• In reading Calvin's Institutes, I'm struck by how many pages he has devoted to the derision of idols. From our historical distance, it almost seems silly to give so much space, let alone the mental/spiritual/emotional energy to idols and images. We usually think, "If this were stone or wooden carvings in the dark jungles of the world, then we should be against them. But these are paintings or statues in the church; is it really that big a deal?" Obviously, Calvin would say it is and should be still. I do not think it's time that separates us from his observations and makes us chuckle, seemingly like a parent would do with a young child ("Well, it's silly but we all know better, don't we?"). I think it's the view which one has of God that separates us…and ours is not in the right direction. When you have a high view of God, when you honor Him in every way possible, when you will fight to the death to maintain the honor that is due Him, any attempt––and he meant ANY––will not do and must be avoided and expunged as rapidly and as vehemently as possible. Oh, that I should have as high an honor of God to see all things this way.
• I realize, from reading Lloyd-Jones' biography, that he was loathe to "gather quotes" for the sake of quoting lines later, but here's one from Spurgeon that hits home. Writing on the ability of the human heart, even though converted to righteousness in Christ, to grow cold and hardened to the blasphemies in the world: "I daily feel that the atmosphere of earth has as much a tendency to harden my heart as to harden plaster which is newly spread upon the wall; and unless I am baptized anew with the Spirit of God, and constantly stand at the foot of the cross, reading the curse of sin in crimson hieroglyphics of my Saviour's dying agonies, I shall become as steeled and insensible as many professors already are." (The Early Years, p 160)
• Came across the portion in Spurgeon regarding his change and how it was to be attributed wholly to God. What an excellent thing. What a marvelous testimony to God's free sovereign grace in the life of a sinner. O God, do not let me go. Let me not wander down a path that continues to try to raise up man and his abilities to get to You apart from you doing a mighty work in him. He concludes with an anecdote of listening to a man, clearly an Arminian, speak about our choosing God and the God Himself would never think of choosing for us. CHS's response: "Ah!" I thought, "but, my good brother, it may be very true that we could, but I think we should want something more than comment sense before we should choose aright." Amen.
• I'm struck by reading Lloyd-Jones. He simply preached a common gospel–– common in that it was the simple gospel, the clear truth of salvation in Christ alone. And yet this was apparently something almost quite new to Wales, in the late 1920s. The man who was, essentially in our terms, the church chairman, was converted shortly after MLJ's arrival. Even his own wife, Bethan, finally came to understand the truth and power of the Gospel. When I reflect upon this and my own ministry at Cornerstone, I wonder: am I preaching this same simple gospel? Do I rely upon God, truly to use His Word to convert sinners? Is it really the Holy Spirit that I want to show up each Sunday morning, to change a person's heart? Or is it me I want them to hear?
• Awoke before my usual time this morning (usual: 4.00 AM). I don't know if it was a dream or if it was my mind working on wakefulness, but it was filled with one of those HUGE 'What If..." scenarios. You know the kind: What if this happened? Then this would probably happen, which would lead to that taking place. Then so- and-so would do this or think that or actually tell others and next would come major changes and on and on it goes. Sadly, I let this linger for about 15 minutes before I finally said, "No! Lord, forgive me the anxiety of those moments. Forgive me for presuming upon Your sovereign territory. Today and tomorrow and the next day are all Yours, not mine. Lead me this day each step of the way." Then I knew I had to get up and get about my daily reading or those thoughts would keep haunting me and tempting me to go down their sick and wicked pathway again. Calvin, Lloyd-Jones and Spurgeon, along with my daily following of Prof. Horner's Bible Reading plan helped immensely.