I didn't have to work hard at this post. One of the people in my CMUG (Christian Macintosh Users Group) sent this out. I thought it was quite funny, ran it past Ann, who also laughed (and she's endured three deliveries and "play-centers"), so without further adieu:

The "Middle Wife"

by an Anonymous 2nd grade teacher

 
I've been teaching now for about fifteen years.  I have two kids myself,  But the best birth story I know is the one I saw in my own second grade  Classroom a few years back.
 
When I was a kid, I loved show-and-tell.  So I always have a few Sessions with my students. It helps them get over shyness and usually,  Show-and-tell is pretty tame.
 
Kids bring in pet turtles, model airplanes, pictures of fish they catch,  Stuff like that.  And I never, ever place any boundaries or limitations  On them. If they want to lug it in to school and talk about it, they're  Welcome..
 
Well, one day this little girl, Erica, a very bright, very outgoing kid,  Takes her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow  Stuffed under her sweater.
 
She holds up a snapshot of an infant.  "This is Luke, my baby brother,  And I'm going to tell you about his birthday."
 
"First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol of their love, and then Dad put  a seed in my Mom's stomach, and Luke grew in there.  He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord."
 
She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I'm trying not to  Laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me.  The kids are watching her  In amazement.
 
"Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts saying and going, 'Oh, Oh,  Oh, Oh!' Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans. "She walked  Around the house for, like an hour, 'Oh, oh, oh!'  (Now this kid is doing a hysterical duck walk and groaning.) "My Dad called The middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn't have a sign on The car like the Domino's man.   They got my Mom to lie down in bed Like this."  Then Erica lies down with her back against the wall.
 
"And then, pop!  My Mom had this bag of water she kept in there in case  He got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled all over the bed, like  Psshhheew!"  This kid has her legs spread with her little hands miming  Water flowing away.  It was too much!
 
"Then the middle wife starts saying 'push, push,' and 'breathe, breathe'.  They started counting, but never even got past ten. Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother.  He was covered in yucky stuff that they all said it was from Mom's play-centre, so  There must be a lot of toys inside there."
 
Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat.
 
I'm sure I applauded the loudest.  Ever since then, when it's show- and-tell day, I bring my camcorder, just in case another "Middle Wife" comes along.

At first, I didn't even want to write about this chapter of Bridges' book, Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate. I wanted to just not do anything; it made me tired just thinking about posting today (that's why you won't find a post for yesterday, Wednesday, January 16). But when I realized this was the chapter, I thought to myself, "It's pretty selfish to not write, don't you think?" So, after wrestling with conviction, I'm posting about what I was feeling, experiencing and reading.

Chapter 12 of Bridges' book is on selfishness: a sin that we are clearly born with. Don't believe me? Before you even read about it in Scripture, look to an infant, who cries the very moment he/she is hungry. Observe preschoolers trying to play together during recess at school. Watch a basketball game with the 9th Grade team or the Varsity from our kids' school (lots of talent; too much selfishness). Bridges points out that the reason selfishness is so difficult to expose in our own life is because it is so easy to spot in others. He then goes on to deal with four areas of selfishness:

     1.  Interests. Philippians 2.4 says: "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." We're to look out for the concerns and needs of others around us; mighty hard to do when it's our own concerns that consume us. Our interests change, often depending upon the season of life we're going through. The author offers a test for us in this area: "A good test of the degree of selfishness in our interests would be to reflect on the conversation after you have been with someone and ask yourself how much time you spent talking about your interests compared to listening to the other person."

     2.  Time. Presently, this currency is more valuable than money to many of us. We don't have enough of it and we want more of it. When we get it, we don't want to save it up, we want to use it up upon ourselves. When we neglect the needs of others, it not just because our own interests are taking a higher place; it's also because we think our time is more valuable than theirs. Need an example: just watch the way you drive and think about driving next time. If you're zipping around people, muttering under your breath (or shouting out loud) about how much they're impeding your progress, then you need to examine your heart. In Galatians 6.2, God tells us to "bear one another's burdens." Put aside selfishness by helping others, giving them of your time.

