I have shared several times here how much I find myself rejoicing in the words of some of the great preachers of the past. There was a time when I was quick to purchase the latest book by a contemporary preacher. But seeing so few actually stand the test of time, I have developed more and more respect for those who have done so. This post is filled with some great quotes from Charles Spurgeon, one of the most gifted preachers of the Gospel ever. Please read each one thoughtfully if you have time.
Several weeks ago, I was asked if we would consider canceling our Sunday morning services at New Hope since Christmas was falling on a Sunday this year. It did not take long for me to answer that question as the very idea of canceling a religious service because of a religious holiday seemed prepostorous to me. And so this year at New Hope we are hosting three identical Christmas Services, two on Christmas Eve and one on Christmas morning.
The Wall Street Journal had this article describing how the same issue has been being processed by churches around our country. I was especially struck by this sentence from within the article: "But it's also self-defeating to complain about keeping Christmas holy when churches close on Dec. 25." The writer makes a great point with that statement!
I do hope to see you either on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning for one of our services as we celebrate "the Word made Flesh"!
Back in 1993 I picked up a book entited "Christianity in Crisis" by Hank Handgraaff. It was a large book that methodically and meticulously documented the teaching of the "Word of Faith" movement by many of its most famous purveyors. One of the most familiar tenets of the "Word of Faith" movement is what is often referred to as "The Prosperity Gospel". I remember being amazed at what was being taught by so many, and equally amazed at the crowds of people buying into such teaching. I also remember assuming this movement was doomed because it was so far away from the truth of Scripture.
Now 18 years later I see how wrong I was. More and more, at "Christian" bookstores, and "Christian Conferences" like Catalyst, and at events like "The Elephant Room", the Prosperity Gospel seems to be going mainstream. The warning of the Apostle Paul from Acts 20 seems more and more disregarded by many who seem to be able teach so well.
"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears." (Acts 20:28-31)
This afternoon I found this short video from John Piper. I could not be more in agreement with him.
The title above is the headline of an article that caught my eye this morning. Wow! I've been working hard to restrict my "soda" intake! Maybe you are too. These words are a motivation for me to continue. Maybe they will be with you as well.
This past week saw the death of the longtime dictator of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi. Eight months ago, on February 15th, protests began in Libya which resulted in first the removal of Gaddafi from power and ultimately his death. Gaddafi had come to power in Libya in 1969 some 42 years ago, but his rule came to an end very suddenly. What brought that about?
This past week I read a headline that had appeared on February 14, 2011 in the World Watch Daily. Here is that headline: "Gaddafi tells Palestinians: Revolt against Israel." And the subtitle continued, "Libyan leader says 'time of popular revolutions' is here, calls on refugees to mass on Israel's borders as he accuses Western powers of being enemies of Islam."
In Genesis 12:3, God promises Abraham (the father of the Jewish nations) "And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse." Is it a just a conincidence that the day after Gaddafi "cursed" Israel, the protests began that "cursed" him? Think about it!
"Everybody wants to be happy. That is the great motive behind every act and ambition, behind all work and all striving and effort. Everything is designed for happiness. But the great tragedy of the world is that, though it gives itself to seek for happiness, it never seems to be able to find it. The present state of the world reminds us of that very forcibly. What is the matter? I think the answer is that we have never understood this text as we should have done: 'Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.' What does it mean? Let me put it negatively like this. We are not to hunger and thirst after blessedness; we are not to hunger and thirst after happiness. But that is what most people are doing. We put happiness and blessedness as the one thing that we desire, and thus we always miss it; it always eludes us. According to the Scriptures happiness is never something that should be sought directly; it is always something that results from seeking something else."
This article shares the ten happiest jobs in our country according to a recent study. Topping the list was (insert drumroll here) CLERGY! I have always felt so blessed and honored to serve in the position I do, but this list still caught me by surprise as I know many in ministry who do not share my sense of blessing.
By the way, this was a follow-up article to one on the ten most hated jobs. I won't share those here but you can see them at the end of the above article.
For some months now I have been following the story of the Palestinian arbritarily declaring statehood within the United Nations. The mostly likely date for that has been repeatedly stated as September 20th. Now we are only a little over a week from that date. It remains to be seen what will happen. But this article from David Warren is an excellent summary of what has taken place so far!
"The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven't yet come to the end of themselves. We're still trying to give orders, and interfering with God's work within us. "
