Prayer Quote of the Week

On July 2, 2014November 12, 2014 By BrianIn Prayer Quotes

A habit of prayer
is one of the surest marks of a true Christian.

– J. C. Ryle

Sermon Songs: Isaiah 13-24

On July 1, 2014April 18, 2017 By BrianIn Isaiah Hymns

Our God reigns and humbles all pride
All arrogance, conceit
All self-exalting I have tried
He’ll pull down and defeat

And so we grieve, humbly repent
We look to God for grace
To forgive, change our fallen bent
To help us run this race

– From a sermon on Isaiah 13-24
(To the tune of “O God Our Help In Ages Past”)

Declaring the Glory

On July 1, 2014 By BrianIn Declaring the Glory

Mosquito Falls in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
– Psalm 19:1

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature,
have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
– Romans 1:20

Current

On June 30, 2014 By BrianIn Current Collection

The Supreme Court gave their ruling on the Hobby Lobby case today, ruling by a slim majority in favor of religious freedom. Here are some helpful posts:

First, a news story: Supreme Court rules ObamaCare provision can’t force some employers to cover contraception – Fox News

Second, a quick summary of the case: What You Should Know About the Contraceptive Mandate Decision – Joe Carter (Acton)

Third, a good summary of some major issues: Hobby Lobby and the Liberty of Conscience – Kevin DeYoung

Finally, an analysis: The Supreme Court Agrees with Hobby Lobby, But Your Neighbor Probably Doesn’t – Trevin Wax

While there is reason to celebrate the decision, it is more than a little disconcerting that four justices and much of the population believes a “right” to free birth control should trump the First Amendment right to freedom of religion.

Trevin Wax in his post above also makes a point worth quoting:

Consider this. A generation ago, a person’s religious observance was a public matter, a defining characteristic of one’s identity, while a person’s sexual activity was something private. Today, this situation is reversed. A person’s sexual behavior is now considered a defining characteristic of identity, a public matter to be affirmed (even subsidized) by others, while religious observance is private and personal, relegated to places of worship and not able to infringe upon or impact the public square.

In the midst of this “brave new world” of confused identities and priorities, we as Christians must look to Jesus for our identity. Serving Him must be our priority. And no matter what comes, we will find our hope for the future not in rulings or cultural opinions but in the One who reigns over all.

Ministry Monday

On June 30, 2014November 13, 2014 By BrianIn Ministry Moments

Here are some good posts on preaching and the public reading of God’s Word:

Be More Specific Than “Points” or “Things” – Andy Naselli
McDill lists 265 words that communicate more clearly that the ambiguous words “points” and “things” – Good practical stuff here!

4 Reasons Why Pastors Should Talk Regularly About Money – Dave Anderson (Generis)
It is understandable why pastors are uncomfortable to talk about money. But, it’s not all right to let that discomfort become an excuse for failing to disciple people in this area.

A Cost of All This Preaching? – Tim Challies
So here’s the question: Do you commit yourself to the public reading of Scripture?

Passion Passages

On June 30, 2014October 23, 2014 By BrianIn Uncategorized

Our Passion for God

And you shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your mind
and with all your strength.

– Mark 12:30 (ESV)

Passion Points

On June 28, 2014March 21, 2015 By BrianIn PASSION Points

It has been a busy week with VBS at our church, so I haven’t had a lot of time for blogging. But it was also a good week, for which we praise God. Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Satan’s Simple Plan – Kevin DeYoung
He really only wants one thing: he wants to keep you from Christ. He wants to make you selfish. He wants you to live for your ambition. He wants you to live for your addiction. He wants you live for your ego. He wants you to live for anyone or anything that’s not Jesus.

When Sin Looks Delicious – Tim Challies
Do you ever have those days where you just want to sin? Sin looks delicious while righteousness looks distasteful. Sin looks satisfying and holiness looks frustrating. You wake up in the morning with a desire to do what you know you should not desire to do. Your heart echoes with what God said to Cain: “Sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you.” And your desire is for it. What do you do on a day like that?

Sin is Cosmic Treason – R. C. Sproul (Ligonier)
Not until we take God seriously will we ever take sin seriously. But if we acknowledge the righteous character of God, then we, like the saints of old, will cover our mouths with our hands and repent in dust and ashes before Him.

History Could Happen Again – Nathan Finn (DG)
Knowing how God has worked in the past can help us ask some key questions of ourselves in the present. Are we praying for revival in our own spiritual lives? Are we praying for the salvation of the nations? Are our churches setting aside a specific time for focused — even extraordinary — prayer for a global awakening through the advance of the gospel? Do we long for the Lord to move among us as he moved among those who came before us?

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day celebrating our gracious Savior!