     3.  Money. This would have been obvious to most of us. But Bridges doesn't talk about the selfishness of greed, at least not in the sense of gaining more. He directs our attention to the selfishness of not giving. Each year, WORLD magazine lists the results of surveys about the state of financial charity and giving. It's never encouraging. And when it comes to the church in this country, it's down right abysmal. If I remember last year's stats, it was somewhere around 2.5% given by church-going people. The observation was made, that if all who go to church (and surely, not all these would be truly regenerate) would double their present giving, there would be sufficient monies to feed nearly every starving person in Africa. Imagine what would happen if we'd tithe? John addresses our need to give to others and not be selfish in 1 John 3.17: "But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?"

     4.  Inconsiderateness. This gets worked out when we fail to think about how our actions or words affect someone else, whether they were the intended target or not. The person who is always late exhibits this sinful tendency. (Don't start making excuses for why you're always late; just repent, change and don't be late any more! Plan better and think of those you're holding up while they wait for you.) Cell phone etiquette is non-existent in our culture; which is an outworking of our selfish way of thinking and using this little device that has become so indispensable. Too many, especially among Christians, just have the attitude: "I say what I think. I call'em like I see'em. I speak my mind and I try to speak the truth." But do you try to speak the truth in love? (Ephesians 4.15)

     The unselfish person seeks the other's good, concerns and interests ahead of his own. She seeks to balance her own longings with those of others around her. Obviously, our greatest example is Jesus Christ – "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8.9) I'm wondering if more families in their own homes would seek to put this sin to death, what difference would it make? At home, with our own families, we often put off all restraints, which means our own personal needs begin to take precedence over that of other family members. May we all ask the Holy Spirit to show us the evidence of selfishness in our lives. Then, may He grant us grace and strength to put off this besetting sin.

Tags: Jerry Bridges, respectable sins, sin, selfishness, doctrine, holiness, godliness

     Sunday's time of worship was... well, different, at least for me.

     Things were quite hectic leading right up to the moment of beginning the service. I wish there were some way around that. No matter how well prepared I seem to be, there's always something that cries out for attention, someone's question from Bible Class preceding that needs answering, or something which I (or someone else involved in the service) forgot. Then it's run-huff-puff-get-the-item-copy-the-song-sheet-grab-the-object-lesson-for-kids-tell-the-elders-what-they-need-to-remember-greet-the-new-guest-family-find-my-wife-so-I-can-tell-her-to-invite-the-new-people-for-dinner-and-get-the-microphone-pinned-on-in-the-right-place. Plus, this week, for reasons that were out of my control (I'm thankful I've handed that responsibility off, but I feel so much for those who have taken all the details upon themselves), the songs were chosen quite late in the week, the bulletin finished Sunday morning, the worship team didn't practice until during the Bible Class hour and I knew not the full order of service 'til I "walked in the room". For one who likes to be well-prepared, I barely felt that way.

     Add to that, the sense of weariness I've been feeling and it all led up to a second Sunday in a row where I really didn't feel like preaching. It's taken me 18+ years to get to a point where, when our family goes on vacation and we visit another church on the Lord's Day, I can sit under someone else's preaching and not feel like I'm shirking my responsibilities. This is completely different. At least during those times away I'm still looking forward to the opening of God's Word (well, okay, there were the two churches this summer that when it was time to do just that, it didn't happen and to me, at least, it was tremendously noticeable). The past two weeks have not been like that for me. It's not that I've dreaded not having anything to say – my messages were ready, notes were in hand and I had the theme picked out for some weeks. It's just that I didn't want to preach. I was too discouraged or overwhelmed or weary and felt like I had nothing to give to the task. 

     This is really disturbing to me. I think I know some, perhaps even many, of the reasons. I'm just not sure what to do about it at the present time. I spoke with another pastor/friend yesterday and sought advice from him. What he had to offer was quite good. It's getting that person to be "invited" to sit down with my leaders that concerns me. I don't want it to seem like I'm promoting myself and my own agenda. Yet the conundrum exists: if I don't, who will; and if I don't how long might this season go on; and, if I don't, how long before the congregation begins to notice (or how long will they tolerate what they've already noticed!).

     This coming Lord's Day will be our emphasis upon missions. One local agency we support and participate with will be here at Cornerstone helping us remember Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. Then a couple whom the church has supported for many years will be here, all the way from Alaska. Our daughter, Rebecca, will also share a bit about an upcoming trip she's going on to Taiwan. This will make for a full service with no time for a "typical" message. I'm always eager to hear from a variety of God's servants in various areas, working and seeking to spread the grace of God through the Gospel. Yet when little consideration is given to whether there will be time for preaching, and if there's not, well, it's no big deal, that weighs on me. And at this present time, it weighs upon me quite heavily.

