Come Down, Lord!

I wrote previously on the need to prepare for persecution by memorizing Scripture.  Here I want to recommend a tremendous resource.  I have been working on memory work for a number of years but I have not found a resource anywhere near as available as Bible Memory.    I really can't explain it to you.  It has be tried.  If you will click on the image below you should be able to get a 20% discount.   If you have any difficulties please let me know. If you need the promo code I will be happy to send it to you. If you are interested in memorizing this is the resource to use.  One verse a day and in two years you will have memorized more than 700 verses!

There are some things that Michael Krahn has written that I appreciate and agree with.   I agree, for example, that the threats against the mayor of Aylmer are "evil and cowardly," and I agree that we ought to be praying for our civil leaders (1 Timothy 2).   But Krahn's letter is overly simplistic and (I think) unfair to those on the other side.  Here I want to respond - as a local(ish) pastor - to his 7 "thoughts and commitments." 1. Krahn writes : " Defiance is sometimes necessary, but blind defiance is no better than blind obedience. Blind defiance and blind obedience are both unhealthy, knee-jerk reactions.  Informed  defiance and  informed  obedience can have a conversation; blind defiance and blind obedience can only have conflict.   I will stay informed, enter many conversations, and  follow the laws of my province while at the same time making it known that I think there are better ways. This is how a healthy democracy works."    This sounds

The following was originally posted in 2016.    Though outdated, I believe it remains relevant.   Someone recently brought to my attention developments in the  Presbyterian Church of Canada  (PCC).  As that denomination heads into its 2016 General Assembly they have decided that this will  "be a year of study and prayer regarding human sexuality"  [see the Moderators letter  here  and the follow up  here ].  In anticipation of the discussion and decisions to be made at the Assembly congregations have been asked to study together a document titled  Body, Mind and soul - Study Guide on Human Sexuality .  I have read through the document and found nothing that surprised me.  The authors of this document are simply repeating arguments already made [Brownson, for example, is quoted often].  Nonetheless, I would like to offer a brief critique of their work followed by an invitation to believers in the PCC.   Critique Rather than present an exhaustive review, I have decided instead

The following was originally posted in 2016.  I have since edited and updated it.  The picture is of Dr. Lionel Gurney founder of the RSMT now call Reach Across. In 2016 I received the following in a mass email sent to the local ministerial:  "Because I am up thinking about this, I thought I would bring it to everyone as well. I am always fascinated by what shapes people's thinking, choices, life, be it family, culture, books, dogs, amoebas, etc. So I was just wondering if as an exercise you would like to answer the top ten (at the moment) people, books, movements that have shaped your thinking in your ministry and view of God and the world. Obviously outside the Bible, and it does not have to be solely "Christian"." Its an intriguing invitation and one that got me to thinking... who/what has most influenced me?  The author of the email assumes - as he should! - that the Lord Jesus will be first on everyone's list.  He assumes, too, that the Bible will be in

  Let this be then the conclusion of all together, that we will suffer our goods to be taken away, our name, our life, and all that we have; but the gospel, our faith, Jesus Christ, we will never suffer to be wrested from us… Wherefore, God assisting me, my forehead shall be more hard than all men’s foreheads. Here I take upon me this title, according to the proverb, Cedo nulli . I give place to none. Yea, I am glad even with all my heart, in this point to seem rebellious and obstinate. And here I confess that I am, and ever will be stout and stern, and will not one inch give place to any creature. - Martin Luther The new bill speaks in its preamble of "the myth that a person's sexual orientation and gender identity can and ought to be changed." It then prohibits advertisements "for conversion therapy." At first glance I saw no real problem with the bill (apart from the ideologically driven preamble). I didn't hardly know what conversion therapy was,

The following was originally posted on our church blog in 2014 .  It has been edited slightly. Here I offer a review of David Gushee's book followed by a plea, which is directed to those who are LGBTQIA+, along with their families and their friends.  A Review Gushee is not the first to  change his mind  on what he calls “the LGBT issue,” and he won’t be the last.    The question is, does he have a case?    Should the rest of the evangelical community follow suit?    Is this a reformation worthy of our participation?    Gushee has concluded it is, and he wants you to carefully reconsider what has been the Church’s consistent (and almost unanimous) teaching for 2000 years.    In fact, his book comes as a plea to the broader community of which Gushee has long been a part.    Should we listen to him?    As I interact with his book I want to examine three of his arguments and show why his book – far from helping - will cause more harm than good. 1. First , Gushee makes what is becoming