Tag: Christianity

Passion News: Homeschooling

On By BrianIn Current Collection

The German Romeike family seeking asylum in the U.S.  from persecution in Germany related to homeschooling lost their case this week before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals:

German Family Denied Asylum, HSLDA Appeals – HSLDA

German Homeschool Case May Impact U.S. Homeschool Freedom – Michael Farris (HSLDA)

Do Christian Parents Have a Fundamental Right to Homeschool? – Joe Carter (Gospel Coalition)

Passion News: Abortion

On By BrianIn Current Collection

The abortionist Kermit Gosnell was convicted and sentenced this week for killing babies after they were born, but the battle against infanticide is just beginning:

Kermit Gosnell Sentenced – Fox News

9 Things You Should Know About the Gosnell Infanticide and Murder Trial – Joe Carter (Gospel Coalition)

Kermit Gosnell and the Logic of “Pro-Choice” – Matthew Franck (Witherspoon Institute)

Infanticide: The Coming Battle – Mike Bird (Bible Society)

An Example of Prayer

On By BrianIn Book of Acts, Church Life, Habit of Prayer

In Acts 12, Herod throws Peter in prison. How does the church respond?  With prayer. They seek the aid of the King of Kings who is greater than a mere earthly king. Their prayer response provides us with a good example for prayer today.  Consider that their prayer was:

  • Corporate – Verse 12 says, “…many were gathered together and were praying.”  They believed in the importance of corporate prayer.  They believed in the church coming together to pray.  In our individualistic culture, we often miss this.  But the early church was a community, and they prayed together.  Do we pray corporately?
  • Earnest – Verse 5 says, “…earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.”  Their prayer was earnest.  The same word is used of Jesus’ prayer in the garden as he sweated blood.  Their prayer was not half-hearted or mere duty.  They cried out to God.  They pleaded with God.  Do we pray earnestly?
  • Extended – Verses 4-6 make clear that Peter was in prison for at least a couple of days.  And during that whole time, the church prayed.  Day in and day out.  They were even praying through the night when Peter escaped.  Undoubtedly they had to stop to work and sleep, but when they could, they gathered to pray.  When a significant trial comes upon our church, do we pray extendedly?
  • Expectant – Lest we think the early church were super-Christians, verses 13-16 make clear that they failed in this area of prayer.  When Rhoda tells them Peter is at the door, they think that she is out of her mind.  What irony that they are knocking on the door of heaven, and the answer to their prayer is knocking on their door – and they don’t believe it.  Do we pray expectantly?

Ascension Sunday

On By BrianIn Holidays

Tomorrow is an important day.  Most know it as Mother’s Day, but it is also Ascension Sunday.  Though often overlooked, the ascension is an essential part of the work of Christ.  Consider just four results of the ascension:

  • The Spirit has come (John 16:5-7)
  • Jesus reigns over all (Ephesians 1:20-23)
  • Jesus intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25)
  • Jesus is preparing a place for us (John 14:3)

For a further look at the ascension, you might consider the following:

Hope you have a great day celebrating the ascension of our Lord and Savior!

Prayer Guide

On By BrianIn Prayer Guides

Our church joined with our three sister churches last night for a great time of praising God with singing and testimonies.  We closed with a time of small group prayer.  Below was our prayer guide.  I wonder what God might do if these requests rose to the top of our personal and corporate prayers.

·        Pray for a growing passion for God, His Word, and prayer.

·        Pray for a growing hunger and thirst for righteousness.

·        Pray for solid teaching, growth, and fruit.

·        Pray for growing love and care for each other.

·        Pray for revival in our churches.

·        Pray for a growing passion for evangelism and missions.

·        Pray for personal and church-wide opportunities for evangelism.

·        Pray for a willingness to go, and boldness and wisdom for sharing the gospel.

·        Pray for a great spiritual awakening in our communities. 

·        Pray for the persecuted church to be strengthened with power to persevere with joy.

·        Pray for strength, safety, health, and opportunities to spread the gospel for missionaries and the church around the world.

·        Pray for missions to people groups having no gospel witness.

·        Pray for a great spiritual awakening around the world.

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Renew Within Me a Spirit of Holiness – Ambrose of Milan (via Trevin Wax)
As you look upon the wretched creature that I am,
I ask that your eyes be filled with compassion and forgiveness.
And as I sit at your table,
I beg you to renew within me a spirit of holiness.

7 Directives for Meditating on Scripture – Joel Beeke and Terry Slachter (via Paul Tautges)
#5: Stir up affections such as love, desire, hope, zeal, and joy to glorify God. Preach the truth to your own soul (Ps 42:5; 103:1).

What Shames Us – Tim Challies
The challenge for each one of us who desires to be godly is not only to identify the sin in our lives, but to identify the better and holier trait. And this, this fruit of the Spirit, this evidence of God’s grace, is what we aim for in our desires, in our prayers, in our labors.

Waiting, Wasting, Wandering – Kevin DeYoung
Can you believe that God has something good in store for you? Will you trust that someday when you see your beginning and middle with the ending in view that it will all make sense? Can you hope against hope that God has not forgotten you, that his promises are true, and that he is up to something? He was for Abraham and Joseph and Moses. Why not you too?

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church!