     Usually, my solution to these seasons is just to do more. If you get busy, you won't have time to sit around and mope about how tired you are. Problem is, I know that this mind-set will not prove helpful at all right now. I've been there in the past and it hasn't helped then either. I do know it calls for patient and steadfast endurance. Faith perseverance and trusting that our sovereign Lord will grant rest when He deems it necessary.

It was a long, full, yet good (and I trust, effective) Sunday. I left early this morning for Minneapolis for a District meeting, got home around 5.30 PM, shut my eyes for a few minutes, spent time with family, helped with some work and now I'm ready to crash. I'm tired. Just plain tired. Can't explain why I feel so tired more often than not. So, sorry about a post for the day... I got nuthin'. Tomorrow I'll recount the Lord's Day past and have more.

Tags: tired, weary

For the great multitude of you that read this blog...

Okay, for the 100s of you that...

Blast! All right, already. For the 3 or 4 of you that read this blog, I'd like to direct your attention to a blog that was around for a long time, took a bit of a hiatus and is now back. Great stuff. Hilarious stuff. And some serious stuff on occasion too.

I present to you... (drum roll, please)

PURGATORIO

I think you'll enjoy Marc's sense of humor, spot-on sightings of really bad Christian kitsch in culture, an occasional serious posting, and, yes, I'll admit, I'm nearly addicted to his "Divine Vinyl" (gag, wretch, stomach flip-flops... I've seen album covers my parents used to have!) He does all the things I wish I had time to do! Great to have you back, Marc.

Tags: purgatorio, blogs

Okay, it's been a while since I've done my "Three on Thursday" post, so here goes. Can't say that it'll be anything exciting, but at least I've returned to routine!

Three Things People Say That Really Irk Me As A Pastor

     1.   "I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining, Pastor, but...."
                         ... then don't.

     2.   "Some people are saying that..."
                        ... really? Who are "they"?



     3.   "I see that Church A is now offering...."
                         ... I see. And we need to do that why?


Three Things About Gloomy Januarys in Minnesota that Get Me Down

     1.   Seemingly endless fog
       ... I mean, come on, it's supposed to snow!
     2.   January Thaw
                         ... I'm thinking the U.P. with an average of 200 inches of snow each winter

     3.   Having to drive around in yuk sludge
                         ... my car will never be clean again

And finally...

Three Good Posts With the Past Week

     1.   The Idolatry of Friendship
                         ... especially good after yesterday's post on Pride

     2.   A New Twist on MADD
                         ... finally! What a good parent should do!

     3.   Why We Shouldn't Quit Praying
                         ... a good reminder for us all.

Tags: winter

     The group over at Challies, will at some time today, be chiming in together on the reading of John Owen, Overcoming Sin and Temptation (check the link at the right). Today's reading, chapter 8, from the first section "Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers" has been one of the best, and perhaps, most convicting I've read in a long time.

     The heading for this section (if I understand correctly, Owen didn't really use chapters in his original) is this: There Will Be No Mortification of Any Sin Without Sincerity and Diligence in a Universality of Obedience. That's quite a mouthful sort of way of saying, "If I don't apply sincere diligence in my obedience in all areas of my life, especially in order to kill the desire to sin in my life, then I won't really be killing sin." To help better explain this, let me cite the first paragraph:

     A man finds any lust to bring him into the condition formerly described; it is powerful, strong, tumultuating, leads captive, vexes, disquiets takes away peace; he is not able to bear it; wherefore he sets himself against it, prays against it, groans under it, sighs to be delivered; but in the meantime, perhaps, in other duties – in constant communion with God – in reading, prayer, and meditation – in other ways that are not of the same kind with the lust wherewith he is troubled – he is loose and negligent. Let not that man think that ever he shall arrive to the mortification of the lust he is perplexed with.

     In other words, if I simply try to fight one area of sin, and not all others, and if I don't apply the same effort through the means of grace God has given me to commune with Him and grow in holiness, why on earth would I have any inkling that the one sin I want to be rid of will be got rid of? As Owen points out, it is all rooted in self-love: this one sin – or area of sin – bugs the daylights out of me; enough to make me go to great lengths to have some measure of peace in my heart against it. At the same time, however, I allow so many other areas to run full of neglect and sin and vile wickedness; or, I neglect my duties before God and man, in such a way as to show I really only want a bit of relief from the guilt of this sin, not the actual killing of it.

