serious meditation on holy and heavenly truths — which makes them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the mere touching of the flower by the bee, which gathers honey — but her abiding for a time on the flower, which draws out the sweet. It is not he who reads most, but he who meditates most — who will prove to be the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian!” – alleged quote by Thomas Brooks
Here is our newest grandson born to Monica and David this morning. He was born at a whopping 10 lb 9 oz, 22 inches long. His name is William Endurance Brown.
For many years, we have been advocating a pro-child philosophy in church life which functionally means that we integrate children – and all ages – in normal church activities. I remember a very eerie feeling a few years ago when I was in a church service, and it was all old people. It felt very sterile and unnatural. The rejection of children in our world has come to such great proportions that some are calling it, “The no-kids-allowed movement.” One author says it is spreading. She cites Malaysia airlines and others banning babies from first class cabins. She documents the banning of children in restaurants and the creation of “child free” travel destinations. Even the health food chain, Whole Foods has jumped on the band wagon. Unfortunately, the church has been on this bandwagon for a very long time. We think it is no small issue since it is contrary to sound doctrine and have actually made a film about it – Dividedthemovie.com
There are those who are good stewards of the possessions that God has given them. Others are quite wasteful. Then, among all the other categories, there are those people that make an idol about taking the worst of what is offered or available.
Maybe this will help you think it through. Here is John Calvin on over spiritualizing our frugality:
“If a man begins to doubt whether he may use linen for his sheets, shirts, handkerchiefs, and napkins, he will afterward be uncertain also about hemp… For he will turn over in his mind whether he can sup without napkins, or go without handkerchief. If any man should consider daintier food unlawful, in the end he will not be at peace before God, when he eats either black bread or common victuals, while it occurs to him that he could sustain his body on even coarser foods. If he boggles at sweet wine, he will not with clear conscience drink even flat wine, and finally he will not dare touch water if sweeter and cleaner than other water.”
Pew Research Center has recently studied marriages since 1960. Amazingly, “Barely Half of U.S. Adults Are Married – A Record Low. And, what is even more striking is that, “New Marriages Down 5% from 2009 to 2010.”
The world needs the Gospel. When the Apostle Paul says, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind…” (1 Cor. 6:9), we need to realize that most of our culture engages in fornication. God says that they will not (except they repent) inherit the kingdom of God.
Therefore, when we see reports come in of the low percentage of people being married, we ought to understand that there is a serious problem. For in addition to their eternal welfare, they are also warring against one of God’s pictures of the Gospel in the world.
Here is a message that I preached about Gospel-Centered Marriages. I would encourage you to listen to it and discuss on this blog.
In John Hartley’s commentary on Leviticus, he makes an insightful statement about the powerful work of womanhood in childbearing. Commenting on Leviticus 12, he writes:
“Birth is fraught with mystery, wonder, and danger. As a mother approaches the door of death, she brings new life into the world….In giving birth the woman challenges the penalty of death on mankind for sinning against God in the Garden of Eden (Gen 2.16-17), for each birth insures the continuation of the race. Symbolically each birth strikes a blow on the head of the paradisaical serpent, the champion of death (Gen 3.15). Giving birth was a momentous act of victory. But the regulations of ritual purity did not allow a new mother to exalt herself as divine in her great accomplishment. These regulations relegated her triumph to the sphere of this earth without diminishing her great joy in bringing forth new life.” (John Hartley, Leviticus: Word Biblical Commentary), pp. 169-170
Here is a message I delivered on the subject of grappling with being unemployed.
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Also see this post by Justin Taylor, Promises for Those who are struggling with unemployment.
He notes:
Steve Fuller offers some promises from the Bible for those who are struggling with unemployment, organized under the following headings:
- Because of Jesus God will provide everything you need.
- God will deliver you from problems you caused yourself.
- God will bless you through wrongs others have done.
- God is in complete control.
- God will provide the job and income you need.
- God has a perfect plan for each day you are unemployed.
- God will give you full joy in Himself without a job.
Here is what happens when lost adults are running the asylum – 3-year-old boy diagnosed with gender identity disorder after he announces he is a girl.
“He likes playing with his sister’s old toys but he still loves Dr Who too and playing with his brother. And we still put some neutral clothes in his wardrobe if he ever decides he wants to wear them.
“We leave it up to him to decide what he wants to do – if he changes his mind and wants to be a boy again then he does, but if he doesn’t, he doesn’t.
She admitted: “I would love to have my son back, but I want him to be happy. If this is the route he wants to take – if this is what makes him happy – then so be it. I would rather him have my full support.
The tragic reality is that sin leads to confusion and death: “The Lord will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart” (Deut. 28:28); “Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Rom. 1:21).
We must disciple our children to flee from sexual sins and temptations. This is a mighty war. Solomon trains his son. He is our example. If you have ever wondered how to approach this issue, the Proverbs teach us. Proverbs 5:3-4, for instance, says, “For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.”
Parents now abdicate training even on the most basic of human functions to outside “professionals.” If your baby can’t sleep, bring in the professionals. Here is an excerpt:
“Dream Team Baby” comes into the home and helps infants and toddlers learn to fall asleep on their own and soothe themselves back to sleep during the night. Consultants organize a daytime napping and feeding schedule, so a child will be sleepy at bedtime and not hungry during the night. They also create the right sleep environment.
You can read the entire article here.
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Happy Birthday Pictures – Pictures
Here is a neat piece by my fellow elder Jason Dohm on Birthdays.
Hello, I am Scott Brown, a local church pastor and expository preacher. I also help people think through the two greatest institutions God has provided — the church and the family. Read More »
