Come Down, Lord!

I have been hearing some strange things about my position and the position of Faith Presbyterian Church with regard to masks, social distancing and civil obedience/disobedience. I hope here to set some of the record straight.   1. First the opinions expressed here on this blog are my own and not necessarily those of my Session. 2. Second, we do, indeed, allow people to wear masks when they gather for worship.  In fact, the position of our elders has been quite straightforward.  Rather than imposing on the consciences of God's people, we have decided to allow each one to do as their conscience dictates.  Some choose not to wear masks and they are not barred from worship for that decision.  Others choose to wear them and they are not barred from worship either.  Many churches are divided over this subject.  I believe our Session's approach has served the unity of the church because where others have mandated we haven't.  We understand some...

  [The following was originally posted on our church blog on March 3, 2016] Although generally familiar with Wretched Radio, I don't follow Todd Friel.  I picked up this book after it was recommended to me by another pastor; and after his commendation I was looking forward to reading it.  I came away, however, seriously disappointed. I have taken the time to review this book because I believe it represents a troubling trend in conservative Christianity. First, the pros . A. Todd Friel is courageous.  He loves the truth as he puts it because "Loving truth is the same as loving God because He is the truth...  If we love God, we will pursue truth tenaciously and defend it at all costs."  Todd doesn't hesitate to name names believing that "refusal to confront error is" [as Spurgeon put it] 'treason to Christ'...".  I believe this is helpful, and I am grateful for his courage.  I have always had a particular love for those courageous for truth.  W...

Not very long ago we were told by Christian leaders that it would be wrong to gather for worship even while wearing masks because the civil authorities had forbidden us from gathering in groups of more than 5.  It was - we were told - a matter of Christian obedience pure and simple.  Since then we have seen some interesting (and worrying) developments.   The government has allowed us to gather in larger groups and many (though certainly not most) churches have begun to do so.  However, the authorities have told us that while we may gather we may not sing, and more recently they have told us we must wear masks.   So, how have churches responded to these developments?  Many churches have decided to play it safe.  I will call them ‘group A’.  Worried about the virus they have decided to resume worship in the fall or even later.  Eventually they will begin meeting again, but they are in no rush to do so.  They have told their congregations ...

Updated October 28, 2020 Here I want to recommend books on the theme of revival.   By that I do not mean biographies of men used in revival like Whitefield, Wesley or Elias. Rather, I mean books written either about the subject itself or books that give accounts of revival. Years ago I was introduced to Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill.   That book (in 2003) changed my life.  In fact it had more of an impact on me than any book since.  From that point I have had a growing interest in the subject of revival and also a growing burden to see the Lord revive the Church in this country.    In 2004 I discovered Sermon Index .  That year I heard three sermons/talks that dramatically impacted me.  The first was titled Ten Shekels and a Shirt .  Though it isn't a sermon on revival, the subject of revival came up.   It was a sermon that changed my perspective on God, missions, salvation and revival.   The second was a gripp...