     I was once asked by a young person, why God allowed us to continue in sin once we've become a Christian. Why didn't He simply blot out all sin in our life? Or, if I might add to that question, why doesn't He help me to blot out this one area of sin in my life that seems to beset me more than any other? Owen replies thusly: 

     Now, can you think that God will set in with such hypocritical endeavors – that ever his Spirit will bear witness to the treachery and falsehood of your spirit? Do you think he will ease you of that which perplexes you, that you may be at liberty to that which no less grieves him? No. God says, "Here is one, if he could be rid of this lust I should never hear of him more; let him wrestle with this, or he is lost."

     Lord, let me wrestle. Grant me strength to do it, but let me wrestle. If You were to truly find me forsaking fellowship and communion with You simply because I pinned one sin to the mat and felt I had victory in my life, then let me wrestle! Do not leave me alone. Do not forsake me. Drive me to my knees in seeking all those areas in which I need kill sin.

Tags: sin, John Owen, temptation, mortification

In light of my post on Pride, I wanted to post this prayer from the Valley of Vision:


 

 
SOVEREIGN LORD,
 
When clouds of darkness, atheism, and unbelief come to me,
        I see thy purpose of love
                 in withdrawing the Spirit that I might prize him more
                 in chastening me for my confidence in past successes,
                 that my wound of secret godlessness might be cured.
 
Help me to humble myself before thee
                 by seeing the vanity of honour as a conceit of men's minds,
                          as standing between me and thee;
                 by seeing that thy will must alone be done,
                          as much in denying as in giving spiritual enjoyments;
                 by seeing that my heart is nothing but evil,
                          mind, mouth, life void of thee;
                 by seeing that sin and Satan are allowed power in me
                          that I might know my sin, be humbled,
                          and gain strength thereby;
                 by seeing that unbelief shuts thee from me,
                          so that I sense not thy majesty, power, mercy, or love.
 
Then possess me, for thou only art good and worthy.
 
Thou dost not play in convincing me of sin,
Satan did not play in tempting me to it,
I do not play when I sink in deep mire,
        for sin is no game, no toy, no bauble;
Let me never forget that the heinousness of sin
        lies not so much in the nature of the sin committed,
                 as in the greatness of the person sinned against.
 
When I am afraid of evils to come, comfort me, by showing me
        that in myself I am a dying, condemned wretch,
                 but that in Christ I am reconciled, made alive, and satisfied;
        that I am feeble and unable to do any good,
                 but that in him I can do all things;
        that what I now have in Christ is mine in part,
                 but that shortly I shall have it perfectly in heaven.

HUMILIATION

 

Tags: prayer, Valley of Vision, puritans, humility

     Bridges keeps on hitting me in the teeth.

     Not literally, of course, but you all know what it's like when you read something that speaks so clearly to you that you just know the author has been given the ability to see right into your heart and mind, to know what most of the motives and intents of your heart are, and then to lay them out on the table right in front of you. As you sit there and see what was really inside of you, you recoil, you start to exclaim, "No way!" but quickly close your mouth, because there on every piece of sin and vile wretchedness is your name.

     Chapter 11 of Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate finds us looking at pride. Rather than address pride in general, which could have consumed an entire book, Bridges decides to focus his laser just a bit. There are four specific areas which he covers: the pride of moral self-righteousness (Bam), the pride of correct doctrine (Powee), the pride of achievement (Kapow!) and the pride of an independent spirit (Blam... he's out for the count!). I realize, that of these four, I don't escape from any of them. And the first two especially seek to ensnare me.

     Moral self-righteousness is that sin which views itself as always on the high ground when it comes to other people's sins. If we're able to avoid the terrible, awful, deplorable sins that so many people find themselves wallowing in, then we feel superior to them. Ann & I know a person who was recently divorced, wrongfully so, and who is going to be getting married quite soon to someone who can provide her with all the financial wherewithal she seemed to lack in her previous marriage. This just keeps compounding the sins in her life. The conversations we (mostly Ann) have had with this woman continue to point out the flaws and evils in her heart. And we feel good about that! Superior! Better! Because we've never fallen for those sins... or have we? Even if we haven't, the sin of moral self-righteousness was raising it's ugly head in both of us, especially me

     How can I guard against this sin in my life? Humility. Recognizing that only by God's grace have I not done the exact same things. Then recognize my own sinfulness before a holy God, which is just like anyone else's sinfulness. 

     The pride of correct doctrine is tackled next by Bridges. This one hurt perhaps more than any other. I don't view myself as a flaming Calvinist or one who seeks out all comers to do theological battle with them. But I have found myself, many a time, thinking, "Those poor Arminians; they just don't know any better." Learning to battle this sin in myself will require much more humble thinking and considerations; to realize that it has become acceptable in my heart and then seek to make it unacceptable. It doesn't mean my convictions will weaken, just the manner by which I express them.

     Pride of achievement hasn't been a struggle for me... you have to have achieved something! Here's where my strong doctrinal convictions help me (and I don't think that's pride but let me know if it comes across that way): my strong view of God's sovereignty means that I accept all that I have – position, honor, possessions, accolades – as coming from His hand, not my abilities or success. However, that doesn't mean that there isn't the reverse side of this pride: pride in what I don't have. That sounds silly, but what I mean by this is the attitude that takes pride in one's smallness, humble state and lack of honors and recognition.

     Teachability will help fight off the final form of pride spoken of in Chapter 11: an independent spirit. This type of spirit thinks they know it all and doesn't like sitting under authority. To be teachable, one must be dependent, humble and ready to obey another's words. Several verses in the Proverbs can help you here if you struggle with this sin: Proverbs 2.1; 3.1; 4.1; 5.1; 7.1.

     Lord, keep me from pride, even in my keeping off pride. Cause humility to reign in my heart and mind. 

I received these in my Comictastic app today and they not only made me laugh, but they made me think about blogging. It's always good to be humbled.

Tags: comic strips, humor

When Timmy Brister first issued a challenge to read the Puritans this year, I thought, "Good for you, Tim. And there are others out there who need to do the same. As for me? Well, I've read a lot of them." Then I discovered that of the twelve books he's recommending for this year, there are only four on my shelves and only one of those four which I'd read completely. So to Reformation Heritage Books I went and ordered the set. The duplicates will be given to worthy readers (a really good Calvinist I know who may not have many Puritan books, and a couple of Arminians who could do with some decent reading for a change [interpret that as: put down that Rick Hybels Osteen book right now!]). Once they arrive, I'm sure I'll already be a bit behind, so I'll need to get busy reading The Bruised Reed. Whew! That'll keep my reading shelf busy this year; I'm in chapter 8 of Owen with a bunch of others over at Tim's place. I'm blogging on Jerry Bridges' Respectable Sins (not a puritan, but certainly has the odor of a puritan about him). And I've been wanting to re-read J.I. Packer's Quest for Godliness for a long time now. Who knows where all this will lead, but I know I'll have to sneak in a real live guy at least once this year (sorry, Dr. Packer, no offense intended).

Tags: reading, books, puritans

Rebecca has made this one of her monthly themes, and with good reason: everyone can always talk about the weather. When you meet strangers, you usually default at some point in the conversation to talking about the weather. In comedy sketches, during incredibly uncomfortable or embarrassing moments, the parties involved revert to talk about the weather. It's always with us, it either good or bad, too hot or too cold, just perfect or just around the corner. There's always weather, whether we like it or not (sorry, that was some really gratuitous bad humor!). 

Anyway, here's the forecast for the Rochester area; a bit unusual for us this time in January. The pictures to the side are from a major snow storm last winter. I love a really great snow storm. I don't have to get out and travel in it. I love to be stuck inside with no where to go for a day or two because of deep snow. Plus, it's just a beautiful thing to behold. How about you? Got any good snow stories or pictures? (I'm sure Erica can come up with all kinds of reasons she really and truly loves snow!!)

Tags: blogging, weather, winter, snow

At this point in this post, LSU leads Ohio State by a score of 31-17. If LSU goes on to win, I'll be disappointed by a great deal; not because I'm a big OSU fan, but I'm just really, really tired of LSU. Hear me out (especially if Jason, from FIDE-O, would happen to stumble across this post). I was never a big Notre Dame fan, but I like the Irish... until NBC contracted to broadcast them with what seemed like a 24/7 contract for the next 10 centuries. I mean really, give me a break. Let's take a good thing and grind it into the ground until everyone but the Fighting Irish faithful despise it. I almost took a morbid sense of delight in Notre Dame's misfortune this year hoping that NBC was losing millions of dollars and would learn a lesson: there are other teams besides Notre Dame!

This year, CBS, while not having an exclusive contract with LSU, certainly had a tremendous love affair with the Tigers. I'm sure I'm not accurate in any way shape or form in how many games CBS broadcast featuring the Tigers this year, but I do know this. Two years ago, I was pleased, even happy for LSU's year end. This year? I watched most of those games, including some of the losses. LSU is a very good team, don't get me wrong, but they got the benefit of calls in some games, barely slipped by in others and won a couple they really didn't deserve to win. All that being said,, even if they were a domineeringly undefeated team, I'd still be tired of them because of over coverage! Please, just get this over with.

And by the way... I'd love to see Georgia's Bulldogs whoop up on them Tigers!

And also, by the way, congratulations Erica...


er, uhm, I mean Kansas!!

Tags: football, NCAA, BCS

     Yesterday was a bit of a difficult day for me. I almost always look forward to Sunday and to worshipping with the saints at Cornerstone EFC. I've preached recently on loving the Bride of Christ. The problem I was having yesterday was there are some of the attendants who are just so hard to love. They're so frustrating and disappointing and discouraging and aggravating and maddening and even at many moments, just plain childish. (My usually witty sarcasm might generally jump in here and say something like, "Yeah, and that's just starting with me!" - but I'm not feeling too witty this morning, so I'll just let that slip. Yeah, I know; you figure it out.) It was one of those Sunday mornings where I wish I didn't have to preach. You can ask Ann how many times that has happened (I'm hoping she'll tell you she could count them on one hand). God is gracious; He saw me through it. I've even received comments back about this was one of my best messages (personally, I'd rate it somewhere around 373rd – which raises the quick question in my mind... how many messages have I preached in 21+ years of ministry?)

     Yesterday's theme was on being people of the Word. It was one of those let's-start-the-year-off-right kind of sermons. One of the choruses we sang was Lynn DeShazo's "Ancient Words." I really, really like this song; I mean, if a song about the Words power to sustain and change doesn't move a pastor's heart then you probably shouldn't be in ministry. I've included the song in this post. Don't hit the play button and expect to hear Michael W. Smith singing at the top of his lungs from his Worship Again CD. What you'll hear will be Cornerstone's version of it yesterday. Here are the lyrics, in case you'd like to sing along with a handful of humble saints:

06ancient_words

 

Lynn Deshazo

Verse 1
Holy words long preserved
       For our walk in this world
They resound with God's own heart
       O let the ancient words impart
Words of life words of hope
       Give us strength help us cope
In this world where'er we roam
       Ancient words will guide us home
 
Chorus
Ancient words ever true
       Changing me changing you
We have come with open hearts
       O let the ancient words impart
 
Verse 2
Holy words of our faith
       Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
       O heed the faithful words of Christ
Holy words long preserved
       For our walk in this world
They resound with God's own heart
       O let the ancient words impart
 
Chorus
Ancient words ever true
       Changing me changing you
We have come with open hearts
       O let the ancient words impart
 
Verse 3
Martyr's blood stains each page
       They have died for this faith
Hear them cry through the years
       Heed these words and hold them dear
 
Chorus
Ancient words ever true
       Changing me changing you
We have come with open hearts
       O let the ancient words impart
 
We have come with open hearts
       O let the ancient words impart
       O let the ancient words impart
 

2001 Integrity's Hosanna! Music
CCLI #432103

     My sermon was focused on challenging us to be people of the Word. Ken Sande once said that the reason it's necessary to repeat that which sounds so obvious and so basic to us as Christians is that we leak. So, it's always a good reminder and exhortation to stay in the Word, stay grounded upon the Word. If we wonder why some Christians seem so powerless and so immature, it can probably be traced back to little time in the Word beyond a Daily Bread reading. Little contact, little Christ-likeness. Little input, little growth. It's just that simple.


     We also began a new teaching series in the Adult Bible Class using Modern Parables. I think this is going to be a great time in the Word, studying six of the parables (yesterday's was Hidden Treasure). The goal is to grow in our knowledge of the Kingdom of God and to live out that calling in this world at present. Check out the web site and the previews. Then come and join us for the full deal each week.

Tags: Worship, Cornerstone EFC, Ancient Words

Ancient Words